Nakhchivan

Getting around: The only practical way in is flying from Baku (several domestic flights daily, ~1.5 hours; tickets for foreigners are typically bought in person in Baku, not booked online in advance), or a weekly Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul. There's no land route from Baku except via Iran (~12 hours). Within Nakhchivan: a taxi or rental car is needed to reach the spread-out Alinja Fortress and Duzdag caves.

Halal & prayer places: Halal by default like the rest of Azerbaijan, and if anything slightly more conservative given how remote and less internationally touristed it is — no need to hunt for a halal label at the simple local restaurants.

Local safety: A sensitive border zone with Armenia (the two states remain formally at conflict) and Iran — photographing border/military installations is even more strictly forbidden than elsewhere in Azerbaijan. There's no notable security risk for an ordinary visitor within the city itself.

Cost figures: 2026 prices: a Baku–Nakhchivan flight for foreigners ~70 AZN (~$40) one-way, hotels from 38 AZN (~$22) for an economy single up to $100+ for higher-end, Alinja Fortress entry is free (but a 1,500-step climb), a local meal 10–18 AZN.