We skipped the museum but were truly excited to experience the mud volcanoes and witness the rare
geological phenomenon up close. Though its grandeur didn’t match the same as on internet, the journey, photos and the memorable experience in Azerbaijan's natural landscape definitely made it worthwhile the visit.
Without further ado, we drove for our old Baku Tour exploring the historic Icherisheher (Old City), featuring landmarks like the iconic stone Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs’ Palace, ancient caravanserais, preserved city walls and the unique Museum of Miniature Books.
Next up, we took a funnicular ride for Highland Park that offers stunning panoramic views of the
city, the Caspian Sea, and iconic landmarks such as the Flame Towers. You may reach here directly by taxi too.
The Flame Towers have captured global attention a symbol of modernity and an architectural masterpiece that defines Baku's skyline and identity in the 21st century. Their sleek, glass façades
flame-like shape and illuminated LED screens with dynamic light shows make them stand out.
Also known as Dagustu Park, Highland Park is renowned for its beautiful gardens, walking paths, and the spectacular vantage point it provides over Baku especially at night (sunset happens around 8:30pm in June) when the city lights up.
The significant sites in the park offering insights into Azerbaijan's history and culture include Martyrs' Lane (Şəhidlər Xiyabanı) - Memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives during the Black January massacre in 1990, the Shahidlar Mosque(Martyrs' Mosque), and the National Flag Square featuring one of the world's tallest flagpoles, proudly displaying the Azerbaijani flag outside the Alley of Martyrs.
We ended the day on a high by savoring the baklawas and spinach rotis at Elxanoglu at Nizami street.
Day 3 – Day Trip to Shahdag ( approx. 3 hour drive from Baku)
Shahdag, located in the Greater Caucasus Mountains of Azerbaijan offers a blend of outdoor adventure, scenic beauty, cultural experiences and relaxation, making it an ideal destination for both active travellers and those seeking a peaceful mountain retreat. Activities like skiing, snowboarding,
snowmobiling in winters or hiking and exploring nature trails with blooming wildflowers, adventure sports like zip-lining, ATV tours in other seasons, Shahdag promises unforgettable moments amidst Azerbaijan's natural splendour making it a must 1 night stay in winters and a day trip otherwise.
On our route, we took a quick photo stop at the Candycane Mountains. First thing first at Shahdag, we did the very famous roller coaster amidst grassfields which is incredible and truly worth the hype. Oh! How much I wish, I had some accessory to keep my mobile safe and record this exhilarating experience.
Being a group of 6, we thoroughly enjoyed playing paintball in military costumes, helmets and powerful guns under the beautiful sky in the company of rain and super cool breeze. Please note that the paintball shots hit pretty hard and this activity needs over an hour for changing and walking to
and fro from the open-air battlefield.
We then rushed to the cable car ride. Since it had been drizzling throughout, there are no photos to justify the serene views of the landscape that falls nothing short of Switzerland. Here, you can get down at the other end, take photos, enjoy tea and ride back from the cable car.
Please note that you can go inside the Mountain ski resort only after you get down from the 1st coaster and have not punched the ticket for 2nd coaster. Also the temperature at Shahdag is way cooler than Baku and carrying along a light jacket even in June is advised.
Before calling it a night, we hogged over the delicious food at Shahi Darbar restaurant at Nizami street.
Day 4 – After being happily drained from the previous day, we left for Shikhov Beach (Şıxov Beach) at around 4 pm. This beach offering various water sports activities is one of the closest to the city center and is popular among locals and tourists.
With clear and non-sticky water with negligible waves hitting the shore, it is ideal for swimming. Since we are a lazy bunch and needed a day off to relax and unwind, we enjoyed soaking the sunshine, sipping our drinks from the Malibu beach café and on and off dips in the water; however if you are in a rush, you can afford to miss this.
Later, we stopped at Baku Boulevard (located just opposite the maiden tower), munched popping corn
while walking by the Caspian Sea at seaside national park (Dənizkənari Milli Park). With plethora of open-air rides, this place is super fun for kids.
To close the day, we ate till our hearts were full at Pizza Inn at Nizami street.
