The vibrant capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, is where modernity, culture, and history all come together. Visit the Icherisheher Old City, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Explore the city's winding streets, which are studded with ancient sites, mediaeval fortifications, and buildings that date back hundreds of years.
Best Places to Visit in Baku
Baku has marked itself as a popular tourist destination due to its specific geographic location and intriguing history. The place is a perfect amalgamation of ancient and modern and major attractions like Flame Towers, ancient mosques, lavish palaces, and a skyline dotted with modern buildings making Baku a worth-visiting destination.
Palace of the Shirvanshahs: Visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs which is the major tourist attraction in the old city. This medieval palace is worth visiting and it is the biggest monument in the Inner City of Baku. A palace bathhouse was discovered in 1939.
Seaside: On the Caspian Sea Baku is the largest city and overlooks the water and get. Baku is the largest city on the Caspian Sea. The city looks towards the water and receives a breeze coming from it. So, you can walk the best stretch of waterfront in the city. Along the way, you can enjoy plenty of sunshine and cool breezes in the evening. This is one of the coolest things to do in Baku.
Old City: Walk down the streets of the old town and witness stone-made charming houses. Baroque or gothic style architecture gives a glimpse of the rich past. You can spend time and stroll around to see caravanserais and mosques. Many small and beautiful shops are treats to the eyes.
Maiden Tower: Maiden Tower is a worth-visit landmark in Baku. The 12-century monument is an eccentric tower and may have been set out as an astronomical observatory, fire beacon, defensive fortification, or Zoroastrian temple. So you must explore this mysterious place on a trip to Azerbaijan.
Flame Towers: The tallest skyscraper in Azerbaijan is the Flame towers and it is 182mt. tall building. The three buildings are in the East, West, and South. There are offices, apartments, and hotels located inside the Flame towers. The huge display screens are at the facades of three towers and the illumination of these screens is the best across the globe. You can see the Flame towers from anywhere in Baku.
National Flag Square: National Flag Square has a huge flag that measures 70 meters by 35 meters. The pole is 162 meters tall. This flagpole is the second tallest across the globe as per the Guinness Book Records. The square sprawls over 60 hectares of area and you can witness the country map.
Baku Wheel: Baku Eye is also known as Devil’s Wheel or Baku Ferris. This is situated in the Seaside National Park of Baku and was constructed by a Dutch company. This wheel has 30 enclosed cabins and a height of 200ft. Each cabin can hold 8 people. Only two VIP cabins can hold four people. You can see beautiful views of Baku bay from this wheel.
Teze Pir Mosque: Teze Pir Mosque was built between 1905-1914 and it is a significant heritage mosque in Baku.
Icherisheher Fortress Walls: It is one of the greatest forts with towers surrounding it. This is a popular place in Baku and made its place as UNESCO World Heritage.During 1138 and 1139, the walls were constructed. For additional protection, the fortress comprises double walls.
Little Venice: The man-made waterways in Little Venice of Baku make it a perfect tourist place. The construction began in 1960 and in 2012, this was expanded. Here you can see several canals and give you an authentic experience of Venice where tourists can enjoy different activities.
Heydar Mosque: Named after President Heydar Aliyev, Heydar Mosque was inaugurated in 2014 and it sprawls over 12000 square meters area. The façade is decorated with unique stones according to the style of Shirvan Abshoeron architecture. There are specific regulations and all management is done accordingly.
Nizami Street: This is the largest shopping and pedestrian street in downtown Baku. It is named after Nizami Ganjavi, the classical Persian Poet. During the town planning project, the street had made its way. It runs from west to east from downtown. You can witness captivating ancient buildings and monuments on Nizami Street. There are several shopping outlets and it is home to the embassies of Austria, Germany, Netherlands, and Norway in Azerbaijan.
Heydar Aliyev Center: This beautiful building is a major attraction in the capital city of Azerbaijan. This was designed by Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-British architect. Several temporary exhibitions are hosted in the building and you can also see several weird statues around the building. The futuristic building is popular for its curved walls and it is a perfect example of innovation and modern art.
Fire Temple: Fire Temple is also known as Baku Ateshgah and it is a castle-like temple in Surakhani town. It is based on Persian inscriptions. The temple was used as a place of worship by Sikhs, Hindus, and Zoroastrians. The pentagonal complex was built during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is one of the popular tourist spots among travelers.
City Boulevard: Also, known as Seaside National Park, City Boulevard is worth exploring. You can observe the mesmerizing night view of Baku and the Caspian Sea. Stroll around and see business centers, shopping malls, tea houses, restaurants, and a wide variety of plant species. This is a perfect spot to relax after enjoying Baku City sightseeing.
Important Things to Remember When Visiting Baku:
- Hop-on hop-off buses are a perfect way to travel around the city. Baku metro is also maintained but often overcrowded.
- City roads and highways are well-maintained but many drivers do not pay attention to traffic rules so there is an increased risk on certain roads if you travel by taxi.
- Walking around Baku is easy and you get most downtown attractions. You can hop on the bus to see popular landmarks.
- Hop-on hop-off buses offer an economical, convenient and eco-friendly way to discover Baku, the culturally rich capital.
- Walking downtown is a good option than taking any vehicle specifically during rush hour
- Taxi is also a good transport choice to get to remote areas if not accessible by public transport.
- Know about the Boston Weather conditions before visiting this city. The weather forecast gives an idea about what you can pack.
- Register at the State Migration Service if you plan to spend more than ten days in Azerbaijan.
- Know some common phrases while traveling to a new country. The official language in Azerbaijan is Azeri. Some locals can speak English.
- Azerbaijan is a secular country so you can wear dresses while traveling in this country. There are no strict rules regarding clothes and everyone is free to wear the clothes of their choice. Make sure to wear suitable clothes in religious places.
- There is a variety of local food to enjoy in this city. Kebabs, saffron-flavored rice, and food full of traditional flavors are a must to cherish.
- Always carry your passport and identity card when you go out. You need to pay a fine if not carry a passport.
Best Time to Visit Baku
The best time to visit Baku is from April to October. Summers are harsh in Baku and you need to face bright sun which is troublesome when exploring different places. Winters are extremely cold and dry so November to January must be avoided.