Top Places to Visit in Baku, Azerbaijan- The Land of Fire

The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, also known as the “city of winds,” has flourished into a sprawling metropolis over recent years. Here, the enthralling combination of ancient mystique and serene modernity coexists extraordinarily. Situated alongside the futuristic architecture are quarters reminiscing about medieval times, creating an extraordinary contrast. Baku Bay’s harbor continues its age-old legacy of welcoming ships from worldwide.

Baku City- The New Paris

Charmed by the glistening Flame Towers, the thrill of its Ferris wheel, and the complex designs displayed at the Carpet Museum, thousands of tourists come here to experience life at affordable costs. According to Bajaj Finserv, the average price of 2 people traveling to Azerjaijan from India can range from 1,00,000 INR to 1,50,000 INR, including all expenses like flight, accommodations, meals, transportation, and sightseeing.

I have listed the top 10 places in Baku, a broad range of the most popular and unforgettable tourist attractions in the capital of Azerbaijan, each one an absolute go-to. From navigating the winding streets of the old city to unearthing the location of the best charming views of Baku, from introducing you to the country’s exclusive cultural hotspot to recommending incredible retreats for the summer heat, I have it all listed for you.

1. Icheri Sheher

Icheri Sheher is famous for its historical and cultural richness. It is a fortified complex housing several ancient buildings. As the city’s oldest attraction, its origins trace back to the 5th century, though the accurate date of construction of this ‘Baku Acropolis’ remains a secret. Significant highlights include the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, both architectural marvels.

• The Maiden Tower (or Giz Galasi), an iconic symbol of Baku, is erected tall on a cliff near the shore. Its origin is mysterious, predating Islam’s advent in Azerbaijan—some believe it was built for sun and fire worship. The tower is wrapped in legends, the most famous of which includes a king’s daughter who, to avoid an unwanted marriage, asked a tower be built by the Caspian Sea. When the construction was completed, she tragically leaped to her death. The tower, consisting of eight levels connected by narrow spiral staircases, abodes a museum and a top-tier observation deck with a surreal city view.
• The Palace of the Shirvanshahs has magnificent architecture and includes a palace, tomb, mosque, mausoleum, and baths. Its chiseled stone walls are embellished with exquisite ornaments, displaying elegance and craftsmanship. The stone-carved airy patterns are proof of artistic mastery.

Beyond these landmarks, Icheri Sheher consists of fortress gates, caravanserais, numerous mosques and mausoleums, a bazaar square, and more. A walk through these ancient edifices offers a journey back to medieval Baku.

2. The Seaside Boulevard (Baku Boulevard)

The Seaside Boulevard (also called Baku Boulevard) is a jewel in Baku’s crown. Spanning an impressive 6 kilometers, it’s among the world’s longest seaside promenades. The boulevard boasts a rich array of facilities, such as restaurants, cafes, Baku attractions for all ages, shops, concert venues, and a sports complex, making it a beloved location for locals and visitors.

The boulevard is a picture of elegance and order, along with lush trees and well-maintained greenery. It’s alluring in the evening when the coastline sparkles with several lights. Visitors can enjoy a spin on the 60-meter Ferris wheel for a panoramic view of Baku. The boulevard also gives bicycle rentals and the opportunity for boat or yacht expeditions on the Caspian Sea. Other remarkable Baku tourist attractions along the boulevard include the Carpet Museum and Little Venice, the Deniz Mall, and Park Bulvar shopping centers.

3. The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, a hidden treasure of traditional patterns and ornaments, houses the country’s largest collection of carpets. For decades, carpet weaving has been an admired craft and a place of origin of national pride in Azerbaijan. The museum, an architectural marvel structured like a giant rolled carpet, has become a modern sign of Baku.

Nesting to over 10,000 exhibits, the museum’s collection predominantly displays carpets crafted from the 17th and 20th centuries. These pieces show a diverse array of schools, directions, and styles, all born from the skilled hands artisans of Azerbaijani through centuries. Beyond carpets, the museum’s halls display a variety of antique pieces: glasswork, metalwork, woodcrafts, and intricate pieces in gold and silver, along with traditional clothing and much more.

Visitors will also explore the life and work of Latif Kerimov, a famous carpet designer and a true legend in his field. To end the visit to the museum, the museum’s souvenir shop provides charming ornaments and, for those inclined, carpets to take a piece of Azerbaijani cultural piece home with you.

4. Nagorny Park

Nagorny Park, located in Baku, is ideal for comfortable walks and family dates. You can reach it through a short cable car ride from the Carpet Museum, offering captivating views of the city’s skyscrapers and the vast Caspian Sea. The park displays one of the best places to visit in Baku, Daghlig Garabagh Park, where the town unravels beneath you as if in the palm of your hand. Dotted with various trees and shrubs and ample comfortable benches, it’s an oasis of tranquillity.

Along with the park, you’ll find the Green Theater, a vast open-air stage, and the exquisitely shaped Gulustan Palace, similar to a colossal spaceship. The palace is a spot for festive events and celebrations. Surroundings, Martyr’s Lane (Shahid Alley) acts as a poignant reminder of Azerbaijani civilians who lost their lives in 1990 during the Karabakh conflict. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, visit Daghlig Garabagh Park at sunset on a relaxed day.

5. The Heydar Aliyev Center

The Heydar Aliyev Center is the country’s exclusive cultural institution, dedicated to sustaining and displaying Azerbaijani heritage from old times to now. Including five exhibition halls, it showcases an array of folk musical instruments, traditional attire, colorful carpets, jewelry, and other handcrafted items, all representing Azerbaijan’s wide range of beauty. The center also features miniature models of 45 major historical and cultural structures in Azerbaijan, providing a fascinating glance into the country’s architectural heritage. Constantly hosting thematic exhibitions, lectures, and seminars on history, architecture, science, and art, the center also houses a museum devoted to Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s third president. Travelers can discover his life and legacy and even see the luxurious vintage cars he used. The building, a marvel of modern architecture by Zaha Hadid, beautifully adds charm to Baku’s cityscape and is one of the best places to visit in Baku.

