Lankaran & Astara tour from Baku: Stalin's prison & fire spring

Tea plantations and a flame that shoots from the ground

A full-day tour from Baku to the Lankaran and Astara regions, with hotel pickup and an English, Russian or Turkish-speaking guide. You walk through tea plantations, explore Lankaran's local market and museum, visit the Circular Castle where Stalin was detained, and see Yanar Bulag: a natural spring where methane gas ignites into flame. The tour includes round-trip transport and stops at the Citrus Valley and Khanbulanchay Reservoir.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lankaran and Astara regions

• Pickup from hotel
• Visit Citrus Valley for photos
• Walk through tea plantations
• Explore Lankaran local market
• Visit Lankaran Museum
• See Circular Castle and old prison
• Visit the fire spring Yanar Bulag
• Relax at Khanbulanchay Reservoir
• Return to Baku hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in Baku and a drive south to Lankaran. On the way, you pass through the Citrus Valley, where the region's fruit orchards spread across the landscape: a natural photo stop before the main sites. The route takes roughly 3 hours each way, so the bulk of your time sits in the Lankaran and Astara areas themselves.

Once in Lankaran, you walk through the tea plantations that define the region's economy and landscape, learning how the crop is grown in this subtropical corner of Azerbaijan. The Boyuk Bazar, Lankaran's main market, comes next: a working bazaar where locals shop for produce, spices and everyday goods, not a tourist version. The Lankaran Museum holds artifacts and exhibits on the region's history. The Circular Castle and its attached prison building is where Joseph Stalin was held as a young man. The guide walks you through the structure and its significance. Then comes Yanar Bulag in Astara, the fire spring: a natural fountain where water mixed with methane gas emerges from the ground. A lighter or match ignites the gas, and the flame shoots up for a few seconds: a real geological oddity, not a constructed attraction. The day winds down at Khanbulanchay Reservoir, a quiet spot for reflection before the drive back to Baku.

You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide who speaks one of three languages. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so there's no separate transport to arrange. The tour runs 12 to 13 hours total. Vegetarian meals can be arranged if you request them at booking. Lunch and museum entry fees are separate costs, not bundled in.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Baku.
• professional guide in English, Russian or Turkish.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• entry to Lankaran Museum and the Circular Castle prison.
• access to the tea plantations and Lankaran market.
• the visit to Yanar Bulag fire spring in Astara.
• and a stop at Khanbulanchay Reservoir.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Russian and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Old City Tours LLC

Is this one for you?Choose the small group option if you're comfortable sharing the vehicle and guide with other travelers. Pick the private tour if your party wants the full day and all stops to themselves, without other bookings joining the route.

Traveler reviews

4.57★★★★★★★★★★

7 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Russian and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Lankaran tea plantation like, and do I get to taste tea there?

The tea plantations in Lankaran are working farms where you walk through the rows and learn how tea is cultivated in this subtropical region. The tour includes a visit to taste longevity tea, a local specialty, as part of the experience, though a full meal is not included and comes at additional cost.

Can I see the prison where Stalin was held?

Yes. The Circular Castle in Lankaran contains the prison building where Joseph Stalin was detained as a young man. The guide takes you through the structure and explains its historical significance.

What exactly is the fire spring at Yanar Bulag, and can I see it ignite?

Yanar Bulag is a natural fountain in Astara where water emerges mixed with methane gas from underground. When a lighter or match is held to the gas, it ignites and creates a flame that lasts a few seconds: a rare geological phenomenon caused by natural gas deposits beneath the surface.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. It costs 15–20 AZN and is arranged separately. Museum entry fees (10 AZN total) are also separate from the tour price.

Can I book this tour as a private group, or is it shared?

You can choose between a small group tour or a private tour. Both follow the same itinerary and include hotel pickup, guide and transport. The private option means your group travels alone rather than with other bookings.

How long is the drive from Baku, and what time does the tour start?

The drive from Baku to Lankaran takes roughly 3 hours each way. The full tour runs 12 to 13 hours, including all stops and the return journey. Your hotel pickup time is confirmed when you book.