City guide · Azerbaijan

Baku

Baku's visitor core is compact around the UNESCO-listed Old City, the oil-boom centre and the Caspian waterfront, but several major modern sites sit beyond that walkable triangle. Icherisheher, Fountain Square and the Boulevard combine well on foot. Highland Park rises above the bay, while the Heydar Aliyev Center and outer peninsula sites require metro, bus or taxi connections. Wind and elevation should shape the order of an outdoor route.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · SSMTour Travel Editor

Practical information

Language spoken: Azerbaijani; National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code: +994; International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency: Azerbaijani manat (AZN); Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number: 112; Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type: Type C and F · 220 V; Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water: Not recorded; No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Turn this list into a plan

Set your days, your pace and the hours you actually want to be out. The planner works around closing days and travel time, and leaves room to eat.

Plan Baku

Planning a visit

Suggested stay: Not recorded
Getting around: Walk, metro, bus and taxi

January: viable with meaningful trade-offs
February: viable with meaningful trade-offs
March: good time to visit
April: best time to visit
May: best time to visit
June: good time to visit
July: viable with meaningful trade-offs
August: viable with meaningful trade-offs
September: best time to visit — current month
October: best time to visit
November: good time to visit
December: viable with meaningful trade-offs

Best time
Good time
Viable with trade-offs
Difficult conditions

Sources

worldweather.wmo.int Checked 2026-08-28
www.eco.gov.az Checked 2026-08-28

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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How the city is laid out

Icherisheher forms the walled historic core around the Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Immediately north and east, the nineteenth-century oil-boom streets lead through Fountain Square toward the waterfront. Baku Boulevard follows the Caspian shore, with funicular access toward Highland Park and the Flame Towers. The Heydar Aliyev Center lies northeast of the centre, while Ateshgah, Yanar Dag and Gobustan are separate excursions beyond the compact urban core.

Checked 2026-08-26

Getting around

Walk between Icherisheher, Fountain Square and central sections of Baku Boulevard, then use metro, bus or taxi for outer districts. Azerbaijan Travel states that Baku has the country's metro system and that buses and taxis also operate across the capital; airport buses use BakuCard. The funicular is useful for the elevation toward Highland Park when operating. Confirm current routes and service notices before building a timed connection or peninsula excursion.

Checked 2026-08-26

Common questions

How many days should I plan for Baku?

No fixed stay length is recorded. Plan the Old City and central waterfront first, then allocate separate time to modern districts and any Absheron or Gobustan excursion.

Which Baku areas combine naturally on foot?

Icherisheher, the oil-boom streets around Fountain Square and central Baku Boulevard form the most coherent walking sequence.

Does Baku have a metro?

Yes. Azerbaijan Travel identifies Baku as the country's city with a metro system and also lists buses and taxis as local options.

How do I reach Highland Park?

It rises above the waterfront near the Flame Towers. Walk uphill or use the funicular when operating, and check current service information before relying on it.

Are Ateshgah, Yanar Dag and Gobustan central Baku sights?

No. They are outer or regional excursions and need separate road planning rather than being appended to an Old City walking route.

🇦🇿Baku