Baku

Built in 1500s.

Built in 1290s.

Constructed in the 17th century.

This was constructed by the architect Hadji Bani in the 16th century.

Constructed in 1375.

Constructed in the 17th century near the Salyan door (gate).

The chapel constructed in the 15th century in the yard of Jame mosque

Constructed in the early 17th century.

Founded in 1309-10. The mosque was repeatedly reconstructed during its existence. A new Friday Mosque was constructed on the old mosque's site, with the support of the Baku merchant Haji Shikhlali Dadashov, in 1899. A Zoroastrian temple was located on the site of the two mosques. A minaret, constructed in 1437, adjoins Friday Mosque.

built in 1309, rebuilt 1800s

Built in 1415-16.

This mosque was built in the 11th century in Icheri Sheher, Baku. The mosque is also known as Siniggala, for the name of its minaret – Siniggala (“damaged tower”). The mosque acquired its second name in 1723, when a squadron of the Russian army, consisting of 15 warships and led by Admiral Matyushkin, approached the city and demanded its surrender. Russian warships began to bomb the city after its refusal. One of the shells hit the minaret of Muhammad Mosque and damaged it. But a stormy wind blew the Russian ships further out to sea. Baku's citizens interpreted it as a divine scourge sent to the occupants. From that time till the mid-19th century, the minaret of the mosque wasn't reconstructed and symbolized the persistence and courage of the defenders. - It is the first building in Azerbaijan which is related to Islam and dated for its architectural ligature. - According to Arabic inscription which was saved in front of the doorway of northern wall of the mosque, it was built by ustad-rais Muhammad the son of Abu Bakr in 471 of Hijra (1078/79). It means that the architect was not only a master-ustad, but also a rais-head of artificers' corporation. - A minaret adjoins new mosque, which was constructed on the basis of the older one's plan. The trunk of the minaret is strong and slightly thinning. It is constructed from carefully drafted stone. Coarse and flat stalactites of tabling retain the sherefe – the muezzin's balcony enclosed by stone plates. A ribbed dome completes the trunk of minaret. Narrow, winding stairs are inside the trunk. Ligature with Koranic inscription was traced under the tabling with the archaic Kufi alphabet.

Built in the 1300s.

Built in the late 19th century.

In the northern mid-part of the fortress wall.

A chapel for dervishes constructed in the 13th century.

This is a mosque, near the Martyrs' Lane. It was built in the beginning of 1990s with assistance of the Turkish government. The mosque is used as an official residence of the religious attaché of the Turkish embassy. It opened in 2009. The 154th ayah from Al-Baqara chapter of Quran is written on the façade of the mosque in Arabic and Turkish: "Do not say "Dead!" about those, who died for the sake of Allah. No, they are alive! But you do not feel."

This is a mosque with two minarets. Its construction began in 1905 and was finished by 1914. The idea for the mosque as well as its financing was provided by an Azeri philanthropist, a female, Nabat Khanum Ashurbeyov (Ashurbeyli) - Architecture. The interior of the mosque has an area of 1,400 m² and is decorated with ornaments of painting schools of Azerbaijan and with samples from eastern ornaments. The height of the dome and a half meters. The mihrab and dome of the mosque are made of marble, while decorative elements of the mosque, the tops of minarets and labels are made of gold. - The dome, on which 6 times written La ilaha ilallah from the Muslim proclamation of faith or Shahada, made from Qızılqaya (Gyzylgaya) stone.

Built in 1887. Now a government building.

This Russian Orthodox cathedral was founded in 1909. Hit by a Russian missile in 1990, it was reconstructed and reopened in 2001. It holds a shrine of the apostle St. Bartholomew.

Built with a German donation. This was a Lutheran church, opened in 1899. Now it is a concert hall. The Gothic style church features a portal crowned with a decorated pediment. In 1898, a 213-kg gilded cross was raised atop the church. In early 1899 a bell and an organ were installed.

This is a Russian Orthodox church. It was founded in 1850.

This is a Catholic church. It was built in 2006.

The museum consists of two adjacent buildings. The museum's collection includes over 15,000 artworks. There are over 3,000 items in 60 rooms on permanent display. Seven of the rooms in the first building feature European art, and ten rooms feature Russian art. European art includes works of Italian, French, Dutch/Flemish, German and Polish painters. - The second edifice built in 1885 houses Eastern art, represented particularly by Persian, Turkish, Chinese and Japanese art. Russian art is encompassed notably by paintings of different painters. There are also restored samples of Russian avant-garde. The museum also holds easel and book miniatures of 17th-19th centuries, lacquered miniatures of 18th-19th centuries and collection of sherbet spoons, made of mulberry wood.

