Discover more about your day with Visit Nakhchivan. These FAQs are designed to enhance your day, providing insights into what to expect before and during the tour. If the answer you seek isn’t here, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Citizens of the Republic of Turkey can enter Nakhchivan visa-free; simply pass through border control with a valid passport. For citizens of other countries, Nakhchivan is part of Azerbaijan, so Azerbaijani visa regulations apply; foreign visitors must enter by obtaining an e-visa or consular visa based on their nationality.
You can reach Nakhchivan by direct flight from Istanbul or by flying to İğdır and crossing into Nakhchivan by road at the Dilucu border crossing.
Our tour itinerary includes accommodations at 3- and 4-star hotels located in Nakhchivan city center, including Saat Meydanı Nakhchivan Hotel, Grand Nakhchivan Hotel, Tabriz Hotel Nakhchivan, and Nakhchivan Palace Hotel, all of which offer breakfast. The hotel you choose is determined at the time of booking, based on your tour date and availability.
The official currency is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN); Turkish Lira and US Dollars are also accepted in many places, so it’s always a good idea to carry some Manat with you.
Nakhchivan’s city center and tourist areas are considered safe; you can walk around the city in the evenings and explore it alone, and the tour program does not venture into risky border areas.
The most comfortable times are April–May in spring and September–October in autumn; the weather is very hot in summer and harsh and cold in winter.
The program includes Alınca Castle, Ashabi-Kehf Cave, Duzdağ Salt Mine, Momine Hatun Tomb, Khan’s Palace, Noah’s Tomb, and, if time permits, Ordubad, Qarabağlar Tomb, and Lake Batabat.
City excursions are comfortable; however, the ascent to Alınca Castle involves steep stairs and requires a moderate to good level of fitness. Guests with health problems may not participate in the climb if they wish.
If your international roaming is enabled, your Turkish phone line will work in Nakhchivan, and your internet will operate at international rates. You can also purchase a local SIM card and internet package from operators like Naxtel in Nakhchivan with your passport. Wi-Fi is available in many cafes and restaurants in the hotel and city center.
The tour fee includes accommodation, breakfast, entrance fees, and guide fees as specified in the program. You will be charged separately for lunch, dinner, beverages, and personal expenses.
You can take photos in tourist areas; shooting is prohibited in military areas, and you’re expected to ask permission beforehand for close-up photos of people.
Seasonally appropriate clothing in layers, comfortable walking shoes, a wind-resistant top for higher elevations, a hat, and sunscreen in the summer are all sufficient.
When visiting mosques and shrines, it is respectful to wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Women may wear a headscarf if they wish. It is also respectful to avoid alcohol and loud noise in public.
If you have any chronic conditions, it’s advisable to consult your doctor before traveling.
Hotels and many restaurants accept credit cards; for small businesses and rural areas, you should definitely carry cash in Manat.
The program provides free time for strolling around the city center, shopping, and relaxing on specific days and times.
The climb to the castle takes 45–60 minutes, depending on the group’s pace, and the majority of the route consists of steps.
The Cave of the Sleepers is a sacred site associated with the Seven Sleepers narrative. It contains prayer areas and retail outlets.
You’ll visit the salt caves in Duzdağ and learn about the facility; long-term programs for medical treatment are not included in this tour.
The Tomb of Momine Hatun is an important 12th-century Seljuk monument, and its ornamentation makes it an outstanding example of Islamic architecture.
In the Khan Palace, you can see the city view alongside objects from the lives of the Nakhchivan khans, period furniture, and artifacts depicting the region’s history.
The Noah Tomb is a symbolic pilgrimage site attributed to the Prophet Noah, and visitors spend a short time praying there.
You can take a lakeside walk around Lake Batabat, take photo breaks at viewing points, and relax in picnic areas during the right season.
Kebabs, stuffed vegetables, qovurma-style meat dishes, tandoori bread, dried fruits, and walnut desserts are must-try delicacies.
Hand-woven carpets and rugs, copper and wooden handicrafts, local honey, walnuts, dried fruits, and small Nakhchivan-themed souvenirs are popular items.
Official permission is required to fly a drone, and it is prohibited, especially in border and military zones. If you have equipment, it is essential to share it with your guide.
220V 50Hz and a two-pin socket are used; you do not need an additional converter.
A daily budget of 25–40 euros per person for lunch, dinner, beverages, and small purchases provides a comfortable spending area.
The guide will reiterate key points at each stop and answer your questions directly; you can easily re-ask any missed information.
In the event of severe weather, roadworks, or official decisions, the time and order may be changed, and the guide will immediately explain these changes.
Nakhchivan is a separate region from mainland Azerbaijan; after the tour, you’ll need to use flights or third-country connections to reach cities like Baku.
It’s best to avoid photos showing military installations and checkpoints, but ask for permission beforehand for close-up photos of local people.
It’s a positive and well-established practice in the region’s tourism culture to voluntarily tip the guide and driver when you’re satisfied.
You can find resources that explain Nakhchivan’s autonomous status within Azerbaijan, its Seljuk and medieval history, its connection to the Silk Road, and the architecture of the mausoleums and castles.
The salt caves in Duzdağ are used for supportive respiratory therapies administered under the supervision of a doctor; approval from your doctor is essential for such a treatment plan.
Tandoori bread, meat-based dishes, fresh produce from mountain villages, and the tea culture are etched in the minds of visitors.
For a second visit, you can choose the spring or autumn season for physical activities. If you’re considering therapy in Duzdağ, you can plan accommodation and treatment packages in advance.
Customs regulations are stricter for meat and fresh dairy products; for packaged and labeled products, you should follow the general rules and check airline transportation requirements.
You can organize your photos by date and location, create a personal travel diary with short notes, and write your own Nakhchivan food guide.
You can contact us directly via the phone, email, and WhatsApp numbers on the business cards you received, and contact our travel agency for a repeat tour.
You can request content such as the historical notes your guide shared during the tour, short summaries of the places you visited, and map links. Our tour company can also send you a brief digital info file or a recommendation list about the locations covered.
You can support both our service and other travelers’ plans by sharing your experience on social media, travel websites, and in our tour company’s comments section.
The city tours and Batabat Lake are suitable for families; the climb to Alınca Castle can be tiring for young children, so families should keep their children in quieter areas during this part of the trip.
On a second visit, you can join themed programs focusing on the historic streets of Ordubad, quieter villages, and the surrounding Batabat region during different seasons.
You could describe Nakhchivan as the “hidden treasure of Azerbaijan” with its strong historical heritage, nature surrounded by mountains and lakes, salt caves, tranquil atmosphere, and cultural proximity to Turkey.