Getting started: About Baku
- Baku is built on the west coast of the Caspian Sea.
- Baku is also known as “the city of winds”.
- Baku lies 28 meters below sea level and is the world’s lowest-lying national capital city.
- Oil production in the Baku region was mentioned in records as early as the 9th century. The area is also known for its natural gas reserves.
- Turkish Airlines operates multiple daily flights from Istanbul to Baku from Istanbul Airport and Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. Ankara-Baku flights are operated as connecting flights from Esenboğa Airport. Click here to find out about flights ticket to Baku.
Places to visit in Baku
Icheriseher (Old City – Inner City – Walled City)
Included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, Baku’s Icheriseher (Inner City), was built on a site inhabited since the Paleolithic period and still features some of the original 12th-century walls. The oldest structure in the walled city is the Maiden Tower, believed to have been erected as early as the 7th or 6th century. Other highlights of Icheriseher include the Turkish baths and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs (Şirvanşahlar Sarayı).
Maiden Tower (Qoşa Qala)
The Maiden Tower is the symbol of Baku. As noted above, it is the oldest structure in the Walled City and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. At 27 meters high, the tower once served as a lighthouse. Today it houses a museum, as well as an observation terrace offering wonderful views of the city and sea.
Shirvanshahs’ Palace (Şirvanşahlar Sarayı)
Another popular destination in the Walled City is the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, erected in the 15th century during the reign of the Shirvanshahs Dynasty. The magnificent palace complex included bathhouses and a pair of mosques, in addition to residential and administrative structures.
Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum
In 2010, the Azeri carpet was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Accordingly, one of the city’s most dramatic structures is the carpet-shaped Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum in Baku. Opened in 1967 and overlooking the Caspian Sea, this gorgeous museum has an equally impressive collection of antique carpets and other artifacts. In addition, the museum hosts a number of conferences and symposiums.
Nizami Street
Nizami Street, a must-see place to visit in Baku, is named for the renowned Azeri poet Nizami Gaznavi. An excellent starting point for any tour of Baku, the pedestrian avenue stretches 3.5 kilometers and is known for its many shops and eateries.
Eternal Flame Monument
The Eternal Flame Monument, one of the most photographed sites in Baku, was opened in 1998 as a reference to Azerbaijan’s rich underground gas resources. An unquenchable fire burns around the clock on an eight-pointed star. Considered one of the most important symbols reflecting Azerbaijan, many official ceremonies are organized throughout the year at the Eternal Flame Monument.
Highland Park
Set at the highest point in the city, Highland Park offers a panoramic view of the city, including the modern city skyline and the generous beauty of the Caspian Sea. Highland Park is accessible via a funicular or a staircase.
Dining in Baku
Baku’s cuisine bears a strong resemblance to Turkish cuisine in terms of its dairy products, meat dishes and pastry varieties. In addition, the Azeri cuisine offers a range of regional specialties and seafood dishes. Due to its location on the Caspian Sea, Baku was once known for its sturgeon and caviar; to address overfishing, the country has established sturgeon farms, so visitors can still sample this fish.
- Caviar
- Sturgeon
- Shah plov (rice with meat, spices and dried fruits)
- Dushbara (dumplings stuffed with minced meat and herbs and served in broth)
- Tikka kabab (chunks of marinated lamb, grilled on skewers)
- Piti (stewed lamb and chickpeas)
- Phaklava (Azerbaijani baklava)
- Dolma (stuffed vine leaves)
Transportation in Baku
Urban transportation in Baku
Baku has a strong public transportation system with buses, trams and metros. Buses are the most widely used means of public transportation, offering easy and inexpensive access within and outside of the city. Tickets for buses, trams and metros can be obtained at the stations’ ticket offices or, on buses, from the driver. Taxis are also widely available.
Baku airport transportation
Heydar Aliyev International Airport is approximately 20 kilometers from the city center. The airport, Azerbaijan’s largest, is connected to the city center by express buses; these buses generally operate every 30 minutes and run 24 hours.
We wish you a pleasant journey!
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