Baku and the Old City
A city of striking contrasts on the Caspian - a dazzling, oil-rich capital where a UNESCO walled old city of ancient lanes, a palace and a mysterious tower sits beneath a futuristic skyline of glass towers.
Updated 18 October 2026
AI illustration
UNESCO World Heritage
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan on the shores of the Caspian Sea, is a city of striking and dramatic contrasts, where oil wealth has raised a futuristic skyline of gleaming glass towers, most famously the flame-shaped Flame Towers, above a beautifully preserved medieval core. This UNESCO walled old city, the Icherisheher, is a labyrinth of narrow stone lanes, caravanserais, mosques, the ornate Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the enigmatic, ancient Maiden Tower, all wrapped in centuries of history.
History
The walled city is widely accepted to date back at least to the 12th century, with fortress walls and towers of the 11th and 12th centuries and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs of the 15th and 16th; after the Russian Empire occupied Baku in 1806, the walls were repaired and the fortifications extended. In 2000 the Old City became the first place in Azerbaijan inscribed as a World Heritage Site; UNESCO put it on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2003, citing damage from a November 2000 earthquake among other things, and took it off again in 2009 (Wikipedia, Old City (Baku)).
What to look for
- The Icherisheher - the UNESCO walled old city and its lanes.
- The Maiden Tower - the mysterious ancient tower.
- The Palace of the Shirvanshahs - the ornate medieval royal palace.
- The Flame Towers - the futuristic flame-shaped skyscrapers, lit at night.
When to go
Spring and autumn for the mildest weather; Baku is famously windy, and summers are hot, winters cool. The old city and the seafront boulevard are pleasant to stroll, and the Flame Towers put on a spectacular light show after dark.
Before you go
It is a fascinating mix of old and hyper-modern, its oil wealth visible in gleaming architecture and, some feel, a slightly manufactured, showcase feel to parts of the city. The old city is atmospheric but small, seen in a day. It is welcoming and easy to visit. The contrast of the ancient walled city and the futuristic skyline is the striking, distinctive draw.
Nearby
The Gobustan petroglyphs, the mud volcanoes and the Absheron peninsula are within reach.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q344569, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Baku and the Old City
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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