As the days grow cooler and darker in the Middle East, Azerbaijan gets ready to welcome winter. 

While Azerbaijan’s warm summer days are renowned for stealing the limelight, winter in Azerbaijan deserves its own starring part. Winter presents an assortment of activities and festivals that honors the uniqueness of the season as it lasts approximately from November to March.

Like most tourists and outdoor lovers, the important question is ‘what do we do, to enjoy winter in Azerbaijan?’ Here are 8 ideas for family fun that will influence you to make the best of your winter vacation in Azerbaijan.

Go skiing

That’s right. Azerbaijan has two 21st-century resorts named after famous mountains. The Shahdag Resort is on the lower slopes of Heydar Aliyev Peak around 30km west of Gusar. The Shahdag Mountain Resort, circled by the Greater Caucasus, commands a spectacular panorama, roughly 2,500 meters above sea level and is a pulse throb and a magnet for sports enthusiasts and lovers of untouched nature. A few kilometers beyond Shahdag resort is the delightful village of Laza with an array of high waterfalls that look splendid when frozen. Tufandag Resort located on the northern margin of Gabala has fresh air and a soothing silence that will be a welcome variation to the drab of the metropolises. It combines a rustic atmosphere with an easy urban convenience. And is predominantly a family-oriented resort. Meanwhile the antique shepherd’s village of Duruja can be freely visited by stepping off the ski lift. So make certain to go play on the slopes.

Ride a bike

In Azerbaijan, it’s time to explore the infamous Baku metropolis. You can head out to the Baku Boulevard or Baku Parks and enjoy a decent bike ride. It won’t be a fast ride but you will cherish it.

Take a wellness retreat

There are entire places like Ovdan Wellness and Spa Shahdag and Chenot Palace Gabala, devoted to promote health and wellbeing, where you can receive medical, spa treatments, checkups, diets, and all within a luxury facility. The objective is to encourage you to detox, thus refreshing the body and mind. Take the family on a special week winter retreat where they’ll have fun and relax in the cozy and energizing Azerbaijani Wellness hospitality.

Play and Laugh together

Whatever you enjoy spending time on, play together as a family to create memories of charming winter in Azerbaijan. It can be outdoor activities for a whole family to enjoy, like making a snowman, making a campfire, paint, play music, visiting a Bowling place like Qafqaz Resort Bowling center or attending the countless famous music festivals that will teach you the diversity of Azerbaijan. Whatever activity you favor it’s most important to loosen up. Remember, laughing and engaging in same activities is something that every family needs and enjoys.

Go for a hike

Whether you’re alone or in a group, you can wander in favorite places like Yeddi Gozel Waterfall, World War II Memorial Park, and Lake Nohur.

Go Bird watching or hunting

Wait, What? Yes. Azerbaijan’s mild winters attract birds from far north as they cross over or stop in Azerbaijan. Water birds by the thousands – both large and small – cluster in Azerbaijan’s many wetlands, along the coast and inland. Wetland birds include swans, geese, ducks, flamingos and shorebirds, curlews and snipe. Along the coast, the Common and Great Black-headed Gulls can be observed, with Hen Harriers and a few Peregrine and Saker Falcons hunting over land. Large flocks of Meadow Pipits and Bramblings also prowl the open areas, feeding on seeds. While in the mountains, most birds of the alpine region are forced lower in winter by snow with some migrating down into the river valleys.

Sample Local Cuisine

Winter in Azerbaijan is a pleasant season for local halal food lovers. It’s precisely during the cold times that the Azerbaijanis will treat you to a hot amber broth–Hash/aspic beef feet prepared overnight on low flame, with hot dushbara (dumplings) a rosy meat pie – fijim from sheep pulp, roasted onions, minced garlic, pepper and dried herbs, all baked in dough, and exquisite and tender piti in clay pots. This will be accompanied by a thin fragrant soup seasoned with saffron, served with pepper, sumac, mint, tomatoes or chestnuts. To add to the already bright sense of festivity there’s the frosty succulent oranges, fresh lemons and tangerines served through the winter.

Snuggle up in a cabin

What could be cozier than a night or two spent in a cottage in the mountains? There are a few mountain lodges in Azerbaijan that will charm your socks. While there one can enjoy some of the best, exceptional views of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has a comprehensive calendar of activities for both youngsters and adults throughout the year, regardless of the weather conditions. So, with the ongoing winter promotions, it’s time to take that wallet-friendly vacation to Azerbaijan.