Istisu Sanatorium

• East of Lankaran city is an hot springs (istisu) sanatorium that is situated in a natural area with oak and iron-wood trees and a small stream.

Hirkan National Park

• The area of this national park is 15000 hectares. It has 150 kind of trees and bushes in the park area and 36 of them are endemic. The fauna in the national park is not so rich but one can meet interesting rare species there. We can meet boar, wild boar, spot antler, jackal, Asian leopard in the park. As for birds, woodpecker, Hirkan tits, stone sparrows can be noted. Hirkan tits are endemic here. The woods in the territory of the park are two and three stories tall. There are mainly chestnut leaf oak, iron-wood, the Caucasus persimmon, false nut, Lankaran acacia in the lower part of the park. The iron-wood tree (demir agaj) is unique in its density that it sinks in water. It is almost indestructible by pest and is only native to a narrowly restricted area in the Talish hills around Lankaran.

Iran Border

• Just west of Artupa village in Astara is the southern part of Hirkan National Park. The road to the park runs along the Iran border where a long stretch of barbed fencing and a guarded iron bridge in Iran are plainly visible. The guard will sometimes wave back to gawking tourists. At the end of the road are natural hot springs that merge with the river. Here you can alternately dip in the hot springs and the cold river.

Yanar Bulag

• This area contains a water spring that burns constantly as if it were a gas lit flame. This is located just outside of Lankaran on the highway to Astara towards the beautiful range of mountains to the west (just before the Electric Station).

Beaches

• South of town, the beaches are cleaner and isolated. There is beach access by the Kanarmesha area where there are some restaurants.

Khazar (Caspian) Lankaran Football Stadium[3]

• There is a football stadium outside the city center where professional football is played. The team owner is a wealthy Lankaran native. The team is the 2007 national champion.

Heydar Aliyev Park

• At the city center is a sprawling park where the people congregrate. It's a great place to people-watch and here you can also see a museum, monuments, and water fountains with accompanying lights/music. Plans are ongoing to expand the park all the way to the sea.

Zirva Physical Fitness Center 80, Nizami Street

• This is a new heath center located a 10 minute walk from the town center. This center has a massage room, sauna, steam bath, weight lifting area, mini soccer, boxing, martial arts, swimming, barber shop, and entertainment area. Call 0171-4-53-53 for an appointment.

Xanbulan Lake

• This lake is located southeast of the city of Lankaran. It is a wooded reservoir in the lower foothills which is wonderful for a picnic lunch and a relaxing nature hike.

Aurora Tea Factory

• Near Xanbulan Lake, tourist can go to one of Lankaran’s famous tea factories and sample the widely known tea in a rose garden of the Aurora Tea Factory. At this factory, people can also tour and see the tea-making process. Call 994 0171 570-72 for an appointment.

Ballabur Castle

• East of the city of Lankaran near a small hill by the Ballabur village is a place claimed to be the site of the ancient Bazz Castle. It was here, where the Khuramid chief, Babek, defended the castle against the Arab invasion. After the execution of Babek at the hands of the Arabs, the occupiers demolished the castle, but remnants of the castle can still be seen.

Gizil Agaj State National Reserve

• The area of the State Reservation is 88,360 hectares. As a result of scientific research in this State Reservation 23 sorts of mammals, about 270 sorts of birds, 12 sorts of reptiles and 47 sorts of fish have been observed. Every year a lot of birds come to Gizilagaj State Reservation to make nest from the East countries such as yellow and wild heron swans, flamingo, wild ducks beside it flamingo, river ducks, swans are inhabited in this State Reservation. Fishes such as sazan, herring, seal, omul, grey mullet, pike, salmon and mammals such as swine, hare, jackal, fox, badger, beaver wild boar, and water squirrel can be found in this reserve.

Museums

There are a few historical museums in Lankaran that are both culturally informative as well as historically significant.

• There is a memorial house-museum for major-general Hazi Aslanov in the Lenkaran region that was constructed in 1969. There is also a monument constructed in the city center for General Aslanov in 1983.
• There is a historical-local lore museum containing memorabilia of Mir Akhmed of Talysh Khan in his former apartment house built in 1913.

Historical Places of Note

Old Prison and Lighthouse

• There is a very famous and historical in Lankaran where Joseph Stalin was kept for a period of time. The then President of Azerbaijan helped Stalin escape through a secret underground tunnel to the famous Mayak Lighthouse (a central figure and source of pride within Lankaran) and then onto the Caspian Sea.

