• Maiden Tower - The Maiden Tower is a prominent landmark in Baku, cherished as a symbol of both the city and Azerbaijan. It stands tall and mysterious, gazing out to the sea from the southern edge of Baku’s ancient, walled city, the Icheri Sheher. The tower’s origins are cloaked in mystery—its construction date, purpose, and even the origin of its name, Maiden Tower (Qiz qalasi), remain unknown. No historical records exist to document its creation or initial use.
• Palace of Happiness - This palace was the residence of millionaire Muxtarov, who built it as a surprise Valentine’s gift for his second wife. She reportedly admired a similar structure during her ‘grand tour’ in Italy, prompting Muxtarov to commission the renowned Qasumov brothers to replicate it. This gesture crowned a fairy-tale romance. Muxtarov, born to a humble Mardakan carter, was a self-taught technician who became a key supplier to the burgeoning oil industry. He fell in love with the daughter of his Ossetian aristocrat host in Vladikavkaz, but his lack of noble lineage led to the rejection of his marriage proposals.
• Former Taghiyev School for Girls (Institute of Manuscripts of Azerbaijan) - From September 1901 to March 1918, it was known as the Empress Alexandra Russian Muslim Boarding School for Girls. From December 18, 1918, to April 20, 1920, Taghiyev donated the building to the Parliament of the first Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan (DRA), marking the first European-style Parliament in the Muslim world. The Parliament functioned until the republic’s collapse in April 1920, following the Bolshevik invasion of Azerbaijan.
• Museum of Miniature Books - The Baku Museum of Miniature Books is the world’s only museum dedicated to miniature books, located in Baku’s historic Inner City. It opened on April 2, 2002. The exhibits were collected over 30 years by Zarifa Salahova, sister of Tahir Salahov, and include over 6,500 books from 64 countries. The museum features miniature books published in post-revolutionary Russia and the Soviet era, as well as books from Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, and various European and Central Asian republics. Rare editions by authors like Chukovsky, Barto, Gogol, Dostoyevsky, and A.S. Pushkin are part of the collection. The museum also showcases miniature books by famous Azerbaijani authors such as Vagif, Khurshidbanu Natavan, Nizami Ganjavi, Nasimi, Fizuli, Samed Vurgun, Mirza Fatali Akhundov, and others.
• Muhammad Mosque - The Muhammad Mosque, also known as Siniggala Mosque, was built in the 11th century in Baku’s Old City. Its alternative name, Siniggala, refers to its minaret, which means “damaged tower.” In 1723, during the Russo-Persian War (1722-1723), a Russian military squadron led by Admiral Matyushkin demanded the city’s surrender. When refused, they bombarded the city, damaging the mosque’s minaret. A strong wind then drove the Russian ships out to sea, which the locals saw as divine intervention. The minaret remained unrepaired until the mid-19th century, symbolizing the defenders’ resilience and bravery.
• Baku Old City - The Old City, or Inner City (Azerbaijani: İçərişəhər), is the historic heart of Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital. It is the oldest part of Baku, encircled by easily defensible walls. In 2007, the Old City had a population of about 3,000. In December 2000, UNESCO designated the Old City of Baku, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, as Azerbaijan’s first World Heritage Site.
• Fountain “7 Gozal” - Fountains Square is a public square in downtown Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital. Previously known as Parapet, it is still often referred to by that name. The square’s name comes from the numerous fountains constructed during Soviet rule. It is a popular gathering spot, especially after work hours and on weekends, and a tourist attraction with many boutiques, restaurants, shops, hotels, and passageways. It is one of the city’s most vibrant areas, ideal for people-watching, with many locals strolling in the evenings. The square begins at Istiglaliyyat Street and the walls of Icheri Sheher, extending through Nizami Street, also known as Torgovaya Street, parallel to Baku Boulevard. The square hosts many public festivals, shows, and celebrations organized by city authorities. Close to Old Town, Fountain Square is a central hub within walking distance of many Baku attractions. The square features various fountains, marking a true city center, and is likely a stop during any visit to Baku. Baku boasts many beautiful fountains, such as those in Governor’s Park, Philharmonic Park, and the White Fountain, but Fountain Square stands out for its variety and abundance of fountains, pedestrian paths, and surrounding sculptures. In 2010, Baku authorities renovated the square.
• Armenian Church of Baku - St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Church (Azerbaijani: Bakı Erməni Kilsəsi) is a former Armenian Apostolic church in downtown Baku, Azerbaijan. Built in 1887, it survived the Soviet era’s radical atheism and the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Unlike many places of worship demolished in the Soviet Union during the 1920s and 1930s, St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Church was the only Armenian church not destroyed. In 1990, amid the exodus and deportation of Azerbaijan’s Armenian population due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the church was closed and damaged, and it remains closed to the public. From 1990 to 2002, its future was uncertain. In 2002, the church underwent renovation and was repurposed by the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan as a library. The former church now serves as the archive department of the Department of Administration Affairs of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan.
• Baku City Executive Power - The Executive Power of Baku City is headquartered at 4, Istiglaliyet Street. Construction of the building began in 1900 and concluded in 1904. Polish architect I. Goslavski (born in Warsaw in 1865 and passed away at 39 in 1904, head architect of Baku in 1892) employed baroque style and classic construction techniques in its design. This building was his final work. The facade features red brick imported from Italy and colored marble. The central facade displays Baku’s emblem, with three golden torches symbolizing Azerbaijan as the land of fire.
