Baku, The Capital Azerbaijan – 12 Best Things to do

November 23, 2024 0 Comment OanaAlexandra

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Baku, The Capital of Azerbaijan - 12 Best Things to do, Full Travel Guide

Are you prepared to explore Baku, the city of Azerbaijan, and all of its stunning sights? You will know where to go and how to arrange your trip ahead of time after reading our guide! Have fun perusing our resource!

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Azerbaidjan Map

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Informations

Azerbaijan is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, the Russian republic of Dagestan to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south.

When to visit: The best time to visit Azerbaijan is April to June and September to October, which will let you avoid the 40°C summers and sub zero winters.

Language: The official language is Azerbaijani.

Currency: Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) aprox. 1$=1,7 AZN 1€ =2,07 AZN Food

Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=6 USD, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=24 USD. You can find more information about the visa here.

Here you can buy your evisa! Fast and cheap:

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a fee at no extra cost to you. Click here to view our complete affiliate disclosure.

Things to do

Highland Park

Azerbaijan’s capital is home to the well-known Highland Park Baku.Highland Park, sometimes referred to as “Viewing Square,” is one of Baku’s most popular locations for strolls, relaxation, and taking in the views of the sea. Situated in the center of Baku, this is the ideal spot for unwinding. Visitors can take in a stunning panoramic view of the city and bay from its highest point. Visitors and residents alike visit the park to unwind, take a stroll, or enjoy the scenery.

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Fountains Square

A public square in Baku’s center, the capital of Azerbaijan is called Fountains Square. The square was formerly known as Parapet, and it is still frequently referred to by that name. The fountains square got its name because it has numerous fountains that were installed all over it when Azerbaijan was under Soviet administration. The square is a popular spot for people to congregate, particularly on the weekends and after work. It is a popular tourist location with lots of passageways, hotels, restaurants, and stores.

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Baku Boulevard

Baku Boulevard, sometimes called National Park, is a boulevard that parallels Baku’s waterfront and was created in 1909. Its history spans over a century, during which Baku oil barons constructed their homes along the Caspian shore and the seashore was gradually constructed. The park is situated on the Caspian Sea’s south coast and is roughly 3 km by 750 m in size. Freedom Square is where it ends and National Flag Square is where it begins. The Azerbaijan Cabinet of Ministers estimates that the boulevard will be 26 km long, encompassing Bibiheyb and other districts.

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Flame Towers

Constructed between 2007 and 2013, The Flame Towers is a visually arresting high-rise complex located in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The building is made up of three towers: Flame Tower 1, which is 181.7 meters high and has 39 stories above ground; Flame Tower 2, which has 36 stories and is 164.6 meters high; and Flame Tower 3, which has 28 floors and is 160.8 meters high. The towers, which stand in for flames, are lit up at night to give the impression of flashing flames. They are used as offices, hotel buildings, and residential complexes.

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Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum is a museum in Baku that features carpets and rugs made in Azerbaijan using both traditional and contemporary weaving methods and materials. It is home to the world’s greatest collection of carpets from Azerbaijan. It was first established in 1967 on Neftchiler Avenue and relocated to a new structure on Baku’s waterfront park in 2014.

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Yanar Dağ

Situated on a hillside in Azerbaijan, Yanar Dağ is a naturally occurring gas fire that has been blazing since ancient times. Tourists are welcome to visit the earth fire site, which lies a few kilometers north of Baku, the state capital. On Yanardag, a limestone hill near Baku on the Abşeron peninsula on the Caspian Sea, flames as high as three meters shoot out of a ten-meter-wide ridge. There are currently very few of these naturally burning natural gas sources in the globe, the most of which are in Azerbaijan.

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Qobustan National Park

Located 50 kilometers southwest of Baku, just west of the settlement of Qobustan, is the Qobustan National Park in Azerbaijan.The region contains, among other things, an area of roughly 44 km². the elevations of Kiçikdaş dağı in the south, Böyküdaş dağı in the middle, and Cinqirdağ in the north. The rock sculptures were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007.

