Do you want to spend hours on a museum in the form of a carpet, swim in the Caspian Sea, and eat roast meat for dinner – and so every day? To have both European comfort and oriental flavor? And at the same time to fly not too far? Then you are in Baku.
In this article we have collected the most important sights of the capital of Azerbaijan, places for shopping and the best restaurants. We will tell you what to visit, what to try and what to bring back with you – all you have to do is buy a ticket.
Why go to the capital of Azerbaijan
Sightseeing: what to see in Baku
The city has many beautiful mansions built during the Oil Boom (1900s) by major patrons of the arts and oil industry, such as the Asadullayev House or the building of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. The architecture of the city will probably impress you with its combination of Gothic, Oriental style and Renaissance. But the most interesting and ancient neighborhood is the Old City, aka Icherisheher.
Maiden Tower
The history of the tower is surrounded by secrets and legends, disputes about the exact date of its construction and its purpose are still going on. There is an observation deck at the top of the Maiden Tower, which offers a view of the Caspian Sea. Entrance for tourists is 15 manat.
There is a narrow internal staircase leading up to the tower, so people with claustrophobia should be careful.
Almost right behind the Maiden Tower there is a restaurant-tea house รay Baฤฤฑ 145. Go up to the upper veranda, order a pot of Azerbaijani tea with white cherry or watermelon jam and enjoy the view of the Caspian Sea and the tower without exhausting climbing the narrow stairs.
In the Old Town, it’s nice to just stroll through the winding streets. But there are plenty of other things to do here, too.
- Visit the museum of Shirvanshahs Palace (entrance for tourists – 15 manat), a UNESCO heritage site. Pet the cats living near the Palace.
- Relax on the palace staircase next to Murad Gate. Take a look at the vine-lined Vine Street.
- Walk down the stairs past the “Birds and Flowers” street art depicting the challenging Khara Bulbul flower (aka Ophrys caucasianus).
- Watch Baku residents play backgammon in their courtyards.
Don’t be afraid to take a wrong turn and get off the main tourist roads – that’s always where the fun is.
Seaside Boulevard
This is Baku’s parade promenade, where you can look at all kinds of plants, from flowering pomegranates, chestnuts and olive trees to exotic palm trees, Argentine century-old baobabs and even cacti from Mexico.
There are also restaurants, shooting galleries, amusement rides, scooter and bicycle rentals, ice cream parlors, corn and roasted chestnuts. In general, come for the atmosphere of a spa town.
Trade Street
Unofficially, this is the name of Nizami Street, its logical continuation – Fountain Square – and the historical neighborhoods around it.
Once here, you will immediately realize that you are in the right place – even without a map. In spring (in honor of Novruz holiday) and winter (on New Year’s Eve), a large street fair is always organized in Fountain Square.
The convenient street layout makes it easy to walk from Torgovaya to the neighboring attractions: Haghani Garden, Seaside Boulevard and the Old Town.
By the way, opposite the Khagani Garden is the Baku Book House, a space for lovers of books with beautiful titles, privacy and coffee.
Nagorny Park
Dagorny Park overlooks Baku and the new symbol of the city, the Flame Towers, towering above it. In the evening it is especially beautiful here: the city’s windows flash and the towers literally “light up with fire”.
You can get here by cable car – the station is opposite the Carpet Museum. The interval of trips is 10 minutes.
Port of Baku
A modern and stylish mixed-use district where the city’s business life boils, a kind of Baku City. It is home to retail, office and residential spaces, as well as many trendy cafes with an above-average check.
At the port, you can not only walk through luxury boutiques, but also enjoy views of the Caspian Sea while strolling along the White City promenade.
Museums
Heydar Aliyev Center
Firstly, the museum building is a small architectural marvel designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. For its unique design and innovative interior without a single straight line, the Center was awarded the prestigious international Design of the Year Award by the London Design Museum in 2014.
Secondly, it is the most modern museum in the country. You will be immersed in Azerbaijani culture, multimedia halls and the opportunity to play national musical instruments at the interactive exposition. The exhibitions of dolls and retro cars are also impressive.
National Museum of History of Azerbaijan
The largest historical museum in the country is housed in a beautiful early 20th century mansion. The museum has more than 300 thousand exhibits – there is archaeology, medieval history, and ethnography.
And also the lower jaw of Azyhanthropus (you’ll find out who it is!). Entrance fee is 15 manat, excursion – 10 manat.
Carpet Museum
It looks like a rolled-up carpet and contains in its collection all imaginable and unimaginable carpets of Azerbaijan up to the XVII century. The entrance fee is 10 manat.
Azerbaijan National Museum of Art
The museum is located in the historic mansion of oil producer Lev De Boer, built in Renaissance and Baroque style. A vast collection of Azerbaijani, Eastern, Russian and Western European art awaits you. There are not only paintings by Repin, Aivazovsky, Kuindzhi, but also Rubens and Durer.
In addition, there are works by Azerbaijani artists. Entrance fee is 10 manat, if you want to take photos in the museum – pay additional 5 manat.
