Want to pull off something enviable by planning your next vacation below the sea? If this idea gives you a good adrenaline rush, then there’s nothing better than becoming a Baku tourist when you holiday next! The capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, Baku is the lowest-lying capital city and the largest city in the world below sea level, 28 metres lower. The region stands at a vantage point along the Caspian Sea in the Caucasus region. Baku is steeped in history and nestles amidst some of the most spectacular natural settings, making your “things to do in Baku” list an unending itinerary! Let’s peek at some of the places to visit in Baku.
Top Places to Visit in Baku
- Baku Old City
- Highland Park
- Flame Towers
- Baku Boulevard
- Palace of the Shirvanshahs
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Baku Old City
Also known as Icheri Sheher or the Inner City, Baku Old City reverberates with historical and cultural significance. It lies at the heart of present-day Baku, along the Caspian Sea’s shores. Surrounded by walls, the Old City’s origins stretch back to the 7th century. The walled city houses the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your Baku sightseeing won’t be complete if you don’t visit the Old City bakeries, tea houses, and boutiques selling silverware and carpets.
Things to Do in Baku Old City
- Trace the Old City right up to the shores of the Caspian Sea.
- Have a meal inside one of Baku's old caravanserais
- Climb the Maiden Tower for a panoramic view of Baku’s landscape
- Get lost in the back alleys while shopping for carpets and other souvenirs
- Visit the Museum of Miniature Books
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Highland Park
A must-visit site among Baku tourist places, Highland Park offers a panoramic view of Baku city’s skyscraper-dotted skyline. The park’s observation platforms offer breathtaking views of the Old City, Baku Boulevard, and Baku Bay, among others. Highland Park comprises cosy terraces, shady alleys, and spacious stairs. The Green Theatre and Gulistan Palace are the main attractions. A curious anomaly is a huge stone block with a rectangular hole at the centre, which the locals believe has healing properties.
Things to Do in Highland Park
- The trees and wide grassy areas with comfortable seating areas make for an ideal retreat
- Visit at nighttime to enjoy the fantastic lighting display on the park’s steps
- Spend time with your loved one sipping tea and listening to classical lounge music
- Take a tour of the Green Theatre and Gulistan Palace
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Flame Towers
Baku’s historical identity as the “City of Eternal Fires” is the inspiration behind these three flame-shaped towers that transform the city’s skyline with their fascinating illumination after sundown. One of the happening places in Baku, the towers are lit by 10,000 LED units programmed to create various abstract patterns and images that blend seamlessly with the flame-shaped towers. The Flame Towers are 190 metres in height and remind the onlooker of the city’s history of abundant natural gas reserves.
Things to Do in Flame Towers
- Visit the magnificent Fairmont Hotell that has 61 serviced apartments and 250 rooms
- Immerse yourself in the colourful LED screens displaying the flickering of flames to form features such as the Azerbaijani flag
- Have fun in the podium of entertainment that anchors the Flame Towers, especially during nighttime
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Baku Boulevard
Established in 1909, Baku Boulevard is a popular promenade that runs parallel to Baku city’s seafront for nearly 5 km. A stroll along the pedestrian walk is an unforgettable experience, with the cool breeze bringing in myriad smells of the sea and the aroma of delicacies from the refreshment stalls. Baku Boulevard, usually filled with walkers and joggers, is top among the Baku tourist attractions as visitors throng the place any time.
Things to Do in Baku Boulevard
- Visit the carpet-shaped Azerbaijan Carpet Museum that showcases the country’s UNESCO-listed carpet art.
- Deniz Mall is next door, with all the modern amenities available.
- Tour the Surakhani Ship Museum, the first-ever oil tanker museum, and the Yarat Contemporary Art Centre
- Take a ride on the Baku Eye and float along numerous canals.
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Palace of the Shirvanshahs
The devoted Baku tourist may forego other attractions, but not the ancient Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Dubbed a pearl of Azerbaijani architecture, this 15th-century palace houses the Divankhana pavilion, a mosque, a mausoleum, burial vaults, and an ancient bathhouse. The palace terrace provides striking views of modern Baku, especially the Flame Towers with their futuristic looks. If you gaze around some more, the ancient structures of Icheri Sheher offer a stark contrast.
Things to Do in the Palace of the Shirvanshahs
- Visit the Divankhana, a 15th-century stone pavilion inside the palace courtyard.
- Enter the towering mausoleum that served as a burial space for the Shirvanshah royalty.
- Make your way to the Palace Mosque, part of the palace, which came up later.
- The bath house in the complex has 26 unique rooms.