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Baku

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Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan.

Baku at Night
Baku at Night
Fortress gate in Baku
Fortress gate in Baku

Contents

[edit] Understand

Baku, also known as Baky or Bakı, is the largest city in the Caucasus and the capital of Azerbaijan. Baku is located on the coast of the Caspian Sea on the southern tip of the Absheron Peninsula. There are three major divisions in Baku: İçəri Şəhər (the ancient city), the Soviet built city, and the newest part of the city. The population as of January, 2003 reached 2,074,300 people.

A curious fact about Baku is that its average year-round temperature (14.2 Centigrade) matches the average temperature of the entire landmass of the earth to within a tenth of degree. Summers are hot and humid, winters cool, wet and breezy. However, seasonal temperature excursions are less than in many continental regions at this latitude (about 40 degrees north) owing to the presence of the Caspian Sea. One of Baku's sister cities is Houston Texas, in the United States. Baku is currently bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By air

Baku Skyline
Baku Skyline

Heydar Aliyev International Airport [1] (Template:IATA) is situated 25km from Baku city center. It is served by major airlines including BMI, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, and a whole host of smaller airlines. The least expensive way to get to Baku from Europe is via Air Baltic, with inexpensive flights several times a week.

To get to Baku from the airport cheaply, walk to the traffic circle from the airport (about 15 minutes) and ride the minibus from there. It is a 1 hour trip. Otherwise pay a taxi driver 20 AZN ride the taxi to your destination in Baku.

If you are flying out of the airport and you want to save a few AZN it is possible to take the number 135 minibus from near the 28 May train/metro station. It costs 40 qapik, but it is 7-9 AZN cheaper than a taxi. After getting to the traffic circle near the airport, join disembarking passengers in their taxi and give the driver 1 AZN once arriving at the airport.

[edit] By train

  • Russia
  • Georgia
  • Iran
  • Baku-Sheki:Overnight train 2.4 AZN for 3rd class, 3.6 AZN for coupe, 5 AZN for first class
  • Baku-Lankaran: Day train - 2.5 AZN for economy; 4.1 AZN for first class, overnight train
  • Baku-Xachmaz: Day train
  • Baku-Ganja: Day train, overnight train
  • Baku-Tbilisi: Overnight train, AZN 29 first class

[edit] By bus

  • Lankaran-Baku: arrives: 7:00, 7.30, 9:00, departs: 11:50, 16:00, 15:00
  • Lankaran-Baku-Baku's Airport: arrives: 21:00, departs: 17:00
  • Sheki-Baku: Every hour/4 AZN (7 hour trip)

There are buses that run from Georgia, Russia, and Iran.

[edit] By marshrutka

[edit] By taxi

There are taxis that run from Georgia, Russia, and Iran.

[edit] By ferry

The phone number of the sea terminal (Daniz Vagzal) is 994 12 447 7314. People can gather more information on the various routes at the station.

  • Russia
  • Iran
  • Kazakhstan - Irregular services (maybe every 7-10 days). Get your VISA before you travel.
  • Turkmenistan - From Turkmenistan, the costs, at the cheapest, is around $50 for a steerage bed and it takes two days to reach from Turkmenbashi to Baku. It is better to bring your own food, instead of buying it on the ship because food can be quite pricey. Make sure to get a visa in Tashkent before entering, because it is impossible to obtain one in Turkmenbashi.

[edit] Get around

Map of the Baku Metro
Map of the Baku Metro

[edit] By taxi

Taxi costs about 2-4 manats (3-5 $) for trips within the center of Baku. There are no counters, and it is recommended to negotiate the cost in advance.

[edit] By bus/minibus

Buses and minibuses cost 20 qapik (25 cent)per person and can take you to almost any place within Baku. Destinations are usually posted on the front and the right side of the bus so that people can know where they are going.

[edit] By metro

Baku metro
Baku metro

The metro goes many places throughout Baku and it costs only 5 qapik (6 cent). It is the least expensive way to get around Baku besides walking. Be careful when transferring on the only transfer (28 May and 20 January) as there is no signage. Ask a cashier or attendant. Also, the newly implemented Bakı Metropiliten Kart requries people to purchase a 2 AZN (2,5 Dollar)card and load it like a normal metro pass. This is more convienent for everyday users, but it can be a hassle for tourists. It is possible to use a Azerbaycan Sosial Kartı like the ones on some Azerbaijani ATM cards instead of having to buy a Bakı Metropiliten Kart. The metro workers will be more than happy to help if spoken to in either Azeri or Russian.

