Weekend in Bakı

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.

Tip: Walk the section between the Carpet Museum and the Mugham Centre—fewer crowds, better sea views. Free public water fountains dotted along the route.

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

Tip: 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.

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.

Tip: 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.

Tip: 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.

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 attraction.

Tip: 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.