Baku Travel Guide: Explore
the Jewel of the Caspian Sea
Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, is striking because of the historical aspects as well as the modern features which the two extremes has to offer. Sitting on the shores of the Caspian Sea, this cosmopolitan city caters to everything from ancient buildings to towering modern constructions. Regardless if you are on a three-day visit or a longer one, this Baku travel guide will ensure that all your clicks are put together and in the right place that they should be.
1. Best Time to Visit Baku
Baku has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. Hence one can say that it is better off visit the city between April and June or September to November when there are favorable conditions for most outdoor strains. Summers can be unbearably hot while winters are characterized by rains and strong winds. If cultural festivities are your thing, you should center your tour to Baku around Novruz, the Persian New Year in March, or go there for the Baku Jazz Festival in October with a Baku travel guide.
2. Getting Around Baku
Traveling to your destination is not only cheap but also quite easy as public transportation in Baku is well embodied. One can use buses, taxi cabs, metro, or even go around walking to explore the place. Out of which the metro rail helps go from one place to another in the city quite rapidly. Cabs are relatively easy to stop on the street in Baku but I would recommend using Bolt or Yandex taxis if you don’t want to pay more than is required by fare.
Otherwise, for a more rewarding walking experience, you can try going to the Baku Boulevard – a pretty long stretch of walkway and recreation area that lies next to the Caspian Sea and links a lot of major sights as well with the help of having proper Baku travel guide.
3. Top Attractions in Baku
Every Baku Azerbaijan travel guide has must-see landmarks of the city therefore this travel guide could not be complete.
a) The Old City (Icherisheher)
The Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah’s Palace is an old royal complex built in the 15th century where Baku’s most famous tower, the Maiden Tower is situated, along with other historical monuments and centuries-old ramparts.
b) Flame Towers
Everywhere in Baku, three skyscraper towers resemble flames. In the evening the building comes alight in different colors, creating a beautiful sight from far ahead. You could also go to the observing deck to get a view of Baku, and the whole of the Caspian Sea.
c) Baku Boulevard
This is a coastal walk as well as riding bicycles along the coast. Enjoy other activities such as a Ferris Wheel, an architectural masterpiece called Baku Crystal Hall, and Mini Venice which is a beautiful place full of water streams.
d) Heydar Aliyev Center
The Heydar Aliyev Center is a cultural building acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid constructed which is very much modern. It is a cultural center and organizes many dealings and exhibitions but the building herself with its soft and smooth contours is worth seeing.
4. Culinary Delights in Baku
No Baku tour guide should be written without tasting local food. Azerbaijan cuisine is a mouthwatering mix of Middle East, Turkish, and Persian cuisines. Here are some dishes that you can’t miss.
- Plov: A dish of rice cooked with saffron, meat, and some dried fruits and spices.
- Dolma: Rice and meat stuffed into rolled-up grape leaves often served with some yogurt.
- Kebab and Shashlik: Skewered grilled meats, usually lamb or chicken.
- Pakhlava: A confection made of honey, nuts, dough, and a lot of work.
You will also find many eating places on Nizami Street as well as in the Old City that serve local cuisine as well as foreign food.
5. Travel Tips for Baku
- Currency: The currency used in the country is the Azerbaijan Manat (AZN). One can use credit cards almost anywhere but it is advisable to have some cash for minor shops and taxi services.
- Language: The official language is Azerbaijani, however, tourism areas have many locals who are able to communicate fluently in Russian and English as well.
- Dress Code: There are no formal dress codes in Baku a modern city. However, people are encouraged to put on clothes that are not revealing while in mosques and other places of worship.
- Safety: Tourists can comfortably walk the streets of Baku but as always caution is advised in busy areas and avoid unlicensed taxis.
6. Visa Information for Traveling to Baku, Azerbaijan
Before beginning your trip, make sure to familiarize yourself with the visa policies of Azerbaijan. In this part of the Baku travel guide, information on the Baku visa is provided with respect to your country of citizenship.
a) E-Visa for Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan has an e-visa (ASAN Visa) facility for nationals of around 90 countries which can be applied online. The e-visa is valid for 30 days and is usually issued within 3 working days. Travelers require a passport that has a validity of 6 months from the date of arrival. You can start your application for an e-visa on this official website: https://evisa.gov.az
Countries Eligible for E-Visa:
- United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
- European Union countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, etc.
- Asian countries: Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore
- Gulf countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Cost: Around $25 USD (non-refundable)
b) Visa-Free Countries
The Azerbaijan government grants visa-free access to a few other countries. Now, you do not have to file a visa application if you are a national of those countries.
Visa-Free Countries and Stay Limits:
- Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Moldova: Unlimited stay
- Turkey, Iran: Up to 90 days
- Ukraine: Up to 90 days in 180 days
C) Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Specific nationalities are eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) when arriving at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. The visa is usually valid for a period of 30 days. Please remember to take sufficient cash along (around $20-25 USD is usually enough) to pay the visa fee that is charged at the airport.
Eligible Countries for VOA:
- UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia
- China (including Hong Kong and Macau)
- Israel
d) For Indian and Pakistani Travelers
E-visa can also be applied by the passport holders of India and Pakistan. It is easy and within 3 working days, the e-visa will be issued. E-visa procedures include booking hotels, and it also includes travel insurance details in the documents.
- Visa fee: Around $25 USD
- Stay limit: 30 days
e) Travelers from Schengen and GCC Countries
Holders of valid Schengen visas or residence permits from GCC countries (UAE, Qatar, etc.) are eligible for a VOA on arrival at Baku airport. Please make sure your Schengen or GCC visa is active up to when you are arriving.
f) Extension of Stay
In case you are planning to remain in Baku for over 10 days, then it is mandatory to register with the State Migration Service (SMS). Usually, hotels and tour agencies provide this service free of charge but you can do this by yourself online.
- Overstaying your visa may result in fines or entry bans on future visits.
Conclusion
To conclude, Baku is a great place for tourism, as it has history, modernity well represented in architecture, and culture blended so well. This Baku travel guide provides that you visit Old City and such places as Flame Towers and Heydar Aliyev Center but also eat and relax by the Caspian Sea. Luxury that is affordable, a good transport system, and friendly people are what every Baku tour guide will recommend for the months of April-June and September-November for the best weather. To avoid any inconveniences while traveling, check Baku visa requirements inclusive of e-visa, visa on arrival, and countries that do not require any visa upon entry. European Travel will help you organize and complete this journey in the best way possible!