Best Things to Do and See in Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku, the City of Winds, is a fascinating and impressive city located on the Caspian Sea. From its mix of traditional and contemporary architecture, the capital of Azerbaijan offers so much to see and do. We’ve picked some of our favorite things to see and do. Whether you’ve got only a couple days or a week or more, we definitely recommend visiting Baku for a very unique experience. If you’re looking for places to eat while hitting up the things on our list, check out this article on some of our favorite restaurants in Baku. Or if you want to see a suggested itinerary, check out what we recommend doing with three or more days in Baku.

Dənizkənarı Milli Park 

Dənizkənarı Milli Park is one of the best things to do in when visiting the city. This massive urban park overlooks the Caspian Sea. You’ll learn really quickly why Baku is known as the City of Winds on most days. The park features landscaped gardens, promenades, fountains, and modern architecture. It combines elements of traditional Azerbaijani and contemporary design. The sights along the park are absolutely impressive. From the Crystal Hall performance space, which resembles a giant crystal to the Mini Venice canal system modeled after the canals of Venice, Italy, there’s a ton to see. With its mix of greenery, water features, and avant-garde structures, Port Baku Park offers a scenic urban oasis for locals and tourists alike to enjoy. Come here for a stroll, people watch, a bite to eat, or so much more. This is a must-do item in Baku.

Heydar Aliyev Center 

The striking Heydar Aliyev Center is known worldwide as an architectural masterpiece. It was built over 5 years from 2007-2012 by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and won the Design Museum’s “Design of the Year” award in 2014. I promise you’ve probably never seen anything quite like it. Its unique asymmetrical wavy shape presents a different view from every angle. Make sure to check the hours though. We unfortunately went on Monday when the inside i’s closed. There’s a museum inside that documents the life of former president Heydar Aliyev, along with some vehicles from his car collection. But the real attraction is seeing the architecture from the outside anyway. Also be sure to get a picture in front of the famous “I Love Baku” sign at the bottom of the steps in front of the museum.  

Baku Eye 

The Baku Eye is the 60 meter (200 ft) ferris wheel on Baku Boulevard in Seaside National Park. It has 30 enclosed cabins that can hold up to 8 people each. The wheel turns slowly, taking 30-40 minutes for one rotation, allowing plenty of time to take in the view of the city. The cabins are also equipped with air conditioners to help keep you cool on a hot day. 

Gulustan Palace 

Gulustan Palace is yet another spaceship-looking piece of architecture in Baku. It’s a must-see, located near Highland Park. Since it’s an event venue, there’s a good chance you won’t be going inside. But if for some reason you did, there’s a cinema, restaurant, souvenir shop, and even disco rooms. If you’re doing a self-guided architecture tour, this is definitely going to be a stop.

Mini-Venice

Mini-Venice is kind of kitschy and artificial, but pretty and fun nonetheless. You can take a small ride on a gondola for a couple bucks. It’s a short ride (under ten minutes), but fun. The landscaping around Mini-Venice was pretty and you can get a view of the Flame Towers while walking around or taking a boat. Our boat operator was very friendly, as well. We asked for a couple photos, but instead he pretty much just kept the camera and took photos of us the entire time. Free photoshoot plus a boat ride! 

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum 

The Baku Carpet Museum is a museum located in Baku, Azerbaijan dedicated to showcasing the history and artistry of traditional Azerbaijani carpet weaving. You can’t miss the building! It’s shaped like a rolled up carpet and is definitely a thing you should do when visiting Bakue. The collection inside includes over 14,000 Azerbaijani carpets and carpet items dating back to the 17th century, representing various weaving techniques and designs. Exhibits trace the development of carpet-making in different regions of Azerbaijan and highlight unique patterns. The museum also houses a permanent collection of carved marble artifacts as well as temporary exhibitions related to carpet art. When we went, we also saw people demonstrating various carpet-making techniques. It was a pretty cool way to spend an hour in Baku.