Museum of Modern Art
Located on Yusif Safarov Street, in the Hatay neighborhood. The museum building itself is a work of art with unique architecture.
The museum’s collection includes works by Azerbaijani artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, including paintings, sculptures and installations. There are also works by Picasso, Dali and Chagall. To visit the museum, buy an entrance ticket for 5 manat.
YARAT and Surakhany Tanker Museum
Located on the Baku Bay embankment and occupies a building formerly used as a shipyard. Entrance is free of charge. If you wish, you can ask the museum staff for a short tour of the exhibition, which is also free of charge.
The space around the museum is also worth seeing. For example, the Surakhany tanker, built in 1957 and which became a museum in 2018, is worth a visit. The museum’s exposition tells about the history of the Caspian oil fleet, shipbuilding and oil transportation. The entrance fee is 5 manat.
What language to speak
The national language is Azerbaijani, but everyone will understand English. It is useful to learn at least “hello” (“salam”) and “thank you” (“teshekkur edirem”) in Azerbaijani to make the locals feel at ease.
What is the currency in Azerbaijan
The national currency is manat (internationally known as AZN).
How to get around Baku
From the airport to the city center you can take a cab from YanGo, Bolt or Uber AZ (not to be confused with the regular Uber app) – or take the Airport Express H1 express bus. The trip will take 20-25 minutes without traffic.
You can pay for your fare with a BakiKart card. BakiKart is sold at electronic terminals near bus stops when leaving the airport. In the city, purchase the card at metro stations or some bus stops.
One card can be used by several people and has unlimited validity. BakiKart costs 2 manat, a trip from the airport to the city center (final stop “Baku Railway Station”, aka “28 May” metro station) will cost 1.30 manat per person.
The card can be refilled for any amount, but be careful, the terminal does not give change.Near the airport you will be met by happy Azerbaijani cab drivers ready to take you to any address. The cost of the trip may differ from the aggregators in a higher direction – from +30% to infinity.
When visiting Baku, the easiest way to get around is on foot or by inexpensive cab: a fifteen-minute trip costs an average of 2 to 6 manats in economy class. Mostly cash is accepted.
There are several scooter rental services in the city, such as Wingz and Jet. But, to be honest, you can only enjoy riding them while driving along Primorsky Boulevard. In other parts of the city, narrow sidewalks and paving stones get in the way – it’s easier to walk.
Where to live in Baku
If you can afford to splurge, choose the Four Seasons Hotel Baku overlooking the Caspian Sea right next to the Old City. You’ll also love the Hilton Baku, or the JW Marriott on Neftyanikov Avenue near the Government House. The Holiday Inn Baku, located in the skyscraper business district, is also a great (and more economical) option.
Stylish boutique hotels such as The Merchant Baku, Molokan Inn Hotel and Dinamo Hotel are slightly cheaper than the previous ones. In Baku it is convenient to live in the center, so if you have the opportunity – this option is better than driving to the main attractions every day.
What and where to eat and drink in Baku
National cuisine
- Sahil. One of the best options for dinner in Baku. We recommend lamb shashlik “apple”, lulia kebab, crispy eggplant salad. Try Baku kutabs (fried flatbreads with stuffing). Classic fillings are lamb meat or herbs, served with sumakh (a loose red spice) and gatig (a sour-milk product similar to sour cream). If you want to drink, choose wine from the most popular wineries in Azerbaijan with an affordable price tag: Hillside, Savalan and Meyseri. You can also try pomegranate wine, but be careful – it is tasty, sweet, so you get drunk from it imperceptibly and quickly.
- Sumakh. Expensive but tasty. We recommend trying chargrilled meat, salads and Shekinah shepherd’s piti soup. The soup is cooked for 8 hours and served in clay pots. It contains lamb flesh, turkey, chickpeas, dried plum, chestnut and a lot of spices. It will be very nourishing. Also try Azerbaijani pilaf and dolma (if you can fit it in after piti).
- Otdix. In case you want to eat like the Baku people. The restaurant has a veranda, which, thanks to the warm climate, is open practically all year round. Try chargrilled meat, saj (fried lamb on a special flat pan), tomato salad with cherry sauce, kutabs, and, of course, after all this don’t forget about Azerbaijani tea in a traditional glass – armuda. It is worth booking in advance, the place is always full.
Coffee shops and European cuisine
If you’ve had your fill of fried meat, go unload at one of these places.
- Coffee9Bar is a small coffee house with a small but hearty menu. Breakfasts are served at any time. On the menu: eggs Benedict with salmon or turkey, pastas and bruschetta. Delicious coffee and lemonades. You can also visit Street9Bar, a branch with a wider menu.
- Benedict Cafe specializes in breakfast, but not only. Tasty sets: Mexican, American and English plus coffee or tea for a reasonable price. You can also browse and buy souvenirs at the cafe.
- Unlu Dining, A small cafe for 5-6 tables with an adjacent kitchen and the cafe’s symbol – Kusimba the cat. The menu includes delicious tea, potato waffles with caviar and cream cheese.
