Top Things to do in Baku: 3-day Itinerary

Baku is one of the most beautiful cities I have been to! And I have been to Rome. You see, it’s not just about being beautiful, which Baku certainly is. But Baku is also safe, spotlessly clean, stroller-friendly and accessible with great food options. Some people also call Baku a lovechild between Paris and Dubai. But you will also find strong glimpses of Russian architecture and grandeur.

I stayed a week in Baku. Although I did head out for a couple of trips to Sheki and Gobustan, I was glad that I savoured this city slowly and at my own pace. But if you do not have the time, you can check out our our 3-day itinerary to Baku, including a day to visit Gobustan and Absheron (within an hour’s distance from Baku).

Travelling in Baku is quite convenient. But a lot of it depends on where you stay (see below). If you stay around the city centre, you can cover most of the attractions on foot if you enjoy walking and the weather is not too bad. 

For others, you can take the subway since Baku has a decent subway system connecting the important landmarks. Buses also run frequently and are the cheapest mode of transportation. You can pay for both the metro and buses using the Bakikart, which you can buy and recharge at the subway station.

If you are looking for more convenience, you can also use taxis. Taxis are great, clean, and the drivers are usually polite. You can book a taxi using Uber, Bolt or Yango. Compare the prices to find the best possible option.

For tours around Gobustan and Absheron, you can either book a group guided tour on an aggregator platform like Klook or book a private taxi. You will also find several tour operators on Nizami Street selling combo tours.

This is one of the most important decisions when I travel. And for Baku, I think your experience will vary greatly depending on where you stay. In my opinion, always stay in the city centre. You can pick a place anywhere in the area between the Nizami street and to Old town and make sure that the Baku boulevard is within walking distance. It’s not just about the convenience, but the architecture in this area is truly one of the things you will adore the most.

Here are a few places you may like:

Budget Hotels: Zimmer Boutique Hotel, Passage Boutique Hotel, Maajid Boutique Hotel

Boutique Hotels: Sultan Inn Boutique Hotel, Sapphire City Hotel, Art Club

Luxury: The Merchant Baku, Courtyard by Marriott Baku, Fairmont Baku – Flame Towers

I suggest that you start your time in Baku with a high. And the best part of the city is tucked in the middle of it. It is a wonder to see the old town look like something out of an Arabian fairy tale, sitting in contrast to the gleaming glass buildings behind. Baku is a beautiful blend of old regal charm and the modern world.

If you are staying somewhere in the central area, you can walk to the old city. Start your day in the morning and you will be greeted by thick brown walls of the Old City standing guard over the early settlements of Azerbaijan. There is no entrance fee to the Old City. Now, there are a few places of interest inside the old city, but if you have the time, take a stroll first and enjoy the beauty of this place. 

There are several souvenir shops selling authentic household items from Azerbaijan that you can explore. If you haven’t had your breakfast, you can check into one of the restaurants like Galateya or LaQuzu and order a breakfast set (heavenly, I will say). Don’t forget to stop by the murals like Workshop Ali Shamsi as you pass by.

The first stop is the palace of Shirvanshahs, the dynasty that ruled over the region of Shirvan or present-day Azerbaijan for over 600 years. The rulers of this dynasty heavily contributed to and influenced the cultural landscape of this area.

The palace, along with the Maiden’s Tower, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace, with its several buildings and artefacts, can give you a glimpse of the early life of Azerbaijan, the unique architecture and its relationship with other states. The miniature of the old town at the end of the tour can help you visualise what the city looked like a century ago.

You need to buy a ticket to enter the palace. I will suggest hiring a tour guide who is extremely helpful in understanding the history and hidden stories around the palace.

This is the largest known private collection of miniature books listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The museum is home to around 3,000 miniature books owned by a local lady. While most of the books are from Russian writers, you can also find copies of famous books like The Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland and the entire collection of Shakesphere. The most notable is the miniature version of the Quran, about the size of an inch.

