If you are thinking of traveling to Baku, Azerbaijan, you are in the right place. Baku is the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Located on the coast of the country to the Caspian Sea, the city is the largest city in the Caucasus region. Considered an important cultural and commercial center in the region, Baku is also an important center in the field of industry. Due to its location, it is a very important center as a port city. Baku Port is the most important port on the Caspian Sea.
Cultural activities are very important in Baku. There are many libraries, cinemas, theaters and exhibition halls in the city for such events. Especially since the 2000s, the city has started to develop rapidly. The new buildings, restaurants, neighborhoods and streets built as a result of the developing economy also enabled the expansion of the city. Baku, which also has a very active nightlife, is one of the favorite cities of travelers.
The majority of the city’s population, which has reached approximately 4 million, is composed of indigenous people. One third of the Azerbaijani population lives in Baku. In Baku, the industrial center of Azerbaijan, there are headquarters of many large institutions. Baku International Maritime Trade Port hosts cargo transportation of up to two million tons per year.
Where Is Baku?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Baku. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is located in the eastern part of the country. Baku, located in the easternmost part of the country, is on the coast of the Caspian Sea. This is very effective in Baku being an important port city. Known as the Paris of the Caucasus, Baku is the largest city in Azerbaijan.
When To Go To Baku?
In Baku, which is under the influence of the continental climate, winters are very cold and snowy, and summers are hot. Befitting the name Baku, which means the city of winds, it is windy in all four seasons. Summer winds blow very hot and can carry the temperature of the city up to forty degrees. The best times to visit Baku are April and May, when the spring season is experienced, and September and October in autumn.
Best Places To Visit In Baku
There are many places to visit in Baku, which attracts thousands of tourists with its rapidly changing and developing face. The historical buildings of Baku welcome you in the region, which is known as Icheri Sheher by the locals and is one of the first settlements of the city. In the city center, which grows and develops over time, you can find various cultural and artistic places.
Palace Of The Shirvanshahs
The palace, located in the old settlement area of Baku, known as Icheri Sheher, was built in the 15th century. It was built during the reign of İbrahim Halillullah, the king of the Shirvanshah State, which dominated the city in this century. This palace is considered one of the most magnificent structures of the near east. It was built to reflect the magnificence of the state when it was the capital of the Shirvanshah State.
There are 52 rooms in the Shirvanshahs Palace. There is a magnificent mosque and a tomb reserved for the shah’s family within the walls of the palace, which draws attention with its architectural features. In addition to these, there is also a palace bath built for the use of the shah and his family. Another striking element of the palace is the underground water tank. The water tank, which was descended with 34 steps, met all the water needs of the palace at that time.
The Palace of the Shirvanshahs consists of two floors. While the upper floor of the palace was reserved for the private use of the Shah and his family, the lower floor was used as a place where state affairs were carried out and guests were hosted. Inside the palace, there are sections called Keykubad Masjid and Shah Masjid, which were built for the shah’s children to receive education.
The Palace of the Shirvanshas has been serving as a museum since 1964. Getting to the Shirvanshahs Palace is also very easy. You can easily reach the palace, which is in the inner part of the city, by walking from the center.
Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center
Haydar Aliyev Cultural Center, designed by the famous Iraqi and British architect Zaha Hadid, is a must-see for those who come to Baku. The Cultural Center, which was built on an area of 57,000 square meters; It attracts a lot of attention of tourists with its different architecture with curved style. The Cultural Center, which was opened in 2013, has become the symbol of modern Baku over time. In the center, studies are carried out on the research and promotion of Heydar Aliyev’s legacy.
Haydar Aliyev Cultural Center, which also undertakes the task of promoting the history and culture of Azerbaijan, also undertakes the promotion of world cultural heritage and the promotion of the achievements of various civilizations in Azerbaijan. In addition, various projects are implemented in this center for the development of science, education, health, sports, culture and economy, and this center also hosts international conferences, forums, concerts and various exhibitions.
Various installations installed in its garden may surprise you from time to time, the most famous of which is I love Baku, where everyone who comes to Baku does not return without taking a photograph.
Everyone who comes to the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center has a museum that they visit. The more beautiful the exterior design of the center is, the more beautiful it is inside, and this museum is one of the areas that played an important role in this design. In the Heydar Aliyev Museum, which is in harmony with the rest of the center, you can learn about the history of Azerbaijan and have the chance to examine different stages of Haydar Aliyev’s life and work.
You should definitely visit this 3-storey museum, which was built to examine, promote and protect the legacy of Heydar Aliyev, on your trip to Baku.
Letif Kerimov Carpet Museum/ Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
One of the subjects in which Azerbaijan has gained worldwide fame is carpet weaving and weaving. Country rugs are known all over the world. In memory of this famous art of Azerbaijan, there is a carpet museum in the capital Baku. Located in the center of the city, this museum is one of the most important museums in Baku. You can easily reach the museum, which is located on Mikayil Hüsenyov Street, very close to the seaside, on foot or by using public transport.
