Baku

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan.

Baku, also known as Baky or Bakı, is the largest city in the Caucasus and the capital of Azerbaijan. Baku is on the coast of the Caspian Sea on the southern tip of the Absheron Peninsula. There are three major divisions in Baku: İçəri Şəhər (the Old Town), the Soviet-built city, and the newest part of the city. The population as of January 2012 was 2,122,300.

The city of Baku is on the semi-arid and dusty Absheron peninsula. The center of Baku is a patch of green in a largely brown area because of the many liters of water that is piped to the city every day. The city has a metro, a well developed bus and mini bus network, and a large area for walking including the Inner Walled City, The Boluvar, and Fountain Square.

Reading the book Ali and Nino is a good way to get into the mood.

A curious fact about Baku is that its average year-round temperature (14.2°C/57.6°F) matches the average temperature of the entire landmass of the earth to within a tenth of degree. Summers are hot and humid, winters cool, wet and breezy. However, seasonal temperature variations are less than in many continental regions at this latitude (about 40 degrees north) owing to the presence of the Caspian Sea.

There are a number of interesting sites within Baku's walled fortress, the Old City (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which can all be seen on foot in one day:

• The Palace of the Shirvan Shahs, Sabayil (Metro Icherisheher 200 m, +994 12 492-1073. Daily: Apr-Oct 10:00-19:00, Nov-Mar 10:00-18:00. The medieval palace of the Shirvan Shahs is the highlight of the Old City and a must see for any tourist in Baku. The complex contains the main building of the palace, Divanhane, the burial-vaults, the shah's mosque with a minaret, Seyid Yahya Bakuvi's mausoleum, a portal in the east - Murad's gate, a reservoir and the remnants of the bath-house. - The main building of the complex was started in 1411 by Shirvanshah Sheykh Ibrahim I. The two-storey building of the palace numbers about 50 different dimensions and outlines of the constructions connected with 3 narrow winding staircases. The big lancet portal directly leads from the courtyard to the second floor, into a high octahedral lodging covered with a cupola. A small, also an octagonal vestibule, located behind it, connects it with the rest of the lodgings in the palace. - Divankhana is a small stone pavilion. It is situated inside a small courtyard surrounded by a gallery-arcade on three sides. The Divankhana pavilion consists of an octahedral hall covered with a stone cupola both inside and outside. The well-proportioned high portal of the main entrance is decorated with an ornament and Arabic inscription. The ornament pictures the interlacing fig and vine leaves. The portal is also decorated with two medallions inside of which there are inscriptions in Kufic Arabic. - The Mausoleum of the Shirvanshahs is of a rectangular shape and crowned with a hexahedral cupola which is decorated from outside with multi-radial stars. The inscription on the entrance doorway indicates the purpose of the building, "Khalilullah I, the greatest Soltan, Great Shirvanshah, the namesake of the divine prophet, the defender of the religion ordered to construct this light burial-vault for his mother and son in 839" (1435–1436). On two drop-shaped medallions in the flannel parts of the portal there are inscriptions with the architect's name - Memar Ali (architect Ali). - The Palace Mosque (1430s) is situated in the lower court of the complex. The laconicism of its prismatic volumes, completed with two slightly pointed cupolas, is shaded by a well-proportioned vertical line of the minaret rising above in the north-eastern corner of the building. There are 2 chapels for prayers in the mosque: a hall of a large size for men and a hall of a small size for women, also a couple of small subsidiary rooms. There is an inscription laid under the stalactite belt of the minaret which reads, "The greatest Soltan Khalilullah I ordered to build this minaret. May Allah exalt the days of his governing and reign. The year of 845" (1441–1442). - Seyid Yahya Bakuvi's Mausoleum is situated in the southern part of the complex. Seyid Yahya Bakuvi was a royal scholar in the court of Shirvanshah Khalilullah. The Mausoleum is of an octahedral shape and covered with an octahedral marquee. It consists of ground and underground parts. The upper part of the Mausoleum served to perform the cult rites, and the lower one housed the sepulchral vault. There are three small lancet windows with a stone bar - shabaka on the southern, eastern and western verges of the Mausoleum. - The Shirvanshahs' Palace complex also includes the portal of Eastern Gates, the so-called "Sultan Murad's Gate" (1585). It was built within the walls of the citadel rather later than all the other constructions of the complex during Ottoman occupation of 1585-1603. The gates were named by them in honor of Sultan Murad III. - The Palace Bath-house is situated on the lowest terrace of the complex. It was discovered in 1939 and dates to 17th century. The archaeological excavations exposed a big bath-house consisting of 26 rooms. On the basis of the surviving remains of the walls of the bath-house one can say that its rooms used to be covered with cupolas and the light penetrated through the openings in the cupolas. The bath-house was semi-underground for keeping the heat in winter and the cool in summer. Foreigners 10 manat, locals 2 manat, 2 manat to take photos.

  * Saray Mosque. Plan of the mosque is rectangular. There is a small hall, small prayer room for women and serving rooms. The northern portal, rotated to a burial vault of Shirvanshahs is more solemn than the eastern one. The latter, which was coming down to underground exit, was intended for habitants of the palace. - Interior. Two-tier windowed prayer room is covered with cupola with spherical sails. Mihrab is located in the southern end of the palace. Cupola area over one a tier women prayer room ceding to cupola of the hall with its dimensions and replacing its outlines. Aperture of the mosque’s portal is clearly described on severe background of prismatic volume, ended with two cupolas with slightly sharpening calottes. - Minaret. Trunk of the minaret is surrounded by an inscription, a ligature of which has a date of 845 (1441/42). Details of sherefe’s stalactites are subtly modeled.

• Maiden's Tower, Qüllə (Metro Icherisheher 500 m east. Daily 10:00-19:00. This mysterious and eccentric tower was built somewhere between the 7th and 12th centuries and may have served as a fire beacon, defensive fortification, astronomical observatory, or Zoroastrian temple.
  The tower, which is Baku's most distinguished landmark, described as the "most majestic and mysterious monument of Baku, the Gyz Galasy", built on solid rock foundation, demonstrates right on the coast line, a fusion of Arabic, Persian and Ottoman influences. It was constructed alongside a natural oil well. It is a cylindrical eight story structure that rises to a height of 29.5 m with a base diameter of 16.5 m. The internal space available in the tower is said to be adequate to accommodate 200 people. A long solid projection to the main tower faces east, which is oriented towards sunrise pointing to the equinoxes, which has led to the conclusion that it was built as an astronomical tower; while the buttress faces east, the door access to the tower faces southeast. Each floor of the tower has a shallow vaulted roof, "a stone cupola" that has a central opening. The thickness of the walls varies from 5 m at the base tapering cylindrically to 3.2–4.2 m at the top floors. All floors are connected by staircase which abuts the circular wall and are lighted by narrow windows or niches which flare inward. The structure built in stone masonry exhibits varying finished surfaces, which is inlaid with local grey limestone. The alternate courses of stone laid in gypsum plaster gives a black and white banded effect. The northwestern part of the tower retains the original surface finish. There is also a beak-like projection, a buttress, curved in shape, made in masonry. The earliest stonework has square corners.
  A detailed examination of the construction features of the tower by archaeologists suggests that the stone masonry, both on its interior and exterior surfaces, is diamond shaped and is seen at the top as well as at the bottom of the tower wall. The diamond shaped cut seen as a decorative feature, particularly on the outer face of the west side wall, is ornate at the top and plain at the bottom of the wall; a subtle feature noted throughout the tower suggests that it was built as one monolith unit at one period. However, the renovations are crude.
  Water Well: Another notable structure seen in the tower is a water well of 0.7 m diameter, which is 21 m deep (its depth is up to the aquifer) that has been discovered at the second floor of the tower. It has an entrance also at the ground level which was discovered by Archaeologist Abbas Islamov during a recent study of the tower. This well has been interpreted as rainwater harvesting structure and the water is said to be clean and fresh (though close to the sea). The ceramic pipe (30 cm in diameter) plumbing seen running down from the niches of the tower into the well was meant as a supply source. Since the ancient plumbing system is said to be in its original form, it needs to be cleaned and its layout ascertained by further studies to describe the drainage network that was built as part of the tower. The ceramics of the plumbing system and the silt deposited in them could also help to fix the age of the tower by using thermo-luminescence technique
  Also seen in the tower, between the 2nd floor and the 7th floor, is a gutter of semicircular shape at every floor. It is made of ceramic pipes fitted one above another and joined by lime mortar. The pipes are presumably produced with the potter's wheel technique. They are 20–25 cm in diameter with 2.2 cm thick walls and each segment is 40–45 cm long. Similar gutters are seen from the ground floor up to the foundation level but with the four cornered ceramic pipes of 22 cm × 18 cm size, which run outside through the wall.
  Unfortunately, there is no good view from the top, because it is bared by a glass wall, keeping your distance from the edge. Foreigners 15 manat, locals 2 manat.
• Fortress walls and towers. Built in 11th–12th centuries.
• Bukhara Caravanserai. in late 15th century
• Multani Caravanserai.
• Hajji Gayyib bathhouse. Built in 15th century. Intake portal of the bathhouse is rectangular shaped. Whole complex of the bathhouse is divided into 3 groups: dressing-room, changing room and a bathing area. The dressing and changing rooms have octagonal halls, surrounded by small rooms. Vaults and domes have various figured outlines and were implemented thoroughly. There is a pool with warm and cold water in the centre of the hall. Floors are covered with stone plates. Heating is promoted by ceramic pipes or channels under the floors of the rooms. Warm air, produced by water heating circulates along these channels.
• Agha Mikayil bathhouse, Kichik Gala street 16?.
• Small Caravansaray, Asef Zeynally St. Built in 1500s.
• Molla Ahmad’s mosque. Built in 1290s.
• Myrzhy Ahmad’s mosque.
• Two-Storeyed Caravansaray. Constructed in 17th century.
• Hadji Bani (Hajji) mosque. This is constructed by architect Hadji Bani in the 16th century.
• “Chin” mosque. Constructed in 1375.
• Gasim-bek bath, Kichik Gala street (near the Salyan door (gate). Constructed in 17th century near the Salyan door (gate).
• Gasim-bek Caravanserai, Asef Zeynali (SW corner of district.
• Madrasah-mosque, A.Zeynalli street. The chapel constructed in the 15th century in the yard of Jame mosque
• Seyed Yahya mosque, Asef Zeynally Street ~16 (South part of the Old City, on the medieval commercial caravan road. Constructed in the early 17th century.
• Jame mosque and minaret remains, Kiçik Qala. Founded in 1309-10. The mosque was repeatedly reconstructed during its existence period. A new Friday Mosque was constructed in the place of old mosque in means of Baku merchant Haji Shikhlali Dadashov, in 1899. It was constructed in place of old Friday Mosque and it is considered that it was appeared in that place, where a temple of zoroastrians located. A minaret, constructed in 1437, adjoins Friday Mosque.
• Bazaar Square.
• Baba Kukhy Baku mosque.
• Cell-madrasa.
• Gileyli mosque. built in 1309, rebuilt 1800s
• Lezgi mosque / Ashur Mosque, Asef Zeynally Street.
• Portal of a residential building, Böyük Qala.
• Sultan oglu Sultan Sheikh Ibrahim mosque. Built in 1415-16.
• Salyan Gates and Shemakha Gates.
• Muhammad Mosque. This is the mosque built in the 11th century in Icheri Sheher, Baku. The mosque is also known as Siniggala, for the name of its minaret – Siniggala (“damaged tower”). The mosque acquired its second name in 1723, when military squadron of Russian army, consisting of 15 warships and led by Admiral Matyushkin approached the city from seaside and demanded its surrender. Russian warships began to bomb the city after refusal. One of the shells hit in the minaret of Muhammad Mosque and damaged it. At that time blew stormy wind and took the Russian ships away to the sea. Population of the city interpreted it as a divine scourge sent to the occupants. From that time till the middle of the 19th century minaret of the mosque wasn’t reconstructed and was the symbol of persistence and courage of defendants of the tower. - It is the first building in Azerbaijan, which is related to Islam and dated for its architectural ligature. - According to Arabic inscription which was saved in front of doorway of northern wall of the mosque, it was built by ustad-rais Muhammad the son of Abu Bakr in 471 of Hijra (1078/79). It means that the architect was not only a master-ustad, but also a rais-head of artificers’ corporation. - A Minaret adjoins new mosque, which was constructed on the basis of the older one’s plan. Trunk of the minaret is strong and slightly thinning. It is constructed from carefully drafted stone. Coarse and flat stalactites of tabling retain sherefe – muezzin’s balcony enclosed by stone plates. A ribbed dome completes the trunk of minaret. Narrow winding stairs are winded within the trunk. Ligature with Koranic inscription was traced under the tabling with archaic kufi alphabet.
• Beyler Mosque.
• Haji Eybata Mosque, Kichik Qala, dönge 8.
• Khan's house.
• Khidir mosque. Built in 1300s.
• Khanlarov mosque. Built in the late 19th century.
• Tetragonal tower. In the northern mid part of the fortress wall.
• Underground constructions, water reservoir.
• Takiya. A chapel for dervishes constructed in the 13th century.
• S. Gregory Armenian Church. This Armenian Church was built in 1887. The church closed in 1990, when the Armenian population had to leave. The building is now used as a presidential library.

