What to see in Baku: top 20 places to visit

1. Old Town (İçeri Şeher)

The Old City, surrounded by a fortress wall, is a good place to start exploring Baku. In addition to numerous souvenir shops, restaurants and crooked cobblestone streets, you'll find two UNESCO World Heritage sites here:

The Maiden Tower (Qız Qalası), the oldest structure in Baku still standing today (12th century). Legend has it that it was built by the Shah, who decided to marry his own daughter, and the girl jumped from the tower into the Caspian Sea, resisting this prospect. It is not known what the tower was actually used for; according to different versions it could have been a temple, a lighthouse or an observatory;

Shirvanshahs' Palace (Şirvanşahlar sarayı) is the former residence of the rulers of Shirvan, built in the 14th century after the capital was moved to Baku. The complex includes dwellings, a mosque, a tomb, a bathhouse and a mausoleum, and now there is a museum of Azerbaijani culture.

Also in the Old City is the 15th century Hacı Qayıb hamamı and Kiçik Qala Street, where the famous fall scene from "The Diamond Hand" was filmed.

Opening hours: Shirvanshahs Palace is open daily from 10.00 to 17.00, Maiden Tower - from 9.00 to 18.00.

Cost: entrance to the palace costs 15 AZN (9 USD), to the tower - 10 AZN (6 USD).

2. Seaside Boulevard (Bakı bulvarı)

In the 19th century, the area where the port warehouses were located was notorious. Then oil was discovered, expensive mansions began to appear in the city and it was decided to improve it. A competition was announced for the project of the boulevard, which was to become a visiting card of Baku, and in 1909 its construction was completed. In 2008, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out, which cost 500 million dollars.

Now Primorsky Boulevard is about 25 kilometers long and is a favorite place of recreation for guests and residents of the city. There are many key attractions, fountains, attractions, a cinema and a summer theater, a now defunct parachute tower with illumination in the evenings, a 60-meter high Ferris wheel, restaurants, as well as two shopping centers: Park Bulvar Mall in the form of an egg and Caspian Waterfront, the creator of which was inspired by the design of the opera house in Sydney.

3. Carpet Museum (Azərbaycan Xalça Muzeyi)

The first museum of its kind in the world is located in a building shaped like a rolled-up carpet. It contains valuable exhibits from all corners of Azerbaijan: ceramic and bronze items of the Bronze Age, dishes of the 12th century, national clothing of the 19th century, jewelry, weapons and, of course, carpets made in different techniques.

You can book a hotel in Baku with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

The oldest carpet exhibit is a fragment of the "Ovchulug" carpet The 17th century "Dragon carpet" from the 17th century from Karabakh and "Salyan hila" from the 19th century from Shirvan presented to the museum in 2013 are also of high value. On the first floor you will see the process of handmade carpets live.

Address: 28, Mikail Useynov Avenue.

Opening hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10.00 to 18.00, Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 20.00.

Cost: for adults self-guided tour costs 7 AZN (4 USD), excursion - 8 AZN (4.7 USD), entrance ticket with audio guide - 10 AZN (6 USD); for schoolchildren and students - 3 AZN (1.8 USD), 3 AZN (1.8 USD) or 6 AZN (3.5 USD) respectively.

4. Daghlig Garabagh Park

One of the highest points of Baku with a beautiful view of the city and the Flame Towers. It is a memorable place for Azerbaijanis: on the hill there is the Shahid Alley, where soldiers who fought for the country's independence are buried, the eternal flame and the Turkish Mosque. You can get here by funicular, bus No. 3 or 18, or on foot by stairs.

Address: 1 Shovket Alekperova Street (lower funicular station).

Operating schedule: the park is open round the clock, the funicular runs every 15 minutes from 10.00 to 22.00.

Cost: entrance to the park is free, one-way cable car ride costs 1 AZN (50 cents).

5. Flame Towers (Alov qüllələri)

One of the visiting cards of Baku - three skyscrapers 190, 160 and 140 meters high in the form of flames. When darkness falls, LED screens turn on and the towers come to life, "lighting up" - at night they can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Inside are offices, apartments and the Fairmont Hotel.

Address: 1A Mehdi Hussein Street.

6. Bibi-Heybat Mosque (Bibiheybət mosque)

It was built in 1998-1999 on the site of the mosque of the same name, which had been there since the 13th century and was destroyed in 1936 when the USSR attempted to eradicate religion. In addition to the mosque, which surprises visitors with its emerald interior, there are burial places on the territory of the complex, such as the tomb of Ukeima Khanum, who was a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Everyone can enter, ladies in revealing outfits are given capes. From the railway station and metro station "May 28" you can get here by bus №125.

Address: Shikhovo village.

7. TV Tower (Bakı Televiziya Qülləsi)

The highest construction in Azerbaijan and the 34th highest television tower in the world - 310 meters. At the height of 175 meters (27th floor) there is a rotating restaurant Telequlle, which makes a full revolution in 1 hour and 20 minutes. Service is top notch, the view from the panoramic windows is excellent, but it is expensive and the quality of the food is something many people complain about. Deposit (aka minimum order) - 20 AZN (12 USD) per person.

Address: 2, Akademik Abbaszadeh Street.

Opening hours: daily from 10.00 to 23.00.

8. Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center

The building without a single right angle, designed by the outstanding architect Zaha Hadid, was awarded the prestigious Design of the Year award in 2014. There are permanent exhibitions (Museum of National Musical Instruments, Doll Museum, Carpet Exhibition, Tsereteli Museum, Retro Cars Exhibition, etc.) and halls where temporary exhibitions are held. Near the center you will find the inscription I love Baku, against which tourists like to take pictures.

