Best things to do in Baku, the City of Winds
Baku’s flame towers stand in the city’s centre as a symbol of modernism’s pinnacle, while the city’s centuries-old cobblestone lanes that surround it symbolise the traditions that best capture Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan, which has Baku as its sole metropolis, its capital and largest city, is a transcontinental nation that lies on the border between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Interestingly, at 92 feet below sea level, Baku is the lowest-lying national capital in the whole globe and yet, it gets the nickname “City of Winds” referring to the city’s reputation for having ferocious winds. The city, which is split into 48 townships, serves as the nation’s industrial, cultural, and scientific hub.
In Baku’s Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will find inhabitants enjoying a game of backgammon in their courtyards. Hipster cafes and multinational restaurants have taken over once-dormant lanes. Millennials are seen walking throughout town wearing the most recent designer clothing. The fusion of the ancient and new is seamless as stone houses and luxury stores surround this period lozenge. In 2000, the Shirvanshah’s Palace, the Maiden Tower, and the Inner City of Baku were also added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
From touring the old city’s 12th-century walls to taking in the view of the famed Flame Towers, there are numerous activities that will keep you amused and entertained in Baku throughout your stay. If you’re planning a trip to Azerbaijan soon, we’ve selected our top picks for you, and we urge you not to miss these amazing things to do in Baku.
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Visit the Old City of Baku
One of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Azerbaijan is Old City, also known as “Icharishahar.” It is situated in the centre of Baku and is a genuinely special, historical area of Azerbaijan. The town is quite lovely and artistic, and the fortified walls that encircle it contribute to its flavour. When here, explore its cobblestone streets, touch the stones of the historic walls, walk through the zigzag hallways, and take in the beautiful door art. There are several old structures in the town, along with mosques, a royal complex, and the well-known Maiden Tower.
You can reserve an audio tour that details the top Old City attractions across from the Maiden Tower. Take a guided tour as it will allow you to interact with locals and learn about their culture. There are numerous souvenir shops, tea shops, and eateries in this area. Because of the wonderful street views, you won’t get bored even after spending hours visiting. It does seem as though time has stopped there.
Visit the Flame Towers
On a hilltop overlooking Baku Bay and the Old City are the Flame Towers, a recognisable trio of structures that changed Baku’s perception from a shirked area to what it is now. Azerbaijan’s motto, “The Land of Fire,” is referenced by the three flame-shaped towers, which represent the element of fire. This trio of slender buildings made of blue glass was finished in 2012, giving Baku its distinctive modern style. These buildings are historically significant in a region where natural gas flares shoot out of the ground and Zoroastrian worshippers saw fire as a symbol of the divine, particularly at the Ateshgah of Baku and Yanar Dag.
The three towers, with a combined height of 28 to 33-storeyed towers, are so enormous that they look incredibly remarkable from a distance, especially at night when they serve as a vast backdrop for a light show that alternates between fire effects, water pouring down, and the national flag. With the aid of more than 10,000 powerful LED luminaires, the three Flame Towers’ facades serve as substantial display surfaces. The Bahram Gur Statue is a good location for photography, and the funicular base station is the easiest commute route to get closer to the towers.
See the Bibi-Heybat Mosque
Even non-Muslims will love exploring this magnificent piece of architecture. The Bibi-Heybat Mosque is a historical mosque and one of the most interesting places to visit in Baku. Locals refer to it as “the mosque of Fatima,” which is how Alexandre Dumas referred to the mosque when he visited it in the 1850s. The current building, which dates from July 1998, is a reconstruction of the mosque that Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II erected in the 13th century but that the Bolsheviks completely destroyed in 1936. As the spiritual hub for the local Muslims and one of the most significant examples of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan, the Bibi-Heybat Mosque contains the grave of Ukeyma Khanum, a progenitor of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
The mosque was constructed over the grave of Musa al-Kadhim, the daughter of the seventh Shiite Imam, who fled to Baku to escape persecution by the Abbasid caliphs. Ukeyma Khanum was buried here, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, the granddaughter of the sixth Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, the daughter of the seventh Imam Musa al-Kadhim, and the sister of the eighth Imam Ali al-Ridha, according to an inscription etched on a stone on the tomb.
Mud Volcanoes at Gobustan National Park
Around 300 mud volcanoes may be found in Azerbaijan, and they can be located on islands, in the sea, and along the coast. About 30% of the world’s population chooses to visit Azerbaijan for this reason alone. The Gobustan National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Azerbaijan, draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. An expansive area scattered with bubbling mud volcanoes, anthropological sites, and searing lakes makes up this surreal location. Seize the chance to visit the Gobustan National Museum, where you can find out everything there is to know about the history of petroglyphs and witness Mesolithic implements and bones.
Where to shop in Baku
Even when the vacation has long since finished, you will always remember the destination through the souvenirs you buy from there. In Azerbaijan, where the East meets the West, there are plenty of places to shop from. Nizami Street, named after the well-known Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, House of Craftsmen, Taza Bazaar, one of Azerbaijan’s largest and oldest marketplaces and heaven for fish lovers, and Port Baku Mall, a three-story complex with top-tier brands, are some of the greatest places to shop in Azerbaijan.
Must-shop in Baku: Carpets, Ceramics, and Jewellery
What to eat in Baku
Some of the most popular and traditional dishes to try in Baku (and in Azerbaijan) are Plov, a traditional rice and meat dish with Gazmag; Saj Ichi, an Azerbaijanian BBQ dish; Dolma, the stuffed grape leaves; Buglama, a traditional lamb stew; Piti, a type of lamb and chickpea soup; Gutabs, which are stuffed meat or vegetable pie; Lavangi, a type of baked stuffed meat dish; Dushbara Dumplings; Bozbash, the national soup of Azerbaijan; Pakhlava, which is Azerbaijani Baklava; and Pomidor-Yumurtaa dish made of eggs and tomatoes.