The museum, whose construction started under the leadership of Azerbaijan’s famous carpet maker and painter Letif Kerimov, was opened in 1967. The museum was named after the famous artist because of his contributions. Letif Kerimov Carpet Museum is the first and largest carpet museum in the world. The roof of the museum building is in the form of a rolled carpet, befitting its name.
There are over 6000 carpets in the museum. The museum, which contains carpets from various historical periods, offers a very valuable collection to its visitors. Some of the carpets in the museum are carpets woven from the 14th century to the 20th century, such as Karabakh Carpets and Kasımuşağı Carpets. The carpets in the museum are selected from those woven in different ways. Each carpet has its own unique weaving method and special patterns.
Carpets exhibited in the Letif Kerimov Carpet Museum are classified in chronological order and according to the regions they are woven. You should definitely visit the museum, which is very popular with tourists visiting Baku.
Atashgah
Another place you should see in Baku with its spiritual and historical value is Ateşgah. Ateşgah, which means Fire Temple, is a Magi temple. Ateşgah, one of the 3 Magi temples that have survived worldwide, is a place of spiritual value.
It is located 30 kilometers from the city center of Baku. It is believed that the fires burning in this region, where natural gas was produced between the 16th and 18th centuries, will never go out. The first structure of the temple built is the barn, which dates back to 1713. The central secdegah in the temple was built by Kanchanagaran in 1810.
In terms of structure, they are similar to the inns in the cities. The characteristics of the Indian temples and the structural features of the Azerbaijan fire temples are blended here. In the middle of the temple, there is a fire that is constantly burning. According to the Magi belief, this fire is the eternal fire. The fire, which appeared naturally in the past, is now burned by giving natural gas.
There are rooms around the fire in the center. In the past, Zoroastrians who came here to perform their pilgrimages used to stay in these rooms. They would worship by looking at the eternal fire seen from all the rooms.
Atesgah is still visited by those who believe in the Zoroastrian religion. Welcoming the most crowded visitors on March 21, Nevruz, the firehouse is still used for worship. The part of Ateşgah that was used as a çilehane in the past has been converted into a museum today. You can also visit this place during your visit to Ateşgah. There are Sanskrit signs at the entrance of every room where pilgrims stay, but they are not translated into any language. Ateşgah was also used as an accommodation for caravans passing through Baku.
It is not possible to walk to Ateşgah, which is far from the city center. However, you can reach Atesgah from various parts of the city by minibuses.
Baku Zoo
Baku offers its visitors an unforgettable journey with its natural beauties as well as its rich history. Baku Zoo is a place that welcomes many visitors every year.
Established in 1928 during the Soviet Era, the zoo began to provide wider service as of 1942. Baku Zoo, established on an area of approximately 5 hectares, is jointly operated by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Baku Municipality.
Endangered animals are taken under protection in the zoo and various studies are carried out for the continuation of their generation. There are 4 departments (zoology, teriologiya, ornithologiya, aquarium and terrarium departments) in the zoo. In addition to the animals belonging to Azerbaijan’s own nature, animals from various parts of the world are housed in the zoo. Most of these animals are in danger of extinction. Efforts are also being made in the zoo to prevent this situation.
There are more than 1193 animals in the zoo. The care of these animals, which belong to 168 different species, is given great care.
Baku Zoo is doing important work to protect endangered animals. As a result of these studies, he is looking for ways to increase the number of animals in danger of extinction. Inside the Baku Zoo, there is a laboratory to store the genes of endangered animals. This laboratory functions as a gene store.
Transportation In Baku
When you travel to Baku, you should also know how to get there. You can use buses, metro, minibuses and taxis in Baku city transportation. But let’s make a small reminder for taxis, taxis do not have a taximeter. Therefore, make sure to bargain before taking a taxi. There is a chance to be a taximeter in purple taxis that have just started to traffic in the city.
In Baku, bus and minibus stops are located on every street of the city. It has quite a wide route. You can see the signs with the stops in front of each bus. Baku does not use the card system in buses and minibuses. In other words, you buy your ticket from the attendant when you get into the vehicle. The cost of a single ticket is approximately 0.20 Azeri Manat.
Metro is another means of public transportation in Baku and the cheapest one. There is no overly complex metro system in Baku. There are two metro lines, green and red. You can find the routes and station names of the metro lines at the metro stops. In order to use the metro, which is the most preferred by Baku, you should buy tickets called “Metropolitien”. The price of these tickets is 2 Azerbaijani manat.
Apart from public transport, you can easily walk around the city. You can explore Baku on foot, as the city’s attractions are not far from each other.
Baku Cuisine
Your trip to Baku continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Baku. Azerbaijan Cuisine is one of the most delicious cuisines in the world. You can find the best examples of Azerbaijan Cuisine, which has very rich dishes, in Baku.
Azeri Plov: Although it is like the rice we know, it is different in terms of the ingredients put in it. Azeri Pilaf is made by frying chicken and lamb and adding them to the rice. Finally, dried apricots, chestnuts and raisins are added. You should try this dish, which is cooked by Azerbaijanis especially on special occasions, in Baku.
