The long shore
Sand and shallows on the Caspian.
Mistelblume — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mistelblume — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Interfase — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Interfase — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Interfase — CC BY-SA 4.0
Absheron National Park is a small coastal reserve at the tip of the Absheron Peninsula, on the Caspian Sea east of Baku. It covers 783 hectares and was the most visited Azerbaijani national park among foreign tourists in the first months of 2024, thanks to its closeness to the capital. It became a national park in 2005, built on a nature preserve created in July 1969 to protect gazelles, Caspian seals and waterbirds. The climate is semi-arid, so plant life is sparse and mostly made up of coastal sand plants and salty meadows, with seasonal plants flourishing in early spring. The scenery is wide and simple: flat land, shrubs, a long sandy shore and shallow pools under an open sky. Gazelles, foxes, jackals and rabbits are recorded here, and in season birds such as whooper swans, great egrets and cormorants pass through. Do not expect drama, as the pleasure lies in the quiet and the birdwatching after the bustle of the city. It is 43 km in a straight line from central Baku, and a car or organised tour is easiest. One guide advises bringing cash and your passport for registration at the gate. Take water and a hat, since shade is scarce, and binoculars if you like birds. Spring and autumn bring the most birds, while summer is hot and exposed.
Sand and shallows on the Caspian.
Swans, egrets and cormorants in season.
An open scene under the sky.
Tip of the Absheron Peninsula, Khazar district, east of Baku
One guide advises bringing it for registration at the gate, along with cash for the fee.
The reserve was set up partly for Caspian seals, but sightings are not guaranteed.