• Juma Mosque - The Juma Mosque, located in Icheri-sheher, has been operational since the 12th century. Built in 1899 with funds from Baku philanthropist Khadja Shikhali Dadashev, the mosque was measured by Russian academician A. Pavlinov in 1888. It was constructed on the site of a fire-worshiping temple, with only four uncoated arches remaining from the original structure, believed to belong to the temple. Modern archaeologists suggest a pagan sacred center existed at the Juma Mosque site, where fire worshipers gathered. In the 14th century, the pagan temple was converted into a mosque. An inscription on the mosque states, “in the month of Rajab in the year 709 Hijri (1309) Amir Sharaf al-Din Mahmud ordered to update this mosque.” In the 15th century, a minaret was added to the mosque’s north side. By the late 19th century, the old mosque was in disrepair and replaced by the new Juma Mosque. The mosque is small, with a men’s hall and women’s prayer rooms. Its conical dome, supported by four central pillars, is particularly noteworthy.
• Baku Boulevard - The Boulevard along the Caspian Sea is a stunning, several-kilometer-long parkway that is a true treasure of the city. Baku Boulevard, also known as National Park, is a promenade established in 1909, running parallel to Baku’s seafront. Its history spans over a century, dating back to when Baku oil barons built their mansions along the Caspian shore, and the seafront was gradually developed. The park covers approximately 3 km and 750 m along the Caspian Sea’s southern coast, starting at National Flag Square and ending at Freedom Square. According to the Azerbaijan Cabinet of Ministers, the boulevard’s length is expected to reach 26 km, encompassing areas like Bibiheybet and Bay of Baku by 2015. The boulevard’s expansion project aims to provide more comfortable recreational and sports facilities for Baku’s residents and visitors along the Caspian seashore. Before the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, the boulevard was extended to National Flag Square.
• Philharmonic Fountain Park - The Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall was constructed between 1910 and 1912 at the request of the city’s elite, designed by Armenian architect Gabriel Ter-Mikelov in Italian Renaissance (exterior) and German Rococo (interior) styles. Its design was inspired by the architecture of Monte-Carlo Casino buildings, particularly l’Opéra de Monte-Carlo. Originally organized as a club for Baku’s wealthy, known as the Summer Center for Public Gatherings before 1936, it hosted banquets and entertainment. During the Russian Civil War, it served as a venue for public rallies. In 1936, the club was transformed into a residence for the Philharmonic society, promoting Azerbaijani classical and folk music. On August 11, 1937, after renovation, it was named after composer Muslim Magomayev. In 1995, the hall closed for over eight years for further renovation, though little restoration occurred during most of that time, causing public dissatisfaction. Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture attributed the delay to underground water damage to the building’s foundation. However, reports, mainly from opposition media, suggested that funds for the renovation, provided by the government or donated by prominent musicians like Baku native Mstislav Rostropovich, were misappropriated by bureaucrats and officials overseeing the project. Restoration resumed in November 2002 following a special decree by President Heydar Aliyev. The fully renovated building reopened on January 27, 2004, with an opening ceremony attended by notable figures such as President Ilham Aliyev, former Minister of Culture Polad Bulbuloglu, renowned cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, and Professor Ferhad Badalbayli.
• Palace of the Shirvanshahs - Exploring the pavilions, courtyards, palace rooms, crypt, cistern, Turkish bathhouse, mosque, and more offers a genuine sense of daily life within the palace walls. The palace complex comprises nine buildings, all recently restored.
• Highland Park - Baku’s Highland Park is the highest point in the Azerbaijani capital, offering a panoramic view of the city and its bay. Residents and visitors frequently visit to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Baku and take leisurely walks. The park can be accessed by a cable railway (funicular) in 7-8 minutes from the boulevard or by climbing the extensive stone stairs. However, entering the park from the top, near the square housing the country’s parliament, the Alley of Martyrs, and the iconic Flame Towers, is recommended. This location is accessible by public transport and taxis. Highland Park is a picturesque part of Baku, appealing to visitors, especially those attending the European Games.
• Baku Boulevard - The Boulevard along the Caspian Sea is a stunning, several-kilometer-long parkway that is a true treasure of the city. Baku Boulevard, also known as National Park, is a promenade established in 1909, running parallel to Baku’s seafront. Its history spans over a century, dating back to when Baku oil barons built their mansions along the Caspian shore, and the seafront was gradually developed. The park covers approximately 3 km and 750 m along the Caspian Sea’s southern coast, starting at National Flag Square and ending at Freedom Square. According to the Azerbaijan Cabinet of Ministers, the boulevard’s length is expected to reach 26 km, encompassing areas like Bibiheybet and Bay of Baku by 2015. The boulevard’s expansion project aims to provide more comfortable recreational and sports facilities for Baku’s residents and visitors along the Caspian seashore. Before the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, the boulevard was extended to National Flag Square.

• All Fees and Taxes

Welcome to our thrilling exploration of the stunning city of Baku, where past and present cross paths and the vibrant local culture is at its peak!

Our tour is more than just a circuit of historical sites; it’s an immersion into the everyday life in Baku and a quest to unearth the city’s secret wonders. You’ll get the chance to understand the captivating stories behind these regions and their influence on the development of the city’s culture.

So if you’re primed for a memorable adventure seeking out the unseen wealth of this exceptional city, join us on a journey that will leave a permanent mark on your memory and deepen your understanding of Baku’s local life. Secure your place on our tour now and let’s make it an unforgettable voyage!

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