Overview
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Absheron Castles Tour Highlights include ancient Gala State Historical Ethnographic Reserve, Mardakan Quadrangular Castle, Ramana Castle and Mardakan Round Castle located in Absheron Peninsula. You will get acquainted with historical & architectural places of the museums. Besides, you will also have a chance to visit three different types of museums: Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography in the Open Air. Castle Museum (partly open-air) and the Museum of Antiques located inside of the Gala Museum Complex.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Qala Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum Complex
The Gala State Historical Ethnographic Reserve is a complex of museums in Baku, Azerbaijan. The area of the museum extends to approximately 2 hectares. It is located in Gala, 40km far from Baku and bears the name of this district. Gala-State Historical Ethnographic Reserve is devoted to the history of the Absheron Peninsula.The reserve was established in the year of 2008 under the auspices of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. This impressive open-air park-museum features several furnished, traditional-style Absheron buildings – such as a house, blacksmith's forge, potters' workshop. Some are originals while others are reconstructions, and all are set amid a wide range of archaeological finds and petroglyphs. There's minimal shade so visiting in mid-summer can be exhausting.Three different types of museums: Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography (open-air), Castle Museum (partly open-air), and the Museum of Antiques are located on the territory of the reserve.
Mardakan Castle
Mardakan castle is a quadrangular historic castle located in Mardakan, Baku. It is one of the most noticeable castles in Mardakan. The castle was built in the middle of the 12th century by Akhsitan I, son of the Manuchihr III. It was erected after the victory of Akhsitan I. The castle was used as a shelter and observation point of feudals.The castle was built in a quadrangular form. It is divided into 5 tiers. The castle consists of 6 rooms. The inner courtyard of the castle is 28×25 m. The height of the tower is 22 meters. The thickness of it is 2.10 meters at lower part and 1.60 meters at upper portion. There are 76 stairs in the castle. Mardakan- Round Tower. Round Tower is a castle located in Mardakan near Baku. The castle is also called Shikh fortress by local residents. At the top of the gate of the tower, there are three inscriptions written in Arabic on a large rectangular stone layer. The fortress surrounding the tower consists of a square-shaped yard, surrounded by stone walls, seven meters high on each side. At the corners of the fortress wall, there are towers, railing, and watchtowers. The tower is round in the plan and it gets narrow upward.
Options
English Speaking Guide
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Professional Licensed Tour Guide & Driver
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup & drop-off
1 x Bottle of water (0,5 L) p/p per day
Touristic Destinations mentioned in the tour program
Any Meals & drinks
All Fees and Taxes
Personal Expenses
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
3 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Family visit at Absheron Castles
gusw793,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Visiting the Absheron castles with my family felt like stepping into a quieter, windswept chapter of history, far removed from the busy streets of modern Baku. The peninsula has a rugged, almost timeless atmosphere, and as we drove between the sites, the landscape itself seemed to set the mood—dry plains, scattered villages, and the distant shimmer of the Caspian Sea. One of the highlights was Mardakan Castle. Standing tall against the open sky, it immediately captured our attention with its solid stone structure and commanding presence. Climbing to the top was one of those simple but memorable family moments. The narrow stairways added a sense of adventure, especially for the younger members of our group, and when we reached the top, the panoramic view made it all worth it. You could see miles of the surrounding land, and it was easy to imagine how this fortress once served as a watchtower guarding the coastline. We also visited Nardaran Fortress, which had a slightly different feel—more enclosed and mysterious. Walking through its thick stone walls, there was a sense of history layered into every corner. It wasn’t crowded, which made the experience more personal. We took our time exploring, taking photos, and just enjoying the calm atmosphere without feeling rushed. What made the trip special wasn’t just the castles themselves, but the shared experience. We laughed while navigating uneven steps, helped each other climb steep passages, and paused often just to take in the surroundings. There’s something about historical places that naturally slows you down, and visiting them with family makes those moments even more meaningful. Overall, the Absheron castles offered a perfect mix of history, light adventure, and quality time together. It wasn’t a flashy or overly commercial experience, but that’s exactly what made it memorable. It felt authentic, peaceful, and genuinely enriching—a trip that stayed with us long after we left the peninsula.
A great half day trip for anyone interested in history
15des1976,Feb 9, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very punctual pick up from my hotel Both the driver and Elmir my guide were professional and friendly For the trip we visited three sights and being a fan of castles I enjoyed all Sadly Mardakan castle was closed due to renovations but Ramana was great
Fast castle adventure
cjschreiner,May 30, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Not being familiar with what castles are like in the Baku area this gave you a quick introduction to it. Our guide, Elsever, gave good insight into the castles. The other thing that was great about the tour is that the castles were pretty empty except for some school children doing a class trip. Be careful going to the top of the castles as the stairs are tiny in some areas.
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Operated by Guided Azerbaijan