Baku to Masalli: How to Get There and What to See

Masalli is a district in the south of Azerbaijan, between Baku and Lankaran, at the foot of the Talysh Mountains. Its main sight is the Istisu hot springs in the forested gorge of the Vilashchay river: open-air pools with water at about 40 °C, 20 °C and 5 °C. On the same Masalli – Yardimli road (56 km) are the Vilashchay reservoir, the Yanardagh "burning mountain" and the Tekdam waterfall. Mountainous Lerik is an hour away, which makes Masalli a convenient first stop on a trip to the south.

How to get there from Baku

• By car: Baku to Masalli is 213 km, about 2 h 20 min without stops (Rome2rio). On a trip in October 2026, Baku to Istisu took 2 h 50 min with two 5–10 minute stops. Masalli to Istisu is 10–13 km.
• By train: there is no train. Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) plans to gradually restore passenger service to Astara by 2030.
• By bus: buses run south from the Baku International Bus Terminal (Avtovağzal) to Lankaran, about every 3 hours, taking 3 h 20 min – 3 h 40 min, for about $6 (Rome2rio, undated). Since 30 June 2024 the maximum intercity bus fare is 3.7 qəpik per km.

What to see

• Masalli Istisu hot springs — in the Vilashchay gorge, 10–13 km from Masalli; the spring water is above 60 °C. Open-air pools in the forest in three sectors (about 40 °C, 20 °C and 5 °C), with a wooden deck, changing cabins and a café; food is ordered right at the pools. Diving headfirst is not allowed, and you should stay in the water no longer than 15 minutes. About 1.5 h. Pool 5 AZN per person, towel 2 AZN, parking 1 AZN (October 2026); massage 10–25 AZN (azerbaijan.travel). Open 10:00–18:00, May–October.
• Yanardagh Recreation Centre — on the Masalli – Yardimli road by the Vilashchay: hot sulphurous water, "burning" stones reached by 200 steps, and thermal baths. 5 AZN; 09:00–18:00, May–September.
• Vilashchay reservoir — about 9 km from Masalli, near the villages of Gariblar and Isi. Opened in 1986, with a 3.2 km dam, forest and views of the Talysh Mountains. About 30 min; open site.
• Tekdam waterfall — at km 27 of the Masalli – Yardimli road, at about 1,500 m: two cascades of about 34 m, with more water in winter and spring.
• Masalli History and Regional Studies Museum — opened in 2016, with more than 7,000 exhibits from the Eneolithic to the 20th century. About 45 min.
• Arkivan (Ərkivan) — a village 2 km west of Masalli on the right bank of the Vilashchay, with the 9th–10th-century Arkivan fortress. About 30 min.
• Gizilagach National Park — in the east of the district on the Caspian: more than 270 bird species, including flamingos and pelicans; a Ramsar site since 2001. There is an entrance fee. Birdwatching in April–May and October; birds winter here from November to March.
• The road to Lerik — Istisu to Lerik is 1 h on asphalt, winding along the cliffs, with a viewpoint over the valley and the Talysh Mountains on the way (5–10 min); there is fallen rock on the roadside.

One-day route

• 09:00 — leave Baku (213 km).
• 11:50 — Istisu: the pools and tea with jam on the deck by the water (about 1.5 h).
• 13:30 — Yanardagh on the Masalli – Yardimli road (May–September only).
• 14:30 — Vilashchay reservoir (about 9 km from Masalli).
• 15:30 — Masalli: the History and Regional Studies Museum and Arkivan (2 km west).
• 16:30 — back to Baku (2 h 20 min – 2 h 50 min).

With a night in the mountains: Istisu to Lerik is 1 h, so leaving Baku at 09:00 you reach Lerik at about 14:20. Do everything outdoors before sunset (about 18:20 in mid-October). In Lerik there is the Museum of Longevity (09:00–18:00, from 2 AZN).

What to eat

• Tea with jam by the pools at Istisu, served in armudu glasses with jam and sweets. Food is ordered right at the pools; by the second pool, "Hovuz", there is a café with the sign "Hər növ yeməklər" (all kinds of dishes).
• Lavangi — chicken or fish with nuts, onion and sour plum paste, a dish of the Lankaran region.
• Tea — the Masalli district grows tea, though not much (3 tonnes in 2016).
• For lunch in Lerik: Təbəssüm, with quick service; order in advance.

Where to stay

We do not have hotels in Masalli on our site yet. The nearest are in Lankaran, further along the same road (Baku – Masalli 213 km, Baku – Lankaran 244 km): Khan Lankaran Hotel, Khazar Palace Hotel & Restaurant, Lankaran Springs & Wellness Resort, Qafqaz Sahil Resort Hotel and Riva Hill Resort. In Lerik there are stays on our site in Hamarmesha village: A-Frame VIP with pool and sauna, A-Frame with pool, A-Frame Standard and a honeycomb wooden house with pool.

When to go

• Istisu: May–October, 10:00–18:00 (azerbaijan.travel). On 17 October 2026 it was open, the water was warm and people were bathing.
• Yanardagh: May–September.
• Tekdam waterfall: more water in winter and spring.
• Birds in Gizilagach: April–May and October; wintering from November to March.
• October is the wettest month in neighbouring Lankaran (259 mm); in October 2026 the river by Istisu had almost dried up. After rain, check the Masalli – Yardimli road: in December 2015 there was a landslide at km 17–18.

Frequently asked questions

Updated 30 October 2026. Prices and timetables of other companies can change — please check before you travel.