Baku’s flame towers stand in the city center and are a symbol of the pinnacle of modernism, while the centuries-old cobblestone alleys around the city symbolize the traditions that best capture Azerbaijan. With Baku as its sole metropolis, capital and largest city, the Republic of Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located at the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Interestingly, at 92 feet below sea level, Baku is the lowest national capital in the world, however, it is nicknamed the “City of Winds” in reference to the city’s reputation for high winds. Divided into 48 townships, the city is the industrial, cultural and scientific center of the country.
In Baku’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find residents playing backgammon in their courtyards. Trendy cafes and multinational restaurants have taken over the once-silent alleys. Millennials can be seen walking around town wearing the latest designer clothes. The fusion of old and new is seamless, as stone houses and luxury stores surround the period rhombus. In 2000, Shirvanshah Palace, Maiden’s Tower and the inner city of Baku were also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
From exploring the 12th-century walls of the Old City to admiring the famous Flame Towers, there are many activities to keep your stay in Baku enjoyable and entertaining. If you are planning a trip to Azerbaijan soon, we have selected our top activities and we urge you not to miss these amazing things to do in Baku.
Visit the Old Town of Baku
One of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Azerbaijan is the Old Town, also known as “Icharishahar”. It is located in the center of Baku, a truly special historical area of Azerbaijan. This town is very cute and artistic, and the solid walls that surround it contribute to its taste. Here, explore its cobblestone streets, touch the stones of its historic walls, walk through winding corridors, and admire beautiful door art. There are several ancient buildings in the town, as well as a mosque, royal complex and the famous Maiden’s Tower.
You can book an audio guide that details the popular sights of the old town opposite the Maiden’s Tower. Take a guided tour as it allows you to interact with the locals and learn about their culture. There are many souvenir shops, tea shops and restaurants in the area. Thanks to the wonderful street view, you won’t get bored even if you spend hours visiting. Time seemed to stop there.
Visit the Flame Tower
On the top of the hill overlooking Baku Bay and the old city is Flame Tower, a recognizable triple structure changes the view of Baku from a shirked area to what it is now. Azerbaijan’s motto “Land of Fire” is referenced by three flame-shaped towers representing the element of fire. Completed in 2012, the three slender buildings made of blue glass give Baku its distinctive modern style. The buildings are historically significant in the area where gas torches are fired from the ground, and Zoroastrians see fire as a sacred symbol, especially at Ateshgah and Yanar Dag in Baku.
The three towers, with a combined height of 28 to 33 floors, are so huge that from a distance they look incredible, especially at night, when they serve as a huge backdrop for the light show, where the lighting effects are in flames Alternating between effects, water pours, and flags. With more than 10,000 high-power LED luminaires, the façades of the three flame towers act as important display surfaces. Bahram Gur Statue is a great place for photography, and the base station of the cable car is the easiest commuter route to get to the tower.
Visit Bibi-Heybat Mosque
Even non-Muslims will enjoy exploring this magnificent building. Bibi-Heybat Mosque is a historic mosque and one of the most interesting sights in Baku. Locals call it the “Mosque of Fatima”, which is what Alexandre Dumas said when he visited the mosque in the 1850s. The current building was built in July 1998 and is a reconstruction of a mosque built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II but completely destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1936. A spiritual center for local Muslims and one of the most important examples of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan, the Bibi-Heybat Mosque contains the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum, the ancestor of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
The mosque was built on the tomb of Musa Qadim, the daughter of the seventh Shia imam, who fled to Baku to escape persecution by the Abbasid caliphate. Buried here is Ukeyma Khanum, descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, granddaughter of the sixth Imam Jafar Sadiq, daughter of the seventh Imam Musa al-Qadim, and the eighth Imam Ali Rida’s sister. There are inscriptions on the tombstone.
Mud Volcanoes in Gobustan National Park
About 300 mud volcanoes may be found in Azerbaijan, and they can be located along islands, oceans and coasts. For this reason alone, around 30% of the world’s population choose to visit Azerbaijan. Gobustan National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Azerbaijan that attracts thousands of tourists every year. The sprawling area is dotted with bubbling mud volcanoes, anthropological ruins and searing lakes that make up this surreal place. Take the chance to visit the Gobustan National Museum, where you can learn all about the history of petroglyphs and witness tools and bones from the Mesolithic Age.
Where to shop in Baku
Even if the holidays are long over, you will always remember your destination with the souvenirs you buy from there. In Azerbaijan, where East meets West, there are plenty of places to shop. Nizami Street, named after the famous Persian poet Nizami Ganjawi, the house of artisans, one of the largest and oldest markets in Azerbaijan and a paradise for fish lovers, Taza Bazaar, and three floors with top brands The complex Baku Port Mall, the best shopping place in Azerbaijan.
Must-sees in Baku: Carpets, Ceramics and Jewelry
what to eat in baku
Some of the most popular and traditional dishes to try in Baku (and Azerbaijan) are Plov, a traditional rice and meat dish natural gas; Saj Ichi, an Azerbaijani barbecue dish; Dolma, stuffed with grape leaves; Buglama, a traditional mutton stew; Piti, a mutton and chickpea soup; Gutabs, a stuffed meat or vegetable pie; Lavangi, a roasted meat dish ; Dushbara dumplings; Bozbash, the national soup of Azerbaijan; Pakhlava, Azerbaijani baklava; and Pomidor-Yumurtaa dish made of eggs and tomatoes.
