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A curious blend of the East and West, the Soviet and the Arabic, the old and the new, Baku boasts some top-quality tourHQ guides capable of revealing this buzzing capital’s interesting past and modern edge.

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Baku Tour Guides

Nurlan Abbasov

I have over 8 years experience. I took up this work as a career because I feel that one ...

Orkhan Huseynov

In my opinion, the guide doesn't have to burden guests with accurate historical information about ...

Aida M Bayramova

I am a professional tourist guide based in Baku, Azerbaijan, licensed by the Azerbaijan Ministry of ...

Elnur Babayev

I'm a tour guide and tour operator. I studied at Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University. ...

Ramin Bagirov

Hello everybody.  Welcome to Azerbaijan.  My name is Ramin. I am a professional tour ...

Azar Nuriyev

My name is Azar, and I am 26 years old. I am working in tourism industry about 3 years ...

Jamil Heyderli

 I am punctual, hard-working, open-minded, tolerant, lovely and friendly ...

Jabbar Qedirov

Dear guests.My name is Jabbar  and I am 27 years old. I work  professional private guide ...

Zeynal Zeynalli

Zeynal Zeynalli27 years oldArabic-Russian-English city tour guide in ...

I am a licensed travel guide being in this profession for more than 3 years. I organize various ...

Greenwich Travel

Dear guest! The best way to save your money is to work with professionals. You can ...

Atabay Mammadli

You want to trip with your family safe, comfortable and funny? Then you can write me for the best ...

Elnur Gasimov

Hello, I am Elnur, a certified tour guide based in the vibrant city of Baku. Guiding isn't just a ...

Azer Guides Group

Looking for the best private tours in Azerbaijan! We are here to help our visitors to enjoy the ...

Azar Alakbarzada

Hello Everyone. I'm Azer Alakbarzade, professional guide and translator. I can speak English, ...

Hi, I'm a startup founder and avid traveller. Having travelled to more than 15 countries I ...

The largest city in the Caucasus, Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan. Though often passed through as a departure point for the Caspian ferry, this cosmopolitan city has eagerly developed as a meeting point for old traditionalists and flashy trendsetters. In no other place do Eastern principles blend with Western modernization as they do in Baku; couples romance in the parks amidst strict Islamic laws and dilapidated Soviet-era buildings wobble next to dazzling new homes. This intriguing interplay of old and new is attributed to Baku’s three major divisions between the ancient city, the Soviet-built city, and the chicly modernized neighborhoods. Your Baku tour guide will remind you that its’ naming as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was an attempt to slow gentrification and maintain the antiquated charm. Little of the city’s true magic can be understood without seeing it so plan a visit. And while you’re there, stop at the colorful carpet factories, bustling promenades, and architecturally pristine opera house. 

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Find a local private tour guide for sightseeing in Baku in Azerbaijan using Private Guide World by filtering your preferred language in the box at the top of this page in the center.

Choose a local private tour guide in Baku, Azerbaijan

Thanks to the Private Guide World service, in a few clicks, you can choose a personal tour guide to local attractions of Baku city in Azerbaijan. Enter the destination, search parameters, and preferred language to see the results. You can use the filter ONLINE ONLY to see which local tour guide in Baku is currently online!

Our private tour guides know Baku and the surrounding region very well, speak the local azerbaijani language plus the other languages, too, and can help you to understand the local people, culture, traditions, and history better while you are in Baku. During the tour in Baku, you will not have any problems with locals if a tour guide is by your side. Your local personal tour guide in Baku will help you learn a lot about the region and share only the most exciting knowledge and best experiences with you. Check out some of the local sights & attractions of Baku, wildlife & nature, and ask your personal tour guide to show you the local gems hidden from a regular tourist without a professional tour guide. Before you travel to Baku, be sure you have enough local currency Azerbaijani manat with you in case you need to buy a souvenir or tip a tour guide!

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Baku City Tours

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BAKU TOURS WITH LOCAL EXPERTS

Baku tours, sightseeing, activities & things to do Baku Tours offer a unique chance to explore the vibrant city of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. With its rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture. Our Baku tours are designed to showcase the best of what the city has to offer. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture lover, or just looking for a fun and exciting adventure, our expert guides will ensure you have a memorable experience. Book your Baku tour today

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Girl about the Globe

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• Solo Travel in Azerbaijan

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Solo travel in Azerbaijan is as comfortable as you want it to be. That's why we've given it 3 out of 5 stars. Instead of finding your way around the country by bus traveling by yourself, there are tours which operate from Baku, the capital city, showing you the best of beautiful Azerbaijan.

If you can’t speak Azerbaijani or Russian you may prefer to take the tours depending on how adventurous you want to be. I used the local buses to get around which was an adventure but I was also able to see and learn more from combining this way with tours. 

When you solo travel in Asia , Azerbaijan feels more like the Middle East than an Asian country with a culture that is similar to Turkey. Azerbaijanis are very hospitable and similar to the Turkish culture, they like to drink tea. Don't be surprised if a family invites you to sample their jam tea and home-made cuisine.

The country is relatively safe. Just be careful with your belongings as you would anywhere else and don’t walk around at night.

Don’t venture into Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory which is in conflict with Armenia and occupied by Armenian troops. You may want to avoid asking about the conflict which resulted in a loss of land for Azerbaijan and hundreds killed. Many are still internally displaced by the conflict.

Below is our Azerbaijan travel guide on how to travel solo in Azerbaijan including places to see in Azerbaijan, the best cities to visit in Azerbaijan, where to stay, what to do in Azerbaijan, which tour company to use and Azerbaijan travel. Find out how to get from the airports and what to do in each place.

All companies included have been recommended by solo female travellers and come with our Solo Female Friendly endorsement. 

N.b. By booking through this page you are helping to improve the lives of vulnerable girls about the globe. Thanks for helping.

Mountains in Azerbaijan

Places To Visit in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan may not be a country that you’ve ever heard of, let alone considered travelling to. Located in Asia on the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan was once part of the former Soviet republic. Located in the southern Caucasus Mountains, the country borders Russia, Georgia, Iran, and Armenia.

It is often overlooked by visitors to Georgia but this oil-rich country known as “The Land of Fire” has redefined itself since its Soviet days and is now a fascinating country to visit.  If you’ve ever wanted to see mud volcanoes, cave drawings and futuristic buildings, take a trip to Azerbaijan.

* Click here to discover all activities and things to do in Azerbaijan

Fountains Square, Baku

The capital Baku is the lowest lying national capital in the world being located below sea level. From Baku you can easily reach most of the country’s main attractions and the best thing about visiting an emerging destination is that you don’t get the crowds of tourists.

Baku seems to be the most modern place in the country and something that Baku definitely knows how to do is architecture. This cool city is a unique blend of old and new modern designs, many of which are futuristic with their own unique style.

Baku’s most famous buildings have to be the Flame Towers: three skyscrapers designed as giant flames – a symbol of the country. And an iconic image. These towers are visible from Baku’s Old City where you can take the iconic photographic image of the old and the new Baku.

The award-winning Heydar Aliyev Centre

Places To Visit in Baku Azerbaijan

The most beautiful city in Azerbaijan has to be the capital city in Azerbaijan, and  Baku solo travel is really safe. See the curvy award-winning Heydar Aliyev Centre and learn more about the history and cultural heritage of the country. From costumes and weaving processes to the country’s musical instruments, this is one of the best tourist places in Azerbaijan. 

Another of the Baku things to do is to see the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum which also needs to be on your Baku itinerary. Seeing a building designed as a giant rolled-up carpet is definitely up there in the Baku Azerbaijan points of interest. You don't even need to go inside. 

Baku’s Old City is a gorgeous walled city, and one of those beautiful places truly deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status. As well as shops and restaurants, things to do in old city Baku is wander around the 15th century masterpiece that is Shirvanshahs' Palace. Inside is a blend of Arabic, Persian and Ottoman architecture.

Climb the steps of the Maiden Tower for a great view of the Old Town before visiting the museum of Baku’s evolution inside. See the main sites on an Old City walking tour or take a  panoramic night tour instead to see the highlights of city at night. 

From the Old Baku City you can stroll along the Baku boulevard and watch the city’s skyline as it lights up after dusk. Chess is one of the popular outdoor activities here so don’t be surprised if you see men playing on giant chess boards near the promenade. Opposite, in front of the Government House is Freedom Square (Azadliq Square), which was renamed after the fall of the Soviet Union. Before the year 1991, it was known as Lenin Square. 

The Maiden Tower in the Old City

Other Baku Attractions

Fountains Square is one of my favourite areas and best places to visit in Baku. This public square is aptly named because of its many fountains. It’s a safe area to walk around at night. There are a number of restaurants from international brands to Indians and of course the local food.

You may even hear some live music coming from one of the bars when you’re there. If you prefer some company at night, join a Baku Lights night tour to see the city at it’s illuminated best. The Bibi-Heybat Mosque is a spiritual centre within the Azerbaijan city. This historical mosque is one of the major monuments of Islamic architecture.

Something unique that Azerbaijan has is Yanar Dag. This small hillside of fire 25 kms from Baku is a burning mountain of natural gas which continues to blaze. Unless you want to get a taxi there and back I highly recommend to take a tour. 

But this isn't the only reason that Azerbaijan is called ‘The Land of Fire.' the Ateshgah Fire Temple is another fiery sight to see. This temple – which looks like tiny castles – is located in a suburb of Baku, and is one of the country's religious sites. People from the country used to worship fire and the shrine was built on top of a natural flame. 

Ateshgah, the Fire Temple

Step outside of the city and you’ll see the real Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has some breathtaking scenery especially in the Guba region . Remote villages such as Khinalig and Griz are perfect for the Eco GatG who can learn more about the ethnic minorities who live in these villages. This area is ideal for hiking too and you can find hiking and ecotourism tours here.

History and nature GatGs will love Gobustan National Park. A historic and UNESCO site of thousands of rock carvings (petroglyphs). The onsite museum provides history about this open-ai museum.

From here you can see another of the country’s natural spots, the mud volcanoes , one of the best places to visit in Azerbaijan, and definitely the coolest place in Azerbaijan. It honestly feels as though you have landed on another planet with the bubbling mud surrounding you.

Inside Juma Mosque in Shamakhi

If you only see one mosque in the country, make it Juma Mosque in Shamakhi . The intrinsic interior of this mosque is just beautiful. A ninety minute drive from here brings you to the Seven Beauties Waterfall (known as Yeddi Gozel Waterfall). Although there are seven waterfalls here only two of them are accessible).

