Yes — since July 23, 2025, foreign nationals have been permitted to travel to specific areas of Karabakh, including Shusha, Lachin, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Khojaly, and Khankendi, either independently through a permit system or via a licensed tour operator. This is a genuinely recent and still-evolving development, and this guide walks through exactly how it works, what you’ll actually see, and what to know before you go.
We want to be upfront about something most content on this topic doesn’t mention: this is a fast-moving policy area tied to the region’s post-2020 reconstruction, and rules can change. Everything below reflects the framework as it has been publicly announced and reported; always reconfirm current requirements immediately before traveling, either directly through the official permit portal or with a licensed operator, since this article cannot serve as a substitute for checking current conditions close to your travel dates.
Why Karabakh was previously off-limits and what’s changed
Karabakh, including the city of Shusha, was the site of intense conflict for decades, most recently through the 2020 Second Nagorno-Karabakh War and Azerbaijan’s 2023 anti-terror operation, after which Azerbaijan regained full administrative control over the region. In the years since, the government has been engaged in large-scale reconstruction and resettlement efforts, and the area was closed to general tourism during this period, both for practical reconstruction reasons and — critically — because of the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance left from decades of conflict, a hazard that remains genuinely serious in parts of the region.
Shusha in particular holds deep cultural significance in Azerbaijan as a historic center of Azerbaijani art, poetry, and music, and its reopening to tourism (it was named a regional tourism capital for 2026 by the Economic Cooperation Organization) is being actively promoted as part of the country’s broader tourism strategy.
How foreign tourists can currently visit
There are three official routes, based on the framework published by Azerbaijan’s national tourism authority:
1. Independent travel by private vehicle, with a permit. Foreign nationals visiting Azerbaijan for up to 90 days (or holding a temporary/permanent residence permit) can apply for entry permission through the official “Yolumuz Qarabağa” portal, submitting passport details. Travel under this route must be in a Category B private vehicle registered with Azerbaijani plates, and a single permit can cover a group of up to nine people including the driver. Issued permits are valid for a limited window (reported as around 5 days).
2. Organized tours through licensed operators. Tour operators registered in Azerbaijan’s official Tourism Register can arrange group excursions into the permitted areas, handling the permit and logistics side on the traveler’s behalf. For visitors who’d rather not navigate a foreign-language permit portal and unfamiliar road conditions themselves, this is generally the most straightforward route.
3. Confirmed hotel bookings. According to the published framework, travelers with a confirmed hotel reservation within the permitted territories receive an entry permit automatically as part of that booking, without a separate application step.
Where you can currently go
The areas confirmed as accessible under this framework are Shusha, Lachin, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Khojaly, and Khankendi. Shusha is the most tourism-ready of these, with a historic old town, cultural sites tied to Azerbaijani literary and musical heritage, and dramatic canyon-edge scenery overlooking the surrounding mountains. Khankendi (formerly known internationally as Stepanakert) is the region’s largest urban center. The other listed areas are earlier in their reconstruction and tourism development and, at the time of writing, offer considerably less in the way of visitor infrastructure.
Safety: what you genuinely need to know
This is the single most important practical point in this entire guide: landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a real hazard in parts of Karabakh, a legacy of decades of conflict. The official guidance is explicit that visitors must stay strictly on designated routes, avoid leaving marked paths, and exercise particular caution around road junctions and any unmarked or undeveloped areas. The official portal provides mine-safety information that travelers are expected to review before departure.
This is not a reason to avoid visiting the officially designated and accessible areas — Shusha and the other listed towns are open specifically because they’ve been assessed and developed for safe visitor access along defined routes. It is, however, a firm reason to stay on marked roads and paths, follow your guide’s instructions precisely if traveling with a tour, and not attempt to explore off-route “just to see what’s there,” which is a real and different situation from typical rural sightseeing elsewhere in Azerbaijan.
What to realistically expect
Infrastructure in Karabakh is still being built out. Compared to well-established Azerbaijani destinations like Sheki or Gabala, expect fewer restaurant and accommodation options, more active construction visible throughout the region (a direct reflection of the reconstruction effort itself, which many visitors find notable in its own right), and a trip that feels more like witnessing a region in transition than a fully polished tourist circuit. For many travelers, that’s precisely part of what makes visiting meaningful right now — this is a genuinely different kind of travel experience from Azerbaijan’s more established sights.
