a week itinerary
Go on an adventure such as a tour of the "pirs" which are mystical holy places that are scattered around the southern region. Go to [lankaran.org] for more details.
weekend itinerary
Friday
Arrive in the evening, check in to a hotel
Go to a local restaurant and try the Lavangi chicken with plov rice
Drink Lankaran tea at nearby chay hana teahouse and chat/play dominoes with locals
Saturday
Buy freshly-baked tendir bread for breakfast and eat with butter and honey/cheese
Walk through the bazaar and look at the various local handicrafts
Buy a picnic lunch for trip to Istisu make sure to also bring a towel
Take the bus to Istisu from big bazaar and get off at the Sanitorium last stop; .20 AZN
Hike up the Talish hills behind the Sanitorium and have a picnic at the top
Go down to Sanitorium and take a dip in hot spring spa ask for large private room; 1 AZN/person
Return to town by taxi for 2 AZN.
Eat dinner at a local restaurant and try the various BBQ meat or fish kabab dishes
Sunday
Walk around the city to see the places of interest
Try some gutab flat pancake and a refreshing kokteyl like milkshake for a snack
Take a refreshing walk on the beach by the Caspian Sea
Depart for your next destination
contact
Internet cafes are available around the city center and are called "internet clubs". There is a good internet cafe located near the Post Office. Cost is typically .40 AZN per hour.
Azerbaijan Post Office is located by the Heydar Aliyev Park. A typical international letter/stamp combination costs .80 AZN.
talk
In spite of the different tourist venues in Lankaran, English is not widely spoken so it would be wise to either bring an Azeri phrase book or brush up on your Russian/Azeri/Turkish before arriving. Talish is also widely spoken in Lankaran.
Azerbaijani phrasebook
Russian phrasebook
Turkish phrasebook
The accent of Lankaran is different than standard Azeri. Oftentimes, Farsi and Talish words are interspersed in the residentsâ vernacular.
emergency contact numbers
Fire: 0171-101
Police: 0171-102
Ambulance: 0171-103
City hospital: 0171-479-32
The city hospital is located north of the city center.
You must speak in Azeri, Russian, or Turkish to communicate your needs. It would be a good idea to memorize key phrases before coming to Azerbaijan - see the Talk section for phrasebooks.
safety tips
Pack a flashlight especially in fall-spring as the streets are not always well lit and power cuts are common.