Places / Asia / Azerbaijan
Ganja
Not been yet
At a glance
- Country
- Azerbaijan
- Region
- Ganja
- Population
- 335,000
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to October
- Main airport
- Ganja International (KVD)
- Coordinates
- 40.68°N, 46.36°E
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Ganja is Azerbaijan's second city, an old Silk Road town at the foot of the Lesser Caucasus. It is best known as the home of Nizami Ganjavi, the 12th-century poet whose romances are still read across the Persian-speaking world.
The centre is calm and green, with tree-lined avenues and a handful of historic buildings. The real draw is nearby: the mountain lakes and forests of Göygöl.
Things to see
-
Photo: Wertuose, CC BY-SA 3.0 Mausoleum of Nizami Ganjavi
A tall stone memorial to the poet, set in a park on the edge of the city with reliefs of his stories.
-
Photo: Interfase, CC BY-SA 3.0 Shah Abbas Mosque
A brick mosque from the early 17th century in the heart of the old centre, with twin minarets.
-
Photo: Самый древний, Public domain Bottle House
A quirky private house decorated with thousands of glass bottles, built by a local resident.
-
Photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0 Imamzadeh
A blue-domed shrine complex on the outskirts, an important place of pilgrimage.
Things to do
-
Photo: Golden, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Lake Göygöl
A mountain lake of startling blue-green water surrounded by forest, about 30 minutes' drive away.
-
Photo: Salvatore of Nina, CC BY-SA 3.0 Walk Javad Khan Street
The restored pedestrian street in the centre, lined with cafés and old brick buildings.
-
Try local dishes
Look for Ganja's version of piti stew and sweets such as pakhlava in the town's tea houses.
Where to stay
City centre
Close to the main square and Javad Khan Street, with most hotels.
Hotels in City centreGöygöl
A quieter mountain base in the nearby town, good for walkers and nature lovers.
Hotels in Göygöl
Getting around
The centre is walkable and taxis are inexpensive. Hire a driver for Göygöl.
The airport is a short taxi ride from the centre, and trains and buses from Baku take several hours.
When to go
Spring and autumn are mild and green. Summers are hot, and winters are cold but rarely harsh in the city.
Plan your trip to Ganja
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.