Baku: A Travel Guide

Baku, the city of winds, is the largest city and capital of Azerbaijan. Lying near the Caspian Sea, Baku is steeped in history. Three sites in the area have been marked as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nowruz is a big holiday in Baku that lasts for seven days. It is one of the best time periods to visit the city. Seasons like autumn and spring will be comfortable to go around Baku, as other times the weather is too harsh. Operators like Visit-Azerbaijan, that specialize in tours of Azerbaijan can be useful if you are from a different country and need to plan a full holiday.

How to get there?

One can make trips to Baku, Azerbaijan from Turkey and Iran through Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, commuter ferries or catamarans. The Heydar Aliyev International Airport also provides services to Baku. There are cabs, intercity buses and metro system for travel within Baku.

Where to stay?

You can stay in the old town or choose a modern accommodation near the shoreline. There are plenty of hostels if you are travelling on a strict budget. For a medium budget, you can experience the Icheri Sheher Hotel in the old town or go for Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers, one of the best Azerbaijan Hotels known for luxury.

What to do?

The UNESCO sites - Shirvanshahs’ Palace and the Maiden Tower, located within the city walls, are accessible by foot. Gobustan, a few kilometers away from Baku is also a historical attraction. The Baku Boulevard or Seaside National Park has best night views of Baku as well as the Caspian Sea. The Ateshgah Temple is another historical site that may pique your interest. Natural attractions like the Yanar Dagh, a burning mountain, where the flame never goes out due to the gas reserves and the mud volcanoes are a must see. Check out the ancient hamams or baths along with the beautiful Caravanserai. Little Venice, Fountains Square and Bilgah Beach are other places downtown that you can enjoy. The Nizam Street is great for shopping, but if you don’t prefer that, walk the street for its beautiful lighting at night.

What to eat?

If you are in Baku, you must try the local cuisine. The food can be cheap, and you can try items like Plov, fried dough vegetable filled packets or traditional pancakes like Goyarti Gutabi. There are international fast food chains in Baku if you are more comfortable with those. Plov resembles biryani that includes meat, spices, dry fruits and nuts. Try Qutab – a pancake filled with cheese, meat or vegetables and Dushabara which is similar to Japanese momos. There are other dishes like Saj, Ghuru Kingal, Badambura, Pakhlava and Dolma that make up the local cuisine and are a must try.

Baku is a magical city, a fusion of old and new. The local influences along with modern touches make it a unique experience. There are plenty of tour operators that can help you with the planning and booking. Visit-Azerbaijan, a specialized operator for Azerbaijan, has great tour packages, transport and hotel services to make your trip memorable in every way.

Top things to do in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan straddles Asia and Europe and has a rich history that goes back to the stone age. It has a diverse environment with the Caspian Sea to the east, the Caucasus Mountains to the north and flatlands in the center. Almost 50% of the earth’s mud volcanoes can be found in Azerbaijan. The country is a wonder and an offbeat destination from the usual ones like France, Italy or Egypt. Getting a visa is not an issue as tour companies like Visit Azerbaijan can help with e-visa too. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore a whole new world.

Visit Baku’s Old Town

Baku’s old town still has the cobbled streets, cafes and museums for history enthusiasts. The Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs' Palace are a definite stopover. See the old hamams and the caravanserai that is maintained beautifully. The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum exhibits the styles and beliefs embedded in the product and is worth a visit.

Trip to Gobustan

The Gobustan National Park lies 40 kilometers away from Baku. There are more than 6000 rock carvings dating from the Stone Age. The oldest carving is around 15,000 years old. A short ride away are the famous mud volcanoes that can be seen gurgling away.

Explore the National Parks

Azerbaijan has its fair share of national parks that are known for its diversity. The Absheron National Park is 60 km from Baku with rolling sand dunes and the Caspian Sea. The Hirkan National Park has evergreen forests and is home to the Caucasus Leopard. The Shirvan National Park is a semi-desert park that has campgrounds and bungalows for overnight stays. The Lake Aggol in Agh Gol National Park is a great spot for migratory birds with the lake teeming with fish.

Sample the tea, wine and honey

The village of Ivanovka, known for its Russian culture has the best honey and grapes. The grapes are used to make wine which is unique to the region. You can take wine excursions to Hajihatamli where a hotel provides tours and samples. Tea is an integral part of the culture and is served in small armudu glasses. Try some in the local teahouses, where its served with jam or sweets.

Discover the Silk Road City

Sheki was a Silk Road city which is still a center of trade for arts and crafts. Browse through shops selling papaq hats, traditional tekelduz embroidery and shebeke. You can purchase local handicrafts and enjoy the local architecture. Sheki is a good place to start your journey to Azerbaijan.

Indulge in the local cuisine

Azerbaijan has some of the most delicious food on offer. The western and Asian influences can be clearly seen. Most dishes use a mix of vegetables such as aubergine, tomatoes, spinach, cabbage, beans, sweet pepper and cucumber. Lamb, poultry and beef are cooked with spice, fruits and nuts to get unique flavors.  Some of the popular dishes are plov, dolma, halva and qutab. Baliq a fish-based dish is grilled and served with a sauce. Lavangi, lulya kebab and piti are meat-based dishes that will leave you asking for more.

Azerbaijan has a lot to offer to a curious traveler. There are Azerbaijan holiday packages offered by Visit Azerbaijan who specialize in tours and related services for the country. So, don’t wait for an opportunity, but make one and book your package for Azerbaijan right away.