Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Azerbaijan

A photograph of Azerbaijan
Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0

Azerbaijan lies on the boundary between Western Asia and Eastern Europe, in the South Caucasus, with the Caspian Sea along its entire eastern edge and Iran to the south. Baku is both the capital and the largest city. The country is not one continuous block. The exclave of Nakhchivan is cut off from the rest by Armenian territory, and it holds the only stretch of border Azerbaijan shares with Turkey. Georgia is the neighbour to the northwest and Russia's republic of Dagestan to the north. It is one of six independent Turkic states, and the first secular democratic Muslim-majority state in the world, declared in 1918.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

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

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

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

  1. Palace of the Shirvanshahs Palace of the Shirvanshahs
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Palace of the Shirvanshahs

    Şirvanşahlar Sarayı Bakı

    The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is a fifteenth-century royal complex forming the architectural centrepiece of Baku's Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  2. Heydar Aliyev Center Heydar Aliyev Center
    03 2 hours

    Heydar Aliyev Center

    Heydər Əliyev Mərkəzi

    The Heydar Aliyev Center is a cultural complex in Baku designed by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. Completed in 2012, the building is celebrated for its fluid, curvilinear form that deliberately avoids straight lines and sharp angles.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Baku
  3. Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum

    Azərbaycan Xalçası Muzeyi

    The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum is a purpose-built institution in Baku dedicated to the preservation and display of Azerbaijani carpet weaving heritage. Its distinctive architecture resembles a rolled carpet, making it a recognisable landmark along the Caspian Sea waterfront.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  4. Yanar Dag Yanar Dag
    05 2 hours

    Yanar Dag

    Yanardağ

    Yanar Dag is a continuously burning natural-gas hillside on the Absheron Peninsula near Baku, Azerbaijan. The flames emerge from the ground where natural gas seeps through porous rock and ignites upon contact with oxygen.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Baku
  5. National Museum of History of Azerbaijan National Museum of History of Azerbaijan
    06 1 hr 30 min

    National Museum of History of Azerbaijan

    Milli Azərbaycan Tarixi Muzeyi

    The National Museum of History of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijan's principal history collection, housed in an ornate former mansion.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  6. Fəvvarələr Meydanı Fəvvarələr Meydanı
    07 2 hours

    Fəvvarələr Meydanı

    Fountains Square is a central public space in Baku, Azerbaijan, known locally as Fəvvarələr Meydanı. The square functions as a pedestrian gathering point and downtown landmark.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Baku
  7. Azerbaijan National Museum of Art Azerbaijan National Museum of Art
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Azerbaijan National Museum of Art

    Azərbaycan Milli İncəsənət Müzeyi

    The Azerbaijan National Museum of Art is the country's premier institution for fine arts, housed across two adjacent historic mansions in central Baku. Its local name is Azərbaycan Milli İncəsənət Muzeyi.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  8. Martyrs' Lane Martyrs' Lane
    09 2 hours

    Martyrs' Lane

    Şəhidlər Xiyabanı

    Martyrs' Lane is a hillside memorial cemetery in Baku, Azerbaijan, known locally as Şəhidlər Xiyabanı. It commemorates victims of Black January 1990, when Soviet forces suppressed an independence movement in the city, as well as casualties from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Baku
  9. Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature

    Nizami Gəncəvi adına Milli Azərbaycan Ədəbiyyatı muzeyi

    The Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature is a national museum dedicated to the literary heritage of Azerbaijan. Named after the 12th-century poet Nizami Ganjavi, it occupies a prominent landmark building located near Baku's Old City.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  10. Little Venice Little Venice
    11 2 hours

    Little Venice

    Kiçik Venesiya

    Little Venice, known locally as Kiçik Venesiya, is a compact leisure landscape situated along Baku's waterfront boulevard. It consists of a network of artificial canals, small islands, and connecting bridges designed to evoke the atmosphere of Venice, Italy.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Baku
  11. Baku Ferris Wheel Baku Ferris Wheel
    12 2 hours

