A Comprehensive Guide to Baku’s Old City Walking Tour

Do you want to explore Baku and the secrets of this old city, but can’t figure out where to start? Look no further! This comprehensive guide will provide you with an in-depth overview of the Baku’s Old City Walking Tour. From what landmarks to visit and what you can expect on the tour, to the must-see attractions and tour suppliers, you’ll find everything you need to know within this guide.

A Brief Overview of Baku

Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan, a country located in the heart of the Caucasus Mountains. It is home to the famous Maiden Tower, an ancient landmark that has been a symbol of Azerbaijani history for over ten centuries. The city is rich with culture and places of historical importance, with much to explore for any tourist.

What is the Baku Old City Walking Tour?

The Baku Old City Walking Tour provides participants with a fresh perspective on the city, through a guided tour around some of the most iconic sites and attractions in Baku. The tour takes place over two and a half hours, usually starting at 8AM and finishing at 11:30AM. It gives participants an insight into the city’s past and present, as it stops at a variety of significant monuments. Amongst these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower. Other stops include the Flame Towers, and the 12th-century mosque Juma Mosque. The tour is available in many different languages to accommodate visitors, including Azerbaijani, English, Russian and French. Prices for the tour vary depending on the supplier and language you choose, but typically range anywhere from 15 AZN to 40 AZN per person.

What Can You Expect on the Tour?

When going on the tour, participants can expect to learn about the fascinating history and culture of Baku. The local guide will fill in the details behind each stop and how the sites fit into Baku’s history. Additionally, they may share stories or even anecdotes during the tour. Who knows, they may even have some insider knowledge that you won’t find on your own! The tour offers a unique experience compared to the other attractions in Baku. It can take anywhere between two and a half hours to four hours, depending on how much information participants want to hear about an area. Once you have finished in one area, you can move onto another in no time, as the distances between stops are very short.

Must-See Attractions in Baku

From grand palaces with detailed architecture and enchanting towers that tell ancient stories, here are some of the must-see attractions you will visit during the Walking Tour:

• The Maiden Tower: This towering cylindrical structure is one of Azerbaijan’s most illustrious landmarks. Standing 33m tall and resting at the gates of the Icheri Sheher old city square, there are many mysteries behind this building such as its function and origin story.
• Palace of the Shirvanshahs: This complex includes many buildings that were used by rulers over the centuries. It stands proudly on an old gate within the walls of Icheri Sheher square.
• Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre: This iconic building is uniquely designed, with its superb architecture sparkling against Baku’s skyline each night. There is an auditorium, exhibition hall and museum inside as well as breathtaking views from its rooftop.
• Flame Towers: These three towers rise high into the sky, representing flames dedicated to Azerbaijan’s Zoroastrian roots. From here, visitors can take in panoramic views of Baku.
• Juma Mosque: Built in 1191, this mosque is one of the oldest in Baku; it is especially famous for its minaret which stands 30m tall.
• Fizuli Street Balcony: This balcony spot overlooks a bird’s eye view of Fizuli Street, a well-known street play host to book stores and ancient buildings.

Who Are The Tour Suppliers?

There are plenty of reputable tour suppliers across Baku who offer walking tours of the old city. Some well-known tour suppliers include:

• Azerbaijan Tour Bureau: Run by a team of locals with knowledge of Azerbaijan’s language and culture as well as expert guidance around each site visited.
• Amber Tour: Offering private and small-group walking tours for visitors that want an experience filled with knowledge about historic sites and various elements related to Azerbaijan’s history.
• Azerato Tours: Specializing in small-group tours that provide insights into Azerbaijan’s history, cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs.
• Adventures in Transcaucasus: A tour operator founded by local guides that have been working with tourists in Azerbaijan for many years.
• Charter Armenia: Engaging private tours around old town squares, streets and ancient monuments in Baku.

For an even wider range of tour suppliers or tour packages, you can visit GetYourGuide.com, where you will find a variety of experiences to choose from.

My Personal Experience with the Baku Old City Walking Tour

I recently visited Baku and had the chance to experience its wonderful sights; I decided to go on the walking tour with Azerbaijan Tours Agency. I was thrilled by their level expertise and hospitality; it felt like I was being taken around by a friend who was showing me their city. My local guide, Anar, was passionate about his country and had a wealth of knowledge about each spot we visited on our tour which really made it special for me. One particularly memorable moment was when we had just completed visiting Juma Mosque; this 12th-Century building stunned me while also teaching me a lot about its history. Anar took time out of his busy schedule to involve me in some Azerbaijani customs upon our departure from here, which was something I had not expected from our tour at all! Even after two hours being on our feet walking around Baku’s old city, every moment was worthwhile. I ended up feeling more enlightened by my experience in comparison to stopping by each spot alone. In my opinion, if you want to get a truly unique experience out of exploring Baku, then a guided walking tour should be at the top of your list!

Conclusion:

Baku’s Old City Walking Tour is an amazing way to explore Azerbaijani culture and its rich history while also learning new facts while being guided through ancient sites. With so much to visit within two or three hours, if you’re lucky you may even learn some valuable existing knowledge passed on by your local guide. Don’t forget to book your tour in advance if you want to avoid disappointment. Plus if you book your tour with GetYourGuide.com, you can be sure that your experience and memories from this wonderful city will last for years to come!