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6. The Flame Towers

The Flame Towers, three glass skyscrapers that stood tall in Baku in 2012, have become a signature landmark. Their flame-like shape not only reverberates Baku’s coat of arms but also looks like the opening of a pomegranate, another symbol of Azerbaijan’s productive land.

By day, the skyscrapers reflect the Baku sky; by night, their LED-screen-adorned walls come to life with red and yellow hues, making an illusion of flickering flames in the city’s heart. The Flame Towers is one of the top tourist places in Baku. It is house to the Fairmont Baku hotel, elite apartments, a business center, a restaurant, a café, and a cinema; these skyscrapers are 161, 165, and 182 meters tall, covering an area of 227,000 square meters. Their glory will catch your attention and leave a lasting impression on your travel photos.

7. Atashgah Fire Temple

Atashgah Fire Temple was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998. Hence, it has to be on the list of best places to visit in Baku and nearby. This place has so much to say from the past when Hindus, Sikhs, and Parsis (Zoroastrians) started to see it in large numbers due to its popularity for natural fires. Isn’t it fascinating that an Islamic-dominant nation has a Hindu-based temple? This tale dates back to the 18th century when Hindus came through this route for trading and attributed mystical importance to the inextinguishable fire and came there to worship the relic.

It is situated 30 km from the center of Baku in the suburb of Surakhany. The natural flame used to burn naturally till 1969 till Soviets emptied the gas reserves. The fuel for the fire that burns is fed from a gas pipeline from Baku.

8. Tufandag Mountain

Tufandag Mountain is one of the best ski destinations worldwide. Glistening snow-capped mountains, clouds touching the enigmatic mountain peaks, and the surreal backdrop of snow blanket make Tufandag mountain one of the best places to visit near Baku, Azerbaijan.

One can enjoy skiing over the smooth glides of snow-clad curves; whether you are an amateur or a professional skier, this is your adventure spot. Tufandag mountain also has chairlifts or cable cars, which at 2.5 km is the longest of four chairlifts and begin at the lowest Riverside station in Qabala. Professional instructors are ready on hand for both adults and children. Therefore, skiers don’t have to worry.

Qabala is the perfect holiday gateway, three to four hours west of Baku, nestled in peace away from city chaos. With the increasing number of tourists, Qabala has become an excellent destination for active holidaymakers and those seeking peace.

9. Little Venice

Little Venice is another tourist attraction in Baku, where you can have a beautiful time. The space is a network of small water canals where you can enjoy a gondola ride and a stunning view of the peripheral area. It’s always green in the warm season, and the canals give soothing views of the Carpet Museum and the Flaming Towers. On a boat ride, you’ll pass under neat arched bridges that add to the place’s look like Italy’s Venice.

On the banks of the green islets between the canals are restaurants with an impressive food selection. Tender dumplings like dusbara and lavangi, fish stuffed with fragrant herbs, and succulent lamb steaks can be enjoyed here. There is also a teahouse in Little Venice where you can drink strong Azerbaijani tea with sweet baklava.

In the evening and night, colored lighting completely transforms this place and gives it a fabulous look. Little Venice is a real oasis in the middle of the hot summer heat on the dam. In the cold season, Baku’s attraction is no less beautiful. Walking along the canals of Little Venice is an absolute idea for a romantic date or a lovely family holiday.

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10. Nohur Lake

This lake is one of the top attractions for tourists near Baku, Azerbaijan, situated just 200 km from the Baku city. Nohur Lake is the perfect recreation spot made by humans. It has a huge tree-lined body of water mirroring the Greater Caucasus Mountains in its green-blue-hued water. You can not swim here as it is restricted, but you can enjoy fishing and hiking. This place feels great in the winter season, and if you are a person who loves quietness, then you must spend some time here without stressing your mind while enjoying the picturesque mountain views.

So, if you are on a trip to Baku or Azerbaijan, you should visit this place once for rejuvenation.

Beyond the top 10 places to visit in Baku, there are many other remarkable sites to explore. For a unique experience, consider visiting the Museum of Miniature Books, which showcases a compelling collection of tiny-sized books. Cultural lovers can enjoy a concert at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall or a performance at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. Another must-go-to place is the Heydar Mosque, one of the largest in the Caucasus.

Baku attractions extend beyond the city, with the surrounding areas equally rich in fascinating sites. Venture to the perpetually aflame Yanardag Mountain or reside in the ancient past at the Ateshgah temple, a historic site of fire worship. The rock chiseling of early humans in Gobustan is a door to ancient life. At the same time, the Archeological-Ethnographic Museum Complex Gala provides an immersive experience as an ethnographic open-air museum. Baku is a city of many gems, and Adventure is perfect to guide you through these Eastern treasures.

How to reach Azerbaijan from India

• Azerbaijan Airport: Heydar Aliyev International Airport
• Cost of flight from India to Azerbaijan: ₹11,000 to ₹40,000 (approximately)

Azerbaijan tour packages from India at Liamtra (differ on factors, stay, and how you commute locally)

• For solo travelers (3 Nights, 4 Days)- ₹17,000 to ₹1,00,000 (approx.)
• For honeymoon (3 Nights, 4 Days)- ₹22,000 to ₹92,000 (approx)
• For family with children (3 Nights, 4 Days)- ₹17,000 to ₹92,000 (approx.)
• For groups (3 Nights, 4 Days)- ₹60,000 to ₹1,00,000 (approx.)