10 Must-Visit Spots in Baku

18 May 2022
Ahmad Saud
International Tourism
7

The summers here are quite hot, arid, humid, and clear, with the temperature peaking up at 41℃. The winters are long, dry, partly cloudy, and very cold. The best time to visit Baku is during spring, from September to November.
We have made a special list of 10 amazing places for you to visit in this heavenly place.

Highland Park

Also known as the “Viewing Square”, Highland Park is one of the most spectacular places in Baku. It is situated at the top of a wide and long flight of stairs, offering spectacular views of the Caspian Sea. It is located in a huge area, with a section offering the view of the iconic Flame Towers, behind the minarets of the Mosque of the Martyrs. There are a lot of beaches around the viewing platform as well, having a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.

Heydar Mosque

Heydar Mosque is a spectacular must-visit place in Baku with striking architecture. The mosque is huge and the magnificent architecture can be noticed from different angles. The overall place is quite peaceful and calm. At night, the mosque is calmer with spectacularly lit-up surroundings. The interior is not open to the public but the exterior is enough to impress anyone visiting.

Maiden Tower

Maiden Tower is one of the most famous places in Baku. It is the most mysterious and fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Old City. The exact date of its construction is still unknown. Some people believe it was a Zoroastrian Temple, while some scientists claim that it was formed for fortification. There are several interesting historical facts displayed inside the tower, and it is currently serving as a museum with an engaging historical exhibition on all levels. On the top floor, you can get a brilliant view of the city on the terrace.

Heydar Aliyev Center

Heydar Aliyev Center is a must-visit place for those who are interested in learning the culture and history of Azerbaijan. The museum does great justice to the cultural and artistic developments of the last centuries through its visual exhibitions. There, you can also learn about the life of the former president of the country, Heydar Aliyev. The exterior of the cultural hub is a unique piece of modern architecture. You can take a walk around it and see the striking structure’s fascinating curves from several angles.

Icherisheher Fortress

The Old City of Baku, Icherisheher, has some majestic Fortress Walls built around it. The fortress is the biggest one in the Absheron Peninsula and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Back in the day, the walls used to stretch for 4,921 feet (1,500 meters), but today they are only 1,640 feet (500 meters) long. While taking a stroll along the fortress walls, you can witness the amazing view of the Flame Towers behind these old walls. This mixture of modern and ancient architecture is amazingly unique and breathtaking.

Palace of the Shirvanshahs

The ancient Palace of the Shirvanshahs has been named “a Pearl of Azerbaijani Architecture” by UNESCO. This palace was built in the 15th Century and restored in 2003. This palace houses a pavilion named Divan Khana, a mosque that Shah used to visit, burial vaults, a mausoleum, and the ruins of a bathhouse. The terrace of the palace gives an amazing view of the Flame Towers and ancient monuments as well. The palace is located in the heart of Icherisheher and gives the perfect combination of the old and the new city.

Museum of Miniature Books

The Museum of Miniature Books is one of the most unique places to visit in Baku. This one-of-a-kind museum displays more than 6,500 tiny books collected by Zarifa Salahova during the last 3 decades. Here you can find books from more than 60 countries, which include a miniature version of the Holy Quran, a Russian Book that the readers can only read with a magnifying glass, and the Constitution of Azerbaijan- written by Salahova herself. This museum has also been awarded a certificate from the Guinness Book of Records for having the largest collection of miniature books.

Fountain Square & Nizami Street

The Fountain Square in Baku is one of the most upbeat and vibrant places to visit in the city. It houses several shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. You can find plenty of things to do here, from shopping to socializing with the locals. Around this square, some of the best restaurants are located which serve the best of the local cuisines. In the evening, take a stroll from Nizami Street to Fountain Square and you will be amazed by the beautifully lit up nights.

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

Located along the Baku Boulevard, Azerbaijan Carpet Museum is home to the largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets in the whole world. The building has a unique architectural design and looks like a carpet. In the history and culture of Azerbaijan, carpet weaving has always been a huge part. This museum was built in 1967 and showcases several types of carpets from the 17th to the 21st century. Here, you can learn how the techniques to weave carpets evolved throughout the years, from simple methods to more complex techniques. It also showcases several different items such as embroideries, jewelry, and ceramics.

Yanar dag

During his visit to Baku in the 13th Century, Marco Polo noticed some mysterious fires burning all over the region. A common belief states that these fires gave birth to Zoroastrianism, a religion involving fire rituals. Later, it was discovered that these mystical fires were a result of the large gas reserves of Azerbaijan. Yanar Dag translated as “burning mountain” is one of the most amazing natural gas fires still burning in Azerbaijan. This 32 feet (10 meters) long wall of fire is scorching beside a hill. The locals believe that these fires began as a result of a shepherd throwing a cigarette in this place in the 1950s. Try visiting this place during the night for a better view of the ever-burning fires.