The Palace of the Shirvan Shahs, Sabayil (Metro Icherisheher 200 m, +994 12 492-1073. Daily: Apr-Oct 10:00-19:00, Nov-Mar 10:00-18:00. The medieval palace of the Shirvan Shahs is the highlight of the Old City and a must see for any tourist in Baku. The complex contains the main building of the palace, Divanhane, the burial-vaults, the shah's mosque with a minaret, Seyid Yahya Bakuvi's mausoleum, a portal in the east - Murad's gate, a reservoir and the remnants of the bath-house. - The main building of the complex was started in 1411 by Shirvanshah Sheykh Ibrahim I. The two-storey building of the palace numbers about 50 different dimensions and outlines of the constructions connected with 3 narrow winding staircases. The big lancet portal directly leads from the courtyard to the second floor, into a high octahedral lodging covered with a cupola. A small, also an octagonal vestibule, located behind it, connects it with the rest of the lodgings in the palace. - Divankhana is a small stone pavilion. It is situated inside a small courtyard surrounded by a gallery-arcade on three sides. The Divankhana pavilion consists of an octahedral hall covered with a stone cupola both inside and outside. The well-proportioned high portal of the main entrance is decorated with an ornament and Arabic inscription. The ornament pictures the interlacing fig and vine leaves. The portal is also decorated with two medallions inside of which there are inscriptions in Kufic Arabic. - The Mausoleum of the Shirvanshahs is of a rectangular shape and crowned with a hexahedral cupola which is decorated from outside with multi-radial stars. The inscription on the entrance doorway indicates the purpose of the building, "Khalilullah I, the greatest Soltan, Great Shirvanshah, the namesake of the divine prophet, the defender of the religion ordered to construct this light burial-vault for his mother and son in 839" (1435–1436). On two drop-shaped medallions in the flannel parts of the portal there are inscriptions with the architect's name - Memar Ali (architect Ali). - The Palace Mosque (1430s) is situated in the lower court of the complex. The laconicism of its prismatic volumes, completed with two slightly pointed cupolas, is shaded by a well-proportioned vertical line of the minaret rising above in the north-eastern corner of the building. There are 2 chapels for prayers in the mosque: a hall of a large size for men and a hall of a small size for women, also a couple of small subsidiary rooms. There is an inscription laid under the stalactite belt of the minaret which reads, "The greatest Soltan Khalilullah I ordered to build this minaret. May Allah exalt the days of his governing and reign. The year of 845" (1441–1442). - Seyid Yahya Bakuvi's Mausoleum is situated in the southern part of the complex. Seyid Yahya Bakuvi was a royal scholar in the court of Shirvanshah Khalilullah. The Mausoleum is of an octahedral shape and covered with an octahedral marquee. It consists of ground and underground parts. The upper part of the Mausoleum served to perform the cult rites, and the lower one housed the sepulchral vault. There are three small lancet windows with a stone bar - shabaka on the southern, eastern and western verges of the Mausoleum. - The Shirvanshahs' Palace complex also includes the portal of Eastern Gates, the so-called "Sultan Murad's Gate" (1585). It was built within the walls of the citadel rather later than all the other constructions of the complex during Ottoman occupation of 1585-1603. The gates were named by them in honor of Sultan Murad III. - The Palace Bath-house is situated on the lowest terrace of the complex. It was discovered in 1939 and dates to 17th century. The archaeological excavations exposed a big bath-house consisting of 26 rooms. On the basis of the surviving remains of the walls of the bath-house one can say that its rooms used to be covered with cupolas and the light penetrated through the openings in the cupolas. The bath-house was semi-underground for keeping the heat in winter and the cool in summer. Foreigners 10 manat, locals 2 manat, 2 manat to take photos.

Maiden's Tower, Qüllə (Metro Icherisheher 500 m east. Daily 10:00-19:00. This mysterious and eccentric tower was built somewhere between the 7th and 12th centuries and may have served as a fire beacon, defensive fortification, astronomical observatory, or Zoroastrian temple.
The tower, which is Baku's most distinguished landmark, described as the "most majestic and mysterious monument of Baku, the Gyz Galasy", built on solid rock foundation, demonstrates right on the coast line, a fusion of Arabic, Persian and Ottoman influences. It was constructed alongside a natural oil well. It is a cylindrical eight story structure that rises to a height of 29.5 m with a base diameter of 16.5 m. The internal space available in the tower is said to be adequate to accommodate 200 people. A long solid projection to the main tower faces east, which is oriented towards sunrise pointing to the equinoxes, which has led to the conclusion that it was built as an astronomical tower; while the buttress faces east, the door access to the tower faces southeast. Each floor of the tower has a shallow vaulted roof, "a stone cupola" that has a central opening. The thickness of the walls varies from 5 m at the base tapering cylindrically to 3.2–4.2 m at the top floors. All floors are connected by staircase which abuts the circular wall and are lighted by narrow windows or niches which flare inward. The structure built in stone masonry exhibits varying finished surfaces, which is inlaid with local grey limestone. The alternate courses of stone laid in gypsum plaster gives a black and white banded effect. The northwestern part of the tower retains the original surface finish. There is also a beak-like projection, a buttress, curved in shape, made in masonry. The earliest stonework has square corners.
A detailed examination of the construction features of the tower by archaeologists suggests that the stone masonry, both on its interior and exterior surfaces, is diamond shaped and is seen at the top as well as at the bottom of the tower wall. The diamond shaped cut seen as a decorative feature, particularly on the outer face of the west side wall, is ornate at the top and plain at the bottom of the wall; a subtle feature noted throughout the tower suggests that it was built as one monolith unit at one period. However, the renovations are crude.
Water Well: Another notable structure seen in the tower is a water well of 0.7 m diameter, which is 21 m deep (its depth is up to the aquifer) that has been discovered at the second floor of the tower. It has an entrance also at the ground level which was discovered by Archaeologist Abbas Islamov during a recent study of the tower. This well has been interpreted as rainwater harvesting structure and the water is said to be clean and fresh (though close to the sea). The ceramic pipe (30 cm in diameter) plumbing seen running down from the niches of the tower into the well was meant as a supply source. Since the ancient plumbing system is said to be in its original form, it needs to be cleaned and its layout ascertained by further studies to describe the drainage network that was built as part of the tower. The ceramics of the plumbing system and the silt deposited in them could also help to fix the age of the tower by using thermo-luminescence technique
Also seen in the tower, between the 2nd floor and the 7th floor, is a gutter of semicircular shape at every floor. It is made of ceramic pipes fitted one above another and joined by lime mortar. The pipes are presumably produced with the potter's wheel technique. They are 20–25 cm in diameter with 2.2 cm thick walls and each segment is 40–45 cm long. Similar gutters are seen from the ground floor up to the foundation level but with the four cornered ceramic pipes of 22 cm × 18 cm size, which run outside through the wall.
Unfortunately, there is no good view from the top, because it is bared by a glass wall, keeping your distance from the edge. Foreigners 15 manat, locals 2 manat.

Fortress walls and towers. Built in 11th–12th centuries.

Bukhara Caravanserai. in late 15th century

Multani Caravanserai.

Hajji Gayyib bathhouse. Built in 15th century. Intake portal of the bathhouse is rectangular shaped. Whole complex of the bathhouse is divided into 3 groups: dressing-room, changing room and a bathing area. The dressing and changing rooms have octagonal halls, surrounded by small rooms. Vaults and domes have various figured outlines and were implemented thoroughly. There is a pool with warm and cold water in the centre of the hall. Floors are covered with stone plates. Heating is promoted by ceramic pipes or channels under the floors of the rooms. Warm air, produced by water heating circulates along these channels.

Agha Mikayil bathhouse, Kichik Gala street 16?.

Small Caravansaray, Asef Zeynally St. Built in 1500s.

Molla Ahmad’s mosque. Built in 1290s.

Myrzhy Ahmad’s mosque.

Two-Storeyed Caravansaray. Constructed in 17th century.

Hadji Bani (Hajji) mosque. This is constructed by architect Hadji Bani in the 16th century.

“Chin” mosque. Constructed in 1375.

Gasim-bek bath, Kichik Gala street (near the Salyan door (gate). Constructed in 17th century near the Salyan door (gate).

Gasim-bek Caravanserai, Asef Zeynali (SW corner of district.

Madrasah-mosque, A.Zeynalli street. The chapel constructed in the 15th century in the yard of Jame mosque

Seyed Yahya mosque, Asef Zeynally Street ~16 (South part of the Old City, on the medieval commercial caravan road. Constructed in the early 17th century.

Jame mosque and minaret remains, Kiçik Qala. Founded in 1309-10. The mosque was repeatedly reconstructed during its existence period. A new Friday Mosque was constructed in the place of old mosque in means of Baku merchant Haji Shikhlali Dadashov, in 1899. It was constructed in place of old Friday Mosque and it is considered that it was appeared in that place, where a temple of zoroastrians located. A minaret, constructed in 1437, adjoins Friday Mosque.

Bazaar Square.

Baba Kukhy Baku mosque.

Cell-madrasa.

Gileyli mosque. built in 1309, rebuilt 1800s

Lezgi mosque / Ashur Mosque, Asef Zeynally Street.

Portal of a residential building, Böyük Qala.

Sultan oglu Sultan Sheikh Ibrahim mosque. Built in 1415-16.

Salyan Gates and Shemakha Gates.

Muhammad Mosque. This is the mosque built in the 11th century in Icheri Sheher, Baku. The mosque is also known as Siniggala, for the name of its minaret – Siniggala (“damaged tower”). The mosque acquired its second name in 1723, when military squadron of Russian army, consisting of 15 warships and led by Admiral Matyushkin approached the city from seaside and demanded its surrender. Russian warships began to bomb the city after refusal. One of the shells hit in the minaret of Muhammad Mosque and damaged it. At that time blew stormy wind and took the Russian ships away to the sea. Population of the city interpreted it as a divine scourge sent to the occupants. From that time till the middle of the 19th century minaret of the mosque wasn’t reconstructed and was the symbol of persistence and courage of defendants of the tower. - It is the first building in Azerbaijan, which is related to Islam and dated for its architectural ligature. - According to Arabic inscription which was saved in front of doorway of northern wall of the mosque, it was built by ustad-rais Muhammad the son of Abu Bakr in 471 of Hijra (1078/79). It means that the architect was not only a master-ustad, but also a rais-head of artificers’ corporation. - A Minaret adjoins new mosque, which was constructed on the basis of the older one’s plan. Trunk of the minaret is strong and slightly thinning. It is constructed from carefully drafted stone. Coarse and flat stalactites of tabling retain sherefe – muezzin’s balcony enclosed by stone plates. A ribbed dome completes the trunk of minaret. Narrow winding stairs are winded within the trunk. Ligature with Koranic inscription was traced under the tabling with archaic kufi alphabet.

