Perhaps no city in the world is of such interest to tourists as Baku (Azerbaijan). This is the sun and the sea, the most beautiful monuments of antiquity and ultra-modern architecture. Many parks give the opportunity for a family holiday, which will be interesting for both children and adults.
Climatic features, or what time of the year is better to gather in Baku (Azerbaijan)
Each season has its own unique beauty and charm. Lovers of both winter and summer holidays will like it here. Azerbaijan is a unique country, there are 9 climatic zones here. This is due to the influence of the Caspian Sea and the chain of the Caucasus Mountains.
Spring comes early here, so March and April are the best months for leisurely walks and exploring the local beauties. The air temperature is quite comfortable, on average +15, but it is still cool for swimming. May and June are the time when nature blooms with all its colors. The sea is warming up and the beach season is opening, but not too hot yet. July and August are the hottest months. Air temperaturerises to +38, so high- altitude resorts are popular at this time, where it is cooler.
The coming autumn again gives a velvet bathing season. The temperature is as comfortable as possible for a Russian tourist in the city and on the beach. Crimson and gold decorate the forests, the flora is changing, the most beautiful flowers bloom in numerous parks and squares.
In winter, tourism does not stop, as it is time for outdoor activities on the mountain slopes. Lifts, skis and snowboards will give you the opportunity to throw out a lot of energy and get a lot of adrenaline. Only in the coldest time of the year (January and February), the activity of the influx of tourists in Baku (Azerbaijan) decreases.
Relax in the bosom of nature
When you come to rest in Baku (Azerbaijan), you will not be able to stay in the city and not admire the surrounding beauties. If you want to swim and sunbathe - a direct road to the beaches of the Caspian Sea. And how to visit the Caucasus and not look at the mountain rivers, gorges and waterfalls? There are a lot of mountain resorts here. If you want to remember your vacation in Baku forever, visit the famous Pirkuli Nature Reserve, especially since you will spend no more than 2 hours on the road.
The serpentine of mountain roads will take you to the very top, here a fabulous country stretches to the horizon. Mountain slopes are arranged in ridges, one after another, the most distant ones are drowned in a haze. The air here is so clean and transparent that it is impossible to inhale it. And the night sky… You will not see such an abundance of huge stars anywhere else! The entire Milky Way is on fireyou with millions of lights.
There are cottages here to stay. From the veranda you can enjoy a beautiful view of the forests spread around. Do not deny yourself the pleasure of taking a hike in the mountains and walking through the forest. A vacation in Baku rich in such impressions will not be erased from memory for years.
Tourist Favorite Places
If we talk about Azerbaijan in general, then there are hundreds, maybe thousands of such places. But the most interesting and visited are concentrated in the capital.
One can talk endlessly about the sights of Baku, but today we will single out only the main groups.
Ancient buildings, architectural monuments
- The Maiden's Tower is a cylindrical structure, 16 meters in diameter. The intended purpose of the building is unknown, today it houses a museum.
- The Palace of the Shirvankhans was built by the rulers of Shirvan in the 15th century, today it is a museum-reserve.
- Opera and Ballet Theatre. Akhundov, built in 1920.
- The ancient bathhouse of Gadzhi Gaib, discovered during excavations in 1964 and restored. Dated to the 15th century.
- Government House on Freedom Square. This palace-type baroque building is a must see if you are interested in the sights of Baku.
- The quadrangular Mardyakyan castle is located 35 km from Baku (Azerbaijan), built in the 14th century.
- Mukhtarov's Palace. If you like tracery architecture, be sure to check out this Venetian-inspired creation. Today it is used as the Wedding Palace.
- Modern architecture also occupies a worthy place on this list. It includes the Flame Towers complex. The tallest buildings in the city, they look like flames and are decorated with LED screens that transmit the image of fire. In the evening, these towers turn into flaming torches.
City parks
- Seaside Park is a popular place for tourists. It is a building of two tiers, where there are a large number of attractions, alleys full of flowers, and small cozy cafes.
- Upland park, or observation deck. From its territory you can see the whole city, and there is also an open theater.
- Phiharmonic Garden. It is always cool here from the shade of trees and the abundance of fountains. A large number of flower beds, decorative trees, stone crafts - all this will give real pleasure.
- The zoo with almost 100 years of history occupies an area of 4 hectares, today work is underway to expand it to 230 hectares.
- Baku funicular. Few people refuse the pleasure of riding this transport, especially since a wonderful view of the city opens from a height. The length of the path is about 500 meters.
Holy places
- Temple of fire worshipers. Built in the 17th century, in a place where natural gas came out of the ground and ignited, reacting with oxygen.
- Old mosque. There are many of them in Baku, and many of them are already several centuries old.
- Beibi-Aibat Mosque is a majestic building, important for all Muslims.
- ChurchSavior. Today it is no longer used as a temple, but organ music concerts are held here.
