A few years ago, the capital of Azerbaijan could not be called a popular tourist city, but now everything is changing rapidly. The main city of our closest neighbor turns out to be no less interesting than other European cities.
Thanks to the oil industry, Baku is growing and actively developing, urban planners have grandiose plans for the development of the city, but now it has something to surprise even sophisticated tourists.
123RF / ververidis
What to see
The Baku Old Town, locally Icheri Sheher, surrounded by a well-preserved fortress wall, is vividly captured in the film “The Diamond Arm” - it was in Baku in 1968 that they shot “foreign” episodes of a cult film.
The Old Town has a special atmosphere, in its cozy side streets paved with pavers, small hotels, ancient mosques, baths, cafes and many souvenir shops are hidden.
Anna Ivanova
Icheri Sheher and its two main pearls - the Maiden’s Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs - are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Most of all, Baku impresses with the contrast of ancient and modern architecture.
The old city and the flaming towers of Flaming Towers from everywhere viewed in one shot are the hallmark of the metropolis, you will see them on any postcards.
123RF / andreyshevchenko
Built five years ago, the Flaming Towers is the pride of Baku, now it is the tallest building in the city. Next to the towers is a large observation deck, which offers excellent views of the entire Baku bay. You can climb there by the free cable car, which leaves from the promenade.
In addition to the three conspicuous towers, there are many other interesting modern projects in Baku. The first of these you will most likely see the unusual building of the international airport. The most impressive, without any doubt, is the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, designed by the famous Iranian architect Zaha Hadid. The huge white streamlined structure, entirely woven from smooth lines with intricate bends, was recognized in 2014 as the best building in the world.
Anna Ivanova
No less impressive are the projects that are yet to be implemented. A lotus-shaped shopping center, a grand crescent hotel are under construction, and the White City is growing on the Caspian Sea - a promising area of \u200b\u200bnew buildings of different architectural styles and purposes. The scale of all these projects reflects the desire of Baku to stand on a par with the largest European capitals. As well as the holding of the Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2016 on the track laid in the very center, around the Old Town.
Have you been to Baku?
Vote
In addition to its appearance, Baku has something to show from the inside: local museums are using interactive technologies with might and main. It is worth climbing to the Maiden Tower, on several floors of which its main legends are told in detail; to study the exposition of the darkened halls of the Shirvanshahs Palace to delve into the history of Azerbaijan; then move on to modern art in the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, where in addition to futuristic interiors, you can consider models of the most beautiful buildings of the city.
Anna Ivanova
Do not ignore the Carpet Museum - an unusual building designed in the form of a curled carpet, where the creations of various schools of carpet weaving are exhibited.
Not all the charm of Baku can be appreciated in the light of day, so do not miss the opportunity to walk around the city in the evening when it gets dark. The spectacular illumination of the streets, the illumination of buildings and fountains cannot but impress. Flaming Towers are especially good at this time of day with their changing lighting.
A spoon of tar
Everything cannot be exceptionally good - any city has its drawbacks. In Baku, first of all, be prepared for traffic jams, especially in the historical center, where there are many narrow streets and parking problems.
The second thing that may unpleasantly surprise is the abundance of construction projects. This is the flip side of a rapidly growing city, a massive and natural phenomenon.
Anna Ivanova
Non-smoking tourists will inevitably encounter a problem when visiting Baku restaurants. There is no ban on smoking in Azerbaijan, as well as the division into smoking and non-smoking rooms. You will have to endure cigarette smoke in the hall or choose poorly populated establishments, where it is less likely to meet smoking visitors at the next table.
What to try
One of the main advantages of Baku is the national cuisine, which includes many dishes of lamb, which Azerbaijanis can cook like no other. These are the well-known kutabs, dolma, kebab, less well-known jizz-byz, saj, piti, kyufta-bozbash, dyushbara and several types of pilaf.
123RF / olepeshkina
In addition, they are no less specialists in gourmet oriental desserts.
All these dishes are not only tasty, but also very affordable, especially now that the Azerbaijani manat has fallen along with the price of oil.
Attitude to Russian tourists
Since Azerbaijan is the former union republic of the USSR, many locals have close ties with Russia. They treat Russian tourists very kindly, in some homely cozy establishments they can ask with interest where you are from, and then bring refreshments from the restaurant.
Almost all local residents in Baku speak Russian, except that in some situations they can switch to English.
When to go
Azerbaijan is a sunny country, so at any time of the year there is a high probability of catching clear weather. The coldest month is January, at which time the snow lies in the mountains, and strong winds blow throughout the country. While on the coast (where Baku is located) there is no snow, but the temperature can range from 0 to 12 degrees Celsius, which is quite comfortable for walking around the city.
123RF / Magdalena Paluchowska
Those who are not attracted to travel in the cold season should choose the warm season: everything blooms on the coast in April, and in May this summer begins. Do not forget that the Azerbaijani capital is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and there are equipped beaches in the vicinity of Baku.
To explore any major city, you need to spend about 3-4 days. Baku is not an exception, but if, in addition to the capital, you want to see other places, it is worth laying more time, depending on the volume of plans.
How to navigate
Perhaps the best way to travel for a tourist is on foot. Thanks to walking, you can better navigate in the city and gradually penetrate into its essence.
But not all distances are within the power of the legs, sometimes you can’t do without transport. In the case of Baku, you should use the metro - at least to get an idea of \u200b\u200bit.
For short distances, the local eggplant taxi is good - these are the cabs purchased in London for Eurovision 2012 - spacious comfortable taxis that ride on the counter. To travel to and from the airport, you can use the well-known Uber taxi system: calling a car is convenient, since there is free Wi-Fi at the airport.
What to bring
The numerous souvenir shops of the Old City sell famous carpets, elements of Azerbaijani clothing and household textiles. Pay attention to colorful jewelry and national dishes, for example, Armuds (pear-shaped glasses for tea) or original table souvenirs in the form of pomegranates.
123RF / alexmama
It is also worth taking a closer look at regional food and drinks - friends and relatives will certainly be happy with oriental sweets and good wine.
Go to section:
Why go and what to see in Baku
Baku is a surprisingly hospitable city located on the shores of the Caspian Sea; it has its own rich history, culinary traditions, natural attractions, while Baku is a modern city with a developed infrastructure, modern buildings and lots of entertainment. In addition, tourists are attracted to Baku and its mild climate, coupled with the possibilities of a beach holiday, and they are truly unlimited in the vicinity of Baku.
It’s definitely worth going to Baku to feel its oriental flavor, to taste delicious dishes, to see traditional and cutting-edge architecture, to visit the surroundings of the city and explore natural sights, and, of course, to breathe in the salty air while walking along the famous Baku Embankment, located right on the shore of the mighty Caspian.
