baku trip guide

Things to do in Baku in 3 days – A complete guide

By Joan Torres 19 Comments Last updated on December 19, 2023

Until very recently, Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, was a real off-the-beaten-track destination only known by the most intrepid travelers.

Pierce Brosnan, in the James Bond movie The world is not enough , was the first person who finally told us about its existence, when he showed images of some oil fields right in the desert plains around Baku.

Those images, however, didn’t really trigger any interest in the country, as people thought that, perhaps, Baku was not very different from the Arab Gulf monarchies, which was a really wrong approach.

Whereas it is true that Baku is an oil-rich city and, in fact, Azerbaijan was the top world exporter at the beginning of the 20th century, many years before the Gulf monarchies discovered the black gold, on the other hand, it is also a city with a very deep history, belonging to a region which has been inhabited for thousands of years, besides having an important role in the Silk Road , as well as, of course, being part of the USSR for nearly a century.

Nevertheless, thanks to exponential development, Baku today is an almost futuristic city that manages to combine both tradition and modernity, two elements that can be seen together all across the city.

After visiting Baku on two occasions, here is a complete Baku travel guide with all the best  things to do in Baku in 3 days, including plenty of travel tips.

For more places to visit in the country, read my complete itinerary to Azerbaijan

In this Baku travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Where to stay
• How to move around
• What to do in Baku
• Where to eat
• More information

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Introduction to traveling to Baku

From the end of the 19th century, Baku has been a global leader in oil exportation and has been growing at full speed, but it was only after the dissolution of the USSR and Azerbaijan’s post-independence, that this development was accelerated, Baku became a futuristic and modern city, perfectly comparable to European standards.

However, due to the obvious corruption, or preferably, bad resource management, this development has been exclusively focused on the capital, to the extent that its contrast with the second largest city, Ganja, where you can still find unpaved streets in the city center, is huge.

The capital of Azerbaijan is a luxurious city, a  Dubai -like-concept but with a real soul, meaning that, in the city center, you can find a Rolls Royce official store and the most luxury brand stores, along with buildings and mosques from the 12th century.

Going to Tbilisi? Check out my city guide to Tbilisi

Baku is, definitely, the most developed city in the Caucasus (including Armenia and Georgia ) but, in my humble opinion, this development is economic, not social.

Whereas, in its neighbor Georgia , many young people are quickly learning European values, in Baku, even though they are a rich and supposedly secular city, people are much more traditional, and you will quickly realize when you only see men hanging out in most places, people not speaking English and, overall, people being more closed-minded.

However, visiting Baku is totally worth it and not only due to its eccentric composition but also because it is a real blend of Europe, the East, and the Soviet Union, so, so chaotic, that it’s practically impossible to define it, and that’s the most exciting thing about it.

Visa for visiting Baku

From January 2016, you can  apply for an e-visa to visit Baku.

The visa costs 25 USD, takes 3 working days and is valid for 30 days.

For 50 USD, you can also apply for an urgent visa and get it on the same day.

All Western nationalities are eligible for the e-visa but you can check the full country list here .

Where to stay in Baku

Backpackers Hostel – Sahil Hostel – The busiest hostel in town, as it is really cheap, plus everything is brand-new and very clean. A nice place to meet other travelers, it also has private rooms.

Budget Guest House –  Khazar Old City Guest House – If you want to stay in a traditional house, in the heart of the old city, this is the most highly recommended.

Mid-range Hotel –  Deniz Inn Boutique Hotel – The top well-rated boutique hotel in town is a traditional building in the old part of Baku.

Top-end – Four Seasons –  Located downtown, this is the best 5-star hotel in Baku. The building where is it built is a real landmark, by the way.

Transportation – How to move around Baku

Moving around baku by taxi.

In order to avoid bargaining with taxi drivers, I recommend you use Uber and short taxi rides costing around 2-3AZN (1.20 – 1.70USD), so moving around by taxi is also a feasible way to check all the places to visit in Baku. Apparently, Yandex isn’t available anymore.

Moving around Baku by metro

There are two metro lines and a single ticket costs 0.30AZN (18¢). However, first, you have to get a metro top-up card which costs 2AZN (1.20USD).

Alternatively, you can buy a single-use metro card, which you can only top-up once and costs 0.20AZN (12¢).

Moving around Baku by bus

There is a modern bus network but you will have to know where you are going. The price is the same as in the metro.

How to get from and to the airport

How to get from baku city center by bus.

There are buses going and coming to the airport every 20 or 30 minutes, all day long. They drop you off in downtown, in front of 28th May metro station. A single ticket costs 1.30AZN (75¢) and it also works with the metro card.

How to get from Baku city center by taxi

With Uber, a taxi ride costs around 10AZN (5.90USD).

For generic info about moving around the country, read the transportation section of this guide.

Things to do in Baku in 3 days

In 3 days, you can cover most things to do in Baku, including a day trip to visit the mud volcanoes and the petroglyphs of Qobustan .

If you are interested in all the tours offered in Baku, as well as day trips from Baku, there is a large offer of tours that can be booked online. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Map of the places to visit in Baku

What to do in Baku on day 1

The first day Baku itinerary is quite optimistic but, if you plan well ahead, I think you can manage it.

Baku Old City

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the walls of the Old City mark the boundaries of where the city used to extend.

Its oldest building is claimed to date from the 11th century, although some historians think that it might belong to the 7th.

As in any old city, the best you can do is getting lost among its entangled streets but there are a few buildings which are must-visits, like Maiden Tower , one of the most iconic buildings in the country, which is even printed in one of their notes.

The tower contains a museum that shows the historical evolution of Baku and you can also climb to the top to enjoy some of the best views in the city. Going to the top costs 10AZN (5,90USD).

The other building which you can’t miss is the Shirvanshas Palace , whose main attraction is a stunning mosque from the 15th century. The  Shirvanshas is the dynasty that ruled the region for nearly 700 years, from the 9th to the 16th century.

From all the things to do in Baku, the Old City is, certainly, the most interesting one.

Do you want to visit the Old City of Baku with a professional guide? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

The Carpet Museum

In my opinion, the cool part about the Carpet Museum is not getting in, as the outside is much more awesome than inside. Jokes aside. If you are interested in Persian carpets, just go ahead but, if not, the coolest thing is to take pictures at the waving walls that are trying to imitate a carpet.

Read: Everything you need to know to travel to Georgia

The Flame Towers

The Flame Towers are the three flame-shaped skyscrapers which managed to link Baku to the concept of futurism by themselves.

To be honest, they are only 182 meters high but, due to their position, in the upper part of Baku, they are visible from anywhere.

You can get there on foot through some stairs that go along a beautiful park. There is a funicular at the bottom of the park but I always found it closed.

The towers were finished in 2012 and, besides showing off, their main purpose is to accommodate pretentious businesses like Fairmont Hotel , one of the top hotels in the city, a Lamborghini dealer store, and I don’t know what other posh stuff.

The oil extractors

This place is off the main tourist trail but, if you are interested in checking out some perfectly functional oil drillers, this is your chance.

They are not very far and, actually, you can get there on foot from the Flame Towers. They are just behind the TV tower (you can see the exact location on the map), from where you can also enjoy pretty cool views of the city and the bay.

By the way, if you get down to the seaside, you will pass by a very poor neighborhood of Baku, which clearly shows the huge social inequality that rules in this country.

Taza Pir Mosque

A one-hundred-year-old mosque, even though it was built on a place that used to serve as a sanctuary from the 15th century.

To be honest, this isn’t an outstanding mosque but, for me, the most interesting part was to see the other face of Azerbaijan, which is the face of Azerbaijani men worshipping and showing their faith to Islam.

Like all the Muslim ex-Soviet countries, the Government of Azerbaijan is secular but, its main peculiarity is that, unlike the rest of the world, the most religious people are the young ones and not the elderly that lived in the Soviet Union, as Islam is only now coming into fashion. When I was traveling in Uzbekistan , I also observed a similar situation.

Heydar Aliyev Center

Another pretty cool thing to do in Baku is visiting the futuristic building whose architect is the deceased Iraqi-British woman Zaha Hadid .

With its surrealistic and almost impossible curved walls, this building is a perfect sample of innovation and modern art.

Its surroundings are filled with super weird statues, like giant rabbits and snails, apart from the classic I Love Baku .

The building accommodates different types of temporary exhibitions. The entrance fee costs 15AZN (9USD).

Museum of Miniature Books

If you have the time, you can also visit the museum that has the World Guinness Record for the largest collection of miniature books, including the 3 smallest books ever, measuring 2mmx2mm, which can only be seen using a microscope.

Like me, you may be thinking that those mini-books don’t make a lot of sense, basically because you can’t read them, but they originate in an ancient Persian tradition.

Fountain Square and the rest of downtown

Composed of the most fashionable shops, restaurants, bars, hipster cafés, parks and so on, I recommend you finish your day in downtown, in the area around Fountain Square, the place where all the local people gather to hang out.

What to do in Baku on day 2

Yasil market.

I bumped into this market by mere chance and then I found out that it is very famous among locals, but I didn’t see any tourists.

Yasil is a traditional market which has been restored as per Baku modern standards. It is a typical fruit and vegetable market and everything sold is seasonal.

I was lucky enough to visit Baku in October, the pomegranate season, the symbol of Azerbaijan.

Almost all stalls were filled with pomegranates and they were selling freshly squeezed juice for just 1AZN (60¢).

Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain)

Did you know that Azerbaijan was formerly called The Land of Fire ?

From the 12th century, tales from travelers wandering this region mentioned the existence of several magic fires found across the area.

They thought those fires were magic because they burnt continuously without any wood but, what they didn’t know is that the fire was coming from natural underground gas fields.

Yanar Dag is one of those fires which is still burning, even though the fire is artificial today, as it was extinguished after they discovered an oil reserve next to it in the 19th century.

How to get there – Yanar Dag is outside of the city. To get there, you will have to catch the 147 bus from Azadliq metro station. Alternatively, you could also get there by Uber, which is easier, quicker and won’t cost you much.

Fire Temple Ateshgah

In the 18th century, a merchant traveler was so fascinated by one of those flames that he decided to build a worshipping temple on it.

How to get there – The temple is very close to the airport and the 184 bus passes close to it.

What to do in Baku on Day 3

Day trip to qobustan to see the petroglyphs and the mud volcanoes.

During the Stone Age, around 15,000 years ago, when the Caspian Sea waters were higher and the region was completely green and fertile, a bunch of hunters decided to settle in some caves in the area.

These caves were decorated with their own art style and more than 600 petroglyphs were drawn, many of them still being in very good conditions. Today, these paintings have become one of the best places to visit in Baku.

For more information, read my article about the petroglyphs of Qobustan (it includes prices and how to get there).

Moreover, if you are interested, you can also visit some volcanoes that expel mud , which have become a real tourist attraction. They are very close to the petroglyphs and you can only go by car.

If you want to make things easier and go with a guide, there’s this tour targeting the petroglyphs + mud volcanoes + an ancient mosque from the area. I think it’s worth it. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TOUR

Where to eat in Baku

Here are my restaurant recommendations (all places are frequented by locals).

Budget – Xezer Restaurant – Local eatery serving traditional food.

Gourmet fast food – Gourmet Pendir & Chorek – The first national fast-food chain in Azerbaijan serves good quality local sandwiches and stuff like that.

Fine dining – Sumakh – A local fancy restaurant serving high-quality food and awesome service.

More information for visiting Baku

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Tours – Here you can see a big bunch of tours in Baku, as well as day trips from Baku.

SIM Card – You will need one, especially to move around by Uber. I recommend Azercell. You can buy a SIM Card in many mobile stores but you should go to the official store of Azercell, as you will be charged the real price. There is a big one in Fountain Square.

All guides and articles for traveling in Azerbaijan destination

• Azerbaijan Travel Guide
• Best Hostels in Baku
• Qobustan Petroglyphs and Sovietism
• Reasons to Visit Azerbaijan
• Azerbaijan Itinerary

Check more city guides

• Tunis Travel Guide
• Asmara Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Riyadh
• Muscat Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Dubai
• Beirut Travel Guide
• Erbil Travel Guide
• Tehran Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Astana
• Tashkent Travel Guide
• Tbilisi Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Minsk
• Kiev Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Nouakchott
• A City Guide to Mosul

These were my top recommendations for what to do in Baku. If you know of any other places to visit in Baku, kindly let us know in the comments section. 

19 comments

I never went to the oil extractors and i wish i had thought about that! One thing i think you should have mentioned though is the beautiful designs of some of the metro stations 🙂

oh yes, the stations were pretty nice indeed 🙂

Hey Joan, I love this travel guide to Baku very much, very detailed, thank you 🙂 I have a question: is it safe to take photos of the petrol extractors? I mean, I am pretty sure that in some countries they would not like people to sniff around them, for several reasons. I have been living in several countries in the Arab Gulf, and I am pretty sure that you would not be allowed to take photos of them. I would not even try it! Thank you and keep up the good work!

Hey Marc, thank you for your email. You can’t really compare it to the Gulf because the Gulf petrol areas are very deep into the desert and they are in restricted areas. The ones in Baku are in the suburbs of the city, some of them located right next to houses, meaning that the area is not restricted at all. Does this mean that you can take a photo of them? Well, I don’t know, but I have been there twice and there wasn’t official surveillance at all. I only saw a few workers roaming around who didn’t really care about my presence.

I was in the oil field at Romanov, 40 minutes outside Baku a few days ago. There is surveillance and locals keeping an eye open. When we were about to leave the oil field a company car came at high speed and they men in the car screamed that taking photos was forbidden. They was quite aggressive. I had the camera under my jacket, else they probably would have demanded that I delete the photos. My Azerian father in law explained that the oil companies are concerned about making the pollution too exposed in these days of social media.

wow, thanks for sharing your experience, Michael!

Very useful information, keep up the good work ! very well done !

Hi, I am reading over and again – to prepare for our short visit coming up to Baku. Just so you know, the visa is now good for 90 days. Any thoughts on survival guide for vegetarians (no egg, fish, meat, chicken, in short no animal food of any kind) who can take milk, yoghurt?

Hi Vasu, the visa is valid for 30 days. I just re-checked the official e-visa portal and there are no changes. I think you are confused because it says that you can travel for 30 days within a 90 days period but you can’t exceed those 30 days.

I am not a vegetarian, so I can’t really give you many tips. They don’t have a very vegan cuisine but I remember that most menus had salads and some eggplant-based dishes.

I cannot see the map for places to visit in Baku.

Maybe it is a problem of your browser

Thank u very much for valuable informatin you prensent for us.Baku,s weather,s more pleasent and mild and than dubai.Baku is the capital of Azeebayjan, İt,s people are turk, it was colonized by soviet 101 years ago, but they,re not russion. Thank u every body★)

Joan – your guide has proved very useful while I have been in Baku. Just to say that Azerbaijan appear to have got on board with 2-tier foreign tourist / local prices for their main sites: Maidens Tower and The Palace now both 15 Manat to access; Fire Temple Ateshgah 4 Manat & Yanar Dag 9 Manat. The Quobastan Petroglyphs were 10 Manat – but as the museum staff picked me up in their bus to take me to the site from Baku I am quids in on that one 😀

Hey Andrew, glad you found it useful and thanks for the price updates 🙂

Hi, iam planning to travel with Family December first week,. Can you please advise us as we want to see snow filled area. Can we have one day trip from Baku to hill stations. Thank you

Hi Yes, you can go to the area around Quba

Hi Joan, thank you for the amazing work! I am flying to Azerbaijan in a few days and your guide is of great help. I wonder if you have ever visited Sumqayit polluted areas and/or poor neighborhoods (slums) in Baku? I know that “Shangai” has been demolished but I am sure there are still deprived areas of the same kind. Any idea about that?

Hi Isabelle. I did walk through some slums (by pure coincidence) when I was walking around the TV tower, very close to it, but I don’t know the name of those slums

“Wow, this guide on things to do in Baku is absolutely fantastic! I recently had the opportunity to spend 3 days in this vibrant city, and this blog provided me with an incredible list of activities and attractions to make the most of my trip. From exploring the historic Old City and its charming narrow streets to visiting the iconic Flame Towers for breathtaking panoramic views, there was never a dull moment. I especially loved indulging in the local cuisine and trying out traditional Azerbaijani dishes at the various restaurants recommended in the article. Thanks to this comprehensive guide, I had an unforgettable experience in Baku and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting destination to visit!”

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Azerbaijan’s capital Baku (or Bakı in Azeri) is the architectural love child of Paris and Dubai…albeit with plenty of Soviet genes floating half-hidden in the background. Few cities in the world are changing as quickly and nowhere else in the Caucasus do East and West blend as seamlessly or as chaotically. At its heart, the Unesco-listed İçəri Şəhər (Old City) lies within an exotically crenellated arc of fortress wall. Around this are gracefully illuminated stone mansions and pedestrianised tree-lined streets filled with exclusive boutiques. The second oil boom, which started around 2006, has turned the city into a crucible of architectural experimentation and some of the finest new buildings are jaw-dropping masterpieces. Meanwhile romantic couples canoodle their way around wooded parks and hold hands on the Caspian-front bulvar (promenade), where greens and opal blues make a mockery of Baku’s desert-ringed location.

Your next trip starts here

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Heydar Aliyev Center

Vast and jaw-droppingly original, this Zaha Hadid building is a majestic statement of fluid 21st-century architecture forming abstract waves and peaks…

Maiden’s Tower

This tapering 29m stone tower is Baku’s foremost historical icon, with rooftop views surveying Baku Bay and the Old City. Possibly millennia old, its…

Yarat Contemporary Art Centre

Yarat means 'create', a spirit that's in ample evidence in this centre's many thought-provoking installations that don't shy away from sociopolitical…

Flame Towers

Completed in 2012, this trio of sinuous blue-glass skyscrapers forms contemporary Baku's architectural signature. The three towers range from 28 to 33…

Palace of the Shirvanshahs

This splendid confection of sandstone walls and domes was the seat of northeastern Azerbaijan’s ruling dynasty during the Middle Ages. Mostly 15th century…

Fountains Square

Ever-popular with strollers, this leafy piazza forms Central Baku’s natural focus. The fountains for which it is named include one topped by shiny…

This joyous tailor-made gallery uses struts and tubing to create a wide variety of intimate viewing spaces, in many of which you can recline on bean-bag…

Carpet Museum

From historic flatweaves to modernist picture-rugs, this tailor-made museum displays and explains a superb collection of Azerbaijani carpets. It's housed…

Latest stories from Baku

Architecture

Sep 5, 2019 • 5 min read

It’s known as the ‘City of Winds’, but while Azerbaijan’s capital is indeed among the world’s breeziest, the nickname can also be applied its eclectic…

Dec 19, 2014 • 5 min read

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The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in Baku Itinerary

Last Updated on January 24, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Because Azerbaijan is something of an “off the beaten path” destination, finding the ideal information on how to plan a Baku itinerary can be difficult.

Though a small country, Azerbaijan boasts an incredibly diverse climate and a very interesting history dating back thousands upon thousands of years, however, most visitors to this oil-rich nation choose to visit the glitzy capital of Baku.

Not a lot is known about Baku and you would be forgiven for not knowing what there is to do in this grand and bizarre city. However, spending a couple of days in Azerbaijan’s capital is sure to be an experience you will look back upon for years to come and Baku is a city that’s worth visiting.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Baku?

When planning your trip to Baku, it can be difficult to figure out just how many days you should devote to exploring the city. As a major capital and the biggest city in the Caucasus region, Baku is massive and has quite a lot to keep visitors occupied for at least a few days.

However, if you’re short on time or want to make sure you get the most out of the Azeri capital, I would say that it is worth spending at least 3 days in Baku.

This amount of time will allow you to see all of the highlights of the capital city in the downtown and Old City areas. It will also allow you to go on a day trip to some of the amazing sites surrounding the city.

If you’re short on time, spending 2 days in Baku is possible and worth it as well, it is just unlikely that you will be able to fit as much as you might like into your itinerary.

It is possible to pack the main sites of the Old City and downtown into the first day and then devote the second day to a day tour. Alternatively, you could simply devote two full days and explore Baku properly and really dig as deep as possible into the city (follow the first two days of this itinerary!)

Regardless if you plan to see Baku in 3 days or you only have 2 to spend, you are sure to be charmed by the cosmopolitan and modern vibes that this city of contrasts has to offer.

Getting To & Around Baku

First things first, it’s generally likely that you will need to apply for an e-Visa before entering Azerbaijan and visiting Baku. Check online to see if you’re required to apply for an e-Visa (citizens of countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the EU, the UK and the USA are all eligible for one). There are only a handful of nations whose citizens can enter Azerbaijan visa-free.

Plan to apply for your e-Visa at least three days prior to travelling to Azerbaijan, however, we recommend applying as early as possible to prevent any complications.

You will need to make sure that all of your information is entered in correctly and you must upload a copy of your passport.

Once your visa is approved, you will need to print it out and then present it to immigration along with your passport while at the border.

Though Baku is quite a large city, the majority of its main tourist sites are actually within very easy reach of each other on foot. If you’re not keen to walk all over the place while in Baku, the city is well-serviced by a great metro system that will get you where you need to go. You can purchase a single ticket from machines at every station.

Taxis are also affordable in Baku , but be sure to be aware of scams. To avoid being overcharged, it is best to call a taxi in advance. We recommend using the Bolt app, which operates prolifically throughout the Azeri capital.

2 to 3-Day Baku Itinerary

Day 1 – old city highlights.

The first day of this itinerary for Baku sees you exploring the lovely UNESCO-listed Old City. This area of Baku sets it apart from the likes of other oil-rich cities like Dubai as the history here dates back centuries.

Explore the Old City

Arguably the best way to get started is with a free walking tour of the Old City and the surrounding monuments. Though the free walking tour craze hasn’t quite taken off here as much as it has in other European cities, the Baku Free Tour , run by the incredibly knowledgeable Gani, is an excellent way to get your bearings and learn about Baku.

The Baku Original Free Walking tour meets every day at 11 AM in front of the Pizza Hut/KFC in Fountain Square. Though the tour is free, because demand isn’t super high, you need to make sure to book in advance online.

The tour will take you all over the old city and explain all of the histories of the area along with some nuances of Azerbaijani culture that you may have not been aware of.

Some of the highlights include learning about the disputed history of the Maiden Tower , stopping by the thousand-year-old Muhammad Mosque , and even seeing the smallest book in the world in the Museum of Miniature Books , which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of miniature books (who knew that was even a thing?).

The tour will also take you by the Shirvanshahs Palace and allow you to admire the beautiful architecture of the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall , which is modelled off of the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco.

While we always recommend free walking tours in most cities that offer them, this one was easily one of the best we’ve been on and it will give you some invaluable information on the history and culture of Baku that you will not get from simply reading a guide — including this one!

After the free walking tour, head to lunch at Dolma , which will give you a great introduction to Azerbaijani cuisine and agreeable prices.

Maiden Tower

Though you will go by this on the free walking tour, it can be worth visiting one of Baku’s most famous monuments on its own.

The Maiden Tower, which was built sometime between the 4th and 12th centuries (a lot is unknown about this structure), is one of the most defining structures in Azerbaijan’s capital. Though the true purpose of the building is not completely known and there are over twenty legends and mysteries surrounding it, there is no doubt that it is an iconic part of the Baku cityscape.

Entry into the Maiden Tower includes a small museum about Baku and the tower within. The views from the top are fine, however, it may not be worth the entry fee to get in. It is also surrounded by glass, which makes it difficult to take good photos from the top.

Palace of the Shirvanshahs

Constructed in the 15th Century by the former king, Ibrahim I of Shirvanshah, this beautiful palace complex is one of the top attractions to visit on any visit to the Azeri capital.

Surrounded by a lot of fascinating history, it is worth going in to see the beautiful Persian architecture and learning about how the upper classes lived in Baku centuries ago.

The view of the city from the entrance to the palace is also one of the best in Baku, as it expertly combines the antique architecture of the old city combined with sights of the ultra-modern Flame Towers.

The back door is also one of the only examples of Ottoman architecture in the city, but here you can also find an interesting addition to Baku: the cat house. These houses are scattered around the city to provide shelter and a place for food and water to the city’s many stray cats. When we were there, there was a mother with four adorable kittens who had taken up residence there. .

Day 2 – Explore Modern Baku

Day two of this Baku itinerary sees you getting outside of the old city and exploring the grand downtown area. Today is where you will get a better idea about how Baku has evolved over time and the influences it has had over the centuries.

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

After spending time at the Taza Bazaar, head over to the seaside and visit the intriguing Azerbaijan Carpet Museum . Though this may sound like a peculiar concept for a well-curated museum, it is worth the 7 AZN entry fee to see.

Azerbaijan has an incredible history of carpet-making and this museum excellent displays some beautiful carpets, which are wonderful works of art, over three floors. It also includes local artisans who will demonstrate how these carpets are made by hand.

Our favourite part of the museum was on the top floor, which included carpets depicting images of stories and landmarks from Azerbaijan. It is truly amazing to see the amount of skill and detail that goes into these carpets and plan to spend at least a couple of hours exploring all of this museum.

Caspian Seaside Promenade

After learning about Azeri carpet making, it’s time to take a stroll along the lovely park lining the beautiful Caspian sea

If the weather is fine, you will see lots of people out and about enjoying the sea breeze and the pleasant vibes of this area of the city. There are a few cafes along the promenade and there is also a bizarre area known as Little Venice that is full of man-made canals and bridges.

For an excellent view, opt to take the funicular to Upland Park. From there, you can get a beautiful, panoramic view of the Caspian Sea and the modern Flame Towers.

After enjoying the views of the Caspian, head to lunch at Cezar, a local restaurant close to the gate of the old city.

Explore Downtown Baku

After spending some time along the Caspian, it’s time to head inland and explore a bit more of the city’s downtown area.

If you want to have some great historical context, we recommend going on the Baku Downtown Free Tour , which meets in the same place as the old city tour (it is also necessary to book in advance for this one).

This tour will take you through Fountain Square , where you will learn its history, and along the pedestrianised and luxury-filled Nizami Street . You will also go past the ruins of the Armenian Church where you can learn a little bit about the history of the conflict between the two countries.

He will also take you to the Sahil Garden , where you will learn about why this lovely park is so controversial among locals.

The tour will also take you by a number of other sites and areas where you will learn about famous residents of Baku and some more history of this beautiful city.