If you are an adrenalin GatG then Azerbaijan is ideal for rock climbing. Five Finger Mountain (Besh Barmag Mountain) is popular with rock climbers but if you prefer to stand on flat ground, you can just pay a visit to this holy mountain in the Siazan District instead. Guba has a very cool ice cave to explore.

The bubbling mud volcanoes

Ganja is in the west of the country and is the second largest of the Azerbaijan cities. If you are travelling to or from Georgia it’s worth a quick stop to see the archaeological site with old fort ruins otherwise it’s a long journey from Baku.

From Ganja it is an hour’s drive to Goygol National Park and one of the best sites in the west of Azerbaijan. Lake Goygol (also known as “Blue Lake”) is at the foot of Mount Kapaz. This area is really untouched with just a few teahouses to rest your weary self in after hours of hiking.

If you are on a budget just do a day trip here from Ganja where the accommodation is cheaper. Even the journey to get here offers dramatic views.

Skiing in Gabala

Azerbaijan was on the path of the old Silk Road, from China to Europe. The country exported its carpets, spices and silk fabrics along this famous route with great success. Sheki is one of these former Silk Road cities.

Here, at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains in the northwest of the country is where you can still see the traditional silk and handicraft traditions. Don’t forget to visit the Sheki Fortress too.

Azerbaijan produces it’s own wine and you can visit a winery in Ismayilli  for an insight into its wine-making methods (as well as tasting some of course).

Gobustan National Park

If you are a skiing GatG head to the snowy hills of Qabala . Once the ancient capital of Caucasian Albania, Gabala is the country’s most ancient city. Nowadays it is one of Azerbaijan’s most popular ski resorts and one of the best places to visit in Azerbaijan during winter months.

Even if you don’t ski, you can still take the teleferic (the cable car) to experience this stunning scenery for yourself. Apparently this is the longest teleferic in the world! Skiing only lasts from mid-December to February.

Other places to visit in Azerbaijan are : Nakchivan – an important biblical destination which can be reached by air from Baku. Ivanovka – a centre of Russian culture with some of the country’s best honey, and the Absheron Peninsula where you'll find locals frequenting at the city’s beach. Visit Azerbaijan for unique landscapes, futuristic buildings and plenty of culture. It's all about Azerbaijan.

Hotels in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has many hotels including four and five star hotels in Baku if you prefer to travel in comfort. You can rent an apartment if self-catering is more your style. If you are on a budget, there is budget accommodation such as guest houses as well as hostels.

Sheki has the design hotels, resorts and spas as well as budget hotels, guest houses and hostels. You can find hostels, villas and hotels in Ganja: the west of the country. In the foothills of the Greater Caucasus you can stay in resorts and guest houses too.

In local villages such as Xinaliq and Vandam you can stay in a Bed&Breakfast, guesthouses, villas or family homes. They even have a five star hotel in Xinaliq. Gabala has cottages and villas to stay in. Qusar has a mix of guest houses, apartments, cottages, resorts, villas and hotels. You can find any type of accommodation here depending on what you prefer.

Airbnb connects you to staying with locals whether you choose to just book a room or a whole apartment.  Due to the boom in Azerbaijan tourism it is better to book ahead to ensure that you have a room to stay in.

All accommodation below has been recommended by solo female travellers. For all other accommodation, such as cheap hotels in Baku city centre, a 3 star hotel Azerbaijan or top hotels in Azerbaijan, click the link below for booking Azerbaijan. *  To book, check prices or availability for all accommodation in Azerbaijan

Baku – Sahil Hostel & Hotel

This Baku city hostel is really solo friendly. It’s in a great place and only a few minute walk from the gorgeous Fountain Square with bars, restaurants, and cafes. If you like running the boulevard is nearby too, as well as the metro. The dorm rooms are large and you have your own personal space with a curtain for your bed, as well as big lockers for your things. If you visit in the hotter months there is air conditioning.

The Baku hostel and hotel is sociable and is one of the friendly hotels. It is easy to meet other guests, and kept clean with a great atmosphere. You don’t have to worry about arriving late as there is a 24 hour front desk, and they can arrange an airport shuttle for you too. They also serve breakfast for an additional cost.

Choose from a bed in a 6, 8 or 10 bed mixed dormitory room. There is a 6 bed female-only dorm room as well as a double room with a balcony. * Check rates & availability: Sahil Hostel & Hotel

Baku – Winter Park Hotel

If you prefer more comfort on your trip, the Winter Park Hotel is a 4 star Baku hotel in a great location just 500 metres away from Fountains Square. There’s a lovely park to relax in by the hotel and a gym if you want to work out (you may need to check when women can use it though). Reception is open 24 hours and the staff can’t do enough for you.

You can hire bikes to get around the city and they offer car hire too. The rooms in the property come with some comfy slippers, a bathrobe and a hairdryer so you can really unwind in your room. There’s also cable TV for some entertainment at night. Choose from a standard or deluxe double room or upgrade to a superior king room if you are feeling really flush. * Check rates & availability: Winter Park Hotel

Ganja – Grand Qafqaz Hostel

There’s a reason that this hostel is called ‘Grand’ because it literally is. Located in Ganja, the hostel is decorated in a distinct style. There’s a restaurant and a cafe and you may even meet others in the communal lounge and bar. Some of the rooms come with climate control, a desk and a TV.

There’s an ATM in case you need to take some cash out, a currency exchange and also a 24 hour desk in case you arrive late. This hostel is great value for money and they also provide breakfast at an additional cost. Choose from a bed in a dormitory room with a shared bathroom or a double room. * C heck rates & availability: Grand Qafqaz Hostel

Sheki – Marxal Resort & Spa

The Marxal Resort & Spa is one of the Azerbaijan hotels 5-star and it  offers  everything that you would expect from fantastic spa hotels. There’s a gym to work out in as well as an outdoor pool and sauna for when you need to relax, plus free WiFi throughout and free parking too. 

Reception is open 24 hours which is ideal if you are arriving late at night. A continental breakfast is included too. The resort is in a quiet area surrounded by nature. It is perfect if you are looking for an escape in the Caucasus Mountains. You may even find yourself in the villa next to the waterfall. Choose from a standard or deluxe double room (or twin), a suite or a villa. * Check rates & availability: Marxal Resort & Spa

Tours To Azerbaijan

Tes Tour – Tes Tour is a local tour operator offering tours all over Azerbaijan with a local Azerbaijan guide. In additional to their Baku city tours, they also offer Baku tours at night and private tours Azerbaijan. Their day trips from Baku can be full days and take up to 12 hours long depending on the destinations you are travelling to. 

They use minibuses for their tours and take you to restaurants where you can sample the local cuisine for lunch (lunch is not included). I have personally used these tours to travel Baku Azerbaijan and I like the fact that the tours run frequently because of their popularity. * Click here for the itineraries, prices, and dates

Get Your Guide   – Get Your Guide helps you to find top-rated experiences and day tours in the best Azerbaijan tourist places. Choose from a day tour to Gobustan and Absheron, a full-day city tour of Baku with an Azerbaijani lunch, or a Gabala and Shamakhi nature and food tour. There are several Baku trips to choose from and it’s really simple to use. Just check the reviews, price and availability then book online. * Check all Get Your Guide tours and prices here

Travelling in Azerbaijan

When you travel Azerbaijan, Baku has a few transport options. You can walk around the capital but make sure that you use the underpasses as crossing the roads can be a bit dangerous. The city has a   metro with signs in both Azerbaijani and English. The metro runs from 06:00 to 24:00 with trains running every few minutes. 

The buses in Baku are modern and clean. You need to buy a card at the machines at the bus stops and load it with money to use on the bus. This isn’t that easy though so ask a local to help you. The station outside of the city will take you onto places such as Gobastan National Park. These buses are more rickety and not the modern ones that you find in the city. You pay the driver onboard.

From Baku you can hire a car for your own Azerbaijan road trip, to see the sights outside of the city. The roads are a mix of paved and gravel roads so you may prefer to take public transport if you don’t feel comfortable driving on poor infrastructure especially in the rain.

There is also a train system which takes you from Baku to Georgia. The train doesn't run that regularly so you do need to plan ahead. To get across the country from Baku to Sheki you can take the train to Shaki, changing in Yevlah to Shaki then take a a private taxi. 

Travelling outside of Baku you'll find minibuses which connect most of the cities (they are called marshrutkas). You pay your fare on the bus. Check with the driver where you need to get off too. 

Taxi drivers don’t really speak English so unless you know some phrases of Azerbaijani or Russian it’s an adventure to take one. Agree the price upfront to avoid any confusion. You may prefer to download a taxi app instead.

Azerbaijan Itinerary

When you are visiting Azerbaijan, you can easily spend 5 days in Baku and doing day trips from the capital. To see the best of Azerbaijan, a 1 week trip to 8 days is ideal. Below are examples of an Azerbaijan travel itinerary to help you plan your Azerbaijan trips.

7 Day Itinerary Azerbaijan  – Baku (5 nights) Three days exploring the city, the museums and the Old City. Day four – day trip to the Fire Temple and Burning Mountain. Day five – Gobustan and the mud volcanoes. Ganga (2 nights).

8 Days in Azerbaijan – Baku (4 nights), Ganja (2 nights), Sheki (2 nights).

Best Time to Visit Azerbaijan

If you visit Azerbaijan in the winter months expect snow and lots of it in the mountain regions. Even in March it may be difficult to navigate some of the mountain passes and remote villages due to bad weather.

Azerbaijan can get hot during the summer months. Although Baku is known as being a windy city you may prefer to travel to the country during April to June or September/October, the best time to travel to Azerbaijan.

This chart shows the average maximum day temperatures for Baku (from January to December).

Azerbaijan Airports

Azerbaijan has several international airports as well as domestic airports. Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku is the main airport. There is also Ganja Airport, Lankaran Airport, Nakhchivan Airport and Qabala International Airport.

Baku Airport – Taxis operate from the main entrance of Heydar Aliyev International Airport and cost approximately £8 to the city. The Aero Express bus takes 30 minutes from the airport to 28 May station: the main train and bus terminal in the city.

This is the cheapest option at just £1 for a single ticket. Paying in cash isn’t possible on the bus as you need to purchase a BakuCard from one of the BakuCard Terminals before you board. Check timetables and payments here . 

Ganja Airport – Taxis cost approx £5 from the airport and take 10 minutes into the city.

Lankaran Airport – Taxis take 20 minutes from the airport to Lankaran and cost £3.

