Baku
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Old City (Icherisheher) | A walled city on the UNESCO World Heritage list, with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower. | Central Baku |
| The Flame Towers | Three flame-shaped towers that light up at night, the symbol of modern Baku. | Best seen from the Boulevard at night |
| Heydar Aliyev Center | Zaha Hadid's flowing white masterpiece, with a museum and exhibitions. | North of central Baku |
| The Boulevard and Nizami Street | A long Caspian promenade and a street for shopping and dining. | Central Baku |
Around Baku
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain) | A fire fed by natural gas that burns constantly on a hillside. | About half an hour from central Baku |
| Gobustan | Rock carvings thousands of years old on the World Heritage list, with mud volcanoes nearby. | About an hour south of Baku |
The mountains and the north
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Gabala and the Tufandag cable car | Green forests and mountains, a cable car up to the Tufandag peaks, and Nohur Lake. | About 3.5 hours from Baku |
| Shahdag | A mountain resort for skiing in winter and nature and cable cars in summer. | Northern Azerbaijan |
| The Palace of the Sheki Khans | An 18th-century palace with stained-glass windows, on the World Heritage list. | Sheki, north-west Azerbaijan |
Tips before you go
- The best time is May to September; winter is for skiing at Shahdag and Tufandag.
- Saudis currently enter Azerbaijan visa-free for 30 days under a temporary exemption until February 2027.
- Allow two or three days for Gabala and Sheki, as the road there is long.
Hotels in Baku
Flights to Baku
Visa
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Baku?
The Old City and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Flame Towers, the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Boulevard and Yanar Dag.
How far is Gabala from Baku?
About three and a half hours by car.
Do Saudis need a visa for Azerbaijan?
Currently no, for 30 days under a temporary exemption until February 2027.
Planning your trip to Azerbaijan? Read Travel to Azerbaijan from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.