Books are available in Russian, German, Georgian, Azerbaijani, Arabic, Turkish, Italian, English, French and Japanese. If you look closely, you may find one in your language. But you will need a magnifying glass to read any of it. It’s a great place for a quick stop and to browse around.

The Maiden Tower’s origins are obscure and its purpose debated to this day. To a tourist, it may look like a watch tower, which is the most plausible conclusion since the old city seems like a walled place, and the tower could have protected it from any oncoming invaders from both land and sea.

But some historians have debated that it could also be a fire temple since seven exits on the top depict the seven steps or seven skies to reach heaven as per Zoroastrianism. The tower dates back to 7-8 century B.C. Some also claim that the tower was built as an astronomical observatory. Or all of them could be true.

In all cases, you can enjoy the panoramic views of the city from the top of the tower. You just need to climb 7 flights of stairs and a ticket to reach it.

Once you are done with the sightseeing, I suggest you stop somewhere in the Old Town for lunch. The architecture and the cultural richness add to the food experience. There is also a large variety of options that you can find for fresh Azerbaijani food. There are plenty of vegetarian and even vegan options as well. So there is something for everyone.

You can check out Qaynana Restaurant or Qala Divari right near the north entrance. Both of them offer fantastic food options. You can head in a little and enjoy a meal at LaQuzu as well.

Do not forget to get some tea after lunch at Tea Garden 145. For desserts, you can check out Sheki Sweet Home located right outside the north entrance.

After lunch, it is time to take a walk in the beautiful Philharmonia Garden. You can reach the gardens by taking the exit on the west side of the Old Town walls and walking a little ahead. Just enjoy the afternoon stroll with lush green gardens, or grab a coffee and sit on one of the benches to enjoy the afternoon sun.

You will find a few beautiful, iconic fountains as you walk ahead down the pavement. You can even stop at one of the shops to grab a snack or a coffee. If you are lucky, you may also witness someone playing the piano.

If you have the time before sunset, you can cross over the road from Philharmonia Gardens and walk to the Azerbaijan State Museum of Art. The museum has over 15,000 artworks, but only 3,000 of them are displayed over 60 rooms at a time. The rest 12,000 are kept in storage and are rotated periodically. Hence, you may find something new every time you visit.

The museum is home to artworks from European, Azerbaijani, Russian and  Eastern artists (from China, Japan, Persia and Turkey). It can take you about an hour to make a quick tour unless you wish to spend more time. There is an entry ticket fee to enter.

It is optional for you if you wish to ride the funicular. The funicular is used to travel to Highland Park, our next destination. But you can also take the road to the top. There is also a series of steps to the top, but choose that option if you are fit enough. To take the funicular, you can walk down from the Azerbaijan State Museum of Art to the base station. 

The funicular train can carry only 20 people at a time and runs every 20 minutes. So it may get crowded around peak hours, like the sunset, especially at weekends. The wait times can be long, so you may have to arrive early if you do not want to miss the sunset. The ticket price is nominal. You can expect a lovely view of the city and the sea while travelling up.

Highland Park is going to be one of the highlights of your time in Baku. It is not much of a park, but a viewpoint station built beautifully for a lot of people to enjoy the panoramic views of the city. On one side, you can see Baku city with the promenade and the Caspian Sea, while on the other side, you can see the iconic Flame Towers.

The Highland Park itself is huge, spanning several levels and a huge area with views in different directions. People just come to hang around and have a quiet time. You can also check out the Shahidlar Monument as you explore. The Flame towers come to life after sunset, and you can see a light show with flames dancing on them. The park area is free to enter for everyone.

I am sure you must be tired by now and may want to end your day. But if you have the energy to add one more, go visit the Baku Eye (unless you have already been to the eyes in other cities). The Baku eye is located right next to the Caspian Sea and guarantees you a relaxing downtime after a busy day.

It takes about 30 minutes to finish the ride. But it can get crowded during the peak hours and the weekends. The ride opens only till 8 pm, so add this only if you have the time.

