Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, a Caspian Sea port where a walled medieval Old City, Belle Epoque oil-boom mansions and the glass-and-steel Flame Towers share one crescent-shaped bay. Visitors come for the UNESCO-listed Icheri Sheher, the Heydar Aliyev Center, a seafront boulevard, mud volcanoes and rock art at Gobustan, and a tea-and-plov food culture at very low prices.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Baku.
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1
Icheri Sheher (Walled Old City)
Walled medieval core of Baku, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, caravanserais, mosques and carpet shops along narrow stone lanes.
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2
Maiden Tower (Qiz Qalasi)
12th-century stone tower with walls up to 5 metres thick, one of Baku's best-known symbols; a small museum inside leads up eight floors to a rooftop terrace overlooking the Caspian Sea and Old City.
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3
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
15th-century residence of the Shirvanshah dynasty on the Old City hilltop, with a palace, mausoleum, mosque, bathhouse and a courtyard of carved limestone, part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing.
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4
Heydar Aliyev Center
Cultural centre designed by Zaha Hadid with a flowing white curved facade, housing museums and exhibitions on Azerbaijani culture, plus a public plaza and gardens.
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5
Flame Towers
Three flame-shaped skyscrapers on the Baku skyline whose LED facades display flames, the national flag and animations each night; best seen from the Boulevard, Martyrs' Lane or the Old City.
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6
Baku Boulevard (Seaside National Park)
Waterfront promenade along the Caspian Sea, several kilometres long, with gardens, cafes, a carousel, the Little Venice canal and views of the Flame Towers.
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7
Martyrs' Lane (Alley of Martyrs)
Hilltop memorial to those killed in the January 1990 Soviet intervention and in the Karabakh conflict, with an eternal flame, a mosque and a viewing terrace over the bay.
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8
Baku Funicular
Short funicular railway connecting the seafront Boulevard with the upper Dagustu Park area and Martyrs' Lane, with sea and Flame Towers views from the window.
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9
Fountain Square (Fountains Square)
Central pedestrian square lined with cafes, fountains and the Gosha Gala gate to the Old City; a popular meeting point at night.
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10
Nizami Street
Baku's main pedestrian shopping street with 19th-century oil-boom facades, international and Azerbaijani shops, bookshops and cafes running north from Fountain Square.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmark
Icheri Sheher (Walled Old City)
Walled medieval core of Baku, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, caravanserais, mosques and carpet shop
Maiden Tower (Qiz Qalasi)
12th-century stone tower with walls up to 5 metres thick, one of Baku's best-known symbols
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
15th-century residence of the Shirvanshah dynasty on the Old City hilltop, with a palace, mausoleum, mosque, bathhouse and a courtyard of carved limestone, part
Heydar Aliyev Center
Cultural centre designed by Zaha Hadid with a flowing white curved facade, housing museums and exhibitions on Azerbaijani culture, plus a public plaza and garde
Flame Towers
Three flame-shaped skyscrapers on the Baku skyline whose LED facades display flames, the national flag and animations each night
Park
Baku Boulevard (Seaside National Park)
Waterfront promenade along the Caspian Sea, several kilometres long, with gardens, cafes, a carousel, the Little Venice canal and views of the Flame Towers.
Little Venice
Small canal and bridges in Baku Boulevard Park with gondola rides, evoking Venice and popular for evening walks.
Memorial
Martyrs' Lane (Alley of Martyrs)
Hilltop memorial to those killed in the January 1990 Soviet intervention and in the Karabakh conflict, with an eternal flame, a mosque and a viewing terrace ove
Experience
Baku Funicular
Short funicular railway connecting the seafront Boulevard with the upper Dagustu Park area and Martyrs' Lane, with sea and Flame Towers views from the window.
Square
Fountain Square (Fountains Square)
Central pedestrian square lined with cafes, fountains and the Gosha Gala gate to the Old City
Street
Nizami Street
Baku's main pedestrian shopping street with 19th-century oil-boom facades, international and Azerbaijani shops, bookshops and cafes running north from Fountain
Museum
Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
Museum in a building shaped like a rolled carpet, holding thousands of carpets and rugs from Azerbaijan's weaving schools plus costumes and jewellery.
Archaeological Site
Gobustan Rock Art Reserve and Museum
UNESCO World Heritage Site (2007) with thousands of Stone Age rock engravings of hunters, animals and boats, plus a museum and walking routes on the rocky plate
Temple
Ateshgah Fire Temple of Baku
17th-18th-century fortress-like temple with a central altar, used by Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian pilgrims on the old Silk Road, with a small museum in the monk
Natural Wonder
Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain)
Natural gas flame that has burned continuously on a hillside for decades, with a small museum and cafe
Religious Site
Bibi-Heybat Mosque
Rebuilt 1990s mosque on the Caspian shore, a pilgrimage shrine to Hakima Khanum, with a pale stone dome and prayer hall.
Mohammed Mosque and Siniq Gala Minaret
The 11th-century Siniq Gala (Broken Fortress) minaret, the oldest surviving building in Baku, beside the Mohammed Mosque in the Old City.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums open Tuesday-Sunday around 10:00AM-6:00PM and close on Mondays; open-air sights and parks are open 24 hours
- Fees
- Old City sights cost about AZN 8-15 each ($5-9); Heydar Aliyev Center about AZN 15 ($8.80); Gobustan and Absheron sites about AZN 10-25 ($6-15); rate used is 1 USD = 1.70 AZN
- Best Times
- April-June and September-October for mild weather; summer midday is hot
- Booking
- Tickets are bought at the door; for day trips to Gobustan, Ateshgah and Yanar Dag the ride-hailing apps Bolt and Yango or a registered taxi work well; confirm prices on the official sites before travel
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Carry small AZN notes; some Old City museum desks do not take foreign cards
Cover shoulders and knees at mosques and remove shoes
Use Bolt or Yango for Heydar Aliyev Center, Ateshgah and Yanar Dag
Museums close on Mondays
Ticket prices change often; confirm on the official sites
Frequently asked questions
What is the best attraction in Baku?
The Old City with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower is the core sight, with the Heydar Aliyev Center as the top modern landmark.
How much do attractions cost in Baku?
Most cost AZN 8-15 (about $5-9) and many outdoor sights are free.