Use Rome2Rio to help plan your journeys. 

* Feel more confident with someone waiting for you at the airport when you pre-book a transfer with Hoppa , a reliable and safe service for solo females.

Azerbaijan Travel Insurance

Azerbaijan is a great destination to visit but travel insurance is always recommended for your holiday to cover you for any medical assistance especially if you are here solo.

True Traveller and World Nomads are insurance companies that I recommend. True Traveller is available to UK and European residents, and World Nomads is available to over 100 countries worldwide, including the USA and UK. For digital nomads, Safety Wing is a nomad insurance that covers people from all over the world.

All companies allow you to buy insurance when you are already on the road and offer different plans depending on your needs including additional adventure cover. * Check insurance cover and prices for True Traveller

N.b. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Travelling Onwards  (check visas before you travel)

Although Azerbaijan borders Armenia, it is not possible to cross the border due to the conflict. Flying from Azerbaijan to Armenia isn’t direct. You generally have to stop in Russia meaning that the flight can take up to 10 hours.

Instead travel back to Tbilisi in Georgia and either take the overnight train from Tbilisi Central Railway Station to Yerevan or the minivan which departs from the same station every 2 hours from 9am in the morning. Just ask for “Erevan” outside the station and a local will point you to the bus.

Overnight trains run from Baku to Tbilisi. These are old Soviet trains and are definitely an adventure. If you buy a second class ticket the carriages have 4 bunks and come with a mattress, sheets and a pillow. * Read: Georgia to Azerbaijan: My Story

The train stops at each border so you don’t even need to disembark. Trains depart Baku at 21.59 and arrive into Tbilisi at 10.39 the next morning. Choose a second or first class sleeper if you can. Prices cost approx £17.00 for a second class ticket. Check here for more info.

Where can I fly from here?

• Georgia –   1 hour 10 mins
• Turkey – 3 hours (to Istanbul)
• Russia – 3 hours 5 mins

Frequently Asked Questions About Azerbaijan

• Can I drink the water? Yes.
• How much for tipping in Azerbaijan? A service charge is usually added to your bill.
• Fixed price or barter? Fixed price.
• Any ATMs? Yes in both the large and smaller cities.
• Which side of the road do they drive? The right-hand side.
• Good for vegetarians? They make fantastic lentil soup and tomato salads but apart from that vegetarian dishes can be hard to find as the typical cuisine is meat and kebabs.
• Any seven wonders of the world? No but the mud volcanoes are definitely a wonder.

Map of Azerbaijan

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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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Baku Holiday Review – All You Need to Plan Your Visit

• 1 September 2024

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, located beside the Black Sea.

It’s a crazy mix of ancient and modern. There’s futuristic architecture alongside silk road inns and oil pumping wells.

It’s also not visited so much by tourists so it feels a bit undiscovered.

Check out my guide for all you need to know to plan your Baku holiday.

👇 Quick Links to Great Deals 👇

Table of Contents

Baku Holiday

Let’s start with where Baku is. It’s in Azerbaijan on the Eastern coast. The map below shows Azerbaijan.

Baku Holiday – Summary of Visit

Baku Holidays

Weather in Baku

Is baku good for a holiday.

Baku is great for a holiday. Not only can you see some amazing architecture, but there is also great history to enjoy, fab food and friendly, welcoming locals. It’s also not that visited so you will feel like a real explorer!

As you can see from the annual average weather chart below it can get quite cool in the winter and quite hot in the summer.

Something to consider is the wind that comes off the sea in Baku as well. Its location means that the wind can be quite strong and quite cold, so whilst a temperature of 8 degrees might seem OK the wind factor can make it much colder.

I visited Baku at the end of October. The weather was pleasant and I didn’t need a coat or extra layer until it got dark and then only because the wind was making it cooler. It was pleasant to sit outside during the daytime too.

Below is the current weather in various places across Azerbaijan.

Baku City Break

Getting to Baku from the UK

Baku is fairly straightforward to get to from the UK, with direct flights from London with Azerbaijan Airlines.

For my trip, I did a reverse flight search. As a result, I managed to find a really cheap flight from Istanbul to Baku. It was with the budget branch of Azerbaijan Airlines, called Buta Airways.

It was easy to book the flight online and to book luggage as well. The flight cost worked out to around £45, which given the flight time is 2 hours and 45 minutes away, seemed very reasonable.

Having found my flight route to get to Baku I decided to do a two-stop trip, spending 4 nights in Istanbul before heading to Baku for 3 nights. Check out my Istanbul City break details, which include where I stayed, getting and where I visited.

Buta Airways flies from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) airport in Istanbul. This is not the main newer airport. It is easy to reach this airport by bus from the city centre, and it takes around 1.5 hours to get there.

I ended up staying at the Sabiha Gokcen Airport Hotel which was great and made it a much less frantic and early start to the day.

Sabiha Gokcen Airport is like many airports, in that everyone entering the airport has to scan their belongings at the entrance.

The airport has a good selection of cafes and shops for something to eat before the flight.

The flight to Baku was on an Embraer aircraft. It was clean and comfortable, although I appeared to be the only non-local person aboard.

Check out flight costs for the year from London to Baku,

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Getting a Visa

You do need a visa to enter Azerbaijan. This is very easy and simple to get through the E-Visa service.

The cost is $24 and once you have filled in the application online and paid you simply download your visa.

You need to apply at least 3 days before you enter the country.

City Break Baku

Arrival at Baku Airport and Getting to the City Centre

Arriving in Baku was relatively easy. The airport is very new and modern – it’s the Heydar Aliyev Airport.

Passport checks were speedy. The luggage was prompt too.

There is a place to get Baku currency at the airport and I would recommend doing this. I didn’t and it caused quite a few problems later in the day.

Just before going through into the arrivals hall, there is a taxi desk where you can book a transfer into the city if you haven’t done already.

The airport was very large, clean and modern.

There is a bus which runs throughout the day from the airport terminals to the city centre. Tickets bought using a Baku Kart at 1.50 AZN. You would need to buy your card at the airport first. It doesn’t say on the airport details if you can buy your ticket on the bus.

Read more information on Heydar Aliyev Airport.

It takes about 30 minutes to reach the city centre from the airport. The map above shows the distance from the airport to the Baku city centre.

The drive into Baku is very interesting – there are some fantastic buildings along the way including one that looks like a giant candle complete with holder!

Baku Currency

The currency in Azerbaijan is Azerbaijan New Manats. The exchange rate is around 2.5 AZN to £1.

Holidays in Baku

Holiday Accommodation

There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Baku, with prices and facilities to suit all budgets.

Check out the map below to find the best prices across the city.

If you click on the price box you can see the name of the hotel, guest rating and a picture. Check prices to see more information and get details for your dates of travel.

Holiday Baku

Jireh Baku Royal Apartments

My apartment was at the top of a large block of flats. There were 3 blocks in the development and at the bottom of one block was a convenience store.

The apartment had a lounge, with a large leather couch. The TV cabinet was quite ornate but it didn’t work. There was a kitchen with a dining area which included a gas stove. The double bedroom had large storage units and the bathroom had a massive jacuzzi bath.

WIFI was included and there was a small terrace area which looked out across the main road and the sea.

For 3 nights I paid around £75 for my stay which I thought was very reasonable.

Baku Hotels

Intercontinental Hotel

Flame Towers

Getting Around Using Baku Kart

Public transport is a great way to travel when visiting anywhere really. Baku Kart, is a contactless payment card for public transport, a bit like an Oyster card in London.

All public transport in Baku is now cashless so you need to have your own Baku Kart before you board. You can buy these at the metro stations.

I hadn’t had the chance to buy one and had wrongly thought I could buy it on the bus. Thankfully a lovely local girl paid for my fare into town.

Buying a Baku Kart is relatively straightforward. The instructions are available on the machine in English.

I used the metro and buses every day and it cost me around £5 in total for the 4 days, 3 nights that I was in Baku.

A Word of Warning!

I read on another blog that when scanning your Baku Kart some young people had pushed through the barrier at the same time to avoid paying. This happened to me, only once, with some teenage girls. I had half expected it so it wasn’t so much of a surprise.

Check out the Baku Kart page for more details on costs, passes, and routes.

The Baku Kart is the official card for public transport.

There is also a Baku Card which is a pass which offers free transport, along with discounted entry to various museums. A 24-hour pass costs 12 Euros and a week-long pass costs 35 Euros. Like all pass schemes, it is a question of whether the discounts are worth it, based on what you want to see and do.

Things to Do in Baku

The main part of the city is very easy to explore on foot.

There is a large promenade dotted with gardens, cafes and sculptures. It is a very pleasant place to walk and see locals doing the same thing.

There are various features along the promenade including the Baku Eye , a large observation wheel.

The Carpet Museum is a very large building shaped like a roll of carpet.

There is also a cute area called Little Venice which has some attractive water gardens.

Sculptures and interesting plants are dotted through the garden. There is an interesting display of all the Formula One racing drivers.

Many of the cafes in the gardens serve traditional Baku Tea. This is black tea, served with a variety of jams. The tea is poured into the cup and then the jam is added for sweetness. There are often some snacks/cakes served with tea. This can be nice to try during your stay but it can be frustrating when all you want is a drink. The cost can be quite high too. In one cafe the cost worked out to £15.

There seemed to be an expectation that tourists would pay for the full tea service, with some cafes saying it was that or nothing.

As such it is worth checking this before you sit down, otherwise it could be quite expensive.

Eating and Drinking

Eating new dishes is always a great part of travelling. Here’s where I ate during my stay;

Mugam Club – Caravanserai

Caravanserai were buildings that provided shelter, food and stabling to those travelling along the Silk Road.

The Mugam Club is a restaurant housed in an old Caravanserai. The restaurant said it was open for breakfast but it didn’t actually have a breakfast menu.

It was no problem though – I had a meal of bread and cheeses instead.

The building was spectacular and it was worth going just for the experience of being there. I was the only person in the restaurant which made it very quiet.

It would be spectacular to go in the evening when the building was lit and there was a lively atmosphere.

Old Baku Tea House

The oldest tea house in Baku took a little finding. The entrance was quite unimposing and easy to miss.

The decor was nice with cushions and tapestries. There are little snugs and seating areas giving the place an intimate feel.

When I visited the walls had large TV’s all over them playing pop videos which I found rather distracting.

The House Cafe

I absolutely loved this restaurant. It is in one of the main squares and close to the old town.

