Things to do
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Ancient Gabala
Excavations at Chukhur Qabala, south of the modern town, have uncovered the walls and towers of the Caucasian Albanian capital that stood here for more than a thousand years. Two brick towers still rise above the foundations, and a museum displays the finds. The site is bare ground with little shade, and an hour covers it.
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Gabaland
Rides, a ferris wheel and go-karts fill a family park on the edge of town, laid out under pines with a lake at the centre. It is aimed squarely at Azerbaijani families on a weekend break. Opening hours narrow in winter, and the attractions run on separate tickets bought at the gate.
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Nohur Lake
Green water sits in a bowl of forest east of town, with drowned tree stumps standing out of the shallows and the Caucasus ridge behind. Rowing boats work the near shore and restaurants line the access road. Weekend afternoons get loud with day trippers from Baku, and early morning is when the reflection holds.
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Tufandag Mountain Resort
Gondolas climb from the edge of town to ridges above sixteen hundred metres, serving ski runs in winter and walking trails once the snow goes. Snowmaking covers the lower slopes, and the season usually holds from December into March. Cloud sits on the upper stations often enough that the view is worth checking before riding up.
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Yeddi Gozel Waterfall
Seven linked falls drop through a narrow gorge in the hills above Vandam village, with metal stairways and walkways fixed to the rock as far as the third and fourth tiers. Spring melt gives the strongest flow. The upper falls need scrambling over wet stone, while the lower ones are reachable in a short walk from the car park.