The museum was built in 1893–1902. The Italian Renaissance-style mansion is immense and occupies an entire city block. There are four floors in some parts of the building. It was designed by Polish architect Józef Gosławski. On the second floor of Taghiyev's residence, side-by-side there are two major ballrooms. One is based on Oriental designs (Mauritanian style) and the other, on Western design. The Oriental Room has enormous plate-glass windows, gilded arches, highly ornamental walls, ceilings and chandeliers. The lines in the Occidental Room are more perpendicular to each other – rectangular. The museum has more than 2,000 exhibits and includes the following departments: Modern history, Ethnography, Ancient and medieval history of Azerbaijan, Scientific excursion, Fund of Numismatics, Art design group.

The museum hosts a wide range of carpets, both old and new. It moved to its current location in 2014 (on the waterfront). The building itself is shaped as a carpet.

This is a 64,103 m² building complex designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and noted for its distinctive architecture and flowing, curved style that eschews sharp angles. The Heydar Aliyev Center represents a fluid form which emerges by the folding of the landscape's natural topography and by the wrapping of individual functions of the Center. All functions of the Center, together with entrances, are represented by folds in a single continuous surface. This fluid form gives an opportunity to connect the various cultural spaces whilst at the same time, providing each element of the Center its own identity and privacy. As it folds inside, the skin erodes away to become an element of the interior landscape of the center. The center houses a conference hall (auditorium), a gallery hall and a museum.

An old factory transformed into a stone exhibition, with samples and replicas from Gobustan and other stone carvings in the region. Free English-speaking guide.

On a reformed old factory, two free art exhibitions in two adjacent buildings. Free English-speaking guide.

Seaside promenade with museums, parks, cafes, restaurants, and other attractions.

This is a downtown pedestrian street in the center of Baku lined with shops, hotels and restaurants. It is a public gathering place, especially after business hours and during the weekend. It hosts public festivals, shows and celebrations.

This is a large pedestrian and shopping street in downtown Baku, named after the famed classical poet Nizami Ganjavi. Nizami Street is home to various outlets, from banks to fashion stores and is one of the most expensive streets in the world. The street also accommodates the embassies. - Buildings are mostly from the late 19th-early 20th century, 1950s-1970s and a modern period. Most of the buildings, constructed in the first level, were constructed in neo-renaissance, neo-gothic, baroque and neoclassical styles. Neo-Moorish style is also present, in which architects attempted to use elements of national architecture in its construction. Houses are dressed with limestone – aglay. - Famous houses: No.20 The building of Caspian—Black Sea Oil and Trade Society (built in 1898-1899); No.30 The building of Central Universal Magazine. - No.34 Nargiz shopping center - No.38 Central Library - No.38 St. Gregory the Illuminator's Church (built in 1869), - No.48 Musa Naghiyev's house, built in 1911 - No. 50 Neoclassical apartments of Tagiyev brothers, built in 1912 - No.58 Residential house, constructed by architect I.V.Edel, in 1902. - No.64 Lev Landau house, built in 1911 - No.66 Oilmen's House built in 1956 by Mikayil Huseynov - No.67 ISR Plaza office center - No.69 International Bank of Azerbaijan - No.72 Azerbaijan State Theater of Young Spectators, built 1965 - No.74 National Library of Azerbaijan, opened in 1923 - No.75 Haji Rajabli House, built in 1896 - No.76 Azerbaijan State Song Theater named after Rashid Behbudov. - No.79 Murtuza Mukhtarov House, built in 1896 - No.85 Nasimi Park - No.87 State Committee on Capital Issues - No.90 Former mill - No.93 Musa Naghiyev house, built in 1911 - No.95 Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, built in 1911 - No.96 Office center "Landmark" - No.103 residential house, built in 1952 - No.115 Russian Imperial Technical Society, erected in 1899 - No.117 Azerbaijan State Oil Academy

Neft Daşları began operations in 1949, thus becoming the first offshore oil platform in the world. Later, using the intentionally sunk ships as its foundation, an artificial archipelago has grown around it, interconnected by an extensive network of bridges and supporting a full-sized town inhabited by about 2,000 people. It's possible to visit the oil rock complex, but you should get a permit from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.

A large city square.

This is a public cemetery and memorial in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Alley includes burials of famed Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan-affiliated expatriates, including several Presidents, scientists and artists. There are 242 burials in total.

Formerly the Kirov Park, it's a cemetery and memorial in Baku, dedicated to those killed by the Soviet Army during Black January and to those killed later in the Nagorno-Karabakh War.

This is the center of Azerbaijani arts and music dedicated to promote, preserve and popularize the Azerbaijani music genre Mugam. The center covers 7,500 m² and has 3 stories. The design of the building was based on elements and shapes of Tar, an Azerbaijani musical instrument used in performing Mugham. The concert hall has a capacity of 350 people. The center also has a club, restaurant, study halls and record studios.

Built in 1912 and inspired by the Monte Carlo Casino. Houses the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra among others.

