Yevlakh

Introduction

Yevlakh is a city in Azerbaijan, situated well to the west of the capital, Baku. It stands as its own administrative unit, surrounded by the Yevlakh District but governed separately from it.

Before you go

Yevlakh sits in central Azerbaijan where the Kura river crosses the country's road and rail routes, so it works well as a stop between the capital and the regions to the west and south.

Getting there

Yevlakh is served by its own railway station, which connects the city to the wider Azerbaijani rail network, and by Yevlakh Airport (YLV), so you can arrive either by train or by air.

Getting around

Yevlakh is compact, and its core is organised around Heydar Aliyev Square, the largest square in the city, and the surrounding streets and avenues, including the long Nizami Avenue. Walking is the simplest way to get around the centre, and several green spaces are within easy reach on foot, among them Heydar Aliyev Alley and the Dede Gorgud, Samad Vurgun, Nizami, Friendship and Independence parks. If you base yourself near the centre, you can reasonably expect to reach the main square, avenue and parks without a vehicle. For anything beyond the central area, be prepared to use a vehicle, as the city spreads out along its main avenue and side streets.

• Taxis are a convenient way to cover short distances, particularly if you are carrying luggage or heading outside the central walking area; for a city of this size, a taxi is often the quickest door-to-door option.
• Ride-hailing apps may have limited coverage at this scale, so confirm locally what is available or ask your hotel or guesthouse to arrange a car.
• Public transport is centred on buses, and services may be less frequent outside peak hours, so allow extra time if you are relying on a bus to reach a specific connection.
• Yevlakh Airport (YLV) sits close to the city, making the transfer short; the airport is connected by bus to the city centre, and a taxi is a practical alternative if you arrive with luggage or at an hour when bus services are sparse.
• The Central Railway Station is the city's main rail hub and the place to start for train travel; it sits on a primary east–west line linking Baku with the rest of the country, and the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway runs through the city toward Tbilisi in Georgia and onward to Akhalkalaki and Kars in Turkey. Check schedules in advance, since long-distance services are less frequent than local ones.
• Do not expect a metro or tram network; the city has none, and its rail provision is the mainline station rather than urban rail.

Where to stay

Yevlakh has very little in the way of accommodation, so plan your stay around the one listed option rather than expecting a range of choices. The Kainat hotel sits on Nizami Gəncəvi, a central address that keeps you within easy reach of the city's main streets.

Because options are so limited, it is worth arranging your room before you arrive rather than turning up and hoping to find something on the day.

Food & drink

What to see and do

Three days in Yevlakh

Day one: Start in the centre of Yevlakh at Heydar Aliyev Square, then walk Nizami Avenue to get your bearings. Continue on foot along Heydar Aliyev Alley, and look for the streets named for Dede Gorgud, Samad Vurgun, Nizami, Friendship and Independence. If you arrive by air, Yevlakh Airport (YLV) serves the town; taxis and public transport cover the centre.

Day two: Use the Central Railway Station as your base for a rail excursion. Trains link Yevlakh with Baku, and the line continues towards Kars, Tbilisi and Georgia, with Akhalkalaki and Turkey further along the route. Check timings before you set out, and do the same for the return.

Day three: Stay in Yevlakh District and take in the Kura, the river that runs through the area. Because the town sits in Azerbaijan's interior, expect warm and humid weather in summer and cold conditions in winter. Ride local transport or taxis between stops, and pause at the Kainat and Nizami Gəncəvi as you pass.