Beyler Mosque.

Haji Eybata Mosque, Kichik Qala, dönge 8.

Khan's house.

Khidir mosque. Built in 1300s.

Khanlarov mosque. Built in the late 19th century.

Tetragonal tower. In the northern mid part of the fortress wall.

Underground constructions, water reservoir.

Takiya. A chapel for dervishes constructed in the 13th century.

S. Gregory Armenian Church. This Armenian Church was built in 1887. The church closed in 1990, when the Armenian population had to leave. The building is now used as a presidential library.

• Mosque of the Martyrs, Izzat Nabiyev (Funicular - Shahidlar Khiyabani garden. This is a mosque, near the Martyrs' Lane. The mosque was built in the beginning of 1990s with assistance of the Turkish government. The mosque is used as an official residence of religious attaché of the Turkish embassy. Opened in 2009. The 154th ayah from Al-Baqara chapter of Quran is written on the façade of the mosque in Arabic and Turkish: “Do not say “Dead!” about those, who died for the sake of Allah. No, they are alive! But you do not feel.”
• Taza Pir Mosque, 7 Mirzə Fətəli Axundzadə. This is a mosque with two minarets. Its construction began in 1905 and was finished by 1914. The idea for the mosque as well as its financing was provided by an Azeri philanthropist, a female, Nabat Khanum Ashurbeyov (Ashurbeyli) - Architecture. Interior of the mosque has an area of 1,400 m² and decorated with ornaments of painting schools of Azerbaijan plus with samples from eastern ornaments. The height of the dome and a half meters. The mihrab and dome of the mosque made of marble, while decorative elements of the mosque, the tops of minarets and labels are made of gold. - The dome, on which 6 times written La ilaha ilallah from Muslim proclamation of faith or Shahada, made from Qızılqaya (Gyzylgaya) stone.
• Saint Gregory the Illuminator's Church, Street Nizami (ул. Низами) (in downtown At the Fountain Square - M 'Sahil' 400 m east. no longer open to the public.. Built in 1887. Now a government building.
• Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral / Russian Orthodox Church, +99412 440-4352. This Russian Orthodox cathedral was founded in 1909. Hit by a Russian missile in 1990, it was reconstructed and reopened in 2001. It holds a shrine of the apostle St. Bartholomew.
• Former Church of the Saviour, Dilara Aliyeva and 28 May Street (ул. 28 Мая) cnr (Metro '28 May'. Built in German donation. This was a Lutheran church, opened in 1899. Now it is a concert hall. The Gothic style church features a portal crowned with a decorated pediment. In 1898, a 213-kg gilded cross was raised atop the church. In early 1899 a bell and an organ were installed.
• Church of Michael the Archangel, Zargarpalan street (Zərgərpalan, Заргярпалан), 38 (in central - Between M 'Nizami' & M 'Icherisheher', +99 412 497-3596. This is a Russian Orthodox church. Founded in 1850.
• Church of the Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception, İzzət Oruczadə küç. ? (next to AMAY Shopping Center - Metro 'Khatai' 500 m. This is a Roman Catholic church. Built in 2006.

Mosque of the Martyrs, Izzat Nabiyev (Funicular - Shahidlar Khiyabani garden. This is a mosque, near the Martyrs' Lane. The mosque was built in the beginning of 1990s with assistance of the Turkish government. The mosque is used as an official residence of religious attaché of the Turkish embassy. Opened in 2009. The 154th ayah from Al-Baqara chapter of Quran is written on the façade of the mosque in Arabic and Turkish: “Do not say “Dead!” about those, who died for the sake of Allah. No, they are alive! But you do not feel.”

Taza Pir Mosque, 7 Mirzə Fətəli Axundzadə. This is a mosque with two minarets. Its construction began in 1905 and was finished by 1914. The idea for the mosque as well as its financing was provided by an Azeri philanthropist, a female, Nabat Khanum Ashurbeyov (Ashurbeyli) - Architecture. Interior of the mosque has an area of 1,400 m² and decorated with ornaments of painting schools of Azerbaijan plus with samples from eastern ornaments. The height of the dome and a half meters. The mihrab and dome of the mosque made of marble, while decorative elements of the mosque, the tops of minarets and labels are made of gold. - The dome, on which 6 times written La ilaha ilallah from Muslim proclamation of faith or Shahada, made from Qızılqaya (Gyzylgaya) stone.

Saint Gregory the Illuminator's Church, Street Nizami (ул. Низами) (in downtown At the Fountain Square - M 'Sahil' 400 m east. no longer open to the public.. Built in 1887. Now a government building.

Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral / Russian Orthodox Church, +99412 440-4352. This Russian Orthodox cathedral was founded in 1909. Hit by a Russian missile in 1990, it was reconstructed and reopened in 2001. It holds a shrine of the apostle St. Bartholomew.

Former Church of the Saviour, Dilara Aliyeva and 28 May Street (ул. 28 Мая) cnr (Metro '28 May'. Built in German donation. This was a Lutheran church, opened in 1899. Now it is a concert hall. The Gothic style church features a portal crowned with a decorated pediment. In 1898, a 213-kg gilded cross was raised atop the church. In early 1899 a bell and an organ were installed.

Church of Michael the Archangel, Zargarpalan street (Zərgərpalan, Заргярпалан), 38 (in central - Between M 'Nizami' & M 'Icherisheher', +99 412 497-3596. This is a Russian Orthodox church. Founded in 1850.

Church of the Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception, İzzət Oruczadə küç. ? (next to AMAY Shopping Center - Metro 'Khatai' 500 m. This is a Roman Catholic church. Built in 2006.

• National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, 31, Istiglaliyat st, +994 12 923 931. Tu-Su 10:00–18:00. The museum consists of two buildings standing next to each other. The museum's total collection includes over 15,000 artworks. There are over 3,000 items in 60 rooms on permanent display. Seven of the rooms in the first building feature European art, and ten rooms feature Russian art. European art includes works of Italian, French, Dutch/Flemish, German and Polish painters. - The second edifice built in 1885 houses Eastern art, represented particularly by Persian, Turkish, Chinese and Japanese art. Russian art is encompassed notably by paintings of different painters. There are also restored samples of Russian avant-garde. The museum also holds easel and book miniatures of 17th-19th centuries, lacquered miniatures of 18th-19th centuries and collection of sherbet spoons, made from mulberry tree.
• National Museum of History of Azerbaijan, 4 Hadji Zeynal Abdin Taghiyev str. (M: Sahil, +994 12 493 2387, +994 12 498 5211. M-Sa 11:00-18:00, first Monday of every month closed (– cleanup day). The museum was built in 1893–1902. The Italian Renaissance-style mansion is immense and takes up an entire city block. There are four floors in some parts of the building. It was designed by Polish architect Józef Gosławski. On the second floor of Taghiyev's residence, side by side there are two major ballrooms. One is based on Oriental designs (Mauritanian) style and the other, on Occidental design. The Oriental Room has enormous plate glass windows, gilded arches, highly ornamental walls, ceilings and chandeliers. The lines in the Occidental Room are more perpendicular to each other – rectangular. The museum has more than 2,000 exhibits and includes the following departments: Modern history, Ethnography, Ancient and medieval history of Azerbaijan, Scientific excursion, Fund of Numismatics, Art design group. 10 manat.
• Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Bakı ş., Mikayıl Useynov pr-ti, 28, +994124972016. Tu-F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-20:00. The museum hosts a wide range of different carpets, both old and new. It moved to its current location in 2014 (on the waterfront). The building itself is shaped as a carpet. 7 manat.
• Heydar Aliyev Center, Heydər Əliyev prospekti (M Ganjlik 700 m West, +994 12 505 60 04. This is a 64,103 m² building complex in Baku, Azerbaijan designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and noted for its distinctive architecture and flowing, curved style that eschews sharp angles. The Heydar Aliyev Center represents a fluid form which emerges by the folding of the landscape’s natural topography and by the wrapping of individual functions of the Center. All functions of the Center, together with entrances, are represented by folds in a single continuous surface. This fluid form gives an opportunity to connect the various cultural spaces whilst at the same time, providing each element of the Center with its own identity and privacy. As it folds inside, the skin erodes away to become an element of the interior landscape of the center. The center houses a conference hall (auditorium), a gallery hall and a museum.
• Stone Museum. An old factory transformed into a stone exhibition, with samples and replicas from Gobustan and other stone carvings in the region. Free English-speaking guide. Free.
• Art exhibition. On a reformed old factory, two free art exhibitions in two adjacent buildings. Free english-speaking guide. Free.

National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, 31, Istiglaliyat st, +994 12 923 931. Tu-Su 10:00–18:00. The museum consists of two buildings standing next to each other. The museum's total collection includes over 15,000 artworks. There are over 3,000 items in 60 rooms on permanent display. Seven of the rooms in the first building feature European art, and ten rooms feature Russian art. European art includes works of Italian, French, Dutch/Flemish, German and Polish painters. - The second edifice built in 1885 houses Eastern art, represented particularly by Persian, Turkish, Chinese and Japanese art. Russian art is encompassed notably by paintings of different painters. There are also restored samples of Russian avant-garde. The museum also holds easel and book miniatures of 17th-19th centuries, lacquered miniatures of 18th-19th centuries and collection of sherbet spoons, made from mulberry tree.

National Museum of History of Azerbaijan, 4 Hadji Zeynal Abdin Taghiyev str. (M: Sahil, +994 12 493 2387, +994 12 498 5211. M-Sa 11:00-18:00, first Monday of every month closed (– cleanup day). The museum was built in 1893–1902. The Italian Renaissance-style mansion is immense and takes up an entire city block. There are four floors in some parts of the building. It was designed by Polish architect Józef Gosławski. On the second floor of Taghiyev's residence, side by side there are two major ballrooms. One is based on Oriental designs (Mauritanian) style and the other, on Occidental design. The Oriental Room has enormous plate glass windows, gilded arches, highly ornamental walls, ceilings and chandeliers. The lines in the Occidental Room are more perpendicular to each other – rectangular. The museum has more than 2,000 exhibits and includes the following departments: Modern history, Ethnography, Ancient and medieval history of Azerbaijan, Scientific excursion, Fund of Numismatics, Art design group. 10 manat.

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Bakı ş., Mikayıl Useynov pr-ti, 28, +994124972016. Tu-F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-20:00. The museum hosts a wide range of different carpets, both old and new. It moved to its current location in 2014 (on the waterfront). The building itself is shaped as a carpet. 7 manat.

Heydar Aliyev Center, Heydər Əliyev prospekti (M Ganjlik 700 m West, +994 12 505 60 04. This is a 64,103 m² building complex in Baku, Azerbaijan designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and noted for its distinctive architecture and flowing, curved style that eschews sharp angles. The Heydar Aliyev Center represents a fluid form which emerges by the folding of the landscape’s natural topography and by the wrapping of individual functions of the Center. All functions of the Center, together with entrances, are represented by folds in a single continuous surface. This fluid form gives an opportunity to connect the various cultural spaces whilst at the same time, providing each element of the Center with its own identity and privacy. As it folds inside, the skin erodes away to become an element of the interior landscape of the center. The center houses a conference hall (auditorium), a gallery hall and a museum.

Stone Museum. An old factory transformed into a stone exhibition, with samples and replicas from Gobustan and other stone carvings in the region. Free English-speaking guide. Free.