For excursion purposes, you can visit Baku at any time of the year; for a beach holiday, the period from June to September inclusive is suitable. It is better to look for places for a beach holiday in the nearest suburbs of Baku (Bilgia, Mardakan, Zagulba, Novkhany, etc.), where there is an appropriate infrastructure, and the beaches themselves will please with their cleanliness, well-groomed and fine golden sand. Within the city limits is the Baku port.
Francisco Anzola / flickr
Climate and weather in Baku
The climate of Baku is mild continental, without sharp changes. The air temperature gradually rises and reaches its peak in July-August and also gradually decreases and reaches its lows in December-January. Even in winter, the thermometer seldom drops below zero. Autumn, winter and spring are perfect for trips to Baku for sightseeing purposes, the weather has long walks, there is no sweltering heat characteristic of the summer season.
Summer in Baku is hot, arid, with virtually no rain. In July-August, when the temperature can reach +40 degrees, long walks around the city may not be comfortable, but for a beach holiday on the Caspian coast, the Baku summer is perfect. Fairly warm weather in Baku has been established since the end of April, but swimming will only be possible starting in June, as water warms up more slowly.
There are not so many rainfalls in Baku, basically, they are typical for the period from November to March. At this time of year there are short-term rains, the weather becomes more cloudy, in some years (not every year) snow may fall in Baku for a short time. You can read more about the weather in Baku by season in
Trevor Claringbold / flickr
Currency, language, local time in Baku
The currency of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani manat, designated as AZN. Paying is accepted in local currency, therefore, before or upon arrival, you should take care of the cash exchange. At the Baku airport, you can exchange not only dollars or euros, but also rubles. The approximate exchange rate at the beginning of 2018 is 34 rubles for 1 manat.
The official and most frequently used language in Azerbaijan, incl. in Baku is the Azerbaijani language. Not everyone knows the Russian language, but they will understand you in tourist places. In large hotel chains you will more likely be understood if you speak English, as the staff is imprisoned to receive foreign guests. The menu in the restaurants can be duplicated in English or Russian, but this is only if you have chosen a place visited by tourists. If you want to try authentic Azerbaijani cuisine, then you should go to those institutions visited by the locals themselves, but in this case there is a risk of stumbling onto a language barrier, and you will have to speak with gestures.
The time difference between Baku and Moscow is 1 hour. Thus, Baku is in the GMT + 4 time zone, while Moscow is in the GMT + 3 time zone. Daylight hours in Baku last a little longer.
Aero Icarus / flickr
How to get to Baku
The most popular way to get to Baku from Russia is air travel. It is possible to fly on the Moscow-Baku route without changes at once by several airlines. Flights, for example, are operated by Azal (Azerbaijani Airlines), Utair, S7, Aeroflot. Flight time will average 4 hours (there) and 2 hours (back). Azal flies from Vnukovo, and returns to Domodedovo; Utair uses only Vnukovo Airport, S7 is based in Domodedovo; Aeroflot takes off and returns to Sheremetyevo. From other cities of Russia, a transplant is required in Moscow.
In addition to airplanes, you can also get to Russia from Baku by train, but the travel time will be significant. So, for example, the train from Moscow to Baku takes two days, the frequency of flights is small, so there is no point in considering this option as a tourist one.
In Baku, airplanes from Moscow and other cities land at the G.Aliyev international ultramodern airport. The airport is located not in the city itself, but 25 km from it, and connected to Baku by a new generation expressway (construction was carried out in 2008). There are 2 passenger terminals open at the airport - for receiving international flights and local ones. The international terminal was built recently, in 2014 and is made in the style of futurism. The terminal impresses not only with its scale, but also with its design features.
Inside the terminal you can find everything that you may need upon arrival or during a transit change - cafes, restaurants, shops, Duty-Free, Internet access, banking services, a medical center, baggage packing, airport hotel, business lounges, etc. P.
There are several ways to get from Baku airport to the city center. In the daytime, you can use public transport. So, for example, you can leave the airport on the bus shuttle No. H1. The bus will take you to the central metro station "May 28". Shuttles ply every half an hour throughout the day. The fare is 1.3 manat (with a BakiKART transport card) and 1.5 manat for a one-time ride without a card. Read more about
In addition, you can also get from the airport by taxi or transfer. The option is relatively inexpensive and convenient if you travel with a lot of suitcases, with small children or arrive at night. You can catch a taxi at the exit of the arrival terminal, or book an individual transfer in advance. Transfer services can be ordered at various international services:
- ordering system
-
This is quite convenient and saves you from the extra hassle after arriving at the airport. The issue price ranges from 20 euros one way.
IsaMCRosado1 / wikipedia
Public transport in Baku
In Baku, as a large metropolitan metropolis, it has a developed public transport network, so it will not be difficult for tourists to travel around the city from one attraction to another. To explore the city center, in general it is enough to use only the metro (only 2 branches). If there is a need to leave for more remote areas of the city, then buses and minibuses will come to the rescue. Please note that at night, from midnight to 6 am, public transport in Baku does not function.
In addition to buses, minibuses and the metro, public transport in Baku can also include a funicular that runs along the Nagorny Park-Ploshchad Neftyanikov Avenue route. By the way, this is a great way to explore the city.
To use the Baku metro, you must purchase a reusable card, which can later be replenished by the required amount. By the way, the card can be returned to the cashier after use (relevant if you arrived in Baku for just a couple of days). One-time bus fare is paid in the cabin at the conductor. The fare is 0, 2 manat, which is quite cheap by metropolitan standards.
Of course, you can also use taxi services for transportation, here they are relatively inexpensive. For reference - the Uber taxi system operates in Baku. You can order a taxi not only for traveling around the city, but also, for example, for traveling around the area, this is a common practice among tourists in Baku. If you wish, you can get to natural attractions outside of Baku by suburban buses. More information about public transport routes can be found in
Metro scheme Baku / wikipedia / Boris Berdichevsky
Car rental in Baku
The car rental service is gaining more and more popularity in Baku, especially among those travelers who do not plan to limit themselves to just exploring the capital. For example, car rental is relevant for trips around the Absheron Peninsula, and for longer trips to the National Parks of Azerbaijan. You can even say that in such cases, a car is the most reliable way to travel, because public transport can deliver you far from always and not everywhere.
On the contrary, in order to move only around the city, renting a car is not necessary at all. Baku has big problems with traffic jams, so driving a car here is just a waste of your time. In this sense, the metro is a real lifesaver for tourists in a hurry to explore Baku as much as possible for a limited period of time.
If you decide to rent a car in Baku, then you need to keep in mind that at local rental points, cars can be "seen", so it is recommended to rent a car in a trusted international service. You can find these both in the city center and at the arrival airport. For example, at the Baku airport, offices of such distributors as Avis or Hertz are open. You can book the desired class of car in advance, then the on-site registration procedure will be simplified for you.
