Azerbaijan's capital and Caspian Sea port, blending the medieval walled Old City with futuristic Flame Towers architecture.

About Baku City Center

Baku's city center is a fascinating collision of eras: the UNESCO-listed Icherisheher (Old City) with its 12th-century Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshahs sits within ancient fortress walls, while just beyond, the ultra-modern Flame Towers skyscraper trio dominates the skyline with LED facades that shimmer like fire at night.

The Baku Boulevard (Dənizkənarı Milli Park) stretches 3.5 km along the Caspian waterfront, offering a scenic promenade past the Carpet Museum, the crystalline Baku Crystal Hall (Eurovision 2012 venue), and the Heydar Aliyev Center—Zaha Hadid's swooping white masterpiece. Fountain Square (Fəvvarələr Meydanı) is the social heart of modern Baku, ringed by cafes, boutiques, and pedestrian streets.

Baku has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure, with a modern metro system, restored caravanserais converted into boutique hotels, and a dining scene that blends Azerbaijani, Persian, Turkish, and Russian influences. The city hosts the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix through its city streets each year.

Nearby Landmarks

Flame Towers Old City (Icherisheher) Heydar Aliyev Center Baku Boulevard Maiden Tower

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost Varies by traffic
Time 20-40 min

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Step-by-Step Directions

Exit arrivals and take the H1 airport express bus to the city center (every 30 min, AZN 1.30, 40 min). Or take an official taxi from the metered taxi stand (AZN 25-35). The bus terminates near 28 May metro station.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi Varies by traffic 20-40 min Convenience, groups, heavy luggage

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Airport taxis and transfer services operate 24/7. A nighttime taxi to the city center costs AZN 25-35 ($15-21). The airport express bus (H1) does not run after midnight. Uber and Bolt work in Baku but availability drops late at night. The Baku Boulevard is safe for walking at night.

Luggage Tips

Airport taxis are modern sedans with trunk space. The express bus has limited luggage room. If your hotel is in the Old City (Icherisheher), note that vehicle access is restricted—taxis drop off at the gates, and you walk to the hotel on cobblestones.

Accessibility

Heydar Aliyev Airport has wheelchair assistance (request through airline). Airport taxis can accommodate folded wheelchairs. The Old City has cobblestone streets that are difficult for wheelchairs—Fountain Square and the Boulevard are flat and fully accessible. Baku Metro stations have limited accessibility.