All citiesBaku Things to do and walking itinerary
Azerbaijan Baku travel guide
30 things to do in Baku, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Baku
- Palace of the Shirvanshahs — palace in Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Old City of Baku — the historical core of Baku, World Heritage Site (visit ≈ 60 min)
- National Art Museum of Azerbaijan — аrt museum in Baku (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Maiden Tower — 12th-century monument in the Old City, Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Baku TV Tower — a free standing concrete telecommunications tower in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 40 min)
- National Museum of History of Azerbaijan — museum in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater — opera house in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Baku Zoo — zoo in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Azerbaijan Carpet Museum — art museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Azerbaijan Railway Museum — railway museum in Baku (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Taza Pir Mosque — mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Baku Museum of Modern Art — modern or contemporary art museum in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Martyrs' Lane — war monument in Baku (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Muhammad Mosque — mosque in Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 30 min)
- National Flag Square — square in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Baku Puppet Theatre — State puppet theatre in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Juma Mosque in Baku — a 12th century mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre — theatre in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Baku Boulevard — street in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — church in Baku Governorate, Russian Empire (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Fountains Square, Baku — place in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Baku Museum of Miniature Books — book Museum in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Ajdarbey Mosque — mosque in Baku (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Beyler Mosque — A mosque and historical architectural monument located in Baku, Azerbaijan. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theater — theatre company in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Sheikh Ibrahim Mosque — A mosque and historical architectural monument located in Baku, Azerbaijan. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature — museum in Baku (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral — church in Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Khidir Mosque — A mosque and historical architectural monument located in Baku, Azerbaijan. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Hajji Heybat mosque — mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Baku walking itinerary
Starting point: Old City (Icherisheher). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 8.7 km · 11,760 steps · 1 h 58 min on the way): Baku Zoo → Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater → National Museum of History of Azerbaijan → Maiden Tower → Old City of Baku
- Day 2 (≈ 5.2 km · 7,080 steps · 1 h 10 min on the way): Baku TV Tower → National Art Museum of Azerbaijan → Palace of the Shirvanshahs
Where to stay in Baku
- Old City (Icherisheher): Historic mansions and boutique hotels inside the walls.
- Fountain Square / Nizami: Pedestrian streets, shopping and restaurants.
- Seaside Boulevard: Caspian promenade and views.
- 28 May: Close to the train station and airport bus.
- White City / Port Baku: Modern buildings and luxury hotels.
Getting from the airport to Baku
- Heydar Aliyev (GYD): Aeroexpress bus ≈ 35 min
Getting around
The centre is walkable; the metro and buses need a BakuCard. Use Bolt or Uber for taxis.
Classic places to eat
- Firuze: Plov and qutab in a cellar dining room.
- Şirvanşah Muzey Restoran: Azerbaijani food in a museum-like setting.
- Sehrli Tendir: Tandir bread and qutab in the Old City.
- Mugham Club: Live mugham music in an old caravanserai.
- Qaynana: Home-style Azerbaijani dishes.
- Dolma Restaurant: As the name says: vine-leaf, cabbage and aubergine dolma.
- Çay Bağı 145: Azerbaijani tea with jams in the Old City.
Romantic views
- Baku Boulevard (Evening): A long, breezy promenade along the Caspian shore.
- Highland Park (Sunset): The bay and Flame Towers face you, city lights below.
- Old City (Icherisheher) (Evening): Stone alleys and old walls grow quiet in the evening.
- Fountain Square (Evening): Lit fountains and a lively pedestrian area.
Football stadiums in Baku
- Tofiq Bahramov Stadium: Home of Qarabağ FK, FC Baku
- Azersun Arena: Home of Qarabağ FK
- Bakcell Arena: Home of Neftchi Baku PFC
- ASK Arena: Home of Shamakhi FK
Good to know before visiting Baku
- Fine: Drug offences carry very heavy sentences.
- Fine: Photographing military sites, borders, oil facilities and government buildings is banned.
- Fine: Crossing outside crossings or underpasses in Baku can be fined.
- Fine: Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces.
- Warning: Travel to the Karabakh region requires special permission under official arrangements.
- Warning: People who previously visited the region without Azerbaijani permission may be refused entry.
- Emergency: 112 (police 102, ambulance 103, fire 101)
- Plugs: C/F, 220V
- Tap water: Drink bottled rather than tap water.
- Tipping: Leave about 10% if service isn't already included.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Azerbaijan, Wikivoyage — Azerbaijan, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Baku travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Baku?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Baku?
- Highlights: Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Old City of Baku, National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, Maiden Tower and Baku TV Tower. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Baku?
- Old City (Icherisheher): Historic mansions and boutique hotels inside the walls. Other options: Fountain Square / Nizami, Seaside Boulevard, 28 May and White City / Port Baku.
- How do you get from the airport to Baku city centre?
- Heydar Aliyev (GYD): Aeroexpress bus ≈ 35 min
- How do you get around Baku?
- The centre is walkable; the metro and buses need a BakuCard. Use Bolt or Uber for taxis.
- What is the emergency number in Baku?
- Emergency: 112 (police 102, ambulance 103, fire 101).
- Do you tip in Baku?
- Leave about 10% if service isn't already included.
Nearby cities
Tbilisi · Yerevan · Tehran · Ashgabat · Rize · Trabzon · Mardin · Diyarbakır
All cities