Small picturesque Caspian port town, on the Iranian border. Astara is located near the Tavalesh mountains and surrounded by a sea of rice fields. Plenty of enjoyable sandy beaches are to be found around Astara, and the water is cleaner than on the Apsheron peninsula. Astara is an important transit point for all kinds of goods, as the numerous lorries at the border well illustrate. The pipeline coming from Abadan also enters Azerbaijan in Astara.

The area is home to a large Talysh population (an Indo-European people, but also mostly Shia Muslim), which spreads to both sides of the border along the western shore of the Caspian.

Here you can cross the border into Iran, well you cross the river Astara to the iranian half of the town, also called Astara (the Baku to Tehran bus stops in Astara). Expect long delays at the border, however entering Iran is now a lot easier than a few years ago. The Iranian government is quite eager for the Euros brought in by the tourists, although they still prefer 'package tours' to independent travelers.

(240 km south of Baku)