Art exhibition. On a reformed old factory, two free art exhibitions in two adjacent buildings. Free english-speaking guide. Free.

• Baku Boulevard.
• Fountain Square. This is a pedestrian street along the center of Baku that has many shopping, dining, and sitting places. The Fountain Sq is a public square in downtown. The square is a public gathering place, especially after business hours and during the weekend. It is an attractive tourist destination with many boutiques, restaurants, shops, hotels and passage. The city authorities hold many public festivals, shows and celebrations here.
• Nizami (Torgovaya) St. This is a large pedestrian and shopping street in downtown Baku, named after famed classical poet Nizami Ganjavi. Nizami Street is home to various outlets, from banks to fashion stores and is one of the most expensive streets in the world. The street also accommodates the embassies. - Buildings mostly from late 19th-early 20th century, 1950s-1970s and a modern period. Most of the buildings, constructed in the first level, were constructed in “neo-renaissance”, “neo-gothic”, “baroque” and “neoclassicism” styles as other buildings of the city constructed in that period. “Neo-Moorish” style also dominates, in which architects attempted to use elements of national architecture in its construction. Houses are dressed with limestone – aglay. - Famous houses: No.20 The building of Caspian—Black Sea Oil and Trade Society (built in 1898-1899); No.30 The building of Central Universal Magazine. - No.34 "Nargiz" shopping center - No.38 Central Library - No.38 St. Gregory the Illuminator's Church (built in 1869), - No.48 Musa Naghiyev's house, built in 1911 - No. 50 Neoclassical apartments of Tagiyev brothers, built in 1912 - No.58 Residential house, constructed by architect I.V.Edel, in 1902. - No.64 Lev Landau house, built in 1911 - No.66 Oilmen's house built in 1956 by Mikayil Huseynov - No.67 "ISR Plaza" office center - No.69 International Bank of Azerbaijan - No.72 Azerbaijan State Theater of Young Spectators, built 1965 - No.74 National Library of Azerbaijan, opened in 1923 - No.75 Haji Rajabli House, built in 1896 - No.76 Azerbaijan State Song Theater named after Rashid Behbudov. - No.79 Murtuza Mukhtarov House, built in 1896. - No.85 Nasimi Park - No.87 State Committee on Capital Issues - No.90 Former mill - No.93 Musa Naghiyev house, built in 1911 - No.95 Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, built in 1911 - No.96 Office center "Landmark" - No.103 residential house, built in 1952 - No.115 Russian Imperial Technical Society, erected in 1899 - No.117 Azerbaijan State Oil Academy
• Dendro Park.
• Oil Rocks. Tourists wanting to see the oil rock complex must get authorization from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.
• National Flag Square. This is a large city square.
• Alley of Honor, Parlament Prospekti. This is a public cemetery and memorial in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Alley includes burials of famed Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan-affiliated expatriates, including several Presidents, scientists and artists. There are 242 burials in total.
• Martyrs' Lane, İzzət Nəbiyev street. Formerly the Kirov Park, it's a cemetery and memorial in Baku, dedicated to those killed by the Soviet Army during Black January and later to those killed in Nagorno-Karabakh War.
• International Mugham Center of Azerbaijan, Baku Boulevard (Neftçilər Prospekti, просп. Нефтяников) (Funicular 'Shovkat Alakbarova'. This is the center of Azerbaijani arts and music aimed to promote, preserve and popularize specific genre of Azerbaijani music Mugam. The center covers 7,500 m² and has 3 stories. The design of the building was based on elements and shapes of Tar, Azerbaijani musical instrument used in performing Mugham. The concert hall fits 350 people. The center also has a club, restaurant, study halls and record studios.
• Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, 2, Istiglaliyyat St, +994 12 497 29 05. Built in 1912 and inspired by the Monte Carlo Casino. Houses the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra among others.
• Palace of Happiness, Sabail Raion, Istiglaliyyat St. 4 (Metro Nariman Narimanov (Nəriman Nərimanov) 600 m N. This is a historic building in the center of Baku, Azerbaijan, built in Neo-Gothic style in 1912. The building was built by an Azerbaijani Oil Baron Murtuza Mukhtarov for his wife Lisa. The designer was the Polish architect Józef Plośko. After the Sovietization in 1920 the building was given to the Club of Liberated Turkic Women, after which it functioned as Shirvanshahs Museum. During the existence of Azerbaijan SSR, the palace functioned as the Palace of Marriage Registrations. On 2 August 2001, by a resolution issued by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, the building was listed as real estate of historic and state importance and was to be protected as a monument of Azerbaijani culture. The street lying on the right side of the building carries the name of Murtuza Mukhtarov.
• Gulustan Palace, 1 Istiglaliyyat Street, (M: Icherisheher. The Complex during the Soviet era is the main state convention center of the Azerbaijani government. From here overlooking the whole city of Baku and Baku Bay. The palace serves as an official facility for governmental and non-governmental organizations holding various types of formal events. It is notable for having hosted such important events as the Contract of the Century and other significant oil and gas contracts, signing of TRACECA project, the wedding of Leyla Aliyeva, the daughter of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, international and state conferences, etc.
• Ismailiyya building, Istiglaliyyat Street, (M: Icherisheher. This is a historical building that serves as the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. - The palace was constructed in 1913, for the Muslim Charity Society by Józef Plośko at the expense of the millionaire Musa Naghiyev in commemoration of his deceased son Ismayil, and was named Ismailiyya after him. The building was constructed in the Venetian Gothic style.
• Baku TV Tower, Sabail district (Bus to 'Abbasqulu Abbaszadə'. Built in 1996, is a free standing concrete telecommunications tower in Baku. With a height of 310 m, it is the tallest structure in Azerbaijan and the tallest reinforced concrete building in Caucasus. The tower has become one of the most prominent trademarks of Baku. - A rotating restaurant on the 62nd floor (175 m) of Azeri TV Tower was opened in 2008. Friendly staff. 20 manat.
• Flame Towers, Mehdi Huseyn Street (next to Parliament - Take the 'Funicular' or bus to 'Milli Məclis'. This is the tallest skyscraper in Baku, Azerbaijan with a height of 190 m (620 ft). The buildings consist of apartments, a hotel and office blocks. The estimated cost of Flame Towers is around US$350 million. Construction began in 2007, with completion in 2012. The facades of the three Flame Towers are turned into gigantic display screens with the use of more than 10,000 high-power LED luminaires, supplied by the Osram subsidiary Traxon Technologies and Vetas Electric Lighting. Definitely worth seeing from the old town.

• Oil Pump Fields. The famous oil pump fields from the opening scene of the James Bond picture The World is Not Enough.
• Bibi-Heybat Mosque, Salyan Highway (Salyan şossesi) (5 km south. Take bus 125 (e.g. near the Azneft dairəsi roundabout south of the old town) for 0.35 manat, you need a Baki Card.. This is a historical mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan. The existing structure, built in the 1990s, is a recreation of the mosque with the same name built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II Ibn Ahsitan II, which was completely destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1936.
  The Bibi-Heybat Mosque includes the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum (a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad), and today is the spiritual center for the Muslims of the region and one of the major monuments of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan. It's locally known as "the mosque of Fatima"
  The old mosque was situated in the southern part of the tomb, while there was a 20 meter high minaret in the west part of the mosque. Later a crypt and two niches were added to the mosque to the south of the minaret. On the niches there were inscriptions containing the name of Fatali Khan, whose tombstone marble slab is now in the Azerbaijan State Museum of History.
  From 1305 to 1313, Mahmud Ibn Saad built the mosque's minarets. The top of the thread and stalactites, raised by a small pillar, surmounted by a semicircular dome of Rebrov. Railing minarets were patterned with stone grill. Graphic studies showed that the height of the minaret was about 22 m.
  The rich interior of the complex has been decorated with ornaments. The inside of mosque included an oblong rectangular room with a lancet arch. Under the dome, there were chandelier-candlestick (shamdan), and a hook on which it hung was surrounded by stained glass. - On the north side of the minaret and the mosque immediately adjoining the tomb, there was an inscription which was discovered by Johannes Albrecht Bernhard Dorn. From the inscription it was clear that this mausoleum was built in 1619 and interred here by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Bin Abid, who died the next day after work.
  The modern restored mosque is a classic example of the Shirvan architectural school. The mosque has three domes, which have kept the traditional corrugated galvanised iron shape of the old mosque and two minarets. The domes are decorated with the green and turquoise mirrors, which are bordered with gilded inscriptions from Qur'an. Men's praying room is located on the south side of the complex, while women - on the north side. Between them is the mausoleum.
  The builders used local varieties of limestone such as Gulbaht. On the inside the walls of marble carvings with calligraphic inscriptions such as muhaggah, Suls, Jami-Suls, Kufic, kufi-shatrandzh, musalsag, sofa and tugra. Also widely used such ornamental compositions as islimi, shukyufa, Bandy-Rumi, zendzhiri Selcuk (Seljuk chain), Shamsi, Jafari and Achma-yumma.
  Also western women can enter, when wearing a veil. Free.
• AF MALL, in the heart of the city just off the Torgovaya on Samed Vurgun St 34, +994 12 5965506. This mall has many trendy shops, summer lounge with tropic garden and pool on rooftop opening by the end of 2011.
• Park Bulvar Shopping Mall, Along the boulevard, right across Park Inn Hotel. This mall has many trendy shops, a cinema, a planetarium, a bowling alley and many cozy cafes. There are many famous fast food chains located there, such as KFC and Sbarro.
• Philharmonic Fountain Park. A charming park with fountains and kiosks you can pass through when going to the boulevard from the Metro.

Baku Boulevard.

Fountain Square. This is a pedestrian street along the center of Baku that has many shopping, dining, and sitting places. The Fountain Sq is a public square in downtown. The square is a public gathering place, especially after business hours and during the weekend. It is an attractive tourist destination with many boutiques, restaurants, shops, hotels and passage. The city authorities hold many public festivals, shows and celebrations here.

Nizami (Torgovaya) St. This is a large pedestrian and shopping street in downtown Baku, named after famed classical poet Nizami Ganjavi. Nizami Street is home to various outlets, from banks to fashion stores and is one of the most expensive streets in the world. The street also accommodates the embassies. - Buildings mostly from late 19th-early 20th century, 1950s-1970s and a modern period. Most of the buildings, constructed in the first level, were constructed in “neo-renaissance”, “neo-gothic”, “baroque” and “neoclassicism” styles as other buildings of the city constructed in that period. “Neo-Moorish” style also dominates, in which architects attempted to use elements of national architecture in its construction. Houses are dressed with limestone – aglay. - Famous houses: No.20 The building of Caspian—Black Sea Oil and Trade Society (built in 1898-1899); No.30 The building of Central Universal Magazine. - No.34 "Nargiz" shopping center - No.38 Central Library - No.38 St. Gregory the Illuminator's Church (built in 1869), - No.48 Musa Naghiyev's house, built in 1911 - No. 50 Neoclassical apartments of Tagiyev brothers, built in 1912 - No.58 Residential house, constructed by architect I.V.Edel, in 1902. - No.64 Lev Landau house, built in 1911 - No.66 Oilmen's house built in 1956 by Mikayil Huseynov - No.67 "ISR Plaza" office center - No.69 International Bank of Azerbaijan - No.72 Azerbaijan State Theater of Young Spectators, built 1965 - No.74 National Library of Azerbaijan, opened in 1923 - No.75 Haji Rajabli House, built in 1896 - No.76 Azerbaijan State Song Theater named after Rashid Behbudov. - No.79 Murtuza Mukhtarov House, built in 1896. - No.85 Nasimi Park - No.87 State Committee on Capital Issues - No.90 Former mill - No.93 Musa Naghiyev house, built in 1911 - No.95 Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, built in 1911 - No.96 Office center "Landmark" - No.103 residential house, built in 1952 - No.115 Russian Imperial Technical Society, erected in 1899 - No.117 Azerbaijan State Oil Academy

Dendro Park.