The House Cafe was very popular and busy with locals. The waiting staff were very friendly and helpful and spoke English which was great.

I had breakfast there which is shown in the photograph above. As you can see it was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious.

I enjoyed some lovely non-alcoholic drinks too. The toilets were very clean and it was a lovely spot to watch locals enjoying the cafe too and also enjoying the open space of the square.

I returned the next day and had a lovely lunch with salad-topped breads as shown in the picture below.

Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre

When visiting Baku the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre is an absolute must.

It is easy to reach using the metro and then walking several blocks to reach the Cultural District.

The area around this space age and the wonderful building is landscaped and the conference centre has an interesting design too. In the grounds there was some interesting public art.

The walk to the Cultural Centre meant walking through the residential area and it was nice to see a bit more of local life.

On my return journey, I got off at the wrong station and ended up having quite a long walk back. This turned into an adventure when I discovered the underground shopping malls. These were in the underpasses which are a frequent part of Baku. Some have escalators but many just have steps so walking around Baku as a pedestrian often involves going under roads or over footbridges.

Azerbaijan Museum of Independence and Miniature Book Museum

Having planned to visit both these museums I failed dismally to find either. Despite going all round the block where the Independence Museum was supposedly located I could find no sign of it at all. That was disappointing given the interesting subject.

I had the same issue with the miniature book museum.

It felt like an issue with Baku being open for visitors but not quite having joined all the dots of highlighting things to do and places to visit.

Visiting the Flame Towers

The Flame Towers are an iconic building in Baku. They stand on the hill above the bay and are a dramatic and beautiful sight. You can stay in the Towers, which as you can imagine is quite expensive.

The Flame Towers are worth visiting during the day, because of the viewing areas nearby which give amazing views across the bay of Baku.

They are also worth visiting at night when you get a fantastic view of the colour-changing lights, which cover the Flame Towers themselves. It is really spectacular and worth seeing if you get the chance.

To reach the Flame Towers from Baku there is a funicular which will take you up to the base of the towers.

Nearby are some lovely gardens. There are quite a lot of steps if you head over to the viewing terrace but it is well worth it.

Also nearby is Martyrs Lane. It shows the pictures and details of the local people killed when fighting the Russians. It’s a very moving tribute.

Public Transport Issues

Public transport in the evening seemed a little hit and miss. Having waited in the city to visit the Flame Towers I headed down to the main road to pick up a bus heading towards my accommodation.

Unfortunately, the bus stops were in the city centre and there were no other stops along the route. As such I ended up walking along a busy road at night. I eventually found a taxi rank and got a taxi back to my hotel. The driver didn’t want to charge me and again I had to insist.

On another occasion, I managed to get a bus heading in the right direction but ended up at a bus terminal where the bus route finished. This didn’t seem too far away from where I was staying. I took the opportunity to visit a local supermarket which was fab. It was packed with local items and I stocked up on some gifts for home, including Azerbaijan tea.

Having seen my accommodation I then headed off through a scrubby residential area, full of dogs running about. The roads were unmade and there were lots of ramshackle buildings. It didn’t feel like the best place to be walking through so I just kept focussed on where I was going.

I navigated past some chemical and cement works and made my way around the back of the residential buildings to the main road. It was a part of Baku that I felt most people didn’t get to see.

Is Baku Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

I felt very safe in Baku. On arrival, I had to get a taxi into the city centre to get some money and some shopping. As I didn’t speak any of the local language, or any Russian, I had to mime to a taxi driver where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. He was lovely and drove me around for an hour, for a total cost of £10.

Having not realised that public transport was cashless I tried boarding a local bus, and a local girl paid for my ticket.

I also couldn’t find a bus later in the evening and a taxi driver took me back to my apartments, he didn’t want paying.

Baku Holiday Video

Is Azerbaijan worth visiting?

u003cstrongu003eAzerbaijan is worth visiting. Baku the capital city has plenty of attractions and there are some great trips and tours from there to remoter areas of the country.u003c/strongu003e

Is Baku good for a city break?

u003cstrongu003eBaku is great for a city break. It is a very interesting city with some fabulous architecture to explore. It is not as well visited as some other cities so it’s a great time to discover it – before everyone else does!u003c/strongu003e

Is Baku a nice city?

u003cstrongu003eBaku is a very nice city. It is quirky and easy to explore on foot. There is great public transport for travelling around and the local are very friendly.u003c/strongu003e

Where should I stay in Baku?

u003cstrongu003eStaying in the downtown, or central part of the city near the harbour will give you the best access to the attractions and public transport.u003c/strongu003e

Do you need a visa for Baku?

u003cstrongu003eYou do need a visa to visit Baku. It is easy to apply for using the EVisa online service.u003c/strongu003e

Can you fly direct to Baku from the UK?

u003cstrongu003eYou can fly direct to Baku from London Heathrow to Baku on Azerbaijan Airlines.u003c/strongu003e

Baku Holiday Summary

• Baku is a great place for a city break type trip with plenty to do including lovely parks and wonderful architecture.
• Baku feels a little less discovered than many places.
• There is a great combination of old and new in Baku.
• With a bit of searching it is easy to get to Baku from the UK with cheap flights.

If you are looking for a very memorable city to visit that’s a unique blend of old and new you should visit Baku.

Further Reading

If you have found my Baku Holiday review article useful you might also like;

Istanbul City Break – a review of a 3 night stay in the this busy, bustling city

Valencia City Break – less visited than some other cities with a lovely historic centre

Riga City Break – a really lovely city with the largest food market in Europe

If you would like ideas for your next trip check out my Travel Inspiration page

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The Hangry Backpacker

Go Alone. Get Lost. Eat.

Baku, Azerbaijan: Complete Solo Travel Guide

April 6, 2019 By Hangry Backpacker 4 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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Things to do in Baku in 3 days – A complete guide

By Joan Torres 19 Comments Last updated on April 24, 2024

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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With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Azerbaijan

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 Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 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
• How to Stay Safe
• Where to Stay
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• How to Get Around
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Azerbaijan

Click Here for City Guides

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.

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:

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:

• Hostel Ilgar (Sheki)
• Sahil Hostel (Baku)
• Travel Inn Hostel (Baku)

Azerbaijan Travel Costs

Accommodation

• Hostel Dorms – 10-20 AZN per night (+15 AZN per night in Baku)
• Hostel private rooms – 40-80 AZN per night
• Budget hotels – 60-85 AZN per night
• Airbnb private rooms – 25 AZN per night
• Airbnb apartments – 80 AZN per night
• Campsite – Wild camping is allowed outside of national parks.
• Street food – 2-3.50 AZN
• Traditional restaurants – 7-12 AZN
• Western food – 16-50 AZN
• Casual take-out places – 7.50-11 AZN
• Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 9 AZN
• Beer – 2-4 AZN
• Glass of wine – 6-8 AZN
• Cappuccino/latte- 4-5 AZN
• Groceries for a week 50-70 AZN

Azerbaijan Suggested Budgets

Backpacker – 85 azn per day.

If you are backpacking Azerbaijan, this budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, eating street food, cooking some meals, visiting a few attractions like museums and palaces, and using public transportation to get around.

Midrange – 175 AZN Per Day

On a mid-range budget, 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.

Upscale – 375 AZN Per Day

On a “luxury’ budget, 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. The sky is the limit!

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:

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.

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!

How to Get Around in 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.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

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.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Azerbaijan is pretty safe in the countryside (I wouldn’t do it in the Baku region). It is generally expected that you will pay a share of petrol to the driver. HitchWiki is the best website for additional hitchhiking info.

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.

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 tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Azerbaijan (and its neighbors) and continue planning your trip:

Is Azerbaijan Safe to Visit?

Azerbaijan Itinerary: 1 & 2-Week Routes for First-Time Visitors

My 15 Favorite Things to See and Do in Georgia

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Things to do in Baku – a budget-friendly guide to Azerbaijan’s exquisite capital city

What are the top things to do in Baku? If you’re on a tight budget and want to explore Baku without breaking your piggy bank, here is a list of the cheapest and most fun activities to do in Baku.

Baku, it sounds like a species of parrot but in reality, it’s the name of the bustling capital city of Azerbaijan . I’m not very fond of big cities and I prefer to sleep in my tent somewhere in the woods rather than being cramped up in a dorm room in a city, but I gladly made an exception for Baku!

This lively metropolis is a world on its own. The Lonely Planet describes it as “the love child of Paris and Dubai” and once you visited the city, you’ll understand why.

I would also describe it as the big brother of Batumi , an odd but beautiful Georgian city on the coast of the Black Sea. Baku has a beautiful boulevard on which you can walk for hours and it’s particularly beautiful at sunrise or sunset.

The city also has many little parks where you can hide between the green bushes, an old historical city with the neo-Ottoman Shahidlar mosque, a museum of miniature books, incredible eye-catching architecture such as the Heydar Aliyev Center, and of course, the iconic Flame Towers towering above the city.

I always feel lost whenever I enter a huge city, especially during the first days. There’s a chance you’ll see me sitting on a bench dazed by the heavy traffic and crowds of people, not really knowing where to go or what to do.

That’s why I put together this guide with things to do and places to stay in Baku so you won’t feel as lost as me and you won’t need to break your piggy bank.

It can be an expensive city if you don’t watch out so it’s good to know a few useful things about Baku before you go. I would still recommend you to sit on a bench and observe the people and the surroundings. It’s always a fun thing to do, especially while sipping on a coffee.

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Read more about the visa requirements and registration in Azerbaijan !

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A short introduction to Baku

The name ‘Baku’ can be interpreted as ‘city of winds’. After a walk through the streets, you quickly understand why. Azerbaijan’s capital city is located on the western Caspian seaside and you can often feel the harsh sea breeze blowing through the city’s streets and messing around with your hair.

Baku is the largest city in the Caucasus and is the political, scientific and cultural center of Azerbaijan. The city is hip, modern, chaotic and multicultural with architecture that spans multiple generations and styles that neighbor in interesting ways.

For example, the futuristic Flame Towers are placed right behind the centuries-old city walls. One moment you find yourself walking in the hypermodern shopping streets and a few streets further you can come face to face with grand old 19th century styled apartment blocks or wooden houses with hanging balconies that evoke the spirit of the Silk Road.

Kind of a crazy mix but it works. It creates a unique atmosphere and your camera will love it!

Baku is also the industrial center of Azerbaijan. The city lies on the Apsheron Peninsula which is rich with underground sources of oil and natural gas.