You can end your day in Baku city centre or even the old town at any of the bars for a drink or a hearty meal.

For your second day, you can enjoy the Baku Boulevard, which is home to several landmarks.  

Travel to the Heydar Aliyev Centre to enjoy the modern magnet of Baku. Then head over to the city centre for dinner and drinks to enjoy the rich architecture of central Baku. 

Start your day with the carpet museum with a hit of the rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. As the name suggests, the carpet museum showcases the Azerbaijani craft of carpet making from different provinces, regions, styles, textures and sizes. In fact, the collections go beyond Azerbaijan and also house carpets from Persia and nearby areas.

Even the museum building is magnificent, shaped in a rolled-out carpet form. You can find more information about the carpet-making process, where the wool comes from, how it’s combed and what kind of patterns are produced. It’s a tribute to the country’s indigenous craft and a great way to modernise and preserve its heritage.

You can also buy souvenirs after the museum tour at the gift shop. I will not say that they are particularly affordable, but they are certainly handmade and authentic, so well worth the price.

Right next to the carpet museum is mini Venice. Basically, it is a small area patterned with canals, clean and beautiful, great for a stroll on a sunny day. It doesn’t look much like Venice, but maybe a modern man-made version of it, like ones you can see at many hotels and malls. It is well built and quite beautiful.

If you have the time, you can also take a gondola ride on it. You can also dine at one of the restaurants located in the middle. Otherwise, you can walk around it over the bridges and pavements to enjoy the water and the view of the Caspian Sea.

From Mini Venice, just keep walking towards the other side on the Baku Promenade. It will take around 30-40 minutes to walk over to the other end of the promenade. But you can take more. Enjoy the promenade with gardens, fountains and art spaces created by the locals that you will find at every step.

On a weekend, you will find locals just walking with friends and family or jogging around for some exercise. We found some people enjoying a life-size chess with others joining in the competition (typical soviet scenes). You can even rent a bike and ride around the promenade area. 

If you are hungry, stop over at one of the restaurants for a meal with a sea view. 

If it’s time for lunch, you can also cross over the main street to head over to the other side to grab lunch. You can check out Marani Restaurant or Xezer Restaurant for authentic Azerbaijani cuisine.

The Hyder Aliyev Centre is an icon of modern Azerbaijan reflected in the building’s design as well as the exhibitions. As an architectural wonder, the building is built in wave-like curved structures throughout and does not have a single straight line.

The Hyder Aliyev Centre is dedicated to the beloved president of Azerbaijan. It is home to several collections, especially highlighting the life and times of Heydar Aliyev and his belongings. You can also find fantastic exhibitions (both temporary and permanent) from artists from all around the world.

There is a lovely doll collection that was super-lovely, as well as a vintage car collection. There is also a cafe inside if you wish to grab something to eat. It can take around 2-3 hours to visit the centre at a comfortable pace. You must buy a ticket to enter.

After visiting something contemporary and modern, it is time to get a taste of the local bazaar. Yasin Bazar is where you can find some fresh Azerbaijani produce, with great quality and variety. Take your time to get lost in the market.

You can find fresh fruits, dry fruits, local spices like saffron, pickles, chutneys, jams, local sweets, teas, cheese, honey, meats and a lot more. It is the largest fresh market in Azerbaijan, and you can find produce just fresh from the farms.

However, you may not get the best prices. It is common for vendors to quote much higher prices to tourists. You can come with a local if you have a friend or a tour guide. Or if you are good at bargaining, go for it. To purchase products, it is better to head to a supermarket like Spar with set prices.

It is almost time to put an end to the sightseeing and prepare for an enjoyable evening. If you haven’t already visited, you can head to Nizami Street for a good time. Nizami Street, along with Liberty Square, forms the heart of Baku. You can find rows of hotels, restaurants and shops in the area.

