Tour name: Absheron Colors: Balakhani, Ateshgah, Yanardag & Local Bazaar

Duration: 5 hours

Highlights: Balakhani | Ateshgah | Yanardag | Local Bazaar

Pick-up & Drop-off: at your hotel (within Baku city)

Category: Private tour

Language: English (other languages on request)

All prices are per group (in USD, not per person)

Note:

In the “without guide” option, only driver and vehicle are included.
VIP option includes premium cars (Mercedes S-class, E-class, V-class).
Prices may vary during holidays or major events (New Year, Formula 1, international conferences, etc.).

✓ Hotel pick-up and drop-off (within Baku)
✓ Private English-speaking guide (other languages available)
✓ Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle

✕ Entrance fees

Balakhani – Oil, Art & History

Located on the Absheron Peninsula, the historic village of Balakhani is one of the oldest oil-producing settlements in the world. In 1871, the first mechanically drilled oil well in history was created here, producing over 10 tons of oil per day and forming natural oil lakes. This marked the beginning of industrial oil production in Azerbaijan. Between 1873 and 1878, 47 wells were drilled, attracting major foreign investors — including the Nobel brothers and the Rothschilds.

Balakhani still preserves its authentic layout: narrow stone-paved streets, tightly clustered homes, and flat rooftops. Many houses are decorated with colorful murals, painted shutters, and national motifs, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Famous figures such as Sergei Yesenin, Joseph Stalin, and even Emperor Alexander III have visited Balakhani. In 1898, the first Azerbaijani silent short film “The Oil Gusher in Balakhani” was shot right here.

During the tour, you’ll see:

• Ancient underground water reservoirs (ovdans)

• A medieval caravanserai and mausoleum

• Remains of bathhouses and mosques

• Dozens of working oil pumps, still operating today — a rare sight in such close proximity

Ateshgah Fire Temple – Land of Eternal Flame

This ancient Zoroastrian temple is one of the most sacred and mysterious landmarks on the Absheron Peninsula. The area was once part of the ancient Silk Road, and from as early as the 2nd–3rd century, it was known for its naturally burning gas vents — a phenomenon that fascinated merchants and travelers alike.

The current complex of Ateshgah, meaning “Home of Fire”, was built in the 17th–18th centuries by Indian fire-worshippers. It became a place of pilgrimage for Zoroastrians, who believed that the ever-burning flame was sacred.

Today, you’ll see a well-preserved structure from the 19th century, featuring:

• A central altar with eternal flame

• 26 surrounding cells for pilgrims

• Elements of local architecture blended with ancient altar designs

Yanardag – The Burning Mountain

Another fiery wonder awaits you! Just 27 km from central Baku lies Yanardag, literally “Burning Mountain”. This natural gas fire blazes on the side of a hill — day and night, rain or shine — and has done so for thousands of years.

Yanardag is one of the reasons Azerbaijan is called “The Land of Fire”. The flames erupt naturally from underground gas, rising straight from the soil without spreading — creating a truly mesmerizing sight.

Local legends about this magical place abound — and you’ll hear them all during the tour.

Yashil Bazaar – The Green Market

Let’s end the tour on a flavorful note!
Yashil Bazaar, or “The Green Market”, is Baku’s most colorful and aromatic market — a paradise of edible souvenirs and local treats.

As you stroll through the rows, don’t be shy — vendors offer generous tastings of everything from fruit to sweets. Here’s just a taste of what you’ll find:

• Traditional Azerbaijani tea and Eastern sweets

• World-famous Baku tomatoes and juicy pomegranates

• Cheeses made using ancient recipes

• Saffron — one of the world’s most expensive spices

• A variety of walnuts, dried fruits, and homemade jams

• Caspian delicacies like sturgeon and beluga caviar

• Entrance tickets (per person) – Ateshgah & Yanardag – 9$