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    • Baku

    Baku travel guide

    View Azerbaijan travel guide

    Overview

    Baku is an ancient coastal city on the Caspian Sea that dates back to the 1st century AD, its long and colourful history including occupation by the Persians and Russians. Today the destination is a modern, 21st-century city where bold architectural designs, parks and gardens have replaced ugly soviet-style buildings. The improvements to services and infrastructure have also been substantial.

    That said, Baku has retained its sense of culture and history through preserving its Old City, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can easily explore the maze of narrow cobbled streets in a single day, and admire stunning medieval structures such as the Maiden Tower, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the public baths and dozens of mosques.

    Outside the Old City, glass-shelled towers dominate the skyline and air-conditioned shopping malls replace markets and street-side shops. Many excellent museums, a lively nightlife and a renowned restaurant scene also await visitors. The city's beaches may disappoint travellers who want to enjoy the Caspian Sea, though the Absheron Peninsula's north coast offers several beautiful stretches of sandy coastline and excellent facilities, most notably at Bilgah and Amburan.

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    Baku has a semi-arid climate with warm, dry summers and cool winters. The city is located in the most arid part of Azerbaijan, where precipitation is less than eight inches (203mm) per year. Even in winter (December to February), when Baku experiences the majority of its rain, precipitation levels are relatively low.

    Strong gale-force winds are possible throughout the year, which is why Baku is known as 'The City of Winds'. These winds are the reason Baku experiences fierce snowstorms during the winter months.

    Average high temperatures during summer (June to August) reach 87°F (31°C), with the Khazri winds providing a much-needed cooling effect. In winter, average temperatures drop to around 39°F (4°C), with temperatures on the coast dipping below freezing.

    Heydar Aliyev International Airport
    Location: The airport is situated about 13 miles (21km) from Baku.
    Time: GMT +4
    Transfer Between Terminals: It is possible to walk between terminals.
    Getting to the city: Aero Express buses service the city centre and official taxis are available outside the airport building. Visitors should be aware of drivers within the arrivals hall who are unlicensed and charge more. Hotel courtesy cars can be arranged for a fee.
    Car Rental: Car rental companies are available.
    Airport Taxis: Taxis are available at the airport.
    Facilities: Services include ATMs and currency exchange, shops and restaurants, business-class lounges, a prayer room, a spa and beauty lounge, a barber shop and sleeping pods.
    Parking Parking is available at the airport.
    Website: www.airport.az/

    The Baku Metro is one of many options for getting around and consists of more than 20 stations scattered throughout the city. Baku's electric trains, buses and minibuses are also good transport options, as they serve several locales and surrounding areas. Taxis in Baku are similar to London's black cabs in style; Bolt and Uber are available. Travellers who want to hire a car will find that many car rental companies have offices at the airport. Road conditions and signage are of a good standard in the city, though foreign drivers sometimes struggle to deal with the erratic behaviour of local road users.

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    Companies flying to Baku

    Azerbaijan Airlines