Khudat (Xudat)

Khudat is the most ancient and northernmost of the capitals of the northern Azerbaijan Khanates, but lost importance in the 18-th century when its capital status was transfered to Quba. Today it is part of the Khachmas rayon.

Located close to the Caspian sea, south of the Russian border, the town has lost importance and now is merely relevant due to a railway station and as a road intersection point.

It's only attraction is the ancient fortress. It was used as aministrative center of the Guba Khanate in the first half of the 18th century. When Fatali-khan moved his HQ from Khudat to Guba, the town lost its importance.

Nevertheless Khudat is near the Nabran beaches, an important health and holiday resort. The fine natural and climatic conditions of the area - golden beaches, woods along the seashore, the backdrop of snow capped mountains with rivers and waterfalls - make it an interesting holiday area.

There are several resorts in the Nabran area, some were refurbished recently although most accommodation is in the form of old style Soviet cabins. The area has some conditions for summer tourism most tourists will be domestic, any exception will be an expat breaking the routine from Baku.

With no major industries in the area and low population density the quality of the sea water is a lot better than around the Apsheron peninsula, if you are still suspicious some of the resorts have very decent swimming pools.

(180 km north of Baku)