Francisco Anzola / Baku
Sights of Baku
In Baku there are a huge number of different attractions - historical, architectural, natural, cultural, while some of them have no analogues in the world, therefore Baku, in this sense, is a unique and largely inimitable city. It is pleasant to walk around Baku at almost any time, a pleasant sea breeze blows from the embankment, the streets are mostly wide, there are many avenues, many park areas.
The main centers of attraction in Baku are Baku Seaside Boulevard, Flame Towers towers, Icheri Sheher Old Town, Little Venice District, the Carpet Museum, Nagorny Park with a viewing platform, State Flag Square and the center of Heydar Aliyev. Among the listed attractions, public transport will be required only to the State Flag Square and to the center of Heydar Aliyev. The rest of the sights can be examined one after another, slowly, walking along the city center. Further details about the sights of Baku:
District Icheri Sheher, which is located in the heart of Baku, will allow you to plunge into the history of the city. Here, unlike the rest of Baku, narrow cobblestone streets prevail, buildings built in the traditional style, there are many oriental motifs in the decoration and decoration of the buildings. Well, the concentration of historical monuments and rolls over. Such, for example, include the fortress walls, the Shirvanshahs palace, the baths of Haji Gaib, the Maiden’s tower, which, by the way, can be climbed. The area is small, you can get around in 1-1.5 hours. Entrance to the territory of the old city is free. Entrance fees are charged only in the Shirvanshahs palace and on the Maiden’s Tower.
Francisco Anzola / flickr
From the old town you can go directly to Seaside Park, and from there to Baku embankmentto breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the sea views. The embankment in Baku is a part of the city that is especially beloved by the locals, of which they are proud and carefully monitored. In the Seaside Park you can find several modern glass buildings, pedestrian promenades, and real baobabs adorn all this splendor! Near the boulevard is located and little Venice district, which is a system of water channels through which in summer you can sail on rental gondolas. The place is very romantic, especially in the evening.
Carpet Museum - This is a truly unique place in Baku. Here you can learn about how real oriental carpets are made, what is the history of their creation, you can also see magnificent examples of this art. The Carpet Museum is located near the Little Venice area and is open daily, seven days a week. You can explore the museum on your own, with an audio guide and with a guide. Entrance fee is 8 manat. By the way, the museum building itself will not leave indifferent all lovers of unusual architecture.
Another interesting area of \u200b\u200bthe city is Upland park. You can get here on the funicular or on the stairs. The park is notable for the fact that there is an excellent observation deck with views of the city. In addition, from the park you can walk to alley of Martyrs, Turkish mosque and to the towersFlameTowers. The towers are generally one of the most beautiful modern buildings not only in Baku, but throughout Azerbaijan. At night, the towers are illuminated with amazingly beautiful illuminations. Inside the towers, in addition to the administrative offices, is the Fairmont Baku Flame Towers Hotel (description on Booking.com ), from the windows of which also offer picturesque views of Baku. It’s hard to find a more luxurious place to stay in Baku.
By state Flag Square it is more interesting to walk in the evening when the illumination turns on. It looks especially interesting Water palace, which has a curious architectural form, and in the evening it is also highlighted.
Lovers of unusual architecture in the style of a la futur will love and heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. It is located at a distance from the main attractions, so it is better to get here by transport. The building itself has smooth streamlined shapes, inside there is a museum and the cultural center itself, around the building there is an extensive park with funny sculptures and the inscription “I love Baku”. In the evening, the center is also highlighted.
Niyaz Bakılı / flickr
Excursions in Baku
You can explore Baku on your own, the logistics of movements is quite convenient, but if you want to know a little more about the city, you can turn to local guides who will gladly give you a tour of your favorite city. Excursions in Baku are for every taste - group, individual, pedestrian, bus, automobile, city and suburban. It all depends on your specific interests. You can book a tour in advance at specialized services:
- online booking of group and individual excursions around the world;
- unusual excursions from local guides in Russian.
So, for example, a city tour “ ". There are services and excursions in the vicinity of Baku - to mud volcanoes, to the Ateshgah temple, to the burning Mount Yanardag, to the Absheron villages and to the Gobustan Natural Park.
You can also find excursions upon arrival in Baku, they are often offered in the central part of the city, but in this case you will not guess the quality of services. Alternatively, you can use the Hop on hop off tourist bus, which makes a circle around all the main attractions of Baku, and on-board audio guides in different languages \u200b\u200bare offered.
Francisco Anzola / flickr
Beaches of Baku
Despite the fact that there are city beaches in Baku, still tourists prefer to relax in the vicinity of the city - in the resort villages of Mardakan, Zagulba, Novkhani, Bilgya, Shikhovo. Firstly, there is a large port in the city, which makes swimming not very comfortable, and secondly, resort villages offer their guests developed infrastructure and European-style service, so it is not surprising that beach and bathing lovers make the choice for a rural holiday.
The distance from Baku to the villages is as follows: to Mardakan - 31 km, to Zagulba - 34 km, to Novkhana - 17 km, to Bilgia - 31 km, to Shikhovo - 25 km. The beaches at these resorts are mostly sandy, with a gentle entrance to the sea. The relief of the Absheron peninsula does not have a rocky bottom at all. Many beach areas belong to specific hotel chains, in which case the place will be equipped with umbrellas, sun loungers, showers, toilets. If you are not a guest of this hotel, then you will have to pay for using the equipment. The level of hotel service in the resorts in the vicinity of Baku can be compared with the European one, so some tourists go here specifically for a beach holiday.
You can get to the resort villages from Baku by public transport or taxi. A wide network of suburban buses runs from Baku, which will take you to the right place. True, the bus network often changes, so it is better to check the route with the driver, so as not to go the wrong way. If you go to the resorts right after arrival from the airport, without visiting Baku itself, then it makes sense to order a taxi (transfer) to a place so as not to get confused with public transport connections. Taxis in Baku are relatively inexpensive. You can book an individual transfer in advance at the following services:
- ordering system taxi transfers from airports, train stations and hotels around the world;
- self-reservation system for tourist transfers to / from hotels via the Internet.
Trevor Claringbold / flickr
Baku Hotels
Baku offers a wide variety of places to stay. Here you can find hotels, apartments, hostels, villas, guest houses, holiday homes, bed and breakfast hotels, resort hotels, etc. The budget can also be very diverse from budget and minimalist options to chic and luxury. The middle price segment is also widely represented. Conventionally, all Baku hotels can be divided into city and resort. The former are located within Baku, the latter - in resort villages around the city.