While it may feel a bit touristy, this is also the place where many locals hang out. You may also find seasonal fairs or outdoor markets during the holiday season, or simply just. If you are looking for souvenirs or local crafts, you can also find some here. But the prices could be comparatively high.

If you are looking to eat traditional Azerbaijani food for dinner, check out Nergiz or Firuze restaurant. For Sheesha, you can go to Malacannes Shisha Lounge or Passage 145. To visit a pub or a bar, I recommend Hops Pub Baku and The Phoenix Bar. 

You may have already ended your day. But this one is optional if you wish to squeeze it in during your time in Baku.

The Baku Opera House, like all opera houses, is a gem of its cultural heritage. You will be able to find shows and performances by local artists performing at the Opera House. If you book ahead of time, you may be able to catch a show here. Check it out on their official website. However, note that most shows take place in the local language. 

Similarly, the puppet theatre is located on the Baku Boulevard and hosts puppet shows for both kids and adults. If you and your kids are okay with a show in a foreign language, then you can find them online.

For the third day, you will be exploring the Gobustan area for the Rock Art landscape and mud volcanoes on a 4×4 truck, a bit of an adventurous ride. The second half of the day consists of travelling to the Absheron peninsula for Yanar Dagh, aka the burning mountain, and to the Atashgah Fire temple.

You can either rent a private car with a driver for the whole day. Or you can also join one of the guided tours that cover all of these. It is easy to book a tour online using aggregators like Klook or GetYourGuide. Another way is to walk towards the Nizami street and look for one of the many tour operators walking around selling these tours in person with a local company.

The Gobustan National Park Museum is built to share the history of Azerbaijan before the arrival of modern civilisation. The museum has artefacts and interactive areas that give you a glimpse and explanation of what you are going to see in the Rock Art Cultural Landscape. 

To explain simply, Gobustan is a landscape of rocky boulders in the middle of a desert-like landscape of Azerbaijan. In these deserts, you will find rock art known as petroglyphs made by early human settlers. The Park Museum helps us put all that information in context. You can spend about an hour going through the museum and then head out to the actual area to see the petroglyphs with your own eyes.

Just a little ahead of the museum, you can look at the Rock Art Landscape. The rock art covers an area of 537 hectares with more than 6,000 engravings dating all the way back to 40,000 years, around the prehistoric period. But you can enjoy some of the highlights in a tourist-friendly trail. There is a bit of walking and climbing up the stairs, but it’s not too difficult.

You will need some time to spot these paintings, though. Since they were naturally engraved, they don’t pop up. You will find cues with descriptions and an audio guide nearby, but the rock art is sometimes hidden in plain view. You can spot human depictions much like stick figures, animals, hunting as an activity, humans in formations that look like celebration, humans riding animals and a lot more that is sometimes not that easy to comprehend. It’s all so interesting, though!

It takes an hour to go around. You can spend more time if it’s a good day and the weather is nice. There is a viewpoint that faces the Caspian Sea and also has a view of Baku city.

There are several mud volcanoes in the area. The one you will get to see will depend upon your tour guide. But to visit a mud volcano, you cannot use regular cars or vans (or that’s what they say). You will need to hire a 4×4 truck in the area that will take you on an adventurous ride (think of Mad Max). These trucks are driven and operated by locals. If you are travelling with a tour agency, they will arrange that for you. Otherwise, you can ask a local, like your driver, to help you out with this.

It takes about 30 mins of off-roading in the desert to reach these mud volcanoes from the main road. It is a bit of a ride, so if you have an injury or do not feel well, think of avoiding it. Once you reach the volcanoes, you can check those out on your own. These look exactly like what they sound like. Small volcanoes oozing out mud from them. Wait for a few minutes to find mud bubbles forming and popping.

You can take a bath in these inside some volcanoes, which is a bit of an activity and is considered really good for the body since the mud is rich in minerals. If that’s the case, carry a swimsuit or a change of clothes.