Oil Rocks. Tourists wanting to see the oil rock complex must get authorization from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.

National Flag Square. This is a large city square.

Alley of Honor, Parlament Prospekti. This is a public cemetery and memorial in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Alley includes burials of famed Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan-affiliated expatriates, including several Presidents, scientists and artists. There are 242 burials in total.

Martyrs' Lane, İzzət Nəbiyev street. Formerly the Kirov Park, it's a cemetery and memorial in Baku, dedicated to those killed by the Soviet Army during Black January and later to those killed in Nagorno-Karabakh War.

International Mugham Center of Azerbaijan, Baku Boulevard (Neftçilər Prospekti, просп. Нефтяников) (Funicular 'Shovkat Alakbarova'. This is the center of Azerbaijani arts and music aimed to promote, preserve and popularize specific genre of Azerbaijani music Mugam. The center covers 7,500 m² and has 3 stories. The design of the building was based on elements and shapes of Tar, Azerbaijani musical instrument used in performing Mugham. The concert hall fits 350 people. The center also has a club, restaurant, study halls and record studios.

Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, 2, Istiglaliyyat St, +994 12 497 29 05. Built in 1912 and inspired by the Monte Carlo Casino. Houses the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra among others.

Palace of Happiness, Sabail Raion, Istiglaliyyat St. 4 (Metro Nariman Narimanov (Nəriman Nərimanov) 600 m N. This is a historic building in the center of Baku, Azerbaijan, built in Neo-Gothic style in 1912. The building was built by an Azerbaijani Oil Baron Murtuza Mukhtarov for his wife Lisa. The designer was the Polish architect Józef Plośko. After the Sovietization in 1920 the building was given to the Club of Liberated Turkic Women, after which it functioned as Shirvanshahs Museum. During the existence of Azerbaijan SSR, the palace functioned as the Palace of Marriage Registrations. On 2 August 2001, by a resolution issued by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, the building was listed as real estate of historic and state importance and was to be protected as a monument of Azerbaijani culture. The street lying on the right side of the building carries the name of Murtuza Mukhtarov.

Gulustan Palace, 1 Istiglaliyyat Street, (M: Icherisheher. The Complex during the Soviet era is the main state convention center of the Azerbaijani government. From here overlooking the whole city of Baku and Baku Bay. The palace serves as an official facility for governmental and non-governmental organizations holding various types of formal events. It is notable for having hosted such important events as the Contract of the Century and other significant oil and gas contracts, signing of TRACECA project, the wedding of Leyla Aliyeva, the daughter of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, international and state conferences, etc.

Ismailiyya building, Istiglaliyyat Street, (M: Icherisheher. This is a historical building that serves as the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. - The palace was constructed in 1913, for the Muslim Charity Society by Józef Plośko at the expense of the millionaire Musa Naghiyev in commemoration of his deceased son Ismayil, and was named Ismailiyya after him. The building was constructed in the Venetian Gothic style.

Baku TV Tower, Sabail district (Bus to 'Abbasqulu Abbaszadə'. Built in 1996, is a free standing concrete telecommunications tower in Baku. With a height of 310 m, it is the tallest structure in Azerbaijan and the tallest reinforced concrete building in Caucasus. The tower has become one of the most prominent trademarks of Baku. - A rotating restaurant on the 62nd floor (175 m) of Azeri TV Tower was opened in 2008. Friendly staff. 20 manat.

Flame Towers, Mehdi Huseyn Street (next to Parliament - Take the 'Funicular' or bus to 'Milli Məclis'. This is the tallest skyscraper in Baku, Azerbaijan with a height of 190 m (620 ft). The buildings consist of apartments, a hotel and office blocks. The estimated cost of Flame Towers is around US$350 million. Construction began in 2007, with completion in 2012. The facades of the three Flame Towers are turned into gigantic display screens with the use of more than 10,000 high-power LED luminaires, supplied by the Osram subsidiary Traxon Technologies and Vetas Electric Lighting. Definitely worth seeing from the old town.

Oil Pump Fields. The famous oil pump fields from the opening scene of the James Bond picture The World is Not Enough.

Bibi-Heybat Mosque, Salyan Highway (Salyan şossesi) (5 km south. Take bus 125 (e.g. near the Azneft dairəsi roundabout south of the old town) for 0.35 manat, you need a Baki Card.. This is a historical mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan. The existing structure, built in the 1990s, is a recreation of the mosque with the same name built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II Ibn Ahsitan II, which was completely destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1936.
The Bibi-Heybat Mosque includes the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum (a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad), and today is the spiritual center for the Muslims of the region and one of the major monuments of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan. It's locally known as "the mosque of Fatima"
The old mosque was situated in the southern part of the tomb, while there was a 20 meter high minaret in the west part of the mosque. Later a crypt and two niches were added to the mosque to the south of the minaret. On the niches there were inscriptions containing the name of Fatali Khan, whose tombstone marble slab is now in the Azerbaijan State Museum of History.
From 1305 to 1313, Mahmud Ibn Saad built the mosque's minarets. The top of the thread and stalactites, raised by a small pillar, surmounted by a semicircular dome of Rebrov. Railing minarets were patterned with stone grill. Graphic studies showed that the height of the minaret was about 22 m.
The rich interior of the complex has been decorated with ornaments. The inside of mosque included an oblong rectangular room with a lancet arch. Under the dome, there were chandelier-candlestick (shamdan), and a hook on which it hung was surrounded by stained glass. - On the north side of the minaret and the mosque immediately adjoining the tomb, there was an inscription which was discovered by Johannes Albrecht Bernhard Dorn. From the inscription it was clear that this mausoleum was built in 1619 and interred here by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Bin Abid, who died the next day after work.
The modern restored mosque is a classic example of the Shirvan architectural school. The mosque has three domes, which have kept the traditional corrugated galvanised iron shape of the old mosque and two minarets. The domes are decorated with the green and turquoise mirrors, which are bordered with gilded inscriptions from Qur'an. Men's praying room is located on the south side of the complex, while women - on the north side. Between them is the mausoleum.
The builders used local varieties of limestone such as Gulbaht. On the inside the walls of marble carvings with calligraphic inscriptions such as muhaggah, Suls, Jami-Suls, Kufic, kufi-shatrandzh, musalsag, sofa and tugra. Also widely used such ornamental compositions as islimi, shukyufa, Bandy-Rumi, zendzhiri Selcuk (Seljuk chain), Shamsi, Jafari and Achma-yumma.
Also western women can enter, when wearing a veil. Free.

AF MALL, in the heart of the city just off the Torgovaya on Samed Vurgun St 34, +994 12 5965506. This mall has many trendy shops, summer lounge with tropic garden and pool on rooftop opening by the end of 2011.

Park Bulvar Shopping Mall, Along the boulevard, right across Park Inn Hotel. This mall has many trendy shops, a cinema, a planetarium, a bowling alley and many cozy cafes. There are many famous fast food chains located there, such as KFC and Sbarro.

Philharmonic Fountain Park. A charming park with fountains and kiosks you can pass through when going to the boulevard from the Metro.

Outside the city, on the Absheron Peninsula, there are several interesting sites, like Yanar Dag (the burning mountain) and the Atashgah Fire Temple (with roots to ancient Indian migration), for a day or evening trip that are easy to reach via taxi or public transportation. Moreover, the scenery along your route is itself a fascinatingly ugly sight to be seen, a desert wasteland with white salt flats and natural oil pools seeping up to the surface.

In addition, the Baku Region is famous for its active mud volcanoes that might also be reached within a day. The Mud Volcano which is supposed to be 15 km north of Baku city centre. according to several online maps. It's a mud volcano but without any active mud vents, but instead the waste of the neighbouring communities. However, it might provide for a quite apocalyptic photo scenery, in case you have too much time on your hands or are nearby.

See Baku Region for all the details.

In addition, the Baku Region is famous for its active mud volcanoes that might also be reached within a day. The Mud Volcano which is supposed to be 15 km north of Baku city centre. according to several online maps. It's a mud volcano but without any active mud vents, but instead the waste of the neighbouring communities. However, it might provide for a quite apocalyptic photo scenery, in case you have too much time on your hands or are nearby.

In the evening, go to the opera at the national opera on Nizami street. Otherwise, go to the rooftop bar at Sultan Inn in the Old City for a drink and excellent views of the Maiden Tower, Caspian sea and the TV tower.

• Boat tours of Baku. Offered from the Baku Blvd. Lasts 40 minutes. 6 manat.
• Pantomima theatre, 49 Azadliq Ave, +994 12 4414756. Offered from the Baku Blvd. Lasts 40 minutes. 6 manat.
• National Opera and Ballet, 95 Nizami St, +994 12 4931651.
• Baku Funicular Railroad. You can take this funicular train from the square on Neftchilar Avenue up to the Alley of the Marytrs. 1 manat.
• Aqua Park Baku, Rashid Behbudov, 59, +994 12 4470303. US$19 for ages 7 and up.
• Baku Entertainment Center, Khatai District, F. Bayramov St, 1130/33, +994 12 490-22-22. Baku Entertainment center has been around for more than half a decade. It has a shopping center, bowling alley certified by AMF, health club, conference venue with a capacity of 350 people, and various restaurants and clubs.
• Mini-Venice. 10:30-23:30. A charming little complex of man-made waterways accessible on a boat. There are also some restaurants in the immediate proximity. The ticket booth is 10-15 meters to the right when coming from the North. It doesn't cost too much but the signage to the ticket booth is lacking.
• Watch football – Three teams in the city play in the Premier League, the top tier of football in Azerbaijan. These are Qarabağ FK who play at Azersun stadium, Keşla FK (formerly Inter Baku) at Inter Arena, and Neftçi PFC Bakı at Bakcell Arena. As these are all small by European standards, big club games may play at the international venue, Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.
  • Azersun stadium. capacity 5,800
  • ASK Arena. capacity 8,200
  • Bakcell Arena. capacity 11,000
  • Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. A host venue for the Euro 2020 tournament
  • Baku Olympic Stadium. 29 May 2019 will be UEFA Europa League Final between England's Chelsea and Arsenal

• Hamam Mehellesi. This is the oldest public bath in Baku located near the Icharishahar metro station, inside the walls of the old city. There are men's and women's days at this public bath, Mondays and Fridays are for women, the rest of the days are for men. 1 manat and they offer two types of service, hise (skin peel) for 2 manat, and massage for 4 manat.
• Aga Mikayil Bath House (XVIII century hamami), Icheri sheher, Kichik Gala 3/16, +994 503452144, +994 124927421. Daily 09:00-23:00, Women only: Monday & Friday. Sauna and pools, nice ambiance. 10 manat, plus massage 10 manat.
• Naftalan Bath. Oil baths are famous for Naftalan, a city close to Ganja. However you can also get an oil treatment in Baku, with Naftalan oil imported from there. It's like a small hospital and it's not a recreactional thing to do usually. However it's great fun and positively strange to dip for 15 min into hot crude oil. Choose yourself whether this is a save and healthy thing to do. 20 manat for medical checkup, 20 manat for one oil bath.
• The Spa at Park Hyatt Baku, Park Hyatt Baku Hotel, 1033 Izmir St, +994 12 4901234.
• Teze Bey Hamami. Public baths (Hamamlar). This public bath is in the old town and is a male-only hamam. They have different types of baths (Finnish, Turkish, etc.), so it may be a bit pricier than the other public baths in Baku.

Hamam Mehellesi. This is the oldest public bath in Baku located near the Icharishahar metro station, inside the walls of the old city. There are men's and women's days at this public bath, Mondays and Fridays are for women, the rest of the days are for men. 1 manat and they offer two types of service, hise (skin peel) for 2 manat, and massage for 4 manat.

