Well hello there intrepid traveller! If you’re reading about things to do in Baku, you must be at least mildly interested in the beautiful country that is Azerbaijan. And a genuine congratulations to you. You must be a genuinely curious and interesting human being!
Baku and Azerbaijan more broadly, is a destination off the beaten track. And that was certainly part of the appeal for our visit. With that said, Azerbaijan is trying to do a lot more to attract more visitors to their unique country. In 2018, visa rules were relaxed, and residents of many countries can now apply for an e-visa. Hassle free and requiring the exchange of only a few dollars. No more of those pesky sending passports off. No more lining up at embassies. You can read more about the e-visa process and what you need to know before you go here.
Aside from being well known for a spectacular Eurovision win (try getting that song out of your head), what on earth is there to do in Baku? Here’s our top 21 things to do in Baku (tried and tested!).
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Things to do in Baku
#1 Free city walking tour
Like so many cities, the free walking tour is a wonderful way to get acquainted with a city. It also helps to understand what things to do in Baku are worthwhile.
We were treated to a guided tour with only Kristen and I plus two lovely German students. Gani was an excellent guide and helped acquaint ourselves with Baku on a sunny winter’s day. We finished the tour over coffee at Coffee Moffie which let us get to know him a little better and ask a million questions about Azerbaijan. Let him give you an orientation of the city to make the rest of your trip a breeze.
BOOK NOW: Baku Free Walking Tour || 2.5 hours || FREE (suggest 10 manat tip)
#2 Miniature book museum
Well this is unexpected. And not something you will find anywhere else. Not just one of the best things to do in Baku, this is the only miniature book museum in the world. Don’t take my word for it. That claim is certified by the good folks at the Guinness Book of Records. There are over 6000 books housed here in dozens of languages. You’ll also find the world’s 3 smallest books measuring 2mm x 2mm. If that sounds small – you’re right – and you’ll need a special magnifying glass to read them.
A unique stop that has to be seen in Baku.
#3 Maiden Tower
The Maiden Tower comes with many stories about its use and how it came about.
Its foundations are rooted in mythology and legend. Whatever the case, it appears to have been built in the 12th century. It is a monumentally important part of Azerbaijan’s history. And quite rightly, now UNESCO protected.
#4 Ponder life in the Governor’s Garden
This stunning garden sits outside the city walls of Old Baku and is just the place to watch the world go by. You’ll find everyone older folks enjoying a moment of quiet reflection in one corner, and in the other, young couples making out (they can’t get away with that at home!). It’s also a popular spot for wedding photos, so that should give you an idea of its aesthetic appeal.
#5 Shirvinshah’s Palace
Dating back to the 15th century, this Shirvinshah’s Palace is another UNESCO protected piece of Azerbaijan’s history. The palace contains a main palace building, burial vaults, a mosque and a mausoleum. Plan to spend an hour here wandering around, with some small exhibitions inside.
Tickets at entry: Shivinshah’s Palace || 30-60 minutes || 12 manats
#6 Transport yourself to Venice
Baku has cut out their own piece of Europe by creating their own Little Venice. A small set of canals run near the main promenade on the Caspian Sea, where you can take a gondola. It’s not quite Venice, but it’s something else to check out and enjoy.
#7 Carpet museum
If you’ve spotted the building that looks like Aladdin’s carpet, that’s the carpet museum. Here, you’ll find the largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets in the world. During your visit, you can learn about the various weaving techniques and admire some of the impressive carpets. The carpet producing techniques of Azerbaijan have also been identified by UNESCO as a ‘Masterpiece of intangible heritage’.
Tickets at entry: Carpet Museum || 1 hour || 7 manats (17 if you bring a DSLR)
#8 Explore the Old Town
The old town is easily wandered within the city walls with its winding, cobble-stoned streets. The winding nature of the old town actually have a defensive element about it from back in the day. They proved to be quite disorienting for potential invaders. This made it much easier for locals to protect themselves when they need arose. Sometimes cars hurl themselves around the narrow corners at frightening speeds. But hey, at least you can hear them coming over those cobblestones.
#9 Visit the Flame Towers
By now you must have seen the Flame Towers. The tallest structure in Azerbaijan, they’re made to look even taller being set on a hill above Baku. There are not many places in Baku where you can’t see the imposing towers. The towers are shaped as a testament to Azerbaijan’s culturally intertwined relationship with fire. One of the towers is home to a hotel, the Fairmont, where we stayed during our visit. The views from the top floors are incredible over the old town and beyond.
To get a unique view of the towers, head to the Old Town where you can get an excellent contrasting ‘old and new’ view of Baku.
#10 Sunset at Highland Park
Highland park sits above Baku, just in front of the Flame Towers. Filled with monuments, wide spaces and plazas, this is an excellent spot to watch sunset descend over Baku. With views over the Caspian Sea, the old town and back to the flame towers, sit back and enjoy the view.
#11 Check out the Flame Towers night show
If you’ve hung around for sunset at Highland Park, you may as well hold out a little while longer. In the evening, the flame towers turn on a light display with a variety of patterns and effects.