That’s why Azerbaijan is historically called the Land of Fire. The many oil rigs on the coast are visual proof of that. Unfortunately this contaminates the seawater with oil so Baku isn’t exactly the place to go on a beach vacation (except for Bilgah beach ).

But do not fear, you won’t get bored here as there are plenty of other (free) things to do in and around Azerbaijan’s metropolis.

Is Baku safe?

Before traveling to a new city, we often wonder if it’s safe. You might be asking yourself if Baku is safe for students or expats or if the Azerbaijan capital is safe for solo female travelers.

My take on it is that Baku is a very safe city. Crime level there is extremely low compared to other big metropolises around the world. Foreigners feel very comfortable in this city and the whole atmosphere of Baku is quite peaceful.

Even if you’re a solo female traveler, you can wander around the parks of Baku without worrying about being bothered or harassed by men.

The streets are very clean and with the creation of a new tourist police service Baku is safer than ever.

Now does that mean that nothing bad ever happens in Baku? Of course not. Like in all big cities, small crimes such as pick-pocketing are not unheard of.

Use common sense when traveling in crowded areas in the city center or late at night.

To avoid being a victim of pickpockets keep your wallet in your front pocket or carry a money belt . Another great option is to travel with a slash-resistant and lockable anti-theft bag . I would also recommend getting good travel insurance that covers theft .

Top things to do in Baku – 14 places worth visiting

1. Icheri Sheher

Icheri Sheher or “Old Town” is the heart of the city and is located right in the center of Baku. It’s the place where ancient Baku was founded and has a history of thousands of years.

Icheri Sheher was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. The town is surrounded by fortress walls and is a historical ensemble of numerous unique monuments such as the Shirvanshah’s Palace complex, the Maiden Tower, mosques, minarets and the ruins of caravanserais (old inns where travelers could rest) and bathhouses.

Walking around in Baku’s Acropolis feels like walking back in time. There’s a cozy atmosphere, especially at night when the locals are preparing food, playing backgammon or just sitting around and drinking tea in the streets.

Entrance fee : Free

2. The Palace of the Shirvanshahs

Shirvanshahs literally means “the kings of Shirvan”. Shirvan was the main territory of the Shirvanshah kingdom and the palace was built in the 15th century in the center of Icheri Sheher.

The architectural style is very exquisite and it emphasizes the art of medieval Islamic civilization.

The Palace complex contains the palace building, the Royal mosque, the Key Gubad mosque, the Divankhana mausoleum where king Khalilullah is buried with his mother and sons, Sufi philosopher Bakuvi’s mausoleum and the ruins of bath houses.

Entrance fee : 10 AZN 

3. Discover the city with the Hop on Hop off bus tour of Baku

If you just arrived in Baku and want to get a quick tour of the city for cheap, why not try a hop on hop off bus? This is a great activity to get a quick sense of the city and it brings you to so many of the places mentioned in this guide.

You can get on board at any of the 15 stops along the circuit and buy a 24-hour ticket from the conductor for only 20 Manat. If you have only a few days to spend in Baku and want to see as many places as possible, this is definitely an activity I would recommend!

The bus ticket includes earphones for the audio-guide, a city map, and extra information about most of Baku’s touristic attractions.

At each stop, the bus will stop for two minutes allowing some time to take pictures. You can also hop off the bus to explore the different sights and hop back on again when the next bus comes along, an hour later.

The first stop is across the road from the Hilton Hotel in Azadlig square.

This is where you can find the bus at the beginning of its loop:

The bus runs from 10 AM to 7 PM daily and the ticket is valid for 24 hours.

Bus fee : 20 AZN but the ticket is valid for 24 hours

4. Museum of Miniature Books

This museum, located in Icheri Sheher, is the only one in the world that is dedicated to miniature versions of books. This library is the private collection of Zarifa Salahova and contains thousands of tiny books that originate from all around the world and are written in numerous languages, including Azeri, Russian, English and German.

It’s definitely worth visiting this unique museum!

Entrance fee : Free, donations are welcome

5. Stroll around Taza Bazaar

One of the things we love to do while we travel is to visit local bazaars. They give a glimpse into the daily life of the local people, they are a sensory experience and usually very photogenic.

The Taza Bazaar is one of the largest markets of Baku and was opened more than 70 years ago. It’s actually one of the oldest bazaars in Azerbaijan. It is located in the center of the city on Samed Vurgun street.

If you want some amazing pictures of the bazaar, try getting there in the early morning when the light is just perfect. If you’re staying in a hostel and you feel like cooking, you can buy fresh vegetables, herbs, oriental spices and Caspian sea fish there.

6. The Workshop of Ali Shamshi

While you’re wandering through the narrow lanes of the Old City, you’ll suddenly come across a psychedelic looking wall. This is the exterior of Ali Shamshi’s studio, who is a talented artist.

His tiny studio is filled with colorful paintings and quirky installations. Pop in his studio while you’re visiting Icheri Sheher.

Entrance fee : free

7. Sunbathe at Bilgah beach

If you want to swim and spend some time working on your tan, Bilgah Beach is the perfect place to do so. While many of Baku’s beaches are spoiled because of oil pollution, Bilgah beach is a clean sandy beach and a great spot to enjoy the sea.

It’s just 35 kilometers northeast of Baku. Admission is free and we’re sure you’ll end up staying there sunbathing for hours. You can get there by taking Bus 185 from Koroghly Metro. The bus stops at Bilgah Sanatorium.

The bus stop where you need to wait is located close to this intersection:

8. Maiden Tower

The Maiden Tower is probably one of Baku’s most famous landmarks. There are a lot of different theories about the purpose of this tower but none is confirmed.

One theory is that the tower was part of the Shirvanshah’s defense system and served as a beacon. People sent alarm signals from this tower to other towers, using smoke by day and fire by night.

Another theory is that this tower used to be a Zoroastrian temple of fire worship and that with the changing times in the Middle Ages later functioned as a defense tower.

A local friend also told us another legend about this tower: The Shah’s (king) daughter fell in love with a guy whom her father refused her to marry.

The king built this tower to lock her up and the daughter became so desperate that she jumped from the tower and killed herself.

One tower, many stories. You can go inside the tower, visit the interactive exhibits and climb the spiral stairs to the top and be rewarded with a nice view of the city.

Entrance fee : 10 AZN

9. Upland Park

Another place where you will be rewarded with an amazing view is Upland Park. The park summarizes the architecture in Baku – a blend of Ottoman, Soviet and ultramodern architecture.

It’s a nice place to walk around. I would definitely recommend you to go there at sunrise or sunset as you’ll have a fantastic view of the harbor and the Caspian Sea. It’s a fairly comfortable climb up the stairs but you can also get there by taking the funicular.

Entrance fee : 2 AZN if you take the funicular, free if you walk

10. Flame Towers

The Flame Towers are the tallest skyscrapers in Baku, with a height of 190m. This iconic trio of buildings marks the city’s skyline and is evidence of the country’s oil wealth.

The towers also promote its historic identity as they are inspired by Baku’s history of fire worship.

The three flame-shaped towers are set in a triangular shape and each tower has a different function. The tallest of the three is a 39-story residential luxury apartment building.

Imagine the views from your kitchen while having breakfast in the morning! The second tower is a hotel and consists of 318 rooms spread over 36 floors.

The third one is an office tower that provides many commercial office spaces. Not a bad place to work if you ask me! I reckon that those offices definitely come with a nice view!

The towers provide a spectacular light show once the sun goes down. The facades of the three Flame Towers function as large display screens which uses more than 10.000 high-power LED lights!

The light show makes the towers look like they are burning as it depicts a beautiful array of red flames going towards the sky. The display of lights is also arranged to show the Azerbaijani flag in all its glory.

Entrance fee: The towers are not open for public visits, unless you’re a resident, office worker or hotel guest. The price of one night in the hotel costs around $170 per night , not exactly a budget-friendly price.

You could always try to become friends with someone who lives in the residential tower or give your best smile at the security guards…

11. Heydar Aliyev Center

The Heydar Aliyev Center is an architectural masterpiece! This cultural center is named after Heydar Aliyev, the first secretary of Soviet Azerbaijan and later president of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2993 – 2003).

The building is considered as one of the main attractions for tourists and became a symbol of modern Baku.

The cultural center was opened in 2012 and was designed by the Iraqi-British award-winning architect Zaha Hadid. The overall shape of the building resembles a wave-like ascension from the ground towards the sky followed by a gradual descent down to the earth.

The center received an award in 2014 for Design of the Year.

The Heydar Aliyev Center houses a conference hall, the Heydar Aliyev museum and multiple exhibition halls. The museum presents the history of Azerbaijan and different stages of Heydar Aliyev’s life and work.

One of the exhibition halls demonstrates all the periods of the history of Azerbaijan and displays items related to different areas of Azerbaijani culture.

Entrance fee: Admiring the architecture of the building is free but if you want to go inside the center, you can buy a ticket for 12 AZN.

This ticket provides you access to the museum and the “Azerbaijan Treasures” exhibition within the Center. You can also buy separate tickets for the other exhibitions that are held.

12. Baku Boulevard

The Baku Boulevard is a 3 km long promenade which runs parallel to Baku’s seafront. It was established in 1909, in a time when the Baku oil barons built their mansions along the Caspian shore.

At the beginning of the Soviet period, the boulevard’s area was mismanaged and the situation became worse as the sea began to rise so high that many of the trees and shrubs in the park started to die because of the salinity of the water.

After a big clean-up and a huge renovation and reconstruction work, the boulevard became a popular place for locals and tourists to stroll and relax.

There are now many small parks, fountains, and restaurants. There’s even a weird little Venice setting where you can rent tiny gondolas.

13. Get lost in the streets and get surprised

It sounds cliché but the best way to visit Baku is by picking a random street, start walking and getting lost. You’ll find interesting little shops, exquisite buildings, colorful mosques, beautiful parks, and odd monuments.

14. Enjoy the sunrise over the Caspian sea

Last but not least on this list of cool things to do in Baku: Enjoying a beautiful sunrise from the pier of Baku. Baku has a long pier that extends far out into the sea. some of the sunrise scenes I captured in this video are from that location.

It’s the perfect place to witness the sun rising above the sea in all its glory. You’ll hear the sound of the waves gently splashing on the peer while feeling the sun gradually warming up your skin.

What are the best day trips from Baku?

Azerbaijan is known as the Land of Fire due to the huge amount of underground oil and gas sources. The natural gas in Azerbaijan’s bowels is so much that it comes to the surface over and over again.

