If you are here, you must be planning to spend 2 days in Baku and looking for an itinerary that lets you make the most of your time in the dynamic and stunning capital of Azerbaijan. Qədəmin mübarək olsun! I’m quite confident, this two-day Baku itinerary will meet your expectations.

I’ve crafted this itinerary in a way that it covers almost all the must-see sights in Baku city, including the beautiful Old City aka Icheri Sheher, the iconic Flame Towers, and the unique Heydar Aliyev Center. I also recommend some great places to eat and stay, so you can experience the best of Azerbaijani cuisine and hospitality and share helpful tips, so you can plan a perfect and memorable trip.

Visiting Baku for Two Days: A Perfect Baku Itinerary

A city where old and new weave seamlessly into a captivating tapestry of ancient traditions and futuristic innovations, Baku is full of intriguing history, culture, art, architecture, and gastronomical adventures.

Located on the shore of the Caspian Sea, the city is loaded with innovative architecture and well-heeled infrastructure, thanks to its rich oil and natural gas reserves.

With a plethora of cool places to explore and enjoy, you are going to have an amazing time in Baku. Are you ready to uncover Baku, one of the most intriguing hidden gems in Europe?

Day 1: Explore Baku’s Old City

On your first day in Baku, explore the UNESCO-listed Old City, Icherisheher aka inner city. With charming cobbled streets lined with medieval architecture, It’s the heart and soul of Baku. There’s no better place to soak in the city’s rich culture & history.

It’s recommended to take a free walking tour to learn more about the city’s rich history and culture. However, if you want to explore on your own, here’s a route to follow.

Enter the Old City via historic Gosha Gala Gapisi (Double Gates) and start with Maiden Tower (Qiz Qalasi), the mysterious and iconic ancient tower that’s considered the oldest structure in Baku. It’s the much-loved symbol of the city that has inspired quite a few Azeri folktales and even appears on the Azerbaijani national currency, the manat. For an entrance fee, you can see the museum inside the tower and climb to the top to enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the bay.

Next, head to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a 15th-century palace that served as the residence of the Shirvanshahs. The main building of the palace is turned into a museum now that displays a collection of historical artifacts. Other notable structures inside the complex are a Divankahana, a mausoleum, tombs, mosques, and a bathhouse.

If you are a museum and a book lover, walk a few steps from the palace to visit the Museum of Miniature Books, Zarifa Salahova’s treasure trove of hundreds of thousands of miniature edition books in different languages from almost all countries around the world. Entry is free.

While you stroll the narrow winding streets of the Old City, make it a point to stop by Muhammad Mosque, Juma Mosque, and Bazaar Square, and shop for traditional souvenirs.

Also, capture the different perspectives of the iconic Flame Towers from varied spots in the Old City.

As you stroll the charming streets of Baku Old City, you’ll come across a score of colorful photography spots.

And colorful doors and windows, and unique sights!

Afterward, relish traditional Azerbaijani lunch at Mugam Club or Karvansaray Restaurant, or Sehrli Təndir. Located inside old Han or caravanserai, all these restaurants offer a historical vibe. You must try local specialties such as dolma (stuffed grape leaves), plov (flavorful rice dish), and succulent kebabs.

After lunch, head to Nizami Street, the main shopping street in Baku. Lined with shops, cafes, restaurants, some architectural gems, and the famous Fountain Sqaure, it’s utterly atmospheric and is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee, grab a bite, or indulge in window shopping.

After a day’s sightseeing, it’s time to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunset and then the vibrant nightlife of Baku.

Walk down to the Bulvar (Baku Boulevard) to catch the beautiful sight of Baku bathed in sunset colors and enjoy a stroll along the picturesque waterfront promenade along the Caspian Sea and feel the wind in the hair while relishing the views of Baku’s modern skyline.

Flame Towers, the hero of the city’s skyline comes alive at night with a mesmerizing light show. Bulvar is also home to a range of cafes, restaurants, and attractions like Baku Eye (the Ferris Wheel), and the National Flag Square. The area around the boulevard is bustling with activity at night, making it a great place to soak up the city’s energy.

