The Travel: Ten things you should do while visiting Baku PHOTO
The Travel has published an article about the top 10 attractions in Baku. Caliber.Az reprints the article.
The capital of the Land of Fire, Azerbaijan, and the so-called "City of Winds," Baku, has long-drawn admiration for its beauty, vibrancy, and liveliness. It is an ideal city for those who want to feel the motifs of both Asian and European culture in one city.
Baku, an ancient city, has always been open to modernity as much as it has preserved its history. While walking around the city, it is possible to see buildings built centuries ago in many places and admire this beautiful architecture. It is always amazing to witness the history that has come from hundreds of years ago to the present day. However, at the same time, there are also quite a few different modern buildings that have been built in recent years and have become symbols of the city in a short period. Now they have also become places that local people like very much and tourists often go to see.
When visiting a new city, travelers like to visit the museums there. Because museums provide an opportunity to get to know the history and culture of that city and even the country. Who knows that Baku is home to the world's only Museum of Miniature Books? In addition, the doors of the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan National Museum of Art, Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature, and Museum of Modern Art are always open for those who want to get to know the country in all aspects. However, in these months when Formula 1 is approaching, and many tourists will flock to the city, tourists must know what to do, where to go, and what to eat in the city during these days.
10. Spending a day on the beaches of Baku
Baku is a wonderful city located on the coast of the Caspian Sea. If a trip to Baku is organized in the Summer months, then a visit to the beaches of Baku is a must. In the Summer months, one of the favorite things of the locals is spending the day by the sea, swimming in the sea, and sunbathing. For this, they go to the beaches located 30-40 minutes away from Baku.
These beaches are located in different beautiful settlements of Baku. If there is more time, it is advisable to visit these settlements and get acquainted with their history. Mardakan, Mashtaga, Bilgah, Shuvelan, Buzovna, Bina, Zira, Shagan, Novkhani, and many other villages and settlements still preserve the past of Baku. Their country houses and beautiful beaches enchant their visitors every summer.
9. Visiting parks and gardens
Baku is also known for its parks, and each one has its own history. The Khagani Garden is one of Baku's oldest parks, and the Central Botanical Garden is best known for its diverse flora, which includes several endangered plant species. Then, the Philharmonic Garden, where the ancient underground tunnel was discovered during the repair work, fascinates with its beauty and aesthetic appearance.
The Sabir Garden, which has a statue of the Azerbaijani poet and satirist Mirza Alakbar Sabir, is another perfect example. Last but not least, Central Park, which encompasses Winter Park, has recently become famous for its beauty and graffiti. Central Park is a great example of how parks can be both green and modern.
Flame Towers
Although Flame Towers have now become a city symbol, in the early 2000s, one could observe the daily construction of this magnificent piece of architecture. It is the tallest tower in the city and is completely covered with LED screens. Additionally, because of it, the building reflects the Azerbaijani flag and flames that can be seen from many locations around the city in the evenings. For those who want to experience the city's atmosphere and see its breathtaking scenery, the top floor is also the ideal vantage point!
Heydar Aliyev Center
Heydar Aliyev Center is a research and international dialogue center built on Heydar Aliyev Avenue. The center consists of a large complex and includes a large congress hall, the Heydar Aliyev Museum, exhibition halls, and administrative offices. The project of this center was developed in 2007 by the famous architect Zaha Hadid. The center is considered one of the symbols of modern Baku. The center's logo symbolizes Azerbaijan's views from the past to the future, progress in Azerbaijan, and the future of the country. The surrounding area of the center hosts an outdoor exhibition of different local and foreign artists in any season of the year.
Crystal Hall
After the victory of Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011, Crystal Hall was built to hold the contest in 2012. The complex for 25,000 people, covering an area of 5,000 m², is distinguished by its original architecture and gives a special charm to the architectural structure of the capital. At night, it lights up in the same colors as the country's flag or different colors, adding color to the darkness of the night.
Probably one of the most vibrant places in the city, where people spend most of their time shopping and eating in restaurants with delicious Azerbaijani cuisine. In Fountain Square, the flow of life never stops. It is one of the first central squares in Baku, where all three of the surrounding streets are closed to traffic.
It has grown to be a favorite and essential location for both locals and tourists. Primarily because it is one of the best locations to experience city life, shop, hang out with friends, and, most importantly, test Azerbaijani and world cuisine. This place may also remind tourists of Istiklal Caddesi in Istanbul, Turkey, due to its many similarities.
6.Spending a day in Icheri Sheher (Old City) and visiting Maiden Tower
Baku is possibly the only city where people can see and feel the harmony of East and West, ancient and modern, as it is situated at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. Tourists can see and feel the charming antiquity of a place like Icheri Sheher, illustrating the history of the city. It is among the most favorite and most serene locations in Baku.