- Gazelli Cafe is a cozy and elegant restaurant of European cuisine in French style. The restaurant has a luxurious covered veranda (convenient in hot summer) and a cozy patio with a flowering lemon tree. Next door to the restaurant there is Gazelli store with author’s Azerbaijani cosmetics, perfume and other souvenirs.
- Mezze is a restaurant opposite the Philharmonic Garden, suitable for a nice lunch. The menu emphasizes Israeli cuisine. We recommend the meze set with creamy spinach, hummus and haidari. Very tasty pita with chicken and aioli and tomato soup. There is a brunch menu, good wine and cocktail list.
- United Coffee Bean, Baristica and CupCup are places for those who only drink specialty coffee.
- Bir Iki or Shawarma No. 1 is a simple, good chain place. Ready-made salads, soups, salmon and chicken sandwiches, and fancy pastries at Entrรฉe Artisan Bakery.
Cocktail and wine bars
- Meyvi is a bar with national spirits and liqueurs and hosts literary evenings and musical events. You can buy a bottle of liqueur based on national berries and fruits, such as feijoa, pomegranate or cornelian.
- KEFLI is a wine bar near the Old Town. Large selection of local wines and cocktails, good appetizer menu. The premises are small, popular and respected by locals, so there are always few vacancies.
- INN Vino Wine Bar is a cozy, quiet place with the atmosphere of a wine cellar. The walls of the bar from floor to ceiling are stacked with wines and sparkling wines from all over the world and from Azerbaijan. Large menu with sets of cheese and meat appetizers.
- The 360 Bar on the 25th floor of the Hilton Hotel. The bar rotates in a circle: while you sit and drink a margarita, you will see the city from all sides. On the downside, smoking is allowed in the room, and it can be very noisy in the evenings.
Where to go shopping and souvenirs in Baku
Here you can buy national souvenirs (baklava, tea, cheeses, wines, kitchen utensils with Azerbaijani patterns).
Crescent Mall and Port Baku Mall
Two shopping centers located in the elite district of Port Baku are located opposite each other. Port Baku Mall is the home of luxury brands: Dolce&Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Rolex, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Balenciaga – everything for luxury lovers.
We should also mention one of the largest collections of Bulgari, even from other countries come here for their things.
There is also a luxury and mid-segment cosmetics store Emporium. For tourists, TaxFree is available at the store.
In the same building is the most famous grocery store in the city – Port Bazar, where you can find fruits, vegetables, baked goods, prepared foods, local and foreign cheeses and wines, fresh fish and meat. The store itself has a cafรฉ-restaurant.
The recently opened Crescent Mall is a more modest neighbor of the luxury giant. Popular brands such as Oysho, Mango, Zara, Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Jysk, as well as many Turkish brands are represented here. On the minus first floor there is a grocery store Rahat. In front of the shopping center there is a recreation area overlooking the singing fountains. Fountain shows are held daily once an hour from 15:00 to 21:00.
Park Boulevard
The shopping center is located right on Primorsky Boulevard. On the topmost floor there is a movie theater Park Cinema. The cost of a ticket for a session is from 4 to 8 manats depending on the time.
Deniz Mall
The building resembling a seashell, or, as the guests joke, the Azerbaijani version of the Sydney Opera House, is definitely worth seeing at least from the outside. There is a pleasant walking area behind the shopping center with a skateboarding area and a gorgeous view of the Caspian Sea.
By the way, here you can also look at the city from the height by taking a ride on the Baku Ferris wheel. Its height is 60 meters, and from the top point there is a panoramic view of the Caspian Sea and Baku. The ticket price for adults is 5 manat, children from 6 to 12 years old – 3, children under 6 years old – free of charge. In windy weather, which is very often in Baku, the wheel does not work.
Local designers
If you are in search of authentic local brands, we advise you to stop by STOCKINSTOCKOUT on Neftyanikov Boulevard. This is a large stylish showroom with clothes, jewelry and accessories from Azerbaijani designers, where you can find things for every taste and budget.
The showroom has moved to a new address, other branches are closed! Do not trust the cards.
For those looking for local souvenirs – toys, postcards, tableware, candles and even handmade ceramic ashtrays, we recommend Handicraft Baku. This is a cozy showroom that has gathered many independent Azerbaijani brands under its roof. Pay attention to Zilli – their wooden trays and hot plates with patterns of different regions of Azerbaijan can be a wonderful souvenir from your trip.
Ninka Cards has two showrooms – in Passage 1901 and Old Town. Basically, it is a store with postcards and illustrations by Azerbaijani artists. And also with cute socks with images of the Maiden Tower, baklava or tea and shekerbura from the Corabb brand.
Green Bazaar
Don’t be fooled by the rule that you can always buy cheap fruits and vegetables at the bazaar. We advise you to come to the Green Bazaar solely for the experience. The store display in the main hall will immediately suggest that everything here is designed for tourists.
And the cost of seasonal fruits and vegetables often does not differ from the prices in supermarkets and city vegetable stalls.
Baku residents, if they come to the Green Bazaar, it is to “their” sellers. If you have a sporting interest in haggling for a kilogram of tomatoes, you can cheer up the sellers a lot, as they give discounts only to wholesale buyers.
