If you’re looking for a place to unwind, Azerbaijan should be on your list. You can relax in the mountains, soak in warm mineral waters, or try ancient healing methods that locals have used for generations. For Saudi visitors, renting a car in Azerbaijan is one of the easiest ways to see more of the country. You can stop at peaceful retreats, mountain resorts, and other attractions. Roads are in good condition, and the drive from Baku to Gabala, Lankaran, or Naftalan is accessible via main highways. Keep reading to discover the best wellness destinations in Azerbaijan.
One of the most famous spa resorts in Azerbaijan is found in Naftalan. This city has been known for its healing oil since the Silk Road times. The Naftalan oil is unique worldwide and has been used for centuries to treat more than 70 health conditions. It is primarily known for helping with skin diseases, joint pain, and musculoskeletal problems.
When you visit Naftalan, you can try the oil bath therapy in one of the many resorts and sanatoriums. Before the treatment, staff will conduct a full medical check-up to ensure the therapy suits your health. The oil is heated to around 38°C, and you will soak for about 10 minutes. This short session lets the oil’s healing effects work while you relax.
Many wellness hotels in Naftalan combine oil baths with other treatments, such as hydrotherapy, paraffin baths, or cedar barrel saunas. Resorts like Garabag Spa and Resort and Chinar Hotel & Spa offer luxury facilities, healthy dining, and comfortable rooms. Whether you choose a high-end property or a budget sanatorium, the Naftalan oil experience is one of the best wellness destinations in Azerbaijan for natural healing.
Lankaran, in the southern part of Azerbaijan, offers one of the most authentic wellness escapes in Azerbaijan. This subtropical city is located between the Caspian Sea and the Talysh Mountains. It is famous for its hot mineral springs known as istisu. Locals have used it for centuries to relax muscles and improve blood circulation.
The springs can be enjoyed naturally, where warm mineral water flows directly from the ground into simple pools. For more comfort, you can visit the Lankaran Springs Wellness Resort in the nearby village of Haftoni. This resort specializes in istisu treatments, offering a luxury spa environment along with healthy meals and relaxation spaces. Lankaran is also surrounded by attractions. You can visit Hirkan National Park, famous for rare trees and birdwatching, explore the old village of Sim with its waterfalls, or take walks around citrus orchards and tea plantations.
Gabala is one of the best wellness destinations in Azerbaijan for Saudi tourists who want mountain views. In the Caucasus Mountains, Gabala has luxury resorts like Chenot Palace Gabala, which offers detox and anti-aging programs. This resort blends European-stle comfort with medical wellness.
The Chenot Palace is set on 26 hectares of land near Nohur Lake. It has 72 rooms, villas with private spas, and a 6,000-square-metre medical center. After a medical assessment, programs are customized for each guest. Treatments may include hydro-aromatherapy, phyto-mud therapy, energetic massages, and fitness sessions such as yoga or pilates. Gabala has hiking trails, cycling routes, and nature tours outside the resort. You can also enjoy outdoor yoga or meditation in eco-retreats around the area.
Azerbaijan is becoming a top choice for relaxing getaways focused on yoga and meditation. Many retreats combine traditional wellness practices with nature-based activities.
In the Quba region, surrounded by dense forests and clean mountain air, Quba Wellness Retreat offers daily yoga, guided meditation, and organic vegetarian meals made from local produce. The Serenity Escape blends yoga sessions with Ayurvedic treatments in Lankaran, taking advantage of the subtropical climate and sea views. The Sheki Mountain Retreat in the Caucasus offers mindfulness workshops, breathwork classes, and cultural excursions to historical sites, combining mental relaxation and local heritage.
If you start your trip in the capital, Baku Urban Yoga Hub offers a calm spot in the city with weekend workshops, corporate wellness programs, and classes in stles like Vinyasa and Hatha yoga. In Gabala, the Eco-Yoga Retreat is known for outdoor yoga by waterfalls, forest walks, and eco-friendly stays.
Azerbaijan is home to more than half of the world’s mud volcanoes. These volcanoes release mineral-rich mud prized for its therapeutic qualities. When applied to the skin in spa wraps or facials, the mud can improve skin texture, reduce inflammation, and ease the symptoms of rheumatism.
Some of the country's largest and most impressive mud volcanoes, located in the lowland regions, include Boyuk Kanizadag and Toraghay. Unlike lava volcanoes, mud volcanoes are generally not dangerous. They may occasionally bubble, releasing warm, mineral-rich mud that has formed deep underground. This natural material is collected and used in wellness centers and spa resorts for specialized treatments.
In Naftalan and other wellness destinations nationwide, mud therapy is offered alongside other healing methods, such as Naftalan oil baths or hydrotherapy. Visitors can combine mud wraps with massages, sauna sessions, or aromatherapy for a complete wellness experience. These treatments are some of the most distinctive offerings at spa resorts in Azerbaijan.
