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

Zagatala is a green town in north-western Azerbaijan at the foot of the Greater Caucasus and the country's largest hazelnut-growing district. In the centre is a square with old plane trees, and from it a stairway leads up to a fortress built by the Russians in the 1830s, where sailors from the battleship Potemkin were held in 1907. Around the town are villages with towers and mosques (Tala, Jar), the Zagatala State Nature Reserve, rose and lavender fields and mountain trails. Zagatala combines well with Qakh, 37 km away, in one trip.

How to get there from Baku

• By car: Baku to Zagatala is 371 km, about 5 h 14 min. Via Sheki: Sheki to Qakh is 35 km, then Qakh to Zagatala 37 km (about 47 min).
• By train: the Baku–Balakan night train of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) stops at Zagatala station and at Aliabad. At the January 2025 relaunch fares from Baku to Zagatala started at 16.4 AZN (Standard), 23.9 AZN (Standard+) and 67.7 AZN (Business). According to an APA headline of 30 October 2026, the service resumes on 20 November; check the timetable on ticket.ady.az.
• By bus: from the Baku International Bus Terminal (Avtovagzal) to the centre of Zagatala takes about 4 hours. In October 2019 the Zagatala bus station listed 7 departures a day from Baku, 8 from Sheki and 12 from Qakh; check current times on avtovagzal.az.
• By air: Zagatala has an international airport (ZTU), but there are no regular passenger flights at present.

What to see

• Old Square and plane trees: Dede Gorgud Square with huge plane trees; sources give their age as anywhere from about 250 to 800 years. Allow about 30 minutes; the square is open and free.
• Zagatala Fortress: built by the Russians in the 1830s (Lonely Planet gives 1830–1860), a triangle with walls of about 3 km and 4 towers; sailors from the Potemkin were held here in 1907. Many buildings are in poor condition. A stairway leads up from the square; the gates are not locked, so you can walk around at any time, and a guide is sometimes on site. Allow about 1 hour.
• Old church on Dede Gorgud Square: an abandoned red-brick church by the square; sources disagree on its date and history. About 15 minutes from the outside.
• Regional Museum: a small museum with books, photos, costumes, jewellery and ceramics. Ticket 1 AZN, open 10:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:00 (Wikivoyage, 2019). Allow about 45 minutes.
• Tala Mosque: in the Tala suburb at the entrance to the town, built with funds from Haji Taghiyev. Allow about 30 minutes.
• Jar village: 1 km north of the town, with the 14th-century Jingoz tower and a 17th-century mosque; the trail to the Shamilovka plateau (about 5 hours' climb) starts here. Allow 1–2 hours; the village is open and free.
• Zagatala State Nature Reserve: founded in 1929 in the Zagatala and Balakan districts, home to more than 900 plant species, lynx, bear and the Dagestan tur. Activities other than research are restricted.
• Peri-gala (Fairy Castle): a fortress cut into a cliff at a height of about 200 m near Yukhari Chardakhlar, about 20 km from Zagatala.
• Rose and lavender fields: roses were brought from Bulgaria in the 1960s and bloom in early May. The Lecheq farm in Ashaghi Tala runs tours. Allow about 1 hour.
• Katekhchay waterfall: a waterfall in the forest near Katekh village where you can swim in summer; Gabizdere is about 8 km from the town centre.

One-day route

• Baku is 371 km away (about 5 h 14 min), too far for a day trip there and back; it is easier to stay overnight in Sheki (about 72 km via Qakh) or in Zagatala.
• 09:00 — Dede Gorgud Square and the old plane trees; 09:30 — the stairway to Zagatala Fortress and a walk along the walls.
• 10:45 — the old church by the square (outside); 11:15 — the Regional Museum (hours as of 2019).
• 12:30 — lunch in the centre; 14:00 — Tala Mosque at the entrance to the town.
• 15:00 — Jar village: Jingoz tower and the 17th-century mosque.
• 16:30 — optional: Gabizdere and the Katekhchay waterfall, or, in early May, the rose fields in Ashaghi Tala.
• 18:00 — return to Sheki (about 72 km) or drive on to Qakh (37 km, about 47 min).

What to eat

• Hazelnuts: Zagatala is the country's largest hazelnut district, with a hazelnut festival every autumn.
• Local dishes: halva, pakhlava, surhullu, megesh (salted cheese), makhara pancakes, and tea with jam.
• Trout from the Zagatala trout farm, which also holds cooking masterclasses. Rose jam, rose water and honey, along with tandoor bread in Gabizdere village and honey, fruit, herbs and souvenirs at the Zagatala bazaar.

Where to stay

We do not have hotels in Zagatala yet. The nearest are in Sheki, about 72 km away via Qakh: Sheki Palace, Sheki Saray, Macara Sheki City, Marxal Resort & Spa, Kungut, Yukhari Karvansaray, Old Town Sheki, MinAli, Arena Sheki, Art Hotel by ABAD, Yaffle Inn, RUH Achari (Kish).

When to go

• Climate (1971–1990 averages): in January about 5.3 °C by day and −1.9 °C at night; in July about 30.5 °C by day and 19.4 °C at night. Rainfall is 891 mm a year, the wettest month being June (129 mm). The main season is spring, summer and autumn.
• Early May: roses and lavender are in bloom. Autumn: the hazelnut festival (euronews says November; in 2022 it opened on 13 September). In neighbouring Balakan a persimmon festival is held in October. In spring Gabizdere celebrates the Khedik festival.
• Winter brings snow higher up; trails are passable but need care. In spring and autumn high water makes river fords dangerous.

Frequently asked questions

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