Baku holidays

How to reach Baku

• Flight time: Flights to Baku are available from London and other major UK airports. Direct flights take around 6 hours, though most include a stopover in European cities, which extends travel time to around 8 to 10 hours.

• Transfer time: From Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the Aero Express bus service to the city centre takes about 30 minutes. Taxis are also available; journey times depend on which part of the city and the time of day.

• Price: The Aero Express costs less than £2 for a BakuKART multipass and a one-way journey. Taxi fares typically range from £10 to £15, depending on the destination.

Weather and best time to visit Baku

Timing your holidays to Baku depends on the weather and what you‘d like to see and do. Here’s a breakdown of what the seasons offer:

• Spring (March to May) sees the country’s flowers blooming, mild temperatures ranging from 10 to 20°C, and rainfall decreasing as the season progresses. This period has some of the most comfortable weather for sightseeing and is ideal for joining in with the Novruz Bayrami celebrations.

• Summer (June to August) gets pretty warm with average temperatures around 30°C. It’s a fantastic time for coastal activities by the Caspian Sea or heading up into the mountains, but it can be quite hot with the occasional short dramatic storm in the evening.

• Autumn (September to November) sees temperatures cooling to 15°C and the city’s parks dressed in autumnal hues. It’s an excellent time for being outdoors and having fewer crowds.

• Winter (December to February) is mild compared to the UK, with temperatures rarely dropping below 5°C, but inland, it’s a popular time to visit Azerbaijan for skiing. In the city, it’s a quiet time to see the season’s festive decorations and to celebrate New Year.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: The official language is Azerbaijani (or Azeri), but Russian and Turkish are also widely understood. English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.

• Local habits and customs: There are very few pitfalls to watch out for, but politeness is appreciated. It’s common to remove shoes before entering someone's home or mosques. Tipping around 10 percent in restaurants and cafés is becoming customary in Baku.

• Health and safety: Baku is generally safe, but standard precautions should be taken, especially in crowded places: don’t carry large amounts of cash with you and beware of pickpockets. Tap water in Baku is fine to drink, but not outside the city, and many people just stick to bottled water.

• Currency: The Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) is the local currency, subdivided into 100 qapiks. ATMs are widely available. Debit or credit cards are mainly accepted in tourist hotels or restaurants; cash is useful for smaller establishments.

• Getting around: Baku has a comprehensive public transport system, including buses and metro, and the BakuKART, a top-up travel card, is used for both. Fares are cheap, costing around 0.40AZN (£0.20) per ride.

• Electricity and plug types: The voltage in Azerbaijan is 220V. Plugs are of the European type C and F, with two round pins. UK travellers will need an adapter.

• Time zone: Baku operates on Azerbaijan Time (GMT+4), without daylight saving adjustments.

• Required travel documentation: UK passport holders need to obtain an e-visa at least three days before travelling. The cost is US$20 plus a transaction fee ($5) and should be applied for through the official government portal. A printed copy should be shown on arrival.

Local dishes in Baku

Baku is the best place to eat out in Azerbaijan, with great local options and a wide range of international cuisine. As the city is popular with Indian tourists, there is also a great selection of food from the subcontinent.

Some typical dishes

• Plov: Azerbaijan's national dish is a savoury rice pilaf cooked with saffron and served with various meats and dried fruits.

• Dolma: Vine leaves or vegetables stuffed with minced lamb and aromatic herbs, simmered in a tangy tomato sauce.

• Qutab: Thin, crescent-shaped pastries filled with minced meat, greens or pumpkin, grilled on a flat pan and often served with yoghurt.

Meat dishes

• Kebabs: Skewered and grilled meats, particularly lamb, are a staple and are often served with grilled vegetables and sumac.

• Dushbara: Small dumplings filled with minced meat and herbs, served in a clear lamb broth.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Balyk: Small, fried fish served whole, commonly enjoyed as a snack or starter.

• Black caviar: Renowned globally, Azerbaijani black caviar from the Caspian Sea is a luxurious treat often served with blinis and sour cream.

Street food

• Tendir bread: A traditional bread baked in a clay oven, often enjoyed with soft white cheese or as a side to kebabs.

• Shawarma: A popular grab-and-go option featuring rotisserie-cooked meat wrapped in lavash bread with vegetables and sauce.

Sweets and desserts

• Baklava: A rich, nutty pastry layered with honey. Also related is halva, made of hazelnuts, cardamom and sugar.

• Shekerbura: Crescent-shaped pastries filled with ground almonds and sugar, then dusted with powdered sugar.

