Things to Do in Baku: Top Sights, Tours & Experiences

Wondering about the best things to do in Baku? Azerbaijan's seaside capital blends a UNESCO-listed old town, futuristic architecture and the surrounding Land of Fire into a city you can explore for days. Here are the experiences worth your time, with the tours that make each one easy.

Walk the walled Old City (Icherisheher)

Start where Baku began. The Baku Old City tour winds past the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs — and our Maiden Tower guide tells the story behind the landmark.

See the modern city

Beyond the walls, the Baku City tour takes in Highland Park, "Little Venice" and the Zaha Hadid–designed Heydar Aliyev Center. For the city's most famous promenade, read our Nizami Street guide.

Baku after dark

The city is at its best when it lights up. The Baku night tour takes in the illuminated Flame Towers, Highland Park's panorama and the seaside boulevard.

Day-trip into the Land of Fire

Some of the best things to do near Baku are a short drive away: the eternal flames of Yanardag and the Ateshgah Fire Temple, the petroglyphs of Gobustan, and the surreal Baku mud volcanoes. For more ideas further afield, see our day trips from Baku guide.

Taste Azerbaijani food

Don't leave without trying plov, kebabs and fragrant black tea with local jam. Many old-town courtyards hide excellent family restaurants a few steps from the Maiden Tower.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Baku? Two to three days covers the old city, the modern sights and one Land-of-Fire day trip at a relaxed pace.

Is Baku walkable? The old city and seaside boulevard are very walkable; for sights spread across the city, a guided city tour saves time.