ABOUT COUNTRY
Being a cradle ancient civilization, as well as being at the crossroads of the geopolitical, economic, cultural interests of many tribes and peoples, Azerbaijan has a rich cultural heritage. The country is located in the South Caucasus, on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. The republic borders with Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Turkey and Russia, and by sea with Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. total area Azerbaijan is 86,600 sq. km, and the population is more than 9 million people.
The capital of Azerbaijan is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, located at the junction of Europe and Asia, the port city of Baku. Baku is the cultural, industrial and political capital of Azerbaijan, located on west coast Caspian Sea, on the shores of the bay of the same name in the southern part of the Absheron Peninsula, rich in its oil fields. This is one of the most charming cities in the East, whose architectural sights and oriental charm attract tourists from all over the world.
How to get to Baku?
We will tell you how you can get to the “city of winds” Baku from Moscow and do it as cheaply as possible.
Select travel dates, number of passengers and click " Find tickets«
To begin with, we note that citizens of the CIS (except Turkmenistan and Armenia) do not require a visa to enter Azerbaijan. For citizens of other countries, a visa is issued on the basis of an invitation from a private or legal entity or a travel agency.
The easiest and fastest way to get to Baku is to take a direct flight. Dozens of planes fly from Baku every day, so choosing an option that is suitable in terms of departure time and cost is not difficult. There are both direct flights and routes with transfers. Flights are organized by Russian and foreign companies - Aeroflot, Azerbaijan Airlines, S7 Airlines, Belavia, Air Astana and others. A non-stop flight usually takes about 3 hours. You can select travel dates and buy plane tickets to Baku (or to another destination) at a low price through the “air tickets” section of our service.
Our website provides you with a convenient search engine that allows you to sort and thereby find the best flight option for you.
To do this, you need to go to our website with a simple and easy-to-use interface, enter the city of arrival and click on the “find tickets” section. Then you will need to wait a bit until a tab opens with a list of airline offers from which you can make your choice.
Please note that the information on the site is periodically updated and by leaving your email, you can subscribe to our updates, which will help you not miss the chance to purchase tickets at competitive prices.
Where to stay in Baku?
Once the issue with the air ticket has been resolved, you can begin searching and booking accommodation. There are not just many places in Baku where a tired traveler can stop, but a lot. Moreover, the rooms and service of many hotels are of surprisingly high quality. Apart from absolutely budget options, in the capital you can find a comfortable hotel at a very reasonable price.
We also recommend choosing hotels for your trip through our service, which allows you to compare room prices across most booking systems, which often leads to good savings. In the section of the site "" except detailed information and characteristics, you can also look at photographs of hotels, which will greatly facilitate your choice.
Hotel booking with discounts up to 60%
Book a room at a great price!
What to try in Baku?
The next important stage when planning a trip is food. It is impossible to leave Baku without trying the famous Azerbaijani dishes, the recipes of which are passed down from generation to generation. The whole city is full of inexpensive cafes offering their guests all kinds of kebabs, kebabs and the famous “kutabs” (lavash with different fillings). You can have a snack in such establishments for 5-10 local manats. You can find out the ruble exchange rate and calculate how much it makes by going through the following link. or on the website of the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
In the old town there are several small restaurants that are interesting not only to local traditional cuisine, but also an authentic atmosphere. It can be seen in the interiors and the attitude of the staff towards visitors - true oriental hospitality. If you need a snack on the run, then you can safely go to the stalls with shawarma, donuts and other pastries. The food here is fast, tasty, and at the same time they keep the work area clean.
In national cuisine restaurants you can try unusual dishes and plunge into the atmosphere of oriental hospitality.
The city has several respectable bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The average price tag in them is much higher than in other establishments in the city, however, you can pay for the luxurious interior, European service, skillful presentation of dishes and an excellent view of the city and the sea.
What to see in Baku? What sights?
Once the choice of accommodation has been made and the issue of food has been resolved, you can create a walking route around Baku. Conventionally, all the sights of the city can be divided into three parts: the Old City, buildings built during the Soviet period, and modern Baku. So many useful information You can find information about Azerbaijan and Baku on the Internet. Using certain key search terms such as "10 best places Azerbaijan”, “attractions of Baku”, etc. you will be able to get initial information about the country, its culture, and customs. We decided to offer you our list of places that you should definitely visit upon arrival in Azerbaijan:
“Icheri Sheher”, i.e. Old city
The old city of Icheri Sheher is located in the center of modern Baku. The place is unique, steeped in history, unusual architecture, and also replete with souvenirs, small restaurants and traces of the Silk Road trade. This is a monument of oriental medieval architecture preserved in Baku, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The “calling cards” of the Old City are the ancient fortified building of the Maiden Tower, a treasure of Azerbaijani architecture, the palace ensemble of the rulers of the Shirvanshahs, erected here in the 15th century, and the Shemakhan Gate leading to the city. In addition, you will be interested to know that the movie “The Diamond Arm” was filmed in this part of the city.
Baku is especially luxurious at night. In the evening, as soon as the sun goes below the horizon, the golden lights of the city light up before the eyes of citizens and numerous tourists. The Baku Bay of the Absheron Peninsula resembles a luxurious necklace made of gold and precious stones. This is a very romantic city, walking around which you will get a lot of emotions and positive impressions.
