Baku is a city that can combine a lot of customs, traditions, architecture, mentality, and vibes of European capitals as well the great Transcaucasia. Walking around the city, I catch myself thinking that one of its parts reminds me of Dubai, while others of Berlin, Ukraine, or Prague. Each part of Baku is significantly different in style from the other but at the same time manages to stay in perfect harmony. To give you a bit of proof of my words, I decided to create for you a proven list of the best places to visit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
1. Highland Park
Undoubtedly it is better to start exploring graceful Baku from above to pinpoint all the beauties of this bright city. To do this, as soon as you arrive, plan to go to Highland Park - there are beautiful views of the city and the Caspian Sea.
There are two ways to reach this spot - by stairs or by funicular. I prefer stairs as they offer different views from different heights of the park. Besides, if you get tired, there are many benches along the way to rest and catch your breath. If you prefer the funicular, which is always free of charge but works on specific hours, you will still have great views. Therefore, in any case, you will not go wrong with your choice of path to the park.
The park was created in pre-revolutionary times and used to be called the English Park, in memory of the English soldiers who died in Baku in 1918. Next to the park, now there is an alley dedicated to the martyrs, where everyone can walk in silence. In addition to this part of the park, as I said, there are stunning views of the coast. I like to admire the busy sights of the boulevard from here, as well as watch the light show on the Flame Towers.
As soon as you climb to the very top, be prepared for the change in temperature. It’s quite cold. It is not for nothing that Baku is called the “City of Winds”. So don’t forget to dress warmly if you plan to visit this place outside of the summer and don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the lights. Another tip is to try to visit the park at dusk or night, so you can enjoy the beauty of all the lights and colors of Baku and be delighted.
Highland Park
Address: Mehdi Huseyn Street, Near Martyrs’ Lane, Baku 1006
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: Free
2. Baku Book Center
You are not likely to find this unusual attraction in the basic Baku guides, but I strongly advise you to visit. Not far from the very center of Baku, close to Molokan Garden, there is a huge bookstore with a cafe. It looks very original and rich and consists of two floors, the second of which leads to a spiral staircase.
In this bookstore, you can find books in Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkish, English, and German languages. You’ll also find various postcards, notebooks, and other stationery and, for collectors or just interested people, various Azerbaijani post stamps. One of my favorite parts is the old books section. Here you can find anything - old textbooks, cookbooks, or just fiction books. The main thing is to spend some time browsing through the shelves.
Visitors love their cozy cafe on the ground floor behind the cash desk. You can buy your favorite book and read while drinking freshly brewed coffee or eating a fresh croissant. If you want more silence, then go up to the second floor to sit on cozy ottomans by the window. You can take any book you like without buying it and spend your leisure time reading and watching the sights from the window.
By the way, the ottomans are very comfortable, so don’t be surprised if you find me there!
Baku Book Center
Address: Uzeir Hacibeyli 5, Baku
Website: Baku Book Center
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (Mon-Sat) / 11am - 10pm (Sun)
3. Old Town Baku
The Old Town or, in Azerbaijani, “Icheri Sheher” is the pearl of Baku. It was here that the history of the city surrounded by fortress walls began, which now consists of endless narrow and quaint streets. Interestingly, these streets are still inhabited by the local population in old and authentic houses. If you wander through the quiet streets, do not hesitate to investigate any corner of the Old City - there is something interesting waiting for you at every single step.
By the way, fun fact: in 2000, the Old Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, but that is certainly not why this is my favorite part of this city. My favorite pastime is to get lost in the narrow colorful streets because, even though I have been here dozens of times, I can still find something new every time.
For tourists, there are authentic shops with local products and souvenirs, numerous cafes and restaurants, as well as many architectural monuments. Take your time and look into antique shops - I often find beautiful old silver rings here.
Speaking of architectural monuments, it is worth noting the Maiden Tower, or Qiz Qalasi, is located in the Old City, which is one of the unspoken symbols of Baku. The tower holds a lot of secrets, and archaeologists still do not know what the true purpose of this tower was. But by entering it, you get into the museum to gain deeper insights into the history of Azerbaijan. In addition, the top of the tower offers wonderful views of the city.
Another pearl of the Old Town is the Palace of the Shirvanshahs or “Shirvanshahlar Sarayi”, which echoes the origins of Baku. This palace belongs to the period between thirteenth and fourteenth century and is the residence of the Shirvanshahs. It occupies a huge territory in the old city and is a building with two floors. The complex includes a tomb, a mosque, a mausoleum, an underground well, and a bathhouse.
Old Town
Address: 1/34 Mammadyarov Street, Baku, Baku AZ 1001
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: Free or from 5 USD
4. Baku Boulevard
Do you understand that the list of beautiful places in Baku cannot be complete without its Boulevard? The length of the Boulevard is 25 km (15.53 mi). The locals love to walk here day and night, so if you want silence, you will have to walk a few blocks away from its very center. There are many cafes and restaurants, attractions, shopping malls, arenas, and concert venues, as well as rare plants and trees on Baku Boulevard. I love spending my time here together with my friends, sitting in any random cafe and drinking local tea with a view of the Caspian Sea.
Entering the center of the Boulevard from Nizami Street, on the right side, you will notice Parachute Tower, which is 75 meters (246 feet) high. Go further and you will find Little Venice - a system of channels where everyone can take a gondola ride. This “Venice” is very small but if you have never ridden a gondola, it’s worth a try. I have never ridden it myself but, walking along the Boulevard, I often see the happy faces of children with their parents, so I’m sure it’s quite wonderful.
Not far from this place, is a building of unusual form - Carpet Museum. This museum is designed in the form of a rolled carpet and showcases about 1 million different local carpets. Take some time and visit the museum to explore this side of Azerbaijani culture.
Another popular place frequented by the locals is Flag Square, which is striking in its scale and is also located on the Boulevard. It gets its name from the huge Azerbaijani flag dominating this space.
I advise you to spend an early morning or late evening on the Boulevard; these are the best times of the day when you can enjoy your coffee by the seashore. If you want to explore the entire Boulevard, then rent scooters or bicycles to save time and effort. I, of course, prefer to walk on foot.
Baku Boulevard
Address: Neftchilar Avenue, Baku, Baku
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: Free
5. Philarmonic Fountain Park
The most picturesque place in Baku, in my opinion, is the Philharmonic Garden. It is located near Old Town and, from here, you can hear the beautiful sounds of music. Glorious plants bloom here and the garden exudes a graceful ambiance. There are plenty of benches, so be sure to set aside some time to sit and absorb the beauty of this place.
Often passing by this place, I notice newlyweds having their pre-wedding photo shoots here. And for good reason too! The whole white and emerald design fits perfectly into the concept of a wedding ceremony. Therefore, if you stumble upon them, be sure to wish the young couple good luck as this is a secret tradition of the city.
Philarmonic Fountain Park
Address: Sabayil, Baku, Baku
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: Free
6. Flame Towers Baku
Three large buildings resembling flames are the tallest in Baku and symbolise Azerbaijan’s unofficial name - the Land of Fire. As soon as dusk sets in, LED screens are turned on in each of the towers, which display various pictures - a flame, the flag of Azerbaijan, and, on certain holidays, unique drawings.
Inside of one the buildings, at Park Cinema, you can enjoy the newest movies in IMAX format. An ideal view of the towers can be seen from Highland Park, although due to their height, the towers are visible from almost any part of the city.
Flame Towers Baku
Address: Mehdi Huseyn Street 1A, Baku, Baku AZ1006
Opening hours: 24/7
Price: Free
7. Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center
The insanely beautiful futuristic building named after former President Heydar Aliyev is a cultural center and is one of the best works of the great architect Zaha Hadid. There are rumors that the building itself is made in the form of Heydar Aliyev’s signature; the idea itself blows my mind. Snow-white, streamlined, and very unusual, it looks especially beautiful under the scorching Baku sun. In 2014, the London Design Museum recognized it as “Project of the Year”.
The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center includes several exhibition halls dedicated to the history, culture, and architecture of Azerbaijan, as well as the Heydar Aliyev Museum. It took me about three hours to see the whole cultural center, so I strongly advise you to have enough time in hand to see everything.
While exploring the exhibition halls, take a break in the cafe located inside or take a walk in the park nearby. In the cafe, by the way, I tried their coffee with salted caramel syrup, which was delicious; so if you are also a sweet lover, then this is highly recommended.
Heydar Aliyev Center
Address: Heydar Aliyev Avenue, Baku, AZ1033 Baku
Website: Heydar Aliyev Center
Opening hours: Tue-Fri: 11am - 7pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 6pm
Price: From 6 USD
Piece of advice from a Baku fan
After visiting these sights, don’t forget to make time for yourself to collect all the thoughts and feelings from this city together. Every time I come home, I am amazed at the pace this city is growing every day. If you feel the same way, you can spend some time like me strolling along the windy boulevard in silence.
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