Top Tourist Places to Visit in Ganja-Gazakh Region
Ganja-Gazakh region is very simply the name given to the region from Gazakh in the north to Ganja in the south. This region touches border with Georgia & Armenia. Most of the major places to visit in Ganja-Gazakh are located on the road between the two cities: Ganja & Gazakh. Ganja-Gazakh is also naturally rich so there are hiking, camping, mountaineering among things to do in Ganja-Gazakh. This regions began under the rule of Muhammad Ibn Khalid. Hence, the very islamic architecture among places to visit in Ganja-Gazakh. The region has undergone Ottoman, Persian, and Soviet Rule. Although there is not great influence visible of Soviet rule on the things to see in Ganja-Gazakh. Most of the places to visit in Ganja-Gazakh are located in and near the city of Ganja. The city of Ganja has a very Turkish feel to it with mosque mausoleums, and palaces among things to see in Ganja-Gazakh. The some of the important historical Ganja-Gazakh tourist attractions include Chokak bath, Nizami Mausoleum, Tomb of Javad Khan, and Bathbanlar Mosque. There are also museums including History Enthnography Museum, Nizami Ganjavi Museum, Mirza Shafi Vavez Museum, and Museum of Miniature Books among Ganja-Gazakh tourist attractions.
There are several nature and hiking trails to explore on Ganja-Gazakh travel. Some of the more popular hiking trails are along the Mtkvari river. There are also great nature exploration & picnic stops around Semkir Reservoir, which itself is a beautiful spot for Ganja-Gazakh sightseeing. One of the biggest natural Ganja-Gazakh tourist attractions is the Goygol National Park and especially the Goygol Lake. Goygol Lake is a deep blue colored lake surrounded by mountains bearing lush green trees, which turn colorful in autumn. It is one of the most beautiful Ganja-Gazakh sightseeing spots, it almost looks like a nature landscape painting. Camping and hiking are popular near Goygol Lake among things to do in Ganja-Gazakh.
Districts & Places to visit in Ganja-Gazakh
Aghstafa (Ağstafa)
The places to visit in Ganja-Gazakh situated in Aghstafa include archeological sites of prehistoric settlements, David Gareja Monastery, Tatli Albanian Temple, and an ancient cemetery. This place is great for those taking history, especially archeology. There are several archeological sites starting from Paleolithic Age to Iron Age among things to see in Ganja-Gazakh. But if you don’t bear great interest in history, evolution, and archeology you will get bored visiting all of them.
Dashkasan (Daşkəsən)
Dashkasan has some of the most lush pastures in the southern part of the Caucasus mountains. It is a very picturesque mountain village to explore when you visit Ganja-Gazakh. Like Aghstafa, Dashkasan also has a few archeological sites among things to see in Ganja-Gazakh. There are not many things to do in Ganja-Gazakh if you are visiting Dashkasan district expect village sightseeing and exploring mountains and pastures.
Gadabay (Gədəbəy)
Gadabay is among Ganja-Gazakh tourist attractions famous for its potatoes and more so for its gold fields. This is again a mountain regions with several small villages which are great fro Ganja-Gazakh sightseeing, but there is not much to explore there. If you like roaming the mountains, there are several places for you to hike or trek or camp among things to do in Ganja-Gazakh. There are a few historically significant things to see in Ganja-Gazakh located here including Boyuk Gala or Beyukgala Fortress, Towers of Galakend, a 19th century arched bridge, and Koroglu Castle. There are Maiden Towers located atop the mountain in Gadabay as well, which looks like straight from an adventure fantasy story. It is a popular mountaineering destination among things to do in Ganja-Gazakh. The castles are the most popular places to visit in Ganja-Gazakh located in Gadabay.
Qazakh / Gazakh (Qazax)
Qazakh or Gazakh has a few historical buildings and monuments among places to visit in Ganja-Gazakh. These Ganja-Gazakh tourist attractions include: Museum of History & Ethnography, Qazakh State Picture Gallery, Bath House of Israfil Agha, The Damjili Caves, Didevan Castle, Aslanbeyli Mosque and there are a few more. Besides these historical things to see in Ganja-Gazakh, there are also beautiful mountains and nature exploration tracks.
