Baku has a very interesting blend of old and new. It has ancient monuments that people are still fond of and modern buildings that were built recently.
In the Old City, you can find a lot of interesting little shops, beautiful buildings, and colorful mosques. You can also see the Flame Towers rising from behind the Palace of Shirvanshahs.
The Old City
The Old City of Baku is a unique historical ensemble located right in the heart of the capital. Its triple row of ancient defense walls make it one of the most interesting places to see in Azerbaijan.
Icheri Sheher or the Old Town is a maze of narrow roads lined by limestone buildings that feel like they are straight out of ancient times. Take your time and get lost as you walk along the streets, and you’ll feel the magic of this ancient city in every step.
Another fascinating place to visit is the Ateshgah Fire Temple, which was once frequented by Hindus, Sikhs and Zoroastrians. It used to feature a natural eternal flame that went out in 1969, but now it is lit by gas piped from the city.
You can also check out the Miniature Book Museum, which is home to thousands of tiny books, each containing a different work from around the world. This is the only museum of its kind in the world, so it’s definitely worth a visit!
The Flame Towers
The Flame Towers are a striking new addition to the skyline of Baku, inspired by Azerbaijan’s long history with fire worship. A series of three glass skyscrapers, they sit atop a hill overlooking the Caspian Sea and Baku’s old city center.
They were designed by architects HOK and opened in 2013. The trio of glass towers is the largest single construction project in Azerbaijan.
Their curved building forms express transparency and reflect their dazzling internal illumination system that shows the movements of a fire. The lighting animation of the towers is meant to promote Baku’s historic identity and predict its strong future.
Inside the towers, you’ll find offices and residential apartments, a hotel and a shopping mall. But the real show is at night, when more than 10,000 LED lights turn the towers into a light-show for the people of Baku.
If you’re a bookworm, don’t miss the Miniature Book Museum. This one-of-a-kind museum holds thousands of miniature books in a variety of languages.
Shikh Beach
A long-time favorite for locals, Shikh Beach is a resort area on the Caspian Sea coast. Despite its popularity, it is plagued by water pollution from sewage and industrial waste.
While it isn’t the cleanest, Shikhov is one of Azerbaijan’s generally safe beaches and is a great place to cool off in the sun. It also has a few amenities that make it a popular destination for both locals and travelers.
IDEA Public Union redeveloped the beach in an effort to improve its quality, cleanliness, and safety. The sanitary facilities were refurbished, disinfectant dispensers were installed, and barriers were installed to keep people apart.
In addition, the resort has a number of beach loungers, as well as special tents. It’s a great place to spend the day in Baku.
Yanar Dag
There are many things to see and to do in Baku, but if you want to experience something truly unique, make sure to visit Yanar Dag. This natural gas fire mountain is located on the Absheron Peninsula 25 km north of Baku.
- It jets flames into the air from a thin porous layer of sandstone. Unlike nearby mud volcanoes, there is no seepage of mud or liquid so the flame from Yanar Dag burns very steadily.
- You can explore this incredible natural phenomenon by booking a guided tour with Baku City Tours. They offer a full day Gobustan and Absheron tour or a half day Ateshgah and Yanar Dag tour, and you can even opt for a private visit.
- Yanar Dag is a unique natural phenomenon that has been captivating visitors since antiquity. It is a place of pilgrimage for Azerbaijanis, and its significance is reflected in the legends and myths that surround it.