Baku Seaside Boulevard is one of the attractions of Baku, a favorite vacation spot for Baku residents and city guests. In 2009, he celebrated his 100th anniversary. The length of the park is 25 km. Here you can find a solid amount of entertainment for both children and adults, including many attractions, a string of cultural sites and much more. There is also the world's first specialized museum for collecting, preserving and studying carpet, the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, a shopping center, many restaurants, as well as the Baku “Venice” - a town on the water, which is one of the features of the Azerbaijani capital, one of the beautiful and favorite recreation areas residents and guests of the capital.
Nagorny Park named after Sergei Kirov, located in the very center of Baku, is considered one of the most beautiful parks in the capital, as well as a favorite vacation spot for local residents. The park is unique in that from its territory you can see a panorama of the city, which explains the name of the park - Nagorny. Another name for the park that has caught on among the people is the Observation Deck. The park was built from Baku quarried limestone of various colors on the site of an old Muslim cemetery. Nagorny Park also houses the Alley of Martyrs, where the victims of “Black January” who died in the Karabakh War are buried, an open theater, a reading room, a cafe and other architectural monuments.
(literally “burning mountain”) is one of the most famous and popular “eternal flame” places among tourists in Azerbaijan. This is a natural eternal fire that has been burning since ancient times on a hillside in Azerbaijan. Today in the world there is no a large number of Such natural gas combustion sources, most of them are located in Azerbaijan. The natural eternal flame of Yanardag is caused by the leak of flammable natural gas from a large field under the Absheron Peninsula.
If you are planning to travel, if you want to get a lot of positive emotions, see how one country can combine two different cultures of the West and the East, try the unique taste of oriental cuisine, get acquainted with ancient sights and monuments of modern culture, touch the national flavor, then definitely come visit us!
When leaving the city, do not forget to purchase souvenirs that reflect the national character and local flavor in which they were produced and purchased. These can be keychains, figurines, magnets, backgammon, which will be a pleasant reminder of your stay in Azerbaijan, visiting old Baku, holy places, museums, cultural sites, architecture, etc.
In conclusion, we note that our service site is a metasearch engine that, depending on your request, sorts information provided from 728 airlines, 40 agencies and 5 booking services, and gives you the opportunity to make a choice at the best prices .
The website contains all the services necessary for an independent traveler: purchasing air tickets, hotel reservations, insurance, etc. Also, in addition to the listed services, on the website you can get information about excursions, sea cruises, tours and many other important moments for the traveler.
Don't know where to go for the weekend? How about going to Baku? A spontaneous trip to Baku is an option when you get tens of times more than you expect.
The old city of Baku, the endless embankment, the Caspian Sea, oriental hospitality, delicious Azerbaijani cuisine (sturgeon!), peace and security. I hope we have convinced you that you need to go to Azerbaijan.
Planning a trip: flight, do you need a visa, what kind of passport, currency
Organizing an independent trip to Baku is very simple. Russian citizens do not require a visa, just foreign passport, which will be stamped upon arrival.
Another advantage of a trip to Azeybarjan is the low cost of air tickets. I bought tickets a week before the trip, they cost me 16,000 rubles, and if you book a month in advance, you can buy a one-way ticket from 5,000 rubles. S7 flew from Moscow, believing that our airline would organize a more comfortable flight than AZALJET (Azeybarjan Airlines), but I was mistaken.
The return flight from AZALJET was simply amazing. We boarded a large, comfortable plane; the distance between the seats allowed us to easily stretch our legs. By the way, the plane matched everything I saw in Baku. Everything here is beautiful, neat, expensive, stylish, and calm, so even an ordinary flight in economy class feels almost like business class. Takeoff and landing were not felt at all, I have never experienced such comfort, although I often fly with our normal airlines. They also fed us a delicious dinner, which is also very rare.
I won’t be able to advise you on what currency to take with you, because with the current fluctuations, it’s not clear whether it’s profitable to change rubles into euros or dollars. I can say for sure that there are no problems withdrawing money in rubles from a card at an ATM; rubles are also exchanged at exchange offices.
Now 1 manat (AZN) is equal to 33 rubles, it’s easy to count: you just remember the old days when the ruble to dollar exchange rate was in this range. If you count at the official rate, then exchanging rubles and dollars will give you the same amount in manats. As you can see, the exchange rate in Azeybarjan is favorable for our currency, you can travel with rubles, so we can safely put one more plus in favor of a trip to Baku.
If you don't know English, this won't be a problem in Baku. In the tourist area, I came across Russian speaking people in museums, restaurants, and hotels. Plus? Plus!
In terms of safety, the city seemed safe to me. Balanced people, even children here are calm. Baku – modern city, here you feel much safer than in some European capitals, where they either offer you intimate services or try to steal something from your bag. I alone felt absolutely comfortable and calm walking around the sights.
How to get to the center of Baku from the airport
When you arrive in Baku, you immediately realize that you have arrived in an oil-producing eastern country. If, when you mention Baku, you associate crowds of people in caps with a string of oranges in their hands, then you do not understand what Baku is.
Airport named after Heydar Aliyev, when leaving the plane, evokes a lot of positive emotions; for a second you think that you are at an exhibition of contemporary art. Waiting for a flight takes place in a comfortable environment; you just relax in the waiting room. The city’s airport was designed and equipped by the most fashionable companies; after such beauty, we don’t even want to remember our air harbors, especially Domodedovo, which is outdated in all respects.
I arrived late in the evening alone, so I ordered a transfer in advance for 1,700 rubles.
Official taxi at the airport Baku Taxi, boarding costs 3 AZN, then according to the meter. Payment is made at the end of the trip in cash or by card. Travel time is about 20 minutes.
They called a taxi from the hotel to the airport at a fixed price of 30 manats, but I didn’t look at what kind of taxi service it was. My husband drove from the airport to the hotel for 50 manats.
You can also get from the airport to the city by public transport, especially since it runs around the clock. Baku Bus buses stop before exiting Terminals 1 and 2; tickets can be purchased from a machine located to the left of the exit door of Terminal 1 and to the right of the exit of Terminal 2.
The buses operate every half hour; there is air conditioning and even a toilet inside. The fare costs only 1.50 AZN, and if you immediately take a transport card, the price will be 1.30 AZN. On the official website you can see in real time the time until the bus arrives; the travel time is 30 minutes. http://www.aeroexpress.az/ru.
End points of the bus route: Airport and metro station May 28 (practically the center, from it there are two only metro lines of the Baku metro, as well as a railway connection), between them there is one stop Koroglu (red metro line).
The Baku metro map can be viewed here
Old city of Baku
The Old City is the heart of Baku. Those who expect to see ruins of houses here will be disappointed - every house has been restored, the doors shine. If you have never seen the Caravanserai, ancient mosques and baths, then you definitely need to come here.
To quickly explore the Old Town (take a lap of honor) two hours is enough. If you want to visit the Maiden Tower, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, and listen to the audio guide, then a whole day will not be enough for you.
There are many options for walking around the Old Town. There is a point at the Old Gate where you can purchase an audio guide and explore everything on your own at your own pace. You can also drive around the old center in an electric car.
Top attractions of Baku
I conducted a survey among several friends, do they know what to see in Baku and why go there? Of the five, one remembered the “damn it” from the Diamond Hand, the second heard about the Flaming Towers. I’m telling you briefly, as I plan to write photo reports of walks around the city to demonstrate the beauty of colorful Baku.
- Old City (Icheri Sheher)
- Allow at least a day to visit the Old Town.
- Fortress walls of Icheri Sheher
- Maiden Tower (Asaf Zeynalli St., 24)
- Palace of the Shirvanshahs (Zamkovaya St., 76)
- Mohammed Mosque (Mirza Mansur St., 42)
- The Flame Towers (Mehdi Huseynzade St., 1a)
- Heydar Aliyev Center (Heydar Aliyev Avenue, 1)
- Carpet Museum
- A unique modern museum dedicated to the most ancient craft of the East. In my opinion, this is a must see in Baku.
- Funicular and Mountain Park Baku. All the pleasures at once: a ride on a train, a stroll through the park, and a visit to the observation deck. Advice: come to Nagorny Park when the sun is shining on the city and not in your face.
- Baku embankment. The embankment seems endless - many kilometers of beauty. There are no beaches within the city, the embankment is suitable for walks along the Caspian Sea, many people ride bicycles, which can be rented here.
- "Little Venice" on the territory of the Primorsky Park. Modern canals follow the picturesque park, along which you can ride on cute boats.
- Street where the famous scene from The Diamond Arm was filmed: st. Kichik-Gala, 8/1
Baku embankment
The embankment in Baku stretches for many kilometers. There are no beaches here, but there is plenty of space for walking. It is convenient to rent a bicycle and go around all the sights or take a ride on a sightseeing train. I was walking.
The embankment begins with the flag square, where, as you guessed, the giant flag of Azerbaijan flutters. The Korva Museum looks impressive, be sure to check it out, there is a lot to see (review of the museum).
Pleasure boats depart from the piers, and you can look at Baku from above on a Ferris wheel. The cactus garden looks beautiful, little Venice, along whose canals everyone rides boats.
Azerbaijani cuisine Baku
Baku is a very tasty city. We were served a great breakfast at the hotel, a delicious dinner on the plane, and the street food and restaurants were simply amazing.
I still remember Baku tomatoes. And what a magnificent Caspian fish in restaurants is - you'll lick your fingers. We ate enough sturgeon for the year ahead. It is also worth trying saj, rich soups, and eggplant dishes.
It’s not so easy to find colorful Baku restaurants, as you can mostly find modern European and Asian establishments. If you want to try national cuisine, look for restaurants in the Old Town.
Observation platforms in Baku
Look at from above Old city You can do it from the Maiden Tower, which is difficult to pass by.
Other observation decks you can find it on the wheel of the adoration, in one of the bars of the Flaming Skyscrapers - symbols of modern Baku, and also take the funicular to the Nagorny Park.
Choosing hotels in Baku: how to navigate
Conventionally, when choosing a hotel, I would divide Baku into three points of attraction: the Flaming Towers (famous high-rise buildings that symbolize modern Baku), the Old City and the embankment, which stretches for 25 kilometers.
In the high-rise buildings there is a five-star hotel Fairmont Baku Flame Towers, I think it will appeal to fans of Moscow City and other areas with skyscrapers. It is relatively inexpensive for 5*, prices can be checked on booking.com. There are standard apartments and hostels nearby, from the windows of which symbols of the country's oil wealth are visible.
I decided to live in the old city, after reading the reviews, I realized that the most convenient and colorful hotel is slightly above the average price category - Shah Palace Hotel 4*
The hotel is located chicly, the sights of the old city are just a stone's throw away, the interior has great color, service and comfort. The guide recommended hotels of the same comfort level to me: Austin Boutique Hotel 4*
Azcot Hotel 4*
and simpler, but with an excellent location Du Port Hotel 3*.