Day 5 - Yanardag (fire mountain), Ateshgah fire temple
Visiting Fire Mountain was a unique experience due to its continuous natural gas-fueled flames that have been burning for centuries. Around a 40 minute drive from Baku, it was relatively warmer and offered a unique combination of natural beauty, historical significance and cultural depth of fire-worshipping traditions, making it an enriching addition to the itinerary.
After a 30 minute drive, we visited Ateshgah Fire Temple - an ancient Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian religious site originally built in the 17th-18th centuries atop natural gas vents that emit flames due to the combustion of natural gas.
As we returned to Baku, we satiated our tummies at Dominos. Since it was almost time to get back to the grind in India, we opted for a relaxing package (massage, steam and Hamam) at Liana Deluxe Spa, packed our bags and returned to India with tons of happy memories.
We were on a time crunch, but if you are not, add on a night stay at Gabala which is a 4.5 hour drive from Baku. On the route, make a stop at Alpaca farms located in Shamakhi 120KM away from Baku which is most ideal to visit in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) and with
preferably prior reservation to participate in farm activities with the cutest animals on the planet. The tickets are relatively highly priced but totally recommended if you are travelling with children.
Other things on the list could be the lavender fields (that generally bloom from late june to early august), the Yeddi Gozel Waterfall (known as the Seven Beauties Waterfall generally best seen during the spring and summer), rainbow slide and boating at Nohur lake; cable car ride, outdoor adventure activities (skiing, riding ATVs, zip-lining, etc.) in summer as well as winters, thrilling swing at Tufandag
Mountain Resort. If time permits and travelling with kids, Gabala Land with amusement rides, arcade games, 5D ciema and themed areas can be a good option to explore.
Art and history lovers often include Sheki in their trip and visit its stunning Sheki Khan's Palace, Sheki Caravanseari, Sheki fortress and relish the local Halva. With a blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty, Sheki offers a memorable cultural journey into Azerbaijan's diverse traditions and landscapes. But yet again, that’s not our interest, so we happily skipped it.
With time on your platter, it is highly recommended to add Georgia to your Baku trip. This however needs to be planned well in advance as visa generally takes 10 days and gets rejected often for many Indian tourists.
My free first-hand advice -
- As very limited people speak english, language is a huge barrier and consider google translator as your best friend
- Stay at/close to Nizami Street –the most famous and centrally located vibrant avenue of Baku
- Azerbaijan offers strikingly different views in winters and otherwise. Plan your vacay according to your preference
- Although it is a food paradise, vegetarian options are quite scarce and we were elated to have our theplas and khakhras with us. There are various Indian restaurants at Nizami street- Namaste, Delhi Darbar, Bombay Zaeka. We ate twice at Shahi Darbar and it was fabulous
- Explore Azerbaijani cuisine, which includes delicious dishes such as kebabs, pilaf (plov), and various pastries. Don't miss trying local specialties like dolma and baklava
- E-visa for Baku generally comes within 4 days and valid for three months
- The currency Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) is equivalent to INR 50
- Various tourist places close by 6pm, so check the timings and plan your day accordingly
-- Link of our airbnb - the apartment was perfectly located on Nizami street with all the amenities. Although It is located on the first floor with no lift, had few glitches of air conditioning on the first two days, it can be checked out on Airbnb
- Converse with locals/airbnb host/driver in written over whatsapp given the proof of dialogue and avoidance of mis-communication over language
- Baku is 1.5 hour behind Indian Standard time
- Enjoy a hassle-free trip with a pre-booked taxi on 24/7
disposal. We availed the services of Ismail (mobile no. - +994 777563435). He speaks limited english and was fabulous. We gave him the list of places we wanted to visit and he planned everything through. If not, Bolt is a great taxi app to roam within Baku.
-the above itinerary and
recommendations are based solely on my experience and reader’s discretion and
verification before making any booking based on the same is advised
Having travelled to several countries, I personally loved the vibe, diverse sightseeing opportunities and memorable experiences, Azerbaijan has to offer. I totally recommend this fusion of London, Switzerland, Madrid and more!!
Happy Holidays,
Shruti
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