Astara: Mountains, Waterfall and Sea — Yanar Bulaq, Sim Village and the Boulevard
A burning spring, the mountain village of Sim with a 30 m waterfall, tea by the White Bridge and an evening on the Astara seafront.
Photo: Vaflilit / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Sefer azeri / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Tərxan Paşazadə / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Rəcəb Həsənbəyov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Of the three southern districts, only Astara has real mountains and waterfalls — and a proper seafront with a beach. This day puts both together.
On the old road north of Astara we stop at Yanar Bulaq in Archivan: a drinking spring whose water contains methane and catches fire from a match (the flame goes out quickly). Then we drive 20–25 km on a narrow asphalt road up to Sim, a village at 400–700 m with whitewashed houses, a water mill and views of the Caspian.
Sim waterfall is about 30 m high with several cascades. It is about 1.5 km from the village centre: first a steep village path, then a forest trail; the last stretch is usually done in a local UAZ or Niva, paid on site. Afterwards — tea from a samovar and local honey by the White Bridge.
We finish on the Astara boulevard: about 1 km along the Caspian, a 6 ha park and a beach with black volcanic sand and a gentle bottom. Swimming is from May to October, and only where lifeguards are on duty.
Itinerary
- 07:00Pick-up in Baku
- 09:45Yanar Bulaq, the burning spring in Archivan — 30 min
- 10:50Sim village: white houses, water mill, Caspian view — 30 min (in season — mandarins straight from the gardens on the way)
- 11:20Sim waterfall — about 2 h (trail + local UAZ/Niva, paid on site)
- 13:20Tea from a samovar with local sweets and jam by the White Bridge — 1 h
- 15:00Astara boulevard, beach and the giant bread tandoor — 2 h (swimming May–October, lifeguarded areas only)
- 17:00Departure for Baku (later if you want to stay for sunset)
- 20:00Drop-off at your hotel
Included
- Private car with driver for your group (up to 6 people)
- Fuel and parking
- Pick-up from your hotel or address in Baku and drop-off back
- Photo stops and a flexible order of stops
Not included
- Local UAZ/Niva for the last stretch to Sim waterfall — paid on site
- Tea, honey and snacks in Sim village
- Meals and personal expenses
- Licensed guide (on request, extra cost)
Season and warnings
- Best in spring and autumn (15–25 °C in Sim); the waterfall is strongest after rain.
- Beach and swimming: May–October, water about +26 °C; warmest in July and August. We swim only where lifeguards are on duty.
- After rain the trail to the waterfall is slippery — we decide on the spot how far to walk.
- Sim is next to the Iranian border. Entering Iran is not part of the tour: the land border is closed.
- The boulevard is open all year.
What to bring
- Matches or a lighter for Yanar Bulaq
- Comfortable shoes with a good grip for the waterfall trail
- Swimsuit and towel (May–October)
- Cash in manats for the local UAZ/Niva and tea
What to taste and buy
- Tea from a samovar by Sim waterfall and at the White Bridge, with local sweets and jam.
- Caspian fish is the calling card of the district; lavangi is made here too.
- Fruit: mandarins along the road to Sim — in season you can buy them right at the gardens; kiwi is picked in September–October.
- Honey, cream and cheese from Sim — beekeeping is the main occupation of the village.
- On the boulevard there is a giant tandoor (12 m across) where Astara bread is baked; its hours are not published.
Other tours
Baku City Tour
Old City and Maiden Tower, Highland Park, Flame Towers, the Boulevard and Heydar Aliyev Center.
Questions & answers
How do we get to Sim waterfall?
Our car goes to Sim village on asphalt. From the centre it is about 1.5 km: a steep village path, then a forest trail. Locals drive the hard last stretch in UAZ or Niva cars; this is paid on site.
Does Yanar Bulaq really burn?
Yes, the spring water contains methane and catches fire from a match, but the flame goes out quickly. Bring matches. It is a drinking spring under a canopy, protected by the state.
Can we swim in the sea?
From May to October, and only where lifeguards are on duty. The Astara beach has black volcanic sand and a gentle bottom without stones.
Can we cross into Iran?
No. Azerbaijan's land borders have been closed since 2020, so entering Iran is not part of our tours.
What can we taste in Astara?
Tea from a samovar with local jam in Sim, Caspian fish, honey and cheese from the village, and in autumn mandarins and kiwi straight from the gardens. Food is paid separately.