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Palace of the Shirvanshahs

Situated atop İçęri Şəhęr hill in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a complex of majestic buildings known as the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Most of the time, this moniker is solely used to refer to the residential palace itself. A Muslim dynasty known as the Shirvan Shahs controlled the Shirvan area of modern-day Azerbaijan. The Shirvanshahs’ mausoleum, Maiden’s Tower, Shah Mosque, Seyid Yahya Bakuvi’s tomb, Murad Gate, Divanchana, Key Gubad Mosque, and the bathhouse are all part of the ensemble.

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Heydər Əliyev Merkezi

Located on Heydar Aliyev Avenue in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, the Heydar Aliyev Center is a research and international conversation facility. The center is a sizable structure that houses administrative offices, exhibition spaces, the Heydar Aliyev Museum, and a sizable convention hall. Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s third president, is honored by the center’s name. The renowned architect Zaha Hadid created the center’s design in 2007. Anar Alakbarov is the director of the Heydar Aliyev Center. The center is regarded as one of Baku’s contemporary emblems.

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Maiden Tower

The Maiden’s Tower is located in the southeast of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in the still partially walled medieval town of İçəri Şəhęr. Presumably, it was a component of the former city defenses, of which the 29.5-meter-tall tower was a part and which no longer exists in the eastern half. The tower, together with the entire old city center and the Shirvanshahs’ palace, has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2000.

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İçəri Şəhər

The old, partially walled area of Baku, Azerbaijan’s city center is known as İçəri Şəhęr. In 2000, İçęri Şęhęr was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.The city was rocked by an earthquake in November 2000. In the years that followed, many of the old town’s historic structures were destroyed, especially to create space for the relocation of representatives of multinational corporations. The population dropped from 5,000 to 3,200. For this reason, in 2003, the World Heritage Committee listed İçəri Şəhər as a piece of world heritage in danger.

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Bibi Heybat Mosque

Originally constructed in the 13th century during the Shirwahshah era, the Bibi Heybat Mosque is a mosque located on the outskirts of Baku. Mahmud ibn Saad was the architect behind its design. It was the first place of worship in Baku to be destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1936 as part of Joseph Stalin’s campaign of militant atheism; the imposing Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built soon after.

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Book your perfect vacation!

Vacations: We are happy that we have the opportunity to work with the most famous companies in the world, we always order our vacations from these companies and we have never been disappointed: Check 24, Trivago, Trafalgar, TravelUp, Insight Vacations, Explorer Fernreisen.

Where to stay

Hotels, bed & breakfasts, and guesthouses, regardless of location—in the center of town, close to a lake, or amid natural surroundings. We were able to identify the top companies providing the best hotels: Booking.com, Trip.com, TravelUp, esky, Hoteltopia, Millennium Hotels and Explorer Fernreisen.

Where to eat

Traditional food to try in Azerbaidjan

Plov – customary rice dish with meat; Shah Plov – customary rice dish with fried dough; Dolma – stuffed grape leaves Piti (lamb and chickpea soup) with Saj Ichi (Azerbaijani barbecue)

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Lavangi – Baked Stuffed Meat Dish
Mangal Salaty – Vegetable Salad
Buglama – Traditional Lamb Stew
Gutabs – Stuffed Meat or Vegetable Pies

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Dushbara: Dumplings
Bozbash, the National Soup of Azerbaijan
Djiz-biz: Fried Meat
Kefli Becha: Azerbaijani-Style Chicken
Pomidor-Yumurta: Eggs and Tomatoes

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Best restaurants in Baku

Park Bulvar Mall – It has over 99 stores, 6 movie hall theaters, 3D cinema, planetarium, luxury shops, photo studio, supermarket, restaurants, and cafes.
Movida Lounge and Dining – North American and the Middle Eastern cuisine
Firuze Restaurant is built underground which will definitely give you the authentic feel of Azerbaijan. They have an extensive menu which includes Pilaf Firuza, Qutab with cheese and Quail Levengi.
Dolma – European cuisine

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Telequlle restaurants, Baku – It’s a place with mind blowing panoramic view of the Baku and Caspian sea. It has a revolving restaurant with perfect Azeri and European cuisine.
The Passage 145 is one of the most crowded restaurants with unique ambiance. The interior of the restaurant is on the unique concept representing the Culture of Azerbaijan.
Sumakh – Farinaceous dishes, Pilafs, Kebab, and Saj Meals.
Soloha – ucrainean restaurant where you can eat: Chicken Kiev, Vareniki and Spinach & Pumpkin Pelmeni.