I recommend opening a hotel search on the map and looking at other options from these examples, because choosing a hotel in Baku is a pleasure, because there are prices for every budget, and almost everyone has a high rating. The option when you can afford to choose a hotel at least according to the color of the wallpaper.
Closer to the embankment, I was recommended to consider the Park Inn hotel, next to it is the Hilton (and also the Marriott, Four Seasons and many others), but I wouldn’t trade the opportunity to live in the Old Town for anything. And I don’t like chain hotels, I like unique ones with a twist. When choosing a hotel on the waterfront, do not think that you can walk to the beach. Many people mistakenly think that in Baku you can swim in the center, like in most cities located on the coast. But in Baku the embankment is encased in concrete, there are no beaches. If your priority is to relax by the sea, then you should choose country hotels with beaches, and come to Baku for a walk.
Near the expensive hotels there are numerous hostels, inexpensive private hotels, and apartments for rent. Choose what is dearest to your soul and enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of Baku.
Baths
1. In the Old City of Baku there are only one functioning baths left - Agha Mikhail Baths
Aga Mikayil Bath House - Kicik Qala, 16, Baku, Azerbaijan (Price 65 manats for sauna, hammam, 30 minute massage)
Taze Bey Baths, st. Sh. Shamilya, 30, Baku, Azerbaijan
Many people compare these baths to a souvenir shop - all the walls of the bath are hung with various oriental objects. It’s worth visiting here for the beautiful interiors and special oriental flavor.
Excursions and audio guides in Baku
In the old city of Baku there are several travel agencies where you can purchase excursions both around the city and out of town. I love tours given by locals, so I chose a sightseeing tour here.
Travel agencies offer a wide range of day trips: for example, to a fire temple, to oil fields. In details we talked about it here .
What to bring from Baku
You can bring a silk scarf as a souvenir from Baku - just be careful, there are many fakes. Where does silk come from in Azerbaijan? It's simple in Sheki there is a silk spinning mill where silk scarves are produced.
Armuds are glass tea cups that resemble the curves of a woman’s body.
Wines – pomegranate wine is especially prized. Pay attention to the wine brand Salavan, Sevgilim.
Sweets – there are many variations of oriental sweets: Sheki baklava (thin, like a gossamer), Turkish delight.
Exotic types of jam - rose, olive jam, nut jam. I liked the nut jam the most, believe me, it’s very tasty!
Narsharab sauce is a sauce made from evaporated pomegranate, served with meat.
Carpet – It’s hard to say how to transport a carpet. But keep in mind that the carpet must have been woven no earlier than 1960, otherwise the goods will be confiscated at the border and returned to the owner as a national treasure.
Black caviar - there is a restriction on export, no more than 250 grams, and proof of purchase, for example, a receipt, is required.
Azerbaijani tea (Azerchay) is a very tasty tea with different fillings.
I would also like to point out that souvenirs are very expensive in the Old Town. Tea, jam, baklava can be purchased at any supermarket. It is better to buy delicious products locally grocery market“Yashil Bzar” (or Green Market, not far from the railway station) – tell the taxi driver, everyone knows where it is.
You can also buy groceries in the Bazarstor and O"Bravo supermarkets.
Baku made a strong impression on me. I did not expect that it is such a modern city and at the same time colorful. Now I’m thinking about a longer trip to Azeybarjan.
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Why go and what to see in Baku
Baku is an amazingly hospitable city located on the shores of the Caspian Sea; there is one here rich story, culinary traditions, natural attractions, while Baku is a modern city with developed infrastructure, modern buildings and a lot of entertainment. In addition, tourists are attracted to Baku by its mild climate coupled with opportunities beach holiday, and they are truly unlimited in the vicinity of Baku.
It’s definitely worth going to Baku to feel its oriental flavor, taste delicious dishes, see traditional and ultra-modern architecture, visit the outskirts of the city and see natural attractions, and, of course, breathe the salty air while walking along the famous Baku embankment, located right on the shore of the mighty Caspian Sea.
You can visit Baku for excursion purposes at any time of the year; for a beach holiday, the period from June to September inclusive is suitable. It is better to look for places for a beach holiday in the nearest suburbs of Baku (Bilgya, Mardakan, Zagulba, Novkhani, etc.), where there is the appropriate infrastructure, and the beaches themselves will delight you with their cleanliness, well-groomed and fine golden sand. The Baku port is located within the city limits.
Francisco Anzola/flickr
Climate and weather in Baku
The climate of Baku is mild continental, without sudden changes. The air temperature rises smoothly and reaches its peak in July-August and also gradually decreases and reaches its minimum in December-January. Even in winter, the thermometer rarely drops below zero. Autumn, winter and spring are perfect for traveling to Baku for excursion purposes; the weather is conducive to long walks, there is no sweltering heat typical for the summer period.
Summer in Baku is hot, dry, with virtually no precipitation. In July-August, when the temperature can reach +40 degrees, long walks around the city may not be comfortable, but the Baku summer is ideal for a beach holiday on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Sufficiently warm weather in Baku begins at the end of April, but swimming will only be possible starting in June, because... the water warms up more slowly.
There is not much precipitation in Baku; it is mainly typical for the period from November to March. At this time of year there are short-term rains, the weather becomes more cloudy, in some years (not every year) in Baku on a short time It may snow. You can read more about the weather in Baku by season in
Trevor Claringbold/flickr
Currency, language, local time in Baku
The currency of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani manat, designated as AZN. It is accepted to pay in local currency, so before or upon arrival you should take care of exchanging cash. At Baku airport you can exchange not only dollars or euros, but also rubles. The approximate exchange rate at the beginning of 2018 is 34 rubles per 1 manat.