In Baku, you can find hotels of all star categories, while hotels in the 4 * and 5 * categories often have such additional services as the presence of a sauna, pool, fitness center. Meals in hotels in Baku most often - breakfast. In resort hotels you can also find options such as “half board” or “full board”. If you are staying in the suburbs of Baku for a beach holiday, then it makes sense to consider hotels located on the first beach line, often such private hotels have their own private beach areas.
The standard options that are often provided by hotels in Baku can also include free wi-fi connection (everywhere), availability of parking spaces, the presence of a restaurant in or nearby, the ability to order a shuttle to the airport for an additional fee.
The largest number of tourist hotels of various categories are concentrated in areas such as Fountain Square, Flame Towers, Nagorny Park, the center of Heydar Aliyev, as well as the Old Town. By the way, choosing the last option, you can feel the real atmosphere and flavor of Baku, because the buildings in which these hotels are located have a long history. A complete list of hotels, inns and apartments in Baku can be found on the sites booking sites:
Booking - booking hotels in 120,000 destinations around the world;
Hotellook - search and comparison of the best prices for hotels, inns and apartments;
There you can book your preferred option in advance. Speaking of early booking. There are so many accommodation options in Baku that you can not be afraid not to find yourself an overnight stay. The other question is that booking a hotel in advance, you will avoid overpaying on the spot. As you know, the best hotels in terms of price / quality ratio diverge the fastest.
Adam jones / flickr
Shopping in Baku
Baku has a real oriental flavor, while it has a European level of service. That is why shopping in the city is very diverse - from elite single-brand boutiques and shopping centers to colorful oriental bazaars and spontaneous flea markets. The best shopping streets can be considered the city center - streets N. Gyadzhevi, Z. Aliyeva, A. Aliyev and R. Rza, as well as Neftyanikov Avenue, which are full of names of fashionable brands of clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry.
There are a lot of shopping malls in Baku. These include, for example, Ganjlik Mall, Port Baku Mall, 28 Mall, Metropark. Here you can also find a wide variety of brands, labels, brands, as well as various recreation areas — cafes, restaurants, cinemas, children's playgrounds. In fact, these are real “trading cities” with their developed infrastructure.
If you want to wander around the eastern bazaar and feel its bustle, delicious smells and see and taste southern fruits and oriental sweets, then you should definitely go to one of the Baku bazaars. One of the largest food markets in Baku is the Teze Bazaar market. If you want to find unusual souvenirs and bring them from the trip, then that can be better than oriental spices, spices and honey, of which there is a large abundance on the market. From what else to try at the Baku bazaars are sheep’s cheese, southern dried fruits, oriental sweets, as well as just fresh fruits and vegetables (especially in season).
shankar s./tail bazaar
Food in Baku
Food in Baku can be either familiar European (something that most tourists are used to), or national Azerbaijani. In the city you can find a great many restaurants and cafes that offer both European cuisine and Azerbaijani cuisine. It is worth considering that, in general, the national cuisine of Azerbaijan is more fat and spicy, you need to keep this in mind in case of exacerbation of chronic diseases and gastrointestinal disorders.
In the center of Baku you can find a food service for every taste, they are open, as a rule, all day until late in the evening. Prices, with the exception of several gourmet restaurants, are lower than Moscow. If you want to try real Azerbaijani food, then you should pay attention to such dishes as barbecue, kebab, kutab, hingal, pilaf. Most often, meat dishes will be prepared from lamb or beef, as they don’t eat pork in Azerbaijan. The proximity of the sea also makes it possible to taste fresh sea fish and dishes from it. As for desserts, kurabye, baklava, mutaki and shekerbourg are popular.
When choosing a restaurant, it is worth paying attention to its location. For example, in the Old Town, restaurants will have beautiful views of historical sites, and on the promenade - at sea. In summer, some restaurants offer guests to enjoy outdoor terraces with panoramic views. In addition to restaurants and cafes, you can also buy food at numerous supermarkets. This food option is considered more budget. Supermarkets in Baku are not much different from Russian or European, so you can find any usual food and drinks here.
shankar s./ khinkali restaurant
Prices in Baku
Prices in Baku for accommodation, food, public transport and sightseeing are generally lower than in the capitals of Europe or Moscow. Of course, the price tag largely depends on the class of the institution that you visit or in which you stop. So, for example, lunch in a cafe without alcohol will cost, on average, 20-30 manats, in a restaurant - from 25-30 manats, a snack in fast-food establishments - a little cheaper, in the region of 10-15 manats. Products in supermarkets have “store” prices, while in the markets you can bargain and food is often fresher.
The prices in Baku for products are as follows: chilled packaged meat - 5-6 euros per kg, boiled sausage - 4.5-5 euros per kg, sausages - 4 euros per kg, pastries (buns, bagels, croissants) - from 20 to 60 cents, pita bread - 30 cents per pack of 10 pieces, hard cheese - 6.5-7 euros per kg, brine cheese - 3.5-4 euros per kg, milk - 1.20 euros per liter, yoghurts - 1 euro per package 4 pieces, or for 1 large jar, semi-finished dough products (such as pizza) - from 2 to 3 euros per package, local wines - from 3 to 6 euros per bottle.
The standard price for travel in public transport (single trip) is 0.2 manat. Entrance fees to the attractions are as follows: Maiden Tower - 4 euros, Shirvanshahs Palace - 2 euros, G. Aliyev center - 7.5 euros, Ateshgah temple - 1 euros, burning Mount Yanardag - 1 euros, Gobustan Natural Park - 1 euros. (Prices are at the beginning of 2018 and are subject to change).
Raymond Zoller / flickr
Where to go from Baku for one day
Baku is beautiful in itself, but the sights in the vicinity of the city are quite unusual, many can only be seen here, so if you have time to visit, it is definitely worth it. Such places include, for example, a unique gobustan nature reservewhere unusual rocks and rocks are covered with mysterious hieroglyphs and cave paintings. Gobustan Nature Reserve is considered an archaeological site, which is under the protection of UNESCO. It is located 30 km from Baku.
Mount Yanardag - Another unusual place in the vicinity of Baku. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it burns year-round, i.e. tongues of flame erupt to the surface of the earth. This fact is explained by the fact that there is an accumulation of natural gas near the surface. A similar story with ateshgah templewhere you can also find the source of eternal flame. Both places are popular among tourists and travelers.
If you are determined to see not only Baku and its surroundings, then you may be interested National Parks of Azerbaijan. There are eight in total, and each of them has its own unique features and characteristics. Names of parks: Zangezur, Ag-Golsky, Shirvan, Girkansky, Altiagadzh, Absheron, Shahdag and Goygelsky, they are located in different parts of Azerbaijan.
David Davidson / Azerbaijan
Practical and intense travel for you!
