Are you planning a visit to Azerbaijan and looking for the best things to do in Baku ? See my recommendations below.
Azerbaijan was not at the top of our bucket list. However, due to last-minute planning on our side and complicated visas for other destinations, it ended up being a relatively easy, spontaneous trip, with a simple, online visa process, and we didn’t regret our decision.
Some history
Azerbaijan's history spans millennia, with ancient civilizations flourishing in the region. Over time, it was ruled by various empires including the Ottomans. In the 19th century, it was divided between the Russian and Persian empires, with Northern Azerbaijan becoming part of the Russian Empire. After a brief period of independence, Azerbaijan became a Soviet republic until regaining independence in 1991. All of these empires have influenced the country and this can be seen in the cuisine, architecture, culture and language.
Azerbaijan is bordered by Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran and Turkey. Its landscape, particularly near Baku, is rich with extractable oil and gas reserves that serve as valuable fuel sources.
Lying on the shores of the Caspian Sea, Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is an underrated gem with a vibrant blend of ancient history and cutting-edge modernity, which is evident from the time you arrive at the international airport. We flew to Baku from Johannesburg via Dubai on Emirates and visited the city just before the Grand Prix which takes place there annually in September.
Did you know that the Caspian Sea is actually a lake? It is the world’s largest saltwater lake.
Baku’s historic heart, Icherisheher, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by medieval walls and ancient gates. This labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets and ancient architecture is home to numerous historical monuments, such as the Maiden Tower, Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Juma Mosque, as well as restaurants and shops.
Things to do in the Old City
The Maiden Tower is a 12th-century monument considered to be one of the country's most distinctive national emblems. Standing 29.5 meters tall with a diameter of 16.5 meters, this cylindrical stone tower is shrouded in mystery regarding its exact age and original purpose. The tower now houses a museum showcasing Baku's history and offers views of the Old City and Baku Bay from its roof.
Did you know? Many suicides used to take place from the top of the tower until glass barriers were erected and a permanent guard stationed there. Our guide told us of an incident where he had to stop someone from trying to jump on one of his visits there.
The Shirvanshas were a kingdom that ruled over the area for over six centuries from 861 to 1538. The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is a 15th-century royal complex in the Old City, which showcases the grandeur of the Shirvanshah dynasty, with its intricately designed palace, mausoleum, and mosque. Although not as elaborate as the Palace of Shaki Khan in Shaki, it is still worth a visit.
The Miniature Book Museum is a quirky museum that contains over 6,000 tiny books from various periods and genres. It's the only museum in the world dedicated to miniature books. We were fortunate enough to meet the owner of the store, an elderly lady who took pride in her collection of photographs of famous personalities who had visited.
Free walking tours in Icherisheher are a highly recommended way to explore the Old City. Guided by knowledgeable locals, they cover key landmarks and hidden gems, while sharing stories about Baku's rich cultural heritage. it's customary to tip the guide at the end, as they rely on tips for income. We did one with Azerbaijani Traveller. His English was fluent and we learnt much about the city and the country from him. What was particularly interesting was the information he provided on local customs and culture.
Modern Baku
Designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the Heydar Aliyev Centre is one of Baku’s most iconic modern structures. Its flowing, futuristic design, with no sharp angles or corners, represents fluidity and innovation. The centre houses a museum and exhibition spaces, showcasing Azerbaijan's history, culture, and art and is surrounded by landscaped gardens.
Baku’s skyline is dominated by the futuristic Flame Towers, three flame-shaped skyscrapers that symbolise the country’s association with fire. Azerbaijan is often called the "Land of Fire" due to its historical Zoroastrian roots and its natural gas resources. At night, the Flame Towers are lit up in changing patterns and colours. The towers are best admired from afar. It is not necessary to go inside them as they contain a hotel, residential apartments and offices.
Highland Park has great views of the Flame Towers as well as panoramic views of the entire city and the Caspian Sea. To get to Highland Park, you can either walk up the steps or take the Baku Funicular opposite the Carpet Museum, which provides a scenic ride up the hill. We went to the funicular just before sunset and it was quite busy.
Nizami
Nizami Street is one of Baku’s busiest shopping avenues, and it's a great place to soak up the local atmosphere and visit a tea-house to enjoy the tea Azerbaijan is known for. Lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, it’s a lively hub for both locals and tourists, especially at night.
While on Nizami Street, don’t miss a stop at Nizami Metro Station, named after Nizami Ganjavi, a 12th-century Persian poet. Its opulent design features marble, mosaics, and murals that pay homage to his literary contributions. Photos are not allowed in the station, and there are guards present to enforce this.
The Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature, located near the entrance to Icherisheher, honours Nizami Ganjavi and other prominent Azerbaijani writers and poets. The building itself is an architectural gem, with an ornate façade featuring statues of famous literary figures. Inside, you’ll find an extensive collection of manuscripts, books, and artefacts that trace the rich literary history of the region.
Baku Boulevard
Stretching for miles along the Caspian coastline, Baku Boulevard is a scenic promenade, lined with parks, fountains, and cafes, that offers a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely stroll, rent a bike, or simply watch the sunset over the Caspian.
The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum is a striking building designed to resemble a rolled-up carpet. Inside, it showcases an impressive collection of Azerbaijan's centuries-old tradition of carpet weaving, with intricate designs and patterns reflecting the country’s cultural heritage.
Deniz Mall is a futuristic, multi-level mall located on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Shaped like a flower, it resembles the Sydney Opera House. The massive complex has a wide range of international and local brands, restaurants, and entertainment options.