Dushbara: This dish, which is unique to Baku cuisine, is a kind of pastry. The shower bar, in which a mixture of minced meat is placed, is cooked in a round form.
Sturgeon Fish: Sturgeon, a fish unique to the Caspian Sea, has an important place in Baku cuisine. You can find the most delicious Sturgeon in Baku, which is adjacent to the Caspian Sea. We recommend that you try this dish, which is usually cooked on skewers with various vegetables.
Baku Baklava: Those who try Baku Baklava, also known as Azerbaijani Baklava, cannot forget its taste. Like our baklava, the dough rolled out one by one for each layer is placed on a large tray and walnuts or almonds are sprinkled between them. What makes Baku baklava different is the saffron used in it.
Apart from these, you can also try tike kebab and stuffed leaves in Baku, which has a rich cuisine.
Shopping In Baku
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Baku trip with shopping? There are many shopping opportunities in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Some streets of Baku, which has a large number of shopping malls worthy of being the capital, are almost like Paris. You can find stores of world-famous luxury brands in Baku.
If you want to go to the shopping center in Baku, you have many options. TSUM Mall is one of Baku’s old shopping malls and is still very popular. The majority of the stores in the city are gathered in Fountain Square and Nizami Street. You can walk around Nizami Street, which is only open to pedestrians, with peace of mind. You can find many souvenir shops in the part of Baku called Icheri Sheher. If you wish, you can buy souvenirs of Baku from here.
Baku is a city famous for its carpets and rugs. If your budget is suitable, you can buy from Baku rugs. There is a shop in Baku that makes and sells miniature books that have entered the Guinness Book of World Records. If you wish, you can also buy miniature size books here.
Nightlife In Baku
When you travel to Baku, do not leave without tasting the nightlife! In addition to its many historical and natural beauties, Baku also pleases its visitors with its nightlife. You can find various places to have fun in Baku, which has a colorful and entertaining nightlife.
The majority of the places where the entertainment life is experienced are gathered in the area called “Fountain Square“. The people who color Baku’s nightlife are usually students and tourists who come to visit the city. It has a wide range of entertainment venues. Although Baku is an expensive city, it is possible to find entertainment venues for every budget.
The majority of entertainment venues in Baku are pubs. These pubs are generally preferred by tourists who come to visit the city. You can drink your drink and chat with your friends. In addition, there are table games such as billiards and table football in these places. In this way, it is possible to add a different color to your evening. Many people who have lived in the city for a long time can even come to these places to watch a match some evenings.
You can have a pleasant time and chat with your friends in pubs, or you can enjoy the entertainment life of Baku by dancing to the music.
Many of the pubs, which have been very popular lately, also offer discounts at certain times of the day (happy hours).
Apart from pubs, there are various nightclubs in the city. It is not possible to talk about a fixed price in these places, which are generally preferred by the locals of the city. Usually you have to pay an entrance fee to get in. We advise you to be careful when paying in these places. Due to non-fixed price ranges, you may encounter accounts that are much higher than normal.
In Baku, it is possible to find many venues for visitors who love luxury in entertainment life. Let me remind you that these places are quite high priced. In order to enter these luxury entertainment venues, you have to pass the control. The attendants at the gate check whether you are wearing appropriate clothes before letting the visitors in.
Some of these venues also require an entrance fee. If you want to visit one of the luxury entertainment venues during your trip to Baku, we recommend that you go with someone who is a regular customer of that venue or knows the venue. Thus, you will prevent the problems you will experience while entering the place.
Baku Festivals
Baku manages to attract visitors from different parts of the world with the changes it has undergone in recent years. In this case, we can say that many festivals organized in the city are also effective.
Baku International Jazz Festival: Talented jazz artists from many countries attend the jazz festival, which started under the leadership of the famous saxophonist Rain Sultanov from Baku every year. We recommend that you attend the festival that takes place in June.
Baku International Tourist Film Festival: This festival, which has started to be held recently, does not contain any economic concerns. In addition to promoting the films participating in the festival, it brings together newcomers to the cinema industry and professional filmmakers. Baku International Tourist Film Festival is held in November.
Baku Nowruz Celebrations: As a tradition from Central Asia, the arrival of spring is greeted with enthusiasm in Baku every year. Preparations for Nowruz celebrations on March 21 begin one month in advance. During the Nowruz celebrations, all corners of Baku are colorful and lively.
Baku Public Holidays
- New year: January 1
- Black January: January 20
- Women’s Day: March 8
- Nowruz: Between 20-24 March
- Victory Day: May 9
- Republic Day: May 28
- National Liberation Day: 15 June
- Armed Forces Day: 26 June
- Solidarity Day: 31 December
- Feast Of Ramadan
- Eid-Al-Adha
Useful Information For Baku
- Emergency Assistance: 103
- Fire: 101
- Police: 102