Baku is an attractive and atmospheric city, but in addition to the capital itself, Azerbaijan has quite interesting places where you can go at your leisure. Moreover, many of them are not so far from Baku, so you can go for a day.
How to get around Azerbaijan: transport
The railway is called Azerbaijan Railways, on the official website you can see the schedule. https://ady.az/ru/tables/index/52/44 The station is located near the metro station "May 28."
The main bus station is located near the metro station “January 20”.
The most comfortable and expensive option to travel in Azerbaijan is a taxi. The driver is easy to find in the city, you can arrange for a few days.
Here are some ideas to go from Baku.
Temple of Fire Ateshgah
The first place in this long list belongs to Ateshgahu - or to the temple of fire. It is located thirty kilometers from the center of Baku in the village of Surahani.
How to get there:
Getting here is quite simple: a regular bus (No. 84) regularly runs to the village of Surahani from Baku. And from the final stop to the temple - less than five hundred meters.
Such a dedication to the temple is not surprising. The adherents of Zoroastrianism traditionally worshiped the fire, which in the Middle Ages partially inhabited the lands of Transcaucasia, including the coast of the Caspian Sea, the future territory of modern Azerbaijan. In addition, this region was characterized by such amazing natural phenomena as “flashes of fire” that arose due to the release of combustible gas and oil. Ateshgah was built on the site of one of these outbreaks, which from Azerbaijan translates as "place of fire." Now it is already an established architectural complex, erected in the XVII - XVIII centuries. Moreover, the temple itself, or rather the altar, which served as a place of pilgrimage for all those who, according to the ancient Zoroastrian tradition, worshiped fire, was laid much earlier - back in the 2nd - 3rd centuries. The altar, located in the very center of the hexagonal architectural complex, surrounded by a massive wall with battlements, largely retained its original plan. It is a square open plan room with a hearth-well in the center, completed with a stone dome resting on four wide pylons. It is known that in the 19th century the appearance of natural fiery flames ceased, which led to the outflow of pilgrims and the loss of the “sanctity” of this place. Subsequently, the Ateshgah complex received the status of an architectural reserve and became an open-air museum, and to attract more tourists, the fire was replaced by an artificial one.
Gala Nature Reserve
Another reserve in the vicinity of Baku Gala (Qala), is located forty kilometers from the capital in the village of the same name.
How to get there:
You can get here by regular buses departing from the Koroglu metro station, numbers 101, 187 and 150 will do. Drive not far - the journey will take less than an hour.
The historical and ethnographic museum "Gala" was founded recently - in 2008 at the site of archaeological excavations. The complex, dedicated to the history and culture of Azerbaijan, includes in addition to the ethnographic museum itself - an ancient fortress and a museum of modern art.
In the expositions you can find examples of traditional crafts, life and costumes of the peoples inhabiting the Absheron peninsula. In addition, almost in real size, samples of architectural structures typical for this area are presented here - residential buildings and barrows, tombs and mosques, etc. The sites of the bronze period located on the territory of the reserve did not go unnoticed, from which the cave paintings were well preserved. The collection includes exhibits from the primitive era to modern times. The big plus of this museum is that it is almost interactive - for example, visitors can experience the daily chores of the Azerbaijani people: bake bread on their own, weave a small rug or sculpt a pot. In addition, the museum includes a contact zoo, where it is allowed to feed animals - camels, donkeys, horses, which will probably please the young guests of the museum.
Gobustan historical and art reserve
Fifty Kilometers Located Gobustan historical and art reserveincluded in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
How to get there:
You can get here by regular bus number 120, which leaves for the eponymous city of Gobustan from Azneft Square. In order to get directly to the reserve itself from the final bus stop, you will have to take a little more taxi.
In the Gobustan reserve, first of all, monuments of the primitive era are represented - ancient sites and rock inscriptions. The latter are concentrated mainly in the mountains of Gobustan such as Kichikdash, Shongardag Beyukdash, Jingirdag and Shikhgaya. There are also the remains of one of the ancient cromlechs - a primitive structure that has a sacred, ritual character. It has long been established that cave paintings that arose in the prehistoric period continued to appear until the Middle Ages. In total, in the Gobustan Mountains, there are about six thousand cave paintings that convey traditional hunting scenes, ritual and everyday subjects.
In addition to the primitive monuments, the Gobustan Reserve is famous for mud volcanoes. A few kilometers of dry valleys with cracked earth from the sun, low hills with flowing mud streams give the impression of unreality. Mud flows mixed with oil and water are not as hot as traditional volcanic lava. Volcanoes themselves, at times, amaze with their small size, although quite impressive dimensions are also found.
Boyuk Zira Island
How to get there:
You can get here by ferry departing from Baku, however, you will need to purchase an excursionjuly
Another interesting place near Baku is the island of Boyuk-Zira, located fifteen kilometers from the capital. Surrounded by the warm Caspian Sea, it attracts not only the opportunity to visit the island on the open sea, on Boyuk-Zira there is an old lighthouse of the XIX century, which has long been chosen by tourists. The lighthouse was blown up during the Great Patriotic War and restored already in the second half of the 20th century, which does not reduce its popularity. At the moment, the island looks abandoned and not well-groomed, but it is known that a number of large-scale projects for its improvement are being prepared.
Ganja city
At a decent distance from Baku is the second largest city in Azerbaijan - Ganja.
How to get there:
You can get here from the capital by night train. This is very convenient, since the path ahead is not close - it is necessary to overcome about 350 kilometers and spend five hours on the road.
This city, although inferior in beauty to the capital, is still quite distinctive and interesting, so if you have free time, without fear of distance, you should safely go on a trip. In addition, despite its size, Ganju, if desired, can be easily walked around in one day and explore all the main attractions of this place.
It is believed that the city was founded by the Arabs in the 7th century, and subsequently repeatedly became the capital of the various principalities and khanates that occupied this territory. For its long history, Ganja was ruled by Seljuts, Tatar-Mongols, Turks, and in the XIX century. he was even part of the Russian Empire under the name Elisavetpol. Now Ganja is quite an attractive city with a rich history, which is popular with tourists. Like many other cities of Azerbaijan, Ganja is primarily interesting for the magnificent architecture of the East: ancient architectural complexes, colorful Muslim mosques and monuments of our time. Among the main attractions of the city, first of all, the archaeological complex of the medieval old Ganja stands out, which, by the way, is located six kilometers from the modern city. To this day, the remains of the citadel - the ruins of fortress walls and towers - have been preserved from the complex. To the north of the old Ganja is a no less famous monument - the mausoleum of Imam-zade, dating from the XIV century. It is also impossible in Ganja to ignore the Sheikh Bahauddin ensemble, which includes the Shah Abbass mosque or the Juma mosque, a caravanserai and a bathhouse built in the Middle Ages.