Even if you’re not able to go on this tour, it’s well worth taking the time to explore this area independently or on a paid guided tour. For instance, this historic and modern Baku tour is a good option. Alternatively, you could opt for this old and modern Baku tour which offers both a day and night option.

Day 3 – Mud Volcanoes, Gobustan, Aliyev Centre & More

If you are spending 3 days exploring Baku, then your last day should be spent seeing some sites outside of the city proper, along with one of the city’s most famous buildings.

Though it is possible to take a taxi to all of these places yourself or to hire a car a drive there on your own, getting there by public transport is nearly impossible. This is why we recommend taking an organised day tour.

We opted to book through Tes Tours , who have an office in the old city, and was well worth the per-person price. Alternatiely, this guided day tour is also a great option, though doesn’t include a stop at the Aliyev Centre.

We had a friendly and knowledgeable guide who was able to give us a lot of context and information about the things we were seeing and offered great insight into life in Azerbaijan today.

Mud Volcanoes

As one of the most popular sites to visit as a day trip from Baku, the mud volcanoes are located about 80 kilometres outside of the Baku city centre and are a truly fascinating place to see.

As some of the only mud volcanoes in the world that are powered by natural gas rather than geyser forces, these mounds of bubbling mud are reached by a bumpy dirt road. The landscape surrounding them will make you feel as if you’ve left Earth altogether and they are certainly worth the journey out there.

There is also no entry fee for the mud volcanoes, so you can enjoy this bizarre natural phenomenon completely free of charge.

Gobustan Rock Art

Located not far from the mud volcanoes is another one of Azerbaijan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the ancient petroglyphs of Gobustan.

This historic site is filled with remnants of the prehistoric man, as evidenced by the thousands of years old cave drawings on the rock faces. Some of the petroglyphs are more than 15,000 years old and the area contains more than 6,000 rock paintings dating through tens of thousands of years.

The paintings depict the life and culture of the prehistoric humans who lived in cave areas and have provided archaeologists and anthropologists with much historical insight into the first humans.

Ateshgah Fire Temple

If you are curious to learn about religion in Azerbaijan before the country became predominantly Muslim, then visiting the Fire Temple of Baku is one of the best places to see in Azerbaijan.

This Zoroastrian temple has been in its place since the 17th or 18th centuries, however, it is an excellent place to learn about the world’s first monotheistic religion. This temple is equipped with a few flames that are powered by natural gas, so they will never be extinguished.

Zoroastrians believe that fire is the physical manifestation of God on Earth and therefore it is incredibly sacred for them. It is also the basis for the followers of the Lord of Light from Game of Thrones .

Fire Mountain

Azerbaijan is known as the “land of fire” and nowhere does that become more evident than the fire mountain. This small bit of a hillside just outside of Baku is the sight of a natural gas fire that has been burning for decades.

While it might sound kind of cool to go see a burning mountainside — I was very excited to see this for myself — it might be worth it to lower your expectations and, honestly, it can be worth skipping altogether.

Because of how much Azerbaijan has drained its natural resources, the fire isn’t nearly as big as it used to be. It takes up about one metre of a hillside and, in all honesty, I have seen more impressive fires while camping.

If you do end up visiting, they do charge a small entry fee.

Heydar Aliyev Centre

As one of the most iconic buildings in Azerbaijan today, no visit to Baku is complete without a visit to the incredible Heydar Aliyev Centre.

Officially opened in 2012, this beautiful modern building designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid is one of the most mesmerising works of contemporary architecture in the world today. The building won the 2014 Design Museum’s Design of the Year award, making Hadid the first woman in history to win.

The main enjoyment of the Aliyev Centre is outside of the building, where you can very much enjoy the gorgeous architecture and some of the outdoor temporary exhibitions. Inside, the centre boasts a massive auditorium, a museum, and conference rooms.

Where to Eat & Drink in Baku

Azeri cuisine takes influences from many of its neighbours and friends, including Iran, Turkey, Georgia, and Russia, making a diverse cuisine that is worth sampling. Though it is possible to get some vegetable dishes, the cuisine is meat-heavy so it may prove difficult to be a vegetarian here.

Dolma — Though tourist-friendly, this restaurant serves a range of traditional Azeri fare at agreeable prices. The service is quite good as well.

Xezer Kafe — Located close to the old city gates, this local place has a wide menu with Azeri favourites including delicious soups, dolma, and salads. They also have an English menu to make ordering easier.

Bir Iki — This is a great option if you’re after a quick but tasty doner or shwarma after a long day of sightseeing in Baku. They offer both eat-in and takeaway options.

Coffee Moffie — This is a fantastic cafe if you are looking for a good espresso drink, a cup of Azeri tea, or a glass of local wine. Set with a trendy vibe, this cafe also acts as something of a coworking space for Baku’s freelancers and has a great wifi connection as well.

Where to Stay in Baku

Baku is trying to distinguish itself as a luxury destination, with ample choice for high-end hotels that will set you back a month’s salary. Despite this, however, there are a number of great budget and mid-range accommodation options available in the city as well. These are some of our suggestions:

Cth Hostel Baku – This small guesthouse offers a number of private single or double rooms at very affordable prices. There is a fantastic and hearty breakfast included and it is well-located within walking distance of most main sights. The staff only speaks limited English.

Sahil Hostel – A popular choice amongst backpackers and solo travellers in Baku, this hostel is a great choice in the city. Located closed to Sahil Metro and within easy walking distance of all the main sites, they have a range of private and dorm rooms available.

Seven Boutique Hotel – This boutique hotel is an excellent option for those looking for a little more comfort during their trip to Baku. Well located, they have a range of clean and comfortable rooms available and a helpful staff to make your stay a great one.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Baku hotels!

Cultural Notes

Azerbaijan is a Muslim-majority country, however, it has been incredibly secular for some time and there is no state religion declared. Therefore, you will not see many local women wearing hijabs, consumption of alcohol is at a level consistent with Christian-majority countries, and in Baku, loudspeakers announcing the call to prayer are banned, though over 90% of the population identifies as Muslim.

Though there isn’t much religious adherence in Azerbaijan, the country is still quite culturally conservative and patriarchal, and traditional gender norms reign supreme, especially in more local joints in Baku. There are, for instance, cafes and bars where women might feel unwelcome and it may be unwise to wear anything too revealing.

It is also very much a more male-dominated society and it is rare to see many women working in most establishments, except for the more European-style cafes and shops.

Even the idea of men wearing shorts is a controversial topic in Azerbaijan. While the general consensus among locals is that it is okay for foreigners to wear what they will, you still might get some uncomfortable looks and glances.

I would also say it would be unwise to wear short skirts or shorts as a woman in Baku, no matter what time of year it is. Men can be a bit less cautious with their clothing choices, however, it’s worth noting that most Azeri men would not wear shorts. It is generally accepted for foreigners to wear what they desire, though.

Spending two or three days in Baku is an excellent way to see Azerbaijan’s capital and enjoy the fascinating history and unique culture of this rapidly developing city.

Are you planning to visit Baku? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

Georgia to Azerbaijan: Tbilisi to Baku & Sheki to Tbilisi

Georgia vs Armenia vs Azerbaijan: Which Country to Visit?

Is Baku Expensive? An Azerbaijan Trip Cost Guide

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Your blog is informative and helpful. I had good time earlier in Georgia and now planning Azerbaijan trip based on your blog. Thank You.

Thanks for the kind words! I’m so happy we could help you plan your trips 🙂

Hi Maggie, This is a very useful blog. I just have one question. How much tip do you think is enough for the free walking tour?

Happy you found this helpful! For the walking tour, it’s common practice to tip the amount that you believe the tour was worth 🙂

Hi..can you recommend where to buy carpets? does the museum sell carpets ? also is there an artisan market? local goods, crafts etc?

Hi, unfortunately, I don’t really know where or how to buy carpets in Baku. Hope you have a great trip!

Going there for 4 days in october for the international soccer. Looking forward.. Any more hints.. Is dining expensive

Hi Patrick, thanks for your comment! Have a look at our price guide for more tips and average expenses for Baku: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/baku-azerbaijan-trip-cost/ Hope you’re able to plan a great trip!

Thank you great summary, will help me plan my trip next summer!!

Glad this helped, Sammie!

Thank you for sharing this itenary. We found it very useful since we made a 3-day visit to Baku on occasion of the Eid hols in UAE last weekend.

Thanks for your comment, Zajin. Hope you had a great time in Baku!

we are planning for National Day in December. 3 days was sufficient for you?

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The best things to do in Baku, Azerbaijan

This post is a travel guide about the best things to do in Baku. Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and a city famous for its gas and oil reserves on the Caspian sea coast.

What can I say about Baku? Baku did not charm me like the rest of Azerbaijan. I loved Azerbaijan with its rich history, green rolling hills, friendly people and delicious food. But Baku was very different from the rest of the country.

Baku reminded me a lot of Nursultan in Kazakhstan , because both cities are built by dictators showing off their oil and gas wealth to the international world. Besides that, both do so with futuristic buildings and international events to cover up their authoritarian regimes.

That said I stayed for more than a week in the city and certainly enjoyed my time. I must admit that there are definitely some interesting things to do in Baku.

What to do in Baku

There are a lot of things to do in Baku if you love history. While Nursultan was built out of nowhere in the past 20 years, Baku actually has a very long and interesting history as a multicultural Silk Road city on the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Baku was once part of the Mongol, Persian and Russian empires, before becoming the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. At last, Azerbaijan finally gained independence in 1991 with Baku as its new capital.

As a result, Baku is both modern and full of history. You can feel that nowadays, Baku is a young and dynamic city that is changing rapidly after the fall of the Soviet Union. While the old town with its silk road architecture is a journey back in time, the city also sees lots of new projects.

President Aliyev has a museum on offer in the form of a rolled up carpet, the second largest flag pole in the world, a cultural centre in an undefined form of waves and the flame towers that rise high above the city. As you can read there is no shortage of things to do in Baku if you love futuristic or eccentric architecture.

Baku’s oil wealth

Throughout its history Baku has always attracted those in search for profits from the rich oil and gas reserves in the Absheron peninsula . A handful of powerful oil barons became rich while the majority of workers who did the dirty jobs often lived in harsh conditions.

The current reality is not much different. If you only visit the capital you will think the country is well off with all the fancy things to do in Baku.

Certainly, not much of the Soviet past survived in Aliyevs Baku, but it doesn’t take much to look beyond the facade of glitter and glamour. Taking a marshrutka to the suburbs already shows you a different side. And if you are into Soviet architecture, its still there if you look carefully.

Even though the city didn’t charm me, I was certainly fascinated by it. Its ancient Zoroastrian roots, its communist past, its current politics and above all the interesting mix of different cultural influences that still persists.

Things to do in Baku

1. icheri seher: strolling through the old town.

Wandering around the old town was among my favourite things to do in Baku. Icheri Seher is the most ancient part of the city. The fortress and walls here, were already built in the 12 th century. Walking around in the small streets gives you a sense of Baku’s long history as a Silk road town influenced by the Persians, the Turks and the Russians.

There are mosques, caravanserais, ancient hammams and lots of restaurants and cafes. This is the historical heart of Baku and probably the best place to stay with some great budget hostels.

2. The Maiden tower

In the middle of Baku’s old town is the mysterious Maiden tower. Some believe that the maiden tower used to be a Zoroastrian fire temple while others believe it was an astronomical observatory. The towers design and purpose remain unknown and many legends exist as you can read in this article .

The 12th century building is still one of Azerbaijan’s national symbols and you will find it on the Azeri currency notes. You can enter the Maiden tower to enjoy the view over the old town from the top. Recently a tunnel was found connecting the Maiden tower to the Shirvanshah palace.

3. Palace of the Shirvanshah

The palace of the Shirvanshah from the 15th century is another important historic building in the old town of Baku. It now hosts a small museum about the Shirvanshah dynasty. It is an interesting place to visit, but comes nowhere near the beauty of the palace of the Shaki Khans in Sheki .

4. Juma mosque

Before you know you have already passed by the beautiful Juma mosque. The mosque was built on the site of an ancient Zoroastrian fire temple and it was rebuilt several times. The current mosque is from 1899 and it’s worth a quick look inside.

5. Visit a Hamam

Because of the Persian influences Azerbaijan has a tradition of communal bathhouses . If you are interested in reading more about the Hamam culture of old Baku I can recommend this article .

Nowadays the hamams have upgraded to a place to pamper yourself with saunas and pools. If you visit in winter and it’s cold outside there will be no experience more relaxing than a visit to one of the hamams. Teze Bey Hamami is one of the more authentic hamams left, but there are others as well.

6. Miniature book museum

If you are looking for free things to do in Baku, come to the miniature book museum. I am a book lover, so obviously I was excited about this funny museum. The collection of 5600 books includes the worlds smallest Quran.

7. Modern Baku: shopping at Nizami street

Close to the old town is Fountain square and Nizami street. The main pedestrian street in Baku with its modern shopping area where western brands have taken over. What does remain authentic are the delicious Azerbaijani restaurants and the multicultural atmosphere.

8. Nizami museum of Literature

Not far from the fountain square is Nizami’s national Museum of Azerbaijani literature. Nizami was a famous Persian poet that was born in Gence in Azerbaijan. He and other Persian poets had a big influence on Azerbaijan’s literature.

The most famous Azerbaijani Novel is Ali and Nino. The love story of a Muslim Azerbaijani boy and a Georgian Christian girl in Baku written by Kurban Said in 1937.

9. Boulevard: walking along the sea front

The best place to see Modern Baku is along the boulevard where you can walk along the Caspian sea coast and witness some of Baku’s new futuristic architectural buildings on the skyline. The place is also very popular with the Azerbaijani youth that is hanging out here and families that go for a stroll in Milli’s park.

The boulevard is now about 5 kilometers long, but plans are to extend it to 26 kilometers and make it one of the top things to do in Baku. You can see the construction going on of some of Baku’s newest and futuristic buildings as we speak. 

Already you can take a boat in mini Venice , walk to the second largest flagpole in the world, visit the carpet museum and see the crystall hall that hosted the Eurovision song festival in 2014.

10. The carpet museum

The carpet museum has a much longer history than its brand new building in the form of a carpet. It was initialy located in the Juma mosque in the old town in 1967. It now has the largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets in the world and has organized more than 30 exhibitions in different countries.

11. The Baku eye

I didn’t go into Baku’s own ferris wheel, because I am afraid of heights. I am sure though that the view must be amazing and it is also relatively cheap if you consider the price of other ferris wheels in Europe.

12. The Flame Towers

Azerbaijan’s flame towers are visible throughout the city and representative of Azerbaijan’s roots in Zoroastrianism. The Zorastrians built several fire temples in Azerbaijan and it’s no coincidence that fire was worshipped here. With its vast gas and oil reserves fires erupted spontaneously in places where gas seeped from the surface. In fact, Azerbaijan in Persian means the protector of fire.

The flame towers are a symbol of the city. Even though you cannot enter them they are pretty impressive to see. The best way to see the flame towers up close is by taking the Baku funicular. 

13. Taking the Baku funicular

The best way to see the Flame towers up close is taking the Baku funicular. It costs only 1 Manat to go up and down. It starts on Neftchilar avenue square and brings you to the Flame towers.

Even though the flame towers can not be visited, I can recommend you to take the funicular up the hill. Seeing the flame towers up close is quite impressive. Even more interesting is the beautiful view over Baku and the nearby Martyrs Alley.

14. Martyrs Alley

A sad, but peaceful and serene place is the park around Martyrs Alley with the graves of soldiers who died during Azerbaijan’s wars. Most of them are from the Second World war, but also from the more recent struggles for independence in 1992 and the ongoing conflict regarding Nagorno Karabagh.

15. Heydar Aliyev’s cultural centre

No longer in walking distance from the old town I passed by the Heydar Aliyev’s cultural centre several times by bus on my way out of Baku. I never stopped to have a closer look, which maybe I should have. The futuristic building is a strange form of white waves. Apparently the interior offers more quirky architectural wonders so it is definitely among the top things to do in Baku for those into architecture.

16. The cats of Baku

I couldn’t write about Baku without mentioning its cats in the old town of Baku. I love cats and even though there are not as many as in Istanbul, there were enough that stole my heart.

17. Trying Azeri food

Azerbaijan’s food is an interesting mix of Turkish, Central Asian and Persian cuisine . Besides tea, flatbread, kebabs and fresh salads, Azerbaijani cuisine has some delicious specialities and trying Azeri food is among the top things to do in Baku.

Dolma (minced meat with rice and spices wrapped in vine leaves or tomato) was a favourite, but the highlight was Naz Qovurma (A lamb stew with pomegranate and hazelnuts) . And it’s just as delicious as it sounds.

Other national dishes include Dushbara (dumplings in broth), Lavangi (fish stuffed with onion, walnuts and raisins), Dovga (yoghurt soup with spinach) and Qutab (flatbread filled with spinach).

Things to do near Baku

Baku is located in what is called the Absheron peninsula. While most tourists never leave Baku, the Absheron peninsula offers plenty of interesting things to do near Baku.

If you like to travel off the beaten path and learn more about Azeri culture the Absheron peninsula is well worth the effort.

18. Bibi Heybad Mosque

In the outskirts of the city on the way to Gobustan you can find the beautiful Bibi Heybad mosque. Although the current building is quite new, this is a place of worship with a long history. It started in fact, not as a mosque, but as a mausoleum with the tomb of a descendant of Mohammed that was built in the 13th century by the Shirvanshah dynasty

How to get there: Bus 124 from 28th may or Sanahil bus station. It is very easy to visit this mosque from Baku and it is also easy to combine it with a trip to Gobustan, because it is on the way

19. The absheron peninsula

Some places in the Absheron peninsula are hard to get to and require a tour like the Gobustan mud volcanoes and Gobustan Petroglyphs .

Others are easy to visit with public transport such as the burning hills of Yanar Dag , the Atesgah fire temple, the Mir Movsun Agha pir and the Mardaken castle .

To read more about the Absheron peninsula you can read my post about The best day trips from Baku . It includes information on the best way to visit these sites with public transportation.

20. Xinaliq

I can also really recommend a visit to Xinaliq, Europe’s highest mountain village. Even though there are day tours available from Baku I would recommend to sleep in one of the homestays. You need at least 2-3 days for this, but it was my highlight of Azerbaijan. Read more in my post on Xinaliq travel guide .

The best budget places to eat in Baku

1. araz kafesi.

Araz kafesi near fountain square is a great budget place with a good menu of different kebabs and other Azeri cuisine. I can recommend the dolma.

2. Fisincan restorant

A similar budget place near Araz kafesi is Fisincan restorant. They have a nice garden outside next to the Armenian church. It has almost the same menu. I can recommend the Naz qovurma.

3. Gutab House

Gutab House is the best place to try the traditional Gutab. Delicious flatbreads with a filling. Spinach is the most common, but Gutab house serves a large variety of Gutabs for under less than 1 Manat. There is even one with camel meat.

Baku Travel Tips

The best hostels in baku.

I stayed in the Baku Old City hostel in the old town and was happy about it. The people were friendly and a nice breakfast was included. The latter is useful as shops in Azerbaijan don’t open early and it will be difficult to find a place for breakfast.

Hostels are getting more common in Baku and they are a great way to keep things within your budget. Other hostels with good reviews are Travel Inn Hostel & Sahil hostel . Budget rooms are available at the City Inn Boutique hotel or the Maestro hotel .

How much time do I need for Baku?

There are a lot of things to do in Baku and I would say you need at least three days to do Baku justice. However, that is if you stick to Baku itself.

I highly recommend you to make some daytrips out of the city. Add another 2 days to explore the Absheron peninsula with its interesting tourist attractions like mud volcanoes and burning hills. Add more days to head to the Caucasus mountains and visit Xinaliq.

The best time to visit Baku.

The best time to visit Baku are spring and autumn when the temperatures are comfortable and the weather is good.

Baku’s summers are hot and dry and the winters mild. Winter is also a good time to visit if you want to avoid the summer heat. Snow is rare in Baku, but it can get chilly so bring some warm clothes if you decide to visit during winter.

Visa and registration in Baku

Most nationalities can apply for an e-visa. It’s an easy process, but make sure you are on the official website .

If you are staying for more than 10 days in Azerbaijan you must register with the government. You can do this yourself online at the immigration department . However, you do need a local mobile number as they will send a code to confirm your application.

You can also ask your hostel to do it to make sure it is done well or go to a police station that does registration. I registered myself at the police station in Sheki and it was a smooth process.

Language in Baku

The main languages in Baku are Azerbaijani (very similar to Turkic) and Russian.

Baku is a multicultural city with a large expat community. Even though english is not widely spoken you can get by pretty easily. Most young people and those that work in tourism speak at least a basic level.

Money matters in Baku

Azerbaijan uses the Manat. Baku has enough ATM’s to get money. In shops and restaurants it’s best to pay in cash.

Make sure you have enough small bills as people rarely have change for a 100 or even 50 manat bill.

Baku is not an expensive city and if you are a budget traveller staying in hostels and eating in cheap restaurants you can survive on less than 30 dollars a day.

Books about Baku

Ali and Nino by Kurban Said is a wonderful novel about the love story of a muslim Azerbaijani boy and a Georgian Christian girl. Set in Baku around 1920 it is a great book to read before you visit the city.

The best way to get around in Baku

Baku on foot.

Most things to do in Baku are in the old town, along the boulevard or around Nizami street. It is a pretty large area so expect to walk a lot. However, this is still one of the best ways to discover Baku.

Taxi’s in Baku

I rarely used taxi’s in Baku, because I either walked or used the metro. That said, taxi’s should not be expensive.

Taxi’s do try to overcharge tourists so always negotiate a price beforehand and make sure it is a licensed taxi. Using uber is recommended.

A taxi in the city should cost between 4 to 10 manat if you stay within the centre area.

A taxi from the Baku airport to the centre of town should not cost more than 25 manat, but it requires some negotiation skills.

There is also a bus from the airport to Baku’s train station that will cost you less than 2 manat and takes about 45 minutes. The train station is in the centre and well connected by metro and other bus routes.

Bus & Metro in Baku

Baku has an excellent public transport system by bus and metro. You can purchase a Bakikart for 2 manat that you can recharge. It is valid for the Metro and the new red buses. The metro connects the old town (Iceri Seher) with the train station (28 May) and the suburbs.

For buses you can check the routes here . The older buses still accept cash and it is 20q per ride, the newer red buses only accept the Bakikart.

The best way to get to Baku

Flying to baku.

Baku has an international airport allowing you to fly directly into Baku. Some budget airlines like Wizz air have cheap tickets available.

Traveling by train to Baku

You can travel by train to Baku from neighbouring Georgia. Keep in mind that the border with Armenia is closed. Therefore the most direct route are the sleeper trains between Baku and Tbilisi.

A more scenic and adventurous route is to make a stop in Sighnaghi (Georgia) , cross the border to Azerbaijan the next day and make another stop in the Silk road city of Sheki before taking the sleeper train from Sheki to Baku for a nostalgic Soviet like journey.

Update 2023 : The night train from Sheki to Baku is no longer running because they are modernizing the railway system in Azerbaijan. As soon as the train is running again I will update this page, but it will likely be a newer train and therefore a different experience than I had on an old Soviet train.

Traveling by ferry to Baku

Another exciting way to reach or leave Baku is by ferry. There are services from Baku to Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan (17 hours) or Aktau in Kazakhstan (30 hours). There is no timetable, but ferries leave every 3 to 5 days. Prices range between 80 and 150 dollars. You can find more info on the ferries on caravanistan .

Safety in Baku

Baku is a very safe city where you can follow normal precautions. Crime is low and there are no problems walking alone in the streets even if it is dark.

However, some scams do exist in Baku. Taxi’s tend to overcharge foreigners. Also check your restaurant bill to see if you were not charged ‘extra’ and always check your change.

Solo female travel in Baku

As a woman travelling alone I did not encounter any problems when I was in Baku. I travelled for more than a week with public transport including the more conservative Absheron peninsula.

Despite Azerbaijan being a muslim country, you won’t notice this when you are in liberal and modern Baku.

Solo female travellers might get the occasional male attention in the streets, but nothing that can be discouraged by a stern look or walking away.

For women no special dress code applies in the city and you can wear whatever you wish.

If you plan to travel into the Absheron peninsula it is good to dress more modestly though, as things are much more conservative once you leave the city.

Disclaimer : This post about the best things to do in Baku contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support!

4 thoughts on “The best things to do in Baku, Azerbaijan”

This is very interesting. I grew up in the Soviet Union when Azerbaijan was part of it, though I never visited it. It’s fascinating to read your perspective of the city.

Detailed guide to Baku.thanks for sharing I read your previous post on Azerbaijans and they were amazing too. Thanks for sharing.hope to explore this country some day

I miss the cats of Istanbul too. This is an interesting read, thanks for sharing.

Hi such an excellent informatio about this beautiful city. I invite all tourist to visit this city as soon as possible.

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Travel Guide to Baku, Azerbaijan [with Sample Itinerary]

Read our Baku travel guide to help you have an idea with your next journey to this wonderful capital in the country of Azerbaijan.

• List of the Best Backpacker Hostels in Azerbaijan
• The Best Spas, Massages and Hammams in the Caucasus – Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan
• Is Baku, Azerbaijan ready to host the Formula 1? A tourist’s point of view
• List of the Best Luxury Hotels in Azerbaijan
• List of the Best Budget Hotels in Azerbaijan

Table of Contents

Baku Travel Guide: Places to Visit in Baku, Azerbaijan

1. heydar aliyev cultural center.

Suggested Tour:  Baku: 3-Hour Private Night Tour (Yanardag & More)

2. Baku Old City

Suggested Tour:  Baku: Old City Walking Tour

3. Baku Boulevard

Suggested Tour: Baku Panoramic Night Tour

4. Flame Towers

5. Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum

6. Fountain Square

Suggested Tour:  Full-Day City Tour of Baku with Azerbaijani Lunch

7. Highland Park

As elsewhere in Baku, it is striking in its ideal cleanliness, well-maintained area. The observation deck offers a wonderful view of the whole of Baku. Great place for photos of the beautiful scenery of the whole city at a glance. It’s near the famous Flame Towers.

