Azerbaijan · 2026 itinerary
Bakı 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Bakı: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Three-mile waterfront promenade along the Caspian Sea. Wide pedestrian paths, palm trees, fountains and park benches. Connects National Flag Square to the Old City.
🕐 Open 24 hours
Free entry💡 Walk the section between the Carpet Museum and the Mugham Centre—fewer crowds, better sea views. Free public water fountains dotted along the route.
Hotels near Baku Boulevard →UNESCO-listed walled old town with maze-like alleys, caravanserais, mosques and the Maiden Tower. Free to wander the streets; you only pay for entry to specific buildings like the tower or the palace.
🕐 Streets open 24 hours; museum sites 10:00-18:00
Free entry💡 Enter via the Gosha Gala Qapisi (Double Gate)—less touristy than the main gate. Grab a free map from the tourist info booth just inside. Closed to cars after 10pm, so it's quiet.
Hotels near Icherisheher (Old City) →Baku Roasting Company · ££
Koreana(한국관) · ££
Deeper Into Bakı
Pedestrian square in central Baku, ringed by cafes and shops. The 'fountains' are more like water features—low jets that kids run through. Good spot for people-watching.
🕐 Open 24 hours
💡 Buy a 50-qəpik corn-on-the-cob from one of the women with portable grills near the corner. Best eaten sitting on the low wall by the clock tower. Avoid the overpriced 'art' photographers here.
Hilltop memorial to those killed in the Black January crackdown and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Long rows of graves with names, under cypress trees. Overlooks the city and bay.
🕐 Open 24 hours
💡 Don't take photos of the graves without reading the plaques—locals find it disrespectful. The walk up from Sahil metro via the cable car path is steep but takes 15 minutes.
Çanaqqala Restoranı
Phoenix Bar
Final Favourites & Departure
Zaha Hadid's swooping white landmark. You pay to go inside the exhibitions, but the exterior and surrounding plaza cost nothing. The building itself is the main
💡 Come at sunset when the light throws sharp shadows across the curves. The grass ramps on the south side are quiet and open 24/7.
Finnegan's
Maharaja
Getting Around Bakı
One stop, but elevators are rare—luggage users: use the stairs at Sahil. BakiKart works for metro too. Avoid the crush at 08:30–09:00.
Buy a BakiKart at the airport machine (1 AZN card + top-up). Bus runs to 28 May then walk 10 minutes to Caspian Hostel or get a short metro ride.
Ignore touts in arrivals. Walk to the official kiosk between exits—pay there and get a voucher. Avoid unofficial drivers who’ll quote 30–40 AZN.
Baku has no tram network. Use metro or bus instead—the city’s light rail system is closed since the 2000s. This option is listed only for completeness; ignore it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Bakı?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Baku Boulevard and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Bakı?
See our full best time to visit Bakı guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Amsterdam Hostel, Deluxe Hotel Bakı, Əhməd Rəcəbli küç., Winter Park Hotel Baku. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.