Saving Tips

The most expensive time to visit Azerbaijan in the summer months. This is the busiest time of the year for tourists, so attractions, car rentals, and hotel prices are a bit high.
There are many free activities in the country and Baku that will help you to keep your budget: Walk the Old City, Viewpoint at the Flame Towers, Fountain Square, Baku Boulevard.
The beaches on the Caspian Sea coast are stunning and the public beaches are almost free
the night trains are not expensive and is the best way to travel between cities
eat street food to save money. Is very cheap and delicious!

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Book your tours!

Tours: If you do not go by car and need to know more information about the tours, and things to see, we recommend these companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!

Viator, Get Your Guide, Tiqets, City Sightseeing, Sesame, Sightseeing Pass, Contiki, Riviera Travel, CityPass: the best activities in town!

Shopping

Baku Corner – It offers a wide collection of products made by local and foreign artisans.
The Green Market is the most famous and popular local Markets in Baku where you can find the best fruits and vegetables.
Teze Bazaar – quality fresh food ranging from seafood, spices, dairy products, berries, vegetables, cheese, meat as well as the delicious black caviar.
The Sardak Bazaar – clothes, makeup, jewellery, souvenirs, perfumes, home items or even food items such as fruits and vegetables
Metro Park Mall – cosmetics, electronics and accessories stores with a number of cafes, restaurants

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Port Baku Mall has many branded stores such as Ralph Lauren, Chole, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Tory Burch, Emilio Pucci and many others.
Ganjlik Mall includes a multiplex cinema, cafes, shops, entertainment center and many others
Nizami Street – It has a large pedestrian and shopping street in Baku. The place is rich with a variety of shops including stores, small outlets and supermarkets. It’s a top spot for Baku Shopping Centers with high end-shops.
Park Bulvar Mall – It has over 99 stores, 6 movie hall theaters, 3D cinema, planetarium, luxury shops, photo studio, supermarket, restaurants, and cafes.

Getting around

There are two metro lines and a single ticket costs 0.30AZN (18¢). However, first, you have to get a metro top-up card which costs 2AZN (1.20USD). Alternatively, you can buy a single-use metro card, which you can only top-up once and costs 0.20AZN (12¢).There is a modern bus network but you will have to know where you are going. The price is the same as in the metro.

Bus – There are buses going and coming to the airport every 20 or 30 minutes, all day long. They drop you off in downtown, in front of 28th May metro station. A single ticket costs 1.30AZN (75¢) and it also works with the metro card. Taxi – With Uber, a taxi ride costs around 10AZN (5.90USD).

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Bus – Buses and minibuses (marshrutkas) are the most common options for intercity travel.

Trains – Trains in Azerbaijan are a lot slower and less frequent than buses; however, if you’re not in a rush, night trains can be an excellent option to save on a night’s accommodation. Baku connects directly with Tbilisi, Moscow, Rostov, Kiev, Kharkiv (Ukraine), Brest (Belarus) as well as towns and cities within Azerbaijan.

Book your transport!

when it comes to buses, Busbud is the best choice.

when I want to travel by train, I choose Omio.

Rent a car!

Here you can find the best offers to rent the right car for you, as well as parking right in the airport: esky, Explorer, Centauro and intui.travel.

Getting here

Azerbaijan Airlines operates regular flights to Azerbaijan from Ankara, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Moscow, New York, Dubai, Tehran and Tel Aviv. British Airways also runs direct flights from London to Baku. The major airport is Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are technically at war, mainly due to the dispute of Nagorno-Karabakh, so the border with Armenia is definitely closed. Nevertheless, you should know that having an Armenian visa on your passport does not ban you from traveling to Azerbaijan (and vice-versa), so you should not worry at all about that

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Book tour Flights!

If you have not found your desired flight, or you simply want more flight options to find the best and cheapest, we will help you with the best flight plans, where you will definitely find what you are looking for. With just one click you will find the cheapest flights to a wonderful destination!