Baku has undergone major development in recent years, making it more popular in tourism as well. Let’s explore the most beautiful attractions of the Azerbaijan capital!
The capital is located on the southern part of the Absheron Peninsula, on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, at an altitude of 28 meters below sea level.
Table of Contents
Baku attractions
Flame Towers
Baku’s iconic modern symbols offer an impressive sight in the city’s panorama.
The three skyscrapers shaped like flames reach a height of 190 meters, and thanks to their special LED system, they light up like real tongues of flame in the evening. The complex, completed in 2012, was designed by the renowned HOK architectural firm, who created a perfect blend of modern architecture and local cultural symbols. The towers house luxury apartments, a five-star hotel, and offices.
The observation deck in the tallest tower is particularly attractive to visitors, offering a 360-degree panorama of the city and the Caspian Sea. In clear weather, all important sights of the city are visible from here, from the Old Town to the modern districts, making it a perfect starting point for exploring Baku.
Old Town (Icherisheher)
Baku’s historical heart is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Walking through the labyrinthine streets surrounded by 12th-century city walls, travelers can take a real journey through time, where medieval caravanserais, hammams, mosques, and palaces can be found.
The special atmosphere of the Old Town is created by the characteristic sandstone buildings and narrow, cobbled streets, where historical memories appear at every corner. Craftsmen’s workshops, charming small restaurants, and teahouses offer an authentic Azerbaijani experience. The area is also home to numerous small museums.
The walls and ancient buildings have been preserved in excellent condition. One of the special features of this district is that it remains a residential area to this day, so it is not just a museum but also a living community space.
Maiden Tower
Baku’s most popular and mysterious structure rises at the meeting point of the Old Town and the seafront.
Numerous theories have emerged about the origin and function of the 29-meter-high cylindrical stone tower, but its exact history remains unknown to this day. Some researchers believe it may have been a Zoroastrian fire temple, while others think it was an observatory or defensive structure.
The unique architectural solution of the tower – the buttress protruding from the southeastern side of the wall – lends a special silhouette to the building. Ancient symbols and signs carved into the wall hide further secrets. The eight-level interior space now houses a museum that showcases the history of the tower and the development of Baku.
From the top of the Maiden Tower, which has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2000, there is an unparalleled view of the Caspian Sea and the surrounding Old Town. The landscaped area around the tower is a favorite meeting place for locals and tourists alike, especially at sunset when the thousand-year-old building is bathed in golden light.
Shirvanshah Palace
One of the masterpieces of Azerbaijani architecture served as the luxurious residence of the 15th-century ruling dynasty.
The complex is located at the highest point of the Old Town and consists of several buildings: in addition to the main palace, there is a mausoleum, a mosque, a bathhouse, and a pavilion called Divankhana, which once served judicial functions.
The special feature of the palace is the rich decoration of extremely fine stone carvings, which testify to the high standard of Azerbaijani craftsmanship. The walls built of light, local limestone offer a particularly attractive sight. The arrangement of the interior rooms and courtyards perfectly reflects the principles of Islamic architecture of the time, while also showing unique local characteristics.
Today it functions as a museum where visitors can learn about the history of the Shirvanshah dynasty, the lifestyle of the era, and the artistic traditions of the region. The collection here showcases the masterpieces of distinctive Azerbaijani carpet weaving, ceramics, and metalwork, and provides insight into medieval royal life.
Baku Boulevard
The more than 3.5-kilometer-long landscaped area along the Caspian Sea is one of the city’s most popular community spaces.
Created in 1909 and significantly expanded in the 21st century, the promenade is a perfect place for relaxation and sports. Different sections of the promenade feature modern playgrounds, sports fields, and outdoor exercise areas.
The modern buildings surrounding the promenade, including the Flame Towers and several luxury hotels, create an exciting contrast.
Nizami Street
One of Baku’s most famous and busiest pedestrian streets is located in the center of downtown.
Elegant buildings, luxury shops, cafes, and restaurants line the long, cobbled street, which exudes a bustling atmosphere both day and night. The street is named after Nizami Ganjavi, the famous Persian poet.
