Souvenirs to buy from Azerbaijan

If you buy just one thing, make it a kelaghayi—the square, hand-printed silk scarf worn by Azerbaijani women for centuries. Artisans stamp patterns (often the paisley-like buta) onto Sheki or Basqal silk, producing a scarf that’s light, drapes beautifully, and looks good with everything from jeans to blazers. Kelaghayi is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, so you’re taking home a piece of living tradition, not a trend. 

How to choose:

Look for crisp, even prints and rolled hems.

1. Traditional sizes are generous (around 150–160 cm square).

2. Colour “rules” once denoted age and occasion; today, wear what you love.

Where to buy: artisan studios in Sheki, the Basqal kelaghayi workshop, museum shops, and quality boutiques in Baku’s Old City (Icherisheher).

Local carpets are bold, geometric, and ridiculously photogenic. Full-size hand-knotted rugs can be an investment, but mini-carpets and flat-weave sumakh pieces make affordable wall hangings or table runners. Carpet weaving here is also on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list, and you’ll find regional styles (Quba, Shirvan, Karabakh, Tabriz) with distinct motifs. If you’re short on suitcase space, grab a miniature carpet magnet or bookmark made on real looms. 

Buying smart: ask for a certificate of origin, knot density, and natural-dye details. Reputable sellers handle export paperwork for antique pieces.

Where to buy: Icherisheher galleries, Carpet museum and the state-backed Azerkhalcha showrooms.

About three hours from Baku, the mountain village of Lahij rings with the music of hammer on metal. Copper pots, trays, ewers, and engraved cups are made in tiny workshops using techniques that also enjoy UNESCO protection. Even a small engraved plate or sugar bowl makes a gorgeous, functional souvenir (and yes, they’re sturdy enough for checked luggage). 

Care tip: for food use, choose tinned interiors; polish the exterior with a gentle copper cleaner back home.

Where to buy: straight from coppersmiths in Lahij or in curated Old City shops.

Azerbaijan’s cult dessert is Sheki halva—a glossy, syrup-soaked, lattice-topped cousin of baklava layered with nuts, cardamom and coriander. It’s made on huge round trays, cut into squares, and packed into gift boxes that are famously hard to keep closed until you land. If you can’t detour to Sheki, many Baku sweet shops sell it; also try pakhlava, shebiyet, and shekerbura for a mixed box of classics. 

Travel tip: halva keeps well for a few days; carry it on to avoid syrupy mishaps in checked bags.

Tea is a ritual here, sipped from armudu (pear-shaped) glasses that keep the top hot and the bottom sippable. Pick up a set with saucers, plus a small samovar-style teapot or a tin of robust Azerbaijani black tea. Back home, serve with lemon, sugar cubes and a dish of jam to recreate that café-in-Baku moment. 

Where to buy: housewares stalls in Icherisheher, bazaar stands, and department stores.

The national fruit is everywhere—on murals, in produce aisles, and in souvenir shops. Practical pick: narsharab, a thick pomegranate reduction that’s magic on kebabs and grilled veggies. Decorative pick: glass or ceramic pomegranate figurines flecked with gold; they look chic on a bookshelf and photograph beautifully. You’ll also find keychains, jewellery, and wall art with pomegranate motifs. 

Where to buy: food halls and Yashil (Green) Bazaar for sauces; Old City boutiques for glass and ceramic pieces. 

Azerbaijani saffron—long prized around the Absheron peninsula—shows up at Yashil Bazaar alongside spice mixes (sumac, coriander, cumin) and dried herbs for dovga soup. Vendors typically vacuum-seal small packets for travel; you can also snag fruit leathers and nuts for edible gifts. 

Buying smart: look for deep red threads (minimal yellow), a strong aroma, and sealed bags. Prices vary by harvest and grade.

Shebeke is the stained-glass wood latticework that turns the Palace of Sheki Khans into a kaleidoscope. Full windows won’t fit in your carry-on, but you’ll see miniature panels, coasters, and jewellery boxes that echo the star-burst patterns in wood and colored glass. They’re unique to the region and make striking gifts for design lovers.

Where to buy: artisan studios in Sheki and craft stores in Baku’s Old City.

“ABAD” shops (it stands for “Easy Support to Family Business”) curate handmade items—textiles, ceramics, woodwork, treats like honey and jam—each tagged with the maker’s name and region. ABAD has multiple ethno-boutiques in Baku and outlets at the airport, making it a reliable last-minute stop that still supports local craftspeople. 

What to look for: hand-painted ceramics, carved wooden boards, felted accessories, gift-ready food hampers.

Where to find: You can find the exact shops and location on their official website abad.gov.az.

Cafés from Baku to Sheki hum with the clack of nard (backgammon). Sets range from simple inlaid boards to carved walnut beauties with brass hinges. If your luggage is tight, look for foldable travel sizes. Pair with a box of tea and you’ve got the perfect Baku-night-in starter kit.

Where to buy: craft stalls in Icherisheher, speciality game shops along Nizami Street, and some bazaar vendors.

Icherisheher (Baku Old City): Best for carpets, copper, ceramics, shebeke-style crafts, and curated souvenir boutiques—plus it’s a joy to wander among the fortress walls and caravanserais.

Yashil (Green) Bazaar and Hypermarts: Baku’s biggest food market—tea, saffron, spices, nuts, fruit leathers, honey, and caviar (mind airline rules). It’s an easy one-stop for edible gifts but bargain hard. Even then you may end up paying more. For standard products, head to a hypermart for fixed prices and branded packaging.

ABAD Ethno-Boutiques: Fair-trade-style shops focused on local artisans, including a handy ABAD Crafts outlet at the airport’s duty-free zone.

Nizami Street & contemporary concept stores: For modern local designers and culturally inspired decor (keep an eye out for Azerkhalcha collaborations and indie design labels).

1. Size vs. suitcase: Full carpets and copperware are checked-bag items. Many shops ship internationally; if you do carry, ask for bubble wrap and a durable outer bag.

2. Prices: Kelaghayi typically start modest and climb with silk quality and hand-printing finesse; Lahij copper and carved nard boards vary by size and engraving; carpets span everything from entry-level miniatures to investment pieces.

3. Authenticity checks: For carpets, look for hand-knotted backs (not perfectly uniform), natural fibers, and seller certificates. For kelaghayi, prefer hand-printed designs over machine prints and check the hand of the silk.

4. Food rules: Halva and sweets are fine to carry; liquids (narsharab) belong in checked luggage to avoid liquid limits.

5. Customs forms: Reputable rug dealers will provide export paperwork for antiques or museum-grade pieces; keep receipts handy at the airport.