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.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Baku Boulevard (Seaside National Park)
Long seafront promenade on the Caspian with gardens, fountains, playgrounds, a small carousel and cafes, flat enough for strollers and ideal for an evening walk
Duration: 2-3 hours
Baku Eye Ferris Wheel
60-metre wheel on the Boulevard with enclosed cabins and views across the bay and the Flame Towers; the evening ride is the most popular, and it is open roughly 11 AM to 11 PM in summer and noon to 9 PM in winter
Duration: 1 hour
Maiden Tower and Old City (Icheri Sheher)
Mysterious 12th-century stone tower with a spiral stair and rooftop views, set inside the walled Old City whose cobbled lanes, gates and cat-filled courtyards children enjoy exploring
Duration: 2-3 hours
Heydar Aliyev Center
Curved white Zaha Hadid building with wide plazas where children can run, plus museum halls with cars, art and a hall of national costumes; stroller-friendly with elevators inside
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Flame Towers and Martyrs' Lane
Three flame-shaped towers that light up with animations after dark, reached from the Boulevard by the Baku Funicular, with a hilltop memorial park and bay views
Duration: 1-2 hours
Baku Funicular
Short cable railway that climbs from Neftchilar Avenue to the hilltop by Martyrs' Lane, a fun way to avoid the steep stairs with a stroller or tired children
Duration: 30 minutes
Gobustan National Park and Mud Volcanoes
UNESCO rock art with carvings of boats, hunters and animals from thousands of years ago, a museum, and nearby bubbling mud volcanoes that children find fascinating; take water and sun protection because there is little shade
Duration: Half day
Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain)
Natural gas fire that has burned on a hillside for decades, impressive after dusk; paths are short and flat, but keep children away from the flame
Duration: 1 hour
Ateshgah Fire Temple
Walled pilgrim temple of Zoroastrians and Hindus with a central altar and monks' cells that tell the story of the eternal fire; compact and easy for children
Duration: 1 hour
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers
Luxury hotel inside the Flame Towers with bay views and an outdoor pool, a short taxi ride from the Boulevard
Family features: Family rooms, pool, upscale restaurants, 1A Mehdi Huseyn Street
JW Marriott Absheron Baku
Large central hotel on Azadliq Square with an indoor pool and a rooftop outdoor pool
Family features: Pools, family rooms, buffet breakfast, Azadliq Square 674
Hyatt Regency Baku
Hotel with a dedicated children's pool and a full-service spa
Family features: Kids' pool, family rooms, restaurants; confirm the address and room rates on the hotel's website
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Azerbaijani restaurants welcome children warmly; plov (rice with lamb or chicken), qutab (thin stuffed flatbreads), kebab and dolma are favourites with young diners
Order mild dishes such as plain plov, qutab with cheese or herbs, grilled chicken kebab and lentil soup; many dishes are lightly spiced
Many restaurants provide high chairs; ask on arrival
Drink bottled water rather than tap water; bottles cost AZN 0.60-1.50 (approx USD 0.35-0.90) in shops
Dining is late; families can eat from noon, and kitchens are quietest before 6 PM
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Old City cobbles and steep stairs are hard with strollers; use a baby carrier
Use Bolt or Yango for rides; confirm in the app if a child seat is available, as taxis rarely carry car seats
Pharmacies (aptek) are plentiful and many open late; baby supplies and basic medicines are easy to find in the centre
The funicular and ferris wheel are good ways to enjoy views without hills
The khazri wind can be strong and cold, so bring a windproof layer for children from October to April