The Best Places to Visit in Baku in a Short Time
Quite frankly, I know almost all tourist places like the palm of my hand.
So travelers have a lot of options for what to see in Baku.
But they're often short on time.
Maybe some of you will be in the city for just a few days.
With that in mind, I'll show you the most stunning sights of the city.
It'll take you no more than 1 day to get around.
That's because I've chosen Baku tourist places that are in close proximity to each other.
Here are the best Baku attractions, listed from most to least popular.
#1. Go Shopping and Eating on Nizami Street Baku
Nizami Street ("Nizami Küçəsi" in Azeri or “Torgovaya” in colloquial language) is Baku's most popular and largest pedestrian street.
And it's also the main shopping center in Baku
The street took its name from the classic Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi.
A lot of people say the street looks like the Champs-Élysées in Paris, but I don't think that's right.
Maybe they find similarities between the fancy shopping and cultural spots on both streets.
But I’ve got a different take.
I'd rather say Nizami Street Baku is a lot like La Rambla in Barcelona or Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul.
Anyways.
Let me tell you what you can see and do on the street in a snap.
You can:
Shop at local and international stores. There are tons of brand stores like Puma, ZARA, and others.
Enjoy the architecture.
Many of the structures on Nizami Street date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the oil boom era.
So that you can definitely feel the Baroque and Renaissance Revival styles.
Try the best azerbaijani food at local restaurants.
And also franchise restaurants and coffee shops, as well as specific places that serve Italian, Indian, Arab, and other cuisines.
See the cultural spots (like Fountains Square).
Tune in to live performances and events (if you keep an eye on local listings to catch a live concert, art exhibit, or street performance).
On top of that, if you choose the right time, you can visit the merriest Christmas market and more.
And my favorite; the Nightlife. The street never sleeps; it's alive 24/7.
Long story short, Nizami Street is an absolute must see place in Baku.
Useful Tip: The Fountain Square Baku (also called "Fəvvarələr Meydanı" in Azeri) is pretty close to the street. It's like an arrow piercing the heart of Torgovaya.
So, if you're short on time, you can hit 2 birds with one stone by visiting Nizami Street.
#2. Explore Historic Old City Baku, Icheri Sheher
Visiting the Old City (“Icheri Sheher” in Azeri) of Baku is the second most popular attraction on the list.
When you go through one of the inner city's gates, you're likely to see a lot of tourists.
From all over the world.
Without question, the hard-hitting feature of Icheri Sheher is the remarkable preservation of its historical aspects.
That's why it's on UNESCO's World Heritage List, right alongside the other 1,222 WHSs on the planet.
The Old City Baku wall was built in the 12th century.
Some say it was constructed to keep enemies out.
On the flip side, others believe it was built to protect the city from the brutal Caspian Sea (Khazar) winds.
I can't tell you exactly what it was built for.
But I can't deny it, if you're in the city, Baku Old Town should be in the top 3 of your Baku places to visit list.
Let me tell you what awaits you here.
The 28-meter (approx. 92 feet) Maiden Tower Baku, which was once the symbol of the town, is part of it.
Additionally, The Palace of the Shirvanshahs, built by the Shirvanshah dynasty in the 15th century, is also within the walls of the Baku Old City.
The palace complex includes;
So, what I'm saying is that within a 2 km radius, you can explore so many things.
Wait, it doesn't end there.
You can also:
See narrow streets lined with stones from local quarries.
The labyrinthine alleys are great to feel the old soul of Baku. They are for pedestrians only.
Check out some old mosques, caravanserais (which were inns for people traveling along the Silk Road), and hammams (baths).
Oh, and one more thing, make your trip more fun if you can catch the Museum of Miniature Books open.
I know, those are quite a lot of things to do in Baku, in one place.
Believe me, there are many more things I haven't counted.
I don't want to bore you by prolonging the text.
So if you’ve time, I suggest you make the most of it.
Let’s move on to number 3rd.
#3. Relax in the Philharmonia Garden
Leaving the Old City (Icherisheher) through the Double Gates (Gosha Gala Gapisi), it's about a 5-7 minute walk to the Baku Philharmonic Garden.
Once outside, turn left and walk along Istiglaliyyat Street.
You'll soon see the entrance to Philharmonia Garden (also called Governor's Garden).
One side is the old city and the other side is the sea.
A very nice place with a neoclassical fountain in the middle, right next to the old town walls.
Especially relaxing to spend your evening.
Great place to take pictures and also very romantic.
I highly recommend spending some time there with your loved one.
#4. Tour the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
Getting from Philharmonia Garden to the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum (“Azərbaycan Milli Xalça Muzeyi” in Azeri) is another short and easy trip.
It’s a museum dedicated entirely to Azerbaijan carpets and ancient rugs.
Just walk past the iconic Mini Venice (or Little Venice) area and you'll see a unique building shaped like a rolled-up carpet.
Italian architect Francesco designed this carpet-shaped building.
You'll find more than 10,000 antique collections in the Carpet Museum Baku.
Such as carpets and rugs from Sheki, Guba, Ganja and Karabakh made with unique techniques.
By the way the museum is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly.
All information you can find from their official website. It’ll be helpful.
At the time of my visit, the 3rd floor of the museum exhibition was temporarily closed due to reconstruction work.
So before you go there, always check the official website.
What else can you see in Baku?
#5. Enjoy Lots of Things to Do at Baku Boulevard
Baku Boulevard is the last destination on the list.
You'll find an extremely peaceful atmosphere, offering a moment to get fresh air after a long day.
That's why I wanted to mention it as the last spot to visit in Baku.
It stretches 3.75 kilometers (about 2.3 miles) along the Caspian Sea. And that's not all.
A few years ago, the White City Boulevard was extended another 2 km east of Freedom Square, and it may eventually reach 26 km.
So it's a perfect place to take a walk along the shore.
Even for your morning exercise, this is the best place in Baku.
You can jog or run for miles along the coast of the Caspian Sea.
It is not only an ideal place for sports, but also has dozens of attractions.
For example, the Baku Ferris Wheel is one of them.
With 30 cabins and a height of approximately 60 meters, the Devil's Wheel (also called "Şeytan Çarxı" in Azeri) offers scenic views of the Caspian Sea and the Baku skyline.
If you want to catch a Baku panoramic view, just hop on the Baku Eye.
So, after your daily adventure, I would highly recommend the Baku Boulevard as a must see place in Baku.
Have a Great Time in Baku
When all is said and done, I hope I’ve provided you with a helpful insight into the best places to see in Baku, in a nutshell.
As promised, here is the full list of pinned locations in Baku for your itinerary on Google Maps.
And also, I’ve added the best routes between the destinations in the article for walking.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments.
Have great things to do in Baku!
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