Tomb of Seyid Khalifa

• The 19th century tomb of Seyid Khalifa is located in the village of Jil. Here exist tomb stones the height of which reaches 1m 40cm. The tomb stones are contrasted by engravings and a footprint. In the tomb can be seen the samples belonging to Islam and fire-worshipers. The tomb of Seyid Khalifa is guarded by state as a historical cultural monument.

House of Isa Khan

• This was constructed in the early 20th century and the structure has notable architecture.

Cultural Centers

Public Baths (Hamamlar)

• The Khaji Mirze and the Khaji Gurban baths (hamamlar) are located near the small bazaar. A European styled public bath is located in Lankaran.

Mosques

• There are two major mosques within the city of Lankaran. One by the small bazaar and one by the large bazaar.
• Located in the Sutamurdov settlement outside of Lankaran, there is an old mosque that was constructed in the 19th century by the name “Khajy Novruzali”.
• Located in the Shikhakeren settlement there is a mosque constructed in the 19th century.
• Located in the Jil settlement, there is a mosque constructed in 1906.

Churches

• There are some Russian Orthodox churches scattered throughout the region of Lankaran.

Cultural Events

Theater/Cinema

• There is a Drama Theater in the city center. There are scheduled plays or other events that take place in the theater.

Azeri Toys (Weddings)

• A must-see cultural experience is an Azeri wedding party held at one of a handful Shadlig Evi (Wedding Palaces). At the weddings, delicious food and drinks are abundant, national music and dancing are showcased, grand toasts are non-stop, and the video camera is always rolling. The weddings are invitiation-only, but ask any local person about upcoming 'toys' and you're bound to get an invite to one. Azeris are reknowned for their hospitality and you'll be welcomed with open arms.

By taxi

Until the airport begins operating again, the fastest between Baku and Lankaran is by taxi - it takes about 3.5 hours. Going from Baku to Lankaran costs 10 AZN per seat (4 people). The “Lavangi” Avtovagzal (Auto Station) services the transport to/from Baku for taxis, buses, and marshrutka. The Lankaran Avtovagzal # is 0171-45928.

By train

The train station is located in the city center. There is an electric and night train service that runs between Baku and Lankaran. The electric train ticket cost around 2.5 AZN and leaves Baku at 8:00AM and returns to Baku at 5:00PM. The night train costs between 3.20-5.40AZN and leaves Baku at 11:30PM and returns at 9:00PM.

By bus or marshrutka

Busses and marshrutkas depart from Baku's 20th January terminal every other hour starting at 8. Buses are a comfortable option, but take longer than taxis or marshrutkas. The trip from Baku to Lankaran will take about 5-6 hours via bus and it costs 5 AZN. Buses leave about every hour from the “Lavangi” Avtovaqzal outside of the city center. The marshrutkas or minibuses usually departs every hour starting at 8. It takes 4-5 hours to get to Lankaran from Baku. The price is 5 AZN and it departs from the “Lavangi” Avtovaqzal outside of the city center.

• Baku-Lankaran: 11:50, 16:00, 15:00
• Baku Airport-Baku-Lankaran: 17:00
• Yevlakh-Lankaran: 8:30
• Ganja-Lankaran: 8:00,9:00
• Qazak-Lankaran: 8:50
• Sumqayit-Lankaran: 8:30

By taxi

Taxis are quite convenient if you know where you want to go within the city. Addresses are quite useless, so it would be better to get a landmark that you know of and direct the taxi driver there. It costs 1 manat per ride in a taxi.

By bus/minibus

Intra-City Bus Routes

All Intra-City buses depart and return from the Big Bazaar in Lankaran city.

• 1 Dairavi Circle Route A: Big Bazaar, Tofig Ismayilov Street, Azriba district, Diagnostic Center, Lavangi Bus Station, Shahidlar Khiyabani Sh/Kh, Small Bazaar Mosque, Big Bazaar

• 2 Dairavi Circle Route B: Big Bazaar, Small Bazaar Mosque, Shahidlar Khiyabani Sh/Kh, Lavangi Bus Station, Tofig Ismayilov Street, Big Bazaar

• 3 and 4 Digah-Shilavar Route: Big Bazaar, School #5, Shilavar, Digah, Hanifa Abdullayev Street (Turkish Lyceum), Sattarkhan Street, Koroglu Street (near the Gala Hotel), Big Bazaar.