This is a historic building in the center of Baku, Azerbaijan, built in Neo-Gothic style in 1912. The building was built by an Azerbaijani Oil Baron Murtuza Mukhtarov for his wife Lisa. The designer was the Polish architect Józef Plośko. After Sovietization in 1920 the building was given to the Club of Liberated Turkic Women, after which it functioned as the Shirvanshahs' Museum. During the existence of Azerbaijan SSR, the palace functioned as the Palace of Marriage Registrations. On 2 August 2001, by a resolution issued by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, the building was listed as real estate of historic and state importance and was to be protected as a monument of Azerbaijani culture. The street lying on the right side of the building is named Murtuza Mukhtarov.

The complex during the Soviet era is the main state convention center of the Azerbaijani government. From here overlooking the city of Baku and Baku Bay. The palace hosts formal events of governmental and non-governmental organizations. It is notable for having hosted such important events as the Contract of the Century and other significant oil and gas contracts, signing of TRACECA project, the wedding of Leyla Aliyeva, the daughter of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, international and state conferences, etc.

This is a historical building serves as the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. - The palace was constructed in 1913, for the Muslim Charity Society by Józef Plośko, funded by millionaire Musa Naghiyev in commemoration of his deceased son Ismayil, and was named Ismailiyya after him. The building was constructed in Venetian Gothic style.

Built in 1996, is a free-standing concrete telecommunications tower. With a height of 310 m, it is the tallest structure in Azerbaijan and the tallest reinforced concrete building in Caucasus. The tower is one of the most prominent hallmarks of Baku. - A rotating restaurant on the 62nd floor (175 m) of Azeri TV Tower was opened in 2008. Friendly staff.

These are the tallest skyscrapers in Baku, Azerbaijan with a height of 190 m (620 ft). They consist of apartments, a hotel and office blocks. The estimated cost of Flame Towers was around US$350 million. Construction began in 2007, with completion in 2012. The facades of the three Flame Towers are turned into gigantic display screens with the use of more than 10,000 high-power LED luminaires, supplied by the Osram subsidiary Traxon Technologies and Vetas Electric Lighting. Definitely worth seeing from the old town.

The famous oil pump fields from the opening scene of the James Bond picture The World is Not Enough.

This is a historical mosque built in the 1990s, and is a recreation of the mosque with the same name built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II Ibn Ahsitan II, which was completely destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1936.
The Bibi-Heybat Mosque includes the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum (a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad), and today is the spiritual center for the Muslims of the region and one of the major monuments of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan. It's locally known as "the mosque of Fatima"
The old mosque was situated in the southern part of the tomb, while there was a 20 meter high minaret in the west part of the mosque. Later a crypt and two niches were added to the mosque to the south of the minaret. On the niches there were inscriptions containing the name of Fatali Khan, whose tombstone marble slab is now in the Azerbaijan State Museum of History.
From 1305 to 1313, Mahmud Ibn Saad built the mosque's minarets. Western women can enter, when wearing a veil.

A charming park with fountains and kiosks you can pass through when going to the boulevard from the Metro.

Offered from the Baku Blvd. Lasts 40 minutes.

Offered from the Baku Blvd. Lasts 40 minutes.

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

Baku Entertainment center has been around for more than half a decade. It has a shopping center, bowling alley certified by the AMF, health club, conference venue with a capacity of 350 people, and various restaurants and clubs.

A charming little complex of man-made waterways accessible on a boat. There are also some restaurants in the immediate proximity. The ticket booth is 10-15 meters to the right when coming from the north. It is cheap but the signage to the ticket booth is lacking.

The men's national team play soccer at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, capacity 31,000. Five clubs in the city play in the Premier League, Azerbaijan's top tier.

Qarabağ FK. Capacity 5,800.

Keşla FK (formerly Inter Baku). Capacity 8,200.

Neftçi. Capacity 11,000.

Zira FK

Sabail FK.

As the previous stadia are small by European standards, big club games may transfer to this stadium. E.g. a host venue for the Euro 2020 tournament.

This also hosts big games, such as the 2019 UEFA Europa League Finals.

A 6 km on-street motor-racing circuit along the shore used for Formula One and other events. The next F1 races are 25-27 Sept 2026 then on 24-26 Sep 2027.

This is the oldest public bath in Baku, located near the Icharishahar metro station, inside the old city. Mondays and Fridays are reserved for women, the rest of the days are only for men.

Sauna and pools, nice ambiance.

Naftalan, a city close to Ganja, is famous for oil baths. However you can also get an oil treatment in Baku, with imported Naftalan oil. It's like a small hospital and not very recreational. However it's great fun and positively strange to dip for 15 min into hot crude oil. Decide for yourself whether this is safe and healthy.

Public baths (hamamlar). This men-only public bath is in the old town and offers Finnish and Turkish baths, etc., so it may be a bit pricier than its competitors.

Organised by the famous saxophonist and Baku resident Rain Sultanov to showcase Azerbaijan's love of jazz which grew during the Soviet era when it was banned by the authorities. Features acts from around the world, the annual festival lasts for a week, and will run from 7-14 June.