Baku, the “City of Winds,” marries Silk Road heritage with a futuristic skyline that shimmers over the Caspian Sea. Oil boom mansions stand shoulder to shoulder with medieval caravanserais, while the Flame Towers glow each night in a dance of color that nods to Azerbaijan’s ancient fire-worshiping past.

Inside the walled Old City (Icherisheher), you’ll trace centuries through the Maiden Tower, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, and shadowy lanes lined with copperware and carpets. Beyond its UNESCO stones, modern Baku unfurls: Zaha Hadid’s fluid Heydar Aliyev Center, a seafront boulevard with a Ferris wheel and “Little Venice,” and museums that tell the story of this crossroads between East and West.

Practical notes: most visitors can secure an eVisa in advance; taxis and ride-hailing apps are inexpensive; the local manat (AZN) is used; and mosque visits call for modest attire. Azerbaijani cuisine sings with saffron rice, fragrant kebabs, and qutab stuffed flatbreads—hearty fuel for days that range from city strolls to volcano-dotted adventures.

Baku

Baku is a city of contrasts: fortress walls and glass arcs, tea houses and sleek rooftop bars. Start in Icherisheher to feel its heartbeat, then crest Highland Park for the classic panorama—Bulvar, Flame Towers, and the sea.

Don’t miss: Icherisheher’s Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs’ Palace; the Carpet Museum (shaped like a rolled rug); Baku Boulevard with boat rides on the Caspian; the Heydar Aliyev Center; and the funicular up to Highland Park at sunset. Day trips unlock the Absheron Peninsula’s Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag, plus the surreal mud volcanoes and petroglyphs of Gobustan.

Where to stay (affiliate links):

• Search apartments and villas on VRBO Baku or hotels on Hotels.com Baku.
• Classic elegance by the Old City: Four Seasons Hotel Baku (spacious rooms, Caspian views, refined spa).
• Iconic skyline stay: Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers (indoor pool with views; sky-high lounges).
• Budget-friendly and social: Sahil Hostel & Hotel (central location near the boulevard).

How to get to Baku (affiliate links): Fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Travelers starting in Europe can also check Omio Flights for regional options. Taxis or ride-hailing apps reach downtown in ~25–35 minutes; the airport express bus runs to the city center regularly.

Getting around: The metro and buses are efficient; BakiKart cards are easy to top up. Taxis and ride-hailing are inexpensive—confirm the route and expect light traffic outside peak hours. Baku is walkable around the Old City, Fountain Square, and the boulevard.

Day 1: Arrival, Seafront Stroll, and Skyline Views

Morning: Travel to Baku. For flight options and schedules, compare on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com; if you’re departing within Europe, try Omio Flights as well.

Afternoon: Check in and refresh. Ease into Baku with a walk along the Caspian on Baku Boulevard: pass the Carpet Museum, “Little Venice,” and the Baku Ferris Wheel. Coffee stop at Baku Roasting Company (specialty pour-overs and house roasts) to shake off jet lag.

Evening: Ride the funicular to Highland Park for the postcard panorama at golden hour. Dinner at Sumakh (modern Azerbaijani: tandir-baked bread, levengi-stuffed chicken, saffron pilaf) or Dolma Restaurant (cozy cellar; grape-leaf dolma, lamb saj). Cap the night with tea and pakhlava on Nizami Street.

Day 2: Icherisheher, Maiden Tower, and Local Flavors

Morning: Join a guided stroll to decode the Old City’s layers: Baku Downtown Original Walking Tour

Start near the Old City walls, learn about caravanserais and khanqahs, and get orientation tips from a local guide. Breakfast beforehand at Sehrli Təndir—fluffy tandir bread, local cheeses, and honey.

Afternoon: Climb the Maiden Tower for coastline views and legends; then explore the Palace of the Shirvanshahs (stone courtyards, mausoleums, and bathhouse). Cross to the Carpet Museum for silk, pile, and flat-weave masterpieces—perfect primer for smart souvenir shopping. Lunch at Nergiz (traditional soups like dovga and hearty kebabs) near Fountain Square.

Evening: Dine at Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant, where rooms brim with antiques and live mugham often plays; order plov with chestnuts and dried fruits. For a nightcap, the Landmark Sky Bar pours cocktails with glittering city views.