This is not all the sights of Baku, just a small part of them, so you can imagine how rich your vacation can become.
National dishes, or What's new you can taste
Since there are many tourists in Baku every year, the food industry is developed here at the highest level. The city has a huge number of restaurants, cafes, snack bars, tea houses, where you can eat delicious food for a very reasonable fee. There are establishments with traditional Russian or European cuisine.
But usually tourists want to taste local dishes. You will be given a royal choice: pilaf, barbecue, dolma, kutaby, buglama, kebab and much more. A feature of the cuisine is the abundance of spices, the most popular is saffron.
Tea is at a premium here. It is drunk from special glasses that do not heat up, but keep the temperature of the drink well. Leave room for dessert, because nowhere else you will try such sweets - baklava, shaker-bura, halva. Neither an adult nor a child will refuse these delicacies.
If you have tried everything and want something even more exotic, then Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Indian cuisine restaurants are at your service. What's more, if you don't feel like leaving the hotel, all you have to do is call and the messenger will deliver your order while still hot. As you can see, the city of Baku (Azerbaijan) is famous for its hospitality.
Hotels
Without a roof over your head in Baku you cannotstay. More than 300 hotels are ready to receive tourists every day. Prices are very different, on average, a room can be rented for an amount from 200 to several thousand dollars a day. In addition, in the city you can rent an apartment and relax in a family style. It will cost less - about $50.
Tourist entertainment
Practically any corner of the city and suburbs can be considered good entertainment. Do not forget to capture Baku (Azerbaijan), photos will serve as a memory of this country. Depending on your preferences, you can sunbathe on the beach and have fun in the water park, fish or surf. In the evening it is good to take a leisurely walk and drink tea with delicious sweets in the parks. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are hiking in the mountains and surrounding forests. Children will be happy to visit the amusement park and the zoo. If you are a connoisseur of beauty, then this city will delight you with an abundance of theaters and philharmonic halls.
Baku at night will bring special pleasure. Such an abundance of lights and bustling life, even late at night, surprises and delights.
Souvenirs, or What can be brought from Baku for relatives
Of course, Azerbaijan is famous for its luxurious carpets. There are many workshops where needlewomen make and sell their goods. But the carpet is a rather bulky luggage. If you value unique things, look no further than woven bags, jewelry boxes or teapot holders.
Dishes and ceramics with oriental ornaments will surely interest you,unless you're afraid to break the jewel on the way back. Wood carving is also popular here. In the craftsmen's shops you will find figurines, panels and many souvenirs.
Silk shawls and handkerchiefs, as well as amazing wine, can please your loved ones.
Move around the city
The roads here are excellent, so the trip will be a special pleasure for you. The easiest way to go on out-of-town excursions is by buses and minibuses, for travel to the village, located 400 km from Baku, you will pay only $ 10. The city center is busy, so the metro will save you time and money. A ticket costs about $0.4.
There are a lot of taxis in Baku. Travel around the city will cost you about $ 7. If you like to be behind the wheel, then rent a car is at your service. The cost of this service is about $50 per day, depending on the prestige of the car. But on it for a vacation you can go around almost the whole of Azerbaijan. Baku, whose map or GPS-navigator will help you not to get lost, will delight you with hidden corners.
Safety
It should be noted that Baku is very quiet and calm. Azerbaijanis are the sweetest and most friendly people who almost all speak Russian. Until late at night, walks in parks and squares do not stop, children play in the yards, and parents do not stand behind everyone, closely watching.
The hospitality of the local population is amazing. Do not be surprised if the taxi driver who brought you up will call you to visit and introduce you to the whole family. It's better not to refuse, because it will be perceivedas an insult.
The police are responsible for security in the city. They are distinguished by a dark blue uniform and the inscription Polis. For emergencies, there is a single emergency number 103.
But you need to cross the roads here quite carefully, because the locals follow the rules of the road poorly. But at the same time, drivers are ready to let a pedestrian pass in any place, even the wrong one.
Cellular
To talk to each other within the country, it is easier for you to buy a card of local telecom operators. Its cost is $5-7. A minute of conversation in this case will cost about 12 cents.
Keep in mind that while hiking in the mountains, cellular coverage is likely to be unavailable. If your phone runs out of power while walking around the city, use a payphone.
Tourist Tips
As when entering any country, stock up on local currency and never use the services of street money changers.
When leaving the hotel, do not forget your identity documents.
Be respectful and don't go out drunk. This may result in a fine and other troubles.
It is customary to leave 10% tips in restaurants and cafes, they can even be included in the bill.
Agree on the fare for a taxi in advance. Do not rush to pay the declared amount on the market and be sure to bargain.
If you want new experiences and a wonderful holiday, you like the frequent change of scenery (large metropolis - virgin nature), then the Republic of Azerbaijan is at your service. Baku citymany faces, it is difficult to recognize it at once, so you will definitely want to return.