Lahic and Sheki
Behind the provincial flavor is to go to the medieval village of artisans - Lahij Village.
How to get there:
You can get here from the aforementioned city of Ganja.
You can continue on sheki city, in which it is worth visiting the fortress and palace of the Sheki Khans. It makes sense to visit the last three cities as part of a circular route through Azerbaijan, without returning every day to Baku.
Baku every year more and more often causes genuine interest among tourists. However, as practice shows, it is not worth stopping at one capital, there are quite a lot of other distinctive, attractive places in Azerbaijan.
Do you have only 2-3 days to visit the capital of Azerbaijan? No problem! You will have time to see the most important sights of Baku, and everything else can be mastered next time.
The speed of development of a new city is different for everyone and the goals are different for everyone. It is interesting for one traveler to see as much as possible and preferably as quickly as possible, but for another, the atmosphere of the city is important and he does not mind setting himself in a cafe and watching the life of the city from the side. I will try to focus on average speed and desire to see the sights of Baku, while leaving pauses for evening walks, mastering the national cuisine and other pleasant things.
If you have planned 2 days in Baku, then it is advisable not to spray on the surroundings. Believe me, there are a lot of interesting things in the capital itself. If 3 days are available, then it already makes sense to consider an excursion outside of Baku.
What to see in 2 days in Baku?
I would conditionally divide the two-day “weekend” into the historical part and the modern one. The first day entirely can be given to the inspection of the Old City (Icheri Sheher). Perhaps this is the main attraction of Baku.
Wander slowly through the streets, look into the workshop of Ali Shamsi and the museum of miniature books, go on an excursion to the Shirvanshahs palace and climb the Maiden Tower. A detailed description of the photo is in the articles:
In the evening, you can sit in a cozy cafe right in the Old Town, take a walk along the evening promenade or even go to the bathhouse. Why not?) I think that you will definitely feel the local flavor. Near the Old Town is the Fountain Square and the pedestrian Nizami Street. If you want shopping and moving, then you need to move there.
Devote the second day to modern Baku. Yesterday you could not pass by the symbol of Baku - three flaming towers, and this is far from all that the city boasts of. Do you like something unusual? Hire a bike and ride along the promenade with a breeze or take a boat trip.
An excellent observation platform is located at the foot of the towers. You can get here by funicular or on foot. I described this route in the article "" (route number 2).
Not far from the Ferris wheel is an ideal place for romantic photo shoots - Little Venice Park. Well, you are also unlikely to miss the carpet museum. This is another very recognizable object and an unusual modern landmark of Baku.
Do not be too lazy to roll to the center of Heydar Aliyev. This amazing, futuristic building is rightfully considered the most futuristic attraction in Baku. The center is located on Heydar Aliyev Avenue (metro Nariman Narimanov).
Now attention! If you have the speed of hoo, then you can manage to drive on and look at the burning mountain. I will not say that Yanardag is striking in the heart, but this is definitely a symbolic place in Azerbaijan. You can get yourself on the 217 bus. In order to save time, it is better to take a taxi. Bookmark a photo shoot by a burning mountain for 20-30 minutes.
Most likely you will have to choose between the center of Heydar Aliyev and Yanardag. Well, or lengthen your day by waking up earlier 🙂
For convenience, I put on the card
What to see in 3 days in Baku?
The two days described above remain unchanged, but the third day is definitely worth diversifying the trip to. Especially true if you like ancient artifacts and unusual natural attractions.
In Gobustan there is a piece of another planet - mud volcanoes. If you have never seen them before, then you will definitely be delighted.
Ancient petroglyphs, drawn by an ancient man on a rock and preserved to this day, are waiting for you in the archaeological reserve.
Your trip will definitely take you all day.
And what if you will be in Baku passing all one day or even half a day?
Definitely spend it in the Old Town! Plus, you can try to have time to crawl out onto the embankment and see the Caspian.
Excursions in Baku
If time is catastrophically short, but you want to see a lot, then it makes sense to order online. When booking on the site you need to pay only 20% of the cost of the tour.
Oksana was with you.
Getting there, what to see, where to stay, take a walk and inexpensively, but satisfying to eat are the main questions that arise in my head when you plan to travel to a particular corner of the earth, and Baku is no exception. Having been in the capital of Azerbaijan, he prepared a short guide for those wishing to visit Baku, the largest city in the Caucasus, with a short 2, 3-day visit.
Visa issue and registration
A visa to Azerbaijan for Russian citizens for a stay of up to 90 days is not required. To cross the border, you only need to have a passport valid during your stay in Azerbaijan. Obligatory insurance for entering the country is also not needed, but out of habit, I took it through the Cherehapa service, God saves him safe.
Often on the Internet, the question arises about the mandatory registration of foreigners in Azerbaijan and the possible extortion of funds by border guards on the way back, if there is none. According to State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan - foreign citizens or stateless persons, if they plan to stay in Azerbaijan for more than 10 days, must be registered at the place of stay during this time, for those staying for less than 10 days registration is not required. Registration is free, state duty is not charged.
In order to protect himself from possible problems when leaving Azerbaijan, he took a couple of screenshots from the official website of the HMS, but they were not useful, the border guards did not have any questions.
How to get to Baku?
By plane. The easiest and fastest way to get to Baku. Aeroflot (from Sheremetyevo), S7 (from Domodedovo), Utair (from Vnukovo) and Azerbaijan Airlines - AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines; from Domodedovo, Vnukovo) make their flights from Moscow to the capital of Azerbaijan. The flight takes about 2.5 hours. An Azerbaijani carrier flies from St. Petersburg, Mineralnye Vody and Kazan.
The minimum cost of air tickets Moscow ↔ Baku and St. Petersburg ↔ Baku
Moscow - Baku - MoscowSt. Petersburg - Baku - St. Petersburg
By train. Every Saturday, the train 055Ч Moscow - Baku leaves from the Kursk railway station in Moscow to Baku, the journey takes 2 days 5 hours. From Rostov-on-Don you can get on the direct train Rostov-on-Don - Baku 392С or passing Kharkov - Baku 390О. Travel time is 1 day 9 hours and 1 day 8 hours, respectively.
By bus. There are no direct official bus routes between Moscow and Baku. But you can get with a change in Stavropol (Moscow - Stavropol, Stavropol - Baku).
Baku airport. How to get to the city center?
Heydar Aliyev Baku International Airport is located 25 km east of Baku and is connected to the city by a modern highway. All international flights arrive at the new modern terminal opened in 2013. There are not many flights to the airport, so customs will not take much time upon arrival. Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport. Smoking rooms were in the departure zone, but disappeared in 2017.
