BakuCapital
Azerbaijan · Country profile
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, a city of the Caspian shore that blends the old walled heart of the silk road port with the gigantic flame towers and the glittering boulevards of the oil-rich modern capital. The old town, a world heritage, crowds the medieval alleys, the caravanserais, the palaces and the minarets of the ancient port within its walls, while the modern city spreads the opera house, the museums, the seaside boulevards and the dramatic flame-tower skyline of the present. The city has prospered on the oil of the Caspian, and its mix of the Persian, the Russian and the Turkic layers gives it a character unlike anywhere else in the region. Boulevards, bazaars and the winds of the Caspian, Baku is the fascinating, underrated capital of the Caucasus.
About Baku
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan. The city's documented population is around 2,330,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) and Azerbaijani is spoken; the dialling code is +994. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
The Old Town, the Flame Towers and the Boulevard of the Caspian
Baku is a striking, layered capital where the walled medieval city, the elegant boulevards of the oil boom and the futuristic flame-tower skyline all crowd the same bay of the Caspian. The old town with its maze of alleys is the great historic walk, and the seaside promenade, the modern museums and the hillside heights give the rest of the circuit. The city is easy, safe and walkable in its core, and the evenings along the boulevard and the cafes of the old quarter hold the life. It is also the natural base for the wider country, the fire temples and the rock art of the Absheron within easy day trips.
The Springs of the Year, the Winds and the Manat of the City
The best seasons are the spring and the autumn, pink and mild, with the summer hot and dry and the winter windy and grey on the shores of the sea. The old town, the seaside boulevard and the museums are the essential circuit, and the ride apps and the metro cover the wider city easily. The manat is the currency, the Azerbaijani is the language with the Russian widely spoken, and the cards work in the modern areas while the cash helps in the markets. The city is safe and welcoming, and the famous winds of the capital are part of its character, so pack a layer against the breezes of the sea.
The Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Fire Temple and the Heights of the Absheron
The old town within its walls, with the palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Maiden Tower and the maze of the medieval lanes now lined with the cafes and the craft shops, is the essential walk of the city and one of the most atmospheric old quarters of the Caspian. The boulevard of the seaside, the great promenade that runs along the bay with its gardens, its ferris wheel and its museums, is the classic evening stroll, and the modern cultural centre of the city with its swooping design is the emblem of the new capital. The fire temple and the burning mountain of the Absheron peninsula, the eternal fires that gave the region its name, are the classic day trips, and the art museums and the concert halls complete the cultural picture.
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- Country
- Azerbaijan
- Population
- 2,330,000
- Coordinates
- 40.4675, 50.0467
- Capital
- Baku
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- Azerbaijani Manat (AZN)
- Languages
- Azerbaijani
- Calling code
- +994
- Country code
- AZ
Entry requirements for Azerbaijan
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Azerbaijan for tourism.
Getting to Baku
Airports we list for Baku:
Frequently asked questions
Is Baku the capital of Azerbaijan?
Yes — Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan.
What currency do I need in Baku?
The local currency is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN). Languages spoken in Azerbaijan include Azerbaijani.
What is the dialling code for Azerbaijan?
The international dialling code for Azerbaijan is +994.
Which airport should I fly into for Baku?
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is the airport we list for Baku.
Do I need a visa to visit Azerbaijan?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Australia (e-visa), Canada (e-visa), India (e-visa), Japan (e-visa) and Morocco (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Baku? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.