Discovering Baku: Essential Tips and Tricks for Your Visit
Unveiling the Secrets of Azerbaijan's Capital
Perched on the shores of the Caspian Sea, Baku—the capital of Azerbaijan—is a city where ancient history meets bold modernity. From the winding alleyways of the Old City to the sleek silhouette of the Flame Towers, fragrant local cuisine to world-class museums, Baku offers a rich and immersive experience for every traveler.
At the same time, its sprawling layout, cultural quirks, and sheer number of attractions can feel overwhelming, particularly for first-time visitors. Insightful tips and on-the-ground discoveries gained through in-depth exploration can make navigating the city not only easier but far more rewarding.
What to See & Do
With endless activities and sights, prioritizing is essential, especially for visitors with limited time.
Baku Old City: Home to several must-see attractions, the Old City (Icherisheher) is a historic treasure.
Maiden Tower sits on the southern edge and is shrouded in mystery and legend. Its museum dives into the evolution of Baku and visitors can climb to the tower’s top for an impressive view of the city.
Bazar Square operates as an outdoor museum with unearthed graves and ancient architecture.
The Palace of the Shirvanshahs stands as a prime example of Azerbaijani architecture and sheds light on Azerbaijan’s rich history and traditions.
While exploring, also allow time to wander aimlessly, turning onto narrow streets and stepping into hidden shops—you’ll uncover architectural gems and meet fascinating locals.
Baku Boulevard/Promenade: Stretching along the Caspian Sea, this scenic pedestrian path allows for a leisurely stroll any time of day. Along the way, you can:
Ride the Baku Eye Ferris wheel.
Take a gondola ride through Mini-Venice.
Explore Deniz or Park Bulvar Malls.
Visit Swans Fountain, particularly lovely at night with the city lights.
Be mindful of cyclists and scooter riders sharing certain parts of the pathway.
Funicular & Highland Park: Ride the funicular (or walk up a lengthy staircase) to Highland Park for incredible vistas and insight into Azerbaijan’s more recent history.
The Mosque of the Martyrs stands beautifully juxtaposed against the modern Flame Towers.
Martyr’s Lane commemorates the Azerbaijanis who perished fighting Armenia and the Soviet Union (from 1990 to present).
Shahidlar Monument was constructed to honor those who died during WWII and houses an eternal flame.
Baku Observation Deck is at the top of a flight of marble steps and, on a clear day, offers panoramic views of the city.
Of important note is that the funicular itself closes from 1-2pm for lunch. So, time your visit accordingly if you want to avoid having to ascend or descend via the stairs.
Museums: In Baku, museums abound. And while which you choose boils down to your interest and preference, a few of the most visited are—
The Azerbaijani Carpet Museum—Housed in a carpet-shaped building and showcasing Azerbaijan’s UNESCO-recognized carpet-weaving tradition.
National Museum of History of Azerbaijan– Located in a former oil baron’s mansion and covering the nation’s rich history.
National Art Museum of Azerbaijan—Features art from around the world including European, Russian, Chinese, and Turkish.
Other popular museums are the Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature, Museum of Miniature Books, and Museum of Archeology and Ethnography.
Be sure to note that museums have varying closed days (either Mondays or Tuesdays), so plan accordingly.
Heydar Aliyev Center: Designed by Zaha Hadid, this architectural marvel is must-see. It houses the Museum of Modern Art and various exhibitions. Many think its collection of carpets surpasses that of the Carpet Museum.
Hammams: There is no more worthwhile an experience while in Baku than that of visiting a hammam, or bath house. The more traditional facilities are public, and steams/scrubs occur in a shared space. Here, there are gender specific days and while most remain men-only, Agha Mikayil Hamman is open to women on Mondays & Fridays. Establishments like Gazelli House embrace the ancient practice but with more contemporary twists, offering private scrubs (kisas) and saunas.