• 5 Lankaran-Microrayon Route A: Big Bazaar, H. Aslanov Street (near the Gala Hotel, in front of the Department Store), Heydar Aliyev Street, Shahidlar Khiyabani Sh/Kh, Tofig Ismayilov, Ali Mammadov Street, 2nd Microrayon Wedding Palace (Shadliq Evi), Z. Aliyeva Street, Heydar Aliyev Street, Mir Mustafakhan Street, Big Bazaar

• 6 Lankaran-Microrayon Route B: Big Bazaar, H. Aslanov Street, Heydar Aliyev Street, Z. Aliyeva, Ali Mammadov Street, 2nd Microrayon Wedding Palace (Shadliq Evi), Hanifa Abdullayev Street, Heydar Aliyev Street, Shahidlar Khiyabani Sh/Kh Circle, Heydar Aliyev Street, Mir Mustafakhan Street, Big Bazaar

• Big Bazaar

Stroll through the interconnected outdoor and indoor bazaar for a shopping extravaganza of anything and everything. Exploring and discovering is half the fun!

• Zanbil

Zanbil is a weaved basket that comes in different sizes. Large baskets are used in bazar shopping. Small baskets can be sometimes used as purses.

• Talish Knitted Socks (Tohuma Jorab)

Talish women traditionally wear colorful clothes (red is a favorite) and Jorab knitted socks are worn in the cold season. Prices range from 1-6 AZN depending on length of the socks.

• Lankaran Tea (Chay)

Lankaran is well-known throughout Azerbaijan for producing the best tea in the country. Lankaran Tea is a very popular gift purchase by visitors from Baku and other regions. Tea is sold in 100g and 0.5kg bags and prices range from 8-16 AZN per kilo.

• Kalosh

Kalosh is a rubber boot that is used by the Talish people in the rainy season.

ATMs

International Bank of Azerbaijan

• Lankaran , Lankaran, Digah (Azpetrol)
• Lankaran, 18, Sh.Akhundov street
• Lankaran , Lankaran, H.Aslanov avenue (Central department store)

Regional Specialties

• Lavangi Chicken

When going to restaurants or households in Lankaran, you will probably be offered this dish. This dish is cooked with a special nut and onion stuffing inside. You can also get Fish (Balig) Lavangi.

• Tendir Bread

The tendir is a traditional clay oven where this special bread is made. Hot tendir bread with cheese and butter is a real treat. Lavangi chicken is also traditionally cooked in a tendir.

• Plov

In Lankaran, there are many different types of rice dishes by the name of plov. These include dill plov, potato plov, pea plov, and fish plov.

• Gutab

Gutab is a crunchy, fried dough with fillings inside. Try it with potato (kartov) or stomach meat (qarin) fillings and make sure to sprinkle lots of sumac spice with its astringent-acidic flavour.

• Other Foods

Lankaran has a great deal of subtropical foods such as feyhoa, quince, cumquat, pomegranate, lemon, mandarin oranges, and tea. If you have a chance, make sure to try some of these regional foods.

Great Restaurants

• Dalga Restaurant

This is the best restaurant in Lankaran with great dishes such as Balig (Fish) Lavangi and Entrikot (Lamb Chops). Make sure to ask for prices before ordering to avoid being overcharged.

• Sahil Restaurant

This restaurant is located south of the Heydar Aliyev Park just by the iron-bridge and the Lankaran river.

• Titanic Restaurant

This is a newly-built restaurant that is shaped like a ship. It is in the outskirts of town by the sea and the Olympic Complex. Enjoy the view of the sea while you eat here.

• Uzbek Restaurant

This restaurant is next to the library and is very popular with the locals. There is no signage, so just ask the locals.

• Istanbul Lahmacun

This is the newest restaurant in Lankaran. It has the normal Turkish fare at prices that are not too expensive. Tel: 044-271-06-44,055-711-71-41. Location: On Haydar Eliyev meydan terefi, near the Beynexalq Bank. 2-5 AZN.

Bars

Çay Xana often serve local piva (beer)- draft at 50 qapick /glass or bottles at 70 qapick / bottle or araq (vodka) at 2 AZN per bottle. These can be found in almost any area throughout Azerbaijan. Lankaran has its own brew of beer on tap, so it may be interesting to try something different. If you desire anything exotic (e.g. Tiquella, Gin, Rum), you have to go to a modern hotel or restaurant.

Tea Houses/ Çay Xanalar

This is a nice play for males to drink tea, play dominoes, and catch up on the local gossip or talk about the best things to see in the area. This may be a great experience if you have language ability in Turkish, Russian, or Azerbaijani. Please look at the above mentioned cultural note under the “bars” subheading.

Cafés

Cafes in Lankaran are really small restaurants. If you are looking for coffee, go to the Gala hotel in town.