Baku

Baku is where ancient Silk Road trading posts and hyper-modernist architecture collide, a city built on oil wealth.

Its UNESCO-listed Icherisheher, a walled medieval city with caravanserai courtyards, sits in the shadow of the contemporary Flame Towers, and locals treat this blend of old and new as nothing remarkable, simply part of the city's pulse.

Fly into:

• Heydar Aliyev International GYD

Within Baku, the metro is efficient and cheap. Taxis are readily available via local apps like Bolt. For day trips to Gobustan, private taxis or organized tours are best. Sheki is reachable by comfortable overnight train or shared marshrutka (minibus) from Baku.

Embrace the local rhythm by taking long evening strolls on the boulevard. Tea is a social ritual, often served with jam and sweets; accept if offered. Observe how the city's Soviet past, ancient heritage, and modern aspirations coexist, often on the same street.

Best in Spring

Spring: mild and pleasant days around 15-22C, with cooler evenings and occasional light rain.

• layers for varied temperatures
• comfortable walking shoes
• a light jacket for evenings
• portable power bank