Aga Mikayil Bath House (XVIII century hamami), Icheri sheher, Kichik Gala 3/16, +994 503452144, +994 124927421. Daily 09:00-23:00, Women only: Monday & Friday. Sauna and pools, nice ambiance. 10 manat, plus massage 10 manat.

Naftalan Bath. Oil baths are famous for [[Naftalan]], a city close to [[Ganja]]. However you can also get an oil treatment in Baku, with Naftalan oil imported from there. It's like a small hospital and it's not a recreactional thing to do usually. However it's great fun and positively strange to dip for 15 min into hot crude oil. Choose yourself whether this is a save and healthy thing to do. 20 manat for medical checkup, 20 manat for one oil bath.

The Spa at Park Hyatt Baku, Park Hyatt Baku Hotel, 1033 Izmir St, +994 12 4901234.

Teze Bey Hamami. Public baths (Hamamlar). This public bath is in the old town and is a male-only hamam. They have different types of baths (Finnish, Turkish, etc.), so it may be a bit pricier than the other public baths in Baku.

There are a couple of beaches including Shikhov Beach, but they are polluted by sewage and industrial waste. Outside the city, however, there are a few very nice sandy beaches on the Caspian. In particular Bilgəh and Amburan beaches, on the north coast of the Absheron Peninsula are great spots to cool off from heat. Further afield are the northern beaches and resorts of Northeastern Azerbaijan.

• AF Beach Club, Novkhani, +994 12 448-30-30. This complex has 5 swimming pools, fast food, restaurant with cooks from Azerbaijan and Europe, disco, game hall, Wi-Fi, water sports, beach volley, beach football, entertainments, professional animation team . 80-600 manat.
• Amburan Beach Club, Bilgah, +994 12 453-86-85. This complex has a 3 swimming pool, fast food outlets, restaurant with cooks from Azerbaijan and Europe, disco, game hall, Wi-Fi, water sports, beach volley, beach football, entertainments, professional animation team.

AF Beach Club, Novkhani, +994 12 448-30-30. This complex has 5 swimming pools, fast food, restaurant with cooks from Azerbaijan and Europe, disco, game hall, Wi-Fi, water sports, beach volley, beach football, entertainments, professional animation team . 80-600 manat.

Amburan Beach Club, Bilgah, +994 12 453-86-85. This complex has a 3 swimming pool, fast food outlets, restaurant with cooks from Azerbaijan and Europe, disco, game hall, Wi-Fi, water sports, beach volley, beach football, entertainments, professional animation team.

• Baku Jazz Festival, +994 12 437-55-33. Organised by famous saxophonist and Baku resident Rain Sultanov to showcase Azerbaijan's love of Jazz which grew during the Soviet era when it was banned by the authorities. Features acts from around the world, the annual festival lasts for a week, and will run from 7-14 Jun. Tickets can be purchased from Baku Jazz Center, 19 Rashid Behbudov St or by phone.

Baku Jazz Festival, +994 12 437-55-33. Organised by famous saxophonist and Baku resident Rain Sultanov to showcase Azerbaijan's love of Jazz which grew during the Soviet era when it was banned by the authorities. Features acts from around the world, the annual festival lasts for a week, and will run from 7-14 Jun. Tickets can be purchased from Baku Jazz Center, 19 Rashid Behbudov St or by phone.

Boat tours of Baku. Offered from the Baku Blvd. Lasts 40 minutes. 6 manat.

Pantomima theatre, 49 Azadliq Ave, +994 12 4414756. Offered from the Baku Blvd. Lasts 40 minutes. 6 manat.

National Opera and Ballet, 95 Nizami St, +994 12 4931651.

Baku Funicular Railroad. You can take this funicular train from the square on Neftchilar Avenue up to the Alley of the Marytrs. 1 manat.

Aqua Park Baku, Rashid Behbudov, 59, +994 12 4470303. US$19 for ages 7 and up.

Baku Entertainment Center, Khatai District, F. Bayramov St, 1130/33, +994 12 490-22-22. Baku Entertainment center has been around for more than half a decade. It has a shopping center, bowling alley certified by AMF, health club, conference venue with a capacity of 350 people, and various restaurants and clubs.

Mini-Venice. 10:30-23:30. A charming little complex of man-made waterways accessible on a boat. There are also some restaurants in the immediate proximity. The ticket booth is 10-15 meters to the right when coming from the North. It doesn't cost too much but the signage to the ticket booth is lacking.

Watch football – Three teams in the city play in the Premier League, the top tier of football in Azerbaijan. These are Qarabağ FK who play at Azersun stadium, Keşla FK (formerly Inter Baku) at Inter Arena, and Neftçi PFC Bakı at Bakcell Arena. As these are all small by European standards, big club games may play at the international venue, Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

• Azersun stadium. capacity 5,800
• ASK Arena. capacity 8,200
• Bakcell Arena. capacity 11,000
• Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. A host venue for the [[Euro 2020]] tournament
• Baku Olympic Stadium. 29 May 2019 will be UEFA Europa League Final between England's Chelsea and Arsenal

Watch football – Three teams in the city play in the Premier League, the top tier of football in Azerbaijan. These are Qarabağ FK who play at Azersun stadium, Keşla FK (formerly Inter Baku) at Inter Arena, and Neftçi PFC Bakı at Bakcell Arena. As these are all small by European standards, big club games may play at the international venue, Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

• Azersun stadium. capacity 5,800
• ASK Arena. capacity 8,200
• Bakcell Arena. capacity 11,000
• Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. A host venue for the [[Euro 2020]] tournament
• Baku Olympic Stadium. 29 May 2019 will be UEFA Europa League Final between England's Chelsea and Arsenal

Watch football – Three teams in the city play in the Premier League, the top tier of football in Azerbaijan. These are Qarabağ FK who play at Azersun stadium, Keşla FK (formerly Inter Baku) at Inter Arena, and Neftçi PFC Bakı at Bakcell Arena. As these are all small by European standards, big club games may play at the international venue, Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

• Azersun stadium. capacity 5,800
• ASK Arena. capacity 8,200
• Bakcell Arena. capacity 11,000
• Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. A host venue for the [[Euro 2020]] tournament
• Baku Olympic Stadium. 29 May 2019 will be UEFA Europa League Final between England's Chelsea and Arsenal

Watch football – Three teams in the city play in the Premier League, the top tier of football in Azerbaijan. These are Qarabağ FK who play at Azersun stadium, Keşla FK (formerly Inter Baku) at Inter Arena, and Neftçi PFC Bakı at Bakcell Arena. As these are all small by European standards, big club games may play at the international venue, Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

• Azersun stadium. capacity 5,800
• ASK Arena. capacity 8,200
• Bakcell Arena. capacity 11,000
• Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. A host venue for the [[Euro 2020]] tournament
• Baku Olympic Stadium. 29 May 2019 will be UEFA Europa League Final between England's Chelsea and Arsenal

Watch football – Three teams in the city play in the Premier League, the top tier of football in Azerbaijan. These are Qarabağ FK who play at Azersun stadium, Keşla FK (formerly Inter Baku) at Inter Arena, and Neftçi PFC Bakı at Bakcell Arena. As these are all small by European standards, big club games may play at the international venue, Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

• Azersun stadium. capacity 5,800
• ASK Arena. capacity 8,200
• Bakcell Arena. capacity 11,000
• Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. A host venue for the [[Euro 2020]] tournament
• Baku Olympic Stadium. 29 May 2019 will be UEFA Europa League Final between England's Chelsea and Arsenal

• Antiques from Old City (İçəri Şəhər)
• Rugs
• Apples from Quba
• Tea and Talish Stockings from Lankaran
• Halva from Sheki
• Traditional dolls created by ladies' groups in Barda

Antiques from Old City (İçəri Şəhər)

Rugs

Apples from [[Quba]]

Tea and Talish Stockings from [[Lankaran]]

Halva from [[Sheki]]

Traditional dolls created by ladies' groups in [[Barda]]

• Mega Memi. A chain for second-hand clothes, which has a few outlets around Baku, offering a good range of second-hand clothes at fairly low prices (1.5-manat scarf, 5-manat shirt, etc.).
• Chiraq bookstore, Istiqlaliyyat 47, (Zərgərpalan, Улица Истиглалият) (near M: İçəri Şəhər (Old City). Phrase books, maps and guides can be found here.
• Taza Bazaar. A huge food and spices market, probably one of the best known in Baku. Nonetheless, very much a market for the locals rather than tourists. Haggle to your heart's content (best to know a couple of phrases in Russian for this one).
• Sabunchu Flea Market. A huge flea market next to some oil fields, seems to be mainly Azerbaijani families selling off old stuff from their homes. Some great finds to be had but it does take a while to sift through all the mounds of odd clothing and random bits of scrap metal. Women visiting alone should be more cautious than in central Baku, foreigners attract attention here and being followed isn't unheard of.

Mega Memi. A chain for second-hand clothes, which has a few outlets around Baku, offering a good range of second-hand clothes at fairly low prices (1.5-manat scarf, 5-manat shirt, etc.).

Chiraq bookstore, Istiqlaliyyat 47, (Zərgərpalan, Улица Истиглалият) (near M: İçəri Şəhər (Old City). Phrase books, maps and guides can be found here.

Taza Bazaar. A huge food and spices market, probably one of the best known in Baku. Nonetheless, very much a market for the locals rather than tourists. Haggle to your heart's content (best to know a couple of phrases in Russian for this one).

Sabunchu Flea Market. A huge flea market next to some oil fields, seems to be mainly Azerbaijani families selling off old stuff from their homes. Some great finds to be had but it does take a while to sift through all the mounds of odd clothing and random bits of scrap metal. Women visiting alone should be more cautious than in central Baku, foreigners attract attention here and being followed isn't unheard of.

Bankomats (ATMs) are available all around the city, mainly in downtown and metro stations exits. If you have a cell phone with either a Bakcell or Azercell SIM card, you can recharge your account balance using various ATMs. The International Bank of Azerbaijan has a list of their ATMs in Baku. Some of them have Euros and US Dollars available.

There are many restaurants in Baku and kebab shops can be found easily for a quick meal.

• Half Way Inn, 6, 28 May St (Bus 2, 61, 85, 88, 90, 95 to Milli Bank, +994 12 5980905. International cuisine. 5-10 manat.
• L’aparte, 51, Istigaliyyet St (ул. Истиглалият) (M Icherisheher SW 0.4km, +994 12 497-77-79. European and Azeri cuisine. 6-10 manat.
• Lebanese, 12, Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev Street (M 'Sahil' 0.5km West, +994 12 4937849. Lebanese cuisine on Fountain Square. 4-8 manat.
• Onassis, 3, Inshaatchilar Ave ( İnşaatçılar prospekti) (Near to 'Huseyn Cavid Park' - M 'Elmlar Akademiyasi', +994 12 4391734. Greek and International cuisine. 2-7 manat.
• U Dali, 5, Mirza Ibrahimov Street (Bus to 'Şahmat məktəbi' or M 'Nizami' 0.6km N, +994 12 4949356. Georgian cuisine. 3-6 manat.
• Lavas/Fasali. Two take-away places, one next to the other, run by the same people. Do a wide range of usual Azeri/Turkish take-away food - but good quality, very popular with the locals, expect to queue! 3 manat for a kebab/pancake which will completely fill you up.

Half Way Inn, 6, 28 May St (Bus 2, 61, 85, 88, 90, 95 to Milli Bank, +994 12 5980905. International cuisine. 5-10 manat.

L’aparte, 51, Istigaliyyet St (ул. Истиглалият) (M Icherisheher SW 0.4km, +994 12 497-77-79. European and Azeri cuisine. 6-10 manat.

Lebanese, 12, Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev Street (M 'Sahil' 0.5km West, +994 12 4937849. Lebanese cuisine on Fountain Square. 4-8 manat.

