Baku

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, stretches along the Caspian Sea on the windswept Absheron Peninsula. Known as the City of Winds, it combines a walled medieval old town with bold contemporary landmarks such as the Flame Towers and the Zaha Hadid-designed Heydar Aliyev Center.

The UNESCO-listed Old City, Icherisheher, preserves narrow lanes, the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, while grand 19th-century oil-boom mansions line the streets beyond its walls. This layered history reflects Baku's long role as a Silk Road trading port and, later, a centre of the world's early oil industry.

Visitors can walk the seafront Baku Boulevard, explore the lively Fountain Square and Nizami Street shopping area, or take in panoramic views from Highland Park. Museums such as the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum and the Heydar Aliyev Center showcase traditional craft and modern art, while day trips lead to the ancient rock carvings of Gobustan and the nearby mud volcanoes.

As Azerbaijan's economic and diplomatic hub, Baku hosts international conferences, energy sector events and the annual Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Its restaurant scene mixes Azerbaijani classics such as plov, dolma, kebab and qutab with international dining, and its tea houses and late-night cafés keep the city lively.

For leisure travellers, Baku offers a compact mix of heritage, Caspian coastline and modern attractions, while business visitors benefit from its role as a regional centre for finance, energy and events.