The official and most frequently used language in Azerbaijan, incl. in Baku, is the Azerbaijani language. Not everyone knows Russian, but tourist places They will understand you. In large hotel chains, you will be more likely to be understood if you speak English, because... The staff is dedicated to receiving foreign guests. Menus in restaurants can be duplicated in English or Russian, but this is only if you have chosen an establishment visited by tourists. If you want to try authentic Azerbaijani cuisine, then you should go to those establishments that the locals themselves visit, but in this case there is a risk of encountering a language barrier, and you will have to communicate using gestures.
The time difference between Baku and Moscow is 1 hour. Thus, Baku is in the GMT+4 time zone, while Moscow is in the GMT+3 time zone. Daylight hours in Baku last a little longer.
Aero Icarus/flickr
How to get to Baku
The most popular way to get to Baku from Russia is by air. You can fly on the Moscow-Baku route without transfers using several airlines at once. Flights, for example, are operated by Azal (Azerbaijan Airlines), Utair, S7, Aeroflot. The flight time will be on average 4 hours (there) and 2 hours (back). Azal flies from Vnukovo and returns to Domodedovo; Utair uses only Vnukovo airport, S7 is based in Domodedovo; Aeroflot departs and returns to Sheremetyevo. From other Russian cities you will need a transfer in Moscow.
In addition to planes, you can also get to Baku from Russia by train, but the travel time will be significant. For example, a train from Moscow to Baku takes two days, the frequency of flights is low, so there is no point in considering this option as a tourist option.
In Baku, planes from Moscow and other cities land at the international ultra-modern airport named after Heydar Aliyev. The airport is located not in the city itself, but 25 km from it, and is connected to Baku by a new generation expressway (construction began in 2008). The airport has 2 passenger terminals - for receiving international flights and local ones. International terminal was built quite recently, in 2014, and is designed in a futuristic style. The terminal amazes not only with its scale, but also with its design features.
Inside the terminal you can find everything you might need upon arrival or during a transit transfer - cafes, restaurants, shops, Duty-Free, Internet access, banking services, medical center, baggage packing, airport hotel, business lounges, etc. P.
There are several ways to get from Baku airport to the city center. During the daytime, you can use public transport. For example, you can leave the airport by bus shuttle No. H1. The bus will take you to the central metro station “28 May”. Shuttles run every half hour throughout the day. The fare is 1.3 manats (if you have a BakiKART transport card) and 1.5 manats for a one-time trip without a card. Read more about
In addition, you can also get from the airport by taxi or transfer. The option is relatively inexpensive and convenient if you are traveling with a large number of suitcases, with small children, or arriving at night. You can catch a taxi at the exit from the arrivals terminal, or book an individual transfer in advance. You can order transfer services on various international services:
- order system
-
This is quite convenient and saves you from additional fuss after arriving at the airport. The price varies from 20 euros one way.
IsaMCRosado1/wikipedia
Public transport in Baku
Baku, as a large metropolitan metropolis, has a developed public transport network, so it will not be difficult for tourists to move around the city from one attraction to another. To explore the city center, it is generally enough to use only the metro (only 2 lines). If there is a need to go to more remote areas of the city, then buses and minibuses will come to the rescue. Please note that public transport in Baku does not operate at night between midnight and 6 am.
In addition to buses, minibuses and the metro, public transport in Baku also includes the funicular, which runs along the route Nagorny Park - Neftchinikov Avenue Square. By the way, this is a great way to explore the city.
To use the Baku metro, you need to purchase a reusable card, which can subsequently be topped up with the required amount. By the way, the card can be returned to the cashier after use (relevant if you come to Baku for just a couple of days). A one-time bus fare is paid at the conductor's office. The fare is 0.2 manats, which is quite cheap by capital standards.
Of course, you can also use taxi services to get around; they are relatively inexpensive here. For reference, the Uber taxi system operates in Baku. You can order a taxi not only to move around the city, but also, for example, to travel around the surrounding area; this is a common practice among tourists in Baku. If you wish, you can also get to natural attractions outside of Baku by commuter buses. You can read more about public transport routes in
Baku metro map/wikipedia/Boris Berdichevsky
Car rental in Baku
The car rental service is gaining increasing popularity in Baku, especially among those travelers who do not plan to limit themselves only to exploring the capital. For example, car rental is relevant both for trips around the Absheron Peninsula and for longer trips to the National Parks of Azerbaijan. You can even say that in such cases a car is the most reliable way to travel, because... public transport can not always take you everywhere.
On the contrary, in order to move only around the city, it is not at all necessary to rent a car. Baku has big problems with traffic jams, so driving here is just wasting your time. In this sense, the metro is a real lifesaver for tourists rushing to see as much as possible in Baku in a limited period of time.
If you decide to rent a car in Baku, then you need to keep in mind that the cars at local rental centers may be “worn,” so it is recommended to rent a car from trusted international services. You can find these both in the city center and at the arrival airport. For example, offices of rental companies such as Avis or Hertz are open at Baku airport. You can book the desired class of car in advance, then the on-site registration procedure will be simplified for you.
