Visiting Yanar Dag: Azerbaijan’s Burning Mountain (Updated as of December 31, 2025)
Yanar Dag, meaning “Burning Mountain,” is a natural gas-fueled eternal flame on a hillside in the Absheron Peninsula, about 25-30 km north of Baku. Azerbaijan earns its nickname “Land of Fire” from phenomena like this—natural gas seeps from the ground and ignites, burning continuously for centuries (records date back to at least the 13th century). The flames aren’t massive (typically 1-3 meters high along a ~10-20 meter stretch), but the site offers a unique, mesmerizing experience, especially at dusk or night when the fire glows dramatically.
The site includes an amphitheater-style viewing area, a small museum, cafe, souvenir stalls, and a bridge for overhead views of the flames and Caspian Sea.
Current Costs
- Entry fee — 9 AZN for foreign adults (locals pay 2 AZN; discounts for students/children).
- BakiKart (required for public transport) — 2 AZN (one-time purchase, rechargeable).
- Metro ride — 0.60 AZN per trip (increased October 2025).
- Bus fare — Typically 0.50-0.60 AZN per ride (varies slightly by route/operator).
How to Get There from Baku by Public Transport (Cheapest Option)
The route remains straightforward and reliable as of late 2025:
- Take the Baku Metro (red or green line) to Koroglu Station. Fare: 0.60 AZN.
- Exit the station and head to the nearby bus terminal (Koroglu Neqliyyat Mubadile Merkezi, northwest of the metro entrance).
- Board bus #217 (final stop is near Yanar Dag). Fare: ~0.50-0.60 AZN. Journey: 40-60 minutes.
- Some travelers report a short connecting shuttle (possibly #147 or free transfer) for the last ~600m—ask the driver.
- At Yanar Dag, buy your ticket at the entrance kiosk and scan to enter.
Return: Catch #217 back from the roadside stop or terminal to Koroglu, then metro to your accommodation.
Total round-trip cost (excluding BakiKart initial purchase): ~12-14 AZN (metro x2 + bus x2 + entry).
Alternatives
- Bolt/Taxi → 8-15 AZN one-way (book round-trip via app to avoid waiting).
- Organized Tour → Half-day tours (often combined with Ateshgah Fire Temple) cost 30-50 AZN, including transport and sometimes entry fees.
Tips
- Visit at sunset for the best visuals—the flames stand out against the darkening sky.
- Spend 30-60 minutes; it’s a quick but worthwhile stop.
- Combine with nearby Ateshgah (Zoroastrian fire temple) or Gobustan mud volcanoes for a full day.
- The site is open daily; check yanardag.az for hours (typically until evening).
Yanar Dag is a quirky, low-key highlight—perfect for a half-day escape from Baku’s urban buzz!