Onassis, 3, Inshaatchilar Ave ( İnşaatçılar prospekti) (Near to 'Huseyn Cavid Park' - M 'Elmlar Akademiyasi', +994 12 4391734. Greek and International cuisine. 2-7 manat.

U Dali, 5, Mirza Ibrahimov Street (Bus to 'Şahmat məktəbi' or M 'Nizami' 0.6km N, +994 12 4949356. Georgian cuisine. 3-6 manat.

Lavas/Fasali. Two take-away places, one next to the other, run by the same people. Do a wide range of usual Azeri/Turkish take-away food - but good quality, very popular with the locals, expect to queue! 3 manat for a kebab/pancake which will completely fill you up.

• Anadolu, Pushkin St 5 & Rasul Rza St 3/5, +994 12 498-87-58, +994 012 498-804. Turkish/European restaurant. 8-15 manat.
• Bəh Bəh, 20 Shihaliyev St, +994 12 496-18-10.
• Firuze Restaurant, 14 Tarlan Aliyarbeyov, +994 503186545, +994 124939634. 12:00-01:00. Serves one of the best Piti in Azerbaijan, and one that is so filling that you almost cannot move afterwards. Website.
• Izmir Garden Restaurant, 5 Izmir St, +994 12 436-93-73.
• Jennet Baghi, 82, Acad, Hasan Aliyeve St, +994 12 449-91-98.
• Karvan Saray, 1 Gala St, Ichiri Sheher, +994 12 456-62-33. Have Azeri food dinner in a unique ambience.
• Lido, Cnr of Nkhchivani St, +994 12 462-94-49. European and Azeri cuisine.
• Masal, Khagani St.
• Mugam Club, 9 A. Rzayeva St, +994 12 492-40-85. European and Azeri cuisine. 10-15 manat.
• Namli Kebab, Targoviy Centre, Gogul St (close to Russian Dramatic Theatre and Austin Hotel, +994 50 201-44-45. European and Azeri cuisine. 10-15 manat.
• Respublika Luks, 24 Khagani St, +994 12 598-10-56. European and Azeri cuisine. 2-15 manat.
• XVII esr, 215 B. Safaroglu St, +994 12 598-17-00. Club-restaurant. 8-15 manat.

Anadolu, Pushkin St 5 & Rasul Rza St 3/5, +994 12 498-87-58, +994 012 498-804. Turkish/European restaurant. 8-15 manat.

Bəh Bəh, 20 Shihaliyev St, +994 12 496-18-10.

Firuze Restaurant, 14 Tarlan Aliyarbeyov, +994 503186545, +994 124939634. 12:00-01:00. Serves one of the best Piti in Azerbaijan, and one that is so filling that you almost cannot move afterwards. Website.

Izmir Garden Restaurant, 5 Izmir St, +994 12 436-93-73.

Jennet Baghi, 82, Acad, Hasan Aliyeve St, +994 12 449-91-98.

Karvan Saray, 1 Gala St, Ichiri Sheher, +994 12 456-62-33. Have Azeri food dinner in a unique ambience.

Lido, Cnr of Nkhchivani St, +994 12 462-94-49. European and Azeri cuisine.

Masal, Khagani St.

Mugam Club, 9 A. Rzayeva St, +994 12 492-40-85. European and Azeri cuisine. 10-15 manat.

Namli Kebab, Targoviy Centre, Gogul St (close to Russian Dramatic Theatre and Austin Hotel, +994 50 201-44-45. European and Azeri cuisine. 10-15 manat.

Respublika Luks, 24 Khagani St, +994 12 598-10-56. European and Azeri cuisine. 2-15 manat.

XVII esr, 215 B. Safaroglu St, +994 12 598-17-00. Club-restaurant. 8-15 manat.

• Dukhan, 81/13 Nizami St, +994 12 598-22-29. Georgian cuisine.
• Georgian Home, 215 Bashir Safaroglu St & 18 Mirza Irahimov St, +994 12 493-85-36, +994 12 493-43-85. Georgian cuisine.
• Khutor, 9 M. Mukhtarov St, +994 12 437-22-23. Ukrainian cuisine. 8-15 manat.
• Maksim, 4/3 Gala St (Old City, +994 12 492-20-45. Georgian cuisine. 5-20 manat.
• Rasputin, 9 A. Aliyev St, +994 50-355-57-71. Russian cuisine. 5-20 manat.

Dukhan, 81/13 Nizami St, +994 12 598-22-29. Georgian cuisine.

Georgian Home, 215 Bashir Safaroglu St & 18 Mirza Irahimov St, +994 12 493-85-36, +994 12 493-43-85. Georgian cuisine.

Khutor, 9 M. Mukhtarov St, +994 12 437-22-23. Ukrainian cuisine. 8-15 manat.

Maksim, 4/3 Gala St (Old City, +994 12 492-20-45. Georgian cuisine. 5-20 manat.

Rasputin, 9 A. Aliyev St, +994 50-355-57-71. Russian cuisine. 5-20 manat.

Sultan Inn rooftop or Meridien hotel rooftop restaurants for European/fusion with excellent views) or head back to the Fountain Square for greater variety of inexpensive cuisine.

• Caviar, 1025/30 Tbilisi Ave, +994 12 490-70-90. International cuisine.
• Corleone, 40 Khagani St, +994 12 498-82-46. Italian cuisine.
• Ego’s, 19/13 Khagani St, +994 12 493-11-01. European cuisine. 8-15 manat.
• Gazelli Evi, 93 Nizami St, +994 12 493-96-88. International cuisine. 5-16 manat.
• Dolce Vita, 9 Aziz Aliyev St, +994 12 492-75-72. Italian restaurant.
• Grand Hotel Europe, 1025/30 Tbilisi Ave, +994 12 490-70-90. International cuisine.
• Greasy Barney’s, G. Abbasov 72, Apt 1A, +994 12 491-23-63. Sandwich shop.
• Le Mirage, 34 Nizami St, +994 50-622-05-90. European cuisine. Nightclub.
• Cafe City, Rashid Behbudov St (St closest to the L side of Park Bulvar, close to Sahil Bagi and Central Public Library. Mixed cuisine cafe.
• Le R Restaurant, 123/6 Remontov St, +994 12-437-21-80. European cuisine.
• Mexicana, 17 Z. Tagiyev St, +994 12 498-90-96. 6-14 manat.
• München, 125 Nizami St, +994 12 493-76-00. German cuisine. Large selection of draft beer.
• Nara, 4 Aziz Aliyev St, +994 12 497-12-55. French cuisine.
• Park Inn's Glory, 1 Azadlig Ave, +994 12 490-00-01. European cuisine. 8-18 manat.
• Pauza, 28 May St, +994 12 493-70-03. International cuisine. 5-15 manat.
• Pizza Holiday, 119 Lermontov Kuchasi (Near Baku Soviet, +994 12 497-37-72. Pizza and Italian cuisine. 5-15 manat.
• Soho, 6 R. Aliyarbekov St, +994 50-319-38-19. International cuisine.
• The Red Lion Inn, 7 Mammadaliyev St, +994 12 493-03-54. English cuisine. 6-16 manat.
• Universal Club, 16 Z. Tagiyev St, +994 12 493-29-12. International cuisine.
• Paris Bistro, 1/4 Zarifa Aliyeva street, +994 12-404-82-15. 24 hr. French cuisine. 6-19 manat.

Caviar, 1025/30 Tbilisi Ave, +994 12 490-70-90. International cuisine.

Corleone, 40 Khagani St, +994 12 498-82-46. Italian cuisine.

Ego’s, 19/13 Khagani St, +994 12 493-11-01. European cuisine. 8-15 manat.

Gazelli Evi, 93 Nizami St, +994 12 493-96-88. International cuisine. 5-16 manat.

Dolce Vita, 9 Aziz Aliyev St, +994 12 492-75-72. Italian restaurant.

Grand Hotel Europe, 1025/30 Tbilisi Ave, +994 12 490-70-90. International cuisine.

Greasy Barney’s, G. Abbasov 72, Apt 1A, +994 12 491-23-63. Sandwich shop.

Le Mirage, 34 Nizami St, +994 50-622-05-90. European cuisine. Nightclub.

Cafe City, Rashid Behbudov St (St closest to the L side of Park Bulvar, close to Sahil Bagi and Central Public Library. Mixed cuisine cafe.

Le R Restaurant, 123/6 Remontov St, +994 12-437-21-80. European cuisine.

Mexicana, 17 Z. Tagiyev St, +994 12 498-90-96. 6-14 manat.

München, 125 Nizami St, +994 12 493-76-00. German cuisine. Large selection of draft beer.

Nara, 4 Aziz Aliyev St, +994 12 497-12-55. French cuisine.

Park Inn's Glory, 1 Azadlig Ave, +994 12 490-00-01. European cuisine. 8-18 manat.

Pauza, 28 May St, +994 12 493-70-03. International cuisine. 5-15 manat.

Pizza Holiday, 119 Lermontov Kuchasi (Near Baku Soviet, +994 12 497-37-72. Pizza and Italian cuisine. 5-15 manat.

Soho, 6 R. Aliyarbekov St, +994 50-319-38-19. International cuisine.

The Red Lion Inn, 7 Mammadaliyev St, +994 12 493-03-54. English cuisine. 6-16 manat.

Universal Club, 16 Z. Tagiyev St, +994 12 493-29-12. International cuisine.

Paris Bistro, 1/4 Zarifa Aliyeva street, +994 12-404-82-15. 24 hr. French cuisine. 6-19 manat.

• Buddha, 2 A.Z. Tagiyev St, +994 12 493-10-05. Fusion Cuisine. 6-12 manat.
• Maharaja, 131 Akivsat Gykuyev St, +994 12 494-63-00. Indian cuisine. 8-15 manat.
• Taj Mahal, 18 Khagani St, +994 12 498-03-62. Indian cuisine. 3-14 manat.

Buddha, 2 A.Z. Tagiyev St, +994 12 493-10-05. Fusion Cuisine. 6-12 manat.

Maharaja, 131 Akivsat Gykuyev St, +994 12 494-63-00. Indian cuisine. 8-15 manat.

Taj Mahal, 18 Khagani St, +994 12 498-03-62. Indian cuisine. 3-14 manat.

• Chinar, 1 Shovket Alekperova St, +994 12 492-08-88. Pan-Asian cuisine, modern tea house and late night cocktail bar. 20-70 manat.
• House of Sultans, Icheri Sheher Boyuk Gala #20, +994 12 437-23-06. International and Azeri cuisine.
• Mezzo, Bakikhanov St (in Hyatt Hotel, +994 12 496-12-34. Mediterranean cuisine. 20-70 manat.
• Shanghai, 31 Rasul Rza St, +994 12 495-45-10. Chinese fare. 3-25 manat.
• Terrace Garden, 20 Boyuk Gala (Icheri Sheher (Old Town), +994 12 437-23-05. European and Azeri cuisine. 7-26 manat.
• Toscana, 12 Basti Bagirova St, Kermur Plz, +994 12 436-80-47. Italian cuisine. 4-20 manat.

Chinar, 1 Shovket Alekperova St, +994 12 492-08-88. Pan-Asian cuisine, modern tea house and late night cocktail bar. 20-70 manat.

House of Sultans, Icheri Sheher Boyuk Gala #20, +994 12 437-23-06. International and Azeri cuisine.

Mezzo, Bakikhanov St (in Hyatt Hotel, +994 12 496-12-34. Mediterranean cuisine. 20-70 manat.

Shanghai, 31 Rasul Rza St, +994 12 495-45-10. Chinese fare. 3-25 manat.

Terrace Garden, 20 Boyuk Gala (Icheri Sheher (Old Town), +994 12 437-23-05. European and Azeri cuisine. 7-26 manat.