Complete your day with a dinner at Sky Grill, an outdoor terrace restaurant by Hilton located on the 24th floor that boasts a breathtaking nighttime view of the city. You can enjoy the drinks at their signature revolving rooftop bar on the 25th floor, 360 Bar.

Day 2: Explore the Modern Side of Baku

Begin your second day by getting up close with the Flame Towers, the iconic trio of skyscrapers you’ve been watching from every corner of Baku.

Just across the towers is Upland Park aka Highland Park, a beautiful urban park that’s home to exciting sights like a Turkish mosque, an eye-catching fountain waterfall, Martyrs’ Lane or Alley of Honor, and the Eternal Flame Monument. You can climb the stone steps or take a funicular to the top of the park to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the city and its bay.

Next, head to the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, a gold mine of the carpet-weaving history of Azerbaijan. You can admire the intricate designs that include traditional as well as modern and learn about ancient weaving techniques. Visit the museum’s official website for information on entry tickets and opening hours.

Once out of the museum, stroll the beautiful Mini-Venice. You can ride a gondola here. Cross the Denizkenari Milli Park and walk down to Nizami Street to enjoy another round of traditional Azeri lunch at Dolma or Firuze.

After lunch, drive to the Heydar Aliyev Center, a masterpiece of modern architecture in Baku by the legendary architect, Zaha Hadid. Marvel at its exquisite fluid curves and innovative design and walk around the museum to learn about the contemporary art and culture of Azerbaijan.

If time permits, drive a bit further to Heydar Mosque, the largest mosque in the Cauasus. It looks gorgeous. You wouldn’t see many tourists here asit’s not open to the public.

Come back to Baku Old City and enjoy a traditional cup of tea and experience the tea culture of Azerbaijan at Çay Bağı 145. Coffee lovers interested in witnessing the coffee culture of Aaerbaijan can choose to sit at Coffee Moffie or Old School.

Refreshed and rejuvenated, take a moment to capture the beauty of Baku at night. Stroll the beautifully lit streets of the Old City, stopping by wherever your heart desires, and trying local sweets like pakhlava, shekerbura, and goghal at one of the many sweet shops.

Trip to Baku: How to Plan

Best Time to Visit Baku

While April to October is considered the best time to visit Baku, the end of March (average high of 13°C or 55°F and average low of 5°C or 41°F), April (average high of 16°C or 60°F and average low of 8°C or 46°F), and October (average high of 19°C or 66°F and average low of 12°C or 53°F) are the perfect months to be there. These months offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, lower prices, and of course, a beautiful opportunity to enjoy the city and its attractions with ease, without hoards of tourists.

The end of March is particularly good for culture lovers as it’s when Azerbaijan celebrates its major festival of Novruz, the Persian New Year.

Getting to Baku

Served by Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD), Baku is well-connected to major international cities with more than 40 direct flights from various cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Azerbaijan Airlines remains the major air carrier.

If you are coming from the neighboring countries, there are regular trains and buses to Baku from Moscow, Tbilisi, Istanbul, and Tehran. You can also plan a road trip from these cities, but make sure you familiarize yourself with border entry requirements, driving permits, and road regulations.

How to Get From the Airport to Baku City Centre

The International airport is located about 24 km from the city center and takes somewhere around 30 minutes to cover the distance.

Aero Express, the official airport shuttle runs every 30 minutes from the airport to the city center and vice versa. It stops at Surakhani Bridge, Koroglu metro station, and 28 May Metro Station or Central Railway station and costs AZN 1,30 to 1,50. To use the services, you need to buy BakuKart, the city’s public transport card at the BakuKart kiosk, and be aware, the kiosk accepts only Azerbaijani manat. Find more information at www.aeroexpress.az.

Hiring an official taxi or Uber or Bolt is also a good option if you seek comfort and ease. Bolt or Uber costs a little less than an official taxi.