In some places a match dropped accidentally can ignite the gas, which will keep on burning until it fully exhausts. No wonder that Azerbaijan became a pilgrimage destination for fire-worshippers, followers of the Zoroastrian religion.

They believed that the fire sources were the manifestation of divine power so they built altars and temples to worship them. In the suburbs of Baku are some very interesting and unique places where you’ll learn more about the history and richness of the Land of Fire.

1. The mud volcanoes of Qobustan

There are about 1000 mud volcanoes in the world and Azerbaijan is home to one-third of them because the country is a big source of oil and natural gas. The mud volcanoes are formed in places where pockets of underground gas find a weak spot in the earth and force their way to the surface.

That starts first with a big explosion, then a huge flame but instead of magma, there will be a big eruption of mud. Interesting enough the mud is cold so you can touch it without hurting yourself.

The substance contains a lot of minerals so sometimes people come here to take a mud bath in the volcanoes. The mud volcanoes in Qobustan were formed in 2001 and they are definitely a very interesting phenomenon worth visiting!

How to get to the mud volcanoes from Baku by public transport:

Take bus 125 or any other bus that goes to the Bina Mall. This trip costs 0.50 AZN and you can buy the bus ticket in the ticket machine at the bus stop.

Get off the bus at the mall (it’s the end station anyway) and take bus 195 towards Qobustan and Alat. Don’t get off at Qobustan unless you want to visit the museum .

Although the mud volcanoes are referred to as ‘the Qobustan mud volcanoes’, they are actually located near Alat. Ask the driver to stop at the bus stop in Alat.

It’s a tiny little bus station near a small village. The journey from the mall to Alat is about 55 minutes and costs 0.80 AZN which you pay to the driver once you get off the bus.

You’ve got two options when you’re in Alat. You can take a taxi to the volcanoes. Don’t worry about finding a taxi, the taxi drivers will definitely find you!

They will give you ridiculous prices but don’t give in. Don’t pay more than 15 AZN for a roundtrip! Start walking away and they will lower their price.

The second option is to walk. Walk for about 50m towards the village, take the first road to the left and follow this road for about 2km until you come across train tracks.

Cross it and keep walking. You’ll be up for a long walk in the desert – about 5km one way. Keep following the dirt track and you will see a sign that says ‘volcanoes’. Follow that sign up the hill and you’ll suddenly see the hidden mud volcanoes appear. Take plenty of water with you as it can be super hot in summer!

Check out our vlog about the mud volcanoes:

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2. Qobustan National Park

The National Park of Qobustan is cut up with numerous ravines (in Azerbaijani Qobu), so it’s clear where the park got it’s name from. Qobustan is home to thousands of rock engravings spread over 100km.

The engravings display hunting scenes, people, ships, constellations, and animals. The oldest petroglyphs are 12.000 years old!

UNESCO included the Qobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape in the World Heritage List in 2007.

It’s considered to be of “outstanding universal value” for the quality and density of the rock art engravings, for the substantial evidence the collection of rock art presents and for the cultural continuity between prehistoric and medieval times that the site reflects.

There’s also a museum on the site that presents a lot of background information about the history of the area and the rock engravings.

Entrance fee: 2 AZN, entrance to the museum is included in this price

How to get to Qobustan from Baku by public transport:

Get off the bus at the mall (it’s the end station anyway) and take bus 195 towards Qobustan and Alat. The journey from the mall to Qobustan takes about 40 minutes and costs 0.80 AZN which you pay to the driver once you get off the bus.

You’ll know when to get off because you’ll see a sign with ‘Qobustan’. You can always ask the bus driver in advance to stop there.

The museum and rock engravings are at about 6km from the bus stop in the direction of the hills. You can walk the distance if you’re up for it but make sure that you’re prepared as it can be very hot during summer.

The walk is partially uphill. You can also opt for a taxi, which will be very easy to find but less easy to bargain with taxi drivers. Don’t pay more than 20 AZN and maybe you can make a deal to include a visit to the mud volcanoes for this price (see the section above). The museum is open from 9 am until 5 pm.

3. Atesghah Temple of Baku or Fire Temple of Baku

The Ateshgah Temple of Baku (‘Atash’ is the Persian word for fire) is a religious temple in Surakhani, a suburb of Baku. The pentagonal complex was constructed in the 17th – 18th centuries. In the middle of this complex sits an altar with a natural gas vent, which is known for its natural “eternal flame”, a phenomenon of burning natural gas outlets.

This flame went out in 1969, after the exploitation of petroleum and gas in the area but it’s now lit by gas pipes from the nearby city.

The temple was founded as a pilgrimage and holy place of Zoroastrians – a group of religious people who worship fire – who were involved in the Silk Route Trade.

They attributed a mystical significance to the inextinguishable fire and came here to worship the relic and practice fire rituals. The temple altar is surrounded by a number of small cells, which accommodated the ascetic worshipers and pilgrims.

The temple ceased to be a place of worship after 1883 with the installation of petroleum plants and the complex was turned into a museum in 1975. It was also nominated for the List of World Heritage Sites in 1998.

Entrance fee : 4 AZN

How to get to Ateshgah Temple from Baku by public transport:

Take the metro to Koroghlu. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket machines in the metro stations and costs 0.50 AZN. Get out at the metro station called Koroghlu.

Walk out the station and to the buses that go towards the suburbs (there’s a sign that will tell you ‘towards Baku’ and ‘to suburbs’). You’ll also see a lot of taxis but you can ignore the drivers who will call out to you.

Take bus 184 towards Amirjan settlement. The last stop of this bus is directly next to Ateshgah temple. All you need to do is cross the train tracks.  

The ride takes about 16 minutes. Pay the driver 0.40 AZN once you get off the bus. 

Walk towards the big walled complex. Chances are that you’ll see a few buses parked there. Enter the gate, go to the right and purchase your entrance ticket at the little kiosk right next to the entrance of the temple.

4. Yanar Dag (Fire Mountain)

One of the most famous tourist places of the “eternal flame” in Azerbaijan is the mountain of Yanar. Well, the word mountain is a bit exaggerated as it’s rather a hill but it’s still quite a fascinating place.

It reminded me a lot of Mount Chimaera in Turkey – which can be properly called a mountain. Both places have natural gas burning in its slopes since ancient times.

Perfect place to have a campfire if you ask me! Yanar Dag has a 10m long wall of fire that is burning continuously alongside the edge of the hill.

The best time to watch it is in the evening when the sight of the blazing hill is most effective. The legend goes that it was a shepherd who actually ignited the fire in the 1950s by tossing a cigarette and that the hill has burnt ever since.

Yanar Dag is declared a state-protected conservation area since 2007.

Entrance fee : 3 AZN

How to get to Yanar Dag from Baku by public transport:

Take the metro to Koroghlu. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket machines in the metro stations and costs 0.50 AZN.

Get out at the metro station named Koroghlu. Walk out the station and to the buses that go towards the suburbs (there’s a sign that will tell you ‘towards Baku’ and ‘to suburbs’).

You’ll also see a lot of taxis but you can ignore the drivers who will call out to you. Take bus 217 towards Yanardag qorugu. This is also where you have to get off the bus. The journey takes about 30 minutes from Koroghlu and you pay 0.45 AZN to the driver when getting off the bus.

Where to stay in Baku

Baku is a city that is worth taking the time to discover, so you will want to stay there at least a night or two. It is a city rich in traditional architecture but it also blends in modern elements.

Baku also offers a wide selection of hostels for budget travelers who want to save money to explore during the day and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening.

Maybe you’re asking yourself What are the best and cheapest budget hostels in Baku? Here are some hostels where we stayed that we absolutely recommend:

Mr. Hostel Baku

This is a very colorful and cozy hostel right in the city center. It’s the perfect place to relax after a backpacking adventure around Azerbaijan. The staff speaks perfect English and will help you with your registration if needed.

The old city is just 10 minutes away from this hostel so it’s a location where a lot of backpackers end up staying. Freedom Square and the flame towers are less than a 20-minute walk from Mr. Hostel.

Although this establishment is right in the city center of Baku, it feels really calm and quiet inside. There are plenty of desks and cozy couches to work from in the main lobby and the internet connection is super fast.

When we were there, the receptionist helped us get our ferry ticket to cross the Caspian sea and they showed us tons of cool activities we could do in the city. We can’t recommend this place enough.

Click to check out rates and availability for “Mr. Hostel Baku”

Freedom Hostel

The living room of this hostel reminded us more of a luxurious home than a budget accommodation. Freedom hostel is a very spacious establishment and the kitchen is huge!

There is also a nice terrace where Cynthia and I spent our evening relaxing in the setting sun.

Baku metro station, as well as the subway station, are not far and can be reached in a few minutes.

Click to check out rates and availability for “Freedom Hostel”

Cheeky Carabao Backpackers Hostel

This hostel has some really cool features. It has a ping-pong table where you can play in the evening with other backpackers, cool walls covered in graffiti and massive rooms. We loved chilling in the lobby and meeting kindred spirits.

The dorms of this hostel are very spacious, and clean and they have very big windows. If you like to cook, there are a few corner stores nearby in Baku where you can get vegetables. The kitchen of the hostel comes fully equipped with pans, dishes and a working stove and oven.

Click to check out rates and availability for “Cheeky Carabao Backpackers Hostel”

What are the best and cheapest restaurants in Baku?

Baku has a really wide range of restaurants. There are options for all kinds of travel budget. Whether you can’t wait to try local dishes at a great price or you crave international cuisine, eating in Baku won’t disappoint you.

Here are a few budget restaurants that we recommend you check out while in the Azerbaijani capital:

This small cafe became one of our favorite places to eat out when we stayed in the Azeri capital. Araz Cafe is a cozy place with fantastic food almost right next to the fountain square on Nizami street.

For being an Azeri cafe, Araz has some of the best Plov I ever had. It’s as delicious as the rice dishes I ate in Uzbekistan . If you don’t like meat, there are different good options for vegetarians in this restaurant.

Araz Cafe is also a great location to smoke shisha while listening to some live music. If you don’t like the smoke of shisha (how can you not love that perfume?) the cafe has a huge terrace where you can also eat and enjoy a great time.

This is where you can savor the delicious meals and experience the ambiance Araz Cafe offers:

Dolma Restaurant

This restaurant is also located near fountain square close to the old city. The establishment owes its name to a dish famous in Azerbaijan; the dolma.

It’s a dish made of rice and meat stuffed inside grape leaves. This restaurant is probably the best place in Baku to enjoy the typical Azeri dish.

