Baku—known locally as Bakı—is where the Silk Road meets the Caspian Sea. Its UNESCO-listed Old City (Icherisheher) holds caravanserais, hammams, and mosques guarded by the Maiden Tower, while just uphill, the Flame Towers flicker across the skyline each night. Oil wealth reshaped the city in the 19th–20th centuries, leaving behind ornate mansions and wide boulevards; today, cutting-edge architecture stands beside medieval walls.

The capital’s setting is dramatic and elemental. Head out to Gobustan for prehistoric petroglyphs and otherworldly mud volcanoes, then to the Absheron Peninsula to meet the “eternal flames” at Ateshgah and Yanardag. Back in town, stroll the Caspian Boulevard, ride the funicular to Upland Park for sunset, and dive into a cuisine of herb-laced plov, piti stew, tandir bread, and tea poured over sugar cubes.

Practical notes: Most nationalities can request an eVisa in advance; the currency is the Azerbaijani manat (AZN). Taxis via Bolt are affordable (many city rides 3–8 AZN); the airport is 25–35 minutes to the center. Baku is called “The City of Winds,” so pack a light layer year-round; summers are dry and hot, winters mild with crisp sea air.

Baku

Old and new Baku are neighbors. Within Icherisheher’s stone walls, explore the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and ancient caravanserais; outside, Zaha Hadid’s fluid Heydar Aliyev Center showcases blockbuster exhibitions. Along the Caspian promenade, families drift in “Little Venice” gondolas and cyclists trace palm-lined paths as the sun reddens the water.

Top sights include the Maiden Tower, Upland Park views, the Carpet Museum, Nizami Street and Fountains Square, Bibi-Heybat Mosque, and the Flame Towers light show. Day trips fan out to Gobustan’s rock art and gurgling mud volcanoes, to fire temples and burning hills, and north to candy-striped mountains on the way to remote Khinaliq village.

• Where to stay: For atmosphere, base near Icherisheher or Fountains Square. For sea views, look along the Boulevard. Business-modern comfort clusters around Port Baku and the Flame Towers district.
• Book accommodations: Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com (search “Baku”).
• Flights to Baku (GYD): Check fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstops: Istanbul (~2.5 hrs), Dubai (~2.5–3 hrs), Doha (~2.5–3 hrs).

Day 1: Arrival, Old City Stroll, Flame-lit Night

Afternoon: Land at GYD and transfer to your hotel (Bolt taxi ~15–25 AZN; 25–35 minutes). Drop bags, then slip into Icherisheher: wander past the Double Gates, Juma Mosque, and caravanserais. Pick up warm tandir bread at Sehrli Təndir—this tiny bakery is beloved for crackly loaves and qutab (herb-filled flatbreads). If time allows, peek at the Maiden Tower exterior and nearby artisan workshops.

Evening: Dinner near Fountains Square. Try Nergiz (classic dolma, tender lula kebab, warm interiors) or Firuze (piti stew in clay pots, saffron rice, live mugham on some nights). Expect 15–30 AZN per person without alcohol. After, join this guided night tour—ideal for orientation and photos of illuminated landmarks:

Old and Modern Baku Tour ( Day & Night Time)

You’ll cover Icherisheher highlights, the Flame Towers light show from Upland Park, and contemporary landmarks without navigation stress.

Day 2: Icherisheher Deep Dive and Caspian Sunsets

Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Baku Roasting Company (single-origin brews, casual vibe), then tour the Palace of the Shirvanshahs complex—courtyards, mausoleum, and divankhana—followed by a climb inside the Maiden Tower (exhibits plus a terrace view; tickets for each site are typically ~10–15 AZN). Pause at the 15th-century Multani Caravanserai to imagine Silk Road traders bedding down beneath its arches.

Afternoon: Walk the Seaside Boulevard to the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum (the building resembles a rolled carpet; learn knot styles by region). Then glide a gondola through Little Venice before riding the funicular (about 1 AZN) to Upland Park for sweeping bay views. Lunch at the Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant where antiques, copperware, and carpets frame plates of levengi-stuffed chicken and fragrant pilaf.

Evening: Dine at Sumakh (modern Azeri—grilled eggplant with yogurt, lamb ribs, rose-petal jam; 30–50 AZN per person). Nightcap at 360 Bar atop Hilton for a rotating panorama of the Caspian and the Flame Towers’ digital blaze.

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

Reserve a full-day guided excursion that hits the region’s essential sights—prehistoric petroglyphs, bubbling mud, and Zoroastrian fire lore. Hotel pickup, museum entries, and timing are handled for you:

Gobustan & Mud, Fire Temple, Burning Mountain (Group & Private)

Expect ~8 hours covering the Gobustan Petroglyph Reserve, off-road jaunts to mud volcanoes, the Ateshgah Fire Temple, and Yanardag (the “Burning Mountain”). Group options often run great value; bring a windbreaker and shoes that can handle a little mud.

