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Baku
Capital and largest city of Azerbaijan

Baku

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region.

Plan a trip to Baku→From Ganja

Baku is 28 metres (92 ft) below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world and the largest city in the world below sea level. Baku lies on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, along the Bay of Baku. Baku's urban population is estimated at over two million people. Baku is the primate city of Azerbaijan. It is the sole metropolis in the country, and about 25% of all inhabitants of the country live in Baku's metropolitan area.

Get in

Getting to Baku

As of Jan 2026, Azerbaijan's land borders with its neighbours remain closed to civilian traffic. The only legal way into the country is through an international airport. Land crossings are exit only, and only for non-citizens.

  1. 01
    Heydar Aliyev International Airport
  2. 02
    Samed Vurgun's Park on 28 May Street

    135 runs between the airport traffic circle (15-min walk from the airport) and the 28 May Metro Station.

  3. 03
    Baku

    Along with trains and ferries, international bus routes have dried up since the border's closure.

See

Worth seeing

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:

  1. 01
    The Palace of the Shirvan Shahs
  2. 02
    Saray Mosque
  3. 03
    Maiden's Tower
  4. 04
    Bukhara Caravanserai
  5. 05
    Multani Caravanserai
  6. 06
    Hajji Gayyib
Do

Things to do

In the evening, go to 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.

  1. 01
    Pantomima
  2. 02
    National Opera and Ballet
  3. 03
    Baku Funicular Railroad

    Runs from the square on Neftchilar Avenue up to the Alley of the Marytrs.

  4. 04
    Aqua Park Baku

    Rashid Behbudov, 59,.

  5. 05
    Baku Entertainment Center
  6. 06
    Mini-Venice

    A charming little complex of man-made waterways accessible on a boat.

Eat

Where to eat

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

  1. 01
    Half Way Inn

    6, 28 May St (Bus 2, 61, 85, 88, 90, 95 to Milli Bank),.

  2. 02
    Nergiz Restaurant

    Fountain Square, 9 Tərlan.

  3. 03
    Bizim Ev Restaurant & Cafe

    7 Khagani Street.

  4. 04
    Doner House

    16/21 Azadliq Ave.

  5. 05
    Lavas Bistro / Fasali Cafe
How locals move

Getting around Baku the local way

  • Get inAlong with trains and ferries, international bus routes have dried up since the border's closure.
  • Get aroundBuses and minibuses cost 0.60 manat (July 2026) per person and can take you to almost any place within Baku.
  • Get aroundThe Baku funicular is a great way of getting to the Viewpoint and Flame Towers.

From Wikivoyage: Baku, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.