If you’re very hungry, this is the place where you should eat, the portions are humongous and you’ll leave the place absolutely stuffed. If you enjoy wine, you should try out the local pomegranate wine and finish your meal with a shot of strong Raki.

This is where you’ll find Dolma Restaurant in Baku:

This is the restaurant I recommend if you’re looking for a quiet and romantic venue. Eating in Sumakh feels like eating in a five star Michelin restaurant, both for the high quality of the food and for the beautifully decorated dining room.

From the quality of service to the food, design, and atmosphere of the restaurant, in Sumakh everything is at the highest level.

This restaurant has very traditional and authentic Azerbaijani dishes as well as some savory European options. To accompany the meal, Sumakh also offers a fine selection of Azerbaijani wine.

This is where Sumakh is located:

How to get to Baku and travel around the city

How to get from the airport of baku to the city center.

If you fly to Azerbaijan, you’ll be landing at Heydar Aliyev international airport in Baku. Getting from Baku’s international airport to the city center is not very complicated. The airport is located just 21 km away from the city center and you can there by taxi or by city bus.

I explain everything you need to know about reaching the city center from Baku’s international airport in this article .

How to get a taxi in Baku

Taxi drivers in Baku tend to ask exorbitant prices if they see you’re a foreigner. For Azerbaijan as for Central-Asian countries like Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan , it’s better to download the Yandex app on your phone.

Yandex works as a cab-hailing app meaning you won’t have to negotiate directly with the driver and you can avoid being ripped off.

If you use Yandex in Baku, the taxi rides become extremely cheap. Short taxi rides with this app cost 2-3 AZN which is the equivalent of 3 USD.

If you don’t travel with a phone or can’t download Yandex, getting a taxi in Baku might be a bit more complicated. Most official taxis in Baku don’t have a taximeter and drivers typically charge around 15 AZN for rides around the city.

If you don’t speak Russian or Azeri they might even ask more. Taxi drivers generally don’t accept foreign currency so make sure you have some manats with you.

As in Russia it’s quite common to flag down private cars and agree on a price for the ride, this might seem strange, but you’ll see plenty of locals doing it.

Traveling around Baku by city bus

Baku has a very good city bus system. Buses are quite modern and rival city buses you would find in Europe. A bus ticket inside the city costs around 0.20 AZN while buses to the suburbs will typically charge from 0.30 AZN to 0.50 AZN.

Here is a map of all the bus stops in Baku.

Taking the metro in Baku

Traveling around Baku by metro is very practical and you can easily reach a lot of interesting sights around the city. There are two main metro lines in Baku, one going around the city center and another roughly in a northwest-southeast axis. Twenty metro stations are currently opened in the Azerbaijani capital.

A single metro ticket costs 0.30 AZN and the metros are operating between 6 AM and 1 AM the next day.

I hope you will enjoy your stay in Baku as much as we did! In case you have to wait multiple days to catch the boat to Kazakhstan , and have some time to kill, you’ll know what to do in Baku!

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of the links, we get a commission at no extra costs to you! See it as a small donation to keep this blog going. Thank you!

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Have a look at our videos of Azerbaijan . Hope we can inspire you to visit this beautiful and off-the-beaten-track country!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO – AZERBAIJAN TRAVEL TIPS:

• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Backpacking in Azerbaijan
• Visa, registration and border crossing in Azerbaijan
• Traveling from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan across the Caspian Sea by cargo ship

7 thoughts on “Things to do in Baku – a budget-friendly guide to Azerbaijan’s exquisite capital city”

“Wow, this blog post on ‘Things to Do in Baku’ is an absolute gem! It beautifully captures the essence of Azerbaijan’s exquisite capital city and provides a comprehensive guide for budget-friendly explorations. The author’s attention to detail and personal experiences truly make this article stand out. From exploring the historic Old City to indulging in mouthwatering local cuisine, this guide offers an impressive range of activities to immerse oneself in the vibrant culture and charm of Baku.

Hello Can I use the photos of your site by mentioning the source on my Instagram page?

Hi Rozi, could you send me a direct email concerning your question? You can contact me at [email protected]

Your photos are gorgeous! I’m impressed, this is a wonderful place! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you! Happy to hear you like my photography 🙂

I have read your it’s very informative for readers.Thanks for sharing your valuable knowledge.Keep writing.

Thank you for reading! Happy to hear you appreciated our guide to Baku!

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17+ Best Places to Visit In Baku : A Quick Guide!

Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, is a place where Eastern traditions meet Western innovation. Baku is full of old limestone buildings in Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, alongside modern glass structures like the Flame Towers, offering a blend of traditional culture and modernity.

It’s suitable for those who love historical adventures and luxurious escapes. Baku offers numerous adventure activities like off-roading, scuba diving, paragliding, and more! Beyond its natural beauty, the city provides a diverse range of activities for an enjoyable experience.

Confused about which places to visit to explore the things to do in Baku ? Don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through the top places to visit in Baku Azerbaijan, ensuring you make the most of your trip to this vibrant city.

1. Baku’s Old City (Icherisheher) : One of the Top Places to Visit In Baku Azerbaijan

Baku Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its winding cobblestone streets, ancient caravanserais, mosques, and historic architecture. It’s an intriguing destination to explore and delve into Azerbaijan’s rich history and culture. 

The Old City features numerous museums, art galleries, shops, restaurants, and cafes serving traditional Azerbaijani cuisine, making it one of the best places to visit in Baku for enjoying aesthetic photography and vintage vibes.

Location: Old City, Baku, Azerbaijan

Activities to do: 

• Experience Traditional Hammam
• Enjoy Views of the Caspian Sea from Old City Walls
• Dine at Traditional Restaurants
• Visit Museums and Art Galleries
• Walk Through Cobblestone Streets
• Visit ancient mosques, caravanserais, and historic buildings

Best time to visit: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) months

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2. Flame Towers : One of the Finest Places to Visit in Baku with Family

The three towers serve distinct purposes: The tallest tower houses 130 luxury apartments, the second west tower is designated for commercial use, and the third podium base hosts retail and entertainment facilities catering to both residents and visitors.

The Flame Towers are particularly impressive at night, when their exteriors are illuminated with LED screens that can display a variety of images and patterns, including the colours of the Azerbaijani flag and moving flames.

Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

Activities to do:

• Experience breathtaking views from the observation deck of Flame Towers.
• Witness the spectacular light show.
• Stay at one of the luxury hotels located within the Flame Towers complex.
• Explore the upscale shopping mall within the towers.
• Attend cultural events and exhibitions at one of the top places to visit in Baku.
• Dine at one of the restaurants or cafes within the Flame Towers complex.

Timings: 9 am to 6 pm

Entry Fees: No entry fee

3. Palace of Shirvanshahs : One of the Top Places to Visit In Baku Azerbaijan

The main palace building has two storeys and around 50 rooms, with courtyards connected by three narrow winding staircases. It wasn’t built all at once but developed gradually over time.

The palace complex includes several important buildings: the Divankhana, the residential building of the Shirvanshahs, remains of the Key-Kubad Mosque, the Tomb of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, Murad’s Gate, the Tomb of the Shirvanshahs’ Family, the Shah Mosque, and the palace bath-house.

• Explore the Main Palace Building
• Visit the Divankhana at one of the top places to visit in Baku Old City.
• Check Out the Mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi
• See the Palace Mosque (Key Gubad Mosque)
• Enjoy the Views from the Upper Terrace

Timings: 6 am to 8 pm

Entry Fees: Free

4. Bibi-Heybat Mosque : One of the Great Places to Visit in Baku with Family

It has three large domes and two tall minarets. The domes are decorated with intricate patterns and colourful tiles, symbolising the heavens in Islamic tradition. Each part of the mosque’s design carries spiritual meaning, blending Islamic teachings with artistic beauty. It stands as a significant cultural and religious site in Azerbaijan.

• Prayer and Meditation
• Learn about the mosque’s rich history and architectural significance.
• Capture the intricate tilework, domes, and minarets of the mosque.

Timings: From morning until prayer time in the evening

Entry Fees: No Entry Fee

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5. Maiden Tower : One of the Outstanding Places to visit in Azerbaijan Baku

Today, the Maiden Tower functions as a museum dedicated to Baku’s history and is among the famous places in Baku. This cylindrical tower is 29.5 metres tall and made entirely of limestone blocks stacked without mortar, showcasing ancient craftsmanship.

 Inside, it has eight floors connected by a narrow, winding staircase. Visitors can climb to the top floor for stunning panoramic views of Baku and the Caspian Sea, making it one of the best tourist places to explore in Azerbaijan.

• From the top of the Maiden Tower, enjoy panoramic views of the modern skyline of Baku.
• Visit the Museum
• Discover the fascinating legends and myths surrounding the Maiden Tower.
• Explore the archaeological site around the Maiden Tower.

Timings: 10 am to 6:30 pm

Entry Fees: 6 AZN for student and 15 AZN for adult

6. Baku’s Carpet Museum : One of the Top Places to Visit In Baku Azerbaijan

Inside, it houses the world’s largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets, featuring over 6,000 rugs dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries. These carpets are not just artefacts but stunning works of art, adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colours that reflect Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage and tradition of carpet weaving.

The museum has three floors dedicated to distinct themes: the first explores the evolution and cultural significance of Azerbaijani carpets, the second showcases weaving styles from various regions, and the third displays prized antique rugs. 

• Explore the exhibitions showcasing a diverse collection of Azerbaijani carpets, rugs, and textiles. 
• Learn About Carpet Weaving
• Learn About Carpet Symbols
• Relax in the Museum Garden
• Explore the museum’s gift shop, which offers a variety of carpets, textiles, books, and souvenirs.

Timings: 10 am to 6 pm (Tuesday to Friday) and 11 am to 7 pm (Saturday-Sunday)

Entry Fees: 7 AZN for adults and 3 AZN for children and students

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7. Fountain Square : One of the Excellent Places to visit in Azerbaijan Baku

Do you know what makes Fountain Square a favourite among locals and tourists?  its welcoming ambiance, surrounded by trees and has many fountains, creating a peaceful green space perfect for relaxing or hanging out with friends. As the day goes on, especially in the evenings and on weekends, Fountain Square gets busier with lots of people enjoying its lively vibe and doing various activities.

From diverse shops and boutiques to a variety of restaurants and hotels, the area caters to every taste and preference. Moreover, the square hosts a range of public events, festivals, and celebrations throughout the year.