Address: 1, Heydar Aliyev Avenue.

Opening hours: Monday through Friday from 11.00 to 19.00, weekends from 11.00 to 18.00.

Cost: 15 AZN (about 9 USD), entrance to the car exhibition - 10 AZN (6 USD) extra.

9. Tezepir Mosque (Təzəpir məscidi)

Interestingly, it was built on the funds of a woman - Nabat-Khanum Ashurbekova, an oil producer and philanthropist. The works were completed in 1914, and in 1917 the Revolution broke out and the mosque was closed. After being a barn and a movie theater, in 1943 it was again used for its intended purpose, in 2009 it was reconstructed and continues to serve Muslims. Tourists are allowed to enter.

Address: 7 Mirza Fatali Akhundov St.

10. "Little Venice" (Kiçik Venesiya)

The park with artificial canals was established on the Seaside Boulevard in the 60s of the last century and was immediately loved by the locals. In 2012, it underwent a major reconstruction, during which the canals were widened, additional gondolas were purchased (now there are eight), new bridges were built (there are five) and two restaurants (oriental and European cuisine) were built. The gondolas are driven by gondoliers, but they use a joystick connected to a motor instead of an oar, as in Venice.

Address: 73, Neftyanikov Avenue.

Opening hours: daily from 10.30 to 23.30.

Cost: free entrance, gondola rental - 5 AZN (3 USD) for 20 minutes.

11. State Flag Square

Until 2011, the flagpole on this square was the highest in the world (162 meters), but then the Tajiks broke the record by installing a flagpole 3 meters higher in Dushanbe. The flag measures 75 by 35 meters and is visible both from the embankment and from all city elevations.

12. Ismailiyya Palace

This unusual building in the center of Baku was built by Musa Nagiyev in memory of his son Ismail, who died of tuberculosis. He hired the famous Polish architect Joseph Ploszko and sent him to Italy to choose a style and find inspiration. In 1907 the project was approved, and in 1913 the palace with elements of Venetian Gothic, reminiscent of the Doge's Palace in Venice, was ready. Now it houses the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.

Address: 10 Istiglaliyat St.

13. Heydar Mosque

The largest (4200 m²) and the highest (minarets - 95 meters) mosque in the Caucasus can accommodate up to 7000 people. It was built after the death of Heydar Aliyev on the initiative of his son, current President Ilham Aliyev, and completed in 2014. It is one of the two mosques in the world (the other is in Tbilisi) where Sunnis and Shiites, representatives of two conflicting currents of Islam, can pray together. It is especially beautiful in the evening, backlit, like many other buildings in Baku.

Address: Gamza Babashov Street.

14. Independence Street

One of the most beautiful streets of the capital frames the Old City. It was built up during the first oil boom, and is home to the City Duma (now Baku City Hall), the Public Assembly building (Magomayev State Philharmonic Hall), the already mentioned Ismailia Palace and other interesting buildings.

15. Philarmonia Garden (Filarmoniya bağı)

The oldest park in Baku, founded in 1830. Captains of ships coming to the city from the south brought black earth, thanks to which a variety of plants, including subtropical ones, were successfully cultivated in the dry and hot climate. Initially the garden was located between the fortress walls, and when the outer one was demolished in 1865, it was significantly expanded and now occupies an area of about five hectares. On the territory there are several cafes and the State Philharmonic Society.

Address: Sabail district.

16. Museum of Modern Art (Müasir incəsənət muzeyi)

Opened in 2009 on the initiative of the wife of President Mehriban Aliyeva. Along with works by Azerbaijani artists of the 60-70s of the last century, paintings by Picasso, Dali and Chagall are exhibited here. The basis of the collection is a collection of paintings and sculptures of Azerbaijani avant-garde artists from the second half of the 20th century to the present day, about 800 exhibits.

Two halls are dedicated to the Metropolis Gallery, where works by contemporary artists are exhibited and available for purchase. In addition, the museum has an exhibition of children's art, a video hall, a library and a store.

Address: 5, Yusif Safarov Street.

Opening hours: daily except Monday from 11.00 to 20.00.

Cost: 5 AZN (3 USD) for adults, 2 AZN (1 USD) for students, free admission for preschoolers and schoolchildren.

17. Sirvansah Muzey Restoran

The restaurant-museum in the premises where bathhouses used to be is a place where every guest of the capital should visit. A luxurious interior in the style of oriental fairy tales, rare furniture, dishes and decorative items, various menu, dance shows and musical groups' performances are waiting for you here. Each hall is unique, decorated in a special style, the staff is happy to conduct excursions around the institution. Prices are above average, food is tasty, cards are not accepted.

Address: 86, Salatyn Askerova str.

18. BarDuck

An institution with quality alcohol and friendly staff, opened by three bartender friends. The prices are above average, there is face control, so the crowd is extremely respectable. The interior is full of small details that you can look at for a long time: books, toys, candles, designer lamps and the like. A great place for a romantic evening tete-a-tete or sitting with friends.

Address: 103 Khagani St.

Opening hours: daily from noon to midnight.

19. IN Club

A rave club on the territory of the factory with strict face control, dress code and a ban on filming. It hosts the coolest parties in Baku with local and European DJs and guests from Georgia and other countries. Posters of events can be found in the club's Instagram profile.

Address: 18a Ceyhun Salimov Street.