8. Ateshgah – Fire Temple

Suggested Tour:  Baku: Burning Mountain & Zorastrian Temple Private Tour

9. Maiden Tower

Suggested Tour: Baku: Historic and Modern Baku Tour

Baku Travel Guide: Sample Weekend Itinerary to Baku, Azerbaijan

Day 1 – weekend guide to baku, azerbaijan.

Baku Old City –  Start your tour by wandering around the old city of Baku. Explore everything here, eat at any restaurants or cafes, you’d get to travel back in the ancient Baku.

Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum –  See how carpets are made, even the most expensive carpet of Azerbaijan.

Day 2 – Weekend Guide to Baku, Azerbaijan

Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center –  Be amazed and stunned with the amazing architecture of this center. Designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, it offers a lot of great photo opportunities.

Flame Towers –  You can go here by funicular or stairs. Anyhow, you’ll surely have a good time enjoying the view it offers from the observation deck.

Highland Park –  Since it’s near the Flame Towers, why not spend your time here as well?

Ateshgah – Fire Temple –  Discover and learn more about the interesting history of Zoroastrianism.

Day 3 – Weekend Guide to Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku Boulevard –  Rent a bike and stroll around this boulevard for a relaxing last day in Baku.

Maiden Tower –  Before you leave Baku, never miss the chance to visit the iconic Maiden Tower.

Baku Travel Guide: Where to Stay in Baku, Azerbaijan

*All prices are subject to change.

Where to Stay in Baku, Azerbaijan if you’re a Backpacker

Check-in Baku Hotel & Hostel

Check-in Baku Hotel & Hostel provides accommodation with a shared lounge and private parking. The units come with air conditioning, a microwave, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer, and a desk. At the hostel, every room has a seating area.

Price: Starts at $25 per night for Twin Room with Private External Bathroom, includes taxes and charges, free breakfast , and free cancellation.

Check-in Old City Aparts

Check-in Old City Aparts features sea views and free WiFi. Every unit has a private bathroom and shower, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a microwave. A fridge and kettle are also available.

Price: Starts at $32 per night for Deluxe Apartment, includes taxes and charges, free breakfast , and free cancellation.

Drop Inn Baku

Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer, and a desk.

Price: Starts at $35 per night for Budget Double Room, includes taxes and charges, free breakfast , and free cancellation.

Where to Stay in Baku, Azerbaijan if you’re on a Budget

ATFK Hotel Baku

ATFK Hotel Baku offers a gym. Free WiFi and free private parking are also available on site. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV, fridge and electric kettle. The private bathroom includes free toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, and hairdryer.

Price: Starts at $32 per night for Standard Double Room, includes taxes and charges, add $6 for breakfast (optional),  and it offers a free cancellation.

Sahil Hostel & Hotel

Units at the Sahil Hostel and Hotel are air-conditioned and soundproofing. Grand Prix Formula 1 Race track turn 4 and 5 are visible from some rooms of the hotel and from the main balcony. Guests can also find free toiletries and hairdryers for their comfort.

Price: Starts at $35 per night for Twin Room with Bathroom, includes taxes and charges, add $5 for breakfast,  and it offers a free cancellation.

Old East Hotel

Old East Hotel boasts a restaurant, bar, and free WiFi throughout the property. Every room at this hotel is air-conditioned and comes with a TV. Guests will also find a kettle in the room. Each room has a private bathroom. The hotel also provides tour desk services and car hire.

Price: Starts at $72 per night for Standard Double Room, add $2 for taxes and charges , free breakfast ,  and it offers a free cancellation.

Where to Stay in Baku, Azerbaijan if you want Luxury

JW Marriott Absheron Baku Hotel

This 5-star hotel is located in the heart of the city, on the Freedom Square. The spacious, air-conditioned rooms at the JW Marriott Absheron Baku Hotel feature a flat-screen TV, iPod dock, work desk, and a laptop safe. Guests will find a bath, shower, bathrobe, and slippers in each luxury bathroom. WiFi is available at a surcharge.

Price: Starts at $156 per night for Deluxe, Guest Room, 2 Double, City View, add $2 for taxes and charges , add $22 for breakfast ,  and it offers a free cancellation.

Hilton Baku

Featuring a revolving rooftop bar, a pool, and a gym, this seafront hotel is an 8-minute walk from Baku’s Old City. Air conditioning, hot drinks facilities, and a 32-inch flat-screen TV are featured in all rooms and suites at the grand Hilton Baku. Rooms are spacious and bright and feature king-sized beds. Cocktails and wonderful views can be enjoyed in the Hilton’s 360 Bar.

Price: Starts at $161 per night for King Guest Room with Mobility Access, add $2 for taxes and charges , add $19 for breakfast ,  and it offers a free cancellation.

Dinamo Hotel Baku – Adult Only

Dinamo Hotel Baku offers a unique experience with its spacious bedrooms, free WiFi, exquisite International cuisine, and classic afternoon teas. The rooms designed in Art Deco style feature exclusively commissioned fabrics, exceedingly comfortable beds, and marble bathrooms with designer toiletries. In-room mini-bar, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres are available at a surcharge.

Price: Starts at $160 per night for King Guest Room with Mobility Access, add $28 for taxes and charges , add $18 for breakfast ,  and it offers a free cancellation.

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The 10 BEST Things to Do in Baku, Azerbaijan (2024 Guide)

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

From exploring the 12th century fortifications of Old City to enjoying the sight of the world famous Flame Towers, these are just some of the  best things to do in Baku .

Azerbaijan’s capital, dubbed by Lonely Planet   as “the architectural love child of Paris and Dubai”, is one of the fastest changing cities in the world.

Dilapidated alleyways are now bustling with hipster cafes and international restaurants. The Flame Towers are a marvel of modern architecture. Millennials wander the streets dressed in the latest high-end fashion.

Yet Baku is not without its charm either.

At the centre of Baku lies the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounding this time capsule are stone mansions and luxury boutiques. The blend of the old and new works effortlessly.

There are a lot of tourist attractions around the city. The city is rapidly expanding and you will find many things to do in Baku to keep yourself busy and entertained.

Table of Contents

Do A Walking Tour Of The Baku Old City

See the bibi heybat mosque, climb up the maiden tower, visit the mud volcanoes at gobustan national park, check out the flame towers, wander through the azerbaijan carpet museum, don’t miss the palace of the shirvanshahs, admire the ateshgah fire temple, see the old city walls, pop in to the miniature book museum, where to stay in baku, our guide for the best things to do in baku.

We spent a few days in the capital of Azerbaijan after travelling across the Caspian Sea by cargo ship, and after so much time spent in Central Asia, the step into European style was quite dramatic.

If you’re planning on taking a trip to Azerbaijan, don’t miss these amazing things to do in Baku.

Old City or “Icharishahar”, is one of Azerbaijan’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites . It’s truly a unique, historical part of Azerbaijan and is located within the heart of Baku.

The Old City is very clean and recently renovated. It’s a very beautiful and very artful town, surrounded by fortressed walls, adding to the character.

Walk through its cobblestone streets, see and touch the stones of the ancient walls, zigzag through narrow corridors and admire the intricate art on the doors.

The Old City of Baku has a lot to offer. The town has a lot of aged buildings, a palace complex, mosques and the iconic Maiden Tower.

Across from the Maiden Tower you can book an audio tour that will elaborate on the main sightseeing points of Old City.

We always suggest a guided tour because we prefer to ask locals questions and hear the story of their hometown through their eyes.

It’s a great place to wander around. There are a lot of souvenir vendors, great tea shops and restaurants. With a beautiful view of the boulevard, picturesque moments of merchants playing chess or backgammon, interesting trinkets being sold – you won’t get tired even after hours of exploring.

It’s truly a place where time seems to have stopped.

No matter who you turn to for advice on what to see in Baku, Old City will always be the top recommendation!

The Bibi Heybat Mosque is one of the most interesting things to do in Baku, and even non-Muslims will enjoy exploring this wonderful piece of architecture.

The present day structure is from July, 1998, and is a recreation of the mosque that was built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II Ibn Ahsitan II.

Today’s restored mosque is a classic example of the Shirvan architectural school. Interestingly enough, it is the only religious building that was completely destroyed by Stalin in 1936.

It has three domes, which follows the traditional iron shape of the old mosque and two minarets. The domes are decorated with turquoise and green mirrors, that are bordered with gilded inscriptions from the Qur’an.

The mosque includes the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum (Prophet Muhammad’s descendant), and present day serves as a spiritual centre for and a major monument of Azerbaijan’s Islamic architecture.

You are welcome to visit outside of prayer times.

To make the most of your day, book a guided 5-hour tour where you will go to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Gobustan before continuing on to Bibi Heybet Mosque and mud volcanoes!

• Location: 6 km southwest from Baku
• Opening hours: 24h/7
• Price: Free of charge

While in Baku you cannot miss climbing on top of Azerbaijan’s most recognised landmark, and the centre of the city’s historical importance.

The Maiden Tower, or as locals call it Giz Galasi , is located in the Old City and is constantly surrounded by a hive of activity from locals and tourists alike.

It was built in the 12 th century as part of the walled city of Baku. The name Giz Galasi is better translated as “Virgin Tower”, so named because of its impenetrability.

The Maiden Tower is part of UNESCO’s world heritage listing, looped in with the Old City and the Shirvanshahs’ Palace.

Climb the Maiden’s Tower just before sunset and enjoy the panoramic view of the Azerbaijan capital and its Old City – it’s a Baku must see!

• Location: in Old City district
• Opening hours: every day from 9 AM – 6 PM
• Price: 15 AZN

The other of Azerbaijan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites is the Gobustan National Park, that attracts thousands of tourists annually.

This otherworldly site is a sprawling field speckled with bubbling mud volcanos, anthropological sites and sizzling lakes.

In Azerbaijan there are around 300 mud volcanoes to be found at the shore, in the sea and on islands. That’s about 30% of the world’s total, and is a main reason people choose to visit Azerbaijan.

Grab the opportunity to visit the Gobustan National Museum and learn all about the history of petroglyphs, see ancient human bones or work tools from the Mesolithic period.

To get to Gobustan National Park from Baku head to the Maiden Tower and take bus number 88 or 120 to the ‘Field of 20’ stop, then change for bus number 195 the rest of the way.

Alternatively you can book a day tour with Viator, which is actually quite a good way to see the the mud volcanos.

The Flame Towers are located on a hill overlooking Baku Bay and the Old City. It’s an iconic trio of buildings that transformed the image of the city from a forgotten place to modern day Baku.

Not only does it transforms the city’s skyline, but it also pays respect to Baku’s history and predicts its strong future.

The design of the towers was inspired by Azerbaijan’s historical past of fire worship amongst locals. The buildings are shaped in a form of a flame, and are completely covered with LED screens that present movements of a fire.

From almost anywhere in the city you can see the Flame Towers, which dominate the new skyline.

Our tip is to visit the TV tower that is situated above – you will encounter the most stunning view!

• Location: 1A Mehdi Huseyn 1A Mehdi Huseyn
• Opening hours: every day from 10 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 10 PM
• Price: free of charge

In Azerbaijan and nearby Central Asia, carpet weaving occupies a special place in the history of its national culture.

Definitively the most widespread folk art is carpet weaving. It was a part of everyday life of Azerbaijanis and turned into a national symbol.

The carpets have a high aesthetic and historic importance, so they’re also used to cover the walls and floors of homes, nomads’ tents, mosques and government buildings as well.

The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum was set up in 1967. Besides the obvious carpets, it also holds in possession over 10,000 objects such as ceramics, metal works, and jewellery dating from the Bronze Age etc.

The museum is primarily used for research, keeping and displaying carpets and carpet items, as well as applied art works.  

• Location: 28 Mikayıl Hüseynov Prospekti
• Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday from 10 AM – 6 PM, Saturday – Sunday from 10 AM – 8 PM
• Price: 7 AZN

An important piece of Azerbaijani history is Shirvanhahs’ Palace, which was built in 15 th  century by the Shirvanshah kingdom.

The Shirvanshahs were the rulers of Shirvan, the name of the land that now occupies modern-day Azerbaijan. Being the leaders, they of course had to build an epic palace to call home.

Their Palace, alongside the Maiden Tower and the Old City, is bunched together in Baku’s UNESCO World Heritage listing.

The sandstone complex is significant for the situation inside the Old City, which is located behind the fortress walls that were built by the same kingdom in the 12 th century, right around the time Baku became the capital.

That is the main reason why the architecture of the Old City is similar in emphasising the art of medieval Islamic civilisation.

The Palace consists of a palace building, the mausoleum of the King Khalilullah buried with his mother and sons, two mosques, east gate (Murad’s Gate) , bath house (“hammam”) and Sufi philosopher and scientist Sayid Yahya Bakuvi’s mausoleum.

It was restored in 2003, and now you can enjoy couple of entertaining audio-visual surprises.

• Location: Gasr, lane 1, 76, Sabail
• Opening hours: every day from 10 AM – 6 PM
• Price: 8.50 AZN

Zoroastrianism and their belief in fire worship is a fascinating religion that can be found all over Asia, and their Temples of Eternal Fire are quite well known.

In a small suburb of Baku, one of their temples still exists today and is one of most popular Baku tourist attractions.

The temple in its present state was constructed around the 17th-18th centuries, and was built by the Baku-based Hindu community.

The area is known for a unique natural phenomenon – burning natural gas outlets. That means that the underground gas coming up to the surface lights up as it makes contact with oxygen.

For that reason the temple quickly became the holy place of Zoroastrians – the fire worshipers. They thought that the inextinguishable fire had mystic properties so they flocked to the temple to worship the relic.

In the early 19th century the Temple acquired its present-day appearance.

The Fire Temple has a pentagonal structure with a castellation and entrance portal. The altar is situated right at the natural gas vent, a well from which beat eternally burning gas accompanied by four smaller flames on the rooftop corners of the pavilion.

• Location: 20 kilometres east of Icheri Sheher
• Price: 2 AZN

The Old City Walls are built on a site that has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic period. The Old City of Baku reveals traces of Sasanian, Arabic, Zoroastrian, Persian, Ottoman, Russian and Shirvani presence in cultural continuity, making it one of the most culturally fascinating places in the region.

Today the walls still stand, and it’s very impressive to see how much of the Inner City’s 12 th  century defensive walls have remained.

Boasting a triple row of fortress walls, the Maiden Tower and other fortification facilities, the Old City was a magnificent stronghold.

It’s very impressive to navigate within its walls and see how the urban pattern of the city acts as a maze. It’s stunning architecture makes it one of the more popular Baku attractions.

The large squares and wide length streets gradually narrow and shrink into a geometric design which in the past, allowed full involvement of residents in defensive activities.

The only one of its kind in the world, the Miniature Book Museum was opened in 2002 by Zarifa Saahova. The dedicated bibliophile opened the museum in hopes to inspire young generations to read more, and he’s doing a great job.

The museum holds thousands of miniature-sized books, including editions of works of Dostoyevsky, Pushkin, Chukovsky and Gogol.

The books are from all parts of the world, and are written in numerous languages, including Russian, Azeri, German and English.

The oldest book in the museum is a copy of the Quran, dating to the 17th century, while the smallest tome (6mm x 9mm) is the Russian book “The Most Miraculous Thing,” which can only be read by using a magnifying glass.

Don’t miss out on the Miniature Book museum as it’s one of the unique things to see in Baku.

• Address: Icheri Sheher 67, 1-st Castle Lane, 67
• Opening hours: every day from 11 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays & Thursdays)

Baku Travel Guide

Doing reading on what to do in Baku can be time consuming, as well as researching on what areas are best to stay in Baku.

We have created the list of places to visit in Baku as well as a guide where to stay, in order to aid you make the most out of your Baku sightseeing experience.

For many affluent visitors to the city, the best place to stay in Baku is the iconic Flame Towers , which is under the famous Fairmont umbrella.

It’s luxurious, unique, and if it fits in your budget well worth to stay, although they are a bit far from the centre of town. Still if you’re happy taking taxis, this is an excellent place to stay. Book it on Booking.com

If you want the absolute best accommodation in Baku then check out the Four Season s for unparalleled service and quality in the city.

More of a hostel kind of person? Then don’t miss the options on HostelWorld.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Hello Alesha and Jarryd your article is really helpful. I am planning to visit Baku in the 2nd week of December this year. did you visit Guba and Gabala. how many days are enough to see all these places in Baku? kindly refer to hotel names that are pocket friendly and in range of center of city.

Hi Taz, so glad the article was helpful for you. Unfortunately we didn’t get to Guba and Gabala. We would like to go back to Azerbaijan one day and explore this country more. We feel maybe 3 days would be a great amount of time. As for hotels, we are not too sure with that one. Google would be your best friend with that one. There is a lot to see and learn. Have a wonderful time and happy travels.

Nice and helpful article. i am planning to visit solo next month from October 8 to October 13.

That is exciting. Have a great time in Azerbaijan. 🙂

This blog was extremely helpful. I’m planning a trip in two weeks and I have made a note of all the things listed here for things to do in Baku.

Just one question, is the day city tour good or the night city tour or should we do both?

Thank you !

So glad you found this article helpful. It can depends on your schedule or timing. Either is great. If you have the time do both and see two different sides of Baku. Happy travels

hi Alesha and Jarryd am visiting Baku on 28th May…I would like to know whether we can walk through the old city at night after 8pm?…We are 3…me my daughter(12yrs) and my son(21yrs)….is it safe?

Waiting for your reply

Best Regards,

When we were there we did walk around at that time to dinner and the long way back to the hotel. We felt fine and did not feel in danger at all. It is all up to you and your gut feeling. Ask your hotel when you get there and see what they think. Have a great trip.

I am planning to go on 17 may .

Have a great time. 🙂

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Thank you for reading

Thank you for great tips. We will be heading Baku the most likely at the end of this summer 🙂

Thank you for reading and have a great time in Baku. 🙂

I really love Icherishahr and carpet museum in Baku.It was so fantastic.

Glad you had a great time. It is a great city. 🙂

I seen your baku post, Its really amazing . Thanks for sharing.

Thank you 🙂

Mud Volcanoes At Gobustan are beautiful!

Hi Mina, we missed out on the mud volcanos. We were on the boat crossing the Caspian Sea too long and our visa days ran out. We will have to return one day. 🙂

Hi Alesha & Jarryd; Your article is extremely helpful in planning and deciding upon my list of things to do in Baku. We have just 5 days and your article helped me a lot to shortlist my sights. Thanks a lot. Stay happy and blessed.

Hi Sammina, thank you so much. So glad you found the article helpful. Have a great time there. Happy travels. 🙂

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Our Ultimate 3-Day Baku Travel Guide

28 Sep Our Ultimate 3-Day Baku Travel Guide

Welcome to baku.

Azerbaijan, the nation and former Soviet republic, straddles the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, spanning Asia and Europe. Its capital is Baku, famed for its medieval walled Inner City. It is also known as the oldest oil-producing region in the world with a profound history, being part of the USSR and culture blended between East and West with influences from Millde East, Russia and Turkey. But thanks to exponential development, Baku today is an almost futuristic city that combines both tradition and modernity, which makes this destination a very intriguing place to explore.

Baku welcomes visitors with a fascinating history, delicious cuisine and a wealth of attractions. The contrast between the city’s modern skyscrapers, its medieval mosques, and other local landmarks creates a beautiful fusion of the past and present.  

The best times to visit Azerbaijan are  April to June  and  September to October,  with an average daily high temperature below 53°F. The hottest month is  July , with an average high of 88°F, which you might want to avoid.

How To Get There

Fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airpor t which is approximately 30 km outside the city centre, and depending on the traffic, the journey times can range from 25 minutes to one hour. Search airfares with  WayAwa y or Skyscanner.

Visa Requirements

Anyone visiting Azerbaijan must  apply for an e-visa   to visit the country. The visa costs USD 25, takes three working days and is valid for 30 days. Urgent visas are obtainable for an extra fee. Check the  country list here  for your eligibility, depending on your nationality.

Tip: When we travelled, we decided to buy the visa on arrival, that was a big mistake as the queues were so long! On disembarkation, you make your way to join a long queue at a counter to ensure your passport is valid. Once approved, join another long line to purchase the visa through an automated machine, eventually making your way to another queue for immigration! This whole process took over an hour and a half, so make sure to buy your visa online!

Getting Around Baku

Baku offers multiple options for getting to the city centre from the airport.

Taxi – A taxi is readily available at the airport and provides a convenient and affordable method of transport. You can pay cash or card, which costs approximately 20-25 AZN.

Bus/Metro –  The cheapest way to get to the city centre is by bus or metro. Baku airport express bus operates 24 hours a day every 30 minutes and goes between the airport and the 28th May metro stop with a stop in between at Koroglu Metro Station.

To purchase a ticket, you need to get a BakuCard/BakiKart (unfortunately, you cannot buy tickets on the bus). Go to the BakuCard/BakiKart Kiosk, select the card, and add some credit to the card.

A single trip from the airport will cost 1,30AZN (around $0.75) plus 2 AZN for the non-refundable card.

Private Car –  We chose this option for the ease and comfort of having a driver and guide for our entire trip. We highly recommend  Guided Azerbaijan  for all your travel needs in this beautiful country. Ask for Fuad.

We visited Baku in the last week of August, an excellent time with warm and dry temperatures from May-August with an average temperature between 22- 31 degrees Celcius.

After landing at Heykar airport and going through all the visa and immigration formalities, we were surprised to see a very clean, modern airport with friendly and courteous people. We had arranged a private car with a driver and tour guide. As we ventured out of the airport, our tour guide, Kamal, greeted us with a welcome sign and showed us the car we would use for the next three days.

Follow our Ultimate 3-Day Travel Guide

Day 1– Highlights of Baku

Explore Baku!

Day 2 – Baku Old City

‘Ichari Shahar’ (inner city)

Day 3 – Beyond Baku

Journey to the Absheron peninsula.

Where To Stay

The number of hotels and hostels has been steadily increasing in Baku, catering for all budgets. Here are some recommendations:

Backpackers Hostel  |  Sahil Hostel  – Set in the heart of Baku, you will find the busiest hostel in town because of its affordability. Sahil Hostel offers beautifully decorated shared rooms, but there are options for private rooms as well. A great place to meet other travellers.

Budget Guest House  |  Khazar Old City Guest House  – Looking for something more traditional and affordable? This guest house is highly recommended and conveniently located in the old city and a few minutes walks from the Palace of The Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower.

Mid-range Hotel  |  Shah Palace Hotel  – Centrally located in the heart of Baku Old City, within easy reach of the top sights of Baku, this hotel offers elegant classic-style rooms and Azerbaijani, European and Asian dishes in their restaurants.

Top-end Hotel | Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers

Located in one of the Flame Towers Complex, in the heart of Baku, is the magnificent 5-star Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers boasting picturesque views of Baku City and the Caspian Sea.

We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard  a stylish hotel in Baku’s vibrant city.

Click Here for various accommodation options

Where To Eat

We ate at a fantastic restaurant called  Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant.  

Th is is one of Baku’s most elegant and authentic restaurants, located in the more than 200-year-old palace of the Shirvanshahs. Dine in style in a glorious historical setting and roam around the museum’s three floors holding traditional artefacts oozing with atmosphere and famous for their traditional Dolma, Qutab, Shekerbura and Shah pilaf.

Sultan’s ,  Sehrli Tandir  and  Xezer Restaurant  provide some of Baku’s best kebabs and Azerbaijani food at reasonable prices. Alternatively, many Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and French eateries are around. 

Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.

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A Perfect Weekend in Baku: A Sample Itinerary

Discover how to spend a weekend in Baku with this handy guide. What to know before you go.

Baku is a city of juxtapositions. The Old City is sprawled out with the Baku Flame Towers in the background. Old Soviet buildings neighbor modern Azeri ones.

Azerbaijan has changed hands several time, but by international standards, it’s still a “new” country, finally gaining its independence from the Soviets in 1991. Baku is old and new, new and old. A weekend in Baku is enough to make your head spin.

But yes, we’re talking about the  good kind of head-spinning.

Directly translated as the “land of fire”, Azerbaijan is a natural resource-laden country whose main export is oil and gas. However, there’s a lot of cultural upheaval going on in this new-meets-old country that I found quite fascinating. This transition is especially prevalent in the capital city, Baku.

While the rest of Azerbaijan confused and challenged me, I distinctly remember how joyful and excited I felt while exploring Baku. There’s a lot to unpack here, from the old marvels of the city to the strange contemporary buildings that have only just been built there.

Throw in a slew of fascinating and unique natural attractions just outside the city limits, and you’ve got a well-rounded weekend in Baku ahead of you.

Throughout your 2 days in Baku, you can definitely experience the highlights of the city (although I  always recommend spending more time in a place!). See below for the deets.

2 Days in Baku Itinerary: Practical Information

Getting an Azerbaijan Visa

Traveling to Azerbaijan requires a visa for citizens of most countries, including the United States. The good news is that it’s a completely online process to obtain an Azerbaijan tourist visa.

If you’re planning on visiting Baku, you need to apply online for your eVisa, print it out, and submit it to the immigration official when you arrive at the airport. It’s not a very hard process – it takes anywhere from 3-7 days for online approval and costs $25 USD.

How to Get In and Out of Baku

Flight:  The easiest way to get to Baku from anywhere in the world is to fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airport. The airport has several flights a day, primarily from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. You can compare flight prices and search for the best deals on Google Flights, CheapoAir, and Expedia.

Overnight Train: If you’re coming in from Tbilisi, Georgia or Sheki, Azerbaijan, you can take an overnight train. These trains are exceptionally slow, but you can get a sleeper car and save yourself some money on a hotel.

Ferry/Boat:  If you’re arriving from certain destinations, like Iran or Turkmenistan, you may be able to take a ferry into Baku. However, most of the boats that operate in the Caspian Sea are cargo/commercial ships.

Overland:  There are buses into Baku from all over the region. Depending on where you’re coming from, it can take anywhere from a few hours to over a day. Within Baku, there are a few different bus stations where you may be picked up or dropped off – be sure to confirm which one you need to leave from!

Currency and Payments in Baku

For currency, Azerbaijan uses the Manat (AZN). Despite the fact that there are card readers in lots of places, most transactions in Baku are made in cash.

You can withdraw money from ATMs there, or simply exchange at one of the many exchange points throughout the city. Be sure to try and break your big bills when possible, as a lot of smaller restaurants and shops do not have much change.

Where to Stay in Baku

Sahil hostel & hotel (budget).

