AZ
Baku
Azerbaijan’s Caspian capital, where a walled old city meets oil-boom architecture and fire-themed landmarks
Azerbaijan’s Caspian capital, where a walled old city meets oil-boom architecture and fire-themed landmarks
A cylindrical stone tower of uncertain date at the edge of the Old City. Inside is a small museum, and the roof has views over the city and bay.
Photo: Wertuose, CC BY-SA 3.0
A 15th-century palace complex at the top of the Old City, with a mosque, a mausoleum, a bathhouse and courtyards.
Photo: Ludvig14, CC BY-SA 4.0
A flowing white cultural centre designed by Zaha Hadid and opened in 2012. It hosts exhibitions and concerts.
Photo: Avisadehh, CC0
A seaside park stretching for kilometres along the bay, with promenades, cafés and views of the Flame Towers, which are lit up at night.
Photo: Antoloji, CC BY-SA 4.0
About an hour south-west of Baku, the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (UNESCO) has thousands of petroglyphs, some thought to be more than 10,000 years old. Mud volcanoes are nearby.
Combine it with the mud volcanoes on a tour.
Photo: Eminn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Try plov (saffron rice), dolma, qutab (thin stuffed flatbreads), kebabs and Caspian fish, with black tea served with jam.
The Old City and the streets around Fountains Square have many restaurants and tea houses.
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is about 30 minutes from the centre by taxi or the Aero Express bus. The metro is cheap and covers much of the city.
Most visitors need a visa; citizens of many countries, including the EU, can apply online for an e-visa (ASAN Visa). Azerbaijan’s land borders have been closed to incoming travellers for several years, so arrive by air. Check current rules before you travel.
Azerbaijan uses the manat (AZN). Baku is moderately priced: hotels are the main expense, while metro rides, taxis and local food are cheap.
Hotel prices rise during the Formula 1 race.
Old City, modern Baku and fire.
Explore Icherisheher, the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, then walk the Boulevard at sunset.
Visit the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Carpet Museum, and go up to Highland Park for views of the Flame Towers.
Take a day trip to Gobustan and the mud volcanoes, then to Yanar Dag (a natural gas fire) and the Ateshgah fire temple.
Baku is very windy; bring a jacket even in spring and autumn.
Use ride-hailing apps or agree fares in advance.
Stays over 15 days require registration with the migration service.
Avoid photographing government and military buildings.
Quick answers for planning time in Baku.
Most visitors do. Citizens of many countries, including the EU, can apply online for an e-visa (ASAN Visa).
Land borders have been closed to incoming travellers for several years; check the current situation and plan to arrive by air.
Yes, the Walled City of Baku, with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, was listed in 2000.
About an hour by car, south-west along the coast.
April to June and September to October; summers are hot and winters cold and windy.
Azerbaijani is the main language; Russian is widely understood and English is spoken in hotels.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Azerbaijan travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.