For a stress-free and safe transfer, I usually recommend booking a private airport transfer. As a family traveler, I prefer this option while traveling to foreign countries as it’s comfortable and much safer when traveling with kids.

Getting Around Baku

The Old City, the Bulvar, and its attractions are best explored on foot, however, for attractions like Heydar Aliyev Center, you’d need transport.

For that, you can hire a taxi (choose Uber or Bolt always) or board a Metro (you need a BakuCard).

If you don’t want to worry about transportation, the best way is to take a guided tour around the city. Get Your Guide and Viator offers a range of paid guided tours in Baku, like and Civitatis offers free walking tours. The tours take away the hassle of transportation as well as give you a chance to know more about the history and culture of the place.

If you are planning to take a day trip or two from Baku, it’s best to rent a car or hire a chauffeur-driven car or book a guided tour.

We hired a local car with a driver and thus, traveling around Baku or to other places in Azerbaijan was a breeze. I strongly recommend hiring a chauffeur-driven car if you are traveling with kids. It’s quite affordable and comfortable for families.

How to Stay Connected in Baku

It’s vital to stay connected while in a foreign country. The roaming packages cost a fortune, so I use and recommend getting a local sim card wherever I travel.

You’ve two options – you can buy an e-sim card ( if your mobile phone supports it) from Airalo before even you land at your travel destination or reach the destination and buy a tourist sim card from the local mobile network operators.

For Baku, Azercell, Bakcell, and Nar are the most famous mobile service providers, with Azercell being the best in terms of network and coverage. You can compare the tourist sim packages to choose the one that fits your bill. I purchased the one with 2 GB of data for 7 days in Azerbaijan. It cost me AZN 10 ($5.88).

Where to Stay in Baku

There’s a mind-boggling range of accommodations, including luxury hotels in the city center or boutique guesthouses in the Old City, Icherisheher. I highly recommend choosing accommodation located inside the fortress walls or close to the Old City.

TOP BUDGET HOTEL: Renaissance Boutique ( 8.4)

This hotel is a few minutes walk from the Old City and offers comfy, clean, and spacious rooms. Some rooms come equipped with a balcony while those that don’t afford windows with city views. The hotel has a terrace, a restaurant, and a bar.

TOP MID-RANGE HOTEL: Art Club ( 9.3)

Located close to the Old City, the Art Club features a shared lounge, terrace, restaurant, and bar. Rooms are cozy, clean, and comfortable. The staff is super professional, friendly, and helpful. Their suites with a terrace are the best! With the affordable prices, it’s definitely the best value for your money.

TOP LUXURY HOTEL: Four Seasons Hotel Baku ( 9.3)

Strategically located right next to the Old City, this 5-star hotel overlooks the Caspian Sea and Baku Old Town. Most of the rooms and suites afford the panoramic views over the sea and the old city. They also feature an indoor swimming pool, a spa, and a wellness center in addition to a sauna and hammam, and a fitness center.

TOP LEVEL TRAVEL SUSTAINABLE HOTEL: Hilton Baku ( 8.7)

Less than 10 minutes walk from the Old City, this 5-star seafront hotel features a terrace restaurant with a view, a famous revolving rooftop bar, a pool, a gym, a spa, a sauna, an executive lounge, a tea lounge, and a complimentary breakfast. All the rooms offer awesome views of the city and the sea. Most importantly, the hotel is committed to sustainability and has been certified as Travel Sustainable Level 3+ property.

TOP APARTMENT: Luxary Home Zafro Palace ( 10)

Located in the Yasamal district, this beautiful and ultra-spacious 3-bedroom luxury apartment is perfect for big families. It comes with a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, ensuite bathrooms, and a balcony with mesmerizing city view. To safeguard your privacy, the accommodation has a private entrance and soundproofing.

What and Where to Eat & Drink in Baku

When in Baku, you can’t miss out on a diverse range of traditional Azerbaijani flavors. Baku is a haven for non-vegetarians like my husband and daughter. If you are a vegetarian like me, always ask for vegetarian-friendly options before dining in because some restaurants don’t serve vegetarian food at all.