There’s no hostel in Baku that feels more like home than Sahil Hostel & Hotel . The dorm beds are comfortable and private, the property is squeaky clean, and there’s a relaxed but open vibe about it that makes it easy to meet other travelers.

It’s walkable from practically everywhere, and super close to the seaside boardwalk (which I loved). And, at just a few USD per night, it is an amazing deal.

Check Rates and Availability

Viva Boutique Hotel (Mid Range)

Whether you prefer a private room or simply want a comfortable, private place to stay, the  Viva Boutique Hotel is the perfect spot for you.

It’s affordable, the rooms are clean and cozy, and it’s a very central location – just a few minutes walk to the Old City and many other central areas.

Fairmont Baku Flame Towers (Luxe)

If you’re looking for a uniquely “Baku” luxury hotel, the  Fairmont Baku Flame Towers is the perfect choice.

It’s a 5-star property located in one of the iconic flame towers of the city – there’s also an incredible rooftop pool.

Getting Around in Baku

Walking:  Central Baku is an extremely walkable place, and you’ll be able to get to many places within the city center on your feet. Remember that Baku is in a desert, so in the spring and summer months, it can get pretty hot during the day. If you plan on walking a lot, be sure to stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

Public Transportation: Baku also has a metro and bus system that’s ridiculously cheap to use. You can load them at Bakikart kiosks. First, you need to buy a card to use, which costs 2 AZN. Then, you can fill it with however much money you want. Rides on both the buses and the metro are 20 gopik (0.2 AZN) per ride.

Uber/Rideshare: Baku is the only capital city in the Caucasus to use Uber, and that makes getting around incredibly convenient. If you have access to Wi-Fi or cellular data, you can simply call an Uber like you would in the United States and charge it automatically to your designated credit card. Most Ubers within the central city area cost 2-7 AZN.

Taxi: Taxis are abundant in Baku and you can simply hail one from the street or have your hotel/restaurant call you one. However, this is the most expensive way to get around Baku, so keep that in mind if you’re budget-conscious.

Where to Eat in Baku

Surprisingly, there isn’t a huge food culture in Baku. You’ll find inexpensive kebab and döner shops – characteristic of the region – pretty much everywhere.

There are also some traditional Azeri restaurants, but you’ll find when you visit one, it’s mostly fellow tourists and foreigners eating there. Despite the fact that they are mostly catered to tourists, I still think it’s worth trying a couple of Azeri restaurants during your stay to experience the traditional dishes of the region.

With that said, the people of Azerbaijan are very proud of their traditional Azeri breakfasts, and I highly recommend trying one while you’re in the city.

For a traditional-style breakfast, I highly recommend trying Sehirli Tandir at least once. Yes, it’s a bit pricey for Azerbaijan, but the freshly-baked, tandir-style bread, the delicious cheeses and honey, and the historic atmosphere of the place are certainly worth it.

Another fantastic restaurant to try traditional Azeri food in Baku is Nargiz Restaurant . It’s an underground, centrally-located restaurant that has an extensive (I mean, HUGE) menu of traditional dishes and all kinds of variations on them.

Again, it’s a little more expensive than the average meal, but it’s worth sitting down here to sample some qutab , piti , and dushbara .

2 Days in Baku: A Weekend Itinerary

Baku itinerary: arrival, take a stroll at the seaside.

Arguably one of the coolest things about Baku is that it neighbors the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea isn’t  really a sea, rather the largest salt lake in the world. Off the coast, you’ll see deep blue water, with oil rigs dotting the horizon.

When you first arrive in Baku, it’ll probably be evening time, which means the city will be nice and cool for a stroll. The best place to take a walk and experience the sights and sounds of the city is on the Baku Boulevard.

This beautiful, big walking area is full of both tourists and locals, and is a nice place to get a feel for the city.

While there, you can stroll for a bit and grab dinner, or simply sit on a bench and admire the calmness of the Caspian Sea. There are also great views of the old city and the Flame Towers.

After your walk, take it easy on your first night, because the next two days will definitely be packed with things to do.

Baku Itinerary Day 1: Exploring the City, Old and New

When I’m visiting a new city, I love spending a day just walking and wandering around its main areas. And luckily, Baku is a VERY walkable city.

On your first full day in Baku, I recommend making a list of things you’d like to see and tackling them one by one, or simply taking a free guided walking tour of the city. I ended up doing both. My free walking tour guide, Eldar, was awesome – explaining some of the history of the city as well as some of the strange and lesser-known facts about many of the sights we passed by.

Like with any weekend trip, you can’t accomplish everything in a couple of days, so I’d recommend choosing 3-4 priorities for the day and try to knock those out first. Some of the main attractions in Baku that you might want to check out include:

• Baku Old City*
• Palace of the Shirvanshahs
• Maiden Tower
• Fountain Square*
• Philharmonic Hall*
• Palace of Happiness *
• Bibi-Heyat Mosque
• Museums: Carpet Museum, Azerbaijani Literature, Art Museum, and National Museum of Azerbaijan
• Funicular Car
• Flame Towers
• Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center (explore the inside museum AND the outside)
• Upland Park (at sunset, see below)

*Sights included on the free walking tour. Bold means I highly recommend/would prioritize going here.

If you’re in more of a ‘sit back and relax’ kind of mood, you can also opt for an organized Baku city tour . I like taking these tours every so often because they typically give you an insider’s perspective on the city, and include some quirky facts or fun stories to boot (and I’m a HUGE sucker for quirky facts about a place!).

At sunset, end your day by heading up to the Upland Park viewpoint . Upland Park is arguably the best place in the city to watch the daily light show, which happens around 8:30 PM.

There’s also a magnificent view of the rest of Baku and the Caspian Sea down below. While there, you’ll probably share the space with wedding photographers, joggers, skateboarders, families, and other light show spectators. It’s a great place to do some sunset people-watching, too.

Baku Itinerary Day 2: Mud Volcanoes, Gobustan, and Lots of Fire

On your second day in Baku, I recommend actually getting  outside of Baku to explore some of the weirdest and most wonderful sights near the city.

The easiest way to do this is to book a full day Baku tour with TES Tour , which will take you to the mud volcanoes, Gobustan National Park, Ateshgah Fire Temple, Yanar Dag, and the outside of the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center.

You can also opt to hire a taxi and do this tour on your own, but it will be MUCH more expensive.

The Mud Volcanoes

Baku is one of the few places in the world where you can see mud volcanoes. A rare phenomenon that only happens in certain areas, these naturally-formed bubbly mud pots look like mini volcanoes dotted across a flat area of dirt.

You probably won’t want to stay long here, but there are a few interesting things to note about these mud volcanoes:

• They’re cold to the touch . In many places around the world, the bubbling mud is caused by heat. However, in Baku, the mud volcanoes are cold because they’re caused by gas pockets under the ground.
• They’re not just in Baku . There are mud volcanoes in a bunch of different places around Azerbaijan! The Baku ones are simply the easiest to see, especially if you have a short time in the country.
• Some people use them as mud masks . You’ll probably see such people when you visit. But I wouldn’t dare… I’m not sure there’s any scientific evidence to back these claims.

Gobustan Petroglyphs

If you’re a natural history or archaeology nerd, you’ll love Gobustan National Park. First of all, it’s naturally very beautiful, with giant boulders strewn about as if they were tossed into a pile by a child at play.

More importantly, on said rocks, there are ancient (I mean, 1,000+ years old) petroglyphs carved into the sides, depicting scenes from the daily lives of nomadic inhabitants of modern-day Azerbaijan.

Traditional Azeri Lunch Buffet

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the best meals I had in Azerbaijan, which was on my day tour of Baku.

Our tour group arrived at an Azeri lunch buffet which was full of every kind of food I read about when I googled “foods to try in Azerbaijan.” The kicker? The entire buffet only cost 10 AZN. That’s the equivalent of $6 USD, all you can eat!

I searched and searched the Interwebs and couldn’t figure out the name of the restaurant, so that’s all the most reason to go with a tour than on your own.

Ateshgah Fire Temple

A pilgrimage site for people of the Zoroastrian faith, the Ateshgah Fire Temple was built sometime between the 17th and 18th centuries.

Here, you can learn more about the history of fire worship and the current practices and traditions around it, complete with somewhat creepy wax models and museum-like panels inside of the reconstructed historic site.

Of course, the actual fire is the main point of focus here. It sits in the center of the temple complex in a small shelter and burns perpetually.

Yanar Dag is a special place, and while it’s not one where you’ll linger for a long time, you’ll probably want to see it for yourself. While Azerbaijan is known as the land of fire, Yanar Dag is  actually the land that’s on fire.

You see, here, natural gas is so abundant that it causes a natural fire on the hillside that burns forever and ever. It looks like there’s burning charcoal leaking out the side of the hill…pretty cool if you ask me.

My only reservation about going here with a day tour is that you’ll usually end up here in the heat of the afternoon, which is mildly unpleasant and not as epic to photograph.

Ah well, beggars can’t be choosers. If I could do it again, I’d come back here at sunset or at night.

Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center

Per my recommendation, you probably saw this yesterday more thoroughly. However, if you opt to take the TES day tour of Baku, you’ll visit here again as the last stop on your tour.

Pomegranate Wine

This one is not part of the day tour, but one I wanted to throw in here anyway. Whether you decide to take the day tour or simply rent a car or taxi and do it yourself, you’ll probably end your day in the early evening.

This gives you enough time to enjoy a traditional Azeri meal and a glass of the traditional pomegranate wine: a final toast to your amazing (and maybe exhausting) weekend in Baku.

If You Have More Time

Day trip to xinaliq.

If you’re itching to get outdoors, you can take a day trip from Baku to the highest-elevation village in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan Traveller offers a wonderful trip (they’re the same company that run the free walking tours).

The trip spans a full day (9 AM-9 PM+) and takes you to both Quba and Xinaliq. This is a great way to experience what life is like in Azerbaijan outside of Baku.

Day Trip to Gabala

Sometimes you just need an escape from the busy city, and Gabala can offer that to you. Gabala is a resort area popular with Azerbaijan’s locals, filled with lots of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. You can take a day trip to Gabala with TES Tour .

2 Days in Baku Itinerary: Read Next

• Central Asia Travel Tips: 35 Helpful Things I Wish I Knew Before Traveling in Central Asia
• The Best Things to Do in Astana, Kazakhstan: 11 Amazing and Unique Spots in the City
• One Week in Kazakhstan – A Step-by-Step Kazakhstan Itinerary

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I’m Kay. I’m originally from small town Virginia, but have moved all around the East Coast and the United States for basically my entire life. I spent my childhood days blissfully wandering through the Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling in leaves, playing in creeks…you know, the usual overly adventurous 5-year-old stuff.

But those early years spent outside gave me a real problem: I’m now an adventure addict. Basically, if I’m not at my computer banging out articles or photos, I’m probably out hiking, biking, or camping somewhere beautiful.

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Baku travel guide

Baku tourism | baku guide, you're going to love baku.

On the fault line between East and West, Baku is unlike anywhere else on earth. Azerbaijan's capital offers a fascinating Soviet legacy, soaring towers that could have been transplanted from Shanghai, along with a beautiful ancient center. Contradictory it may be, but Baku is always a delight.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Baku

1. the unesco-listed historic center.

Baku's Old City dates back almost a thousand years. Ringed with an impressive set of walls, it sits atop a maze of tunnels and features countless historic sights, including the Maiden Tower.

2. The Caspian Coast

Baku sits on the Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland sea. Take cruises across the sea, explore beaches like Bilgəh or stroll along Baku's elegant seafront promenade.

3. Plenty of Museums to Explore

Baku is rich with museums, including a recently opened Carpet Museum, the National Museum of Azerbaijan History, and the Museum of Modern Art, which includes works by Picasso and Dalí.

4. Visit the Absheron Peninsula

Baku's hinterland is well worth visiting, from the Ateshgah Fire Temple to the spectacular natural gas vents of Yanar Dag.

5. World-Class Kebabs

If you are a kebab fan, Baku is the place to head. For a treat, try the liver kebabs from Sultan's, a local favorite.

What to do in Baku

1. palace of the shirvanshahs: the pearl of azerbaijan.

A historical monument that is breathtaking in its scale, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs is made up of stunning mausoleums, gran stone pavilions, intricate stone carvings, and mosque spires. It also includes a bathhouse. These are all the markings of the presence of the 15th-century Shirvanshah dynasty and the beautiful palace still stands tall and majestic, if a little dusty and characteristically worn with age, rising and visible from a distance. Anointed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, an afternoon roaming its beautiful steps and terraces would be an afternoon spent whisked back in time.

2. Maiden Tower: Surrounded by Mysteries and Legends

So iconic and central to the Azerbaijani culture is it that the Miden Tower appears on the Azeri currency notes, stamps, and official letterheads. The Maiden Tower stands alongside the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and is also on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Once you look past its imposing and stalwart stone facade and climb up its stairs to the very top, it's easy to see why: besides being a monument dating back to the 12th century, the Maiden Tower gives visitors a unique, panoramic view of the Old City, Baku Boulevard and the sparkling waters of the Baku Bay. And what about when you're done delighting in the view? Head down to its mini museum, which marks the historical evolution of the city.

3. Fountain Square: The Heart of the City

Comprised of multiple fountains encapsulated within the main square, this area has an instantly calming effect on all those who gather at her steps. And, yet, it is also the place where the city hosts large public gatherings, cultural festivals and outdoor events. Once you've strolled around and taken in the beauty of the Fountain "Balls" at night or the glint of sunset off the fountain in the Governor's Garden, it's easy to see why. The modern passages and stylistic cobblestone streets create a distinctly mixed cultural experience: there are flourishes from Soviet rule, Mediterranean influences, Persian and Balkan remnants, and Arabian palm trees.

4. Gobustan National Park: A Natural Wonder

Lady Luck has blessed Baku with the history, culture and the desert beauty of the natural world. The Gobustan National Park is better known as Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape and, unsurprisingly, its historical significance along with its unique landscape has catapulted it to yet another UNESCO World Heritage site. The petroglyphs carved into the rockfaces date back at least to 10,000 B.C. and there are more than 6,000 of these markings made by early civilizations. Walking through its deeply-etched ravines and traveling up its rocky hills is an exploration in itself.

5. Heydar Aliyev Center: Modern Curves

Designed by the late, incomparable British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, the Heydar Aliyev Center is a cultural point of attraction for visitors and locals alike. It houses an auditorium, a gallery, and a museum. It's fluid and flowing form are the mark of a rapidly modernizing and prosperous Baku.

Activities & attractions in Baku

Where to Eat in Baku

If you want to enjoy some of the finest kebabs on earth, head to restaurants like Sultan's, Sehrli Tandir, or Şəki. There are also plenty of Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and French places as well. Expect good kebabs to cost around ₼5-10, but gourmet meals to come to far more, around ₼40-50.

When to visit Baku

High summer can be a little intense for some, so visit between April and June or September to October for the best weather. Winters tend to be chilly, and many attractions close for the season.

How to Get to Baku

Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is 15 miles out of town. To reach Baku, take the express bus, which costs ₼1.30 or take a taxi for around ₼60.

Baku has rail connections to Moscow and other Russian cities, as well as Kiev in Ukraine.

If you are driving north from Bilasuvar, take the E119. From Mingecevir and the west, take the E60 all the way to Baku.

Buses run into Baku from all of Azerbaijan's major cities, and there are international services from Russia and Iran as well.

Airports near Baku

Airlines serving baku, where to stay in baku.

Baku has some incredible hotel options, including the lavish Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers with its rooftop pool, and the Sheraton Baku, which is handy for the airport.

Popular Neighborhoods in Baku

İçərişəhər - Baku's old town, İçərişəhər is a UNESCO-listed gem. Don't miss the views from the 95-foot-high Maiden Tower.

Khutor - another old part of Baku, Khutor is full of flower-decorated lanes and buzzes with street life. Safe and charming, it's a great place to explore on foot.

Yaşıl Bazar - Baku's major market, Yaşıl Bazar is the place to go to find fresh, juicy pomegranates and locally made quince jam.

Where to stay in popular areas of Baku

Most booked hotels in baku, how to get around baku, public transportation.

NIIM runs buses and the subway in Baku. A single ticket costs just ₼0.20, so they represent excellent value. If you ride the subway, you'll need to buy a BakiKart for ₼2 before traveling.

Taxis are a cheap way to get around in general, charging about ₼1.30 for every mile.

Car rental options in Baku include AvtoRent, AzRent, and Aznur. Expect to pay about ₼35 per day.

The Cost of Living in Baku

Shopping streets.

Baku's bazaars include Yaşıl and Taza, and both are great places to shop for bargains. There are also huge malls at Park Bulvar and Port Baku, which are crammed with international brands.

Groceries and Other

Supermarket options include Makromart, Bizim, and Neptun, where you can expect to pay around ₼2.50 for 12 eggs.

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Baku Travel Guide: Explore the Capital of Azerbaijan

Discover the heart of azerbaijan.

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a city rich in culture, history, and beauty. Located on the Caspian Sea, Baku has been a popular destination for travelers for many years. Whether you’re interested in exploring its ancient landmarks, indulging in its delicious cuisine, or soaking up the sun on its stunning beaches, Baku has something to offer everyone. In this comprehensive Baku travel guide, we will take you through everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to this vibrant city.

OVERVIEW OF THE CITY

Baku is a cosmopolitan city with a rich history and a vibrant present. It is the largest city in Azerbaijan and is located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea. Baku is known for its unique blend of modernity and tradition, and its many historical landmarks, museums, and cultural centres.

BEST TIME TO VISIT BAKU?

The best time to travel to Baku is between April and October when the weather is warm and sunny. During this time, the city is also host to many festivals and events, making it an even more exciting place to visit. If you prefer cooler weather, you can visit Baku between November and March, but be prepared for possible rain and chilly winds., If you’re interested in cultural events and festivals, spring and autumn are also great times to visit. Some of the city’s biggest festivals include the Baku International Film Festival, the Baku International Jazz Festival, and the Baku Shopping Festival. When planning your trip, be sure to research the events happening in Baku during your visit and book your accommodation early.

PLACES TO VISIT IN BAKU

Baku is home to many iconic landmarks, including the stunning Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the ancient Maiden Tower, and the beautiful Highland Park. The city is also home to many museums and cultural centres, such as the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, the State Museum of Azerbaijan Literature, and the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

The quadrangular Mardakan Castle or the large Mardakan Fortress is one of the oldest fortresses in Absheron and the highest donjon (unlike other fortresses, the donjons are surrounded by walls not connected to the main fortress). The height of the tower is 22 meters, the height of the surrounding walls is 7 meters. Its thickness […]

GETTING AROUND IN BAKU

Getting around Baku is easy and convenient. The city has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, taxis, and the Baku Metro. You can also rent a car or take a taxi to get around, and many tourist attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Public Transportation: Baku’s public transportation system is efficient and affordable, making it a great option for travellers looking to get around the city. The city’s metro system is clean and modern, offering convenient access to many of the city’s popular attractions. The cost of public transportation in Baku varies depending on the type of transportation used and the distance travelled. On average, a single metro ride costs around 0.40 AZN (about 25 USD) Additionally, there is also a funicular taking off near the carpet museum, which offers a more scenic way to get to Highland park the city. The cost of a Funicular is 1 AZN (about 60 USD)

Taxis: Taxis are also readily available in Baku, with a range of options to choose from, including traditional taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber or Bolt. When taking an ordinary taxi in Baku, be sure to negotiate the fare before starting your journey, as prices can vary greatly depending on the time of day and the driver.

Cars: For those who prefer the freedom and flexibility of driving, car rentals are available in Baku. When driving in the city, it’s important to be aware of the local traffic laws and to always wear a seatbelt. Additionally, it’s recommended to avoid driving during rush hour, as the city’s roads can get congested at peak times.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN BAKU PROVIDED BY LOCAL EXPERTS

Baku Travel Guide offers a range of tours and excursions, offering travellers the opportunity to experience the best of the city and its surroundings. From historical and cultural tours to outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone in Baku.

For those interested in history and culture, Baku offers a range of historical and cultural tours, including walking tours of the Old City and visits to cultural landmarks such as the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower. These tours offer a comprehensive look at the city’s rich cultural heritage and are a great way to gain a deeper understanding of the city’s history and traditions.

Baku is also a great destination for outdoor adventures, with a range of excursions available, including boat tours of the Caspian Sea and visits to the nearby Gobustan National Park, where travellers can see unique rock formations and experience the region’s unique culture. These excursions offer a unique opportunity to explore the beautiful landscapes and natural wonders of Azerbaijan and are a must-visit for anyone looking to get off the beaten path.

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WHERE TO STAY IN BAKU

When planning your Baku Travel, choosing the right accommodation is crucial. With a range of options available, from budget-friendly options to luxurious hotels and resorts, there’s something for every traveller.

Overview of the different types of accommodation

Baku offers a variety of accommodation options to suit every traveller, including:

Budget-friendly options: For travellers on a budget, there are plenty of guesthouses, hostels, and budget-friendly hotels available in the city.

Luxurious hotels and resorts: For those looking for a more luxurious experience, Baku is home to a number of high-end hotels and resorts, offering world-class amenities, elegant rooms, and top-notch service.

Vacation rentals: For travellers who prefer the comfort and privacy of a home away from home, there are also vacation rentals available in Baku, ranging from apartments to villas.

Best areas to stay in Baku

When it comes to choosing your accommodation in Baku, the location is just as important as the type of accommodation. Some of the best areas to stay in the city include:

Old City: For those interested in exploring Baku’s cultural and historical landmarks, the Old City is an excellent choice, offering easy access to all of the city’s UNESCO sites. Most of the hotels in the old City are Boutirqe Hotels. Those are the Boutique hotels we recommend you stay in the old City: Maajid Hotel, Shah Palace, and Shirvanshahs Hotel.

Fountains Square: this is a public square in downtown Baku. This popular tourist area offers a range of accommodation options and is home to some of Baku’s best restaurants, shops, and bars.

Seaside promenade: If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, the seaside promenade offers a range of accommodation options and is the perfect place to take in the city’s beautiful views of the Caspian Sea like Four Seasons, JW Marriot, Hilton, Parkin, Holiday in.

Dining and Nightlife in Baku

Baku is a city that comes alive after dark, offering a range of dining and nightlife options to suit every taste and budget.

Dining in Baku

Baku is a city that offers something for every palate, with a range of dining options to choose from, including:

Azerbaijani cuisine: Baku is a great place to sample the country’s delicious cuisine, which is known for its use of fresh ingredients and unique spices.

International cuisine: If you’re looking for something a little different, Baku is also home to a range of international restaurants, serving up everything from Italian to Thai cuisine.

Street food: For a true taste of Baku, be sure to try the city’s street food, which includes everything from kebabs to baklava.

Nightlife in Baku

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing evening or a wild night out, Baku has a range of nightlife options to choose from, including:

• Bars and clubs: The city is home to a number of bars and clubs, offering everything from live music to DJ sets.
• Live music and entertainment: If you’re looking for a night of live music or entertainment, Baku is also home to a number of venues that offer live music and other performances.

Best areas for dining and nightlife

When it comes to dining and nightlife in Baku, the city offers plenty of options, with different areas of the city offering different experiences. Some of the best areas for dining and nightlife include:

Old City : For a more traditional dining experience, the Old City offers a range of local restaurants and street food stalls.

Baku Boulevard: This popular tourist area is home to a range of high-end restaurants and bars, as well as street food stalls and cafes. It’s a great place to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Seaside promenade: The seaside promenade is a great place to enjoy a relaxed evening, with a range of cafes, bars, and restaurants offering stunning views of the Caspian Sea.

Frequently Asked Questions for Traveling Baku

What is the best time to visit baku, is baku a safe destination for travellers, what is the currency used in baku, what are the cultural norms and customs to keep in mind in baku, what is the best way to exchange currency, can you drink tap water in baku, what plug is used in baku, do i need pcr test to enter baku.

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The Hangry Backpacker

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Baku, Azerbaijan: Complete Solo Travel Guide

April 6, 2019 By Hangry Backpacker 3 Comments

Solo travel is one of the best ways to see Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. This fascinating city barely registers on most travel radars, and there are plenty of reasons, from food to history, to visit Baku.

Here is everything you need to know for a solo trip to Baku, complete with tips getting around, expenses, safety and what to do:

Practical Information for Solo Travel in Baku

Baku, azerbaijan.

Baku is a rapidly developing city. Azerbaijan is in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, with the Caspian Sea to the east, Iran bordering to the south and Armenia, Georgia and Russia forming borders to the north and west.

Travel to Baku primarily consists of foreigners visiting for work, with major international petroleum companies maintaining a presence in the area. The country has massive natural gas reserves that have fueled a boom in the capital city.

Solo travel to Baku and the rest of Azerbaijan has increased in recent years, with the city seeing an influx of independent travelers. Outside of Baku, the tourism industry in Azerbaijan remains in infancy. There is a lot of nature to enjoy, tons of great food and plenty of picturesque villages, but not a lot to offer for most tourists.

Heydar Aliyev International Airport

Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport is Azerbaijan’s gateway of travel to the world. The airport is nice, shiny and new.

Entrance to Azerbaijan through Baku International Airport is fairly simple for solo travel. The process begins online, where you apply and pay ($25) for a visa. It takes about a week for confirmation. Upon arrival in Baku, immigration officials really have one concern: whether or not you’ve been to Armenia . After answering no, the official flipped through my passport to confirm, took my photo and fingerprints, then sent me on my way. Quick and simple.

Make sure to have a copy of your hotel booking. This is a visa requirement.

Before leaving the secure area, there is an ATM down the escalators, in the corner on the ground floor.

Transportation to the city is easy. Solo travel on a budget in Azerbaijan will require a lot of public transportation, and the Airport Express to Baku city center is a deal.

DO NOT take a taxi. Prices for taxis are absolutely insulting. I was quoted no less than the equivalent of $50 for an official taxi to the city. Prices were not negotiable. This is legal robbery of unsuspecting visitors.

Instead, the Airport Express stops directly in front of the terminal. Tickets for the bus can be purchased at a small kiosk (cash only), outside the doors and next to a coffee stand. The bus departs every 30 minutes, heading to the city center with one stop along the way. The bus is air conditioned, clean and comfortable.

