What to Do in Baku: My Best Activities & Sights Guide

Looking for ideas of what to do in Baku?

There’s plenty to do in this vibrant city.

I stayed for 3 nights and focussed my activities on the city centre.

Read on for some ideas of things to do during your visit.

What To Do in Baku

Baku is very easy to explore on foot.

A lovely area to explore is the promenade which is filled with things to enjoy such as lovely gardens, fountains, sculptures, cafes and a few attractions including;

The Baku Eye, which is a large observation wheel sitting beside the Caspian Sea. It wasn’t actually finished when I visited but it is now. Tickets are 5 for adults and 2.50 for children. You will get a lovely view of Baku city from the wheel. At night time it lights up and is a lovely addition to the view.

The Carpet Museum is a very large building shaped like a roll of carpet! It is open from 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Friday and 11am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday. Entry prices are very reasonable – around 3.50 for adults and 1.50 for children. There are daily guided tours at midday and curator led exhibitions to see things not usually on display. If you are interested in carpets or textiles this sounds right up your street!

The Deniz Mall (Caspian Waterfront Mall) is shaped like an 8 petalled flower. It is a very striking building. It is definitely worth a visit and now includes shops, cafes, restaurants and an entertainment centre.

Things to Do in Baku

Baku Tea

Many of the cafes in the gardens serve traditional Baku Tea. This is black tea, served with a variety of jams. The tea is poured into the cup and then the jam is added for sweetness. There are often some snacks/cakes served with tea. This can be nice to try during your stay but it can be frustrating when all you want is a drink. The cost can be quite high too. In one cafe the cost worked out to 15 pounds.

There seemed to be an expectation that tourists would pay for the full tea service, with some cafes saying it was that or nothing.

As such it is worth checking this before you sit down, otherwise it could be quite expensive.

Baku Holiday

Eating and Drinking

Eating new dishes is always a great part of travelling. Here’s where I ate during my stay;

Mugam Club – Caravanserai

Caravanserai were buildings that provided shelter, food and stabling to those travelling along the Silk Road.

The Mugam Club is a restaurant housed in an old Caravanserai. The restaurant said it was open for breakfast but it didn’t actually have a breakfast menu.

It was no problem though – I had a meal of bread and cheeses instead.

The building was spectacular and it was worth going just for the experience of being there. I was the only person in the restaurant which made it very quiet.

It would be spectacular to go in the evening when the building was lit and there was a lively atmosphere.

What To Do in Baku

Old Baku Tea House

The oldest tea house in Baku took a little finding. The entrance was quite unimposing and easy to miss.

The decor was nice with cushions and tapestries. There are little snugs and seating areas giving the place an intimate feel.

When I visited the walls had large TV’s all over them playing pop videos which I found rather distracting.

What To Do in Baku

The House Cafe

I absolutely loved this restaurant. It is in one of the main squares and close to the old town.

The House Cafe was very popular and busy with locals. The waiting staff were very friendly and helpful and spoke English which was great.

The breakfast here was amazing – I would go back to Baku just to eat here again!

It was very popular with locals which is always a good sign. It’s location meant that it was also a great spot for people watching and I enjoyed that too.

It was so good that I went back the next day for lunch, something I never do!

What To Do In Baku

Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre

When visiting Baku the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre is an absolute must.

It is easy to reach using the metro and then walking several blocks to reach the Cultural District.

The area around this space age and the wonderful building is landscaped and the conference centre has an interesting design too. In the grounds there was some interesting public art.

The walk to the Cultural Centre meant walking through the residential area and it was nice to see a bit more of local life.

On my return journey, I got off at the wrong station and ended up having quite a long walk back. This turned into an adventure when I discovered the underground shopping malls. These were in the underpasses which are a frequent part of Baku. Some have escalators but many just have steps so walking around Baku as a pedestrian often involves going under roads or over footbridges.

What To Do In Baku

Azerbaijan Museum of Independence and Miniature Book Museum

Having planned to visit both these museums I failed dismally to find either. Despite going all round the block where the Independence Museum was supposedly located I could find no sign of it at all. That was disappointing given the interesting subject.

I had the same issue with the miniature book museum.

It felt like an issue with Baku being open for visitors but not quite having joined all the dots of highlighting things to do and places to visit.

What To Do In Baku

Visiting the Flame Towers

The Flame Towers are an iconic building in Baku. They stand on the hill above the bay and are a dramatic and beautiful sight. You can stay in the Towers, which as you can imagine is quite expensive.

The Flame Towers are worth visiting during the day, because of the viewing areas nearby which give amazing views across the bay of Baku.

They are also worth visiting at night when you get a fantastic view of the colour-changing lights, which cover the Flame Towers themselves. It is really spectacular and worth seeing if you get the chance.

To reach the Flame Towers from Baku there is a funicular which will take you up to the base of the towers.

Nearby are some lovely gardens. There are quite a lot of steps if you head over to the viewing terrace but it is well worth it.

Also nearby is Martyrs Lane. It shows the pictures and details of the local people killed when fighting the Russians. It’s a very moving tribute.

What to Do in Baku – Conclusion

• There are plenty of things to see and do in Baku
• Baku is also a great base for day trips out to many more interesting sites

👇 My Favourite Baku Travel Resources 👇

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You can find everything you need to plan your trip in my Baku Holiday Review

Further Reading