9 Things to Do in Baku: a Perfect Weekend Getaway
When you picture Baku in your mind, you may think F1, oil, glitzy buildings; we definitely did. We didn’t really have too much expectation, but we were wrong .
Baku is beautiful.
It’s full of history and culture and surrounded by nature. Think historic Zoroastrian temples, ancient rock carvings, an old town with cobbled streets, the sparkling Caspian Sea, delicious tea with thyme (who knew thyme with tea would be so spectacular?!).
This guide will give you all the best things to do in Baku, plus day trips, restaurant and accommodation recommendations, and the practical info you may need to make your trip go smoothly.
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How to Get to Baku
9 Things to Do in Baku
1. Take the Free Walking Tour
Some free walking tours are naff and some are good, and this one is firmly in the good group. Learn about the history, the political situation, oil, generational cultural differences, where Azerbaijan stands on the Europe/Asia debate, tensions with Armenia.
Honestly, everything is out in the open and discussed very frankly, while you are also shown around beautiful Baku.
Baku Original Free Walking Tour – Top Rated Free Walking Tours in Baku
2. Wander Icherisheher (Old Town)
I was not expecting that there would be an ‘old town’ type of area in flashy Baku, but it is beautiful!
Narrow alleyways, crumbling minarets, stalls selling carpets. There are so many street photography opportunities in this area. Get lost and explore every nook and cranny.
3. Carpet Museum
This museum is fascinating! The museum itself is in a building shaped like a roll of carpet, so even if museums aren’t your thing, definitely go take a look.
Inside the museum, you’ll learn all about techniques used to make the carpets, and how the different designs correspond to different regions of the country.
4. Flame Towers
You’ll be able to see the Flame Towers from almost everywhere in the city. You can get some really unique photo opps showing the contrast between the old and new parts of the city, but make sure you also check them out at night. They light up with different animations.
5. Miniature Book Museum
Ok, I know this sounds a little bit odd and not particularly Azerbaijani, but this is a really unique and interesting spot to explore!
This small museum is free to enter and has a huge display of tiny books, and you would not believe how small some of them are.
6. Shirvanshah’s Palace
The palace belonged to the Shirvanshah’s who ruled during the 15th century, and is UNESCO registered along with the Maiden Tower on the other side of the old town by the sea. The complex is quite small but still an interesting spot to explore.
7. Heydar Aliyev Centre
This is the iconic building that I’m you have seen pictures of even if you have done no research on Baku!
It is known for its modern style and flowing design that features no sharp edges of corners. You can explore inside, but honestly, it’s the outside that’s most interesting to photograph. There’s also an ‘I love Baku’ sign here too.
8. Wander the Waterfront
We did this every single evening. When the sun starts to go down and the temperatures get cooler, everyone seems to head to the waterfront.
It’s a beautiful spot to sit and look out of the Caspian Sea with a drink, wander the promenade, or watch the Flame Towers light up.
9. Baku Panorama
The best spot to see over all of Baku! The Caspian Sea, the Flame Towers, the old town. There are steps up or a funicular to take you there.
How Long to Spend in Baku
The sights of Baku itself could be seen all within one day. But some of the area’s most fascinating sights are a little drive out of the city. I recommend at least one day for the Baku city, and one day for a day trip.
How to Get Around Baku
Traffic is pretty heavy in Baku, so I’d avoid taxis or driving unless necessary.
The main parts of Baku are very much walkable and if you need to travel a larger distance, you can always use the metro. It’s affordable, clean, and efficient.
If you need a taxi, Bolt is the app to use, but definitely use the app cautiously.
We had one driver not end the trip when he dropped us off, and instead we got charged while he drove around the city.
We had one driver who kept demanding cash payment even though we had already paid through the app.
And we had one driver that genuinely made us fear for our lives with his erratic driving (and that is saying something coming from two backpackers who have been on the road for three years through Asia and South America!).
Trust your gut. You can always cancel your trip request.
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Where to Stay in Baku
Maajid Boutique Hotel (£)
We stayed in Maajid Boutique Hotel in the centre of the old part of the city. Rooms are beautifully decorated and clean, but the star of the show is the terrace restaurant where you have your complimentary breakfast and Azerbaijani tea! There are panoramic views out over the city and you can see the Flame Towers.
MidCity Hotel (£)
We also stayed in MidCity Hotel, which is just outside of the old part of the city, close to the Carpet Museum. It’s a very small and quiet hotel with lovely rooms with modern ensuites.
🛏️ Book MidCity Hotel 🛏️
Where to Eat in Baku
Xezer Restaurant
This proper local joint that is set underground and serves traditional Azerbaijani food at reasonable prices.
The menu options for vegetarians are limited, but you cannot go wrong with the eggs, bread, salad, and tea!
Dolma Restaurant
Another underground restaurant that is a definitely on the fancier end. The place is popular with locals and tourists and there are some great veg options!
The crispy aubergine salad is delicious. Get some hummus, potatoes and mushrooms and bread to go with it.
Komagene BulBuk Prospekti
Cig kofte is a classic Turkish dish of spiced bulgur with salad and pomegranate molasses in a flatbread. This was our go-to lunch because it’s tasty, filling, nutritious, affordable, and easy to takeaway to eat in sun.
Great Wall (Chinese Restaurant)
If you fancy something a little less Azerbaijani, get yourself some tasty mapo tofu, braised aubergine, and dry fried Szechuan green beans.
De Rama (Indian Pure Veg Food) Café
Not somewhere that we ourselves have tried, but we did mark it to head there when we were in Baku!
It’s a vegan/vegetarian Indian restaurant that I recommended to a friend who visited Baku recently, and she loved it so much that she went back twice during her three night stay in Baku!
Day Trips from Baku
Some of the best things to do in the area are not actually in Baku city itself, but just outside.
Make sure you have at least a day to explore Qobustan rock carvings and mud volcanoes, Yanar Dag eternal flame wall, and the historic Ateshgah Zoroastrian Temple.
Genuinely, these natural and historic sites will blow your mind, and absolutely make your trip to Baku.
I’m working on a blog post with more detail about all of these, so stay tuned!
You can visit all four of these in one day if you book a tour through Get Your Guide.
Onward Travel from Baku
Nakhchivan
If you can fit an extra three days into your itinerary, absolutely book a return flight to Nakhchivan!
This is our favourite part of Azerbaijan because of its uniqueness, natural beauty, and because it is well and truly off the beaten path. I don’t think we’ve been anywhere more off the beaten path than here!
Take a look at our full guide to Nakhchivan if you’re up for an adventure through Azerbaijan’s mysterious exclave!
Sheki
Sheki is a small and mountainous region of Azerbaijan close to the border with Georgia that is renowned for its palaces and caravanserais.
Xinaliq
The drive to this unique mountain village up near the border with Russia takes you through beautiful scenic landscapes.
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