Baku

Set on the western shores of the Caspian Sea on the south coast of the Absheron Peninsula, Baku is the fascinating capital of Azerbaijan. Here, centuries of history collide with a futuristic identity and an evolving cityscape. The city long prospered as a key Silk Road trading port linking Europe with Central Asia, while its abundant oil reserves brought immense wealth and strategic importance. Today, Baku is a striking blend of rich heritage and bold modern ambition, affectionately described as the ‘architectural love child of Paris and Dubai’.

At its heart lies the UNESCO-listed Icherisheher, or Inner City, a maze of narrow cobbled-stone streets enclosed within medieval walls. Here, atmospheric caravanserais and mosques sit alongside the historic 15th-century Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the imposing Maiden Tower, which rises above the old quarter.

Outside the old-city walls, Baku reveals a dramatically different character. Grand 19th-century mansions built during the oil boom, imposing Soviet blocks and bold futuristic landmarks create one of the region’s most distinctive skylines. Dominating the waterfront are the gleaming Flame Towers, whose illuminated facades symbolise modern Azerbaijan. Nearby, Zaha Hadid’s masterpiece, the Heydar Aliyev Centre, is celebrated for its fluid, wave-like white curves that completely eschew sharp angles. Stretching along the shoreline, Baku Boulevard provides a lively promenade lined with parks and cafés, while the thriving restaurant scene reflects Caucasus, Persian and Central Asian influences. Further along, the boulevard passes the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, a striking structure designed to resemble a giant rolled carpet, housing a priceless collection of historic weaves. For the finest vantage point over this architectural landscape, a funicular railway ascends to Martyrs’ Lane. Here, a serene memorial garden pays tribute to the nation’s fallen, alongside breathtaking panoramic views across the sweeping crescent of Baku Bay.

Beyond its urban charms, Baku is an excellent base to discover the UNESCO-listed rock art petroglyphs and bubbling mud volcanoes of Gobustan, the venerated Fire Temple at Ateshgah, which was used for centuries by Hindu and Zoroastrian pilgrims, and Yanar Dag, where a continuous wall of natural gas flames blazes directly from the hillside.