The Airport Express costs about 2 Azerbaijani manat (AZN). That’s barely more than $1. Don’t waste money on a taxi.

The bus unloads in the city center, at 28 May metro station, where you can take a subway, walk or find a more affordable taxi to your destination.

Baku, Azerbaijan Solo Travel Costs

While the rest of Azerbaijan lags behind, Baku is as incredibly expensive place to live, evidence by the designer shops and fancy high rise condominiums popping up across the city.

For travelers, Baku isn’t the cheapest destination, but travel to “Little Dubai” can be done on a budget. There is not an abundance of hostels and guesthouses in the city center. Most foreigners, likely in Azerbaijan for business, wind up in one of the many luxury hotels of Baku.

Of the limited options available, travelers can expect to pay a per night average of 30-40 AZN (about $20 USD) on the low end. A room with air conditioning, which is not normally needed in Baku, will cost more.

However, in 2018, Baku experienced one of the hottest summers on record, with temperatures 20 degrees (Farenheit) above average. The surge in power demands caused massive blackouts in Baku and across Azerbaijan, even leading to the subway system losing power and shutting down.

Ride the Subways

Solo travel in Azerbaijan eventually leads to the subway in Baku. The Baku Metro is the best method for getting around the city. Riding on the Soviet-era subway trains is an uncomfortable, but fun ride. The trains are only about 50 years old, but you can feel every jolt, bolt, twist and turn as they blaze beneath the streets. Perhaps it is the rickety, old cars, but the Baku Metro feels faster than any other subway in my travel experiences.

Seriously, hold on.

The Baku Metro is typical of Soviet metro systems. Like others, it is incredibly far below city streets, effectively doubling as a bomb shelter. And it is beautiful. Despite everything else, the Soviets deserve credit for their subway systems. The detail and intricate design put into each station is impressive. There are also reminders on the walls of lessons learned about propaganda and communism, but that topic isn’t exactly cheerful.

The Baku Metro is good news for a travel budget. One ride on the subway is 0.2 AZN. A reloadable card is required, which costs 2 AZN. The card plus five rides will cost a mere 3 AZN. That’s less than $2 USD! Buses are even cheaper, making public transportation the easy choice for solo travel in Baku.

English is sparse in Baku, so plan your routes and know your stops before setting out for the day.

Solo travel in Azerbaijan is a thrill, but easy in Baku. Free from the constraints of prearranged group travel buses, solo travelers are able to go where they please on the speedy trains of Baku.

Safety in Baku

When hearing of solo travel to Baku, most people express confusion and concern that anyone would travel to Azerbaijan. In fact, many westerners are entirely unaware that Azerbaijan is a country.

That’s okay, though. What people lack in awareness of Baku is simply a better opportunity for off-the-beaten-path solo travel. With Baku off of most travel radars, the worry is that a solo traveler could be in danger in Azerbaijan.

Thankfully, there is no need to fear for safety in Baku. As long as you aren’t Armenian, Azerbaijan is a safe country. The two countries aren’t exactly best buds, and travel across the border is practically impossible.

Locals in Baku are out and about enjoying the city’s parks and are helpful to tourists. Any notion of being unwelcome is not apparent.

For visitors to Baku, the city is safe. Walking the wide, shiny promenades in the city center, it’s hard to imagine feeling any worry. Bakuvians enjoy their city and do not want any disturbance of the peace. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani government has worked hard – and done a great job – to eliminate any extremist groups that may hinder progress and harm a good reputation of safety.

How to Dress in Baku

The only area tourists should exercise caution in Azerbaijan is with clothing. Unlike some nearby Muslim nations, women in Azerbaijan dress freely. Baku is more liberal than the rest of the country, with women enjoying high fashion and dressing to impress.

Western women may encounter staring. Lots of uncomfortable staring. When it is warm out, it is tempting to wear a tank top and shorts, a skirt or something cooler. This is fine in Baku, and your safety is not at risk, but the stares can be uncomfortable. It is best to move along and ignore the onlookers.

For men, dress in Azerbaijan is peculiar. Men in several countries in the world wear long pants year-round. In Azerbaijan, men wearing shorts is particularly taboo. A few government officials have been outspoken about the issue. There are men in Baku bold enough to wear shorts, but not many.

Tourists get a pass on wearing shorts more than locals in Baku, but I recommend blending in as much as possible for solo travel anywhere.

Onward Solo Travel from Baku

Onward travel from Baku, heading elsewhere in Azerbaijan, is a simple, yet complex affair for solo travelers. If you’re going back to the airport, simply retrace your steps, starting where the Airport Express drops off at 28 May station. If further travel is via bus, travelers need to go to the main bus station.

The bus station is easy to reach from the Baku Metro. Take the Green Line from 28 May Station to Memar Əcəmi Station. There, switch to the Purple Line to Avtovağzal , which is one stop away. Avtovağzal means “bus station,” and that’s where you want to go.

Navigating the Baku bus station can be a headache for solo travelers that don’t speak the language. Hopefully for you, my headache will help you avoid the same frustration.

Tickets can be purchased at the station, inside in the back of the building . On the 3rd level. The back of the building appears empty, but there will be a few ticket windows open. Say the name of your destination and the employees will direct you to the appropriate window.

This doesn’t sound complicated, but in a massive, four-story international bus station with hundreds of shops – and did I mention no one speaks any English? – finding the right ticket window can be a nightmare. Get there early and be patient. Also, good luck.

What to See & Do in Baku

Gobustan petroglyphs.

Gobustan is a site of prehistoric petroglyphs dating back thousands of years. The rock carvings include Viking ships, Roman markings, as well as depictions thousands of years older.

The visitor center and museum at this UNESCO-designated site is informative, interesting and modern. Entrance is cheap, at 5 AZN.

There are thousands of carvings spread out among the barren rocks, with paths leading around many of them. However, the carvings are underwhelming. Truthfully, pictures are sufficient. Sure, the carvings are interesting and anthropologically important, but they’re much smaller than images suggest. It’s fairly difficult to even get a decent photograph without a high-powered lens.

Consider that the drive to Gobustan takes at least an hour and hiring a car is the only practical option. Time is better spent in Baku for most tourists. If you have a spare day and anthropology excites you, wandering Gobustan for a few hours is the perfect activity.

Mud Volcanoes of Gobustan

If Gobustan is alluring, make sure to save time for a more interesting site nearby. Also in the Gobustan National Park are the famous mud volcanoes. The area is home to nearly half of the world’s mud volcanoes.

If you’re thinking massive mountains spewing mud, scale down your expectations. Mud volcanoes are large mounds in a geothermally active area.  Mud bubbles up and slowly oozes out, over time building up to these mini “volcanoes.”

The Gobustan mud volcanoes are a fascinating thing to see in Azerbaijan, but require a tedious journey from Baku that makes solo travel to the spot almost impossible for non-locals. Theoretically, it is possible to catch a bus to the nearest town. From there, drivers may or may not be hanging out by the road waiting for passengers. But the bus takes a long time and runs inconsistently.

The route to the mud volcanoes – it is not a road – winds along a dusty, bumpy path. Drivers have a deep trust in their cars, careless and fearless of the terrain. They drive straight through bumps and obstacles at a blistering pace in their old Soviet jalopies. As for off-roading in an old Soviet Lada, it’s pretty fun. Wear sunglasses and bring a cloth, though. It’s dusty.

The site is not developed – it’s just there . On the day I visited the mud volcanoes, there were no other tourists in sight. A few locals were soaking in one of the bubbling pits of mud, which is supposedly therapeutic.

The Azerbaijan mud volcanoes are pretty cool, but it is best to think twice about making the solo travel venture to Gobustan from Baku. It’s a long way out for a short wander. Although the next time I visit Baku, I plan to have a mud soak of my own.

Ateshgah of Baku

The Ateshgah of Baku is a temple that has been home to fire-worshiping Hindus, Sikhs and Zoroastrians. The current complex is a few hundred years old, but there is evidence of use going back over one thousand years.

The temple is centered around a flame in the center that burned naturally from gas leaks for hundreds of years. The original flame finally burned out and the current flame is man-made, but the temple is still authentic.

The trip out to Ateshgah of Baku is like any solo travel in Azerbaijan – crowded buses and a lot of guessing, traveling on an indirect route to finally reach the destination.

With the cheap transportation mentioned above, and an admission cost of only 4 AZN, the Ateshgah of Baku is a great budget activity for a day. The best part of visiting the Ateshgah of Baku is seeing a side of the city few other tourists ever will. Bus 184 from Koroğlu metro station will (eventually) get you to the Fire Temple.

Yanar Dag is a another fiery attraction outside of Baku. This is an open, 50-foot-long flame coming out of the ground. There’s so much natural gas in Baku that it is literally leaking out of the ground. At some point, this gas leak ignited and has been burning for years.

Why Yanar Dag is often recommended to tourists is beyond me. It’s certainly intriguing, but to spend several hours bussing around Baku only to come upon a little bit of fire is a colossal waste of time.

The suburbs and towns the bus passes through are very different from the city. For window-watchers like myself, that is the cool part of this excursion. However, unless you are in need of some kind of solo travel day-challenge of navigation, stay in Baku.

Yanar Dag, it’s a fire. See the picture above. Save the time.

Exploring Old City Baku

Old City Baku is a real-life postcard before your eyes. The tiny, walled Old City is another UNESCO-designated site travelers can check off the list. The various buildings range from a few hundred to a thousand years old.

Among the narrow, winding streets of Old City Baku are mosques, museums, a palace and the iconic 12th century Maiden Tower.

The Old City may be small, but it is worth spending at least a day wandering the area. Oddly, the streets are calm and quiet, while thousands of people walk the streets beyond the walls. There are several shops for tourists as well, selling everything from gaudy t-shirts to beautiful handmade rugs.

Restaurants in the Old City range from touristy Italian to fast food. There are a few restaurants serving local food, too. The prices are inflated, owing to the location, but the food is fantastic and is a great starting point for a curious eater.

Shopping in Baku

Travelers in search of cool trinkets and souvenirs will find plenty in the shops around Old City Baku. The rugs are a tempting spoil for any traveler to the region. But before you go and drop serious cash on an antique rug, buyer beware.

There are strict laws regulating the purchase of rugs. Souvenir rugs will (probably) cause no issue. But authentic, especially antique, rugs are not easily (read: legally ) transported. Old rugs that are eligible for tourist export are subject to serious taxes, sometimes effectively doubling the price. If you’re caught trying to bring an antique rug out of the country, expect a lot of grief, including fines, visa revocation and possibly criminal charges.

Oh, and locals may ignore the laws and sell rugs anyway. Customs officials will not be sympathetic to your plight, and trouble will ensue.

The tip: when in Baku, travel light and leave the rugs behind.

Eating Cheap in Baku

Baku is not an expensive city. Aside from the accommodation costs mentioned above, solo travel to Baku can be done on a budget. Food is not expensive, either.

There is a growing industry of fine dining and expensive restaurants in Baku, but you can still eat great food elsewhere. Piti, a simple mutton and vegetable soup, is an Azerbaijani national treasure that is worth eating at least once. Other common foods include various lamb dishes, dushbara (Azerbaijani dumplings), an assortment of yogurt-based dishes and great pastries.

If you’re looking for something quick and cheap, there are few places in the world with as many shawarma stands and shops as Baku. In Baku and the greater region, for any sort of solo travel on a budget, shawarma is your best friend. They do it right in Azerbaijan. Ayran, a popular salty yogurt beverage in the wide world of shawarma, is always the perfect pairing.

Local bakeries are also a great source of cheap food. Freshness is the norm in Baku, and you can grab a few pastries to eat for the day for a few manat.

Finding cheap food is an important part of travel , and Baku is an easy place to turn your cash into plenty of delicious local food.

Azerbaijani Beer & Cheese

Azerbaijanis love their beer and consume more booze per capita than any other Muslim country in the world. (Technically, Kazakhstan consumes slightly more, but it has a considerable population of non-Muslims.) Xirdalan, the de facto national beer of Azerbaijan, is a drinkable brew readily available in Baku. Xirdalan is a soothing relief from the dry, windy air.

Azerbaijanis eat cheese when they drink beer. The cheese is braided when made and served in strings. The chewy cheese comes in long, thin strings and has a slight smokiness to accompany the high saltiness. It may not be endemic to Azerbaijan, but it pairs perfectly with beer. And locals eat it, so join in!

The best part about beer in Baku is that it is really cheap. A giant mug of that delicious ice cold golden nectar from the gods can be yours for 1-2 AZN, about a dollar.

Baku is a destination barely on the radar of most tourists. Azerbaijan is often lumped in with the turmoil of surrounding areas, but the country is peaceful and safe. Foreigners are welcome and locals in Baku are receptive to tourists.

Azerbaijan is changing, and Baku is at the forefront. Head-turning skyscrapers are just the beginning. Fortunately, Baku has a strong hold on its culture and visitors can enjoy the best of the city’s food and culture.

Despite a few expensive aspects of visiting Azerbaijan, it is generally an affordable destination, and solo travel in Baku is a wonderful experience.

Reader Interactions

May 2, 2019 at 9:24 am

Hey I just wanted to say that I saw your recent collab on The Ninja Gypsy’s blog and just wanted to say that I am so glad to see other bloggers have the same positive sentiments about this country that I do! I’ve visited four times myself and fallen in love a little more each time. This country truly is one of the most underrated in the world.

May 2, 2019 at 3:57 pm

Hey, thanks for checking it out! I couldn’t agree more. It’s a beautiful country and definitely underrated. Four times? That’s awesome! I can’t wait to go back myself.

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Insider Tips to Explore the Azeri Capital – Baku Travel Guide 

Last Updated: August 24, 2021

what to do in Baku

As per a ballpark figure, over a quarter of residents live in the capital city of Azerbaijan. Baku features a dramatic landscape — an architectural mix that reminds one of the graceful Paris and innovative Dubai. Add to this its unequalled cosmopolitan urban charm with well-cobbled streets, recently built subway and fast Wi-Fi. All of this is nestled up together in a clean, beautifully laid out city.

Embracing both tradition and modernity, it is a beautiful city that fits right in your bill. Thanks to the city’s groundbreaking development which manages to entertain all ages and interests. While couples can meander through the wooden parks holding hands, families can relish mouthwatering food at restaurants overlooking the sea.

Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Baku

Most people are aliens to Baku’s lifestyle. In fact, you may have many questions about this destination, such as: Is Baku cheap to travel to? Is Baku safe for travellers? How do we reach Baku? Do locals speak English? This Baku travel guide will answer all your queries in the simplest terms.

Best Time to Visit

Although the temperature is mild all year round, April-June (spring) and September –October (autumn) are the best times to visit Baku. You can have a whale of a time as the city is in full spring. It is dry and warm — the streets turn into a burst of colours and mountains wrapped in sunshine. The city fires up for celebrations and cultural explorers can sightsee their favourite destinations. Then from September to October, marvel at the sandstone and green landscapes with magical transformations of nature.

Get to Baku

Now, since your holiday is planned, and things are booked, everything depends on how you reach this undiscovered gem of a city. It depends on several factors like budget, time and preferences.

To reach by plane, book tickets to Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD), which is located 15 miles out of town. There are no direct flights from the US and Asia, but you will have no issue finding a flight via Turkish or Middles Eastern Airlines. There are direct flights to Moscow, Frankfurt, Kiev and Minsk, while flights from other European cities may have one/ more stopovers. From there, you can hop on the express bus to reach Baku or hire a taxi that could be a tad expensive.

The train ride is an experience on its own. It will whiz you past the scenic fields and verdant landscape. There are cars that will offer comfort and privacy at higher budgets. You can pre-book to avoid delays. Alternatively, you can buy tickets for a public bus that connects Baku with the major cities and costs you less. There are international services from Russia and Iran as well.

Get Around Baku

One of the useful things to know before travelling to Baku is the mode of transportation that runs within the city. There are buses and subways that work in a widespread network to carry you to your desired places. Taxis are cheap with 1.30 for every mile, while car rentals can unsettle your budget by demanding 35 per day.

Religion and Language

Islam is the predominant religion in the country. There are other residing communities as well, such as minority Jewish and Orthodox Christians. Most people in Azerbaijan can’t speak English, so it comes in handy to know a phrase or two in their native language for easy conversations. The widely spoken languages are Azerbaijani and Russian.

Oil-Rich City

The history of Azerbaijan is revolved around oil and gas reserves. The second oil boom in 2006 brought another revolution that raised some of the exemplary architecture. Due to the cutting edge technology and unique vision, you get the opportunity to marvel at jaw-dropping masterpieces.

Major Tourist Attractions

The blue-glassed Flame Towers, the residence of the ruling dynasties Palace of the Shirvanshah, MOMA museum with bean-bags, tailor-made Carpet Museum, waterfront promenade Bulvar, the World Heritage Site of İçəri Şəhər, vantage point at Maiden’s Tower and the leafy piazza Fountains Square are must-visit tourist attractions in Baku. Then tick off Heydar Aliyev Centre, explore Yashil Bazar, visit Mud Volcanoes, and pay homage at Bibi-Heybat Mosque.

Currency Exchange

• Another significant thing that you should know is that the official currency of Azerbaijan is manat (code: AZN; symbol:).
• Exchange the foreign currency with the national currency for seamless transactions. The restaurants, shops and markets may accept the US Dollars but are hesitant about accepting the old banknotes issued before 1992.
• It is handy to carry money in small denominations while shopping.
• Always exchange the currencies in banks, airports or hotels, and do not deal with private individuals to avoid fraud.
• Discuss the money with taxi drivers in advance, as they request you to pay in national currency.

Law and Order

• The traffic on the roads is organised and scrutinised by the police all around. They help to maintain peace and order. So, it’s better to carry an identification card in case of any misunderstanding or problem.
• Wear decent clothes that are not transparent or revealing to stay away from unwanted attention or fine. Wear walking/ hiking shoes for a comfortable excursion. It could get hot outside, so get those breathable shirts and dresses.
• Being drunk on the streets is highly prohibited and could result in a punishable offence.

Accommodation in Baku

There is no dearth of fancy hotels and low-priced accommodations in Baku. It stands up to the expectations of being the luxurious capital city of Azerbaijan. You can let your hair down when you prefer to stay in the popular neighbourhoods of Baku, such as the UNESCO-recognised İçərişəhər, flower-crammed Khutor, and the buzzing market ofYaşıl Bazar.   The best-rated, contemporary hotels are Fairmont Baku offering 5-star services, Flame Towers with its rooftop pool, and the Sheraton Baku located in the vicinity of the airport. You are welcomed with warm hospitality and world-class facilities.

It does not harm to tip when eating in any of the restaurants of Baku. A tip of 10% looks friendly. Moreover, in a few restaurants and open-air cafes, if you tip in advance, you can enjoy some real fast services.

Baku is absolutely safe for tourists. Petty thefts are almost negligible. No brownie points for this — stay vigilant in a new destination and use local apps for navigation, to avoid any scam by taxi drivers.

As you browse the local markets and souvenir shops, haggling is encouraged to get the best prices.

Q1. What is BAKU?

BAKU is the capital city of Azerbaijan, a country located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia.

Q2. What is the perfect time to explore BAKU?

The perfect time to explore BAKU is between April to June and September to October.

Q3. Name some key attractions in BAKU.

Some popular tourist attractions in BAKU include the Old City (Icheri Sheher), the Flame Towers, the Maiden Tower, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, and the Heydar Aliyev Center.

Q4. Is BAKU a safe city?

Yes it is generally a safe city.

Q5. What languages are spoken in BAKU?

The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, which is the most widely spoken language in BAKU. Russian and English are also widely spoken and understood, especially in tourist areas.

Baku is a city that will leave an incredible impression on your heart. All you got to do is to know a few things and follow these tips for a butter-smooth vacation.

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Shaheen Taj

Shaheen Taj is a freelance travel writer by profession. She is particularly fond of traveling and loves to jot down her experiences and cultural diversities of different countries.

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Baku, a hidden gem and the capital of Azerbaijan, is seemingly a beautiful concoction of the East and West in all its architectural glory. Sitting attractively on the Caspian coastline, Baku is modern and fancy yet has that medieval magic laced within. The old part of the city is steeped in historic buildings, mosques and heritage edifices while the other side is etched with stunning architecture, futuristic buildings and a hint of luxury. Since it’s the largest city in Azerbaijan it reels tourists in with its metro and rural features that are astonishing as well as entrancing. Baku has a little bit of Europe, a little bit of Asia and of course the Middle-East, making it a massive culture-hub that is undiscovered but a growing rage amongst all travellers.

Location: The country of Azerbaijan is bounded by the Caspian Sea and shares a border with Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Iran.

What to expect: As I set foot into Baku, it instantly teleported me to Turkey and Russia, being a great mix of both but with it’s own charm. Laced with a great vibe, tons of sheesha joints, amazing local restaurants, a mysterious old town and futuristic buildings, this destination is a paradise for tourists. With an old world charm yet a modern vibe, Baku offers the best of both – luxury and archaism.

Here’s what you can expect: Marvelous architecture, tall fun shaped buildings, a modern boulevard with the most beautiful hues of greens and blues, high end stores, luxury shopping, a mixed crowd, vintage cars and oil rigs around. All of this borders the Icheri Seher, the old town, the heart of the city which is a medieval village with bricked walls, cobbled lanes, carpet shops, small souvenir stalls, hidden markets and smiling Azeri locals. Both of these sides of Baku blend so seamlessly with a lot of Soviet touches.

Ideal for: A short getaway I enjoyed the five nights I spent here and might go back some day to explore the country side. So if you reside in the Middle East, Russia or anywhere close to Baku then you should definitely check it out for a weekend getaway but if you’re coming all the way from India or anywhere further, especially for this, I would say club it up with some other country or do it when you come to the Middle East. If you haven’t seen Turkey and Russia, I’d say do those first and then explore Azerbaijan.

Where to stay in Baku: Baku is home to some amazing hotel brands making it easier to pick an accommodation option here. However, it is smart to choose one which is closer to the old town. I spent four nights in the Art Gallery Hotel and I highly recommend it. We had the fountain square to the left, old town to the right and Baku Boulevard opposite us. All the tourist spots were in good proximity, in walking distance to us. The rooms were so beautifully designed; the entire property was very artistic and quirky. It was a hotel seemingly exhibiting supreme artwork with an aesthetic that is to inspire. The breakfast buffet was just as inspiring; there were trolleys rolled out every single morning with fruits, cheese, nuts, cold cuts, etc, while the hot dishes were made to order, instantly. I loved the idea since there was no wastage of food and hot breakfast was accessible and available at all times. The number of rooms were limited and the service was outstanding. Fairmont, Four Seasons, Marriott and Hilton (in the mentioned order) are other great alternatives to stay at.

Restaurant recommendations in Baku: Baku and food are more or less, synonymous; there is an unending bond between the Capital and its culinary delights. If there is one thing Baku is famous for, then it’s definitely the food. Here, one can find the most profound restaurant set-ups. From underground caves serving local food to lavish fine dining restaurants, Baku has it all! Although, it is a suggestion to steer clear of the buzzing typical tourist spots and instead go to these few recommendations.

Azerbaijan is perched beautifully between the Middle East and Europe hence that reflects in their cuisine too. Expect lots of meat with fresh vegetables, pomegranates, cheese, bread and tons of sheesha spots. Although finding vegetarian food can be tricky, it can be managed in a few restaurants, if one is not too finicky.

Highly recommend these restaurants: 1) Sirvanshah Museum Restaurant – Book a table in advance for dinner and watch their live dance performances (check the dance timings and then book) Loved their food especially, the eggplant rolls and qutab. Make sure to check your bill properly here, they can goof up at times. 2) Chinar : Dined here two nights in a row. If you love Asian food and you’re looking for something fancy then this is your spot. They serve sheesha too! 3) Chayk i: A great lunch spot on the boulevard. 4) Dolma : A must visit when in Baku. Their underground set up is so mesmerising. 5) Firuze: Didn’t get a chance to try this but heard it’s as good as Dolma. 6) Sumac : Highly recommend this spot for a fantastic local fine dining experience. Loved everything we tried here, especially the honey cake. Book a table in advance. 7) Sehrli Tendir : One of my favourite spots in Old Town. Head there for breakfast and order the eggs with tomato, hot bread, labneh, cheese and salad- you will thank me later. 8) Cay bagi 145 : A great spot in the Old town with bricked walls and a medieval vibe. Loved the place for tea and sheesha. Didn’t get a chance to try Nakhchivan, Mugham Club and Sahil Bar and Grill but they were on my list too.

The locals love their tea time and take it too seriously. Make sure to have a good tea experience where they serve you a tea set with jams, chocolates, nuts, local sweets and local tea. Their jam is made out of a fruit and you’re supposed to keep a piece of that in your mouth and then sip tea so that you don’t find it bitter. An experience by itself! Most of the spots serve the set, enjoy it with some sheesha.

* Avoid the restaurant Il Patio on the main square, it was horrible!

Local Dishes to try: 1. Pilaf/ Plov: Rice with meat, dry fruits, apricots, spices, herbs 2. Dolma- Vine leaves stuffed with meat and vegetables 3. Qutab- Local paratha with a stuffing of meat/cheese/greens 4. Kebabs 5. Dushbara -Meat dumplings in a broth 6. Pakhlava- Dessert 7. Saj- Meat and veggies on a copper pan 8. Azeri Breakfast: Tandoor bread with cheese, jams, honey, butter 9. Tea with jam- Locals prefer their tea with a jam fruit

Nightlife If you are looking for a good nightclub then Pacifico is your spot. It gets packed only after 2am and goes on till the wee hours of morning.

Left: Cay Bagi 145; Right: Chayki

Left: Dolma at Sumac; Right: Honey cake at Sumac

Sirvanshah Museum Restaurant

Sehrli Tender

Left: Paul; Right: Dolma

Things to do in Baku: The best way to explore the city is by foot.

1. Old Town – Walk around and get lost in the magical cobbled streets of the Icheri Seher. Check out the Maiden Tower, Palace of the Sirvanshah and the entire area around it. 2. Fountain Square 3. Flame Towers 4. Heyder Aliyev Center 5. Upland Park – Take the furnicular up and hang around the park around sunset. Also as you keep walking up you will get the best view of the flame tower. 6. Nizami Street 7. Indulge in good local meals, tea and sheesha

Optional sightseeing: Museum of Miniature Books Carpet Museum Little Venice

Day trips from Baku For this we booked a car and driver through our hotel concierge. We opted for a private tour and it was great- Emil =0552220422 (Couldn’t speak English too well but he was fun to hang out with and knew all the local spots) 8. Gobustan National Park: You will have to hire a car and driver as this spot is an hour away from Baku but definitely visit it. It’s a half day tour from Baku 9. Mud Volcanoes: The mud volcanoes are right in the Gobustan region and a delight to watch.