[edit] By train

The Baku electric train runs through several parts of Baku and the surrounding area including Sumqait. It costs 1 AZN (1,20 Dollar) for one person.

Map of the Electric Train System
Map of the Electric Train System
Schedule for the Electric Train System
Schedule for the Electric Train System

[edit] On foot

It is possible to get around Fountain Square, the Boulevard, and the old city by foot, but otherwise it would be better to use a different mode of transportation.

[edit] Talk

English and Russian are spoken in many places throughout Baku, but it wise to still either bring an Azeri phrase book and/or brush up on your Azeri/Turkish/Russian/ before arriving. However, everyone over the age of 35 will speak excellent Russian, and about half the people under the age of 35 will speak a little English.

[edit] See

The Divankhana Pishtaq in the Palace of the Shirvan Shahs
The Divankhana Pishtaq in the Palace of the Shirvan Shahs
Guz Qalasi (The Maiden's Tower) a UNESCO World Heritage site
Guz Qalasi (The Maiden's Tower) a UNESCO World Heritage site
Train Station (vagzal)
Train Station (vagzal)

[edit] Itineraries

[edit] Cultural sites

There are a number of interesting sites within Baku's walled fortress, the Old City (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which can all be seen on foot in one day:

  • <see name="The Palace of the Shirvan Shahs" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="10AM–5PM daily" price="2 AZN" url="">The medieval palace of the Shirvan Shahs is the highlight of the Old City and a must see for any tourist in Baku.</see>
  • <see name="Maiden's Tower (Giz Qalasi)" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="10AM–7PM daily" price=".5 AZN" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">This mysterious and eccentric tower was built somewhere between the 7th and 12th centuries and may have served as a fire beacon, defensive fortification, astronomical observatory, or Zoroastrian temple.</see>

Outside the city, on the Absheron Peninsula, there are several interesting sites that are easy to reach via taxi or public transportation. Moreover, the scenery along your route is itself a fascinatingly ugly site to be seen, a desert wasteland with white salt flats and natural oil pools seeping up to the surface.

  • <see name="Atashgah Fire Temple" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="Admission is as follows: children's .20 AZN, student's .40 AZN, adult's 2 AZN. If you want to take pictures it costs 2 AZN in addition to admission" url="">You can take the Baku Electric train from the Baku train station to Suraxani station for 10 qapik. Simply walk through the station to the outdoor platforms where a schedule is posted. You can pay on board or buy a ticket from a kiosk on the platform. From Suraxani station walk about 100 meters and 'you can arrive at the temple</see>'
  • <see name="Yanar Dagh" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">Yanar Dagh is a mountain that has been continuously on fire for one thousand years. The natural gas vents ensure that hot flames roar out of the sides of this hill even when it rains. There is a small cafe next to the natural wonder that serves tea and snacks. It is best to take a cab as Yanar Dagh is remote and difficult to find.</see>
  • The Baku Boluvar
  • Boat tours of Baku. This service is offered from the Baku Boluvar and costs .6 AZN (7,50 Dollar)and lasts 40 minutes.

[edit] Museums and galleries

  • <see name="The Azeri National Costume Museum (Doll Museum)" address="" phone="+994 (12)/ 493 66 85" phoneextra="+994 (12)/ 493 05 01" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></see>
  • <see name="Taghiyev History Museum" address="Tagiyev Street, 4" phone="+994 (12)/ 493 36 48" phoneextra="+994 (12)/ 498 52 11" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></see>
  • <see name="Latif Karimov Carpet and Applied Arts Museum" address="Neftchiler Avenue, 123 A" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></see>

[edit] Miscellaneous

  • <see name="Dendro Park" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></see>
  • <see name="Oil Rocks" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">Tourist wanting to see the oil rock complex need to get previous authorization from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan. </see>
Ancient Market in Old City (Icheri Sheher)
Ancient Market in Old City (Icheri Sheher)
  • <see name="Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall" address="2, Istiglaliyyat Street" phone="+994 (12)/ 497 29 05" phoneextra="+994 (12)/ 497 29 01" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">Built in 1912 and inspired by the Monte Carlo Casino. Houses the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra amongst others.</see>

[edit] Do

  • National Opera and Ballet- on Nizami street.
  • Targova Street and Fountain Square: This is a pedestrian street along the center of Baku that has many shopping, dining, and sitting places. Targova and Fountain Square are quite near the old city.