• Take a leisurely stroll around the square, sit by the fountains, and enjoy the greenery and pleasant ambiance.
• Explore the nearby shops, boutiques, and markets for souvenirs, fashion items, and local crafts.
• Try Azerbaijani cuisine or international dishes at the numerous cafes, restaurants, and eateries lining the square.
• Sit at a cafe terrace and observe the bustling atmosphere, especially lively in the evenings and weekends.
• Meet up with friends or locals and engage in conversations while enjoying the dynamic environment.

Timings: Open 24 hours

8. Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center : One of the Best Places to visit in Azerbaijan Baku

Inside, the centre hosts various cultural activities such as concerts, exhibitions, and movies. It’s a vital part of Baku’s cultural life, drawing many visitors and locals alike. Located near the city centre, it also adds to the city’s modern look, with a welcoming plaza for people to enjoy.

Zaha Hadid, who designed the centre, won many awards for her creative architecture.

Location: 1 Heydar Aliyev Ave, Baku 1033, Azerbaijan

• Explore the various exhibitions hosted in the centre
• Join guided tours to learn about the history, architecture, and significance of the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center.
• Visit the centre’s cafes or restaurants to enjoy a meal or coffee while taking in the ambiance of the cultural centre.
• Check the schedule for concerts, performances, and cultural events held in the centre’s concert hall and exhibition spaces.

Timings: 11 am to 6 pm ( Tuesday to Friday ) and 11 am to 5 pm ( Saturday-Sunday ) and closed on Monday.

Entry Fees: 15 AZN for adults, 2 AZN for children and senior citizens

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9. The Museum Of Miniature Books : One of the Top Tourist Places in Baku

Founded in 2002, the museum holds a collection of over 5,600 miniature books. Some of these books are as small as a matchbox or postage stamp. They come from more than 76 countries, showcasing the art of making tiny books from around the world. 

Inside, you can explore miniature versions of classic world literature, Azerbaijani books, and historical texts. The collection of books varies in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres and includes editions in multiple languages such as English, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, and Azerbaijani. 

Whether you’re a book lover or simply appreciate fine craftsmanship, the Baku Museum of Miniature Books offers a memorable visit.

Location: Baku 1000, Azerbaijan

• Explore the Collection
• Learn About Miniature Bookmaking
• Engage with interactive exhibits in this one of the most interactive Baku Azerbaijan tourist places.
• Participate in workshops to learn about the history of miniature books. 

Timings: 11 am to 6 pm ( Closed on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)

10. Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape : One of the Top Tourist Places in Baku

The most famous aspect of the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is its collection of over 6,000 rock engravings, some dating back as far as 40,000 years. 

The area also boasts mud volcanoes, adding to its unique natural beauty. Marked trails with informative signs guide visitors to notable petroglyphs like the “Great Bull,” ancient boats, and hunting scenes. The area surrounding Gobustan National Park is well-known for its popular off-roading spots near Baku .

Location: Qobustan, Azerbaijan

• Discover ancient rock carvings and petroglyphs dating back thousands of years.
• Take a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the petroglyphs
• Learn About History
• Engage with interactive displays that bring the ancient art and history of Gobustan to life.
• Enjoy scenic walks in the Gobustan National Park surrounding the museum
• Visit the museum’s visitor centre to learn about the facilities, services, and additional attractions in Gobustan National Park.

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm ( Monday to Friday ) and 9 am to 5 pm ( Saturday-Sunday )

Entry Fees: 4 AZN

11. Baku Boulevard : One of the Top Places to Visit in Baku for Couples

Baku Boulevard offers a variety of experiences for visitors to enjoy. Take a leisurely stroll and soak in the breathtaking views of the Caspian Sea and Baku’s skyline. Enjoy the serene environment with its gardens, fountains, and refreshing sea breeze. Discover iconic landmarks such as the Flame Towers, Palace of Happiness, and Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. 

Engage in fun activities like riding amusement park attractions, visiting playgrounds, or catching a movie at an open-air cinema. Explore souvenir shops and boutiques for unique gifts and handicrafts. Rent a bicycle to ride along the dedicated bike lanes  to relax, explore, or have fun.

Location : 92 Neftchilar Ave, Baku, Azerbaijan

• Stroll Along the Promenade
• Visit the Baku Ferris Wheel (Baku Eye)
• Explore Mini-Venice
• Check Out the Carpet Museum
• Dine at Waterfront Restaurants
• Visit the Baku Crystal Hall

12. Amburan Beach Club : One of the Best Places to Visit in Baku for Couples

The club provides sun loungers, umbrellas, and other things you need for a comfortable day at the beach. There are also pools, water sports, and several restaurants and bars where you can enjoy food and drinks. It’s one of the best places to visit in Baku with family having areas for kids to play and calm waters for safe swimming.

Location: 1094, bilgah baku AZ, Bilgəh, Azerbaijan

• Use the Beach Amenities
• Try Water Sports and adventure activities in Baku ’s Amburan Beach Club
• Relax on the Beach
• Enjoy Spa Services
• Check out any events or parties hosted by the beach club, which often include live music, DJs, and themed nights.
• Visit the on-site boutiques for beachwear, souvenirs, and other items.

Timings: 10:00 am to 12:00 am

Entry Fees: 25 AZN ( Weekdays ) and 35 AZN ( Weekends )

13. Little Venice : One of the Top Tourist Places in Baku

Little Venice has interconnected artificial waterways lined with colourful buildings. It’s a nice place for walks and boat rides. You can rent colourful boats to cruise the canals. They aren’t real Venetian gondolas, but they offer a fun way to explore and enjoy the scenery.

Many couples also visit Little Venice for its scenic canals and colourful surroundings, which create a romantic setting, making it one of the best places to visit in Baku for couples.

Location: 73 Neftchilar Ave, Baku 1004, Azerbaijan

• Stroll Along the Canals of one of the most stunning Baku Azerbaijan tourist places
• Explore Nearby Attractions
• Sit and relax on one of the many benches scattered throughout Little Venice.
• If available, rent a small boat and paddle through the canals at your own pace

Entry Fees: 5 AZN to 10 AZN

14. Teze Pir Mosque : One of the Top Places to Visit in Baku for Couples

It was the first religious building in Baku constructed with white stone. The architecture reflects the Shirvan style, an Islamic architectural tradition prominent in historical Azerbaijan. 

The facade has detailed features like porticos, minarets on the sides, and a square-shaped worship hall. Inside, the mosque is decorated with geometric patterns on the roof, calligraphy inscriptions, and gold decorations.

Location: 7 Mirza Fatali Akhundov, Baku 1001, Azerbaijan

• Take in the stunning architectural details of Teze Pir Mosque
• Discover the history of Teze Pir Mosque and offer praying ceremonies
• Consider taking a guided tour to learn more about the mosque’s architectural features, history, and cultural importance
• Combine your visit to Teze Pir Mosque with nearby attractions such as the Old City (Icherisheher)

Timings: 4 am to 9 pm

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15. Baku Eye Wheel : One of the Top Tourist Places in Baku

The Baku Eye Wheel, also known as the Baku Ferris Wheel is one of the famous places in Baku Boulevard in Azerbaijan. This towering wheel provides panoramic views of the city and the Caspian Sea.

Standing at 60 metres (197 feet) tall, it features 30 enclosed cabins with air conditioning, each holding up to eight passengers. This allows a maximum of 240 people to ride at once. A full ride on the Baku Eye Wheel lasts about 30 to 40 minutes, offering riders a unique perspective of Baku’s major landmarks.

• Enjoy a ride on the Baku Eye Ferris Wheel to get panoramic views of Baku’s skyline and the Caspian Sea.
• Simply relax in the comfortable cabins and take in the scenic views.
• Watch the Sunset at one of the most beautiful Baku Azerbaijan tourist places.
• Visit the Baku Eye in the evening to see the Ferris wheel beautifully illuminated with colourful lights, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
• Take a boat ride from the nearby pier to enjoy the view of the Ferris wheel from the water.

Timings: 12 pm to 8 pm

Entry Fees: 10 to 15 AZN

16. Nizami Street : One of the Top Tourist Places in Baku

Are you a shopaholic? Nizami Street has it all—from global fashion brands to local shops selling traditional Azerbaijani crafts and souvenirs. In addition to providing shopping wonders in Baku , Nizami Street offers a variety of dining options here, including international chains like Starbucks and local eateries serving delicious Azerbaijani dishes.

Explore architectural marvels like the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, known for its stunning neoclassical design. Don’t miss the Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature or the lively Fountain Square nearby. Nizami Street offers cinemas and bowling alleys, making it one of the famous places in Baku to relax after a day of exploring.

• Dine at Restaurants and Cafes in Baku ’s Nizami Street.
• Appreciate the beautiful and diverse architecture of the buildings lining Nizami Street.
• Visit some of the art galleries along Nizami Street to see works by local and international artists.
• Enjoy performances by street musicians, dancers, and other entertainers who often set up along Nizami Street.
• Experience the vibrant nightlife by visiting bars, lounges, and nightclubs on or near Nizami Street.
• Check for any events, festivals, or street fairs happening on Nizami Street.

17. Highland Park : One of the Best Baku Azerbaijan tourist places

Visitors can relax and unwind along the walking paths, sit on benches, or enjoy a picnic in the green spaces. For a fun and scenic ascent, you can take the cable car, which also spares you the climb. 

One of the park’s highlights is the Azerbaijan Flag Square, featuring one of the world’s tallest flagpoles with a giant Azerbaijani flag. Additionally, there’s a cafe where you can enjoy refreshments while taking in the magnificent views.

• Take in the breathtaking panoramic views of Baku’s skyline and the Caspian Sea from the observation decks in Highland Park.
• If available, consider taking a helicopter tour from Highland Park for a bird’s eye view of Baku and its surroundings.
• Pack a picnic and relax on the grassy areas or benches while enjoying the fresh air and views.
• Relax in the Park
• Visit the Martyrs’ Lane

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In conclusion, Among all the tourist places to explore in Azerbaijan, Baku offers an opportunity to explore the essence of Azerbaijan. From the ancient streets of the Old City to the modern Flame Towers, Baku’s skyline reflects its deep history and ambitious present. Along the Caspian Sea, Baku Boulevard offers peaceful walks, while Nizami Street bustles with shops and cafes. 

With its cultural richness, lively nightlife, and welcoming atmosphere, Baku invites visitors to discover and experience the soul of Azerbaijan firsthand. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and seize the day, because “Kya Pata Kal Ho Na Ho.”

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