Recent Blogs Created

Recent blogs created by our users

There are currently 0 users online.

Jan

10

Baku Travel & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Former Soviet Union

A trip to Baku

Baku is the principal city of the little known country Azerbaijan. The city comprises two main areas: downtown and the Old Inner City. This picturesque, ancient city is dotted with ancient buildings built along quaint winding alleys. As the country’s centre for performing arts, Baku has a strong culture in theatre, opera and ballet. Party seekers are not forgotten either, with a range of entertainment options from live music venues to thumping nightclubs.

Flights to Baku
Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport receives air traffic from around the world including a number of connecting flights from neighbouring countries. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Baku try Expedia. The airport is located approximately 15 miles from the city centre and is the main hub for the country’s national airline, Azerbaijan Airlines. Taxis are widely available outside the terminal to transfer you to the heart of action inside the city.

The city’s metro system, although not extensive, is worth trying, if only for the exquisite decoration of the underground alleys. The traditional motifs on display give the impression of walking through an art museum, as opposed to the often dingy underground stations that are found in other parts of the world. Taxis are another easy option for getting around, while van buses follow set routes, stopping at any point along the way.

Baku

Sightseeing in Baku
Baku’s rich culture and World Heritage site status are often enticement enough to draw visitors. Architectural gems and historical buildings provide tourists with endless options for sightseeing and touring. The fortress around the old city, dating back thousands of years, stands guard around to this day. Signs of Russia’s occupation can still be seen inside the old city among the Soviet era buildings.

Museums and galleries offer a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the country. The Baku Museum of Art is the city’s main centre for art, featuring works from the best of both local and international artists.

Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Baku’s cosmopolitan atmosphere is best enjoyed in the range of eateries and restaurants that offer menus from around the world. Local specialities are also widely available and should not be missed while holidaying in Azerbaijan’s capital.

Entertainment options are endless. Whether you prefer to sit back, chat and watch the world go by in a relaxed bar, or dance the night away in international standard nightclubs: Baku has it all. Fountain square is a hub of bars and bistros, with many British and Irish style hideouts located here. Each year in June the city plays host to the International Jazz Festival, bringing Baku to life with musicians and spectators alike joining in the lively festivities.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
Inside the old city the highlight is the exquisite medieval palace of the Shrivan Shahs. Maiden’s Tower, also inside the fortress of the old city, dates back to somewhere between the 7th and 12th centuries and offers stunning views of the city.

There are a number of beaches located within easy access of Baku’s centre, providing the perfect escape from the hustle of the metropolis. Bilgah and Amburan are two of the most pleasant beaches located on the northern coast. Shops, markets and malls can be found in every section of the city. The old city is the place to head for the best in antique shopping, while hand woven rugs and traditional dolls are perfect gifts to take back home.

Daytrips
Just outside of Baku’s city limits, on the Absheron Peninsula, there are a number of interesting sites that can be visited as part of a daytrip out of the city. The enigmatic Atashgah Fire Temple can be reached via Baku’s electric train service and is just a short distance away from the city centre. Along the way visitors can view the interesting desert waste land and oil pools which characterise the terrain beyond the city limits.

Another worthwhile daytrip can be taken to the Yanar Dagh, a mountain which contains natural gas vents that expel raging hot flames from the sides of the mountain, a phenomenon that should not be missed on a visit to the area. To gain access to the mountain, visitors are advised to go with a guide or take a local taxi as the Yanar Dagh is surprisingly difficult to find.

While many of Baku’s beaches are polluted and not all that pleasant, there are a few nice beaches on the Caspian Sea which make for a lovely day out, weather permitting. Located on the north coast of the peninsula, Bilgəh and Amburan beaches are comparatively clean and have nice sand.

Must-see attractions
The city of Baku is brimming with must-see attractions. The old city, enclosed within a historic walled fortress, is full of fascinating attractions resulting in the whole area being declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The old quarter can be discovered easily on foot in one day.

Don’t miss Icheri Sheher, the ancient market in the old city. Close by, Targova Street and Fountain Square host shops, cafés and restaurants, and are great for shopping and dining.

Guz Qalasi, the medieval palace of Shirvan Shans, is the centerpiece of the old city and a must-see attraction with any visitor to the city. In addition to this, the peculiar Maiden’s Tower should not be missed. Build between the 7th and 12th centuries, the structure was either built as a fortification to protect the city or was an astronomical observatory.

Public baths, or hamamlar, are popular in Baku. While there are many within the city, the Teze Bey Hamami is one of the best. Located within the fortress of the old city, the hamam offers Turkish and Finish baths, but unfortunately for female tourists this particular bath is for men only.

Thankfully there are no gender restrictions at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. Even if you don’t come here for the ballet or the opera, the ornate beauty of this building should not be missed.

Best time to go
Baku’s climate is characterised by hot and humid summers and mild, wet and windy winters. Winds often reach gale force during the winter season, resulting in summertime being the most popular period for tourism.

If you do want to brave the winds during the winter season, you’ll also find the best rates for hotel accommodation and excursions. Flights to Baku from Europe are also cheaper during the winter season.

Rainy day suggestions
Rainy days occur regularly in Baku, particularly during the winter. Luckily Baku’s adverse winter weather conditions need not affect your sightseeing activities too much, as the city boasts a number of indoor attractions worthy of a rainy or non-rainy day visit.

The Carpet and Applied Arts Museum makes for a particularly interesting indoor visit. Here visitors can view intricate local carpets from various period of history. Also worth a visit is the Azerbaijan State Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the country.

Share and Enjoy: