I spent one month in Baku for work. When I was getting ready for my trip, I couldn’t find much information online for travelers to Azerbaijan. That’s why I’m happy to share my favorite places in Baku, recommended to me by a dozen of my colleagues and friends who live there or have visited. This guide includes top spots around the city for sightseeing, eating, drinking, museums and galleries, shopping, and relaxing – like a local!
For more on Azerbaijan, check out Top 10 Things to Do in Baku and Azerbaijani Food: 8 Must-Try Dishes.
Sightseeing
Historic Old City
Spend a day wandering the UNESCO-listed Walled City of Baku (İçәri Şәhәr). Highlights include the 12th- to 15th-century Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, which features in many historical Azerbaijani fairy tales.
Notice the 12th-century defensive walls enclosing the city and the ancient hammams (bathhouses), mosques, and caravanserais (large guesthouses along the ancient Silk Road for traveling merchants and their caravans). Step into the small art galleries like QGallery off a leafy plaza.
Modern Landmarks
In central Baku, head down pedestrian shopping avenue Nizami Street toward Fountains Square. The leafy streets nearby are filled with cafes, restaurants, and great people-watching. For a quintessential Baku experience, join local families and couples for a stroll down the Bulvar (promenade) along the Caspian waterfront at night.
Baku’s three sky-high Flame Towers characterize the city’s skyline. They’re most impressive at night when there’s a light show you can see from almost anywhere in Baku.
The Heydar Aliyev Center is a wave-like architectural wonder designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. While far from the center, it’s a symbol of modern Baku.
Photo Credit: Iwan Baan
Photo Credit: Azerbaijan Travel
Eating
Old City
Top restaurants for local food are cozy Qaynana, full of traditional Azerbaijani decor, and more upscale La Quzu. Both make their own fresh tandir bread. Note that Qaynana, which means mother-in-law, is popular with tourists. Fine dining Art Club Restaurant stands out for presentation and service, more than its food. Some dishes are served with ancient, handmade copperware, an art form recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. For celebrations, Mugam Club is a pricey, atmospheric spot inside an old caravanserai that caters to large parties.
Central Baku
Otdix, with its outdoor courtyard, is loved by locals. The food is superb, but note that only a few waiters speak English (check out my resources page for my favorite free translation app). Restaurant Shah, Namlı Kebap (for kebabs), and fine dining Sumakh are other great options for Azerbaijani food. On the Bulvar, pricey SAHiL is delicious, with individual-sized shah plov (a traditional rice dish usually prepared for groups).
Drinking
Tea
Teahouse Çay Bağı 145 is perfectly located in the Old City. You can sit outside on top of ancient bathhouses or upstairs with a view of Maiden Tower. Try black tea with thyme and clove, a local favorite. Note that hookah is smoked inside and outside.
Coffee
United Coffee Beans and Coffee Moffie both have quality coffee, desserts, and lovely balconies for sitting outside. While United Coffee Beans is best for food and has a diverse breakfast menu, Coffee Moffie serves wine and beer.
Bars
Head to popular KEFLI Local Wine & Snacks to try local wines, including Azerbaijan’s unique pomegranate wine. The area around Fountains Square is great for bar hopping. Hops Pub Baku is a popular spot with over a dozen bars nearby.
Museums & Galleries
For Art Lovers
Baku’s Museum of Modern Art has an incredible collection of Azerbaijani avant-garde, with 800+ works of art from the mid-20th century until now. Art lovers shouldn’t miss it and plan to stay a few hours.
YARAT Contemporary Art Space hosts art exhibitions by international and local artists to explore and showcase contemporary art in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus. YARAT is far from the center, but its thought-provoking and cutting-edge installations are well worth a visit.
For Culture Vultures
The National Carpet Museum provides an introduction to Azerbaijani carpet-making, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The museum has a superb collection of rugs, but because the building is shaped like a rolled carpet, rugs are awkwardly displayed from distances.
Hammams
Hammams have been a place for Azerbaijanis to relax, bathe, and socialize since the Middle Ages, though they’re not as central to today’s modern culture. The Azerbaijani hammam experience entails a soak, steam, and full-body scrub. Massages are an add-on service.
Historic
The Old City’s 18th-century Agha Mikayil Hammam, Baku’s oldest functioning hammam, offers a simple and authentic hammam experience. It’s open to women on Mondays and Fridays and men on all other days.
Modern
Go to HamamBath for a modern and luxurious hammam and spa. It’s a 15-minute drive from the Old City.
Shopping
There’s perhaps no better place for shopping (and people-watching) in Baku than upscale, pedestrianized Nizami Street. It has a variety of local and international shops and boutiques.
Carpets
Brothers’ Carpets in the Old City has quality, handmade Azerbaijani carpets and excellent customer service. Foreign Ambassadors are known to buy their carpets there.
Spices, Tea, & Baklava
Yaşil Bazaar, Baku’s largest food market, has spices (like Azerbaijani saffron), tea, and baklava you can buy packaged to take home. At the bazaar you’ll find carefully stacked produce, vendors playing nərd (the local version of backgammon), and cups of tea carried on silver platters.
For better gift wrapping, you can buy Azerbaijani saffron, tea, and baklava at Sheki Sweet Home in the Old City.
Handmade Souvenirs & Art
Handicraft Showroom by Port Baku has handmade souvenirs and artwork made by local artists and designers.
Note for Travelers
Some of the leading banks in Azerbaijan (and the museums, restaurants, etc. that use them) do not accept American credit cards. This may be the case for credit cards from other Western banks too. You can bypass this using Google Pay or Apple Pay, but always carry cash just in case, as this workaround has been disabled during times of conflict.
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