Where to Stay
You’ll find all possible hotels in Baku—from hostels to five-star, local boutique to large chain. There’s the opulent Four Seasons and the classic JW Marriot, the hip Merchant Hotel and more affordable Art Hotel. Truly every preference and price range are available in the city.
It is, therefore, arguably more important to choose based on location. To minimize time in transit and to maximize experience, consider an accommodation in or around the Old City. Most must-see sights are within walking distance.
How to Get Around
Navigating Baku is both convenient and diverse, with various transportation options available to suit different preferences and travel needs.
Walking: The Old City and its surroundings are best explored on foot. You must utilize Baku’s underground walkways to cross the busier streets, so keep your eye out for these tunnels.
Metro: At only 0.40 AZN per trip, the city’s three main subway lines are an affordable option for visiting most of the tourist attractions while also avoiding Baku’s rush hour traffic.
Bolt: Baku’s version of Uber or Lyft, this ride app is an efficient and budget friendly was to travel longer distances (e.g., a 30-minute ride to Yanar Dag costs ~$6 USD). Note that it does require access to WiFi or data.
Foods to Try
Azerbaijani food embodies bits and pieces of the many cultures that have influenced the country. However, the cuisine leans most heavily toward Middle Eastern with its own local flare.
Kebab: The traditional kebab is a grilled meat skewer, most often made with lamb or chicken, and vegetables.
Plov: The national dish of Azerbaijan, it consists of saffron-infused rice cooked with meat, vegetables and dried fruit.
Dolma: Minced meat (usually lamb) and rice wrapped in grape leaves or cabbage.
Qutab: Thin bread topped with greens, cheese, or meat, folded in half and then grilled (like an Azerbaijani quesadilla). It is served with a yogurt dipping sauce.
Dushbara/Gurze: Boiled dumplings stuffed with mutton or lamb and seasoned with garlic, mint, and other herbs.
Pakhlava, Halva and Lokum: Pakhlava (baklava) is layers of thin pastry packed with a mixture of nuts, drizzled in honey, and sliced into a diamond shape. Halva is made from sesame paste and sugar and cut into squares. Lokum consists of chopped nuts wrapped in a gel. Lemon, rosewater, or saffron are added to create new flavors.
A few restaurants at which you can sample traditional Azerbaijani fare are Dolma, Firuze Restaurant, Fisincan Café & Restaurant, Passage 145 and Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant.
Day Trips to Consider
For those with an extended stay or an urge to keep exploring, there are numerous day trips that bring travelers a bit farther afield.
Yanar Dag: A mountain with a perpetually burning natural fire, fueled by gas within the earth’s surface. It is quite small but unique and considered sacred by many locals (approximately 30–45-minute drive).
Gobustan (Qobustan): Home to the UNESCO-listed Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. Here you can find petroglyphs depicting 10,000 years of human history and numerous mud volcanoes (about an hour from downtown Baku).
Candy Cane Mountain: A visually striking red-and-white striped mountain roughly two hours from Baku. The drive takes you through a beautiful landscape dense with vegetation, rushing rivers, and stunning peaks.
Shamakhi: An ancient capital city, it houses the country’s first mosque (restored) and the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum, built for Shamakhi’s last royal family. A few wineries are nearby and a great spot for lunch.
Money Matters
Having access to sufficient funds is arguably one of the most important aspects to any successful trip; and when it comes to Baku—and Azerbaijan at large—there are a few important details to keep in mind:
Cash Exchange: Ensure bills are crisp and without any noticeable blemishes (ink, tears, creases etc.). Some banks will reject even slightly damaged currency.
Multiple Payment Methods: If possible, bring multiple credit card in case one isn’t accepted by a particular vendor.
Tap-to-Pay: For many US cards, the “tap-to-pay” option is incompatible with Azerbaijani card readers. Ask if you can insert your card instead or consider packing a debit card and some extra cash.
Ultimately, no matter where you choose to stay, what you decide to explore, or where you opt to eat, the city of Baku will undoubtedly provide an unforgettable trip. It’s rich history and vibrant present combine to create a truly unique destination!
