Baku – The Capital of Azerbaijan
On the shores of the mighty, blue Caspian Sea lies Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. The city is also the largest in the country and the lowest-lying national capital in the world.
Baku lies 28 meters below sea level and interestingly enough, keeps sinking gradually, making it a natural harbour and enhancing its significance throughout history. The only other national capital below sea level is Amsterdam.
The Bay of Baku, on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, offers a unique blend of culture, history and architectural marvels. The city itself is one of the listed old cities as per UNESCO. Often, Baku is referred to as the love child of Paris and Dubai, where the East meets the West.
Baku is commonly divided into two parts: the inner city and the outer city. The Inner City, called Icherisheher locally, has immense historical significance. This historic core is bordered by a curving wall, featuring grand palaces, mosques, and the sunken ruins of caravanserais and old hammams.
This Walled City dates back to the 12th century and is built with quarried stone, giving the buildings a uniform appearance similar to its surroundings.
What Not to Miss When You Are in Baku
Maiden Tower
Built in the 12th century, the Maiden Tower is one of the most mysterious structures in the world. Though its purpose remains uncertain, it's believed to have been a Zoroastrian Fire Temple or a Tower of Silence. Known as Qiz Qalasi in Azeri, it's an eight-storey cylindrical structure.
The Maiden Tower appears on Azerbaijani currency and official letterheads and is one of the country's most distinctive national emblems. It features a museum, gift shop, and offers rooftop views of the Old City.
Flame Towers
Rising boldly against Baku's skyline, the Flame Towers are three skyscrapers designed to resemble flames, symbolizing the country’s historical connection to fire. By day, the glass façades reflect the Caspian Sea; by night, they light up with LED shows mimicking flickering flames.
The towers contain apartments, offices, and a luxury hotel, offering stunning views and representing the city’s modern transformation.
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
Located in the heart of Baku's Old City, this 15th-century palace complex includes royal residences, a mosque, a mausoleum, and a bathhouse. UNESCO describes it as one of Azerbaijan’s architectural pearls.
Surrounded by stone walls and overlooking the Caspian Sea, the palace transports you to the grandeur of the Shirvan dynasty and showcases exquisite carvings and stonework.
Yeralti Hamam (Underground Bath Museum)
Dating back to the 17th century, this underground bathhouse offers a glimpse into Baku’s historical bathing rituals. Located beneath the Old City, the preserved domed ceilings and stone walls showcase how hammams were both hygiene centers and social hubs.
It’s a quiet, atmospheric retreat that reveals the importance of communal baths in Azerbaijani culture.
Heydar Mosque
Completed in 2014, this grand mosque is named after Heydar Aliyev and features four towering minarets and a massive central dome. Its white façade glows during the day and lights up beautifully at night.
Inside, the mosque can accommodate thousands of worshippers and is decorated with chandeliers and Islamic calligraphy. It’s a landmark of faith, unity, and national pride.
Engage Your Taste Buds in Azerbaijan’s Local Dishes
Plov
A signature dish of Azerbaijan, Plov (or Pilaf) is rice cooked with saffron and topped with dried fruits, mutton, chicken, or chilov (beans with fish). It’s aromatic, comforting, and available at nearly every restaurant in Baku.
Dolma
Dolma is a bite-sized dish wrapped in grape or cabbage leaves and stuffed with rice, vegetables, and sometimes meat. Served with creamy garlic yogurt, dolma has over 25 regional variations in Azerbaijan.
In summer, eggplants and peppers are used. In winter, vine or cabbage leaves are more common. It’s a beloved dish across seasons.
Buckwheat
A carbohydrate-rich staple of Azerbaijani breakfasts, buckwheat is a nutritious alternative to rice and wheat. It's simple, filling, and often eaten with eggs or yogurt.
Bozbash
Also known as Kufta Bozbash, this national soup features tender meatballs cooked with peas, potatoes, saffron, and cherries in a flavorful broth. It’s spicy, hearty, and widely loved in Baku households and restaurants alike.
Saj Ichi
Saj Ichi is a traditional meat dish cooked in a copper pan over coals. It includes lamb with potatoes, eggplant, peppers, onions, and tomatoes—slow-cooked to absorb all flavors. It’s rustic, authentic, and delicious.
Piti
A slow-cooked soup of lamb, chickpeas, chestnuts, onions, saffron, and dried fruits—made in a clay pot called a topu. Originating in Sheki, a city known for pottery, Piti is a fulfilling workers' dish passed down generations.
Best Time to Visit Baku
The ideal time to visit Baku is from April to October, with temperatures ranging between 15°C and 28°C.
Spring and autumn offer the best weather for exploring the Old City, enjoying seaside promenades, and viewing landmarks like the Flame Towers. Clear skies and cultural festivals enhance the experience.
The busiest travel months are April to June and September to October, when conditions are just right for both sightseeing and soaking in the city's contemporary and historic charm.