The Icheri Sheher, also known as the "Old City" by the locals, is a must-see location because it still has many historical structures standing. Since the Paleolithic era, the region has been used as a habitat. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, and in 2003 it was listed as one of the most endangered heritage sites in the world.
People must visit the Old City if they want to learn more about how the ancient residents of Baku lived, to observe and understand this place, where the warmth and good neighborly relations are still present. It will make them feel like they are traveling to the past in the very center of the city. It is highly advised to visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs inside the Old City while there. It is regarded as one of the most significant representations of regional architecture.
Maiden Tower
Maiden Tower is a monument that amazes everyone and that nobody can pass by. It has a tradition of hosting the yearly Novruz celebrations in the square surrounding it. Additionally, it should be mentioned that it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. It has a reputation for being the only landmark that has served as Baku's symbol for centuries. Maiden Tower is the subject of many myths and legends, one of which claims that it was once entirely submerged in the Caspian Sea. Our neighboring country, the wonderful city of Istanbul, Turkey, is also famous for its various towers and fortresses, as is Baku.
5.Waling in Baku Boulevard & Baku White City Boulevard
At 28 meters below sea level, Baku is the lowest-lying capital in the entire world. Additionally, Baku Boulevard, which was opened in 1909, follows the Baku coastline. Its history goes back a century when Baku's oil barons called it home.
After gaining independence, it expanded to become a vibrant and attractive center with museums, monuments, and entertainment venues. Since then, it has been the site of all the major historical events. It is one of those places that people can visit at any time of day thanks to its breathtaking beauty both in the morning and at night. As in Istanbul Bosphorus, various trips by ships are also organized here. On the boulevard, do not forget to visit the "Little Venice Town" built-in 1960; the "Mirvari" cafe, which has been operating since 1962; the "Swans" fountain complex and, finally, the "Baku Eye."
Baku White City Boulevard
Previously known as the Black City, this area on Baku's eastern side refines, transports, and stores oil, also known as "Black Gold." It was later renovated and reopened as the White City. It is now a gorgeous recreation area.
4.Enjoying the view in Highland Park
Highland Park can be considered one of the most beautiful places in Baku. Located right in the center of Baku, Highland Park, a favorite recreation spot of locals, has been considered one of the most beautiful parks in the capital for many years.
It is the location for people who want to see everything that was previously mentioned in Baku from a single location. This park is unquestionably one of Baku's most majestic locations, and it is also one of the most visited ones by tourists who love to admire the beauty of the city.
3.Trying a lot of different meals from Azerbaijani cuisine
Azerbaijani cuisine is one of the oldest, richest, and tastiest cuisines in the world. About 2000 dishes are known in Azerbaijani cuisine. Of course, it is not easy to accurately research this cuisine. Azerbaijani national cuisine is not only dishes and methods of their preparation technology but also one of the main parts of material culture.
Regardless of whether tourists stay in Baku for a short or long time, they must try different foods, especially when they are in the Old City. Guests who come here can not leave the country without drinking samovar tea with various jams and sweets after eating kebabs prepared in the Azerbaijani way and freshly baked tandoor bread. Different types of salads, delicious dolmas, various types of plovs, sauces, and soups are only a small part of the cuisine. Azerbaijani cuisine is also extremely creative and has countless types of sweets. It is impossible not to find anything to drink your tea with. It is also useful for tourists to note that Azerbaijani and Turkish cuisines are very similar in taste, and both magnificent cuisines must be tasted.
2.Visiting Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve
After visiting all of Baku, it is finally time to visit the Gobustan rocks and mud volcanoes, which are located a little outside of Baku, but where tourists often go to get a closer look at the ancient history. Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve is located in the Gobustan settlement of Garadagh district, 55 km from the capital Baku. It is 40,000 years old. The reserve mainly exhibits Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) monuments. Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007. There is also a museum for everyone to visit.
A little far from Gobustan, in the same region, there are mud volcanoes that attract a lot of interest from tourists. In general, Azerbaijan is recognized in the world as a region of unique and classical development of mud volcanoes. 344 of the more than 2,000 known mud volcanoes on Earth are located here. Most of the mud volcanoes are spread in Baku, the Absheron peninsula, and some of them have been formed as natural monuments. Azerbaijan can definitely be called the land of mud volcanoes, and these volcanoes are both the national and natural wealth of the country.
1.Visiting "Ateshgah Temple" State Historical-Architectural Reserve
Ateshgah is a fire temple located 30 km from Baku city, near Surakhani village in the Surakhani district, used as a place of worship by Zoroastrians, Hindus, and Sikhs at different times. Built in the 17th-18th centuries on the site of unquenchable flames with a natural gas outlet, the name of the temple means "House of Fire" or "Place of Fire."
The architectural complex consists of defensive walls with a pentagonal projection and a large entrance, and a four-pointed altar-fire temple located in the center of the area. Thousands of tourists flock here every year to see this temple, which has survived for centuries ago.