– You could also tour the famous Ateshgah. Please skip Yanar Dag, I found it a bit hyped and a waste of time. – The candy cane mountains in Khizi Rayon and Siyazan Rayon are also worth exploring. – Places like Shamakhi and Diri Baba were on the list too but didn’t get a chance to visit. -There are also some interesting wine tours from Baku. You could try out the Chabiant Winery

**I would recommend opting for a guided tour outside Baku as language can be a barrier. You can book it from companies like Experience Azerbaijan, Pasha Travels or through your hotel concierge.

Tours Outside Baku The regions of Qabala, Sheki, Ganja, Khizi district and Lahij are definitely very interesting. If you have extra days in hand then hire a car and spend a few days around.

Left: Flame Towers; Right: Nizami Street

Left: Baku Boulevard; Right: Baku Old Town

Left: Gobustan National Park; Right: Mud Volcano

Don’t leave without: – Eating breakfast at Sehrli Tendir – Taking the local Sumac spice home – Buying their famous mountain honey – A local rug or a carpet – Eat the honey cake at Sumac – Exploring the region of Gobustan – Taking a picture with the flame towers – Eating qutab with greens – Buying local ceramics (Check out Nargis in Old Town) – Walking around aimlessly around Old Town – Sitting in the cute local cab (the one that looks like a London Taxi)

Note: – You can buy a SIM Card at the airport – From the airport hire one of these cute purple and yellow taxis. – Table reservations are required for fancy restaurants. – Opt for tour guides if stepping out of Baku because language can be a barrier.

Things I loved: – I was happy with how cheap the prices at all restaurants are. Everything we ate was so delicious and affordable. Imagine even the best restaurant had an item on the menu which was 0.5$ – Baku is quite safe for everyone. At no point will you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Of course you have to be vigilant and not walk in dark empty lanes late at night.

Important things to know about Baku/ Things I didn’t like: – Scams are extremely common in Azerbaijan so be extremely careful. While we were being dropped to the airport at the end of the trip, the driver demanded an extra amount for parking which he didn’t really have to pay. Of course we didn’t fall prey to it but make sure you demand a bill and be smart. – SIM Card scams are also quite huge. I suggest buying a sim card from the Azercell stall at the airport before the exit. – Always check your bill in the restaurants. They do throw in a few extra things here and there since you won’t understand the names of the dishes. Don’t be afraid to ask about each and everything mentioned in the bill. Also they might charge extra for breads and salads that they bring to the table without asking. – If you’re ordering an UBER make sure to verify the car and driver. Normal taxi guys also yell UBER when they just want some clients. If you’re opting for a normal taxi then please don’t sit in a dingy soviet car, make sure it is a real taxi. -I was a very disappointed with the departure airport staff. They were so rude at the check in and at immigration. Also the airport doesn’t have too many eating options. – Before taking a cab discuss the price to avoid disappointment.

Shopping in Baku: From luxury brands like Dior, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi etc to high street brands like Zara, Bershka, Baku has most of it. I wouldn’t say the prices are lower than Dubai but the collection is a bit different. You could also head to the Baku Mall for more options or else hop on to the pedestrianized Nizami street for some local buys. I bought some beautiful ceramics for my home (from Nargis Porcelain), local scarves and honey from Old Town.

Budget Overall I found Baku quite cheap as compared to other European places or the Middle East.

Sim Card – 46 Manat (the only thing that was a bit steep) Taxi from airport to the city (purple yellow cab) – 30 Manat Entry to the Sirvanshah Palace – 30 Manat Ceramic shopping – 45 Manat( for two things) Gobustan Tour- 225 Manat (includes pick up from hotel, gobustan national park, mud volcanoes, yanar dag and ateshgah followed by a drop back to the hotel for two adults in a private car) Dolma lunch- 33 Manat (for two) Sirvanshah Museum Restaurant- 80 Manat (for two including wine) Starbucks coffee- 5 Manat Paul lunch- 50 Manat (for two) Chinar- 224 Manat (meal for two including wine and sheesha) Chaiki lunch – 65 Manat(for two) Sumac – 125 Manat (for two with wine)

Best time to visit to Baku: I went in the month of September and absolutely loved the weather. It was 20 to 25degrees, very pleasant. May to August is usually dry and warm. I would recommend anytime between September to March is good.

Number of nights required in Baku: Ideally, four nights are just enough to explore Baku and the Gobustan area at ease. If you want to do other parts of Azerbaijan then you could add a few nights. In three nights you can experience all of Baku and keep one full day for Gobustan.

Getting around Baku: The city is best when explored on foot. I would not recommend renting a car if you plan to spend time only in Baku. But if you want to explore the countryside then I recommend hiring a car and guide. Buses and metros are safe to use but their taxis (London looking cabs) are the cutest. Luckily Uber is also available.

What to pack: Unlike other neighbouring countries, Baku is not so conservative. People are modern and dress like it. But due to the extreme climates you might want to be prepared for any kind of weather. Baku is quite windy and can go from extreme hot to extreme cold in a few hours. If you’re visiting mosques or any religious spots, cover your legs and shoulder. I suggest pack comfortable walking shoes, avoid flashing brands too much, pack a thick jacket and scarves, dresses (avoid shorts) and comfortable pants.

Language Spoken: The main language spoken is Azerbaijani but the locals also speak a bit of Russian. Most people do manage to speak English as well. Unless you’re in the countryside, language shouldn’t be a problem.

Currency: The local currency is Azerbaijani Manat. Check the exchange rate www.xe.com

Did you know? – Azerbaijan is called the Land of Fire. It was invaded by the Achaemenids aka The Persian Empire and this brought Zoroastrianism which is why you will find the fire worshipping temples in the country. – It is also called as the city of winds. Due to its location on the Caspian Sea you will often find the place very breezy

Fly : Direct flight from Dubai to Baku with Fly Dubai (3 hours) Take a taxi from the airport to the centre (distance is 30km approx).

Visa: Most citizens need an E-visa to enter Baku. It is easy to apply. Check the link here-  evisa.gov.az/en/

With a ravishing coastline and a medieval feel, the city sure did lure me in. Baku is almost enchanting with equal doses of antiquity and modernity, something that you should experience! If you have any other questions about Azerbaijan then do leave them below and I’ll be happy to answer 🙂

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2 comments on “Baku-Azerbaijan, Travel Guide”

Thank you for the recommendation! Absolutely loved Sehrli Tandir. Those eggs with tomato… sigh! Would love to explore more of the countryside next time.

Glad you enjoyed it! We landed up ordering two portions of those eggs 🙂 Same here.. Would definitely go back to explore the countryside someday!

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Wander-Lush

12 Exciting Day Trips From Baku: Mud Volcanoes, Mountain Hikes, Mosques & More

This round-up of the best day trips from Baku, Azerbaijan includes short independent trips you can do with public transport and longer Baku tours. Whether you’re looking for nature, hiking, culture, history or food and wine, this list has something for you!

Baku is the gateway to some of Azerbaijan’s most incredible mountains, surreal landscapes of mud and fire, enthralling villages, and even the wine region.

It’s easy to get waylaid by the capital’s charming the Old City, Icherisheher , and the ultra-cool urban architecture , but don’t forget there are plenty of amazing things to see and do right on Baku’s doorstep.

I recommend spending at least 3-4 full days in Baku . That’s enough time to see the city highlights plus take 1-2 day trips around the Absheron Peninsula and beyond.

Getting around Azerbaijan can be a bit challenging, but it’s possible to do many of these Baku day trips independently using marshrutka vans or trains. Below, you’ll find detailed instructions for each destination.

For longer drives and more complex routes, I highly recommend joining either a guided tour or taking advantage of the hop-on-hop-off-style transfers available. In the next section, I list my top picks.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Quick links: The best Baku day tours

⭐ Top-rated Baku day trip: Combined tour to the Gobustan mud volcanoes, petroglyphs, Yanar Dag & Bibi Heybet Mosque → Check availability here on Viator .

⭐ Best extended day trip: Tour of the copper workshops in Lahic and ancient Shamakhi with an Azerbaijani picnic lunch in the forest near Ismailli. → Check availability here on Viator .

⭐ For mountain scenery & hiking: Day trip to Xinaliq, Azerbaijan’s highest village → Check availability here on Viator .

⭐ For architecture & culture: Day trip to Sheki and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Palace of the Sheki Khans → Check availability here on Viator .

⭐ For Azerbaijani wine: Day trip to Qabala → Check availability here on Viator .

Map of Baku day trips

→ Click here to open the map .

How to plan a Baku day trip

I’ve included detailed transport information for each destination in the next section. 

Here is a quick overview of your transport options for travelling out of Baku plus a few handy links:

Metro & intercity buses

Many of these shorter day trip destinations on the Absheron Peninsula are easy to reach from the Old Town using a combination of metro and buses. Public transport in Baku is linked up to Google Maps, which makes it very easy to navigate the city using your phone.

Pick up a rechargeable BakıKART for 2 AZN when you first arrive. A single metro trip costs 0.30 AZN, and bus fares range from 0.30-0.50 ANZ depending on the route.

Regional buses

You no longer have to travel all the way to Sumqayit to catch a marshrutka or coach. Regional buses to towns and cities outside Baku now depart from the International Bus Terminal Complex located here . To get there from Icherisheher, simply take bus 37 from Nizami Garden to Bilajari Circle (0.30 AZN; 20 mins).

The bus station publishes schedules and fares on their website – which is surprisingly easy to use. Check times and ticket prices for popular destinations here .

Organised day tours

Generally speaking, organised day trips from Baku are great value for money and take a lot of the hassle out of travel. I highly recommend joining a day tour with private transportation for longer trips, especially anything that requires more than three hours of travel.

Viator has the best range of itineraries and tour companies in Azerbaijan. Click here to browse all day trips from Baku .

Best day trips from Baku for history, culture & scenery

1. day trip from baku to gobustan national park – mud volcanoes & petroglyphs.

• Distance from Baku: 65 km (40 miles)
• Travel time: ~4 hours return
• Best for: History, culture, adventure, families with kids

A short drive south via the Caspian coast, Gobustan (Qobustan) is by far the most popular day trip from Baku. This was one of the first places I visited after arriving in Azerbaijan and it’s an experience I’ll never forget .

There are two things to see in the area. First and foremost, the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is one of the country’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites , where you can observe more than 6,000 petroglyphs – some 40,000 years old . After visiting the small but fascinating exhibition, you are then led through the open-air museum to view the ancient engravings hidden amongst caves and boulders. Entrance costs 10 AZN per person and includes an English-speaking guide.

There are mud volcanoes all over the Absheron Peninsula, including a big cluster 1.5km inland from Gobustan. It’s a short off-road drive from the museum to reach this otherworldly landscape, where little craters bubble and puff, spilling ice-cold mud onto the dry earth.

How to get to Gobustan from Baku with public transport

To get to Gobustan from Baku independently, you’ll need to use a combination of public transport and taxis.

First, take a south-bound bus 125 from Azneft Square to the Karvansaray Shopping Centre (0.40 ANZ; 30 mins). Cross the road to Bina Shopping Centre and board the south-bound 195 bus (1.30 AZN; 45 mins) to Gobustan House of Culture in the centre of Gobustan town. From there, a local taxi to the National Park takes around 10 minutes and should cost ~12 AZN. A taxi to the petroglyphs and the mud volcanoes combined should cost ~30 AZN.

Best Gobustan day tours

TOP CHOICE: Gobustan, Mud volcanoes, Fire temple, Fire mountain Group Tour with Bag Baku . This is the tour I did when I visited Gobustan. English-speaking guides and transport to/from Baku are included, but you need to purchase your own museum ticket. They also make a quick stop at the ‘burning mountain’, Yanar Dag (see the next section for more info). → Check prices & availability .

PRIVATE TOUR: Gobustan, Mud volcanoes, Fire temple, Fire mountain Private Tour . If you prefer to travel sans group, Bag Baku offers the same itinerary as a private tour. It’s very good value for money. → Check prices & availability .

2. Day trip along the Absheron Peninsula – flaming hills & fire temples

• Distance from Baku: 100 km (62 miles)
• Best for: Adventure, scenery

The Absheron Peninsula is the piece of land that extends into the Caspian Sea north and east of Baku. As well as more mud volcanoes and a surreal shoreline of oil rigs, this area offers a range of other quirky landscapes and attractions – including the famous ‘flaming mountain’, Yanar Dag, and the Ateshgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple.

A tour of Absheron from Baku will typically include Gobustan to the south plus several stops to the east of the city. It involves a bit more driving, but it’s worth it to book a combination tour if you have time to see more of the area.

If you just want to visit Ateshgah or Yanar Dag, you can quite easily do it independently by bus. See numbers #9 and #10 on this list for more information.

Best Absheron Peninsula tour

ALL-INCLUSIVE GROUP OR PRIVATE TOUR: Gobustan & Absheron Tour All Entrance Fees and Lunch Included . Available as a private or group tour, this itinerary includes hotel pick up, lunch, and tickets to Gobustan Reserve. Yanar Dag and the Ateshgah Fire Temple are also included in the itinerary. → Check prices & availability .

3. Day trip to Khinaliq – hiking & high mountain villages

• Distance from Baku: 220 km (137 miles)
• Travel time: ~8.5 hours return
• Best for: Nature, mountain scenery, hiking

Khinaliq (Xinaliq / Khinalug) is one of the most popular places to go hiking in Azerbaijan. Located north-west of Baku in the Greater Caucasus mountains, the tiny village of 2,000 people is considered to be the highest and most isolated in the country. (Along with Ushguli and Bochorna in Georgia , it’s among the highest in the South Caucasus region ).

Khinaliq’s main attraction is its pristine mountain scenery, best appreciated when hiking along one of the marked alpine trails around the village. The History-Ethnography Museum of Khinaliq offers insights into the area’s Caucasian Albanian heritage and Tikmes embroidery traditions.

Sometimes called the ‘museum under the open sky’, this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Azerbaijan and one of the most spectacular landscapes in the region. Because it’s such a long drive – and because there’s so much to see – it’s best to spend a few nights in Khinaliq, staying at one of the local guesthouses in town.

If you’re pressed for time, it’s possible to visit in a day from Baku, but only by joining a guided tour. I only recommend this one for the summer months when the high mountain pass is completely clear and the days are long.

Best Khinaliq tours

TOP CHOICE: Quba and Khinaliq Village Tour . This 10-hour day trip has a packed schedule. On the way to Khinaliq from Baku, you’ll visit Besh Barmag mountain, Masdargah waterfall, Qachrash forest, and a number of other scenic viewpoints. After a short stop in Quba village, the tour culminates with a full two hours in Khinaliq. → Check prices & availability .

BUDGET GROUP TOUR: Guba Khinalug from Baku Group Tour . This budget-friendly tour includes stops at Besh Barmag mountain, Qachrash forest and Masdargah, and still gives you three full hours to explore Khinaliq. You’ll eat lunch with a local family and get a chance to visit the History-Ethnography Museum plus a local mosque. → Check prices & availability .

BEST CHOICE FOR HIKERS: Khinalig-Galakhudat hike with Bag Baku . If you want to focus on hiking, this day trip takes you straight to the mountains to maximise your time on the ground. The hike from Galakhudat village to Khinaliq is 8km (easy grade) and takes around five hours to complete. Arriving in the village by foot is a special experience. When you get there, you’ll be greeted with a home-cooked meal. → Check prices & availability .

BEST CHOICE FOR SCENERY: Khinalug and Candy Mountains (Group or Private) Tour . This tour follows a slightly different route and includes stops at the ‘Candy Cane Mountains’ near Khizi (similar to the ones in Udabno in Georgia ) as well as Qachrash forest on the way up to Khinaliq. → Check prices & availability .

4. Day trip to Quba – Azerbaijani carpet weaving & Jewish history

• Distance from Baku: 168 km (104 miles)
• Travel time: ~5 hours return
• Best for: Culture, history, textiles

Quba (Guba) is a small town in the foothills of the Caucasus that’s used as a departure point for visiting Khinaliq. Some hiking tours make a quick pit stop here to change vehicles, but if you’re interested in culture and traditional textiles , it’s a worthy day trip destination in its own right.

Quba is known for being the country’s apple-growing capital (more than 1000 varieties of the fruit grow here) and the home of one of Azerbaijan’s seven schools of carpet weaving. Workshops and studios line the main streets, with women diligently knotting huge soumaks and pile rugs behind closed doors. Qadim Quba is one of the most popular workshops and welcomes visitors to tour the studio.

Grab lunch and an apple tea at Alma Cafe on the river before crossing the bridge to Red Village (Girmizi Gasaba). A total contrast to the rest of Quba, this neighbourhood sports rows of tidy red-tiled houses. Home to a large community of Mountain Jews, it was once the only entirely Jewish settlement outside of Israel and the US. Nicknamed ‘Little Jerusalem’, it’s now believed to be the world’s last shtetl.

Visit a few of the eight local synagogues (the Six Dome Synagogue is particularly impressive) and the world-class Mountain Jews Museum . Having opened in 2019, it catalogues the area’s unique history from the mid-18th century onwards, including the WWII period, and provides an insight into local culture and Juhuri language. Entrance costs 10 AZN.

How to get to Quba from Baku with public transport

Quba is ~2.5 hours from Baku by road and easy to reach by bus. Marshrutka minivans and larger coaches both depart from Baku International Bus Station.

When you arrive, proceed to the top level and look for buses waiting in the large outdoor depot area. If in doubt, ask around. Drivers depart regularly throughout the day (every 30 to 60 minutes), with the first bus leaving at 7.30am and the last bus at 5.55pm. Double check the schedule before you go. Tickets to Guba cost 4 AZN per person.

Buses terminate (and return to Baku) at the new bus station on the east side of Quba.

5. Day trip to Sheki – Silk Road history & the Palace of the Sheki Khans

• Distance from Baku: 300 km (186 miles)
• Travel time: ~9 hours return
• Best for: Culture, history, scenery

Sheki is my favourite place in Azerbaijan and a must-visit for every traveller. Ideally you should plan to spend 2-3 days in Sheki , but if one day is all you have, it’s better than nothing.

Alongside the newly UNESCO-listed Palace of the Sheki Khans with its glimmering shebeke stained glass windows, you should wander the historic Sheki old town, which features charming cobbled streets and several restored Silk Road-era caravanserais. One of the stone inns has been refurbished and serves as a hotel. Staying the night here is truly one of the best experiences you can have in Azerbaijan.

Sheki is a long drive from Baku – and it will be an exhausting day – but I still think it’s worth it to make the trip out. There’s no way you can do this by public transport though, so your only option is to hire a taxi or join an organised tour.

Best Sheki tours

TOP CHOICE: Private Sheki Tour . This day tour includes door-to-door transfers from Baku and an English-speaking guide. On the way to Sheki, you’ll stop at the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, but most of your time will be spent in Sheki touring the summer palace, the Albanian-Caucasian Church of Kish, and the caravanserai. → Check prices & availability .

MULTI-DAY OPTION: Shamakhi, Gabala and Sheki tour (All inclusive) . If you can find time in your itinerary, this overnight trip has a much better pace, is more affordable – and most importantly, it allows for a night and full day in Sheki. On the first day, you’ll drive up from Baku stopping at the Diri Baba Mausoleum, the town of Ismailli, Gebele and Nohur Lake. The second day features an in-depth tour of Sheki before returning to Baku in the late afternoon. Accommodation at the Sheki Palace Hotel and two lunches are included. → Check prices & availability .

6. Day trip to Shamakhi and Lahic – ancient mosques & Coppersmiths

• Distance from Baku: 173 km (108 miles)
• Travel time: ~5.5 hours return
• Best for: Culture, history

Shamakhi (Şamaxi) and Lahic (Lahij) are two charming small towns in central Azerbaijan. Shamakhi is one of the oldest cities in the country and formerly served as the Shirvanshahs’ capital until 1192. Known for its carpet weaving, poetry and folk dance, it’s also home to one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, the Juma.

The lush hills around the city hold many treasures, including wineries and even alpaca farms! The Yeddi Gumbaz (‘Seven Domes’) is a historic cemetery complex above the city and the final resting place of the last ruler of the Shirvan Khanate .

Fifty kilometres deeper into the mountains via a nail-biting serpentine road, the tiny village of Lahic is a UNESCO Creative City famed for its old streets and coppersmiths’ workshops. Step back in time as you wander the rows of tiny wooden shops, walking to the beat of a dozen anvils tapping beautiful designs into plates and jugs.

Again, you could easily spend 2-3 days exploring this area but it’s still possible to see the highlights on an extended day trip from Baku.

How to get to Shamakhi from Baku with public transport

There are no direct buses to Shamakhi that I’m aware of. The easiest way to get there is to take a bus from Baku International Bus Station to Gabala and ask the driver to drop you off early on the highway outside Shamakhi. Buses depart every hour between 10am and 6pm. Journey time is around 2 hours, and the fare is 7.60 AZN.

To get to Lahic from Shamakhi, you’ll need to take a local taxi. This should cost around 7 AZN.

Best Shamakhi & Lahic day tours

TOP CHOICE: Lahij Tour & Picnic Party (All inclusive) . This full-day tour includes a visit to Shamakhi, two hours in Lahic, plus an Azerbaijani feast with local wine in the forest near Ismailli on the way back to Baku. → Check prices & availability .

TRANSFER: Independent Tour to Shamakhi & Lahij . If you prefer something more hands-off, this transfer service from Baku is unguided. The driver will make two pit stops at Diri Baba Mausoleum and the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi before arriving in Lahic, where you get a full three hours to explore the town at your own pace. → Check prices & availability .

7. Day trip to Gabala – mountains, waterfalls & skiing

• Distance from Baku: 216 km (134 miles)
• Travel time: ~6 hours return
• Best for: Mountain scenery, skiing, hiking, adventure

Azerbaijan’s premier outdoor resort, Gabala is one of the best places in the Greater Caucasus for skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, the slopes of Tufandag Mountain Resort transform into trails for quad-biking, hiking and paragliding.

Gondolas whisk visitors up and down the mountains. In Gabala city, you can find Caucasian-Albanian churches and a gamut of local restaurants, while there are several waterfalls and lakes walking distance from the centre.

This landscape is a breath of fresh air after buzzing Baku and the perfect place to relax in a hot spring and take in some cool mountain air. A three-hour drive from the city, it’s another long day trip but quite easy to organise travelling either by bus or with a private driver.

How to get to Gabala from Baku with public transport

Buses depart from Baku International Bus Station once an hour starting from 10am. Travel time is 3.5-4 hours, and the fare is 7.60 AZN. In Gabala, buses terminate (and return to Baku) from the Bus Station here .

Best Gabala day tours

TOP CHOICE: Shamakhi and Gabala Tour (All inclusive) . The highlight of this day tour is riding the gondola at Tufandag for a close encounter with ‘Sleeping Beauty Mountain’. On the way up from Baku, you’ll stop at the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi and break for a picnic lunch in the forest near Ismailli. The tour culminates with a visit to Lake Nohur. → Check prices & availability .

BUDGET GROUP TOUR: Gabala & Shamakhi Group Tour . This affordable day trip covers Shamakhi, Ismailli and Lake Nohur while also giving you 90 minutes to ride the gondola at Tufandag. Lunch and tea are included but note that cable car tickets must be purchased separately. → Check prices & availability .

8. Day trip to Azerbaijan’s wine region – scenery & vineyards

• Best for: Wine, culture, scenery

While neighbouring Georgia and Armenia are better-known for their ancient winemaking techniques , it might surprise you to learn that Azerbaijan has a long history of viniculture as well. Just south-west of Gabala at the foot of the Greater Caucasus, the Savalan Valley is one of Azerbaijan’s premier wine regions and home to a number of vineyards.

An Azerbaijani wine tour usually includes a tour of the grounds followed by tastings of regional wines accompanied by local snacks. The biggest commercial vineyard in Savalan, ASPI Winery, is Italian-Azerbaijani and specialises in European-style riesling, chardonnay and merlot.

Best wine tour from Baku

TOP CHOICE: Wine Tour Qabala with Local Lunch . Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, you’ll visit the small Museum of Wine before touring the vines at Savalan ASPI. A tasting of four wines with local bites follows. On the way in from Baku, you will make a stop at Nohur Lake to drink tea and eat local bread. → Check prices & availability .

4 easy half day trips from Baku using public transport

9. ateshgah zoroastrian fire temple – one of azerbaijan’s most sacred sites.

• Distance from Baku: 23 km (14 miles)
• Travel time: ~1.5 hours return

Located on the eastern edge of the city, 30 minutes from the Icherisheher Old Town, Baku Ateshgah is one of the oldest and most important Zoroastrian monuments in Azerbaijan.

Built by the Persians in the 17th century, it has served various purposes over the centuries, including as a place of worship for Hindus and Sikhs. An eternal flame fanned by natural petroleum reserves went out in 1969. It was reignited with the help of gas piped in from Baku.

Entrance to Ateshgah costs 4 AZN per person. Allow for around 60 minutes to visit the temple.

How to get to Ateshgah from Baku with public transport

Starting from the Old City, take the Red Line metro east to Ulduz station (15 mins) then connect with bus 184 to the last stop, Surakhani Station (20 mins). From there, it’s a 600-metre walk.

→ Click here to see a list of day trips that include Ateshgah Fire Temple .

10. Yanar Dag – one of the most popular short day trips from Baku

Azerbaijan’s iconic ‘burning mountain’ is located north of Baku city, around 23km from the Old Town. Legend has it it’s been on fire since the 1950s when a shepherd threw a match into a patch of natural gas.

Yanar Dag is open every day from 10am until 7pm. Entrance costs 9 AZN. It’s best to visit in the early evening to see the three-metre-high flames erupting from the sandstone hill. There’s also a museum cafe-souvenir shop onsite. See here for more information.

How to get to Yanar Dag from Baku with public transport

Ride the Red Line Metro from Philarmonia Garden to Avrasiya Clinic (30 mins), then connect to bus 147 to Yanardagh Reserve (25 mins). The bus terminates right at the entrance to the complex.

