Spend the morning among the palace, caravanserais and Maiden Tower, then pause around Fountain Square. Use transport to reach the Heydar Aliyev Center, return towards the Carpet Museum and finish with Highland Park and an evening on the Boulevard.
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Your first day in Baku.
Spend the morning among the palace, caravanserais and Maiden Tower, then pause around Fountain Square. Use transport to reach the Heydar Aliyev Center, return towards the Carpet Museum and finish with Highland Park and an evening on the Boulevard.
A combination of walking, metro or taxi to the Heydar Aliyev Center, and transport back towards the bay. Uphill sections can use the funicular or a taxi.
This is a busy overview day. Choose one or two museum interiors rather than every exhibition; if the Heydar Aliyev Center is closed, spend longer at the Carpet Museum and waterfront instead. Do not rush the sunset transfer.
Places along the way
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
The Shirvanshahs' palace brings medieval courtyards, carved portals and royal buildings together above the Old City.
Multani & Bukhara Caravanserais
Two old caravanserais near the Maiden Tower recall the merchants who linked Baku with the wider trading world.
Maiden Tower
The cylindrical Maiden Tower is one of Baku's defining landmarks on the edge of the Old City.
Fountains Square
Fountains Square is a lively meeting point between Baku's old stone streets and its pedestrian shopping area.
Heydar Aliyev Center
Zaha Hadid's flowing cultural centre is one of Baku's most distinctive contemporary buildings.
Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum
A building shaped like a rolled carpet introduces the patterns and techniques of Azerbaijani carpet weaving.
Baku Funicular
Baku's short funicular links the waterfront area with the hill near Highland Park.
Highland Park (Upland Park)
Highland Park offers an elevated view across Baku Bay, the Boulevard and the changing city skyline.
Baku Boulevard (Seaside National Park)
The Seaside Boulevard follows the Caspian waterfront through gardens, promenades and broad views of Baku Bay.
Nizami Street (Torgovaya)
Nizami Street combines a pedestrian shopping promenade with the facades of oil-boom Baku.
Sources and official information
Photographs: 18
Places on this itinerary
Photographs of the stops on this itinerary. Open a place for its full collection.
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Contemporary views
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Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Original title: Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Baku (Şirvanşahlar sarayı)
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Original title: Baku Multani&Bukharacaravanserais 004 2252
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2016-09-26Date not independently verified
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Original title: Torre de la Doncella, Baku, Azerbaiyán, 2016-09-26, DD 212-214 HDR
Date label in the source: 2016-09-26
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Original title: Fountains Square, Baku 01
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Original title: HEIDAR ALIYEV CENTER AND GARDENS.מרכז היידר אלייב והדשא
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Original title: Azerbaijan Carpet Museum 01
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Original title: Bakı Funikulyoru (Baku Funicular)
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Original title: Baku boulevard 0264 Panorama2
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2016Date not independently verified
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Original title: Yaşayış evi, Nizami küçəsi, 56 2016
Date label in the source: 2016
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2016-09-28Date not independently verified
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Original title: Palacio de los Shirvanshah, Baku, Azerbaiyán, 2016-09-28, DD 08-10 HDR
Date label in the source: 2016-09-28
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Original title: Multanı karvansarayı
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Original title: Qiz Qalasi and a Tree
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Urek Meniashvili · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Original title: Fountains Square, Baku 2
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Emin Allahverdi · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Original title: Heydar Aliyev Center 1.1
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Original title: Azerbaijani carpets in Museum of Azerbaijani carpet 2
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Contemporary views
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Original title: 20160604 Azerbaijan 6859 Pano Baku sRGB (31274007253)
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