Francisco Anzola/Baku
Sights of Baku
Baku has a huge number of different attractions - historical, architectural, natural, cultural, and some of them have no analogues in the world, so Baku, in this sense, is a unique and in many ways inimitable city. It’s pleasant to walk around Baku at almost any time, a pleasant sea breeze blows from the embankment, the streets are mostly wide, there are many avenues, and quite a few park areas.
The main centers of attraction in Baku are the Baku Seaside Boulevard, Flame Towers, the Old City of Icheri Shekher, the Little Venice area, the Carpet Museum, the Nagorny Park with an observation deck, the State Flag Square and the Heydar Aliyev Center. Among the listed attractions, travel to public transport you will only need to go to the State Flag Square and the Heydar Aliyev Center. The rest of the attractions can be explored one after another, slowly, walking through the city center. Read more about the sights of Baku below:
Area Icheri Sheher, which is located in the very heart of Baku, will allow you to plunge into the history of the city. Here, unlike the rest of Baku, narrow cobbled streets and buildings built in a traditional style predominate; there are also many oriental motifs in the decoration and ornamentation of buildings. Well, concentration historical monuments and it’s completely off the charts. These, for example, include the fortress walls, the palace of the Shirvanshahs, the baths of Haji Gaib, the Maiden Tower, which, by the way, you can climb. The area is small, you can get around it in 1-1.5 hours. Entrance to the territory of the old city is free. Entrance fees are charged only at the Shirvanshahs' Palace and the Maiden Tower.
Francisco Anzola/flickr
From the old town you can directly access Primorsky Park, and from there to Baku embankment to breathe fresh air and admire the sea views. The embankment in Baku is a particularly beloved part of the city by local residents, which they are proud of and carefully monitor. In the Primorsky Park you can find several modern glass buildings, pedestrian promenades, and all this splendor is decorated with real baobab trees! Near the boulevard there is also "Little Venice" area, which is a system of water channels along which you can sail in rental gondolas in the summer. The place is very romantic, especially in the evening.
Carpet Museum is a truly unique place in Baku. Here you can learn about how real oriental carpets are made, what the history of their creation is, and you can see magnificent examples of this art. The Carpet Museum is located near the Little Venice area and is open every day, seven days a week. You can explore the museum on your own, with an audio guide or with a guide. The entrance fee is 8 manats. By the way, the museum building itself will also not leave indifferent all lovers of unusual architecture.
Another interesting area of the city is Nagorny Park. You can get here by cable car or on foot along the stairs. The park is notable for the fact that there is an excellent observation deck with views of the city. In addition, from the park you can walk to Alley of Shahids, Turkish mosque and to towersFlameTowers. The towers are generally one of the most beautiful modern buildings not only in Baku, but throughout Azerbaijan. At night, the towers are illuminated with amazingly beautiful illumination. Inside the towers, in addition to administrative offices, there is the Fairmont Baku Flame Towers hotel (description on Booking.com ), from whose windows there are also picturesque views of Baku. It would be hard to find a more luxurious place to stay in Baku.
By State Flag Square It’s more interesting to walk in the evening when the illumination turns on. Looks especially interesting Water Palace, which has an interesting architectural shape, and is also illuminated in the evening.
Fans of unusual architecture in a la futur style will also enjoy Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. It is located away from the main attractions, so it is better to get here by transport. The building itself has smooth, streamlined shapes; inside there is a museum and the cultural center itself; around the building there is a vast park with funny sculptures and the inscription “I love Baku”. In the evening the center is also illuminated.
Niyaz Bakılı/flickr
Excursions to Baku
You can explore Baku on your own; the logistics of travel are quite convenient, but if you want to learn a little more about the city, you can contact local guides who will be happy to give you a tour of your favorite city. There are excursions to Baku for every taste - group, individual, walking, bus, car, city and country. It all depends on your specific interests. You can book an excursion in advance using specialized services:
- online booking of group and individual excursions around the world;
- unusual excursions from local guides in Russian.
So, for example, the city sightseeing tour is very popular “ " The services also offer excursions to the outskirts of Baku - to mud volcanoes, to the Ateshgah temple, to the burning Mount Yanardag, to Absheron villages and to natural park"Gobustan".
You can also find excursions upon arrival in Baku; they are often offered in the central part of the city, but in this case you cannot guess the quality of services. Alternatively, you can use by tourist bus“Hop on hop off”, which circles all the main attractions of Baku, and audio guides are offered on board in different languages.
Francisco Anzola/flickr
Beaches of Baku
Despite the fact that there are city beaches in Baku, tourists still prefer to relax in the outskirts of the city - in the resort villages of Mardakan, Zagulba, Novkhany, Bilgya, Shikhovo. Firstly, within the city limits there is major port, which makes swimming not very comfortable; secondly, resort villages offer their guests a developed infrastructure and service in a European style, so it is not surprising that lovers of beaches and swimming choose a country holiday.
The distance from Baku to the villages is as follows: to Mardakan - 31 km, to Zagulba - 34 km, to Novkhana - 17 km, to Bilgah - 31 km, to Shikhovo - 25 km. The beaches at these resorts are mostly sandy, with a gentle entrance to the sea. The topography of the Absheron Peninsula does not favor a rocky bottom at all. Many beach areas belong to specific hotel chains, in which case the place will be equipped with umbrellas, sun loungers, showers, and toilets. If you are not a guest of this hotel, you will have to pay for the use of the equipment. The level of hotel service at resorts in the vicinity of Baku can be compared with European ones, so some tourists come here specifically for a beach holiday.
