Baku city tour

This guided city tour introduces Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan on the Caspian Sea, through its two contrasting faces: the walled Old City and the glass towers of the modern downtown. A local guide leads you on foot and by vehicle through the neighborhoods that give Baku its reputation as one of the Caucasus region's most distinctive capitals.

The tour's centerpiece is Icherisheher, Baku's Old City, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Inside its twelfth-century defensive walls, narrow lanes lead past the Maiden Tower, a cylindrical stone structure rising close to thirty metres that has stood as the symbol of Baku for centuries, and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a fifteenth-century royal complex that UNESCO describes as one of the pearls of Azerbaijani architecture. Caravanserais, mosques and craft workshops line the surrounding streets, giving a sense of the city before oil wealth transformed it.

From the Old City, the route moves to Baku's modern side, where the Flame Towers dominate the skyline. Completed in 2012, the tallest of the three flame-shaped skyscrapers reaches 182 metres, and the trio is widely regarded as the most recognized symbol of contemporary Baku. Highland Park, set on a ridge above the city, is a common vantage point for viewing the towers together with the curve of Baku Bay and the Caspian Sea beyond.

The tour also takes in Fountain Square and Nizami Street, the pedestrian heart of Baku, lined with nineteenth and twentieth-century buildings, cafes and shops that give the area its European character. Where time allows, a walk along Baku Boulevard follows the Caspian shoreline past Little Venice and National Flag Square, rounding out a day that runs from medieval stone walls to a modern seafront promenade.

Throughout the day, Rayna's local team is on hand to help with questions about the route or your onward travel plans in Azerbaijan, so the practical side of the day is looked after while you focus on the sights in front of you.

• Walk through Icherisheher, Baku's UNESCO-listed Old City, with its twelfth-century walls and stone lanes.
• See the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, two of Baku's best-known historic landmarks.
• View the Flame Towers, Baku's tallest and most recognized skyscrapers, from a panoramic city vantage point.
• Stroll Fountain Square and Nizami Street, the pedestrian heart of Baku's modern downtown.
• Take in the Caspian Sea waterfront along Baku Boulevard, weather and time permitting.
• Travel with a local guide who can answer questions on Azerbaijani history and culture throughout the day.

1. You will receive a confirmation voucher by email once your booking is complete.
2. Keep the voucher accessible, either printed or on your phone, to show on the day of the tour.
3. Meet your guide or driver at the agreed pickup point in Baku at the scheduled time.
4. Contact Rayna Tours support in advance if you need to confirm or adjust your pickup details.

• Wear comfortable, flat walking shoes. Icherisheher's lanes are cobbled and uneven in places.
• Dress modestly when visiting the Old City's historic and religious buildings, covering shoulders and knees where possible.
• Baku summers (June to August) are hot, often above 35 degrees Celsius; carry water and sun protection.
• Baku is known as the City of Winds, and winters can be cold and blustery, so pack a warm layer if travelling between November and March.
• Carry a valid photo ID, since it may be requested for entry to museums or historic sites.
• The Azerbaijani manat (AZN) is the local currency; keep some cash on hand for small purchases.
• Confirm your pickup time and location with Rayna Tours support ahead of the tour date.
• Photography is generally welcomed at outdoor landmarks, but check the individual rule at each museum or monument before taking pictures indoors.