[edit] Beaches

There are a couple of beaches including Shikhov Beach, but they are polluted by sewage and industrial waste. Outside the city, however, there are a few very nice sandy beaches on the Caspian. In particular Bilgəh and Amburan beaches, on the north coast of the Absheron Peninsula are great spots to cool off from heat.

[edit] Buy

A typical carpet shop in the Old City
A typical carpet shop in the Old City
  • Antiques from Old City (İçəri Şəhər)
  • Rugs
  • Apples from Quba
  • Tea and Talish Stockings from Lankaran
  • Halva from Sheki
  • Traditional dolls created by ladies' groups in Barda

[edit] ATMs

  • Bankomats (ATMs) are available around the main square. If you have a cell phone with either a Bakcell or Azercell sim card, you can recharge your account balance using various ATMs. The International Bank of Azerbaijan has a list of their ATMs in Baku.

[edit] Eat

There are a great deal of restaurants in Baku.

[edit] Budget

Template:Eatpricerange

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Azerbaijani/Turkish

  • Respublika Luks, 24 Khagani Street, tel: 994 012 598-10-56; European and Azeri Cuisine. prices 2-15 AZN.
  • XVII esr, 215 B. Safaroglu Street, tel: 994 012 598-17-00. Club-Restaurant. prices 8-15 AZN
  • Anadolu, Pushkin Street 5 and Rasul Rza Street 3/5, tel: 994 012 498-87-58; tel: 994 012 498-804. Turkish/European Restaurant/Catering. prices 8-15 AZN
  • Mugam Club, 9 A. Rzayeva Street, tel: 994 012 492-40-85. European and Azeri Cuisine. prices 10-15 AZN.
  • Bəh Bəh, Azerbaijani Restaurant 20, Shihaliyev Street, tel: 994 012 496-18-10.
  • Izmir Garden Restaurant, 5 Izmir Street, tel: 994 012 436-93-73; e-mail: izmir@azdata.net. Azerbaijani Restaurant.
  • Jennet Baghi, 82, Acad, Hasan Aliyeve Street, tel: 994 012 449-91-98. Azerbaijani Restaurant.
  • Karvansara, 1 Gala Street, Ichiri Sheher, tel: 994 012 456-62-33. Azeri Cuisine.
  • Lido, Corner of Nkhchivani Street, tel: 994 012 462-94-49. European and Azeri Cuisine.

[edit] CIS

  • Khutor, 9 M. Mukhtarov Street, tel: 994 012 437-22-23. Ukrainian Cuisine. prices 8-15 AZN
  • Rasputin, 9 A. Aliyev Street, tel: 050-355-57-71. Russian Cuisine. prices 5-20 AZN
  • Georgian Home, 215, Bashir Safaroglu Street, tel: 994 012 493-85-36, e-mail: georgian_home_g@mail.ru. Georgian Cuisine.
  • Dukhan, 81/13, Nizami Street, tel: 994 012 598-22-29. Georgian Cuisine.
  • Georgian Home, 18, Mirza Irahimov Street, tel: 994 012 493-43-85. Georgian Cuisine.