Goygol (Göygöl)
The Goygol National Park is also close to the city, which is great for nature exploration, hiking, and camping. Arguably the biggest natural Ganja-Gazakh tourist attractions is located in Goygol National Park, the Goygol Lake. This painting worthy sight has drawn many artists and nature lovers alike to visit Ganja-Gazakh. It is one of the best Ganja-Gazakh sightseeing spots in any season, but autumn & spring do elevate the beauty of the scenery around the Goygol Lake.
Goranboy (Goranboy)
Garanboy has 3 monuments recognized as things to see in Ganja-Gazakh: Khandkarvend Mosque, Khudu Baba Mausoleum, and Gulustan Fortress. There are also a few temples in the district of Ganja-Gazakh sightseeing, most known among them is the temple of Borsunlu. Apart from these there is not much to do on Ganja-Gazakh travel in Goranboy.
Samukh (Samux)
The most popular Ganja-Gazakh tourist attractions in Samukh are the kurgan. These are tombs associated with important people and are dated back to the bronze age. There are several natural monuments including trees which are over a millennium old among things to see in Ganja-Gazakh located in Samukh. The most popular monument, and sometimes the primary reason for people to visit Ganja-Gazakh is the Imamzadeh Mausoleum.
Shamkir (Şəmkir)
You will see heavy German influence in Shamkir. This place used to be a German colony. It was popular for wine making and still is. Wine tasting is among popular things to do on Ganja-Gazakh travel in Shamkir. You will see German style architecture in the buildings and houses as well. The Shamkir Church is one such example among Ganja-Gazakh sightseeing. Other things to see in Ganja-Gazakh in Shamkir district include: Shamkir fort and Shamkir Bridge. There are several parks in Shamkir which you can explore on Ganja-Gazakh travel.
Tovuz (Tovuz)
Tovuz is yet another region famous for winemaking you can visit on Ganja-Gazakh travel. Like Shamkir, German influence can also be seen on Tovuz. At the same time there was significant influence of Russian USSR seen on Tovuz. Among things to see in Ganja-Gazakh located in Tovuz district is the remains of ancient village of Goytepe. This is one of the largest archeological site you can find on Ganja-Gazakh travel. Tovuz is also known for its incredible local cuisine. So if not for history, visit Ganja-Gazakh for the wine, cognac, and food of Tovuz.
Ganja (Gəncə)
Ganja is perhaps the most popular city for Ganja-Gazakh sightseeing. There are several places to visit in the city of Ganja. It forms the lower end of the region and shows major Turkish & Islamic influence in its architecture. The most popular places to visit in Ganja-Gazakh located in Ganja include: Nizami Ganjavi Mausoleum, Bottle House, Shah Abbas Mosque, Turkish Bath House, Museum of Local History, Mirza Shafi Vazeh Museum, Juma Mosque, and Alexander Nevsky Church. One of the most interesting things to see in Ganja-Gazakh is the Museum of Miniature Books. These are books the size of small matchboxes. This Ganja-Gazakh tourist attractions host more than 1,000 such cute little books. You can even buy replicas of these books on your Ganja-Gazakh travel at the gift shop of the Museum. When you visit Ganja-Gazakh you should also check out the Ganja State Puppet Theatre and Ganja Philharmonic Hall. These two are significant cultural places to visit in Ganja-Gazakh. Do check for shows at the Puppet Theatre, it is a unique variation on the art of puppetry which you get to experience among things to do in Ganja-Gazakh.
Naftalan (Naftalan)
Naftalan is known for health tourism and especially for Naftalan Oil. There are resorts and spa in Naftalan to visit for rejuvenation & relaxation on Ganja-Gazakh travel. The things to do in Ganja-Gazakh in Naftalan district are bathing in crude oil, health spa, and relax in Naftalan oil to treat yourself. The Naftalan oil has great medicinal properties and is sometimes sole reason for people to visit Ganja-Gazakh. You will get incredible health & skin treatment in Naftalan oil at the Naftalan resort.