Dağüstü Park
Highland Park is one of Baku’s most wonderful vantage points, offering an unparalleled panorama of the city and the Caspian Sea.
The most famous part of the park is the Martyrs’ Lane, which commemorates the victims of the bloody January 1990 events and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The eternal flame and the black marble tombs preserve the memory of the heroes of the Azerbaijani independence struggle in a dignified environment. The nearby mosque was also erected in their honor, and its slender minarets are visible from many points in the city.
The park, with its winding walking paths and benches, is also home to the famous Funicular, which provides a connection to the seaside promenade. It is a particularly popular place in the evening hours.
Bibi-Heybat Mosque
One of Baku’s most iconic sacred buildings is located south of the city center, on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
The history of the mosque dates back to the 13th century when Shirvansah Farrukhzad ibn Akhsitan had it built in honor of Fatima, a relative of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter. The original building was demolished by the Soviet regime in 1936, then completely rebuilt between 1998 and 2008 after the country gained independence.
The current mosque complex is an impressive example of modern Islamic architecture that respects historical traditions. The snow-white walls, blue domes, and two slender minarets create a distinctive silhouette in the coastal panorama. Inside the mosque, the hand-painted walls decorated with geometric and floral motifs, as well as the huge crystal chandeliers, are particularly noteworthy.
The complex also includes the mausoleum of Ukeyma Khanum, which according to popular belief has miraculous powers.
Mini Venice
The artificial canal system on the seaside promenade evokes the atmosphere of Italy’s famous water city.
Venetian-style gondolas glide along the winding canals, on which visitors can take a pleasant boat ride. The colorful buildings surrounding the canals, the small bridges, and the carefully designed vegetation give a perfect illusion of a Mediterranean district. There are also numerous restaurants and cafes in the area.
It offers a magical sight especially in the evening hours when the lights placed along the canals are reflected in the water. The area is a popular meeting place for everyone.
Baku Eye
One of the city’s newest tourist attractions is a 60-meter Ferris wheel that rises along the seaside promenade.
Built on the model of similar attractions in other European capitals, the structure has 30 air-conditioned, enclosed cabins that provide comfortable and safe views in all weather conditions.
The panorama from the Ferris wheel is unique: during one rotation, visitors can view the entire coastal section of Baku, the Old Town, the modern city center, and of course, the Caspian Sea from a bird’s eye view.
It is an especially popular attraction at sunset and in the evening hours when the city lights and illuminated buildings – including the Flame Towers and the crystal hall – offer a magical sight.
Atashgah Fire Temple
One of Baku’s most unique historical monuments is located about 30 kilometers from the city, in Suraxanı.
The Zoroastrian temple complex was built over a natural gas source, where the „eternal fire” burning for centuries represented the central symbol of the fire-worshipping religion. The current pentagonal building complex took its present form in the 17th-18th centuries.
The central part of the complex is an open courtyard where the eternal fire once burned, surrounded by cell-like rooms where pilgrims and priests lived. Sanskrit and Persian inscriptions carved into the walls testify to the international significance of the place – pilgrims came here from India and what was then Persia. The temple now functions as a museum where visitors can learn about the history and rituals of Zoroastrianism.
Atashgah has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage tentative list since 1998 and is one of Azerbaijan’s most important tourist destinations. Cultural events are often held in the complex, and on special occasions, the eternal fire is relit.
Dəniz Shopping Center
One of Baku’s most modern and exclusive commercial complexes is located in the city center, near the seaside promenade.
The imposing external facade of the building, which showcases modern architectural solutions, is remarkable in itself: the undulating blue glass surfaces evoke the waters of the Caspian Sea. Inside the shopping center, alongside stores of global brands, there are also boutiques of local designers.
Dəniz is not just a shopping venue but also a complex entertainment center. The building houses a multiplex cinema, game room, and numerous restaurants. The restaurants on the top floor offer stunning views of the city and the sea.
Heydar Aliyev Center
Baku’s most iconic modern building was designed by world-renowned Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid.
The nearly 57,000 square meter complex, opened in 2012, revolutionized the architectural image of the city with its special organic forms and undulating white surfaces, and immediately gained international fame.
