Azerbaijan
Where to stay in Baku
Baku is a city in Azerbaijan, home to about 2,301,000 people.
- Best months
- May, June, September and October
- Nearest airport
- GYD22 km · Heydar Aliyev International Airport
- Currency
- AZNAzerbaijani manat
- Time zone
- Asia/Baku
- Language
- Azerbaijani, Azerbaijani Sign Language
About
About 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. 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 is on the coast of the Caspian Sea on the southern coast of the Absheron Peninsula. There are three major divisions in Baku: İçəri Şəhər (the Old Town), the Soviet-built city, and the newest part of the city. The population in 2020 was 2.3 million. The city of Baku is on the semi-arid and dusty Absheron peninsula. The center of Baku is a patch of green in a largely brown area because of the many liters of water that is piped daily to the city.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Baku
See
- The Palace of the Shirvan Shahs
- Saray Mosque
- Maiden's Tower
- Fortress walls and towers
- Bukhara Caravanserai
- Multani Caravanserai
- Hajji Gayyib bathhouse
- Agha Mikayil bathhouse
- Small Caravansaray
- Molla Ahmad’s mosque
- Myrzhy Ahmad’s mosque
- Two-Storeyed Caravansaray
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
- Pantomima theatre
- National Opera and Ballet
- Baku Funicular Railroad
- Aqua Park Baku
- Baku Entertainment Center
- Mini-Venice
- Football
- Azersun stadium
- ASK Arena
- Bakcell Arena
- Zira Olympic sports complex
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Baku
7 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Новая Европа | 1910 | 0.5 km |
| Four Seasons Hotel Baku Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | 2012 | 0.4 km |
| Hilton Baku | 1.4 km | |
| Карабах | 1974 | 2.2 km |
| Москва | 1977 | 1.1 km |
| Azərbaycan Respublikası Nazirlər Kabinetinin Mehmanxanası | 0.6 km | |
| Hilton Garden Inn Baku | 2024 | 2.5 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Baku
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Baku are May, June, September and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C; November is the wettest, with about 35 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Baku: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD), about 22 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting in
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.
Getting around
There are pedestrian alleys and streets around the Fountain Square, the seafront, and the old town. You can walk to other places, too, but you might have to cross busy streets since there aren't always pedestrian tunnels available. The zebra crossings work with an "I'm feeling lucky" principle and aren't usually exactly safe, especially at night. At night, use your phone screen (not your flashlight) to indicate to the approaching cars that you are crossing the street, and follow other people. Baku is a great town to get around in by bicycle.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
GYD · Heydar Aliyev International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Baku
Eat
There are many restaurants in Baku and kebab shops can be found easily for a quick meal.
Drink
There are many outdoor tea houses (çayxanalar) serving tea and sweets that offer a sense of the local culture. If you are adventurous, try challenging a local Bakuvian to a game of backgammon (nard) or dominoes. There is a good selection of cafés throughout Baku. Expect to pay Western prices for your coffee.
Stay safe
Baku is considered a safe city, nevertheless common sense is useful as in all other big cities. Homeless people do not harass or attack people and are safe to be around. The biggest problem in Baku is driving. Many drivers do not obey rules and speed. The security is rather high, with regular security checks at some attractions and metro stations. The metro has police guarding both ends of the escalators. Since the Karabakh conflict re-ignited in September 2020, security has been further tightened.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Baku: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Baku?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Baku are May, June, September and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C; November is the wettest, with about 35 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Baku?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD), about 22 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Baku?
Azerbaijani manat (AZN).
Nearby
Destinations near Baku
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.