Naftalan Azerbaijan: Guide to Healing Oil Resorts

Azerbaijan is home to the world-famous Naftalan resort, where visitors enjoy unique individual oil baths for relaxation and healing. This spa city is a historic place located in the heart of the country and it provides health tourism and culture tourism with a unique experience in Azerbaijan.

Find out more about Naftalan, Azerbaijan

Overview of Naftalan Azerbaijan

Naftalan, Azerbaijan, is a unique spa city famed for its therapeutic oil baths, rich history, and peaceful atmosphere.

Location

Naftalan being the famous wellness city of western Azerbaijan is situated some 50 kilometers southeast of Ganja and approximately 320 kilometers away from Baku. It is a world-renowned resort of the unique natural resource Naftalan oil which is the only medical naphthalene oil field on the planet.

Situated in an idyllic landscape, Naftalan is the capital of health tourism in the country and every year thousands of people visit the city. The city has 18 active wells which providethis rare oil is claimed to be beneficial in treating a wide range of conditions, especially joint disorders, skin diseases, and musculoskeletal problems. Other than therapy, Naftalan has serene parks, cultural sites and contemporary hospitality.

History

Naftalan has a long history dating back several centuries. The region was known as a resting place for traders and caravans traveling through the Caucasus, which connected to the broader Silk Road routes during the Middle Ages. Even the 12th-century Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi mentioned the use of this unique oil in his city of birth. The well-known explorer Marco Polo subsequently recorded the outstanding health value of bathing in the oil pools.

Industrial-scale oil extraction began in the late 1880s, when German chemist E. I. Yeger drilled the first well and discovered its therapeutic properties. To his surprise, it could not burn; however, its remarkable curative properties soon became apparent. The finding resulted in the first sanatorium in Naftalan.

Fast forward, health resorts multiplied over the years and people flocked in from all parts of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. Yet, today, Naftalan is a tourist pride of the world with its unique healing black gold.

Reason to visit

Naftalan is a place that is known worldwide by its naphthalene oil bath treatment that is not duplicated anywhere on the globe. The city is the center of health tourism due to its rare oil that has shown to be useful in more than 70 conditions, including joint aches to skin related problems.

In addition to the healing qualities, Naftalan provides contemporary resorts, tranquil parks and a diverse culture exhibited by the history of the Silk Road. Incorporating medical wellness, and relaxation with visiting and exploring, the combination means that Naftalan is an ideal place to visit to find rejuvenation, as well as to have the authentic Azerbaijani travel experience.

Why Naftalan, Azerbaijan should be on your list

Interesting things to know about Naftalan

In a small European country called Azerbaijan, the case of rare naphthalene oil went around the world under the name of Naftalan. It is a natural resource because of its unique healing possibilities. With a long history of use in traditional medicine and now the focus of the entire city health tourism sector, this oil has attracted Naftalan a special position on the global wellness map.

• Strong healing effects: Naftalan oil contains anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antihistamine, and vasodilator properties making it useful in the treatment of more than 70 different diseases and health conditions.
• Centuries of medical use: Historical records from the 12th and 13th centuries mention Naftalan oil being used for therapeutic purposes. But large-scale production arrived in the late 1800s when a German chemist made a healing cream out of it which was eventually commercially available.

Fun facts about Naftalan

Top attractions in Naftalan, Azerbaijan

Therapeutic resorts are the most valued features of Naftalan, although the city has many different types of attractions to make your visit even more interesting with references to culture, history, and leisure.

• Crutches exhibition: One of the most touching sights in Naftalan is the display of crutches and canes left behind by patients who regained mobility after oil treatments. While not an official museum, this exhibition has become a symbolic reminder of Naftalan’s healing legacy.
• Red Bridge: Located near Ganja on the Azerbaijan–Georgia border, this 175-meter 17th-century stone bridge spans the Khrami River and was once a bustling market hub.
• Tea House (Samovar House): Samovar-shaped three-floor whimsy building in the form of a huge samovar. When inside there is a traditional Azerbaijani black-tea with dishes of the land all in a cozy atmosphere.
• Nariman Narimanov Park: greenery and family park with a playground, tracks, and cafes that offer the possibility to buy snacks and ice cream nearby.
• Naftalan Museum of Local History: Featuring Azerbaijani traditional dressing, objects, the history of Naftalan oil, the museum has an idea of telling about the Silk Road history of the city.

These attractions ensure that your time in Naftalan goes beyond wellness, giving you a full taste of the city’s charm.