While returning from Gobustan, you can stop for a while at the Bibiheyat Mosque, which is on the way. The original mosque was built in the 13th century but was destroyed during the anti-religious movement during the soviet era in 1936. It was rebuilt recently, grander than before. The architecture and the intricate details represent a significant piece of Azerbaijani history and culture. 

Since you will be crossing through the city to go to the other side of the Absheron peninsula, it’s best if you stop somewhere in the city for lunch and continue.

Yanar Dag is also known as the ‘Burning Mountain’ because it signifies so. This is one of the reasons Azerbaijan is called the land of fire, flames being its icons. The mountainside is dry and burns continuously without any liquid or raw material. This is due to the presence of a continuous supply of natural gas. But it just looks like the grass on the mountainside is burning.

The local legends have it that it has been burning for 4,000 years now and was accidentally lit by a shepherd, but nobody knows the truth. The fire is untouched by rain, snow or thunderstorm and sometimes can go as high as 3 ft in the air. On a cold day, it’s great to warm your hands in the sacred fire once worshipped by people. You can also grab some coffee at a coffee shop right next to it to warm your insides, too.

The Ateshgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple carries the stories of Azerbaijan’s religious history, of the time when people in the area followed Zoroastrianism. Although this temple was also a worship ground for Hindus and Sikhs in the area. The word ‘Atash’ itself means fire in Persian and Azerbaijani.

The temple is a large pentagonal complex with a main altar where a fire burns continuously. Initially, just like Yanar Dag, the fire burned eternally by natural gas and did not need to be fed. But in 1969, the fire was extinguished after a century of the extraction of natural gas in the area. Since then, it has been fed using a gas pipe. The main altar is surrounded by a large courtyard, which is again surrounded by chambers that are converted into a museum on all sides.

The rooms in the chambers were once used to house monks. Today, they have live figurines and information about the religious significance and history of the temple.

The above places cover probably the most notable places in Baku. Although there is a lot more in Baku that tourists do not know about. In fact, there is a place of interest at every turn. I, myself, could find tons of museums and parks in the city, but it all depends on the time you have to spend here.

Here are a few other places that you can add to your itinerary if you have the time.

The National Museum of History is the largest in Azerbaijan. It is located in the city centre in Baku, inside the former residence of oil magnate and philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. The museum is so big, it spans an entire block, spanning over four floors. From the outside, it just looks like any other apartment building, but it is prettier and designed in Italian Renaissance style.

In some rooms, the interior is left as is, showcasing the life of the Taghiyev family, who stayed here for 18 years. So you can see how Azerbaijan looked in a rich person’s house a century ago. But it is also home to around 300,000 artefacts and items of historical importance from Azerbaijan, all the way to the Stone Age and the Middle Ages. The modern items showcase flags, coins, banknotes, clothes, documents, etc. Take your time to explore this beautiful place.

You can enjoy a cruise in the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest lake (actually). The tour begins at the pier on Baku Boulevard and passes through most of the city’s major landmarks, including the Tele Tower, Maiden Tower, Flame Towers, Crescent Mall, Baku Eye, Deniz Mall, Crystal Hall, and Flag Square.

The cruises are usually short, but you can pick one around sunset or evening to enjoy the night view of Baku. Some cruises also offer a business class where you can enjoy tea and snacks.

You may have visited mosques till now, but not an orthodox church. There are several in Baku itself. This one is not so popular but still quite lovely. The church was built in 1909 in Russian style architecture by the then Tsar of Russia. Inside, you will find frescoes depicting biblical stories. It is best to visit on a weekday to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

The Heydar Mosque is located north of Baku, slightly outside the city. It is named after Heydar Aliyev, a former president of Azerbaijan. It is also the largest mosque in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region. The mosque was completed in the Shirvan-Absheron style, which you can also see in the Palace of Shirvanshahs and features four minarets and two domes. It is even more beautiful lit up in the dark, so if you are short on time during the day, you can visit in the evening as well.