    Baku Ferris Wheel

    Bakı Gözü

    The Baku Ferris Wheel, known locally as Bakı Gözü, stands as a prominent observation wheel on Baku Boulevard along the Caspian Sea waterfront. It serves as a landmark attraction offering elevated views across the urban coastline.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Baku
  12. Baku Museum of Modern Art Baku Museum of Modern Art
    13 1 hr 30 min

    Baku Museum of Modern Art

    Museum of Modern Art

    The Baku Museum of Modern Art, known locally as Bakı Müasir İncəsənət Muzeyi, is a dedicated institution for Azerbaijani avant-garde and contemporary art.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  13. Baku Museum of Miniature Books Baku Museum of Miniature Books
    14 1 hr 30 min

    Baku Museum of Miniature Books

    Miniatür kitab muzeyi

    The Baku Museum of Miniature Books, known locally as Miniatür Kitab Muzeyi, is an unusual museum situated within Baku's Old City. It holds a specialist international collection devoted entirely to miniature editions of books.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  14. Villa Petrolea Villa Petrolea
    15 2 hours

    Villa Petrolea

    Nobel Qardaşlarının Ev-Muzeyi

    Villa Petrolea is the restored residence of the Nobel brothers, Swedish industrialists who established a major presence in Baku during the late nineteenth century oil boom.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Baku
  15. Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall
    16 2 hours

    Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall

    Müslüm Maqomayev adına Azərbaycan Dövlət Akademik Filarmoniyası

    The Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall is Baku's premier classical-music venue, housed in an ornate early twentieth-century building. Constructed during the oil boom era, it stands as a significant architectural landmark reflecting the wealth and cultural ambitions of that period.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Baku
  16. Government House Government House
    17 2 hours

    Government House

    Hökumət Evi

    Government House is a monumental government building in Baku, Azerbaijan. Its local name is Hökumət Evi. The structure features a prominent arcaded facade and occupies a significant position anchoring Azadlıq Square at the eastern end of central Baku's seafront boulevard.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Baku
  17. Baku Crystal Hall Baku Crystal Hall
    18 2 hours

    Baku Crystal Hall

    Bakı Kristal Zalı

    Baku Crystal Hall is a multipurpose indoor arena located on the waterfront of Baku, Azerbaijan. The venue was constructed to host the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest and has since become a prominent event space in the city.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Baku
  18. Azerbaijan Railway Museum Azerbaijan Railway Museum
    19 1 hr 30 min

    Azerbaijan Railway Museum

    Azərbaycan Dəmiryol Muzeyi

    The Azerbaijan Railway Museum, known locally as Azərbaycan Dəmiryol Muzeyi, is a museum in Baku dedicated to the history of rail transport in Azerbaijan. The institution occupies a building mapped on OpenStreetMap under way identifier 195589273.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  19. Stone Chronicle Museum Stone Chronicle Museum
    20 1 hr 30 min

    Stone Chronicle Museum

    Daş Salnamə Muzeyi

    The Stone Chronicle Museum, known locally as Daş Salnamə Muzeyi, is a waterfront museum in Baku dedicated to Azerbaijan's stone heritage. It collects and displays carved stone monuments and archaeological material that document the nation's epigraphic and sculptural traditions.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  20. Military Trophy Park Military Trophy Park
    21 1 hr 30 min

    Military Trophy Park

    Hərbi Qənimətlər Parkı

    Military Trophies Park, known locally as Hərbi Qənimətlər Parkı, is an open-air state military display located in Baku, Azerbaijan. The park presents equipment and installations captured during the 2020 Second Karabakh War.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  21. Baku Funicular Baku Funicular
    22 2 hours

    Baku Funicular

    Bakı Funikulyoru

    The Baku Funicular, known locally as Bakı Funikulyoru, is a hillside railway connecting the Caspian Sea boulevard area with Highland Park above.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Baku
  22. Baku Zoo Baku Zoo
    23 1 hr 30 min

    Baku Zoo

    Bakı Zooparkı

    Baku Zoo, known locally as Bakı Zooloji Parkı, is a national zoological park in Azerbaijan's capital. It was rebuilt and now sits beside Dədə Qorqud Park.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Baku
  23. Underground Bath of Baku Underground Bath of Baku
    24 1 hr 30 min