→ Click here to see a list of day trips that include Yanar Dag .

11. Mardakan Castle – An alternative Baku day trip

• Distance from Baku: 30 km (19 miles)

Please note: Mardakan Castle is currently closed for renovations.

Located east of Baku past the airport, Mardakan Castle is one of two fortifications in this part of Baku that borders the coast. Built in the 12th century, it has a distinctive quadrangular shape with five tiers and an inner courtyard. The central 22-metre-tall tower has an internal staircase that leads to a viewpoint with stunning views of the Caspian Sea.

How to get to Mardakan Castle from Baku with public transport

Take the Red Line Metro to Koroghlu Station (20 mins), then cross the road to change to the number 136 bus. Get off at the Nizami Cultural Centre (30 mins) and walk another 400 metres to reach the castle. You can’t miss it.

12. Shebeke Beach – sand & sunsets near the city

• Distance from Baku: 40 km (25 miles)
• Travel time: ~2.5 hours return

Baku might not strike you as a beach destination, but there are white-sand Caspian beaches within easy reach of the city centre in the northern Bilgah district. Bilgah Beach Hotel is a popular place for swimming. Quieter beaches can be found at Shebeke and Dachnikov on either side of the peninsula.

How to get to Shebeke Beach from Baku with public transport

Starting from Icherisheher, ride the Metro Red Line to Koroghlu Station (20 mins) and then hop on bus 171. After another 40 minutes you’ll arrive at Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel. From there, it’s an 800-metre walk down to the closest beach or a short taxi ride to the pier at Plyaj Dachnikov.

Where to stay in Baku

If it’s your first time in Baku, I highly recommend choosing a hotel located inside or close to the walls of the atmospheric Old City .

TOP CHOICE: Deniz Inn Boutique Hotel (⭐ 9.5). Located within the Old Town walls, 5 minutes from Maiden Tower, this cute hotel has tidy rooms with balconies and a rooftop terrace. Breakfast is served in a quirky dining room decorated with Caucasian carpets.

BUDGET: Cth Baku Hostel (⭐ 9.2). Located in the popular student neighbourhood of Yasamal, west of the Old City and just footsteps from Nazimi Metro Station, this hostel has budget-friendly private rooms with shared bathrooms and comfortable communal spaces for socialising.

MID-RANGE: Centric Baku Boutique Hotel (⭐ 9.8). Located just outside the Old City walls close to the National Museum, this modern, stylish hotel has chic rooms with city views. A terrific breakfast is included.

HIGH-END: The Merchant Baku (⭐ 9.6). Located right on the old wall, 600m from the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, this opulent hotel has spacious rooms with private balconies and a gorgeous Silk-Road-inspired cocktail lounge.

Azerbaijan essentials

Here are some of the websites and services I use when I’m planning a trip to Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. Remember to check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.

FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Baku on Skyscanner .

VISAS: Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Azerbaijan and apply for an expedited visa online.

DOCUMENTATION: Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.

AIRPORT TRANSFER: Pre-book a private transfer from Baku Airport to your hotel.

ACCOMMODATION: Find the best Azerbaijan hotel deals on Booking.com or book a Baku hostel .

SHORT ON TIME? Get to know Baku on this Old City walking tour , or join this panoramic night tour to see Baku in her best light.

AZERBAIJAN GUIDEBOOK: Get your copy of the new Lonely Planet Caucasus guidebook (February 2022).

ALI AND NINO: Pick up a copy of Ali and Nino , Azerbaijan’s national novel. I can guarantee that Kurban Said’s evocative descriptions of Baku will get you excited for your trip!

More Azerbaijan travel resources

• My best photos of Azerbaijan to inspire your travels
• Plan your trip: The ultimate Caucasus itinerary or an efficient 10-14 day Azerbaijan Georgia itinerary
• How to travel to/from Baku and Georgia by overnight train
• Tips for travelling around Azerbaijan by bus
• Guide to exploring Baku Old City
• The 12 best day trips from Baku
• Why you must visit the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku
• How to take a day trip from Baku to Gobustan for the mud volcanoes
• Guide to Sheki , Azerbaijan’s most beautiful city
• Guide to Quba , Azerbaijani carpet weaving
• How to spend the night in a Silk Road caravanserai in Azerbaijan

Your details on how to travel independently in the Caucuses is really helpful, and as far as I can tell, only found on your blogs. Today I used the “ Gobustan from Baku with public transport” guidance and it was spot on. I have used similar advice for Georgia and Armenia. Your blog rocks!

Thanks so much Kevin! Really appreciate it.

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THE 10 BEST Baku Tours & Excursions

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full Day Sightseeing Tour of the main Attractions around Baku

2. Gobustan & Absheron Tour All Entrance Fees included (Group or Private)

3. Gobustan and Absheron tour (All Entrance Fees And Lunch Included)

4. Shamakhi And Gabala Tour (All Entrance Fees And Lunch Included)

5. Guba-Shahdag Tour / All Entrance Fees Included

6. Guba and Khinaliq trip with HOMEMADE lunch (Group or Private)

7. Gabala-Sheki Tour 2 Days, 1 Night (Hotel, Food, Tickets Included)

8. Qobustan, Mud Volcanoes, Fire temple, Fire Mountain tour and Ramana fortress

9. Old and Modern Baku Tour ( Day & Night Time)

10. Gabala + Lahij + Shamakhi tour with Lunch (by TES Tour)

11. Half Day Candy Mountains and Beshbarmag Private Tour

12. Sheki - Full Day Tour to Four Regions of Azerbaijan

13. City Tour in Baku

14. Guba Khinalug group tour (with Lunch)

15. 4 Hour Private Gobustan and Mud Volcano tour

16. The Best Baku City Tour

17. Full-Day Baku City Tour

18. Gabala & Samakhi Tour/ All Entrance Fees Included

19. Gabala & Shamakhi Group tour

20. Gobustan & Mud Volcanoes, Fire Temple, Burning Mountain (by TES Tour)

21. Gobustan and Absheron tour all Entrance tickets included

22. Fairytale Sheki ( Group or Private ) TOUR ( All inclusive )

23. 5-Day Unforgettable Private Tour in Azerbaijan

24. Baku Old City Tour

25. Guba & Khinalig & Candy Mountains (Private or Group)

26. Guba and Khinaliq Village Tour including Homemade Lunch

27. Gobustan & Mud Volcanoes Half Day Adventure

28. Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanardag Fire Mountain Private Tour

29. Baku Night City Tour

30. Night Baku Tour

What travelers are saying.

• Full Day Sightseeing Tour of the main Attractions around Baku
• Gobustan & Absheron Tour All Entrance Fees included (Group or Private)
• Guba-Shahdag Tour / All Entrance Fees Included
• Gobustan and Absheron tour (All Entrance Fees And Lunch Included)
• Old and Modern Baku Tour ( Day & Night Time)
• Azerbaijan Travel International
• Granit AS Travel
• AzTerra Travel
• Panorama Travel
• Heritage Travel
• Caspi Tours
• Bag Baku Tour
• Camping Azerbaijan

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Azerbaijan Travel Guide

Last Updated: February 26, 2024

Dubbed “the land of fire,” Azerbaijan is a former Soviet republic famous for its high-tech capital city of Baku, the Great Caucasus mountains, and strange fire phenomenon of Fire Mountain (hence the country’s nickname).

I knew two things about Azerbaijan before I visited: it won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 and it has a lot of oil money.

Though a very rural and quiet country, when I backpacked around Azerbaijan, I found it to be one of those “undiscovered gems” that too many people skip — especially if you want to get out and hike without crowds!

Azerbaijan is an amazing, wonderful, beautiful, and friendly place. The country became the world’s first secular democratic Muslim-majority state when it first declared independence in 1918. Today, Baku, the capital, is a modern city steeped in oil money with a recently built subway, fast Wi-Fi, and tons of Parisian-style buildings (in the 1900s, newly rich oil barons modeled the city after Paris) as well as towering and futuristic steel and glass buildings.

The rest of the country is incredibly rural with small towns surrounded by gorgeous mountains and farmland. In tiny villages, old men with canes sat in town squares gazing at passersby’s like out of some movie. Locals, who don’t see many visitors, are very welcoming.

From things to do, costs, ways to stay safe, save money, how to get around, and more, this travel guide to Azerbaijan will help you plan your trip and ensure you make the most of your time in the off-the-beaten-path destination!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Azerbaijan

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Azerbaijan

1. Explore Baku

Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, lies along the Caspian Sea and is a somewhat curious mix of old walled city and modern skyscrapers. It’s a cool small city that only needs a day or two. There’s good food, interesting museums, and amazing wine bars. The Old Town, called Icherisheher, is a maze of cobblestone streets where you’ll find museums, art galleries, mosques, and two landmarks—Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs’ Palace. Restaurants and rooftop bars have great views over the waterfront, where you can stroll on Baku Boulevard and take a ride on the Baku Eye Ferris wheel. Architecture buffs won’t want to miss the Zara Hadid-designed Heydar Aliyev Centre, a museum focused on Azerbaijani art and culture; and the Carpet Museum, in a clever building shaped like a rolled-up carpet. The most prominent examples of modern architecture are the three iconic Flame towers—LED-covered skyscrapers that curve at the top.

2. Visit Sheki

The city of Sheki was a famous stop on the Silk Road, and the large old caravanserai (inn with a courtyard) dating to the early 18th century still stands today. Built like a castle to protect merchants (high walls, one gate), you can stay there today for around 50 AZN per night. Silk is still produced in the well-preserved historic town center where you can also see craftsmen at work. The city is known for its colored glass mosaics called shebeke, which are set in wooden lattice framework without glue or nails. With a facade covered in shebeke, Sheki Khan’s Palace is worth a visit to see the intricately patterned frescoes, ceramics, and other ornate decorations in this former summer palace.

3. Go to Lahij

Lahij is beautiful, with cobblestone streets and stellar views of the valley. A tiny, remote town, Lahij’s mountainous location makes it a popular summer destination for people looking to escape the heat of lower elevations. Known for coppersmithing, Lahij artisans have perfected the art of handcrafting and engraving plates, cookware, water vessels, and other items. Other handmade items from tin and leather are sold in shops where you can often see two or three generations at work. There a lot of hiking trails and activities around that you can do too. You’ll find some castle ruins on the trail leading up from the nearby river and waterfall but be warned: it’s a steep 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) up and the ruins (really just a wall) are easily missed.

4. See the Gobustan Petroglyph Reserve

The UNESCO-listed Gobustan Petroglyph Reserve is home to 6,000 rock paintings that are up to 40,000 years old. The well-preserved sketches display ancient populations traveling on reed boats, men hunting antelope and wild bulls, and women dancing. Unique to Gobustan is that the petroglyphs date from the Mesolithic Era to the Middle Ages and document life over the centuries. The area, including tombs and caves, has provided archaeological findings like jewelry and weapons that you can see in the Gobustan Museum.

5. Visit Ateshgah

Ateshgah is a temple just outside Baku that has been used as a Hindu, Sikh, and now a Zoroastrian place of worship. Each room has panels detailing the temple’s history and the Zoroastrian religion. In the complex center is a naturally occurring, unquenchable flame representing God that has inspired pilgrims for millennia. Enclosed by stone walls in the shape of a pentagon, the fire altar is in the middle of the courtyard. About 19 miles from Baku, which has long been called the City of Fire, it’s open daily. Admission is 4 AZN.

Other Things to See and Do in Azerbaijan

1. check out the mud volcanoes.

Azerbaijan is home to nearly a third of the world’s mud volcanoes, which form when pockets of underground gas force their way to the surface. They’re like geysers, but with mud, and since they’re not made from magma, the mud is pretty cold (just above freezing temperature). Of the country’s 700 mud volcanoes, 350 are active and range from little bubbling pools to entire islands like Dashli that were formed by mud eruptions and also have mud volcanoes. The ones at Gobustan National Park are the most popular to visit from Baku on a day tour (it’s possible to take a bus to the park’s entrance but finding the volcanoes isn’t easy). Half-day tours start from about 60 AZN.

2. Tour the Sheki Khan’s Palace

The Sheki Khan’s Palace was built in 1797 and was once the summer residence for the Khans. It is one of the most ornate and iconic buildings in the South Caucasus. Its shebeke windows (incredibly delicate stained glass with geometric patterns made specifically by Azerbaijan masters) cast brilliant rays of colored light across the entire interior. The palace opens daily from 10am-6pm and costs 2 AZN or 5 AZN with a guide.

3. See the Palace of the Shirvanshahs

Within Baku’s walled Inner City is the 54-acre limestone Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Surrounded by walls and topped by domes, the sprawling palace complex was built in the 15th century and includes a mosque with a 16-meter (52 foot) minaret, bathhouse, mausoleum, ancient bathhouse ruins, and an octagon-shaped tomb known as the “Dervish’s Tomb.” The complex features grand gates adorned with intricately carved arabesques, doorways covered in Arabic scripture, magnificent domes, and courtyards with octagonal reflecting pools. Inside, there are displays of traditional artifacts such as clothing, jewelry, ancient texts, weaponry, and more. The famous 12th-century Maiden Tower, an iconic Azerbaijani monument with Arabic, Persian and Ottoman influences, is here too. Standing at over 29.5 meters (97 feet), it offers panoramic views of the city from the top. (Fun fact: They still have no idea what this tower was built for, though over 20 legends attempt to explain its purpose.) The Palace is open daily from 10am until 6pm and admission is 2 AZN or 6 AZN for a guided tour.

4. Relax on the beaches of the Absheron

During the summer, the residents of Baku migrate to their country houses (known as dachas ) on the Absheron Peninsula to escape the city heat. In recent years, thanks to the resorts popping up along the coast, tourists are following suit. The public beaches at Mardakan or Buzovna are two popular choices for sunbathing and swimming in the warm waters of the Caspian Sea.Restaurants specialize in fish, and you can rent an umbrella or tent and purchase refreshments like tea and watermelon from beach vendors.

5. Go hiking in the Guba region

The Guba or Quba region, located 2 hours north of Baku, is a remote region famous for its traditional villages, rolling apple orchards, and mountainous landscapes perfect for lots of hiking. Tenghi Canyon is popular to visit, as is Khinalig, a major Zoroastrian center. Krasnaya Sloboda, the only all-Jewish town outside of Israel, is populated by the Juhuro, or Mountain Jews. Although you can travel here and hike independently, many companies offer organized day tours of the region, for around 53-115 AZN.

6. Hit the slopes

Azerbaijan may not be known internationally for its skiing, but it does have two winter resorts that offer an “off-the-beaten-path” winter experience: Shahdag Mountain Resort and Tufandag Mountain Resort. The ski season is very short, lasting just two months from mid-December to late February. A ski day pass costs about 25-35 AZN. Ski lessons cost around 40 AZN per lesson. Shahdag offers an Alpine Coaster thrill ride and snowshoeing while Tufandog’s observation deck that juts out over a cliff and its 22- and 65-foot swings attract Instagrammers with no fear of heights year round.

7. Go to Quba

Head north by bus to the mountain town of Quba for a cooler climate, old mosques, and traditional carpet weaving in beautiful alpine surroundings. Home to less than 40,000 people, there are dramatic panoramic views everywhere you turn, with pastel-colored houses and red-tiled roofs standing out against the lush verdant mountains. Nestled on the slopes of Shahdag mountain on a flowing river, Quba remains similar to 19th-century Azerbaijan. While you’re here, make sure to visit the Quba Genocide Memorial Complex, which is dedicated to the memory of the 12,000 Azerbaijanis who were killed by the Bolsheviks and Armenians during the March Days genocide that took place in 1918.

8. See Qabala

Once strategically located along the middle of the Silk Road, this dusty, old, not-so-small town is named after the nearby Gabala village. The walled town, dating back to the 4th-century, used to be the ancient capital of Caucasian Albania. As such, there are many ancient monuments and archaeological sites here, including a thousand-year-old defense tower, a 4th-century temple, a 13th-century mosque, and a mausoleum. The area is also home to wonderful hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, dense woodlands, lakes, and one of the best ski resorts in the country. Take an early bus from Sheki and spend the night here. All the attractions are close together so you can easily see the town in a day.

9. Hang out in Ganja

Azerbaijan’s third-biggest city dates to the 6th century and features many attractions, historical sites, and parks. Main attractions include the 18th-century Shah Abbas Caravanserai (similar to the one in Sheki), traditional mosques and churches from the 14th-19th centuries, the domed, red-bricked 17th-century Chokak Hamam, the 19th-century Khan Gardens, and the Tomb of Nizami Ganjavi, the country’s most famous 12th-century poet (he’s kind of a national hero). The most important museum here is the Ganja State History-Ethnography Museum where you can learn the history of the region from ancient to modern times through its displays of over 30,000 artifacts and objects. For a quirkier thing to see, visit the Bottle House, a private residence built in the 1960s and covered in over 48,000 glass bottles.

10. Visit Lankaran

This sleepy resort town on the Caspian Sea is home to the Old Prison and Lighthouse (Stalin was a prisoner here for a while), an ancient bazaar, an 18th-century fortress, and a 19th-century mosque. You can spend a good day sightseeing here and then another on the beaches further south in Kenaramesha. If you have more time, take a day trip to the Ghizil-Agaj State Reserve, which is home to some 250 bird species.

11. Skip Yanar Dag (aka the “Fire Mountain”)

Yanar Dag (Fire Mountain or Burning Mountain) is a natural gas fire that blazes continuously on a hillside just outside Baku. Marco Polo once described the land in this area as being on fire because of phenomena like this, but this is one of the only fires left in the region. It’s small, so I wouldn’t make the journey specifically to see this, but it’s included in most tours of the region anyway.

Azerbaijan Travel Costs

Accommodation – There are only a handful of hostel options in Azerbaijan. A bed in a 4-6-bed dorm costs around 26-32 AZN per night in Baku and 10-20 AZN anywhere else. Prices in Baku are generally higher than elsewhere around the country.

A private room in a hostel is around 40-80 AZN per night. Most hostels have self-catering facilities, Wi-Fi, and free breakfast.

Budget hotels and guesthouses are much more common in the country. These cost around 60-85 AZN per night for a double room that includes breakfast.

Airbnb is available in Azerbaijan, with private rooms starting around 25 AZN per night while entire homes and apartments cost at least 80 AZN per night.

Wild camping is legal in Azerbaijan so feel free to pitch your tent anywhere, apart from a few national parks where it is forbidden (including Shirvan, Ag Gol or Absheron National Park). If you prefer to stay at a campsite with amenities, there are some campgrounds scattered around. You won’t find any online booking though, so keep your eyes peeled for signs when you get to a new place.

Food – Azerbaijani cuisine is a blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors and is usually heavily spiced, aromatic, and vegetable-rich. Many traditional cooking methods (such as using copper or clay cookware) are still in use today. For meat, mutton, lamb, and sturgeon are the most comm, while vegetables widely used include eggplant, cucumber, red pepper, and tomato.

Dining out is very affordable in Azerbaijan. Street food like döner kebabs cost 2-3.50 AZN. Fast food like McDonald’s costs about 9 AZN for a combo meal while a whole pizza is 7.50-11 AZN.

A meal at a restaurant serving traditional cuisine is around 7-11 AZN. Look for traditional meals like plov, or pilaf, which uses saffron-flavored rice, fried meat, and vegetables. This is usually shared and costs around 10-12 AZN for a large plate. Cold starters, such as hummus or salads, cost 3-7 AZN. Traditional soups, of which there are many varieties, are around 3-5 AZN.

“Western” food is more expensive, with main dishes (such as a burger) costing around 16-18 AZN. Fish or steak dishes are generally around 25-40 AZN. A three-course meal at a higher-end restaurant costs about 50 AZN.

For drinks, you can expect to pay 2-4 AZN for a beer or soda, 6-8 for a glass of wine, and 8-10 AZN for a cocktail. A cappuccino is around 4-5 AZN.

If you are planning to cook your own food, a week’s worth of basic groceries costs 50-70 AZN but since most places don’t have kitchens, you’re better off just buying snacks and grab-and-go meals if you don’t want to eat at a restaurant.

Backpacking Azerbaijan Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking Azerbaijan, my suggested budget is 85 AZN per day. This covers staying in a hostel dorm, eating street food, cooking some meals, visiting a few attractions like museums and palaces, and using local transportation to get around.

On a mid-range budget of about 175 AZN per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out a lot more, take some guided tours, enjoy a few drinks out, take some taxis, and visit more paid attractions.

On a “luxury’ budget of 375 AZN or more per day, you can stay in hotels, get a rental car, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, and do all the activities and tours you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though — the sky is the limit!

Use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might pay less every day). We want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in AZN.

Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Baku can be kind of expensive but, once you leave the capital, prices drop considerably and it’s easy to see a lot and spend a little. Here are some additional ways to save money when you visit Azerbaijan:

• Take a free walking tour – While in Baku, take a free walking tour to familiarize yourself with the city. I recommend using Baku Free Tour .
• Wild camp – It’s free to wild camp in Azerbaijan, so bring a tent and camp just about anywhere you like!
• Cook your own meals – Some hostels here don’t include kitchen facilities, so if you want to save money, make sure you book accommodation that does. Buying your own groceries may not be as glamorous as going out to eat, but it will save you money!
• Stay with a local – If you plan ahead, you can usually find nice Couchsurfing hosts throughout the country if you look in advance. This way, you not only have a place to stay but you’ll have a local host that can share their insider tips and information!
• Walk everywhere – All of the major towns and cities in Azerbaijan are quite walkable, so skip the public transportation (and the taxis) if you want to save a few extra dollars.
• Enjoy the free spaces – There are plenty of free parks as well as many free hiking trails around the country. Save your budget and enjoy the outdoors!
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is generally not safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan had a boom in 4-5-star hotels during the first influx of tourism, but today there are more budget-friendly accommodations available for backpackers. New hostels are popping up all the time, but most of them are still in Baku. Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Azerbaijan:

• Sahil Hostel (Baku)
• Travel Inn Hostel (Baku)
• Hostel Ilgar (Sheki)

How to Get Around Azerbaijan

Public Transportation – Public transportation prices vary by city, but expect to pay around 0.20 AZN for a standard ticket for the bus.

Baku has a subway system that costs 0.30 AZN per ride. You need a prepaid smart card, called BakiKart, to access the metro. The card itself costs 2 AZN and you can refill it as much as you like.

If you need to take a taxi, prices start around 1.89 AZN and costs around 0.60 AZN for every kilometer.

Bus – Buses and minibuses (marshrutkas) are the most common options for intercity travel. Marshrutkas are the local favorite for getting around, so you can always find one that goes wherever you need to go. They run on general timetables, but usually just leave whenever they are full. Expect to pay about 2 AZN for an 80-kilometer (50-mile) trip. Going from Baku to Quba is around 160 kilometers (100 miles), takes around 2-3 hours, and costs 5 AZN. You usually pay the bus driver directly, but be sure to check at the stations, especially larger ones.

Trains – Trains in Azerbaijan are a lot slower and less frequent than buses; however, if you’re not in a rush, night trains can be an excellent option to save on a night’s accommodation. Baku connects directly with Tbilisi , Moscow, Rostov, Kiev, Kharkiv ( Ukraine ), Brest ( Belarus ) as well as towns and cities within Azerbaijan. It is possible to travel across Azerbaijan overnight in a reserved sleeping berth for as little as 9 AZN. Booking in advance is advisable during the peak season to ensure you can reserve a bunk.

For detailed information on the trains in Azerbaijan and to book, use TuTu .

Budget Airlines – The main airline that services all major cities in Azerbaijan is Azerbaijan Airlines. However, unless you are pressed for time, I wouldn’t fly. It’s a hassle, expensive, and flights are infrequent.

Car Rental – Car rentals can be as low as 60 AZN per day for a multi-day rental when booked in advance. If you’re driving, make sure to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) as you need one for any car rental.

When to Go to Azerbaijan

The best time to visit Azerbaijan really depends on the activities you want to do. Spring and early summer are the nicest months for hiking and enjoying outdoor activities, with temperatures usually between 10-20°C (50-68°F).

From April to June is when the flowers are in full bloom in the lowlands, and July is a popular month for trekking. It’s still warm during this time, but there aren’t as many crowds. This time of year is especially good for outdoor activities. August can be particularly hot, with temperatures as high as 40°C (104°F).

Temperatures drop below freezing in the winter months, but if you’re here to ski, this is the time to do it. Although Azerbaijan has a large Muslim population, the locals celebrate Christmas with markets and festivals throughout December.

How to Stay Safe in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is very safe. I mean like super safe. The country is ruled by one of those “president for life” guys (the current president has been in power since 2003 and is the son of the former president) and in order to increase tourism, has created severe punishments for crimes against tourists. Therefore, you are unlikely to get in trouble because everyone knows the harsh penalties if they get caught. There’s a lot of tourist police around too.

As in any destination, never leave your drink unattended when out at the bar and never walk home alone intoxicated. Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though it’s best to avoid walking around alone at night just to be safe.

When you get out of Baku, the cities and towns are pretty small and everyone knows everyone. People aren’t going to try to scam you. That said, here is a list of common travel scams to keep an eye out for just to be safe.

If you need police assistance, dial 102 for help.

Also, do not try and talk politics here. Because “the president for life” type doesn’t like dissent, a quick way to get in trouble is to talk about politics and criticize the government. Avoid politics to avoid trouble.

For more in-depth coverage of how to stay safe in Azerbaijan, check out this post we wrote that answers some frequently asked questions and concerns.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Azerbaijan Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Azerbaijan and continue planning your trip:

Is Azerbaijan Safe to Visit?

Azerbaijan Itinerary: 1 & 2-Week Routes for First-Time Visitors

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Discovering Baku: A Comprehensive Travel Guide for Tourists

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Here we are in  Baku , the capital city of Azerbaijan, where the past and present seamlessly blend to create a vibrant and captivating destination. Located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, Baku is a city of contrasts, boasting a rich history, stunning modern architecture, delectable cuisine, and a thriving cultural scene. Whether you’re an adventurous traveler or a history buff, Baku has something for everyone. In this little travel guide, we’ll take you through Baku’s many facets, providing valuable insights and tips to make the most of your visit. What to see and what to do in Baku? What are the best places to visit in Baku? Let’s go!