Here are some must-try local dishes and recommended dining spots in Baku:

Shakh plov or shah pilaf, a classic rice dish typically made with saffron, tender lamb or chicken, aromatic spices, and loaded with dried apricots, plums, chestnuts, and raisins is a must-try in Baku. The vegetarian version is also available. The best restaurants to try this dish are Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant and Sahil Restaurant.

Indulge in one of the most popular Azeri dishes, Dolma (yarpaq dolmasi) wherein grape leaves are stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, minced meat, onions, and herbs. In a vegetarian version, badimjan dolmasi, eggplants are stuffed with a mixture of herbs and spices. The best restaurants to try are Mugam Club and Dolma.

Don’t miss out on trying kebabs. Grilled to perfection, these skewered meat delights come in various options like lamb, beef, chicken, or fish. The most common varieties are lyulya kebab, shashlik, baliq kebab, and toyuq kebab. The best restaurants to try a kebab platter include Karvansaray Restaurant and Sumakh.

Sample lavash, a traditional thin unleavened flatbread baked in tandir, a traditional stone oven. It’s claimed to be Armenian in origin, however, is prepared in Azerbaijan, Iran, and Türkiye. Almost all the restaurants serve lavash in Baku.

Relish Qutub, a paper-thin flatbread, filled with meat or greens, folded, and baked in saj, a traditional Azerbaijani frying pan. You can try this famous snack at Sumakh, Sahil, Nergiz, and Sehrli Tandir.

Try Buglama, a stew wherein lamb or mutton pieces are steamed with onions, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and spices at Sehrli Tandir.

Levengi is a traditional dish of chicken, fish, or eggplant stuffed with walnuts, onions, and raisins, and flavored with albukhara and alcha seasonings. You can relish this traditional dish at Sehrli Tandir.

Dovga, a yogurt-based soup peppered with fresh herbs like dill, leek, mint, and coriander is a must-try at Mugam Club. It’s served hot or cold, depending on the season.

Savor Pakhlava, a delicious layered pastry dessert prepared with filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey at Rəmzioğlu Paxlava or Sheki Sweet Home.

Shekarbura is another sweet and delicate crescent-shaped Azeri pastry filled with sugar and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts. You can try this mouth-watering dessert at Rəmzioğlu Paxlava or Sheki Sweet Home or Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant.

How about tasting local wine? Bayan Shira and Sadaf (white), and Madrasa (red) are the most popular Azeri wines. The good places to try Azerbaijani wines are Room Fine Art Wine & Dine and KEFLI Local Wine & Snacks. If you are a wine aficionado, joining a wine crawl walking tour lets you explore the best wine bars in Baku with a local guide.

Another unusual yet tasty treat to try is a combo of Tea and Jam! Tea is vital to Azerbaijan culture, much like in India. Traditionally, chai is served with jam. The jams, mostly, contain whole fruit such as cherries, plums, berries, pears, apples, pumpkin, watermelon, pineapple guava, or dry fruits like walnuts. The best place to experience the Azeri ritual of chai and jam is Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse.

And gulp down a glass or two of Ayran, a chilled salty yogurt drink, especially if you are traveling during summer. You can find it at most supermarkets easily.

Helpful Tips

Here are a few things you should keep in my while exploring Baku!

1. Azeris are friendly and helpful, however, most of them don’t understand English, so keep the Google Translate app handy all the time. It’s a lifesaver! Also, knowing a few basic phrases in Azerbaijani can greatly enhance your travel experience.
2. Use Bolt or book a private transfer from the airport to avoid inconvenience and a taxi scam.
3. Baku is a walkable city and thus, packing a pair of sturdy and comfy shoes is a must!
4. It’s best to exchange currency in the center of the city than the airport.

