Distance from Baku

230 km

Population

205,8 thsd person

How to get to

Auto transportation: buses Baku – Masalli – 7 hours, Sumgayit – Masalli,
Gandja – Masalli, Mingachevir – Masalli, Shirvan – Masalli, Lankaran – Masalli
By train: Baku – Astara – 6,5 hours

Masalli region, located in the south of Azerbaijan, 270 km away from the capital city is known for its subtropical climate, azure beaches on the coast of the Caspian Sea and the abundance of hot springs, the most famous of which is Istisu.

Thermal mineral spring Istisu (literally “hot water”) has long been a place of pilgrimage for people suffering from rheumatism and other musculoskeletal and skin diseases. Several rest houses, cottages and campgrounds are built around the source. Part of the thermal spring water flows into a small river, making a kind of contrast baths for campers. The river is inhabited by unusual fish, that to swim up to people and nibbling the skin which results in healing from dermatological diseases.

The climate in this region is favorable for the lush forest which is inhabited by the abundance of different animals and has precious woods such as beech, hornbeam, ironwood, alder, and oak. Tourists would also be interested in buying traditional crafts in Masalli such as braided mats, shawls, a variety of pottery, carpets, socks, gloves, decorated with national ornaments, and wooden crafts.

Masalli region is located along the main transport artery of the region – the road from the capital to the south, to Iran. Climate here is subtropical. One of the boundaries of this area is the Caspian coast, another one – Talish mountains. Running through the territory of this region rivers Vilyash, Tatyan, Alvadi-chay, Matara and others fall into Caspian sea.
Masalli undoubtedly has one of the best tourist potentials despite the fact that the city is situated away from the main roads. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Picturesque Talish mountains never cease to amaze travelers with its unique grandeur and freshness. There is a small picturesque lake in the outskirts of the city which is a favorite holiday destination both for visitors and local residents.
Masalli is particularly promising for the development of the health tourism. The region is rich in mineral springs – both thermal and cold, some of them are with a high content of sulfur and other elements. A few kilometers from Masalli near the Arkivan village is a thermal mineral spring “Istisu” (hot water). In summer this area becomes a place of pilgrimage for many tourists and people who suffer from rheumatism and other ailments from all over the country and from abroad.

Some guest houses, cottages and camps are built around this spring. Some water from hot spring flows into a small river that allows travelers to take a kind of contrast baths. In the river lives an unusual fish, bevies of which come swimming to the people and pinch their skin that assists in the healing of skin diseases.

This rich in plants region preserved in forestry Gariblar and Yenikend such fine woods as beech, hornbeam, ironwood, alder and oak.

In hunting ground of the Girmizi village you can hunt wild animals and birds. There is Gizilagach reserve on the road from Massalli to Lankaran on the southwest coast of the Caspian sea (Gulf Gyzylagach) which include the entire area of the bay and the surrounding land areas. This reserve was established in 1929 for the protection and reproduction of waterfowl, moorfowl and grassland birds, protection of water and semi-desert systems which are the place of birds wintering, including those who are in Red Book ( a total of 248 species of birds and 54 species of fish). During hunting season at the territory nearby to Gyzylagach reserve you can hunt waterfowl and animals, such as fox, boar, badger and wolf.
The following historical monuments are preserved: bath and mosque (XIX c.), the tower Erkivan, mosques of XVI century in the villages Boraddigah and Digah, mausoleum of Seyid Sadig.

Tourists will be interested to see the exhibition of the History Museum and products of traditional crafts: this is “hasir” – woven mats in the village of Musakyudja, headscarves in the village of Tyurkoba, a variety of pottery in the Erkivan village, in mountain villages – carpets, jorabs, gloves, in villages Gyariblyar, Kolatan, Sigdash – wooden products decorated with national ornaments.

Over the past years several modern hotels and recreation centers were built in Masalli along with the existing guest houses. For example, it’s the recreation center “Dashtvend” with the hotel and cottages located near the Arkivan village and equipped in accordance with European standards. You can accommodate at the hotels and recreation areas Vilesh, Damir Agach, “Rasim”, in the sanatorium “Turan” and others.
Many recreation centers organize tourist excursions, horseback riding, a picnic in the woods.