What to do and where to go for travelers in Baku
To make your vacation even more memorable and colorful, we offer some tips where you can go in Baku:
Conventionally, all the sights of the city can divide into three parts. First part is the Old city, the second is buildings built during the Soviet period, and the third is modern Baku.
Icheri Sheher
The old part of the city (Icheri Sheher) is a historical and architectural reserve and often called the "Baku Acropolis". The history of Baku begins from here, and the first settlements appeared here before our era. A walk through the inner city of Icheri Sheher will forever remain in your memory. An ancient fortress wall surrounds the city. City has the majestic Maiden Tower, whose history dates back several centuries by filling with mysterious legends. Walking along the cobblestone streets, we advise you to investigate the many souvenir shops and cafes.
Maiden Tower
The most interesting attraction and a real symbol of the city is the Maiden Tower. In the early Middle Ages, it was the major defense of the fortress. And now it attracts with its majestic appearance and the legends associated with it.
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
In the city's heart, there is a museum and historical complex – the pearl of Azerbaijani architecture – the Palace of Shirvanshahs. The palace is an entire complex of buildings, from baths and mosques to tombs. You can get to the ancient city through the famous Shamakhi gate.
Baku Boulevard
After getting acquainted with the historical corner of the city, a walk along the famous Baku Boulevard is the best solution. The length of Baku Boulevard is 16 kilometers. It stretches along the picturesque coast of the Caspian Sea. It boasts more than a century of history (the first vacationers took a walk here in 1909). A lot of attractions and entertainment "along the length" of the boulevard. These include a Ferris wheel and a magnificent light and music fountain, a little Venice with many channels and bridges. And also, the central "Azneft" square, a puppet theatre, an entertainment park and much more.
Heydar Aliyev Center
The Heydar Aliyev cultural center has an auditorium, a museum, and several exhibition halls. Famous architect Zaha Hadid designs the project of the cultural center. The Heydar Aliyev Center is one of the key symbols of modern Baku.
On the ground floor, there is an exhibition about the history and cultural heritage of the country. The exhibition presents samples of rock paintings from Gobustan, ancient coins, and jewelry, medieval products made of clay and copper. Also, you can see ancient copies of the Koran, the Bible, and the Torah.
On the second floor, there are models of 45 historical and architectural sights from the capital and other regions of the country. Here you can get acquainted with the Maiden Tower, the Momine Khatun mausoleum, the Baku railway station, the buildings of the Philharmonic Hall and Ismailiyya Palace. Also, you can see examples of Soviet architecture – the Government House of Azerbaijan and the Green Theatre. All of them are presented in a miniature version.
Exhibition called "Welcome to Azerbaijan" is on the third floor. Photos of sights and natural monuments, as well as delicious photos of Azerbaijani culinary art, make this exhibition truly special.
The cultural center has an unusual museum dedicated to the entire collection of cars that served Heydar Aliyev from 1969 to 2003. You will see the museum immediately at the entrance to the center.
Flame Towers
Azerbaijan is the “Land of Fire”. The stylish architectural complex, which has become a new symbol of Baku, is proof of this. This is "Flame Towers", meaning "burning" towers. The complex comprises three buildings, shaped like tongues of fire.
"Flame Towers" is one of the tallest buildings in the entire country. The towers are visible day and night from anywhere in the city because of its design, height, and night lighting. They resemble a huge bonfire raging in the city's west. Every evening, screens are lit on the facade of the Flame Towers complex, broadcasting the movement of the flame, turning the buildings into three giant torches.
Fountain Square
Fountain square is the central square of the city, in the capital's heart. Historical buildings and architectural monuments of the XIX and XX centuries surround the perimeter of the fountain square. It is the Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature (built in 1860) in the oriental style and the monument of the same name. And there is the building of the Araz cinema (built in 1870).
National Museum of the History of Azerbaijan
What else can you do in Baku after a pleasant walk along Baku Boulevard and Fountain Square?
It is a visit to museums!
The National Museum of the History of Azerbaijan is in a beautiful architectural building – the mansion of the famous industrialist Taghiyev. The National Museum of the History of Azerbaijan has many artifacts and monuments of Azerbaijani culture. They will help you get a general idea of the history of the country, starting from ancient times.
The main part of the museum exposition is in the building of the Taghiyev mansion. Here, there is also a memorial museum – the apartment of the famous philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev and his family.
Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum
Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum is the first museum in the world dedicated to the collection, preservation, and study of carpet. The modern building of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum looks like a rolled-up carpet.
Baku City Circuit
Every year, Baku hosts many sports and cultural events, which attract tourists from all over the world. The most important of them is the Formula 1 Grand Prix. "Baku City Circuit" is a real street track with a length of 6 kilometers. Part of the car track runs through the central part of Baku, including past the UNESCO-listed streets of the Old City.
"Baku City Circuit" is the fastest highway in the capital among other tracks and includes 20 exciting turns. "The Merchant Baku" is located a few minutes’ walk from the racetrack. You can comfortably watch the race from the balconies of several rooms.
Night life of Baku
After visiting the city, the question of what else it can do in Baku?
İt dives into the nightlife of the city. Baku is a great place for lovers of nightlife, parties, dancing and relaxing with a glass of wine or a cocktail for splendid music.
On the shore of the Caspian Sea, there are many nightclubs and restaurants. The colorful streets of the center of the capital are full of original signs of many restaurants, cafes, pubs, inviting for a light and delicious evening.
The most popular nightclubs in Baku are Buddha Bar, Madrid Bar, 360 Bar, Pasifico and others.
In the list of things to do in Baku, a mandatory element is a tasting of all the dishes of fine Azerbaijani cuisine, starting with snacks and ending with pastries and dessert.
After visiting all the sights of the city, relaxing and having fun in nightclubs, the only place to go to Baku is The Merchant Baku Hotel. Here you can relax and unwind in its cozy atmosphere!
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