The ruins of the ancient town are situated 15 km from the regional centre, allocated on the territory between Garachay and Jourluchay rivers.

[5][6] Gabala was located in the middle of the 2,500-year-old Silk Road, and was mentioned by Pliny the Younger as "Kabalaka", Greek geographer Ptolemy as "Khabala", Arabic historian Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri as "Khazar".

In the 19th century, the Azerbaijani historian Abbasgulu Bakikhanov mentioned in his book Gulistani Irem that Kbala or Khabala were in fact Gabala.

In 464, it lost its independence due to years of invasions from the northern nomadic tribes and had to move its capital city to Partava (currently Barda in Azerbaijan).

[8] Thousands of buildings from the Soviet period were demolished to make way for a green belt on its shores; parks and gardens were built on the land reclaimed by filling up the foothill of Gabala.

The city is growing dynamically and developing at full speed on a north axis along the shores of the Caspian Sea.

[10] In 2013, the city was declared the Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States, in recognition of its long contribution to the history of Azerbaijan and the region.

[11] The geographical position and mountainous relief of the city greatly influenced on formation of complex climate conditions in the vertical droughty area, as well as on density of river network and richness of soil-vegetation cover.

[12] Relief and humid climate conditions of Gabala region led to formation of a thick river network in the area.

Deer and mountain tours, wild boar, hare, bears, wolves, foxes and numerous birds – pheasant, grouse, francolin, etc.

Qabala is a tourist destination due to the combination of its spring climate, mountainous landscape, and diverse fauna.

The waterfall, situated in woodlands west of Vandam, is climbed by thousands of people each year - the lower levels being accessible by stairways.

[22] The city contains "Qabaland" amusement park, an ice skating rink and a Greek-style theatre, rental houses, built especially for outside concerts.

[30] Qabala is known for the ruins of an ancient walled city, Chukhur Gabala, dating back to the 4th century BC.

[31] The city has a large war memorial, numerous ancient stone houses and the Rashidbek monument, which is shaped like a huge book.

Currently, a group of young people created Gabalacity.net website which gives information about Qabala aiming to develop the tourism potential of the district.