You can get to resort villages from Baku by public transport or taxi. A wide network of commuter buses runs from Baku to take you to your desired destination. True, the bus network changes frequently, so it is better to check the route with the driver so as not to go the wrong way. If you go to the resorts directly upon arrival from the airport, without visiting Baku itself, then it makes sense to order a taxi (transfer) to the place so as not to get confused with public transport transfers. Taxis in Baku are relatively inexpensive. You can order an individual transfer in advance using the following services:
- order system taxi transfers from airports, train stations and hotels around the world;
- system for self-booking tourist transfers to/from hotels via the Internet.
Trevor Claringbold/flickr
Baku Hotels
Baku offers a wide variety of accommodation options. Here you can find hotels, apartments, hostels, villas, guest houses, vacation homes, bed and breakfasts, resort hotels, etc. The budget can also be quite varied from budget and minimalist options to chic and luxury. Average price segment is also widely represented. Conventionally, all hotels in Baku can be divided into city and resort. The first are located within the boundaries of Baku, the second - in resort villages in the vicinity of the city.
In Baku you can find hotels of all star categories, while hotels in the 4* and 5* categories often have additional services such as a sauna, swimming pool, and fitness center. Meals in Baku hotels most often include breakfast. IN resort hotels You can also find options such as “half board” or “full board”. If you are staying in the suburbs of Baku for a beach holiday, then it makes sense to consider hotels located on the first beach line, often such hotels have their own private beach areas.
Standard options that are often provided by Baku hotels also include free connection to the wi-fi network (everywhere), parking spaces, a restaurant on site or nearby, the ability to order a transfer to the airport for an additional fee.
The largest number of tourist hotels of different categories are concentrated in areas such as Fountain Square, Flame Towers, Nagorny Park, Heydar Aliyev Center, and the Old City. By the way, by choosing the last option, you can feel the real atmosphere and flavor of Baku, because... the buildings in which these hotels are located have a centuries-old history. Full list hotels, inns and apartments in Baku can be found on accommodation booking sites:
- hotel reservations in 120,000 destinations around the world;
Hotellook - search and comparison best prices for hotels, inns and apartments;
There you can book the desired option in advance. By the way, about early booking. There are so many accommodation options in Baku that you don’t have to worry about not finding accommodation for the night. Another question is that by booking a hotel in advance, you will avoid overpaying on the spot. As you know, the best hotels in terms of price/quality ratio sell out the fastest.
Adam Jones/flickr
Shopping in Baku
Baku has a real oriental flavor, while at the same time it has a European level of service. That is why shopping in the city is very diverse - from elite mono-brand boutiques and shopping centers to colorful oriental bazaars and spontaneous flea markets. The best shopping streets can be considered the city center - N. Gyadzhevi, Z. Aliyeva, A. Aliyev and R. Rzy streets, as well as Neftchinikov Avenue, which are replete with the names of fashion brands of clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewelry.
There are many shopping malls in Baku. These, for example, include Ganjlik Mall, Port Baku Mall, 28 Mall, Metropark. Here you can also find a wide variety of brands, labels, brands, as well as various recreation areas – cafes, restaurants, cinemas, children's playgrounds. In fact, these are real “trading cities” with their own developed infrastructure.
If you want to wander around the oriental bazaar and feel its bustle, delicious smells and see and taste southern fruits and oriental sweets, then you should definitely go to one of the Baku bazaars. One of the largest food markets in Baku is the Teze Bazaar market. If you want to find unusual souvenirs and bring them back from your trip, then what could be better than oriental spices, herbs and honey, of which there is a great abundance on the market. What else is worth trying at Baku bazaars is sheep cheese, southern dried fruits, oriental sweets, as well as simply fresh fruits and vegetables (especially in season).
shankar s./oriental bazaar
Food in Baku
Food in Baku can be either familiar European (what most tourists are used to) or national Azerbaijani. In the city you can find a great variety of restaurants and cafes that offer both European cuisine and Azerbaijani cuisine. It is worth considering that, in general, National cuisine Azerbaijan is fattier and hotter, you need to keep this in mind in case of exacerbation of chronic diseases and gastrointestinal disorders.
In the center of Baku you can find catering establishments for every taste; they are usually open all day until late in the evening. Prices, with the exception of a few gourmet restaurants, are lower than in Moscow. If you want to try real Azerbaijani food, then you should pay attention to dishes such as shashlik, kebab, kutab, khingal, pilaf. Most often, meat dishes will be prepared from lamb or beef, because... They don’t eat pork in Azerbaijan. The proximity to the sea also makes it possible to try fresh sea fish and dishes made from it. As for desserts, kurabye, baklava, mutaki and shekerbur are popular.
When choosing a restaurant, you should pay attention to its location. For example, in the Old Town, restaurants will have beautiful views to historical sights, and on the embankment - to the sea. In the summer, some restaurants offer guests seating on open terraces with panoramic views. In addition to restaurants and cafes, you can also buy food in numerous supermarkets. This food option is considered more budget-friendly. Supermarkets in Baku are not much different from Russian or European ones, so here you can find any familiar food and drinks.
shankar s./restaurant dish khinkali
Prices in Baku
Prices in Baku for accommodation, food, public transport and sightseeing are generally lower than in European capitals or Moscow. Of course, the price tag largely depends on the class of the establishment you visit or stay at. So, for example, lunch in a cafe without alcohol will cost, on average, 20-30 manats, in a restaurant - from 25-30 manats, a snack in fast food establishments - a little cheaper, around 10-15 manats. Products in supermarkets have “store” prices, while in markets you can bargain and the food is often fresher.
