When my husband told me he had an upcoming trip to Baku, I initially brushed off the idea. But then I thought that I must not pass up the opportunity to visit a new place. It was not be on my radar, let alone bucket list, but it surely had something to offer, right? Right. So I started researching Baku and was really fascinated by what I found. With only 2 days available, I wanted to maximize my time in the city. From walking the historic old city to sampling traditional meals, I’ll share my tips for the best two days in Baku.

How to Get to Baku

Let’s start on how to get to Baku and move around the city. From Athens, we had the option of a direct flight with Aegean Airlines or flying via Istanbul. We actually did a combination of both. On our way there, we flew with a layover in Istanbul. On the way back, we took the direct flight. The drawback of the direct flight is the time. It arrives in Baku at around 3 am and departs at 4 am. If you can easily sleep on the plane, no problem. If you’re coming to Baku from Europe or North America, I suggest a flight via Istanbul. It’s your best bet!

How to Get Around Baku

To get from the airport to the city center and to get around Baku, use Bolt. Bolt is a ride-hailing app (like Uber) available in Baku.

In terms of exploring the city, I suggest walking to get around! In just over two days, I traversed the city solely by walking. There is also a metro system with a couple of lines. We used it to get to the Heydar Aliyev Center, which was otherwise a 25-30 minute walk from the city center.

Must-See Sights in Baku

The Old City of Baku dates from the 12th century. The Old City is walled and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We were lucky enough to stay at the tip of the Old City and explored all of it. The Shirvanshahs Palace, Maiden Tower, Muhammad Mosque, and Juma Mosque (see photos above) are worth seeing.

The Shirvanshahs Palace dates from the 15th century and is the most beautiful sight in the old city. The palace complex has a mosque, burial vaults, and an artifacts display. And of course, a beautiful view over the Flame Towers. It is built of local limestone, like many Old City buildings.

Maiden Tower was likely part of the city’s fortifications. Its use, though, is unclear. The current structure dates from the 12th century. But its construction started centuries before that. In any case, it is worth visiting the tower for the views. But be careful. It gets windy up there!

Baku Philharmonic Hall and Philharmonic Garden

Just outside the Old City’s walls, you will come across Baku’s Philharmonic Hall. The early 20th-century building is inspired by Monte Carlo’s opera and casino. Next to the hall, there is a charming garden with a fountain.

Heydar Aliyev Center is a marvel of modern architecture. Zaha Hadid designed it and is located between the Old City and the Airport. It’s an exhibition center, museum, and auditorium. We only saw the outside, which was enough! The building’s wave shape contrasts with the surrounding Soviet-era flats. Additionally, the center’s gardens are beautiful and feature an “I love Baku” sign.

Baku Boulevard, the city’s seaside promenade, is a favorite of mine. It was built in the early 20th century and has evolved since. The place is mostly a park, but it also includes cafes, restaurants, and a few museums. It’s perfect for walks both day and night.

Fountains Square is part of Baku’s new city. Another public space that I really liked, which has 4 fountains. Each has a unique style. They are not in operation all the time.

From Fountains Square you can walk along Nizami street and the newer part of Baku. Also on the square is the beautiful Museum of Azerbaijani Literature.

Flame Towers is Baku’s new “trademark.” The towers, built on a hill, symbolize the elements of fire. At dusk, the Towers become LED screens. They show the Azerbaijani flag, a figure waving it, and flames..  There are many places to take photos with the Flame Towers in the background. Some of them are: Baku Boulevard, Swan Fountain, Highland Park and, Shirvanshahs Palace.

Highland Park is a hilltop terrace. You can reach it by funicular or stairs. On Mondays, the funicular is closed. So, the stairs were my only option! The views over Baku are beautiful. They provide almost a 360-degree view of the city, sea, and hills.

Taza Pir Mosque is a 20th-century mosque located northwest of the old city. It’s a 20-minute walk from Icherisheher Metro Station.

If you have more time, add the Atashgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple and the Yanar Dag natural gas fire to your list.

Where to Eat in Baku

Chayki is a restaurant with Azerbaijani cuisine. It’s a two-story building on Baku’s seaside promenade. Some nights, there is live music on the second floor. We tasted a variety of Azerbaijani dishes. They were Shah pilaf, shish kebab of lamb chops, and stuffed chicken. Of all the restaurants I ate at in Baku, this one’s my favorite.

Chinar is a restaurant with pan-Asian cuisine. The place was highly recommended, so we had to check it out. We ordered sushi, pad Thai, and curry. For dessert, we had ice cream mochi and crème brûlée.

Mari Vanna is a restaurant with Russian cuisine. The interior is captivating, showcasing Soviet-era Russian artifacts. Additionally, the food is tasty and the servings are generous. I ordered chicken in a potato tortilla and got a salad too. Then, I ordered lemonade. They brought me a whole pitcher, just for me. The service was good, but the people at the reception were rather indifferent.

Spending two days in Baku is the perfect way to experience the city’s culture and history. Get inspired by my itinerary and you’ll be ready to get the most out of your time in this city.

Have you been to Baku? Would you like to visit this city?

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