    Underground Bath of Baku

    The Underground Bath of Baku is a historical bathhouse situated in the capital of Azerbaijan. It represents a traditional hammam structure embedded below street level, characteristic of regional bathing culture that developed over centuries in the South Caucasus.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  24. The Museum Centre The Museum Centre
    25 1 hr 30 min

    The Museum Centre

    Muzey Mərkəzi

    The Museum Centre in Baku occupies a building that formerly served as the Lenin Museum. Its local name is Muzey Mərkəzi. The structure represents Soviet-era architecture repurposed for contemporary cultural use.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  25. Agha Mikayil Bath
    26 1 hr 30 min

    Agha Mikayil Bath

    Aga Mikayil Hamamı

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Baku
  26. Baku House-museum of Uzeyir Hajibeyov Baku House-museum of Uzeyir Hajibeyov
    27 1 hr 30 min

    Baku House-museum of Uzeyir Hajibeyov

    Üzeyir Hacıbəylinin ev-muzeyi

    The Uzeyir Hajibeyli House Museum is the preserved former residence of Azerbaijan's foundational composer, located in Baku. Uzeyir Hajibeyli created the first opera in the Muslim world and established Azerbaijani composed classical music tradition.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Baku
  27. Hamam Kubinka
    59 1 hr 30 min

    Hamam Kubinka

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Baku
  28. Onliqa
    63 2 hours

    Onliqa

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  29. Mambo Beach
    68 1 hr 30 min

    Mambo Beach

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Baku
  30. Pak Hamam
    69 1 hr 30 min

    Pak Hamam

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Baku
  31. Şef Hamam
    71 1 hr 30 min

    Şef Hamam

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Baku
  32. Atraksionlar
    72 2 hours

    Atraksionlar

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  33. Cinema City
    77 2 hours

    Cinema City

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  34. cinema club cinema club
    78 2 hours

    cinema club

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  35. Cinema Plus
    79 2 hours

    Cinema Plus

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  36. CinemaPlus
    80 2 hours

    CinemaPlus

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  37. CinemaPlus
    81 2 hours

    CinemaPlus

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  38. Hollywood
    85 2 hours

    Hollywood

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  39. Kinder Land Kinder Land
    89 2 hours

    Kinder Land

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  40. Park Cinema
    92 2 hours

    Park Cinema

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  41. ŞARABANU
    95 2 hours

    ŞARABANU

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  42. Skyfall kino
    97 2 hours

    Skyfall kino

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku
  43. World Cinema
    100 2 hours

    World Cinema

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Baku

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Azerbaijan be?

Six to nine days can cover Baku, Gobustan or Absheron and one overnight route toward Sheki or the mountains. Western Azerbaijan and remote villages add real road time, so do not schedule them as casual extensions from a three-day capital stay.

What entry documents are needed for Azerbaijan?

Check Azerbaijan’s official ASAN Visa portal against your nationality and intended entry date. The service states the applicable electronic-visa process; border access and passport conditions should be confirmed there rather than inferred from a previous Caucasus trip.

What is the best way to travel around Azerbaijan?

Baku has metro and bus services, while rail and coaches connect selected cities. Rural monuments and mountain areas often need a hired driver or car; verify current road and boundary-area access before setting out, since the shortest mapped route may not be open to visitors.

When is a practical time to visit Azerbaijan?

Late spring and early autumn generally balance Baku walking weather with regional travel, but the Caspian coast and highlands do not share one climate. Build dates around the highest or most exposed leg and check official access information for mountain roads.

What money and payment basics apply in Azerbaijan?

Prices are recorded in Azerbaijani manat. Keep some AZN for smaller regional businesses and use regulated banking or exchange channels; in Baku, confirm the final manat amount before accepting a card terminal’s optional foreign-currency conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Azerbaijan?

Dial 112 for the recorded emergency service and expect Type C or F plugs at 220 V. Tap-water advice is Not recorded, so ask the accommodation or local utility; also retain current official guidance for any journey near restricted boundary areas.