Day 4: Icons of Modern Baku + Wine Tasting Evening

Morning: Head to the Heydar Aliyev Center (Zaha Hadid’s award-winner). The fluid white curves house rotating design and cultural exhibitions; plan 1.5–2 hours (exhibition tickets typically from ~15–25 AZN). Pause for photos in the sculpture-dotted park outside.

Afternoon: Browse contemporary works at YARAT Contemporary Art Centre (free exhibitions are common) or the Museum of Modern Art (Azerbaijani avant-garde). Lunch at Sahil Bar & Restaurant by the Boulevard for Caspian fish, herb salads, and creamy badımcan dips; or try Mangal Steakhouse for flame-grilled kebabs and shashlik.

Evening: Sip your way through local terroir—Madrasa, Bayan Shira, and Azerbaijani pomegranate wines—on this guided tasting:

Baku Wine Crawl for Small Groups

Before or after, grab dinner at Chinar (pan-Asian plates, buzzy lounge, leafy terrace in warm months). For a low-key finish, try United Coffee Beans for a V60 or pistachio latte.

Day 5: High Caucasus Adventure to Guba & Khinaliq (Full-Day Tour)

Trade the sea for mountains on a photogenic drive north: candy-striped hills, canyons, and one of Europe’s highest, oldest continuously inhabited villages. This day is long but unforgettable:

Guba, Candy Cane mountain, Khinaliq village with HOMEMADE lunch

Expect early departure, 10–12 hours total, stops at the “Candy Cane Mountains,” and a hearty village lunch. Back in Baku, unwind with tea and pakhlava at Çay Bağı 145 beside the Philharmonia garden.

Day 6: Castles, Villages, and Beach Air on the Absheron

Morning: Aim for the Gala Archaeological & Ethnographic Museum Reserve (open-air exhibits on village life, windmills, and crafts). Continue to Mardakan Quadrangular Castle and the nearby Round Castle—solid medieval watchtowers that once guarded the peninsula.

Afternoon: Stroll the Mardakan Dendrology Park (arboretum with shaded paths; a relaxing foil to the city). In summer, detour to Amburan or Bilgah Beach clubs for a swim; outside summer, a seaside walk is still bracing and beautiful. Lunch at a casual seafood grill near the shore—try sturgeon kebab or saffron-scented rice with dill and greens.

Evening: Back in town, book a table at Dolma Restaurant (tender grape leaves, gutab with greens, sumptuous plov). For cocktails, the Landmark Rotunda Bar pairs drinks with skyline views and an elegant crowd.

Day 7: Markets, Nizami Street Shopping, Farewell Tea

Morning: Browse Taza Bazaar for local saffron, sumac, dried fruits, nuts, and preserves—ask vendors for tasting samples and look for vacuum-sealed packs for flying. Brunch at Passage 145, known for big breakfasts, menemen, and Turkish-style pastries.

Afternoon: Last strolls down Nizami Street and Fountains Square for boutiques and bookstores; pick up a small handwoven kilim or ceramic pomegranate as a keepsake. If time remains, step into the serene Bibi-Heybat Mosque for its mirrored interior and sea views.

Evening: Airport transfer for your afternoon departure. If you have an extra hour, a final tea at Sehrli Təndir with warm bread and honey is a sweet send-off.

Where to Stay (Bookable Links)

• Old City/Icherisheher: Atmospheric boutiques within the walls; easy to wander at dawn and late evening.
• Fountains Square & Nizami: Central, walkable, packed with eateries and nightlife.
• Boulevard/Seafront: Big views, great for morning jogs and sunset walks.
• Book: Check options on VRBO and compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting In and Around

• Flights: Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Many connections via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh.
• Airport → City: Bolt taxi usually 15–25 AZN; the 24/7 Aero Express bus to 28 May/central costs ~1.5 AZN.
• Local transport: Metro is clean and cheap; taxis are plentiful—most cross-town rides 3–8 AZN. Traffic is lighter on weekends.

Optional Add-On: Fire and Culture Combo (Alternative to Day 3)

If you prefer a slightly different mix, this well-reviewed small-group route also combines Gobustan with Absheron highlights and typically includes entries:

Gobustan-Mud Volcan-Fire Temple and Mountain Tour/Entrance inc

Swap it into Day 3 if schedule or inclusions suit you better.

Seven days in Baku gives you the city’s full spectrum: medieval lanes and museum-sleek modernity, sea breezes and mountain air, tea rituals and wine tastings, rock art and eternal flames. You’ll leave with memory cards full of sunsets and a suitcase lightly dusted in the scent of saffron.