The building impresses visitors not only with its exterior but also with its interior spaces. The flowing, liquid forms of the monumental entrance hall, the skylights allowing natural light, and the curved staircases connecting different levels provide a unique spatial experience. The main function of the center is to preserve and present cultural values, so it houses a museum, a library, and a multifunctional conference and event center.
The museum presents the life and political legacy of the namesake former president in an interactive way, while international exhibitions are regularly held in the modern art galleries. The park around the building provides a home for additional public sculptures and installations and serves as a popular resting place.
National Museum of Art
It houses Azerbaijan’s largest art collection, located in two imposing historical buildings facing each other in the heart of the city.
The main building of the museum, founded in 1960, is a Renaissance-style palace built in 1888, which once served as the residence of the renowned oil magnate and philanthropist De Bur.
The museum preserves more than 17,000 artifacts that provide a comprehensive picture of Azerbaijani and international fine art development from ancient times to the present day. The rich collection is particularly strong in medieval Azerbaijani art: paintings, carpets, miniatures, ceramics, and metalwork masterpieces showcase local artistic traditions. Western art is represented by works of Dutch, Italian, and French masters, among others.
The interior spaces of the museum are an artistic experience in themselves: the richly decorated ceilings, the carved wooden staircase, and the marble fireplaces are masterpieces of 19th-century palace architecture.
All information can be found here!
Nobel Heritage Museum
One of Baku’s most interesting cultural institutions commemorates the Nobel brothers’ oil industry activities in Azerbaijan and the local legacy of the Nobel dynasty.
The museum is housed in the Nobel family’s former Baku residence, Villa Petrolea. It has been restored to its original condition, preserving the elegant architectural features of the late 19th century.
The museum’s exhibition details how the Nobel brothers – Robert, Ludvig, and Alfred – contributed to the development of the Azerbaijani oil industry and the modernization of Baku in the late 19th century. The Branobel company founded by the Nobel brothers was once one of the world’s largest oil companies and played an important role in the development of modern oil extraction and processing technologies.
Through period documents, photographs, personal items, and interactive exhibition elements, visitors can learn about the life and work of the Nobel family. Particularly interesting are the models of early oil industry equipment and the models of revolutionary oil transport ships designed by the family. Original oil wells and drills can also be seen in the museum garden, creating a tangible connection with Baku’s rich industrial past.
All information can be found here!
Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
One of Azerbaijan’s most unique cultural institutions is located on the seaside promenade.
The museum was established in 1967 and moved to today’s modern building in 2014. Its form resembles a rolled-up carpet, designed by Austrian architect Franz Janz.
It houses the world’s largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets, with more than 6,000 pieces. The exhibitions showcase carpets from the 17th to 20th centuries, grouped by regions and styles. Visitors can learn about Azerbaijan’s seven carpet weaving schools, as well as the cultural and religious symbols hidden in the carpet patterns.
All information can be found here!
Baku weather
Baku is also known for its special climate, which is dry subtropical with a strong maritime influence. The city is often called the „city of winds” as the strong northern wind, the khazri, regularly refreshes the air, especially during the summer months.
Spring (March-May)
The temperature is pleasant, with daily averages between 15-22°C. This period is ideal for sightseeing and exploring outdoor attractions. The amount of precipitation is moderate, so travelers can expect mostly sunny days while the city’s parks and gardens burst into bloom.
Summer (June-September)
Hot and dry, the temperature often reaches 30-35°C. However, the coastal location mitigates the heat, especially during the midday hours when the sea breeze brings refreshment. This period is perfect for beach activities, swimming, and taking advantage of the recreational opportunities offered by the Caspian Sea.
Autumn (September-November)
The weather becomes pleasant again, with temperatures between 15-25°C. The amount of precipitation gradually increases but still remains relatively low.
Winter (December-February)
Mild compared to cities at similar latitudes, the temperature rarely drops below 0°C. The average daily temperature ranges between 5-10°C, which allows for exploring the city even in the colder months. Snowfall is rare, but due to the strong khazri wind, the perceived temperature may be lower than the actual temperature.