Alternative Baku Itineraries

If you have more than 2 days in Baku, here are suggestions to help you craft an itinerary accordingly:

3 Days in Baku Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Baku City
Day 2: Explore Baku City
Day 3: Day Trip to Gobustan or Ateshgah and Yanardag or maybe a guided day tour of all three attractions

4 Days in Baku Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Baku City
Day 2: Explore Baku City
Day 3: Day Trip to Ateshgah and Yanardag
Day 4: Day Trip to Gobustan, Bibi-Heybat Mosque, and Shebeke Beach

5 Days in Baku Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Baku City
Day 2: Explore Baku City
Day 3: Day Trip to Ateshgah and Yanardag
Day 4: Day Trip to Gobustan, Bibi-Heybat Mosque, and Shebeke Beach
Day 5: Day Trip to Shamakhi and/or Lahic

6 Days in Baku Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Baku City
Day 2: Explore Baku City
Day 3: Day Trip to Ateshgah and Yanardag
Day 4: Day Trip to Gobustan, Bibi-Heybat Mosque, and Shebeke Beach
Day 5: Day Trip to Shamakhi and/or Lahic
Day 6: Day Trip to Gabala and or Savalan Valley

7 Days in Baku Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Baku City
Day 2: Explore Baku City
Day 3: Day Trip to Ateshgah and Yanardag
Day 4: Day Trip to Gobustan, Bibi-Heybat Mosque, and Shebeke Beach
Day 5: Day Trip to Shamakhi and/or Lahic
Day 6: Day Trip to Gabala and or Savalan Valle
Day 7: Day Trip to Quba and/or Khinaliq

Baku Travel FAQ

Is Baku Worth Visiting?

Indeed. With fascinating history, culture, architecture (a mind-boggling mix of medieval and futuristic), plenty of beautiful attractions, unique natural landscapes, delicious cuisine, and welcoming locals, Baku checks all the boxes on being a wonderful travel destination.

What’s Baku Famous For?

Located on the shores of the Caspian Sea at the intersection between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East – the capital city of Azerbaijan, Baku is renowned for oil exploration and F1 races. A fine blend of ancient and modern architecture, the Flame Towers (the poster boy of Baku) and Heydar Aliyev Centre showcase innovative futuristic trends while the UNESCO-listed humble Icherisheher preserves its beautiful heritage. There’s a treasure of history, art, and culture in Baku owing to its strategic position on the ancient Silk Road Trade Route. It’s dubbed the City of Winds as it remains windy almost all through the year. Also, Baku is known for being the lowest-lying national capital in the world.

Is Baku Safe For Tourists?

Baku is a flourishing capital with a well-off infrastructure and is amazingly tourist friendly. It’s fairly safe for tourists, however, common tourist scams like getting overcharged by taxi drivers, stealing credit card information, or pickpocketing do occur. As with any travel destination, it’s vital to exercise caution and take sensible precautions such as taking care of your belongings, not carrying large amounts of money, using reliable transportation services, not venturing out after dark, and being vigilant of your surroundings.

How Many Days Are Enough in Baku?

2 days in Baku are more than enough to explore the highlights, however, if you would like to discover beyond the highlights, I recommend at least 4 days in Baku.

Is Baku Expensive to Visit?

I’d say, Baku is neither cheap nor expensive – it’s reasonably competitive. Obviously, the cost of your trip largely depends on various factors – the duration of your stay, your travel style & personal preferences. The estimated daily expenses in Baku can range anywhere from $50 to $150 depending on the type of accommodation, food outlets, transportation options, and attractions you choose.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Baku?

It depends on your nationality. Check the visa requirements for Azerbaijan before planning your trip. Azerbaijan offers single-entry eVisa to over 95 countries, including the US, European Nations, the UK, Canada, and India. The online application process is super easy.

What is the Local Currency in Baku, and Can I Use Credit Cards?

The local currency in Baku, Azerbaijan, is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN). Credit cards are widely accepted in Baku, however, It is wise to keep some local currency handy for small purchases, especially in street markets or smaller establishments that may not accept credit cards.

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I sincerely hope this Baku tour itinerary helps you craft yours to explore the best of Baku in 2 days. If you’ve any questions, shoot them in the comments section below.

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