Toscana, 12 Basti Bagirova St, Kermur Plz, +994 12 436-80-47. Italian cuisine. 4-20 manat.

There are many outdoor tea houses (çayxanalar) that serve tea and sweets to people in their own individual nooks. Going to them can be a great way to get a sense of the local culture. If you are adventurous, try challenging a local Bakuvian to a game of backgammon (nard) or dominoes.

There is a good selection of cafés dispersed throughout Baku. Expect to pay Western prices for your coffee.

• Aroma Cafe, 18, U. Hajibayov St, +994 12-598-07-07.
• Azza Cafe, 1, I. Safarli St/Fountains Sq, +994 12 437 0111. 12-23.
• Baku Roasting Company. Tu-Su 09:00-21:00. 2.5-7 manat.
• Chocolate, 21, Boyukgala St/4 Mamedaliyev St, +994 12-492-35-26.
• Cottage Café, +994 12-497-48-30.
• Gourmet Shop, 5, Mardanov Gardashlari St, +994 12-49-12-34.

Aroma Cafe, 18, U. Hajibayov St, +994 12-598-07-07.

Azza Cafe, 1, I. Safarli St/Fountains Sq, +994 12 437 0111. 12-23.

Baku Roasting Company. Tu-Su 09:00-21:00. 2.5-7 manat.

Chocolate, 21, Boyukgala St/4 Mamedaliyev St, +994 12-492-35-26.

Cottage Café, +994 12-497-48-30.

Gourmet Shop, 5, Mardanov Gardashlari St, +994 12-49-12-34.

Although tea houses (çay xanalar) (found throughout Azerbaijan) serve local beer (piva) - draft at 50 qapick/glass or bottles at 70 qapick/bottle or vodka (araq) at 2 manat/bottle, for anything exotic (e.g. tequila, gin, or rum), you will have to go to a normal bar or hotel and pay Western prices there.

• Beluga Bar, Bakikhanov St (in Hyatt Hotel, +994 12-496-12-34.
• Britannia Pub, Bakikhanov St (in Hyatt Hotel, +994 12-496-12-34.
• Caspian Bar, 1025/30, Tbilisi Ave, +994 12-490-70-90.
• The Corner Bar, 77, Nizami St (cnr of the R. Rza and Tolstoy Sts.
• Finnegan’s, 4, A. Aliyev St, +994 12-498-98-57. Next to History Museum. Free wifi. Good beer prices and Happy Hour offers. Ridiculously expensive wine, however. It doesn't serve Guinness. April 2016.
• Golden Ridges Pub, 5, Mardanov Gardashlari St, +994 12-493-17-72.
• Hampstead, 12, Basti Bagirova St, +994 12-436-79-81.
• Park Inn's Victor’s Bar, 1, Azadlig St, +994 12-490-60-00.
• Pub Viking, 49, Bul-bul St, +994 12-499-18-86.
• Queen’s Head, 95, Neftchilar St, +994 50-368-77-33.
• Tequila Junction, Next to ISR Plz, +994 12-498-43-32.
• Tiger Bar, 19, Mamed Aliyv St, +994 12-598-41-21.
• The Phoenix Bar, 10, Mammadaliyev St, +994 12-305-90-90.
• Tj’s Pub, 9, Aliyarbekov St, +994 12-498-46-21.
• Caledonia Bar, 38, Rasul Rza, +994 12-494-28-53. 09:30-late. Offers a familiar pub atmosphere with photos and memorabilia from Scotland. Screens for watching sporting events.

Beluga Bar, Bakikhanov St (in Hyatt Hotel, +994 12-496-12-34.

Britannia Pub, Bakikhanov St (in Hyatt Hotel, +994 12-496-12-34.

Caspian Bar, 1025/30, Tbilisi Ave, +994 12-490-70-90.

The Corner Bar, 77, Nizami St (cnr of the R. Rza and Tolstoy Sts.

Finnegan’s, 4, A. Aliyev St, +994 12-498-98-57. Next to History Museum. Free wifi. Good beer prices and Happy Hour offers. Ridiculously expensive wine, however. It doesn't serve Guinness. April 2016.

Golden Ridges Pub, 5, Mardanov Gardashlari St, +994 12-493-17-72.

Hampstead, 12, Basti Bagirova St, +994 12-436-79-81.

Park Inn's Victor’s Bar, 1, Azadlig St, +994 12-490-60-00.

Pub Viking, 49, Bul-bul St, +994 12-499-18-86.

Queen’s Head, 95, Neftchilar St, +994 50-368-77-33.

Tequila Junction, Next to ISR Plz, +994 12-498-43-32.

Tiger Bar, 19, Mamed Aliyv St, +994 12-598-41-21.

The Phoenix Bar, 10, Mammadaliyev St, +994 12-305-90-90.

Tj’s Pub, 9, Aliyarbekov St, +994 12-498-46-21.

Caledonia Bar, 38, Rasul Rza, +994 12-494-28-53. 09:30-late. Offers a familiar pub atmosphere with photos and memorabilia from Scotland. Screens for watching sporting events.

• Caravan Jazz Club, 4 Aliyev St, +994 12 97-11-39. You might not expect it, but Baku has a great jazz tradition of its own and this is the place to go. No entrance fee and has a free, western-style toilet.
• Room 103, 103 Neftiçilər Prospekti, +994 12 92-65-03. An upscale cocktail bar with nightly live jazz.
• Otto Club, Tarlan Aliyarbekov st., 3B (close to Fountain Square, +994 55 744-63-93. Club for dancing on the weekend. Make sure to arrive after midnight if you don't want to be alone. Expect electro and dance music from a DJ as you would expect it in European countries

Caravan Jazz Club, 4 Aliyev St, +994 12 97-11-39. You might not expect it, but Baku has a great jazz tradition of its own and this is the place to go. No entrance fee and has a free, western-style toilet.

Room 103, 103 Neftiçilər Prospekti, +994 12 92-65-03. An upscale cocktail bar with nightly live jazz.

Otto Club, Tarlan Aliyarbekov st., 3B (close to Fountain Square, +994 55 744-63-93. Club for dancing on the weekend. Make sure to arrive after midnight if you don't want to be alone. Expect electro and dance music from a DJ as you would expect it in European countries

Many cafés in Baku now have free WiFi. In general, internet cafes in Azerbaijan are called "internet klubs" and they are found throughout Baku. Public WiFi service is available in central areas and attractions, making it comfortable to the tourists to connect.

Azerbaijan Post locations are dispersed throughout Baku. Mailing an international letter generally costs 0.8 manat.

As Azal seems to be in a permanent state of flux as to where their offices are located, pop into a travel agent and ask about tickets very carefully before buying anything. In some cases, like Naxcevan or last-minute flights, you will absolutely have to go the ever-moving central office during a few random opening times in order to get your tickets processed. One travel agent who can guide you buy phone is reachable at +994 55 4201220 or +99412 5551320 or 5981619.

Baku is considered a safe city, nevertheless common sense is useful as in all other big cities. Homeless people do not harass or attack people and are very safe to be around. The biggest problem in Baku is driving. Many drivers do not obey rules and speed.

The security is rather high, with regular security checks at some attractions and metro stations. The metro has police guarding on the both ends of the escalators.

• Ambulance: 103
• Fire: 101
• Gas Emergency 104
• Speaking Clock 106
• Police: 102

You must speak in Azeri, Turkish or Russian to communicate your needs. It would be a good idea to memorize key phrases before coming to Azerbaijan - see the Talk section for phrasebooks. The police are friendly and nice and try to help you as much as they can. Try to be nice and understanding and don't get frustrated if you don't understand each other immediately. Write down your phone's IMEI code in case it gets lost so it is easier for the police to find.

The roads can be treacherous at night due to unseen potholes and dimly lit cars. Most areas in and near the downtown are mostly safe. There are some underpasses under particularly busy roads (some with escalators), and some zebra crossings and traffic lights. Watch out for traffic police if otherwise crossing a busy road, they may try to fine you 20 manat for a traffic offence (even though the locals do it constantly).

Many details can also be found here: https://www.embassypages.com/azerbaijan

• Bulgaria Bulgaria, Oktay Kerimov str. 34, +994 12 441-43-81, +994 12 441-41-38.
• China China, 67 Khagani St, +994 12-4936933, +994 12-4936587 (24-hr).
• Georgia Georgia, AZ 1069, Narimanov raion, Yashar Huseynov St. 13-15, +994 12 497-45-60. 09:00-18:00.
• Greece Greece, Kichic Gala 86-88, +994 12 492-01-19.
• United Kingdom United Kingdom, 45 Khagani Street (Əfzələddin Xaqani), AZ1010 (Metro 'Sahil', +994 12 4377878. M-F 09:00-17:00.
• United States United States, 111 Azadlig Ave, +994 12 488-3300.

Bulgaria Bulgaria, Oktay Kerimov str. 34, +994 12 441-43-81, +994 12 441-41-38.

China China, 67 Khagani St, +994 12-4936933, +994 12-4936587 (24-hr).

Georgia Georgia, AZ 1069, Narimanov raion, Yashar Huseynov St. 13-15, +994 12 497-45-60. 09:00-18:00.

Greece Greece, Kichic Gala 86-88, +994 12 492-01-19.

United Kingdom United Kingdom, 45 Khagani Street (Əfzələddin Xaqani), AZ1010 (Metro 'Sahil', +994 12 4377878. M-F 09:00-17:00.

United States United States, 111 Azadlig Ave, +994 12 488-3300.

• Nabran – Relax by the Caspian on the beach or in a resort. Azerbaijan's biggest tourist destination for international travellers and a coastal city close to Xachmaz.
• Quba – Its urban suburb is home to the largest Azerbaijani Jewish community in the mountains and is considered one of the largest Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union.
• Khinalug (Xinaliq) – A scenic, remote and ancient mountain village, and the mountain of the same name nearby. Once a centre of Zoroastrianism; today the few inhabitants are an ethnic isolate believed to be descendants of the Caucasus Albanians (unrelated to modern-day Albanians of Albania).
• Sheki – A 7-hour bus ride to the northwest. A beautiful city in the Caucasus mountains with lots to see and do. It has one of the largest densities of cultural resources and monuments that span 2,700 years of Azerbaijani history.
• Lahich – A cozy and remote highland village, on the way to Sheki. Famous for its copper work.
• Shamakhi – A town that used to be the capital of the Medieval state of Shirvan. Famous for its traditional dancers, Şamaxı dancers, and its impressive mosque. An ancient history and once one of the key cities along the Silk Road.
• Naftalan – A well-known petroleum spa resort, the centre of medical tourism in Azerbaijan. Go and enjoy the oil baths.
• Ganja – One of the oldest cities in the Caucasus.
• Nakhchivan (region) – The Baku Airport is one of the few in the world offering flights to Nakhchivan and travelers heading that way should book a flight from here.

• Georgia – There are direct buses and trains into Tbilisi from Baku.
• Iran – Buses take international travellers onwards from Baku there.
• Turkmenistan – A ferry departs daily from Baku across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenbashi. This ferry has become something of a sleeper hit with backpackers on the Silk Road, but is very uncomfortable and should only be taken by adventure-seekers.
• Kazakhstan – A similar ferry (often the Merkury-1 or the Professor Gul) leaves from "Baku International Port" in Alat, 60 km south of Baku (the ferry previously left from Baku harbour proper until late 2018). The cabins are basic but clean and (fairly good) food is served on board, three square meals a day. It takes approximately 30 hours, and arrives at the port of Kuryk in Kazakhstan (be warned! The port is in the middle of nowhere and the cabbies there are hustlers. Best to try to hitchhike a truck out of the port, many of the drivers are friendly Ukrainians, to avoid US$30 or more for a taxi). US$70 4-person cabin, US$80 2-person. Cars, motorbikes and bicycles also taken.