Baku—Azerbaijan’s capital on the Caspian—balances deep history with startling modernity. Caravanserais and hammams hide inside 12th-century walls, while glass towers rise over a breezy promenade. This is the “City of Winds,” where Zoroastrian fire worship, Silk Road trade, and an early-1900s oil boom wrote dramatic chapters that still shape the skyline.

Expect a city of layers: the UNESCO-listed Old City (Icherisheher), Belle Époque facades, and bold contemporary landmarks like the Zaha Hadid–designed Heydar Aliyev Center and the Flame Towers. Beyond the city, surreal mud volcanoes bubble in Gobustan and an eternal fire glows on the Absheron Peninsula—landscapes that make Azerbaijan feel otherworldly.

Practical notes: Most visitors can obtain an e-visa in advance; the currency is the Azerbaijani manat. Tea culture is strong—end meals with black tea and local sweets. You’ll eat hearty: plov, dolma, dushbara dumplings, qutab flatbreads, and kebabs star on menus. Spring and fall offer ideal weather; summers are sunny and hot by the Caspian.

Baku

Baku’s walled Icherisheher is a maze of sandstone lanes, the Maiden Tower, and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Just outside, Baku Boulevard stretches for miles along the Caspian with parks, “Little Venice” canals, and the wave-shaped Carpet Museum.

The city’s modern face dazzles: ride to Highland Park for sweeping views of the Flame Towers, or step inside the sculptural Heydar Aliyev Center for exhibitions and design-forward photo ops. Food lovers will graze from tandoor breads to saffron-laced plov, and nightlife hums from wine bars to rooftop lounges.

• Top sights: Icherisheher, Maiden Tower, Shirvanshah Palace, Baku Boulevard, Carpet Museum, Heydar Aliyev Center, Highland Park, Flame Towers light show, Ateshgah Fire Temple, Yanar Dag.
• Where to stay: For choice and value, compare on Hotels.com or browse apartments on VRBO. Our favorites: Four Seasons Hotel Baku (Old City and Caspian views), Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers (skyline icon with panoramic pool), and budget-friendly Sahil Hostel & Hotel near Fountain Square.
• Getting in: Fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airport. Compare fares on Kiwi.com and Trip.com (from Istanbul ~2.5 hrs, often $120–220 round-trip; from Dubai ~2.5–3 hrs, $150–280; from Tbilisi ~1 hr, $70–140). For flights to/from Europe, check Omio.

Day 1: Arrival, Baku Boulevard, and Old City Flavors

Afternoon: Arrive and transfer to your hotel (25–35 minutes by taxi; airport express bus runs to 28 May Metro). Stretch your legs on Baku Boulevard—peek into the undulating Carpet Museum for a preview, then watch the Caspian shimmer by “Little Venice.” Coffee stop: Baku Roasting Company for single-origin espresso and a pistachio eclair.

Evening: First taste of Azerbaijani cuisine in the Old City. Try Sehrli Təndir for tandir-baked bread, qutab stuffed with greens or lamb, and piti (slow-cooked lamb soup in clay). Alternatively, Dolma Restaurant serves delicate grape-leaf dolma and saffron-scented plov. Nightcap at Hilton’s 360 Bar—slowly revolving city views when the Flame Towers light up.

Day 2: Icherisheher Deep Dive + Downtown Baku

Morning: Join a guided stroll to decode the Old City’s layers with the Baku Downtown Original Walking Tour. You’ll cover architectural gems and hidden corners around the city center—ideal context for first-time visitors.

Afterward, climb the Maiden Tower (spiral stairs, rooftop views) and wander to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs—courtyards, mausoleums, and 15th-century stonework.

Afternoon: Lunch at Nergiz (Fountain Square) for dushbara dumplings and saj-cooked lamb with pomegranate. Walk to the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum—its “rolled carpet” facade shelters centuries of weaving traditions. Coffee and cardamom tea at Çay Bağı 145 (Tea Garden 145) with pakhlava.

Evening: Browse Nizami Street’s Belle Époque facades and boutiques. Dinner at Sumakh—order gutab trio, sturgeon kebab, and nar (pomegranate) salads. If you love live folk music, book a late table at Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant to dine amid antiques and listen to mugham.

Day 3: Gobustan Rock Art, Mud Volcanoes, and Absheron’s Eternal Flames (Full Day)

Spend a full day uncovering Azerbaijan’s geology and fire mythology on the Baku: Gobustan, Mud Volcano, Fire Temple & Burning Mountain tour. Expect hotel pickup, 7–8 hours of sights, and engaging stories linking prehistory to Zoroastrian ritual.

You’ll examine petroglyphs at Gobustan National Park (some 20,000+ years old), rumbling mud volcano cones on a lunar-looking plain, the Ateshgah Fire Temple where traders once worshipped flame, and Yanar Dag—natural gas burning from a hillside. Bring water, sunscreen, and closed shoes; lunch stops usually feature qutab stands and kebab houses near Ateshgah.