From the Azerbaijani flag waving, to a radiant blue and to my personal favourite, burning flames- it is an excellent night time spectacle. Check out the view from anywhere with a direct view of the towers in the evening. The show lasts around 10 minutes.
Note: don’t aim to get to the base of the towers – the effect of the light show needs to be seen at a distance.
#12 Take the funicular
Getting up to Highland Park is an arduous uphill climb. Unless you enjoy putting yourself through high ascent cardio, spare 1 manat and jump on the funicular. It will take you from near the Carpet Museum up the steep hill and land you below Highland Park.
Tickets at entry: Baku funicular || 5 minutes || 1 manat
#13 Fountain Square
Home to many major international brands and scattered with a suite of restaurants, Fountain Square is your main shopping promenade. Scattered with sculptures, cobbled roads and a green space, it’s a more laid back shopping precinct than most.
#14 Baku Boulevard
With one half of Baku facing the Caspian Sea, a stroll along the wide promenade that is Baku Boulevard is a must. Wander past families enjoying the fresh air, old men playing chess and kids running around. The boulevard ends at the Carpet Museum and has great views of the Flame Towers too.
#15 Visit the Heydar Aliyev museum
You’ll pass this building approaching Baku from the airport. And it will you have staring and turning your head as you past, unable to look away. The word unique underplays how impressively different this building is. Unique it truly is though, like a melted compound of white tiles. Walking around the building treats you with a different angle and face. In some parts, you’ll even be walking on the building itself.
This impressive structure houses a museum with rotating exhibits. As well as admiring it from the outside, be sure to check what’s on display inside.
#16 Ateshgah fire temple
Zoroastrianism was a major religion in Azerbaijan through the ages, and this temple is a relic to that era. As mentioned, fire has played an important role in Azerbaijan’s history. The fire temple details how the medieval Zoroastrians worshipped fire and the role it played in their religion. The burning flames will keep you warm on a cold day too.
You’ll find the temple located 30 minutes outside of Baku.
Tickets at entry: Ateshgah Fire Temple || 30 minutes || 4 manats
#17 Yadar Dag Fire Mountain
Another one for the ‘unique’ category, ‘fire mountain’ is located 30 minutes outside of Baku. You’ll pass no end of oil wells and gas pumps as you drive to this area. Azerbaijan has a sizeable gas reserve. Many attest these reserves have contributed to the economic success of Baku, and Azerbaijan more broadly.
In the 1960s, a farmer disposed of a cigarette at which point the ground caught fire. A natural gas reserve had an opening at this very point. This gas reserve now burns day and night through snow and rain.
During our visit, we arrived in the middle of construction of a new tourist area. It has become a popular enough attraction that the Government has invested in creating an ampitheatre. This will allow tourists to sit around and admire the flame.
Cost of entry for us was 2 manats. With the conclusion of the tourist site construction, I would expect this price to increase.
You can combine both Yadar Dag and the Ateshgah Temple on a 4 hour trip which also includes a trip to a local bazaar.
BOOK NOW: Yadar Dag and Ateshgah Temple || 4 hours || From €30
#18 Muhammad mosque
Located in the Old Town, this is the oldest mosque in Azerbaijan still standing, dating back to 1078 AD. Also part of the UNESCO protection in the area, the minaret suffered damage in 1723. It’s easy to spot where the minaret was rebuilt at that point.
#19 Visit the TV tower
The TV tower itself is like many you’ll find throughout Eastern Europe. It’s height lends itself as a great viewing platform for Baku. A restaurant is on the top floor and typically requires a booking.
#20 Try dolma
We’ve made it to number 20 and what no food? Eating is of course one of the main things to do in Baku. Azerbaijani cuisine is a mix of the intersection of cultures it sits in. Whilst you might have tried various iterations of dolma in other countries, the Azerbaijani’s are very proud of their version. We tried the dolma which on this occasion was a stuffed eggplant with meat inside. It was delicious. The use of eggplant was much better than the vine leaves often used in other cultures.
Whilst just about every Azerbajani restaurant will have their version we can recommend two places where we enjoyed dolma best. Head to the appropriately named Dolma restaurant, or Firuze located just near Fountain Square.
#21 Take in the Formula One Grand Prix
OK, so this one isn’t quite tried and tested, but I’d love to make it so! The city is very proud of its annual hosting of the F1 GP. It is arguably one of the most amazing things to do in Baku. You’ll notice barriers everywhere and advertising hoardings. The F1 is a huge event , but what makes the Azerbaijan version appealing is the access to tickets. Whilst there, it was possible to buy tickets for the event in a couple of months time.
If you’re visiting Baku, why not link up with a major international sporting event? The F1 in 2019 was run in April. It will likely run at roughly the same time each year. Check the F1 calendar closer to time.
If you need somewhere to stay in Baku, why look any further than the amazing Flame Towers? We spent 4 nights in the wonderful Fairmont Baku. You can read about our stay as well as what else you need to know to plan your visit to Azerbaijan here.
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