Upon arrival, at the Baku airport after leaving the clean zone there is an exchanger where you can buy manats, but the course, which is not surprising, is not very good. Here you will find at least 2 ATMs. On my last trip in April 2017, one did not work, and the second took a commission - 1 manat, in 2016 it was not.
There are two ways to get from Baku airport to the city center: by taxi and by bus.
By taxi. When leaving the arrivals area, they will immediately approach you and offer a taxi to the city, these are the most cunning taxi drivers, since by the rules they are forbidden to enter the terminal. Refuse, go outside, and there are already many more, and everyone considers it his duty to come up and offer their services. Reviews about a taxi from Baku airport to the city, and generally taxi drivers in Baku are not very good and come down to the fact that each of them is trying to breed a tourist as much as possible. Therefore, if you plan to take a taxi from the airport, then go to the KiwiTaxi.ru website and read the prices for the official transfer, and upon arrival you can already bargain with taxi drivers starting from a certain amount. Or easier book a taxi in advance online, and the driver will meet you at the exit from the arrivals area with a nameplate and take you to the place indicated in your voucher.
Upon arrival at Baku Airport, you can also order a taxi via the Internet (Wi-Fi available) Uber. To use this service, you need to download the Uber application on your smartphone (if it is, of course, not installed) in Google Play for Android or in iTunes for Apple devices, install and register by linking a bank card to your account. Currently, the fare on Uber from Baku airport to May 28 metro (express route, which is described below) is 15 manat according to the calculation on the official website.
By bus. A bus from Baku airport to the city center (route H1) leaves in the daytime every 30 minutes, and at night every hour from a stop opposite the exit from the international terminal (on the left, without parking) and follows with one stop at the Koroglu metro station (azerb. Koroğlu) to the metro station on May 28 (azerb. 28 May), which is located near the Baku railway station. Starting from 2017, from the May 28 station towards the airport, the bus does not have a clear schedule - it arrived, dropped off, and landed on the return trip.
BakiKART machine and bus schedule from Baku airport to the city
How to pay the fare. To travel by bus, you must purchase in a specialized BakiKART automatic machine (plastic card, price: 2.00 manat) or BakiKART for temporary use (paper card, price: 0.20 manat) and immediately replenish it for the fare in the shuttle - 1.30 manat. Vending machines are located to the right and left of the exit from the airport. The maximum bill that they accept when buying 1 temporary card with a trip from the airport to the city costing 1.5 manat - 5 manat, change is issued in coins. You can replenish the temporary card immediately for 2 trips (round-trip), thereby saving 20 qepiks.
Where to stay in Baku?
Today, Booking.com received an email with an individual referral link. When booking on it, both you and me will receive a bonus of 1,000 rubles. The promotion itself is valid only for 10 bookings, so hurry up to take advantage. Well, the link itself: https://www.booking.com/s/35_6/d5f6d311. If reservations are still available, then you will see at the bottom of the screen:
The best option for a tourist is, of course, an inexpensive hotel in the center of Baku near the seaside boulevard, you can say this is a dream, because there are not enough budget options with this location and they are quickly picked up. I’m lucky on Booking.com three star hotel The Empire Hotel, located almost immediately behind the local parliament building, and offering a substantial discount on accommodation. Before booking, I checked the cost of living in this hotel through RoomGuru.ru price comparison service and made sure that Booking.com offers the best option. 4 nights stayed at 140 manat. The Empire Hotel the hotel is not wow, despite its name, and the treshka is below average, but the location is good.
Also, what I want to say about the choice of a hotel in Baku, if there are 2 approximately the same hotels in quality and cost and one is located nearby or inside Icheri Sheher (Old, inner city), and the second in the parliament area, stop your choice on the first.
The farther the hotel is from the boulevard, the price-quality ratio is noticeably higher, if you do not take into account the distance. And if near such a hotel there is a bus stop that goes to the center, or a metro station, then you can safely book a room in it.
Didn't find a suitable hotel? Look at the apartments, apartments on the Airbnb service, there are quite a lot of interesting offers in Baku. And if you do not already have an Airbnb account, then register at www.airbnb.ru/c/226361. This will bring both you and me 1,500 rubles.
Transport in the city
Public transport in Baku:
- the metro is very similar to the Moscow metro. BakiKART is used for payment, the fare is 0.20 manat;
- bakuBus buses, new and modern, run through the city. BakiKART is used for payment, the fare is 0.20 manat. Route diagram and detailed information is available at official website;
- old buses that connect the capital with the suburbs. We are ready to pick up a voting passenger on any part of the route, paying in cash to a specially trained person. Detailed information on routes on the site (the site is currently unavailable);
- taxi. They are everywhere, you will not be lost, but they really like to cash in on tourists. I recommend where it is possible to use Uber.
Uber tariffs in Baku
Where to eat in Baku is tasty and inexpensive
I can immediately confess, I haven’t visited many places, I haven’t been looking for local flavor. The task was to find a cafe in the center, where the waiters speak Russian, there is a Russian menu, and, of course, tasty and not very expensive.
The first place I was advised to go to is cafe Eriste (6/8 Gazanfara Alizade Street) was located in the basement not far from the old city and the Fountain Square. You can immediately see that the cafe is for locals, the food is tasty and inexpensive, the waiter speaks Russian, but the small room and the lack of a menu in Russian predetermined my choice not in his favor, although it may have been affected by fatigue or something else.
The day after a walk around the city I went to cafe Araz, which was recommended on the Vinsky forum. This institution is located on Fountain Square. If you face KFC, then City Fountain cafe is to its right, and Araz just to the right. Most of the waiters speak Russian, the menu is in Azerbaijani, Russian and English, there is a large selection of dishes for every taste, they set tables on the street in good weather, there is Wi-Fi, the room is divided into smokers and not, they work around the clock, card payment is possible. I opted for this cafe.
If we compare prices in these two establishments, the difference is minimal, in Araz, it’s about 1 manat more expensive, plus they take 60 qepiks (kopecks) for bread, which you can immediately refuse and will not bring it to and will not be included in the bill. For food - tasty and there, and there. In terms of atmosphere and surroundings, Araz noticeably wins, since the room itself is not a basement and is larger in area, plus most of the visitors at the neighboring tables speak our language, you can pay by card.
If you have a desire to eat and at the same time enjoy the amazing view of the "city of lights" from a bird's eye view, visit telequlle Restaurantlocated inside the television tower. The very platform on which this institution is located rotates, so the whole city will float in front of you while eating. The minimum check amount per person is 30 manat. Unfortunately, I myself was not here, since I learned about it after my trip. I would be very glad to hear the reviews of those who visited this restaurant.
Where to drink beer in Baku?