Day 4: Modern Baku Icons, Museums, and a Local Wine Night

Morning: Head to the Heydar Aliyev Center—photograph its flowing exterior at blue-hour light if you’re an early riser, then tour exhibitions inside (allow 1.5–2 hours). Coffee with karabakh-style gata pastry at the on-site cafe.

Afternoon: Taxi to Highland Park: climb or funicular to the Martyrs’ Lane terrace for the postcard view—Caspian, Boulevard, and Flame Towers. Walk down to the elegant Azerbaijan State Philharmonic garden and pause at the quirky Miniature Book Museum if open. Late lunch at Art Club Restaurant in Icherisheher for lavangi (walnut-herb stuffed chicken or fish) and tandir bread.

Evening: Explore the city’s growing wine scene on the Baku Wine Crawl for Small Groups, tasting indigenous grapes like Madrasa and Bayan Shira at intimate bars and learning how local terroir shifts between lowlands and mountain foothills.

Day 5: Mountains and Lakes—Shamakhi & Gabala Day Trip (Full Day)

Trade the coast for the Caucasus foothills. Depart early by private driver (3 hours each way; expect ~$90–140 for the day) or intercity bus (from Baku International Bus Terminal to Gabala; ~4–4.5 hours, then local taxis). On the route, stop at the clifftop Diri Baba Mausoleum near Maraza, then visit the restored Juma Mosque in Shamakhi—one of the region’s oldest congregational mosques.

Continue to Gabala: ride the Tufandag cable car for sweeping mountain views; in summer, stroll Lake Nohur’s pines and rent a rowboat; in winter, try skiing or snow activities at the resort base. Lunch ideas: village-style qutab, qatiq (tangy yogurt), and trout from local roadside grills. Time permitting, detour to the Yeddi Gözəl (Seven Beauties) waterfall—best flow in spring. Return to Baku in the evening for a restorative tea and honey-drenched shekerbura at a cafe near Fountain Square.

Day 6: Markets, Seaside Leisure, and Night Views

Morning: Dive into Teze Bazaar for spices, dried fruits, saffron, and local cheeses—great for edible souvenirs (vendors vacuum-seal on request). Breakfast nearby at Passage 145 with omelets, fresh bread, and Azerbaijani-style tea service.

Afternoon: Choose sun or culture. In warm months, head to Bilgah Beach or Amburan for a few lazy Caspian hours (taxis ~30–45 minutes). Otherwise, visit the Nobel Brothers’ “Villa Petrolea” museum to trace the city’s oil boom, then the Azerbaijan National Museum of History for ornate rooms and artifacts. Late lunch at Firuze—homey classics like chicken with chestnuts and plov with dried fruits.

Evening: For an illuminated city overview, take the Old and Modern Baku Tour (Day & Night Time)—guides time stops for the Flame Towers light show and skyline photos.

Post-tour dinner at Chinar Restaurant & Lounge: share Asian-inspired plates and local grilled vegetables, then stroll the Boulevard.

Day 7: Crafts, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Back inside Icherisheher for artisan finds: copperwork, kelaghayi silk scarves, miniature paintings, and small carpets (ask for provenance and knot density). Coffee at United Coffee Beans or a final cay service with lemon.

Afternoon: An early lunch at Mugam Club—order lamb kebabs and fresh salads—before transferring to the airport for your afternoon departure. If time allows, pop into the Contemporary Art Center or YARAT in Bayil for a last creative fix.

Where to Stay (Book with Partners)

• Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Baku (Old City edge, refined spa, Caspian-view rooms); Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers (panoramic rooms, sky pool, direct access to Highland Park).
• Midrange to Boutique: Compare locations and deals around Fountain Square and the Boulevard on Hotels.com.
• Apartments & Family Stays: Kitchens and multi-bedroom stays via VRBO near the Boulevard or Port Baku.
• Budget: Sahil Hostel & Hotel (clean rooms, social vibe, prime location).

Getting Around & Tips

• Transport: Bolt taxis are plentiful; the metro is clean and easy for main corridors. Airport taxi is ~25–35 minutes; the airport express bus reaches 28 May Metro/Main Station.
• Seasonality: Best months April–June and September–October. Summer is beach-friendly; winters are cool and occasionally snowy inland.
• Dining short list: Sumakh (modern Azerbaijani), Dolma Restaurant (classics), Sehrli Təndir (tandoor breads), Nergiz (dumplings, plov), Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant (music + heritage), Chinar (contemporary lounge), Firuze (comfort dishes). Cafes: Baku Roasting Company, Passage 145, Çay Bağı 145.
• Payments & etiquette: Cards widely accepted; carry small cash at markets. Tipping 5–10% is appreciated in restaurants.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Have Extra Time)

• Candy Cane Mountains and Khinalig Village (Guba region): 2.5–3 hours each way—striped hills and one of the Caucasus’ oldest continuously inhabited villages.
• Pink Lake (Masazir) and Besh Barmag Mountain viewpoints: photogenic quick trips on the Absheron corridor.

In a week, Baku reveals itself as both caravanserai and cutting-edge—tea-scented courtyards by day, neon skylines by night. From petroglyphs and eternal flames to saffron plov and seaside sunsets, this itinerary balances history, nature, and culinary pleasures with room to breathe.