[edit] Western

  • Mexicana, 17, Z.Tagiyev Street, tel: 994 012 498-90-96. Mexican Cuisine. prices 6-14 AZN
  • Pancho’s, 14/16, Khagani Street, tel: 994 012 498-57-00. Mexican Cuisine. prices 6-15 AZN
  • Pizza Holiday, 119, Lermontov Kuchasi Near Baku Soviet, tel: 994 012 497-37-72. Pizza and Italian Cuisine. prices 5-15 AZN
  • Pauza, 28 May Street, tel: 994 012 493-70-03. International Cuisine. prices 5-15 AZN
  • Gazelli Evi, 93, Nizami Street, tel: 994 012 493-96-88. International Cuisine. prices 5-16 AZN
  • The Red Lion Inn, 7 Mammadaliyev Street, tel: 994 012 493-03-54. English Cuisine . prices 6-16 AZN
  • Ego’s, 19/13, Khagani Street, tel: 994 012 493-11-01. European Cuisine. prices 8-15 AZN
  • Ocean Deck, in Malakonsky Park, tel: 994 012 493-02-23. European and American Cuisine. prices 6-18 AZN
  • Park Inn's Glory, 1 Azadlig Avenue, tel: 994 012 490-00-01. European Cuisine. prices 8-18 AZN
  • Caviar, 1025/30 Tbilisi Avenue, tel: 994 012 490-70-90. International Cuisine.
  • Corleone, 40 Khagani Street, tel: 994 012 498-82-46. Italian Cuisine.
  • Dolce Vita, 9, Aziz Aliyev Street, tel: 994 012 492-75-72. Italian Restaurant.
  • Francopan, 9 A. Alizadeh Street, tel: 994 012 598-11-24, (e-mail: frankopanbaku@net.hr). Ristorante Pizzeria.
  • Grand Hotel Europe, 1025/30 Tbilisi Avenue, tel: 994 012 490-70-90; e-mail: business.hotel_europe@azdata.net.International Cuisine.
  • Greasy Barney’s, G. Abbasov 72, apartment 1 A, tel: 994 012 491-23-63. Sandwich Shop.
  • Le Mirage, 34, Nizami Street, tel: 050-622-05-90. European Cuisine and Discotheque.
  • Le R Restaurant, 123/6, Remontov Street, tel: 994 012-437-21-80. European Cuisine.
  • München, 125 Nizami Street, tel: 994 012 493-76-00.German Cuisine.
  • Nara, 4 Aziz Aliyev Street, tel: 994 012 497-12-55. French Cuisine.
  • Soho, 6 R. Aliyarbekov Street, tel: 050-319-38-19. International Cuisine.
  • Universal Club, 16 Z. Tagiyev Street, tel: 994 012 493-29-12. International Cuisine.

[edit] Asian

  • Buddha, 2 A.Z., Tagiyev Street, tel: 994 012 493-10-05. Fusion Cuisine. prices 6-12 AZN
  • Lai Thai, 21 Samed Vurgun Street, tel: 050-578-53-94. Thai Cuisine. prices 6-15 AZN - this restaurant has closed.
  • Maharaja, 131, Akivsat Gykuyev Street, tel: 994 012 494-63-00. Indian Cuisine. prices 8-15 AZN
  • Taj Mahal, 18, Khagani Street, tel: 994 012 498-03-62. Indian Cuisine. prices 3-14 AZN
  • Yin Yang, 5 Azuz Akuyev Street, 370005, tel: 994 012 492-67-09. Chinese Restaurant

[edit] Splurge

  • The Brewery, 28, Istiglaliyyet Street, tel: 994 012 497-14-00. European Restaurant. prices 8-20 AZN
  • Mezzo, Bakikhanov Street in Hyatt Hotel, tel: 994 012 496-12-34. Mediterranean Cuisine. prices 10-40 AZN
  • House of Sultans, Icheri Sheher Boyuk Gala Number 20, tel: 994 012 437-23-06. International and Azeri Cuisine. prices expensive
  • Shaghai, 31 Rasul Rza Street, tel: 994 012 495-45-10. Chinese Cuisine. prices 3-25 AZN
  • Terrace Garden, 20, Boyuk Gala, Icheri Sheher, tel: 994 012 437-23-05(ex. 10). European and Azeri Cuisine. prices 7-26 AZN
  • Toscana, 12 Basti Bagirova Street, Kermur Plaza, tel: 994 012 436-80-47. Italian Cuisine. prices 4-20 AZN

[edit] Drink

Template:Infobox

[edit] Tea Houses (Çay Xanalar)

There are many outdoor tea houses (çay xanalar) that serves tea and sweets to people in their own individual nooks. It can be a great way to get a sense of the local culture. If you are adventurous, try challenging a local Bakuvian to a game of backgammon (nard) or dominoes.


[edit] Cafés

There is a good selection of cafés dispersed throughout Baku. Expect to pay Western prices for your coffee.

  • <drink name="Aroma Café" address="18, U. Hajibayov Street" phone="012-598-07-07" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Azza Café" address="1, I. Safarli Street/Fountains Square" phone="(+994 12) 437 0111" email="kafe@azza.az" fax="" hours="12-23" price="" url="http://www.azza.az"></drink>
  • <drink name="Cafe Caramel" address="7, Alizade Street" phone="012-498-93-53" email="cafecaramel@office.az" fax="" hours="11-23" price="4-10 AZN" url="http://www.cafecaramel.net"></drink>
  • <drink name="Chocolate" address="21, Boyukgala Street/4 Mamedaliyev Street" phone="012-492-35-26" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Cottage Café" address="Opposite Villa Petrolea" phone="012-497-48-30" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Gourmet Shop" address="5, Mardanov Gardashlari Street" phone="012-49-12-34" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>

[edit] Bars and pubs

Although tea houses (çay xanalar) (found throughout Azerbaijan) serve local beer (piva) - draft at 50 qapick/glass or bottles at 70 qapick/bottle or vodka (araq) at 2 AZN/bottle. For anything exotic (e.g. tequila, gin, or rum), you will have to go to a normal bar or hotel and pay Western prices there.

