Pirallahi Island (Artyom): A Guide to Baku's Caspian Oil Island

Pirallahi Island is the Caspian island east of Baku once called Artyom. How to get there, what to see, and how to add it to your Baku trip.

Pirallahi Island: A Quiet Caspian Outpost Near Baku

Pirallahi Island sits in the Caspian Sea just east of the Absheron Peninsula, a short drive from Baku. Known during the Soviet era as Artyom Island (Artyom), it grew up around the early oil industry and still carries the weather-worn charm of a working island town. For travellers who want to see a different, lesser-known side of Azerbaijan, Pirallahi Island offers wide Caspian horizons, quiet streets and a real sense of the oil-age history of the Absheron region.

Pirallahi Island coastline on the Caspian Sea near Baku — The Caspian shoreline of Pirallahi Island (formerly Artyom), east of Baku.

Why the Names Pirallahi and Artyom?

The island has carried several names. Today it is officially Pirallahi, a name tied to a local pir (holy shrine). Through much of the 20th century it was called Artyom, after the revolutionary Artyom (Fyodor Sergeyev), and many maps and older residents still use Artyom Island. Whichever name you search for, Pirallahi and Artyom point to the same place: a low, sandy island linked to the mainland by a causeway.

How to Get to Pirallahi Island

Pirallahi Island is reached overland from Baku across the Absheron Peninsula, roughly an hour by car depending on traffic. A causeway connects the island to the mainland, so no boat is needed. The easiest way to combine it with the city is on a private day trip. Pair it with a Baku city tour or the historic Old City tour for a full day of contrasts between the capital and the Caspian coast.

Old oil-era buildings on Artyom (Pirallahi) Island near Baku — Soviet-era streets on Artyom Island, now part of the Pirallahi district.

What to See on Pirallahi (Artyom) Island

Caspian shoreline: long, quiet beaches and breakwaters with open sea views.
Oil heritage: the remnants of the early Absheron oil industry that gave Artyom Island its purpose.
Local life: a small, friendly island community far from the tourist trail.
Photography: wide skies, weathered architecture and calm Caspian sunrises.

Planning Your Visit to Pirallahi Island

Pirallahi Island is best visited as a half-day or full-day trip from Baku, ideally in spring or autumn when the Caspian breeze is mild. There are few formal tourist facilities, so bring water and snacks and plan to eat back on the Absheron Peninsula or in Baku. For wider context on visas, transport and the best time to travel, read our Azerbaijan travel guide, and browse more things to do in Baku to round out your itinerary.

A dedicated tour of Pirallahi Island is coming soon. In the meantime, explore our full range of day tours from Baku and get in touch if you would like to add Pirallahi (Artyom) Island to a custom private trip.

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