5 Places to Visit in Baku

Looking places to visit in Baku?

Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, is an excellent city that has of old and new tourist attractions.

It’s right on the Caspian Sea and has a bit of everything that are from ancient stuff, modern buildings, and anything that you can possibily imagine.

When you’re there, you’ll feel like that you’re time-travelling by seeing the city’s long history and its big plans for the future all at once.

To really get what Baku’s about, you’ve got to check out some key spots.

That is what we are going to take you over in this article.

These places show off the city’s combination and gives you a peek into its cultural roots and where it’s heading at.

The Flame Towers

You can’t miss the Flame Towers when you’re in Baku.

These three tall buildings looks like giant flames and have become the city’s modern symbol.

They’re huge as in height, 182 meters high – and shows how quickly Azerbaijan is developing by protecting it’s history.

The towers are a nod to Azerbaijan’s nickname, the “Land of Fire,” because of all the natural gas they have.

This is because, during the day, the sun makes the glass on the towers shine like real flames.

But at night, that’s when the real show starts.

The towers light up with LEDs by showing all sorts of patterns and images, like flames and the Azerbaijan flag.

What do you think the best of it is?

To answer that question, you must head to the Baku Boulevard or the Old City in the evening. Seeing these lit-up modern towers next to the old parts of the city is pretty incredible.

Old City (Icheri Sheher)

Walking into the Old City where locals call it as Icheri Sheher is like stepping back in time.

This place is so special; as a matter of fact,  it’s on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

It’s the historic heart of Baku that is surrounded by walls from the 1100s, with narrow streets, old buildings, and hidden courtyards everywhere.

As you walk around, you’ll bump into lots of cool old stuff.

The main attraction of this place is the Maiden Tower.

It’s this mysterious old building that has become a Baku icon.

The Maiden Tower is 29 meters tall, and nobody’s quite sure what it was for.

Some say that it is a temple, while others gives out an opinion by saying it is a fortress.

However, whatever it was, you have to climb to the top to get an awesome view of the Old City and the sea.

Another place that you must see in this area is the Palace of the Shirvanshahs.

This royal palace from the 1400s is a great example of old Islamic architecture.

Once you are there, check out the detailed stone carvings, peaceful courtyards, and what’s left of a fancy old bathhouse.

Note: The palace museum tells you all about the Shirvanshah rulers and the area’s history.

Heydar Aliyev Center

For something totally different from the Old City, you must head to the Heydar Aliyev Center.

This building is wild, as it was designed by a famous architect that goes by the name Zaha Hadid.

The Heydar Aliyev Center was built up as curves without any straight lines.

It looks like it’s moving, even though it’s not.

If you look at it properly, you may notice that the white building seems to grow right out of the ground.

It’s a favorite spot for photos in Baku.

Inside of the Heydar Aliyev Center, it’s nothing but awesome.

There are exhibitions about Azerbaijan’s history, art, and culture that people can really enjoy.

In addition to that, they host all kinds of events here as well, from art shows to concerts or anything that comes as an event. 

Baku Boulevard

If you want to chill out and see both the nature and the city life, then it is a must for you to visit the Baku Boulevard.

This long walkway goes along the Caspian Sea for kilometers.

It’s great for a relaxed walk, and you can see how the city is changing as you go.

People have been hanging out here since the early 1900s, and it keeps getting new stuff added.

There’s always something going on along the boulevard.

Where you’ll see street performers, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants if you get hungry.

During your walk, if you ever feel like getting a bird’s-eye view, they got it there as well.

In order to do that, you must ride the Baku Eye, which is a 60-meter Ferris wheel.

Once you are on top, you can see the whole area from up there.

Moreover, there are some museums on the boulevard too, like the Baku Museum Center and the Carpet Museum, where you can specifically learn about Azerbaijan’s famous carpets.

Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain)

For something really weird and cool, check out the Yanar Dag, or the Burning Mountain.

This hillside has been on fire for hundreds of years, thanks to its natural gas that comes out from the ground.

The flames can get up to 3 meters high, and it looks especially cool at night.

There’s an old story about how it started; supposedly, a shepherd accidentally set it on fire while trying to keep warm.

However, the real reason is that all the natural gas is in that area which is pretty amazing to see.

Note: This place was a big deal back when people in the area started to worship the fire.

Conclusion

In Baku, there are some old streets in the Old City and the supermodern Heydar Aliyev Center, where each place tells you a part of Baku’s long history.

As you check out these must-see spots, you’ll get why Baku is so special.

However it is a known fact that, Baku has the structure to surprise you when it comes to watching the Flame Towers light up, getting lost in the Old City, or checking out the burning Yanar Dag.

So, there’s nothing more to say; just pack a bag and get ready to explore this awesome Azerbaijani city for yourself.

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