  • <drink name="Beluga Bar" address="Bakikhanov Street, located in the Hyatt Hotel" phone="012-496-12-34" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Britannia Pub" address="Bakikhanov Street, located in the Hyatt Hotel" phone="012-496-12-34" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Caspian Bar" address="1025/30, Tbilisi Avenue" phone="012-490-70-90" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="The Corner Bar" address="77, Nizami Street, the corner of the R. Rza and Tolstoy Streets" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Finnegan’s" address="4, A. Aliyev street" phone="012-498-98-57" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Golden Ridges Pub" address="5, Mardanov Gardashlari Street" phone="012-493-17-72" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Hampstead" address="12, Basti Bagirova Street" phone="012-436-79-81" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="O’Mally’s" address="Next to ISR Plaza" phone="012-498-43-32" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Park Inn's Victor’s Bar" address="1, Azadlig Street" phone="012-490-60-00" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Pub Viking" address="49, Bul-bul Street" phone="012-499-18-86" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Queen’s Head" address="95, Neftchilar Street" phone="050-368-77-33" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Tequila Junction" address="Next to ISR Plaza" phone="012-498-43-32" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Tiger Bar" address="19, Mamed Aliyv Street" phone="012-598-41-21" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="The Phoenix Bar" address="10, Mammadaliyev Street" phone="012-305-90-90" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>
  • <drink name="Tj’s Pub" address="9, Aliyarbekov Street" phone="012-498-46-21" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></drink>

[edit] Clubs

  • <drink name="Caravan Jazz Club" address="4 Aliyev Street" phone="+994 12 97-11-39" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">You might not expect it, but Baku has a great jazz tradition of its own and this is the place to go. No cover and has a free western toilet.</drink>
  • <drink name="Room 103" address="103 Neftiçilər prospekti" phone="+994 12 92-65-03" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">An upscale cocktail bar with nightly live jazz.</drink>

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Resorts & Beachs

[edit] Contact

Azerpost Office
Azerpost Office
  • Internet cafes in Azerbaijan are called "internet klubs" and they are found throughout Baku. Some coffee houses provide wireless internet, but they are quite rare in Baku.
  • Azerbaijan Post locations are dispersed throughout Baku. A typical international letter/stamp combination costs .8 AZN.

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Emergency contact numbers

  • Ambulance: 103
  • Fire: 101
  • Gas Emergency 104
  • Speaking Clock 106
  • Police: 102

You must speak in Azeri, Russian, or Turkish to communicate your needs. It would be a good idea to memorize key phrases before coming to Azerbaijan - see the Talk section for phrasebooks.

[edit] Safety tips

  • Pack a flashlight (especially in fall-spring) as the streets are not always well lit.
  • Travel outside the city only during the day time, unless taking a night train. The roads can be treacherous at night due to unseen potholes and dimly lit cars.

[edit] Get out

  • The Petroglyphs of Gobustan are nearby to the South, and date back as far as the 12th century BCE. The invading armies of Alexander the Great and Trajan also left some interesting grafitti.
  • A ferry departs daily from Baku across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan. This ferry has become somewhat of a sleeper hit with backpackers on the Silk Road, but is very uncomfortable and should only be taken by adventure-seekers.
  • A ferry depart irregularly to Aktau in Kazakhstan (every 7-10 days maybe). Docks are located 2Km to the west of the old town. It is difficult to get tickets!
  • Sheki, which is a 7 hour bus ride to the north, is a beautiful city in the Caucasus mountains with lots to see and do.
  • Buses take international travelers onwards from Baku to Iran and Georgia.
  • The Baku Airport is one of the few in the world offering flights to Nakhchivan and travelers heading that way should book a flight from here.
  • Go and enjoy the oil baths of Naftalan.
  • Relax by the Caspian in Xachmaz, Azerbaijan's biggest tourist destination for international travelers.








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