Salt therapy is known for helping with breathing and skin problems, and Azerbaijan has several great places to try it. In Nakhchivan, former salt mines have been transformed into treatment centers where you can spend time in underground chambers filled with mineral-rich air. This environment is believed to help with asthma, allergies, and specific skin issues by reducing inflammation and improving respiratory function.
One of the most famous sites is Duzdag in Nakhchivan, a renovated salt cave resort where you can stay overnight and enjoy an immersive wellness experience. Here, the healing qualities of salt are combined with the calm of a secluded setting, allowing you to rest both body and mind. For visitors staying in the capital, the Gazelli Wellness Club in Baku offers salt room therapy using premium Himalayan salt, providing a convenient and urban option for those seeking similar benefits without leaving the city.
Azerbaijan is also known for its mineral water treatments. At Qalaalti, you can try the rare Naftin water, while Sirab in Nakhchivan offers mineral-rich springs. These waters are used for bathing and drinking and are said to help with digestion, joint health, and overall wellness.
During the Soviet period, sanatoria became a popular way for people to take extended wellness breaks. Many of these centers still operate in Azerbaijan, especially on the Absheron Peninsula near Baku. They offer treatments like hydrosulphide baths, massages, and physical therapy, often at more affordable rates than luxury resorts. Some sanatoria specialize in specific conditions, such as neurological or gastrointestinal issues, while others provide general wellness programs. Modern facilities have been added in recent years, such as the Istisu sanatorium in Kalbajar, which is designed with private cottages and spa areas.
A hammam visit is more than a bath. It is both a cultural tradition and a wellness treatment. These large and often beautiful bathhouses have been part of local life for centuries. The hammam process usually starts in a warm room, where your body gets used to the heat. Then you go into a hot steam room, where the heat makes you sweat and opens your pores. It often ends with a quick dip in cold water to boost blood flow.
A key part of the experience is the exfoliating scrub with a coarse mitt known as a kise. This step removes dead skin cells, improves blood flow, and refreshes the skin. After exfoliation, you are washed with fragrant lather made from olive oil or herbal soaps. In Baku, popular hammams include Tazebey Hammam, one of the oldest in the city, and Agha Mikayil Hammam, both of which have preserved their traditional architecture and atmosphere.
Modern spas such as the HamamBath Wellness and Spa Complex in South Baku combine the classic hammam rituals with additional treatments. Here, you can enjoy aromatherapy sessions, eco-friendly body wraps, or a Tibetan singing bowl massage. Whether in a historic bathhouse or a luxury spa, the hammam remains an essential part of wellness escapes in Azerbaijan
While spa treatments are essential, many of the best wellness destinations in Azerbaijan also offer outdoor activities. Shahdag Mountain Resort offers hiking in summer and skiing in winter. Gabala offers cycling, lake walks, and forest hikes.
Even in wellness-focused stays like Chenot Palace, you can join morning fitness classes or take guided walks in nature. These activities can improve cardiovascular health and complement the effects of spa therapies. Plan your trip in September for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku if you want to watch the race. Afterwards, you can explore the city and return to a spa resort.
Wellness in Azerbaijan is not only about spa treatments and nature. It is also about enjoying the country’s rich food culture. Try Plov, a saffron rice dish often cooked with dried fruits or soft meat. You might enjoy Lavangi, made with fish or chicken stuffed with herbs, spices, and walnuts, especially in coastal areas. Dolma, grape leaves filled with minced meat and rice, is served with fresh yoghurt for a light taste. Piti, a slow-cooked mutton stew with chickpeas and saffron, is full of flavor. Many wellness resorts prepare healthier versions of these meals using fresh local ingredients.
In Baku, you can visit Shah Restaurant & Gallery for a rustic dining setting or Firuze for authentic home-stle cooking. SAHiL Bar & Restaurant, by the Caspian Sea, is also a great place to enjoy Piti and other local dishes with a view. No dining experience is complete without Azerbaijani tea. It is served in pear-shaped glasses with sweets like pakhlava, a honey pastry with nuts. You can relax in tea houses, cafes, and lounges after a day of treatments or sightseeing. In Baku, you can enjoy tea in a historic setting at Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant or sip it outdoors at Cay Bagi 145 with kebabs and city views.
When planning wellness escapes in Azerbaijan, consider the type of treatments you want and the region you want to explore. Naftalan is best for oil therapy, Lankaran for hot springs, Gabala for mountain retreats, and Nakhchivan for salt cave therapy. Most spa resorts in Azerbaijan operate year-round. Summer and autumn are ideal for combining spa treatments with outdoor activities, and winter is perfect for indoor therapies and snow sports in mountain resorts. Whatever region you choose, the best wellness destinations in Azerbaijan will make your holiday memorable and restorative.
Many relaxing getaways in Azerbaijan will stay in your heart long after your trip. You might remember the gentle steam of a hammam, the soft sound of mountain streams, or the quiet stillness inside a salt cave. Make your journey smoother by renting a car in Azerbaijan with Final Rentals. Choose the car that fits your trip, and pick it up in Baku or Gabala when you arrive.