Flame Towers 

If there is one defining thing to see in Baku, it’s got to be the Flame Towers. An iconic part of Baku’s skyline, the Flame Towers are a striking set of three skyscrapers shaped like flames. The towers are covered in LED screens that display animated flame effects at night, so make sure you’re not just seeing the towers durin the day.The towers are situated on a hill overlooking Baku Bay and are visible from most parts of the city. Their unique design and nightly light show have made the Flame Towers a distinctive landmark, representing Azerbaijan’s natural gas resources and the country’s modernity. The Flame Towers have become a source of pride and a must-see attraction for visitors to Baku. But don’t just see them from the outside! Do like we did and grab a drink at the top story of the Fairmont Baku. It’s a great way to end a day of seeing the sights in Baku.

Highland Park 

Highland Park is a scenic public park located in the hills overlooking Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Opened in 1975, the park covers an area of 13 hectares and provides panoramic views of the city below. Different sections of Highland Park showcase gardens, fountains, and monuments dedicated to famous Azeri figures. This is a great place to relax and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Also, be sure to visit Martyr’s Lane and the Shahidlar Monument for a more sobering reflection of Azerbaijani history. Visiting the park for a combination of views and history is absolutely a must-do thing in Baku. Note: There’s a funicular that provides panoramic views. You can take it between Highland Park and Port Baku Park.

Baku State Philharmonic Hall

If you get the opportunity to see the inside of Baku State Philharmonic Hall during a show, do it. But if you don’t see a show, you’ll still want to visit the exterior of this jaw-dropping building. It’s mixture of Italian Renaissance and German Rococo architecture makes for an inspired place and unique place to see in Baku. The Philharmonia Garden and fountains around it are worth a stroll, and you can wile away a good half-an-hour or so in the area. 

Deniz Mall

One of the largest shopping and entertainment centers in Azerbaijan, Deniz Mall is a modern mall located in the bustling heart of Baku. Opened in 2011, Deniz Mall spans over 30,000 square meters and contains over 130 stores, including familiar international brands like Zara and Marks & Spencer. It’s got everything you need. The mall also boasts a hypermarket, a food court with varied dining options, a state-of-the-art cinema complex, amusement rides for children, and plenty of public amenities. If you have children, check out Kinderland! It’s like a mini city inside the mall with activities for the little ones. The architecture features a contemporary wavy design and panoramic windows overlooking the Caspian Sea. Even if you don’t want to go shopping, it’s another must-see architectural feature along the bay.

Museum of Miniature Books 

This is definitely a quirky must-see place in Baku. Tucked away in Baku’s Old City, this one-of-a-kind museum is dedicated entirely to miniature books. The Museum of Miniature Books contains a collection of over 6,500 miniature publications from over 64 countries. The majority of the collection originated from Azerbaijan and the former USSR. Here you can find tiny books that are less than 100 milimeters in size, with some as small as 2 milimeters! Books of various genres and topics are represented. The delicate artistry required to produce such tiny books is impressive. An interesting place for bibliophiles, this quirky museum offers a microscope viewing station so visitors can get an up-close look at the teensy details. The Museum of Miniature Books provides a charming look at the art of miniature book publishing. If you visit, you can buy some miniature books of your own and have the woman who founded and operates the museum sign them. Because I guess it’s cool to have the autograph of the museum curator? I mean, I got a few of ‘em!

Palace of The Shirvanshahs 

Situated in the heart of Baku’s Old City, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs is a striking example of Azerbaijan’s medieval architecture. The palace complex contains remnants of royal buildings, a mosque, mausoleum, bathhouse, and the living quarters of the 15th century Shirvanshah dynasty. Intricate stone carvings, inscriptions, and decorative motifs reflect the palace’s Islamic influences. UNESCO designated the palace a World Heritage Site in 2000. Today, it operates as an open-air museum with well-preserved structures transporting visitors back in time. The palace overlooks the Caspian Sea and offers scenic views of Old City Baku. With its rich history and stunning architecture, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs provides insight into Azerbaijan’s past as an important commercial and cultural center. It is a must-see for anyone interested in Azerbaijani history and architecture. We enjoyed exploring both the exhibits inside the buildings as well as the exteriors with their sweeping views.