Day 3: Gobustan Petroglyphs, Mud Volcanoes, and Absheron’s Eternal Flame (Full-Day Tour)

Full-day excursion (7–8 hours, starts ~9:00 AM): BEST Gobustan, Volcanoes & Absheron Fire Tour (Group or Private)

Trace 20,000-year-old rock carvings at Gobustan National Park, then bounce out to see little conical mud volcanoes burbling from the earth’s crust. Continue to the Ateshgah Fire Temple, a caravanserai-like complex built by fire-worshipers, and finish at Yanar Dag, the hillside where natural gas feeds an eternal flame. After returning, dinner at Sahil Bar & Restaurant (fresh sturgeon, Caspian views) or Mangal Steakhouse (grilled meats, lively atmosphere).

Day 4: Modern Baku—Heydar Aliyev Center, Art, and the Caspian

Morning: Coffee and pastries at CafeCity (reliable breakfasts—omelets, syrniki, and great tea). Head to the Heydar Aliyev Center to tour Zaha Hadid’s fluid masterpiece—inside, rotating design and cultural exhibitions keep it fresh.

Afternoon: Taxi to YARAT Contemporary Art Center on the waterfront for Azerbaijani and regional contemporary works in an industrial-chic space. Lunch at Chinar (pan-Asian with Azerbaijani touches; stylish garden terrace) or Sumakh if you missed it earlier.

Evening: Stroll Baku Boulevard at dusk and, weather permitting, hop on a short Caspian boat ride from the pier near the Carpet Museum. Dinner around Fountain Square at Firuze (crowd-pleaser for first-timers: qutab, dolma, and qovurma) followed by gelato or tea under the plane trees.

Day 5: Guba, Candy Cane Mountains, and Khinalig (Full-Day Tour)

Full-day mountain adventure (long day with scenic drives): Guba, Candy Cane mountain, Khinaliq village with HOMEMADE lunch

Drive ~2.5–3 hours to the striped, mineral-rich Candy Cane Hills, then continue to ancient Khinalig—one of the Caucasus’ highest continuously inhabited villages. Expect big mountain views, local culture, and a homemade lunch highlighting regional flavors. Back in Baku, keep dinner light with qutab (herb or pumpkin) at a local spot or try Nabat for comforting pilafs and stews.

Day 6: Markets, Crafts, and a Baku Wine Crawl

Morning: Breakfast at Baku Roasting Company or Entrée bakery (for khachapuri and croissants). Explore Taza Bazaar or Yashil Bazar where vendors stack herbs, dried fruits, and saffron—ideal for edible souvenirs. Be sure to ask for churchkhela (walnut-and-grape must candies) and local cheeses.

Afternoon: Dive into craft culture: visit the Carpet Museum shop or an Azer-Ilme showroom to understand knot counts and regional patterns before buying. In Icherisheher, browse ABAD artisan boutiques for ceramics, woodwork, and tasteful gifts. Late lunch at Art Garden (courtyard setting; piti soup and kebabs) within the Old City.

Evening: Sip and learn on a guided tasting: Baku Wine Crawl for Small Groups

You’ll taste native grapes like Madrasa, Bayan Shira, and Saperavi at local wine bars—great context for Azerbaijan’s emerging wine scene. Afterward, enjoy a mellow night at Baku Jazz Center if there’s a show, or a quiet tea at Çay Bağı (Tea Garden) 145.

Day 7: Last Look at the Old City and Departure

Morning: Leisurely breakfast—try a café in Icherisheher for eggs with sujuk and fresh bread. Make final photo stops at the Old City walls and tiny lanes you missed. If you want a last museum, pop into the Miniature Books Museum (quirky, fast visit).

Afternoon: Pick up boxed pakhlava and saffron at the bazaar, then check out. Transfer to GYD for your flight—compare any last-minute options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you’re Europe-based, also check Omio Flights.

Evening: Fly home with Caspian sea-breeze memories and the glow of the Flame Towers still in mind.

Optional Swap-ins and Extras: If you prefer to keep Day 5 closer to Baku, consider a shorter Absheron-focused day with Ateshgah, Yanar Dag, and Bibi-Heybat Mosque (included in many combined tours). Another strong pick that blends city highlights is: Baku: Gobustan, Mud Volcano, Fire Temple & Burning Mountain

for an efficient roundup if your timing shifts.

This Baku itinerary layers UNESCO history, cutting-edge design, and elemental landscapes into one satisfying week. You’ll taste the city’s generosity at the table, feel its winds along the boulevard, and carry home stories of fire, stone, and sea.