Best Time to Visit Baku for Vacation

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Here you have the best prices for hotels in Baku , Azerbaijan

Here you have the best prices for flights to Baku , Azerbaijan

Before embarking on your Baku adventure, it’s crucial to consider the best time to experience this mesmerizing city. Baku enjoys a semi-arid climate, which means you’ll encounter distinct seasons throughout the year. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect during each season:

Spring (March to May):  Springtime in Baku is marked by mild temperatures, making it an excellent time to explore the city’s outdoor attractions and green spaces. The lush parks come to life with blooming flowers, creating a picturesque backdrop for your adventures.

Summer (June to August):  If you’re a sunseeker, summer is your season. With temperatures soaring into the 25 – 32 Celsius (80s – 90s Fahrenheit), you can bask in the warm Caspian sun. The waterfront promenade and beaches have become popular hangout spots.

Autumn (September to November):  Autumn is another fantastic time to visit Baku. The weather remains pleasant, and the city’s parks transform into a symphony of fall colors. It’s also a great time to indulge in Azerbaijani cuisine at outdoor cafes.

Winter (December to February):  While Baku experiences mild winters compared to many other European cities, it can still get chilly, with temperatures ranging from -1 to 5 Celsius (30s to 40s Fahrenheit). If you enjoy fewer crowds and lower hotel prices, winter might be your preferred time to explore Baku’s indoor attractions.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Baku depends on your preferences. Each season offers a unique perspective on this multifaceted city, so choose the one that suits your interests and comfort level.

Baku boasts many attractions and landmarks that reflect its rich history and vibrant culture. Let’s explore some of the must-visit places that will make your trip unforgettable:

As you wander through the narrow, winding streets of Icherisheher (the Old Town of Baku), you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town is a living testament to Baku’s historical significance. Enclosed within ancient walls, Icherisheher boasts a multitude of architectural marvels, including the iconic Maiden Tower and the grand Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Stroll through its labyrinthine streets adorned with charming cafes, artisan shops, and bustling markets, and you’ll truly immerse yourself in the city’s rich heritage.

Azerbaijan has a long and storied tradition of carpet making, and the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum pays homage to this art form. Housed in a distinctive building resembling a rolled-up carpet, the museum showcases a vast collection of exquisite carpets from various regions of Azerbaijan. Visitors can explore these masterpieces’ intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and cultural significance.

Baku’s skyline is dominated by the awe-inspiring Flame Towers , a trio of skyscrapers representing the city’s contemporary spirit. These architectural wonders come to life at night with an animated display of LED lights, creating a mesmerizing show visible from miles away. The Flame Towers symbolize Baku’s transformation into a modern metropolis, and you can even enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Flame Towers’ observation decks.

Designed by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the Heydar Aliyev Center is a true masterpiece of contemporary architecture. Its fluid, futuristic design challenges conventional notions of gravity and space. Inside, you’ll find a museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s former president. The building itself is a work of art, making it a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

A visit to the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan is a must to gain a deeper understanding of Azerbaijan’s rich history. This comprehensive museum houses a vast collection of artifacts, from ancient coins and archaeological finds to exhibits on Azerbaijani culture and heritage. It provides invaluable insights into the country’s past, helping visitors connect with its diverse traditions.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the vast collection of Azerbaijani National Museum of Art , housed in this grand neoclassical building. The museum offers a diverse artistic journey, from traditional Azerbaijani paintings to European masterpieces.

If contemporary art is more to your liking, the Museum of Modern Art features cutting-edge works by Azerbaijani and international artists. The rotating exhibitions ensure there’s always something new to discover.

While exploring the city’s popular attractions is a must, consider venturing off the beaten path to discover Baku’s hidden gems:

The Maiden Tower , or “Giz Galasi” in Azerbaijani, is one of Baku’s most enigmatic landmarks. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, with some theories suggesting it dates back to the 7th century. The tower’s unique cylindrical structure and its location along the Caspian Sea waterfront make it a must-visit for history enthusiasts. Inside, you’ll find an exhibition that unravels the tower’s mysteries.

Bibi-Heybat Mosque is a stunning example of Islamic architecture in Baku. Situated on a hill overlooking the Caspian Sea, this mosque is a majestic sight with its turquoise domes and intricate tilework. It holds cultural and religious significance and welcomes visitors to admire its beauty and peaceful surroundings.

Located in the Bayil district, Little Venice is a charming canal system lined with cafes and colorful boats. It’s a romantic and picturesque spot to visit.

Baku’s picturesque waterfront along the Caspian Sea offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city. Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade and enjoy the stunning sea views. If you’re an early riser, the sunrise over the Caspian Sea is a sight to behold.

Stretching along the Caspian Sea shoreline, Baku Boulevard is a picturesque promenade that offers a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment. It’s an ideal spot for a stroll, with beautifully landscaped parks, fountains, and even an amusement park for families. As you walk, you’ll be treated to stunning sea views and the refreshing sea breeze.

While Baku itself offers a wealth of attractions, there are also fascinating destinations within a short drive of the city that are worth exploring:

A short drive from Baku lies Gobustan National Park , a UNESCO World Heritage site that transports you to the distant past. This ancient archaeological site is home to thousands of rock engravings, mud volcanoes, and unique geological formations. The petroglyphs at Gobustan offer a window into the lives of our ancestors, depicting scenes of hunting, dancing, and daily life from over 10,000 years ago.

Located just outside Baku, the Ateshgah Fire Temple is a place of historical and spiritual significance. This ancient temple was once a site of Zoroastrian worship, dedicated to the eternal flame. Visitors can explore the temple’s unique architecture, adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions. The central eternal flame continues to burn to this day, making it a truly mystical experience.

Known as the “Burning Mountain,” Yanar Dag is a natural gas fire that has been burning for centuries. It’s a surreal sight and a quick trip from Baku.

Finding comfortable and budget-friendly accommodation in Baku is easier than you might think. The city offers a range of options to suit every traveler’s needs and wallet size.

Hostels:  Baku has a growing number of hostels that provide affordable and friendly lodging options. They’re perfect for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers, offering shared dormitory-style rooms and communal spaces to meet fellow explorers.

Guesthouses:  Staying in a guesthouse is a great way to experience Azerbaijani hospitality firsthand. Many guesthouses offer comfortable rooms, homemade meals, and the chance to connect with locals.

Budget Hotels:  Baku has a variety of budget-friendly hotels that provide comfortable rooms without breaking the bank. Look for options in the city center or near public transportation for convenience.

Apartment Rentals:  For those seeking more space and privacy, consider renting an apartment in Baku. Many apartments are available for short-term stays and offer kitchen facilities, allowing you to save on dining expenses.

Baku’s nightlife is vibrant and diverse, catering to various tastes. Whether you’re into live music, stylish bars, or dancing the night away, you’ll find plenty of options to keep you entertained after dark.

Nizami Street:  This bustling pedestrian street is lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops that come alive in the evening. It’s a great place for a stroll and people-watching.

Fountain Square:  Located in the heart of Baku, Fountain Square is a hub of activity at night. Enjoy street performances, sip on Azerbaijani tea, or try some of the city’s best kebabs at local restaurants.

Nightclubs:  Baku’s nightlife scene includes a variety of nightclubs that host international DJs and live music events. Clubs like Opera Sky Lounge and Enerji Club are known for their energetic atmospheres.

Opera and Ballet Theater:  For a more refined evening, catch a performance at the Baku Opera and Ballet Theater. The ornate architecture and world-class productions make for a memorable night out.

No visit to Baku is complete without indulging in the mouthwatering flavors of Azerbaijani cuisine. Here are some must-try dishes and dining experiences:

Plov:  Begin your culinary journey with a plate of Azerbaijani plov, a fragrant and flavorful rice dish cooked with saffron and served with tender lamb or chicken.

Dolma:  Sample dolma, a dish of stuffed grape leaves or vegetables, typically filled with a mixture of ground meat and rice, seasoned with aromatic herbs.

Kebabs:  Azerbaijani kebabs are legendary, featuring skewered and grilled meats marinated in a blend of spices. Try lamb, beef, or chicken kebabs at local restaurants.

Lavash:  Savor lavash, the traditional Azerbaijani flatbread, pairs perfectly with dips like yogurt and herbs.

Tea Culture:  Azerbaijani tea culture is a delightful experience. Sip on aromatic tea served in traditional pear-shaped glasses (armudu) at one of Baku’s many tea houses.

Exploring local markets is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Baku’s culture and pick unique souvenirs. Here are some markets and shopping areas to explore:

This bustling market is a sensory delight filled with colorful spices, fresh produce, and local snacks. It’s an excellent place to sample Azerbaijani flavors and purchase spices to bring home.

Besides its nightlife, Nizami Street is a prime shopping destination, with boutiques, jewelry stores, and souvenir shops selling Azerbaijani crafts and textiles.

Every weekend, Nizami Park hosts an open-air craft fair where local artisans display their handcrafted goods, including pottery, rugs, and jewelry.

Navigating Baku is relatively straightforward, thanks to its well-developed transportation infrastructure. Here are some tips to help you get around the city with ease:

Utilize Public Transport:  Baku has an efficient public transportation system, including the metro, buses, and trams, which are affordable and convenient options for getting around the city.

Get a Baku Card:  Purchase a Baku Card from transport terminals, which can be used for both the metro and buses. The card costs 2  manat  and offers a convenient way to pay for rides.

Uber and Taxis:  Consider using ride-sharing services like Uber AZ, as transportation is relatively cheap in Baku. Taxis are also readily available and can be flagged down on the street.

Metro Efficiency:  Baku’s metro system is efficient and well-connected, making it a great choice for traveling to different parts of the city.

Plan Your Routes:  Before heading out, plan your routes using maps or navigation apps to ensure you reach your destination efficiently.

Language:  While many signs are in Azerbaijani, learning some basic Azerbaijani or Russian phrases to communicate with locals and navigate transportation is helpful.

Peak Hours:  Be mindful of peak hours when using public transport, as it can get crowded during rush times.

Airport Shuttle:  If you’re arriving at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, consider using the airport shuttle or taxi services to reach the city center.

Register with Authorities:  If you’re staying in Baku for an extended period, register with the local authorities as required by Azerbaijani law.

Local Insights:  Seek advice from locals or fellow travelers for additional tips and recommendations on transportation and navigating Baku efficiently.

To truly immerse yourself in Baku’s culture, consider planning your visit around one of the city’s vibrant festivals or events. Here are a few notable ones:

Celebrated in March to mark the arrival of spring, Novruz is a traditional Azerbaijani holiday filled with music, dance, and colorful festivities.

Jazz enthusiasts will appreciate the annual Baku Jazz Festival, which showcases both local and international jazz talent.

Film buffs should schedule their visit to coincide with this renowned festival, showcasing the best of Azerbaijani and international cinema.

As you prepare for your adventure in Baku, here are some practical travel tips to enhance your experience:

Visa Requirements:  Ensure you understand the visa requirements for your nationality before traveling to Azerbaijan. Obtain the necessary documentation to enter the country smoothly.

Local Currency:  The Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) is the official currency. While credit cards are widely accepted in Baku, carrying some cash for small purchases and market visits is advisable.

Language:  Azerbaijani is the official language, but many locals in Baku also speak Russian and English. Learning a few basic Azerbaijani phrases can go a long way in facilitating interactions and showing respect for the local culture.

Bargaining:  Bargaining is common in local markets, so  don’t hesitate to negotiate prices , especially when buying souvenirs.

Dress Modestly:  When visiting religious sites or local communities, dress modestly and respectfully. Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes when entering homes or mosques.

Transportation:  Baku’s public transportation system, including the metro, buses, and taxis, is efficient and budget-friendly. Consider using these options to get around the city.

Safety:  Baku is generally safe for tourists, but it’s wise to take standard precautions. Keep an eye on your belongings, avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, and stay aware of your surroundings.

Tipping:  Tipping is customary in Baku, and a 10% tip at restaurants is appreciated. Additionally, it’s common to leave small change for services like taxi rides and hotel staff.

Time Zone:  Baku operates on Azerbaijan Time (AZT), which is UTC+4.

Electricity:  Baku uses the Europlug Type C and Type F outlets, so be sure to bring the necessary adapters and converters for your electronic devices.

Baku can be affordable if you plan wisely. Accommodations, transportation, and food cater to various budgets, making it accessible for all.

It’s polite to greet with a handshake, remove shoes before entering someone’s home, and dress modestly when visiting religious sites. Azerbaijanis appreciate a respectful attitude.

Baku offers a wealth of attractions and landmarks. Some must-visit places include Baku’s Old City (Icherisheher), Flame Towers, the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, the Carpet Museum, and the Maiden Tower. Additionally, make sure to explore the city’s scenic waterfront along the Caspian Sea.

Baku offers various budget-friendly accommodation options. You can consider staying in hostels, guesthouses, budget hotels, or apartment rentals. Hostels are great for backpackers, while guesthouses provide an opportunity to experience Azerbaijani hospitality. Budget hotels offer comfortable rooms, and apartment rentals provide more space and privacy.

Baku’s nightlife is diverse and vibrant. Some top options include Nizami Street for dining and people-watching, Fountain Square for street performances and local cuisine, nightclubs like Opera Sky Lounge and Enerji Club, and the Baku Opera and Ballet Theater for a more refined evening.

You can enjoy delicious Azerbaijani cuisine at various restaurants and eateries in Baku. Be sure to try plov, dolma, kebabs, and lavash. Explore local teahouses for a taste of Azerbaijani tea culture and pair it with traditional sweets like baklava.

Exploring Baku’s Old City, known as Icherisheher, is a must-do. Wander through its cobblestone streets, visit landmarks like the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, and explore the National Museum of History to learn about its Silk Road history.

Baku is relatively accepting, but like many places, it’s essential to be discreet in public to avoid unwanted attention.

Baku, with its intriguing blend of history, culture, and modernity, is a city that captivates the hearts of travelers. From its ancient Old City to the futuristic Flame Towers, this Azerbaijani gem offers a dynamic and unforgettable experience. So, pack your bags, embrace the rich tapestry of Baku, and create memories that will last a lifetime in this unique and enchanting city on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Whether you’re a history buff, a food lover, or an architecture enthusiast, Baku has something extraordinary to offer every traveler.

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Baku travel guide

Baku tourism | baku guide, you're going to love baku.

On the fault line between East and West, Baku is unlike anywhere else on earth. Azerbaijan's capital offers a fascinating Soviet legacy, soaring towers that could have been transplanted from Shanghai, along with a beautiful ancient center. Contradictory it may be, but Baku is always a delight.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Baku

1. the unesco-listed historic center.

Baku's Old City dates back almost a thousand years. Ringed with an impressive set of walls, it sits atop a maze of tunnels and features countless historic sights, including the Maiden Tower.

2. The Caspian Coast

Baku sits on the Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland sea. Take cruises across the sea, explore beaches like Bilgəh or stroll along Baku's elegant seafront promenade.

3. Plenty of Museums to Explore

Baku is rich with museums, including a recently opened Carpet Museum, the National Museum of Azerbaijan History, and the Museum of Modern Art, which includes works by Picasso and Dalí.

4. Visit the Absheron Peninsula

Baku's hinterland is well worth visiting, from the Ateshgah Fire Temple to the spectacular natural gas vents of Yanar Dag.

5. World-Class Kebabs

If you are a kebab fan, Baku is the place to head. For a treat, try the liver kebabs from Sultan's, a local favorite.

What to do in Baku

1. palace of the shirvanshahs: the pearl of azerbaijan.

A historical monument that is breathtaking in its scale, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs is made up of stunning mausoleums, gran stone pavilions, intricate stone carvings, and mosque spires. It also includes a bathhouse. These are all the markings of the presence of the 15th-century Shirvanshah dynasty and the beautiful palace still stands tall and majestic, if a little dusty and characteristically worn with age, rising and visible from a distance. Anointed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, an afternoon roaming its beautiful steps and terraces would be an afternoon spent whisked back in time.

2. Maiden Tower: Surrounded by Mysteries and Legends

So iconic and central to the Azerbaijani culture is it that the Miden Tower appears on the Azeri currency notes, stamps, and official letterheads. The Maiden Tower stands alongside the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and is also on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Once you look past its imposing and stalwart stone facade and climb up its stairs to the very top, it's easy to see why: besides being a monument dating back to the 12th century, the Maiden Tower gives visitors a unique, panoramic view of the Old City, Baku Boulevard and the sparkling waters of the Baku Bay. And what about when you're done delighting in the view? Head down to its mini museum, which marks the historical evolution of the city.

3. Fountain Square: The Heart of the City

Comprised of multiple fountains encapsulated within the main square, this area has an instantly calming effect on all those who gather at her steps. And, yet, it is also the place where the city hosts large public gatherings, cultural festivals and outdoor events. Once you've strolled around and taken in the beauty of the Fountain "Balls" at night or the glint of sunset off the fountain in the Governor's Garden, it's easy to see why. The modern passages and stylistic cobblestone streets create a distinctly mixed cultural experience: there are flourishes from Soviet rule, Mediterranean influences, Persian and Balkan remnants, and Arabian palm trees.

4. Gobustan National Park: A Natural Wonder

Lady Luck has blessed Baku with the history, culture and the desert beauty of the natural world. The Gobustan National Park is better known as Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape and, unsurprisingly, its historical significance along with its unique landscape has catapulted it to yet another UNESCO World Heritage site. The petroglyphs carved into the rockfaces date back at least to 10,000 B.C. and there are more than 6,000 of these markings made by early civilizations. Walking through its deeply-etched ravines and traveling up its rocky hills is an exploration in itself.

5. Heydar Aliyev Center: Modern Curves

Designed by the late, incomparable British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, the Heydar Aliyev Center is a cultural point of attraction for visitors and locals alike. It houses an auditorium, a gallery, and a museum. It's fluid and flowing form are the mark of a rapidly modernizing and prosperous Baku.

Activities & attractions in Baku

Where to Eat in Baku

If you want to enjoy some of the finest kebabs on earth, head to restaurants like Sultan's, Sehrli Tandir, or Şəki. There are also plenty of Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and French places as well. Expect good kebabs to cost around ₼5-10, but gourmet meals to come to far more, around ₼40-50.

When to visit Baku

High summer can be a little intense for some, so visit between April and June or September to October for the best weather. Winters tend to be chilly, and many attractions close for the season.

How to Get to Baku

Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is 15 miles out of town. To reach Baku, take the express bus, which costs ₼1.30 or take a taxi for around ₼60.

Baku has rail connections to Moscow and other Russian cities, as well as Kiev in Ukraine.

If you are driving north from Bilasuvar, take the E119. From Mingecevir and the west, take the E60 all the way to Baku.

Buses run into Baku from all of Azerbaijan's major cities, and there are international services from Russia and Iran as well.

Airports near Baku

Airlines serving baku, where to stay in baku.

İçərişəhər - Baku's old town, İçərişəhər is a UNESCO-listed gem. Don't miss the views from the 95-foot-high Maiden Tower.

Popular Neighborhoods in Baku

Khutor - another old part of Baku, Khutor is full of flower-decorated lanes and buzzes with street life. Safe and charming, it's a great place to explore on foot.

Yaşıl Bazar - Baku's major market, Yaşıl Bazar is the place to go to find fresh, juicy pomegranates and locally made quince jam.

Where to stay in popular areas of Baku

Most booked hotels in baku, how to get around baku, public transportation.

NIIM runs buses and the subway in Baku. A single ticket costs just ₼0.20, so they represent excellent value. If you ride the subway, you'll need to buy a BakiKart for ₼2 before traveling.

Taxis are a cheap way to get around in general, charging about ₼1.30 for every mile.

Car rental options in Baku include AvtoRent, AzRent, and Aznur. Expect to pay about ₼35 per day.

The Cost of Living in Baku

Shopping streets.

Baku's bazaars include Yaşıl and Taza, and both are great places to shop for bargains. There are also huge malls at Park Bulvar and Port Baku, which are crammed with international brands.

Groceries and Other

Supermarket options include Makromart, Bizim, and Neptun, where you can expect to pay around ₼2.50 for 12 eggs.

BAKU SIGHTSEEING

The territory of Baku is rich in unique architectural structures and historical monuments of world heritage. Many monuments are a national treasure, pearls of architecture, as well as extremely valuable in the study of Azerbaijani history and culture. One of the most powerful and vivid impressions of Baku is created precisely from the unique combination of monuments of great antiquity with all the Baku modern sights that underlies the current stage of development of the capital of Azerbaijan.

• HISTORICAL SIGHTS
• MODERN SIGHTS
• RELIGIOUS SIGHTS

HISTORICAL PLACES IN BAKU

The sights of Baku are more than just a number of architectural attractions and monuments that have survived to this day, it is a whole stone civilization left to us by ancient heritage. Their discovery allows us to better understand the culture of people who lived on this territory thousands of years ago and plunge into the atmosphere of the Shirvanshahs and Safavids.

MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN BAKU

One of the world’s oldest oil industry hubs is currently undergoing rapid and dynamic development. Construction on a grand scale is transforming the capital, with numerous ambitious projects by top-name construction companies producing attention-grabbing change.

RELIGIOUS ATTRACTIONS IN BAKU

Features of historical development of Azerbaijan, its geographical position, ethnic structure of the population have created necessary conditions for existence of different Religious sights in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Planning a trip to Baku sightseeing and feel unique blend of traditional charm and urban bustle? Looking for things to do in Baku such as events and attractions? Are planning where to stay in Baku during a business or a tourist trip?

You’ll find everything you need for your Baku holiday on Baku Tourism Portal – you reliable Baku Travel Guide. Discover the best day trips from Baku or try one of the best Baku tours on beautifully-aged historical sites, central streets buzzing with hordes of exuberant tourists, and restaurants with cosmopolitan elegance.

AZERBAIJAN TRAVEL NEWS

Do you want to keep abreast of the main news of the tourism market of Baku, Azerbaijan? Follow our section, which publishes the most relevant and operational information about all the changes that may be of interest to tourists who come to our country.

Since March 9, the Russian Federation has lifted the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 on…

According to the Baku Transport Agency, 62 new buses meeting the requirements of passenger transportation…

Bakcell's investments aimed at expanding the coverage of the network in the liberated territories will…

Azerbaijani airline Buta Airways has cancelled a Baku-Astrakhan-Baku flight scheduled for March 3, due to…

Azercell extends the period during which you can make free calls from Azerbaijan in this…

Citizens of another 17 countries are allowed to enter Azerbaijan. In this regard, Prime Minister…

The passenger flow of Azerbaijan's international airports in January 2022 amounted to 290,000 people. Of…

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the…

On November 11 -…

Museum of  Modern Art…

The world of animals…

The State Museum of…

National Museum of Azerbaijan…

In 1993, a monument…

Monument to Richard Sorge, one…

Khojaly Genocide Memorial in…

Monument to BulBul, famous performer…

Kitabi Dede Gorgud monument…

Officially, the Baku Marionette…

Azerbaijan State Philharmonic named…

An elegant palace in…

The foundation of the…

On March 10, 1873,…

SHOPPING MALLS IN BAKU

The expansion of shopping centers in their modern sense (multi-story complexes combining shops, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment) began in the capital relatively recently and continues to this day. Every year, shopping in Baku becomes more and more European: modern shopping and entertainment centers open, world brands are actively entering the country. In the top of the most frequent purchases in the shopping centers of Baku are clothes, shoes, and cosmetics, and tourists also prefer local souvenirs, wine, cognac, locally made tea in the original packaging, as well as national clothes and carpets.

Ganjlik Mall Shopping Center

Park boulevard mall (park bulvar), deniz mall (caspian waterfront), nargiz shopping center, port baku mall, metropark shopping center.

Want to travel with style? These 7 items got you covered

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Miu Miu canvas and leather bucket bag, $2,050

Miu Miu is one of the buzziest brands in fashion right now, and for spring and summer, the Prada Group label has delivered bags that are perfect for a jaunt to Malibu, Newport Beach or Manhattan Beach. This canvas and leather bucket bag has a front leather lettering logo, adjustable leather handle, a linen lining, gold-tone hardware and leather drawstring closure — all adding to the bag’s charm.

Purchase 👉🏽 here .

Celine sunglasses, $440

Animal prints are everything right now, and the message you’ll send wearing these women’s squarish-frame sunnies from Celine is that you’re fashionable with a slight wild side. Along with Leopard Havana, the sunglasses also come in three subdued color options: light pink, black and white. All come with a crossbody pouch.

Palm Angels PA 4 sneakers, $620

For Italian fashion brand Palm Angels’ spring and summer collection (pieces generally range from $300 to $4,500), the vibe is once again all about the City of Angels — and for good reason, right? Just check out the new styles of the brand’s PA 4 kicks that feature palm trees stitched on the sides.

Cult Gaia Celia one-piece swimsuit, $328

Cult Gaia’s Celia one-piece swimsuit should be tucked into your luggage for a trip to Palm Springs or St. Barts. The swimsuit, which comes in black and a matcha-looking color called tea, has a high-thigh cut, low back and wired neckline. Sizes range from XXS to XL.

Tumi Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case, $950

Unless you’re flying private, you know how it goes at the luggage pickup: Figuring out which black bag on the conveyor belt is yours. Stand out with this lightweight Tumi suitcase in halogen blue that has a recycled polycarbonate shell, an integrated TSA lock and a dual-compartment zip pocket. You can monogram it as well as buy it in other colors: hunter green, black, navy and red.

Saint Laurent Rive Droite mini speaker, $80

Instead of earbuds, play the new Beyoncé album poolside, with this portable speaker from French brands Saint Laurent Rive Droite and Lexon. The Mino mini speaker works via Bluetooth and is compact, rechargeable and comes in a bright colors: mustard, Majorelle blue, bright red, fuchsia violet and aqua.

Orlebar Brown Bulldog swim shorts, $395

How do you tell everyone you’re from SoCal without saying it? Get your hands on these Bulldog swim shorts from Orlebar Brown that feature a 1957 Slim Aarons photo of cars parked outside the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard. The mid-length swim shorts are made from printed recycled polyester and have adjustable side fasteners.

Prices and availability of items in Coveted are subject to change.

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Marques Harper is a deputy features editor at the Los Angeles Times. He previously covered fashion for the Austin American-Statesman and media and culture for the Roanoke Times. A native of New Jersey, he has a B.A. in English from Rutgers University and an M.S. in digital media management from the University of Southern California.

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