Are you looking for a new area to discover that offers delicious food, historic customs, and contemporary conveniences? However, you also yearn for creature comforts and a hint of “something new”? Excellent, then why not discover this enchanted city full of modern pride, opportunity, and cultural fusions?
Here is our week-long itinerary in and around Baku, complete with useful advice to help you make the most of your time there. The fact that many younger people speak English and that the major attractions in Baku have clear English signage may comfort many.
What Time of Season Is Best to Visit Baku?
Choose May or June for your visit, or wait until September or October for the ideal weather. In July and August, it might get really hot, so you won’t enjoy strolling around as much. Many Azeris flee the city to their summer homes, or dachas, in the countryside. Indeed, Baku has a breeze. Though it can be windy at times, don’t let that deter you—, in the middle of summer, it can be a benefit!
It may surprise you to learn that Baku occasionally has snowfall despite having warm winters that are usually frost-free (see our dog Ellie enjoying her first snowfall!). In search of a fresh alpine slope, Quba, located north of Baku, has a ski resort!
What to Bring on a Trip to Baku, Azerbaijan?
Most importantly, you want to travel in comfort. Here are a few things we strongly advise you to bring for a week in Baku and a few outings:
- Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the city’s cobblestone streets, climbing stairs, and hiking are all required if traveling outside of town.
- wear knee-length clothes and a headscarf when visiting mosques
- Sunscreen and a hat
- a bit more “dressy” attire. Azeris are well-groomed, well-dressed, and well-put together. Enjoy dressing up for dinner in the evening!
- Although shorts are now “the norm,” most Azeris do not go out in them!
- Binoculars provide amazing views of the city!
Things to Do in Baku During the Week
This schedule combines time spent in Baku’s picturesque center with two excursions outside the city. We won’t list restaurants by day because the city has so many amazing spots to eat. But near the end of the essay, we offer some of our favorites from Baku!
Day – 1
Morning: “Icheri Sheher,” the Old City Walled City
Get a map of the city center first. Proceed to the twin gates, which serve as the primary entryway to the UNESCO-recognized medieval city of Baku, which dates back to the 12th century. It is wonderful, with winding streets that lead to residences, hotels, restaurants, stores, museums, and parks.
After a few hours of exploring, find yourself a traditional restaurant in the old city.
Afternoon: Highland Park Hop On/Hop Off Bus
If you want to discover your way about the larger metropolis, think about riding the Hop On/Hop Off bus. This route has sixteen stops, and completing a full round takes about 1.5 hours. Why not take a break at the Highland Park Stop for a snack (ice cream, anyone?) and enjoy the expansive city views and the Caspian Sea’s glittering waves?
Day – 2
Morning: Go to the Museum of Carpets
Carpet weaving has a long history in Azerbaijan. A rug produced by hand is a durable souvenir that will survive for years. Visit the National Carpet Museum, which is financed by UNESCO, first before you go shopping. It was established in 1972 and includes hundreds of exquisite displays. The museum is located close to the Boulevard, as the picture below shows, and is styled to resemble a rolled-up carpet!
Afternoon: Explore the Shirvanshahs’ Palace
If you did the walking tour we suggested yesterday, you probably passed by The Shirvanshahs Palace. It’s time to enter the historic palace system and experience the regal lifestyle that once prevailed here.
One may easily spend an hour or so here. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. When you enter through the main gate, purchase your ticket at the tiny booth. If you’d want to learn more of the various secrets and tales, it’s 15AZM for visitors from other countries. You may even schedule a tour!
The End!
There is proof of human settlements in Baku as early as the fourth millennium BCE, contributing to the country’s rich cultural heritage. Known for its breathtaking architecture, lovely parks, and busy streets, Baku is a contemporary, energetic city today.
