AZ
Quba
Carpets, apples and mountain villages in the Caucasus foothills, beside a historic Mountain Jewish town
Carpets, apples and mountain villages in the Caucasus foothills, beside a historic Mountain Jewish town
The town across the Qudiyalchay river has synagogues and grand houses built by families who have often made their fortunes abroad.
Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opened in 2020 in a restored 19th-century synagogue, this is the only museum devoted to Mountain Jewish history and traditions.
Photo: Aykhan Zayedzadeh, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quba’s domed red-brick mosque stands in the town centre near shops selling carpets.
Dress modestly.
Photo: Aykhan Zayedzadeh, CC BY-SA 4.0
High in the mountains, this ancient stone village, at around 2,300m, has its own language and a shepherding way of life. The mountain road is spectacular.
Check road conditions; snow can close it.
Photo: Aykhan Zayedzadeh, CC BY 4.0
The valleys around Quba have forests, canyons and villages such as Laza, popular for summer hiking.
Photo: Matthew Hadley, CC BY 1.0
Try Quba pakhlava, local apples and apple jam, lamb dishes and tandoor bread. Teahouses serve black tea with jams.
Restaurants in the forests outside town are popular in summer.
Quba is about 170km north of Baku, around two and a half to three hours by road. Buses and shared taxis run from Baku.
A car or driver is needed for Khinalug and the mountain villages.
Azerbaijan uses the manat (AZN).
Two days for the town and the mountains.
Visit the Juma Mosque, carpet shops and the Red Settlement with its museum.
Drive into the mountains to Khinalug.
Autumn is harvest season.
Quba carpets are famous; buy with export papers.
Roads can close in winter.
Modest dress at religious sites.
Quick answers for planning time in Quba.
About 170km, two and a half to three hours by road.
The town of Qırmızı Qəsəbə, home to Azerbaijan’s Mountain Jewish community.
By car or driver from Quba along a mountain road.
Carpets, apples and mountain scenery.
May to September.
Planning a wider trip? Our Azerbaijan travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.