What to see in Baku?
Hello, my name is Natalia Kovalenko, and you are in my blog where I talk about the life of a city dweller. And today I am in the capital of Azerbaijan, in the city of wind and fire – Baku.
Now it’s November, it’s warm outside, and the weather invites a leisurely walk. I suggest you walk through the main and most famous places of Baku together with me.
But before we start, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel, like this video, and let’s go!
Before going for a walk, I want to share my first impressions.
Baku is located on the Absheron Peninsula on the shore of the Caspian Sea – a city with centuries of history. One of the versions of the origin of the name of the capital of Azerbaijan sounds very romantic – the City of God.
Baku is definitely a city of contrasts. Among expensive buildings, cars, and beautiful people, you can also see old houses and Soviet cars.
Baku is a cocktail of different cultures and cities.
After spending more than a week here, I caught myself feeling that when looking at the city, I see Moscow with its glass skyscrapers – Moscow City, Turkey with its oriental flavor, Dubai with its grand buildings and nightly light shows, Budapest with its central architecture, or even Sydney or Toronto.
Another thing that catches your eye is the crazy traffic, traffic jams, and the lack of road etiquette – both from drivers and pedestrians.
Separately, I want to mention the local cuisine, where East and West intertwine.
And of course, Baku is a place that loves scale – from architecture and apartments to the lifestyle in general.
Icheri Sheher – the Old City.
Icheri Sheher is the center of Baku. From this place, the history of the capital of Azerbaijan began.
Translated from Azerbaijani, it means “Inner City.” Locals also call it the fortress or the old city.
Its origin is attributed to the 5th century AD. In the year 2000, the Old City was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
When I first came here, I couldn’t even imagine that it was a full-fledged city within a city and not just a small street.
The complex includes numerous examples of ancient architecture – mosques, towers, churches, squares, and other important structures.
The ancient quarter is open to visitors around the clock, and entry is free for everyone.
Another attraction inside Icheri Sheher is the Maiden Tower, which served as a lighthouse until the beginning of the 20th century.
The tower itself was built in the 12th century and reaches 28 meters in height. Now the tower serves as an observation deck that you can climb and enjoy the surrounding view.
By the way, it was on the territory of the Old City where the famous falling scene from the movie The Diamond Arm was filmed.
One can talk about Icheri Sheher for a very long time, so to better learn its history and navigate through it, use the services of a guide.
But I’ll share one secret – the monument Lovers and Cats, which few people notice. Try to find it, and if it’s difficult, the exact address will be in the description of this video.
Seaside Boulevard
The Baku Seaside Boulevard resembles the promenade in Nice and was created for leisurely walks and romantic dates.
Once upon a time, there was a city wall here that protected Baku from sea raids. In the 1860s, the wall became unnecessary – there was no one left to attack the city – and it was decided to demolish it.
In hot weather, it is especially pleasant to walk along the palms, pines, and baobabs on the shore of the Caspian Sea.
Look at the singing fountain and the complex of artificial canals called Little Venice.
And by the way, if you are lucky, you may see green parrots – they say smugglers accidentally brought them from Africa.
Today, it is one of the longest and most beautiful seaside parks in the world, with a developed infrastructure, unique greenery, attractions, restaurants, cafes, various entertainments, sports, concert, and shopping complexes.
Highland Park
Walking along the Seaside Boulevard, you will reach the funicular that takes you to the Flame Towers, the symbol of Baku.
Walking through Highland Park, you can take in a panoramic view of the entire city.
This is the main observation deck of Baku, and from here opens a truly stunning view.
The Flame Towers are three high-rise buildings that include a hotel, apartments, and offices.
An interesting fact about the towers: LED panels display the movement of fire, creating a visual effect of flames that emphasize the main idea behind the name “Flame Towers.”
The name and shape of the towers refer to the coat of arms of Baku, which depicts three tongues of flame.
It is especially beautiful here after sunset when night falls and the light show begins all over the city.
Nizami Street
When I was in school, my favorite street was Arbat in Moscow – a place you could walk through among crowds of people, souvenirs, and cafes.
Now, in every new city, I look for my own Arbat. In Baku, it is definitely Nizami Street, named after the 13th-century poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi.
Walking along it is a pure pleasure – numerous cafes and terraces, beautiful Baku residents, tourists, and guests of the capital.
I especially want to highlight the patterned tiles – it feels like you’re walking on carpets.
The street was built in several stages – in the 19th century, mid-20th century, and now in modern times. Therefore, a mix of architectural styles is felt.
Personally, I had the impression that I was walking through a European city – that’s how much I liked it here.
Heydar Aliyev Center
A futuristic building that resembles a spaceship from Star Wars or a seashell on the waves.
This building has no corners. It was designed by the famous designer and architect Zaha Hadid.
It’s most convenient to get here by metro or by taxi – Bolt, Yango, or Uber.
By the way, taxis in Baku are very inexpensive, and I travel around the city only by them.
The cultural center includes an auditorium, museum, exhibition halls, and administrative offices.
The main exhibition is dedicated to the third president of Azerbaijan – Heydar Aliyev.
Personally, for me, the Heydar Aliyev Center is a symbol of modern Baku, since I first paid attention to the capital of Azerbaijan thanks to photos of this futuristic building.
Come here during the day and at sunset, take photos and videos, run along the facade of the building – they will definitely get lots of reactions on your social media.
And so, our walk through glorious Baku has come to an end.
The city looks very rich and luxurious – wide avenues, modern architecture – it’s immediately clear that no money was spared for all of this.
This is connected with the fact that the city, like the republic itself, lives off oil revenues, which, as many say, began to be extracted in the mid-19th century.
But whatever the case, a city is measured not by its buildings or other objects, but by the people who live in it.
What can I say – the people of Baku are very friendly and hospitable, and if you come here, you will 100% feel it for yourself.
I strongly recommend everyone to visit here, walk along the wide avenues, try the delicious local cuisine, and enjoy views like the one behind me now.
Related
We will arrange a meeting with a World Immigration Hub specialist for you in person or online format
During the meeting, the specialist will:
- Explain how we work and how we can help you.
- Explain the immigration process step-by-step, presenting the roadmap, budget, and financial requirements.
- Share our immigration experience and discuss key points you should know before starting your journey.
- Determine the next steps together with you.
Depending on the project’s complexity, the meeting with the manager may be coordinated with experts, designers, and assistants.
Natalia Kovalenko
Immigration Consultant
Mehman Asadzade
Immigration Lawyer