A Guide to Sightseeing in Baku: Ateshgah, Yanardag, and Gobustan

Located in the beautiful country of Azerbaijan, Baku is a paradise of sightseeing opportunities that are not to be missed. With fascinating sights such as the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanardag Fire Mountain, as well as the Gobustan National Park, there really is something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll look in-depth at the best sights in Baku, what you need to know on your journey and how best to explore them.

What is Ateshgah?

Ateshgah, also known as the “Fire Temple of Baku’ is a religious pilgrimage site located in the suburbs of Surakhani. It’s believed to have built originally in the 17th century and was dedicated to both Hindu and Zoroastrian beliefs. The grounds hold the unique egg-shaped temple made of limestone as well as a notable collection of Zoroastrian symbols.The fascinating architecture of Azure is also important to note with its Indian style domes and intricately carved patterns. It is open year-round and guided tours are available. Ziya Bunyadov street 11, Baku is where you can find it.

What is Yanardag?

Located in Surakhani in north-west Baku, Yanardag or “burning mountain’ is a hill of red mud volcanoes constantly burning gas that you can observe from afar during the day or from close up at night. During the day or night you will be able to smell the gas as it comes from the ground. The Yanardag fire mountain dates back 40,000 years and is believed to be the source of another famous site known as Gobustan. Whilst you can’t go up close to the burning mountain itself, large viewing platforms have been built that allow visitors to look over towards it in awe whilst also taking in other panoramic views of Baku. The safety barrier is marked out with white posts and cordoned off with flags so don’t try to stray away from this as it can be dangerous.

What is Gobustan?

Gobustan is an ancient culture center located just minutes drive away from Baku by car. Visitors will find an interesting complex that has more than of 6,000 prehistoric paintings located within 400 caves carved into rocks that overlook the Caspian Sea. These drawings offer insight into the ancient lives of the people who once lived here. Some of them date back to 10,000 BC and continue to persuade debate on what their exact purpose was some 4 millennia ago.Gobustan also houses large domed buildings from ancient graves as well mud volcanoes that are a reminder of Yanardag. The mounds normally appear as small hills but can reach up to 300 feet high. Visiting gobustan is a fascinating experience and it’s worth taking a guided tour or downloading a free Gobustan map available on Google Maps which includes information about each rock art formation, what it could mean and more.

What are some other things to do in Baku?

Aside from these three main sites there are plenty more things to do and see in Baku that which shouldn’t be missed. These include:

Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre

This cultural centre is home to some spectacular architecture and takes inspiration from Azerbaijani culture, with its grand shape resembling that of flames coming from a bonfire or an open flame from a torch. It holds a variety of exhibitions, concerts, performances and events throughout the year such as classical music concerts, ballet shows and so much more. This piece of architectural genius has become an iconic part of Baku’s skyline and should certainly be visited when possible.

The Maiden Tower

A symbol of Daguestan and historical influence, this tower stands proud upon a rocky hilltop with remarkable views from the top of it. Taking inspiration from East Asia through Maliksha Castle (another key sight in Baku), this 20-metre-high tower highlighted by Maiden Tower Hill opposite it have been around since at least 4th century AD. It’s been used as an observatory, fire beacon and even rumored to be home at certain times to a thriving secret cult! Tours are available but perhaps the best way to experience this sight for yourself is to climb up it for a interesting journey.

The Palace of Shirvan Shahs

Probably one of oldest architectural creations in the city, this classical Islamic structure once served as home and center for rulers through countless dynasties over the past 1000 years. Fully restored by president Heydar Aliyev’s government in the late 1950s, this handsome palace sits atop Icheri Sheher, surrounded by cobblestone alleyways winding like a maze in almost every direction. A number of underground rooms contain unique artifacts including sculptures, weapons, household items and paintings that feature prominently in Baku’s rich history and legacy. Whether you choose to focus on Ateshgah, Yanardag or Gobustan or love exploring all three sights and many other amazing places in Baku, we highly recommend taking your time while there to ensure you get the most out of your visit and see all that this stunning city has to offer. If you’re looking to get organized and make sure you don’t miss out on any of Baku’s best sights, why not check out this great GetYourGuide tour? You’ll get to check out all of our top picks for sightseeing around the city and even get access to great discounts!