Maiden Tower 

The Maiden Tower is a 12th century monument located in the Old City section of Baku, Azerbaijan. This cylindrical stone tower measures 30 meters tall and 16 meters in diameter. Its architectural style combines elements from the Persians, Shirvanshahs, and Ottoman Turks, reflecting the various powers that have controlled Baku over the centuries. The tower’s original purpose remains unclear, with theories ranging from it being a temple, tomb, observatory, or defensive structure. Ask one person about it, you’ll get one story; ask another, get a different one! The interior contains a mosque and a museum with artifacts unearthed during excavations. Climbing up the spiral staircase to the rooftop lookout provides panoramic views of Baku. The Maiden Tower’s intricate brickwork patterns and imposing presence amid Old City’s shops and residences have made it Baku’s most iconic landmark. You can’t miss seeing the tower when exploring the Old City!

Azerbaijan State Puppet Theater

The Azerbaijan State Puppet Theater in Baku is dedicated to preserving and performing the ancient art of puppetry. Founded in 1931, it is one of the oldest puppet theaters in the Caucasus and features a repertoire of traditional Azerbaijani tales, literary classics, and contemporary performances. (Side note: puppetry is bigger in the Caucasus then I expected. The puppet theater in Tbilisi in Georgia is seriously cool to see from the outside as well, so if you’re in the region, check it out!) You can see it while strolling around the Baku promenade along the bay. The puppeteers use hand puppets, rod puppets, marionettes, and shadow puppets to bring colorful stories to life on stage. The theater building has a charming exterior and intimate 300-seat auditorium. In addition to regular performances, the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theater provides puppetry training programs as part of its mission to educate future generations on this unique theatrical form. We didn’t see a show there, but heck, if we had more time in Baku, we might have just for something different to do.

National Museum of History of Azerbaijan

Another cool thing to see in Baku, the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan offers an overview of the country’s ancient and modern history. The museum is housed in a mansion built in 1885 by Polish oil industrialist Witold Zglenicki and later became the private residence of Baku oil baron Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. The museum opened in 1920 and has expanded to include over 300,000 exhibits spread across two buildings. Highlights include Bronze Age artifacts, classical coins, medieval pottery, and rare documents. We really enjoyed the parts of the museum that were decorated in period-specific furnishings. Visiting the museum is a great way to learn a bit more about Baku’s more recent history and see a little of what life was like for the wealthy in the oil boom days.

Nizami Street

Nizami Street is a famous pedestrian thoroughfare and shopping area. Named after the 12th-century poet Nizami Ganjavi, the street contains late 19th and early 20th century buildings that reflect Baku’s oil boom era. All along the street are various architectural styles, from Baroque to Neo-Gothic. Nizami Street is home to high-end shops, restaurants, hotels, and art galleries. Some of our favorite restaurants and cafes were located along the street. Street performers and vendors often line the street, adding to the festive atmosphere. With its mix of historical architecture, shopping, dining and entertainment, Nizami Street offers a taste of Baku’s cosmopolitan side. It’s a great place to stroll, do some shopping, or stop for a meal while exploring the city. Definitely a great place to see when in Baku.

Fountains Square 

If you’re visiting downtown Baku, you’ve got to go to Fountains Square. This square features over 30 fountains illuminated by alternating colored lights at night. Water cascades down a stepped pedestal surrounded by ponds and small gardens. The fountains provide a soothing ambiance to the busy square, which is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and buildings constructed in a mix of architectural styles. On one end stands the beautiful Lenin Palace, an ornate building now used as a museum. The square often hosts public events and festivals that attract locals and tourists alike. Benches offer space to sit and enjoy the fountains. With its lively yet relaxing vibe, Fountains Square is a great place to experience modern Baku. It’s a great jumping off point to explore the Old City or Nizami Street–or just to chill and grab a place to eat.

Teze Pir Mosque 

Situated on the southern slope of Baku’s Old City, Teze Pir Mosque is one of the city’s most ancient mosques. The current mosque structure dates back to the 12th-13th centuries, though some researchers believe it was built over an ancient Zoroastrian temple. You can admire its cylindrical drum structure, arched portal entrance, and decorative stone carvings. The interior contains earthly tombs associated with the mosque’s clerics and holy men dating back centuries. Its hilltop location overlooking the Old City and Baku Bay provides scenic views. Strolling the grounds around the mosque as well as the park nearby are also worthwhile. As one of the city’s few remaining early Islamic monuments, Teze Pir Mosque offers a look into Baku’s architectural and spiritual foundations.

Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater

The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater in Baku was originally built in 1911, the theater was almost completely reconstructed and reopened in its current form in 1953. The exterior features elegant columns and ornamental details are worth seeing. Inside, the theater houses over 1000 seats, excellent acoustics, and modern stage equipment. It is home to the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater companies, which produce classic and contemporary works. We didn’t get to see the interior personally, but I still think the building is worth a stroll by to admire.

Port Baku

Port Baku is an ultramodern mall and shopping area with a nearby park. This is where the glitziest shops, salons, and restaurants are located. That being said, even the nicest spas and salons offer services at relatively affordable prices. The same can’t be said for the expensive clothing, shoe, and jewelry stores like Burberry and Valentino that you’ll find inside. This isn’t on our top priority of places to see in Baku, but if you’ve got some time to kill or have expensive tastes, you’ll enjoy dropping by. 

Baku Crystal Hall

Another amazing sight to see in Baku is the Baku Crystal Hall. This building has a stunning exterior that lives up to its name, with over 9,000 LED lights covering its glittering crystal-shaped facade. The interior contains 25,000 seats and advanced staging equipment over its total area of 26,000 square meters. Since hosting Eurovision, Baku Crystal Hall has continued serving as a major venue for concerts, competitions, and cultural events. Located nearby in the National Flag Square complex, the building resembles a diamond glistening in the light. While you might not attend an event here, you won’t regret seeing this building that would totally fit into a sci-fi movie.

Baku Congress Center

When you’re visiting the Heydar Aliyev Center, you might notice that an alien ship has apparently landed in the middle of Baku. Nope, it’s actually the Congress Center. The Center hosts major events offering conference halls, restaurants, and auditoriums. It’s worth seeing from the exterior if you’re visiting the Heydar Aliyev Center, but not necessary to explore the inside if you’re just dropping by for a picture opportunity.

Atashgah Zoroastrianism Fire Temple

We didn’t actually visit the Fire Temple, as we heard mixed things about it. So it wasn’t on our priority list of things to see. The Atashgah Fire Temple is a castle-style religious structure related to Zoroastrianism. Also called the Fire Temple of Baku, it was built in the 17th century over a natural gas vent that locals worshiped through fire. For centuries, pilgrims stopped here to meditate in the sanctum, where natural gas fed the eternal flame. The Atashgah complex contains various rooms and altars with inscriptions dedicated to the ancient Iranian god Ahura Mazda. UNESCO recognized Atashgah as a World Heritage Site in 1998. While no longer an active place of worship, this unique temple attracts many visitors interested in Azerbaijan’s pre-Islamic and Zoroastrian heritage. The natural flames may no longer burn, but Atashgah remains an important historical site near Baku.

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape 

The next two things to see are farther outside of Baku. But I really enjoyed visiting both. Gobustan is an archaeological site containing over 6,000 rock carvings that provide insight into prehistoric life in the Caucasus. The petroglyphs depict images of people, animals, and constellations, some dating back 40,000 years to the Paleolithic era. It’s definitely worth hiring a guide (they are relatively cheap) to show you the petroglyphs that you might miss without them. This area was once home to tribes of hunters living among now-extinct species like the Southwest Caspian Megafauna. In 2007, UNESCO designated Gobustan as a World Heritage Site and national preserve. Gobustan’s thousands of rock engravings make it one of the densest collections of rock art worldwide. The site offers a window into the distant past of Azerbaijan and the earliest humans who once inhabited this region. I went in with low expectations of what we saw, but seriously, with the museum on site and the guide at the site of the petroglyphs, it’s a must-see. Very unique.

Mud Volcanoes

No visit to Baku is complete without a visit to the mud volcanoes. Prepare to get your shoes absolutely dirty. So bring extra shoes or bags around your shoes as necessary if you want to get close to these interesting natural phenomena. Hundreds of mud volcanoes dot the landscape, formed from underground hydrocarbon gases and mud. These small volcanoes range from one to ten meters tall and constantly spew mud, water, and natural gases like methane into the air. Visitors can hear the gurgling as the gray mud bubbles up and sometimes shoots high into the sky. This isn’t the prettiest natural sight we’ve ever seen. But it definitely is up there with one of the most unique.