Quba

Quba (or Guba) is a city in Northeastern Azerbaijan, on the northern slope of the Caucasus, 180 km northwest of Baku.

Understand
This ancient city is the major city in the Quba Rayon. Quba is famous for producing high quality apples. In late summer, cars stuffed with apples are often seen on the road carrying the fruit from Quba to other regions or from small towns to the city's cannery.

Quba is also the hub for many summer vacationers. It attracts visitors with its cooler summer climate and beautiful mountain scenery.

Quba is built on the western bank of the Qudailchay River. On the eastern bank is a rather exclusive Jewish community known as Red Settlement (Qırmızı Qesebe in Azeri or Krasnaya Sloboda in Russian), because of the collection of red roofs that can be seen from the nearby hilltop. The houses in Quba are noticeably smaller than the neighbouring community.

Due to its close proximity to Russia and its former inclusion in the U.S.S.R., most in the city know Russian. It is often assumed that outsiders will know this language. This might also explain a sense of paranoia with strangers found with some. You may be stopped by police and asked to show identification.

By bus
There are buses that run daily from Baku to Quba. The price for a minibus/van is 4 manat, and it takes about 3 hr. There are also buses from/to the surrounding region.



By train
The nearest railway station is Khachmaz, about 20 km east. However, if you do not have any particular reasons to go by train, the bus will be more convenient.

By taxi
Cabs can be found going from Baku to Quba at January 20th station and Shamahinka station.

By car
From Baku take the M1 for about 2–2.5 hr. The road, with the exception of the last 35 km, is a highway with a speed limit of 110 km/h. In the Quba itself, you can park anywhere, except for obvious prohibitions – you can park on the central square near the information centre.

Get around
Quba is an easy walk.

Do
Visit Balbulaq, Tengealtı.

Buy

 * Rugs/carpets

ATMs
International Bank of Azerbaijan:
 * Kuba, Quba, 41, Fatali khan street (Quba branch of İBA)
 * Kuba, Quba, Qırmızı (Red) settlement (P.O.)
 * Kuba, Quba, H.Aliyev avenue ("Shahdag" market centre)

Go next

 * Qusar – Just north of Quba, located in the Grand Caucasus mountainous system, close to the border with Russia.
 * Khinalig (Xinaliq) – A scenic, remote and ancient mountain village, and the mountain of the same name nearby. Once a centre of Zoroastrianism; today the few inhabitants are an ethnic isolate believed to be descendants of the Caucasus Albanians (unrelated to modern-day Albanians of Albania).
 * Khachmaz (Xaçmaz, Khachmas) – It is considered a very popular tourist destination for the combination of a warm summer climate, woods along the sea and clean golden beaches.