Best Things to Do in Baku

With stunning skyscrapers set against beautiful mosques and other ancient architectural landmarks, Baku is a place that offers an exhilarating mix of old and new. The capital city of Azerbaijan, and also the largest one in the country, also serves as a major cultural, economic, and political centre. Like several other places in Azerbaijan, the city has always been known for its rich and vast history. This is a place that has enough evidence of human settlements dating back to the 4th millennium BCE. However, with a number of modern architectural marvels, bustling streets, and several other vibrant places, Baku has now become the most fascinating metropolitan city in the country.

Other than this, the city is also known for its interesting culinary scene. Since Baku is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, this is the best place to enjoy a variety of fish dishes. All these elements together have taken Baku tourism to a whole different level. In short, Baku has everything that you might look for in a perfect holiday destination.

Top Things to Do in Baku

Given the number of options you have here, it can be a real challenge to decide which the best places to see in Baku are. Here is a comprehensive list of all the exciting things to do and see in Baku that you should definitely give a try on your trip: -

• Visit the Palace of Shirvanshahs
• Take a Stroll Seaside
• Explore the Old City of Baku
• Take a Trip to Yanar Dag
• Visit the Maiden Tower
• See the Famous Flame Towers
• Explore the Gobustan National Park
• Visit the National Flag Square
• Go to the Museum of Miniature Books

Visit the Palace of Shirvanshahs

The Palace of Shirvanshahs is a mediaeval architectural marvel and undoubtedly one of the best places to see in Baku. As the name suggests, this structure was built in the 15^th century as the main residence of the Shirvanshahs. They ruled Shirvan, a historical region in Azerbaijan, from the 9th to the 16th centuries.

The large complex consists of several buildings, including a main palace, a mosque, a bathhouse, and a mausoleum. Featuring intricately carved stone walls and perfectly shaped domes and arches, this palace serves as an excellent example of the architectural skills of the Shirvanshah dynasty. Although there are so many fascinating things to see in Baku, this one undoubtedly tops the list. Especially if you are a history enthusiast, a visit to this palace will give you an enriching sightseeing experience.

Take a Stroll Seaside

Baku is one of the largest cities that are located on the shores of the expansive Caspian Sea. The beautiful shoreline serves as an addition to the city’s charm. This is the stretch where you get plenty of sunshine during the day and can enjoy the cool sea breeze in the evening or at night. If you are someone who loves taking those serene walks, this is one of the most amazing things to do in Baku.

Explore the Old City of Baku

The Old City is an area surrounded by fort-like walls and is called the Icheri Sheher by the locals here. Being a great example of ancient architecture and a witness to the eventful past of the country’s capital, this has been designated as a UNESCO heritage site. A guided tour of this part of the city will give you a closer look at the lives of people who lived here between the 12th and 16th centuries. If you want to bask in the glory of a bygone era, this is definitely one of the best things to see in Baku.

Take a Trip to Yanar Dag

Azerbaijan is often called the Land of Fire, and nothing can make you understand the reason behind that better than a small trip to Yanar Dag. This is a place where you can see one of the natural gas flames that the country is famous for. Although most of them were extinguished over time, this one has been burning for several years now. This is also the reason why Yanar Dag is also known as Fire Mountain. It is believed that this natural gas vent was ignited in 1958 by a shepherd. He was roaming in the area with a cigarette and accidentally dropped it, leading to this natural gas flame ignition.

Visit the Maiden Tower

Known for its distinctive shape and sturdy design, the Maiden Tower is another popular historical landmark that you should definitely visit. There are several theories to explain the actual purpose of this structure, which has been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site. One popular belief is that the Maiden Tower was originally built in the 5th or 6th century as part of the defence strategy. Another theory is that this tower was built by the locals to study the moon and other celestial bodies. And a small group of locals believe that it used to serve as a fire-worshipping temple. This structure consists of eight different levels, and the topmost level has a small observation area. From here, you can get breathtakingly beautiful views of the city.

See the Famous Flame Towers

Being one of the most iconic landmarks in Baku, the Flame Towers are something you cannot make a Baku itinerary without. This is a trio of skyscrapers that dominate the breathtakingly beautiful skyline of the Azerbaijan capital. These buildings are covered in thousands of LEDs that display the mesmerising movements of a flame. You can see these astonishing skyscrapers even from the farthest point of the city due to their impressive height. To get the best view of the Flame Towers, you can go for a boat ride and take some Instagram-worthy pictures.

Explore the Gobustan National Park

Located approximately 60 kilometres away from Baku, this is another place that you should definitely include in your travel itinerary. This national park is famous for various things, including ancient carvings, cave paintings, mud volcanoes, and gas stones. The carvings and paintings found here are believed to be centuries old and give good information about prehistoric life. Other than this, the park is home to more than 300 mud volcanoes. Here, you can see hundreds of volcano-like formations where mud continuously spews out, creating small bubbling pools.

Visit the National Flag Square

The National Flag Square is another important thing to see in Baku. This is a prominent public square that features a massive flagpole. Standing at a staggering height of 531 feet, this is among the tallest flags in the world. Other than being a symbol of national pride, this place is perfect for leisurely strolls. Surrounded by lush greenery, this square also offers stunning panoramic views of the Caspian Sea.

Go to the Museum of Miniature Books

There are a number of awe-inspiring museums in the Azerbaijan capital, but this one is one of the most unique and popular of all of them. As the name suggests, the Museum of Miniature Books features a large collection of approximately 6,500 miniature books. These books have been brought from more than 60 different countries, and some of them are only a few millimetres in size. This museum was originally founded in 2002 by Zarifa Salahova, a famous book collector. For book lovers, there can be no place better than this in Baku, as this museum also hosts different events and workshops from time to time.

With the help of this detailed guide, you can easily find the places of interest in Baku and make a travel itinerary. Or, if you are someone who doesn't want the hassle that comes with trip planning, you can take some help as well. Veena World offers a wide range of all-inclusive Baku tour packages that you can choose from.