The local most popular beer Xirdalan (Khirdalan) is brewed at the Baltika-Baku factory near the capital. It can be tasted in all cafes, it costs 1.5 - 3 manat.
Several Irish pubs are located in side streets near Fountain Square. Imported beer is poured here: Efes, Krombacher, Blanche de Bruxelles and others at 7-8 manats per half-liter mug; there is also a bottle of Magners (0.33). Unfortunately, after the devaluation of the manat, Guinness, Kilkenny disappeared from the cranes.
Of these institutions, he chose the oldest pub in Baku - Finnegan’s Pub (Abdulkerima Alizadeh, 8). The main role in choosing this pub for the evening time was played by the waiter Orhan, who perfectly supported the conversation, but the bartenders did not lag behind - they did not have to be bored. If you prefer to drink a foamy drink at the counter, then here it is comfortable, wide and long - there is a place. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, Finnegan’s Pub hosts live music concerts, and on Thursdays until 22.00, I will reveal a little secret, all drinks are 4 manat.
Another place that cannot be ignored when discussing beer in Baku is Restaurant Brewery (Istiglaliyet St., 27). To find it is quite simple, get out of the Icheri Sheher metro station, cross the street along the underpass, go left and down the street a little. After 20-30 meters you will see. In the Brewery, 3 taps of beer are constantly presented at the taps, which are brewed here, these are Light - Helles, Red - Medium (Marzen) and Dark - Bavarian G`Mischt, sometimes they still brew a seasonal variety, but for a bad spill (lack of a menu), this beer stagnates and sours, so they plan to abandon this venture. I liked the first two varieties, especially Light, after a long walk it goes great, the proposed dark is not mine. The cost of a beer is 4 manat. But, if you come on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., then every second mug will be free. The staff of the institution - the waiters, the bartender, the cook is very friendly - will treat, tell, show, as they say. Food in the restaurant is much more expensive than in the above cafes.
What to see in Baku and its environs
Sights of Baku
There is enough information on the sights of the capital of Azerbaijan on the Internet, so I will briefly outline the route and list the main ones.
Baku Seaside Boulevard - a promenade with a length of about 6 km, if you count from the White House to the Water Sports Palace, although Wikipedia speaks of some mythical 16 - 25 km.
Seaside Boulevard in Baku. View from the observation deck.
Reaching Primorsky Boulevard to Carpet Museum, you can cross Neftyanikov Avenue and by funicular (travel is free) or walk up the stairs to the hill - Nagorny Park, where there is an excellent observation deck, Alley of Martyrs and Flaming towers. By the way, you can book a room at five-star hotel Fairmont Baku, located in one of the three towers of Flame Towers. From the observation deck, a wonderful view of the whole of Baku, including the old city, seaside boulevard and State Flag Square (by the way, about the square, it is impossible to go up to the flag itself on each of the stairs a guard is on duty).
Alley of Martyrs or Alley of Honorable Burials - most of them who were killed during the tragic events of Black January 1990, when the Soviet army was brought into the city on the night of January 19 to suppress the actions of the political opposition, are buried here.
Get down to Icheri Sheher (Old, inner city), we go inside and see a small square where a monument to the poet Wahid is installed. We move to the right along the fortress wall and find ourselves just near the house, where in Baku they shot the Diamond Armor rather the famous episode "Damn it" (Kichik-Gala St., 8/1, Icheri Sheher).
The place where the episode of the film "Diamond Arm" was shot in Baku.
We continue the walk along the wall and at the moment when the route should close, we exit to the Shirvanshahs palace. Ticket price - 4 manats for adults and 20 qepiks for children.
After visiting the palace complex, it's time to go inside the old city and wander along its narrow streets.
Icheri Sheher - Old City of Baku
If from the metro Icheri Sheher move right up, we’ll go to Fountain Square.
Another of the main attractions of Baku is Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, designed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid. This unusual building can be seen on the first day of your stay in Baku, if you get from the airport to the city center by bus.
Ateshgah fire-worship temple
The Ateshgah temple complex is located in the village of Surakhany, which is only 10 km from the Koroglu metro station in Baku. Initially, the temple was built on this site, since it was here that fire erupted from the earth, which was associated with the natural release of natural gas. Ateshgah is currently an architectural complex in the shape of a hexagon with a toothed outer wall and an entrance portal. In the center of the courtyard rises a quadrangular altar, which was a place of pilgrimage for fire worshipers. Here and now, fire breaks out of the ground, but thanks to specially supplied gas. The word "Ateshgah" means "House of Fire", "Place of Fire." Temple of fire worshipers in the village of Surahani is a State historical and architectural reserve.
The quadrangular main altar and the place of sacrifice of the 18th century
This place did not make any impression on me, possibly due to the large number of tourists and museum workers who constantly follow you. The complex has been completely renovated and therefore looks like a remake. In the cells located in the wall, mannequins are placed (as in the museum in Gobustan), depicting various actions from the life of the local inhabitants, by which one can understand what this or that room was intended for.
How to get to the temple of fire worshipers Ateshgah from Baku. On the Internet, they recommend that you go to Surahani from the Nariman Narimanov metro station by bus 184. A site containing information about bus routes in Baku, (unfortunately, it does not work now) confirms this information. But I was not lucky, maybe that day there were some repairs or some other reasons, but this bus did not go from the indicated metro. The person in charge of public transport sent me to search for this route to the Udluz station (Udluz). But I decided to immediately go by metro to the station Koroğlu (Korogly) and did not lose. Bus number 184 stops under the first bridge towards the airport. In 2017, with bus stops in the metro area Korogly finally put things in order. Now the boarding place for each bus is known not only to local, but also to tourists, thanks to information stands and markings on the asphalt. The bus 184 we need leaves from platform No. 2.
The travel time to the temple of fire-worshipers Ateshgah in the region of 25 minutes, the fare - 20 qepiks. From the final bus you need to cross the railway and turn left. So, if you need to get to the Ateshgah temple, I recommend traveling from Korogly metro by 184 bus.
Rock paintings and mud volcanoes in Gobustan
Gobustan (Qobustan) - a village and the reserve of the same name 60 km south of Baku. Here, 2 sights are located 13 km from each other: the museum of petroglyphs, which consists of two objects: the museum building and the rocks themselves, on which you can see drawings of ancient people, and mud volcanoes. He described these places in detail, and also told how to get to Gobustan from the capital, in a separate article - Gobustan Nature Reserve in Azerbaijan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I want to say that Baku is a great city, with nice people and interesting places in which it is worth spending at least a few days. You will not regret! I hope my personal experience of visiting the capital of Azerbaijan, described here, will help you in preparing your trip.
If you notice any inaccuracies or just want to supplement the material, welcome to comment!
Interesting travels and unforgettable impressions!