Prices in Baku for food are as follows: packaged chilled meat - 5-6 euros per kg, boiled sausage - 4.5-5 euros per kg, sausages - 4 euros per kg, baked goods (buns, bagels, croissants) - from 20 to 60 eurocents, lavash - 30 eurocents per pack of 10 pieces, hard cheese - 6.5-7 euros per kg, pickled cheese - 3.5-4 euros per kg, milk - 1.20 euros per liter, yoghurts - 1 euro per package of 4 pieces, or for 1 large jar, semi-finished dough products (such as pizza) - from 2 to 3 euros per package, local wines - from 3 to 6 euros per bottle.
The standard price for travel on public transport (one-time trip) is 0.2 manat. Entrance prices to the attractions are as follows: Maiden Tower - 4 euros, Palace of the Shirvanshahs - 2 euros, Heydar Aliyev Center - 7.5 euros, Ateshgah Temple - 1 euro, Burning Mount Yanardag - 1 euro, natural Park Gobustan – 1 euro. (Prices are as of the beginning of 2018 and are subject to change).
Raymond Zoller/flickr
Where to go from Baku for one day
Baku is beautiful in itself, but the attractions in the vicinity of the city are quite unusual, many can only be seen here, so if you have time, they are definitely worth visiting. Such places include, for example, a unique Gobustan Nature Reserve, where unusual rocks and rocks are covered with mysterious hieroglyphs and rock paintings. The Gobustan Nature Reserve is considered an archaeological site under UNESCO protection. It is located 30 km from Baku.
Mount Yanardag- Another unusual place in the vicinity of Baku. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it burns all year round, i.e. Tongues of flame burst out onto the surface of the earth. This fact is explained by the fact that there is an accumulation of natural gas near the surface. It's a similar story with Ateshgah temple, where you can also find the source of the eternal flame. Both places are popular among tourists and travelers.
If you are determined to see not only Baku and the surrounding area, then you may be interested in: National parks Azerbaijan. There are eight of them in total, and each of them has its own unique features and characteristics. The names of the parks: Zangezur, Ag-Gol, Shirvan, Girkan, Altyagadzh, Absheron, Shahdag and Goygol, they are located in different parts of Azerbaijan.
David Davidson/Azerbaijan
Practical and eventful travels to you!
Part 2.
Amazing Azerbaijan, a country from which I expected less, but received more
A country that in my mind consisted of kishlaks and small villages and was some kind of outback. But in fact, now it is a dynamically developing country, which pleasantly surprised me and which would definitely be interesting to travel around. Wonderful people live here with a great love for building fences :) And here you can also try delicious tomatoes and other vegetables and fruits. I hope my propaganda will not be in vain, and I think we will come back here again :) But our goal is Georgia, so Azerbaijan is only passing through, although for some people a trip like ours is considered a full-fledged vacation :)
List of attractions of Azerbaijan for independent visiting (see at the end of the report).
... Now the moon is floating over the quiet sea,
And the night waves tell me
What are you, Baku, both in joy and in sorrow
Forever my beloved blood brother.
We will never part with you forever,
We are bound by a common destiny,
Let him speak of our eternal brotherhood
Caspian triumphant surf.
Rasul Gamzatov
Gobustan Nature Reserve / Petroglyphs in Azerbaijan
This reserve is definitely a must visit. Azerbaijan has invested a lot of money and effort into this reserve and it is really cool. The way everything is decorated in it, what kind of museum is located in this place, its technical equipment - all this meets the highest European requirements. Overall recommended.
After the reserve we headed towards the border with Georgia. Of course, we didn’t see all of Azerbaijan, but our goal is not it, but Georgia. We examined all the complexly located objects around Baku, so that later we could simply fly here by plane and wander around the city without a car. But as promised, here is a list of the remaining attractions of Baku, which in my opinion are worth visiting:
List of other attractions in Baku:
You should start exploring Baku from the historical part of the city - the Old City.1. Old town of Icheri Sheher (Icheri Sheher metro station)
2. The place where The Diamond Arm was filmed ( st. Kichik-Gala, 8/1)
3. Palace of the Shirvanshahs (Opening hours: 10.00-18.00 seven days a week)
4. Bathhouse Gadzhi Gaib
5. Maiden Tower of Gyz Galasi
Next, we leave the old city and go towards Primorsky Boulevard. There is a small system of walking water canals on the boulevard. In the summer they float on gondolas.
6. Little Venice in Baku
7. Carpet Museum
The Carpet Museum is another architectural landmark, located on the embankment immediately behind Little Venice, across the road from the funicular.
8. Funicular to the observation deck.
If the funicular works, then good, but if not, then there is a staircase to the left of it. Follow it vertically upward for 15 minutes to get to Nagorny Park
9. Nagorny Park. Blue Mosque (Turkish mosque in Baku)
It may not be worth going here specifically for it, but if you’re in Nagorny Park, you can come and have a look.
10. Towers of Flame.
The Flame Towers are the tallest buildings in the country and are visible from anywhere in Baku. A unique symbol of the city.
11. Bibi Heybət Mosque
12. TV Tower
13. Heydar Aliyev Center
14. Teze Pir Mosque
(The list of Baku attractions is more like a note for yourself for the future, but maybe it will be useful to someone)
Update from 01/26/18
15. 
