Baku between the Old City, museums and the Caspian Sea
Accommodation in Baku
Baku can be explored through a wide variety of themes: from the historic center of Icherisheher to museums and music, and the waterfront promenade on the Caspian Sea. Crafts and landscapes are also among the experiences described. As you plan, consider which of these aspects interests you most; this will help you arrange your time according to your preferences.
Icherisheher and architectural history
Icherisheher is Baku’s historic center and has been a museum reserve since 1977. This makes it a clear historical reference point for the city. The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is a 15th-century palace complex built during the reign of Shirvanshah Khalilullah I. Its date and association with a ruler give you concrete points of reference for understanding its architectural history.
The Maiden Tower has served as a museum since 1964. This represents a different period from the palace: its museum function dates back to the 20th century, while the palace complex is associated with the 15th century. If historic buildings interest you, you can consider these different time periods side by side as you explore Baku.
Museums, collections and architecture
The Museum of Miniature Books preserves around 8,000 tiny printed publications from 76 different countries. The collection combines an exceptionally small format with the international origins of the printed works. The Carpet Museum houses more than 6,000 Azerbaijani carpets and is located on Baku’s Seaside Boulevard. Live demonstrations of Azerbaijani carpet-making are also offered there. The collection and demonstrations provide two different insights: into preserved carpets and how they are made.
The Heydar Aliyev Centre, designed by Zaha Hadid, offers another architectural perspective. Together with the collections, it shows how varied Baku’s cultural points of interest are: from printed miniature works and carpets to the architecture of the center designed by Zaha Hadid.
Music and hands-on activities
The International Mugham Center regularly hosts concerts, festivals and mugham evenings. If you would like to include music in your travel plans, you can check event dates in advance. These recurring concert and festival formats differ from a museum visit: they offer an opportunity to experience mugham as part of a performance.
At the open-air complex of the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum in the Qala Reserve, visitors can take part in traditional crafts such as carpet weaving, pottery and blacksmithing. Visitors can also bake lavash bread themselves. These activities invite you to get involved: you can include crafts and bread-making as hands-on experiences in your plans, rather than focusing solely on collections or architecture.
Waterfront promenade and activities on the Caspian Sea
Baku Boulevard is a waterfront promenade and national park on the Caspian Sea, established in 1909. Its location by the water and its long history as a promenade are defining features. You can explore the boulevard on rented bicycles or electric scooters; check the current availability of these rentals before your visit. Visitors can also take a short boat trip on the Caspian Sea from Seaside Boulevard. This gives you a choice between moving along the waterfront promenade and taking a short trip on the water.
Landscape, history and getting around
Ateshgah is located in Baku’s Surakhany district and is an open-air museum. The complex was built in the 17th and 18th centuries on the site of a sacred Zoroastrian temple. Both the period when it was built and its connection to the former temple site are important to its historical context.
Gobustan State Reserve is located in Baku City between the Boyukdash, Kichikdash and Jingirdagh mountains. It contains more than 6,000 ancient petroglyphs and has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its setting and rock art offer two specific aspects to consider when exploring Gobustan. Baku’s Central Botanical Garden also has special playgrounds for families with children.
Tourist Information Points in Baku help visitors plan routes and sightseeing. If you’re looking for a hotel in Baku, start by considering which themes you want to shape your stay: historic buildings, collections and events, activities by the water, or the landscapes and cultural experiences described here.
Discover more destinations: Baku, Nardaran, Mərdəkan, Hovsan, Khirdalan, Lokbatan, Qobu, Qabala
For the main travel overview: Azerbaijan.
