Top 10 Places to Visit in Baku - A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers

Explore the most popular Places to Visit in Baku, where the new architectural style and the history of centuries are united next to the Caspian Sea. The city of Baku can be a memorable experience to every traveler, starting with the iconic Flame Towers and ending with the picturesque streets of the Old City. You can also easily plan your visit to the country, and fill out an application form to the convenient e-Visa Azerbaijan online and enjoy the best sights of the city in an ease. Savour culture, food, and beautiful sights in beautiful Baku.

Best Places to Visit in Baku

Azerbaijan has been a great destination in recent years because of the magnificent nature and history, beautiful landscapes, and hospitality. Fire Nation is ruled by Baku, also known as Windy City. Besides the rich history, the Baku region is also attractive to tourists because of its modern construction building, and it is located in the center of the ancient Silk Road. Below is the list of top 10 places to visit in Baku.

Old City (Icherisheher)

Icherisheher or Old City is the historical center of Baku and a world heritage site. There are narrow lanes, old mosques and the famous Maiden Tower here. The Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a complex of palaces of the 15th century, which consists of a mosque, a bathhouse, and a mausoleum is also worth visiting.

Old City (Icherisheher), Baku

Flame Towers

The towers of the flame are one of the most popular towers of the city of Baku and not in vain. These flame-shaped towers are lit at night and can be observed anywhere in the city, almost. The Flame Towers Plaza is also worth a visit and it is made up of shops, restaurants and a cinema.

Flame Towers buildings - Baku's most iconic landmarks

Heydar Aliyev Center

 The Heydar Aliyev Center is a cultural center designed by the renowned building designer Zaha Hadid. It has a unique architecture that is magnificent and includes a concert hall, an art gallery, and a museum.

Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku

Carpet Museum

The Carpet Museum should be visited by every one interested in the Azerbaijani culture. At this place you also can observe some of the best carpets in the world and get to know about the history of Azerbaijan carpet manufacturing.

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

Explore more: Top cheap hotels in Baku: Journey of budget-friendly bliss

Baku Boulevard

Baku Boulevard is a marine boardwalk which runs nearly 3 miles along the Caspian Sea. You may take a walk, hire a bicycle or ride in the Ferris wheel. There will also be restaurants, cafes, and amusement parks on the way.

Yanar Dag (Fire Mountain)

One of the natural wonders in Baku is referred to as Yanar Dag, which means Fire Mountain. It is natural gas, which oozes into the earth and catches fire, that produces the eternal flame that has been burning here since time immemorial.

Ateshgah Fire Temple

The other place where a person can not afford to miss is the Ateshgah Fire Temple, which explains the history and culture of Azerbaijan. This pre-historic temple was one where Zoroastrians worshiped and they thought fire was a manifestation of God.

Ateshgah Fire Temple near Baku, Azerbaijan

Gobustan National Park

Gobustan National Park has some of the most ancient rock art in the globe dating to at least 40,000 years. In this case, you will find images of animals, individuals and even boats cut out of the rock. You can learn more about National Park Baku in order to learn about other beautiful natural attractions in Azerbaijan.

Mud Volcanoes

More than half of the Mud Volcanoes in the globe may be found in Azerbaijan, many of which are closest to Baku. These amazing natural phenomena release gas and muck into the air, resulting in a bizarre scene that is unmatched anywhere else on Earth.

Active Mud Volcanoes in Gobustan Desert, Azerbaijan

Bibi-Heybat Mosque

The Bibi-Heybat Mosque is a beautiful mosque located on the outskirts of Baku. It was destroyed by the Soviets in the 1930s but was rebuilt in the 1990s and is now one of the city's most popular attractions.

Bibi-Heybat Mosque

Things to do in Baku

Aside from seeing these top 10 places to visit in Baku has a plethora of other activities to delight visitors. Here are a few suggestions, like the following:

• Take a cooking class and learn how to make Azerbaijani dishes like plov (rice pilaf) and dolma (stuffed grape leaves).
• Visit the local bazaars and sample some of the delicious fruits, nuts, and spices sold there.
• Attend a performance at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.
• Take a day trip to the nearby town of Qobustan and visit the Qobustan Petroglyph Reserve, which is home to even more ancient rock art.

Read more: Activities in Baku - Where You Celebrate the Culture of Azerbaijan

Tips for your Baku trip

Baku is a fascinating travel destination

These are some of the suggestions to ensure that your Baku travels are as pleasant as possible:

• Wear something sexy: During the summer in Baku, the city can be quite hot and, therefore, it is important to dress light and breathable. Nevertheless, do remember that Azerbaijan is mainly a Muslim nation and conservative clothing is required in some regions. In case you are going to religious places, you better put a covering on your shoulders, long pants or skirts.
• Take transport in Baku: Baku has a vast system of transportation of buses, metro trains and taxis which are cheap and convenient to travel with. The metro service is also very convenient, as it serves most parts of the city at a very low cost (20 qepiks per ride). Rush hour is however very crowded and as such you should be aware of this.
• Sample local food: Azerbaijan cuisine is diverse and quite rich with some touch of Persian, Turkish and Russian cuisine. Make sure to sample such local dishes as dolma (stuffed grape leaves), plov (rice pilaf with meat and vegetables), and kebab (meat skewers grilled). These meals are served in the traditional restaurants known as meykhana or in street food stalls in Baku.
• Learn basic Azerbaijani phrases: While many people in Baku speak English, it's always appreciated when travelers make an effort to learn basic Azerbaijani phrases. Some useful phrases to know include "salam" (hello), "sag ol" (thank you), and "xosh gəldiniz" (welcome).
• Azerbaijan has its own currency named Azerbaijani Manat (AZN). Currency exchange must be done at official exchange offices or banks in order to eliminate scams. In Baku, most hotels, restaurants and stores accept credit cards. See our guide to the cost of travel in Baku.
• Entry requirements: This is not mandatory to citizens of some countries. Nonetheless, the majority of tourists need a visa in order to enter Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani embassy or consulate in your home country will be the best place to inquire about any special requirements to enter the country. Moreover, you should be sure that your passport can be at the destination for six months before leaving Azerbaijan.

Baku is a unique tourist destination as it presents a unique mixture of ancient and modern innovation. Nevertheless, it is also worth remembering that you need to know the entry requirements and visa regulations before planning your trip. There are various online resources such as the Azerbaijan Immigration Services site that would make the journey a lot easier in numerous aspects.