Top places to visit in Naftalan, Azerbaijan

Resorts and Sanatoriums in Naftalan

Naftalan is the health center that provides various resorts and sanatoriums where people can spend time having many enjoyable Naftalan oil treatments and being met by modern medicine. All centers offer doctor consultation, clinical diagnostics and wellness programs which are tailored to the patient.

• Chinar Hotel & Spa: Naftalan Five stars luxury, deluxe rooms, fine dining, naphthalan baths, iodobromine therapy, spa, hammam and a free shuttle to Ganja.
• Gashalti Resort Hotel: Luxury facilities such as pools, bowling, cinema, gym and villas. The packages contain medical care, oil treatments, physiotherapy and buffet meals.
• Spa Hotel Nur Naftalan: serene forested-setting that provides baths, massages, paraffin wraps and treatment of bone, muscle, and skin disorders.
• Gozel Naftalan Health Resort: convenient location in the central parts of the city, safe buildings, and a full range of treatments such as magnetotherapy and inhalation treatment.
• Naftalan Sanatorium: Older and low cost options include physiotherapy, massages, and oil treatments.
• Sanatorium Kepez: Four star comfortability rated rooms with a family oriented room space, and offers physiotherapy, massage therapy, and its signature naphthalan oil baths

These resorts combine relaxation, medical expertise, and the healing power of Naftalan’s famous “black gold.”

Top resorts and sanatoriums of Naftalan

Tips to know before visit

Before heading to Naftalan, it’s worth keeping a few useful tips in mind to make the most of your trip:

• Purchase local wellness products: Naftalan is famous because of its wellness and skincare range that contain the city's natural oil; one of the best souvenirs you may take home. Popular products are shampoos, shower gels, soaps (liquid and bar), bath balms, body creams, massage oil and also toothpaste. They are sold separately or in gift form in drugstores and other nearby stores.
• Seek out special medical creams: There are various creams and balms available, which can have a targeted health application, such as pain relieving (sustavlan and borelan creams), psoriasis (naphthalan cream), and leg circulation (venotonic balm).
• Book before you go: It is always better to book your treatments in advance. Say during peak season it is good to book the oil baths and therapies schedule so that you get it in your own favorable time.

These tips ensure you enjoy both the wellness treatments and the unique local offerings Naftalan is known for.

How to get there

Reaching Naftalan is easy with several convenient options:

• Via Ganja: The nearest city, Ganja, has an international airport with flights mainly from Russia and a railway station. From Ganja, it’s about a 1-hour drive to Naftalan by taxi or rental car.
• From Baku by Taxi: Direct taxi rides take around 4 hours.
• From Baku by Train: Trains to Göran station take about 4 hours. From there, a 20-minute taxi ride will bring you to Naftalan.
• From Baku by Bus: Buses to Göran station depart from Baku’s central bus station. A short taxi ride from Göran completes the journey.

FAQs about Naftalan Azerbaijan

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Naftalan, Azerbaijan’s unique healing destination.

What is unique about Naftalan oil?

Naftalan oil is a rare, non-flammable crude high in naphthenic hydrocarbons which is the only in Naftalan, Azerbaijan. Famous for its health benefits, it’s used in medical scenarios for over 70 health conditions, including joint, skin and musculoskeletal issues.

Is Naftalan a health tourism destination?

Yes, Naftalan is also world-famous among health tourists, for its special naphthalene oil therapy. Due its numerous resorts and sanatoriums, where you can find guests looking for the therapeutic baths or trying to treat some health problems with both modern up-to-date treatments and traditional healing methods.

What is the best time to visit Naftalan?

The most suitable time to visit Naftalan is during the spring (April — June) and autumn (September — November), the weather is not too hot and not too cold. These seasons provide a suitable climate for spa treatments, outdoor adventures and a visit to the city’s parks and cultural attractions.

In conclusion

Naftalan has gained worldwide recognition as a unique destination, known throughout the world as a resort of naphthalene oil and one of the best wellness resorts. Tourists visit to receive therapeutic services, enjoy the city culture as well as have a calm climate in the city. It is not a challenge to plan your trip since an Azerbaijan e-visa can be obtained conveniently online by traveling visitors, which makes the paperwork fast and non-stressful. Looking either to undergo medical rejuvenation or to explore the history, or even to have a strange adventure of traveling, Naftalan is a gateway to the memorable adventure of visiting the center of the health tourism of Azerbaijan.