Given the current state of infrastructure and the permit system’s structure (built around organized excursions and short-duration, route-restricted independent permits), this is realistically a day trip or short overnight add-on to a broader Azerbaijan itinerary rather than a multi-day standalone destination at this stage — that will likely change as reconstruction and tourism infrastructure continue to develop.
What to pack and prepare for a Karabakh visit
Given the current state of tourism infrastructure and the safety guidance around designated routes, a Karabakh visit calls for slightly more preparation than a typical Azerbaijan day trip. Bring your passport (required for the permit process regardless of which route you use), comfortable closed-toe walking shoes suited to uneven, still-developing terrain, and cash — card payment infrastructure is limited outside the most developed areas. It’s also worth carrying printed or downloaded copies of your permit confirmation, since connectivity in parts of the region can be inconsistent. If traveling independently rather than with a licensed operator, review the mine-safety information provided through the official portal before you go, not just on arrival.
A region still very much in transition
It’s worth setting expectations clearly: this is not yet a conventional tourist destination in the way Sheki or Gabala are, and that’s an accurate reflection of where the region genuinely is in its reconstruction, not a criticism of what’s on offer. Roads are being rebuilt, housing and public buildings are under active construction in many areas, and the visitor experience will likely look meaningfully different even a year or two from now as infrastructure develops further. Many travelers who’ve visited describe the experience as much more about witnessing a significant moment in the region’s history than about a polished sightseeing circuit — which is a genuinely different value proposition from the rest of this content series, and one that appeals to a specific kind of traveler rather than everyone.
How to add Karabakh to your Azerbaijan trip
Given the permit requirements, the vehicle-registration rule for independent travel, and the safety considerations around staying on designated routes, most foreign visitors find it considerably more practical to visit as part of an organized excursion with a licensed operator rather than self-arranging the permit and navigating unfamiliar terrain independently — particularly for a first visit to the region. If you’re interested in including Karabakh in your Azerbaijan itinerary, the most reliable approach is to reach out directly and discuss a custom arrangement, since this is a developing part of the country’s tourism offering rather than a fixed, catalog-standard tour product at this stage. You can request a custom itinerary here or get in touch with our team to discuss current options and the latest permit requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreign tourists visit Shusha in 2026?
Yes. Since July 23, 2025, foreign nationals have been able to visit Shusha and several other areas of Karabakh through an official permit system, either independently by private vehicle or via a licensed tour operator.
Do I need a special permit to visit Karabakh?
Yes. Foreign visitors need entry permission through Azerbaijan’s official “Yolumuz Qarabağa” portal for independent travel, or the permit can be arranged automatically through a confirmed hotel booking or handled by a licensed tour operator on an organized excursion.
Is it safe to visit Shusha and Karabakh?
The officially designated and developed routes and sites are considered accessible for visitors, but landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a genuine hazard in parts of the wider region. Staying strictly on designated routes and following official safety guidance is essential.
What can you actually see in Shusha?
Shusha’s historic old town, sites connected to Azerbaijani literary and musical heritage (the city is historically renowned as a center of Azerbaijani art and music), and dramatic canyon and mountain scenery. Tourism infrastructure is still developing compared to more established Azerbaijani destinations.
Can I drive myself to Karabakh?
Independent travel is permitted for foreign nationals in a Category B private vehicle with Azerbaijani state registration plates, after obtaining permission through the official portal — but given the route restrictions and safety considerations, many visitors find it more practical to join an organized excursion, especially on a first visit.
How long can I stay in the permitted areas?
Permits issued through the independent-travel route have historically been valid for a limited window (reported as around 5 days); requirements and durations should be reconfirmed directly through the official portal or a licensed operator before travel, since this is a developing policy area.
Interested in including Karabakh in your Azerbaijan trip? Request a custom itinerary and pair it with our full Azerbaijan itinerary guide, or browse our private tours to discuss current options.