Local drinks

• Tea: Azerbaijani tea is a cultural staple, served in a pear-shaped glass called an armudu, often with a lump of sugar or jam.

• Ayran: A refreshing yoghurt-based drink that complements the rich and often spicy local dishes.

• Sharab: Local wines made from indigenous grapes that reflect the terroir of Azerbaijan's varied climate.

Best things to do in Baku

Baku is a lively, modern city where striking, cutting-edge architecture contrasts with the ancient settlement of the Old Town. Discover the top experiences and sights that make Baku holidays truly memorable.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Flame Towers: These iconic skyscrapers offer panoramic views of the city and the Caspian Sea. They are especially stunning when illuminated at night when the towers themselves are at their most photogenic.

• Baku Eye: Enjoy a ride on this Ferris wheel located on Baku Boulevard for sweeping views of the seafront and the cityscape. Nearby, the Deniz Mall is prominent, with its roof made up of lotus-like petals.

• Shahidlar Monument: Located in Highland Park near the Flame Towers, the platform below the monument of the eternal flame provides one of the best vantage points for views of Baku’s skyline along the bay, including plenty of its innovative landmark buildings.

The best districts

• Old Town: Baku's historical core (Icherisheher) features labyrinthine alleys winding through ancient stone buildings filled with artisan shops, traditional eateries, archeological sites, museums, mosques, a palace and the Maiden Tower.

• The Bulvar: Located along Baku’s seafront, the Bulvar is a pleasant pedestrianised area perfect for leisurely walks. It features several of the city’s landmark buildings, including the Carpet Museum, the Baku Eye and the Sydney Opera House-esque Deniz Mall.

• Fountains Square: This vibrant area of town is centred around a large plaza populated with gardens, statues, sculptures, cafés and the occasional live music performance. Several museums nearby are housed in buildings worth a look at for their exteriors, if not their collections.

Parks and gardens

• Baku Boulevard: Stretching along the Caspian shore, this promenade features parks, a miniature Venice and plenty of spots to relax and watch the waves.

• Highland Park: More than just a park, this offers a place of remembrance with a beautiful garden, Martyrs' Lane, overlooking the Caspian Sea, and one of the city’s best viewpoints, at the Shahidlar (Eternal Flame) Monument.

Historical monuments

• Maiden Tower: One of the most iconic sights in Baku, this medieval stone tower in the Old Town is steeped in legend and has an interesting museum inside its thick walls.

• Palace of the Shirvanshahs: The prime attraction in the Old Town, this 15th-century palace complex showcases the history of the Shirvanshah dynasty in an informative museum and several other buildings of historical significance.

• Ateshgah Fire Temple: Located 30 minutes from the centre of Baku, this temple is a testament to the ancient Zoroastrian or Hindu practices centred around fire worship, with a continually burning flame in the central altar.

Day trips in the area

• Gobustan National Park: Just 1 hour from Baku, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its rock engravings dating back 20,000 years and the bizarre mud volcanoes.

• Absheron Peninsula: Explore ancient castles, the fiery hillside of Yanar Dag and the quaint beaches along the Caspian coast.

• Lahij: Visit this coppersmiths’ village for a step back in time. It has cobblestone streets and workshops that continue the ancient craft traditions and is also the starting place for some great day hikes.

Activities for families in Baku

Baku is a family-friendly city with a variety of activities that cater to both children and adults. The city offers a rich mix of educational and fun activities, from lush parks to interactive museums.

• Parks and gardens: The Baku Boulevard offers a spacious playground, a small amusement park and boat rides on the Caspian Sea, perfect for a family day out. Meanwhile, the Central Botanical Garden is a lovely spot for a quiet walk and a picnic amid diverse plant species.

• Museums: The Baku Museum of Modern Art and the Azerbaijan State Museum of History offer interactive guides and exhibits that engage children with Azerbaijan's arts and history.

• Cultural experiences: Engage with local traditions by visiting workshops in the Old Town where families can learn about carpet weaving and local crafts.

Free things to do in Baku

Exploring Baku doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Plenty of free activities allow you to immerse yourself in the city’s history and culture without spending anything.

• Free events: Baku frequently hosts free cultural festivals and open-air concerts, especially during summer. These events often take place on the Baku Boulevard or in Fountains Square.

• Free museums: The Museum of Miniature Books, the only one of its kind in the world, offers free admission and is a fascinating visit for all ages. Also, many state museums offer free admission on specific days.

• Historical walks: Stroll through the winding alleyways of the Old Town to see the best of Baku, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. The whole area is an open museum, rich with history at every turn.