Mini-Venice is a touristy man-made canal system that offers visitors a slice of Venice in the heart of Baku with its quaint bridges and gondola rides, and it's a great spot for a romantic boat ride. Kids will enjoy it too.
The Baku Eye is a giant Ferris wheel with panoramic views of the city and the Caspian Sea. Standing 60 meters tall, the wheel is a popular attraction for both tourists and locals, especially at night when the city lights up.
Mosques
The Taza Pir Mosque is one of the most prominent religious landmarks in Baku. Originally constructed in the early 20th century, it was recently renovated and is a beautiful example of Islamic architecture with its majestic dome and intricate detailing. The mosque is surrounded by scenic gardens so be sure to spend some time there.
Heydar Mosque is the largest mosque in the South Caucasus region. Named after former President Heydar Aliyev, it features four 95-meter-high minarets, a 55-meter-high main dome, and a 35-meter-high secondary dome, with its facade adorned in the Shirvan-Absheron architectural style.
The Bibi-Heybat Mosque on the outskirts of the city is one of Baku's most striking and historically significant mosques with its large turquoise dome and intricately decorated interior. Originally built in the 13th century, the mosque was destroyed during the Soviet era and later rebuilt in the 1990s. The mosque is also an important pilgrimage site for many Muslims.
Day Tours
We did a day tour that covered Gobustan National Park, the mud volcanoes, the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag.
Approximately an hour’s drive from Baku, Gobustan National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient rock carvings, mud volcanoes, and fascinating geological formations. The park contains over 6,000 rock engravings that date back as far as 40,000 years, offering an incredible insight into prehistoric life in the region.
Aside from the petroglyphs, one of the park’s other highlights is its mud volcanoes. Azerbaijan is home to nearly half of the world's mud volcanoes, and these natural phenomena are both intriguing and surreal. The mud volcanoes are not actually volcanoes, just muddy mounds with bubbling mud at the top.
Azerbaijan’s ancient connection to fire can be seen in two popular sites near Baku: the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag.
The Ateshgah Fire Temple is a place of worship for Zoroastrians, Hindus, and Sikhs. Built over a natural gas vent that once spewed flames, the temple is a testament to the region's fire-worshipping history. Though the natural flames have since ceased, the temple still offers a unique window into the country’s spiritual past.
Yanar Dag, or "Burning Mountain," is a natural gas fire that burns continuously on a hillside near Baku, Azerbaijan. The flames, reaching up to 3 meters high, emanate from a thin, porous sandstone layer and have been burning steadily for centuries.
Other
Located just outside of Baku, in the town of Mardakan, Mardakan Castle is a medieval fortress built in the 14th century to serve as a defensive structure against invaders. The castle has two towers, with the taller one offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. You can explore the castle which contains artifacts from medieval times. The castle is kept locked unless there are visitors. The caretaker will give you a tour of the interior. His son invited us to his house for tea, dates and cookies, and gave us pomegranates from his tree.
Azerbaijan is not renowned for its beach scene however Baku has a variety of beaches along the Caspian Sea coastline. Many of them have amenities such as beach clubs, water parks, and various water sports activities, catering to different preferences and age groups. While some beaches closer to the city centre may have concerns about oil pollution, there are numerous clean and attractive options within easy reach of Baku. Popular beaches include Shikhov Beach and Bilgah Beach. Mardakan Beach is relatively less crowded.
No trip to Baku would be complete without indulging in its delicious food. Azerbaijani cuisine is a rich fusion of Middle Eastern, Turkish, and Central Asian influences. One of the most popular dishes to try is plov, a fragrant rice dish often cooked with saffron, meat, and dried fruits. Shah Plov is an even more elaborate version of plov, where it is baked in a crust.
Street food is also a great way to experience the local flavours. Don't miss out on trying kebab and shashlik, skewered meats grilled to perfection. And for something sweet, sample pakhlava, a traditional Azerbaijani dessert similar to baklava but often filled with walnuts or almonds. We had the most amazing chocolate pakhlava from a little shop next to the Juma Mosque in the OId City.
We ate at a few restaurants in Baku. The food and ambience were good at Firuze but we enjoyed the food at Qaynana in the Old City the most. For a quick snack or meal on the go, shawarmas are delicious and convenient. There are vendors all over the city but our go-to-place was Sah Doner, on Mardanov Qardashlari just off Nizami Street.
Nizami Street and Icherisheher are both popular places to stay with easy access to restaurants and tourist attractions. Find accommodation in Baku.
Most people in Baku (and the rest of Azerbaijan) do not speak English. We only met a handful of people who spoke English and relied on Google Translate to communicate with the rest.
Azerbaijan has low crime rates, and Baku is generally safe for tourists. However, do be careful of scammers. (More about that later)
Baku has a good public transport system with a metro and buses. Traditional taxis, Uber, Yango and Bolt are also available and are reasonably priced.
Does Baku have a coffee culture?
No. Baku has a tea culture and tea houses are found everywhere. Coffee shops are few and far between.
Have you been there? What are your favourite things to do in Baku ?
See Things to do in Ganja, Azerbaijan
See how to apply for an Azerbaijan visa.
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
So many good suggestions to considered! Definitely saving this one for my ( hopefully soon) trip next year!
Your post brings back nice memories of my recent trip to Azerbaijan. Still I must say that I haven't visited all places from Your list. So good reason to come back someday. Thanks for sharing!