Perhaps no city in the world is of such interest to tourists as Baku (Azerbaijan). This is the sun and the sea, the most beautiful monuments of antiquity and cutting-edge architecture. Many parks provide the opportunity for a family vacation, which will be interesting for both children and adults.
Climatic features, or At what time of the year it is better to gather in Baku (Azerbaijan)
Each season has its own unique beauty and charm. Lovers of both winter and summer holidays will like it here. Azerbaijan is a unique country, there are 9 climatic zones. This is due to the influence of the Caspian Sea and the chain of the Caucasus Mountains.
Spring comes here early, so March and April are the best months for leisurely walks and exploring the local beauties. The air temperature is quite comfortable, on average +15, but it's still cool for swimming. May and June are the time when nature blooms with all its colors. The sea warms up and the beach season opens, but it is not too hot. July and August are the hottest months. The air temperature rises to +38, therefore, at this time, alpine resorts are popular, where it is cooler.
The upcoming autumn again gives the velvet bathing season. The temperature is as comfortable as possible for a Russian tourist in the city and on the beach. Crimson and gold adorn forests, the flora is changing, and the most beautiful flowers bloom in numerous parks and squares.
In winter, tourism does not freeze, as the time comes for outdoor activities on the mountain slopes. Lifts, skis and snowboards will make it possible to throw out a lot of energy and get a sea of adrenaline. Only in the coldest time of the year (January and February) the activity of the influx of tourists in the city of Baku (Azerbaijan) decreases.
Rest in the lap of nature
Arriving to rest in Baku (Azerbaijan), you can not stay in the city and not admire the surrounding beauties. Want to swim and sunbathe - a direct road to the beaches of the Caspian Sea. And how to visit the Caucasus and not look at mountain rivers, gorges and waterfalls? There are a lot of mountain resorts here. If you want to remember your vacation in Baku forever - visit the famous Pirkuli nature reserve, especially since you will spend no more than 2 hours on the road.
The serpentine of mountain roads will lead you to the very top, here a fabulous country stretches to the horizon. The mountain slopes are arranged in ridges, one after the other, the farthest drowning in a haze. The air here is so clean and transparent that it is impossible to breathe. And the night sky ... Such an abundance of huge stars you will not see anywhere! The entire Milky Way burns over you with millions of lights.
There are cottages here to stay. From the veranda you can enjoy the beautiful view of the forests spread around. Indulge in the pleasure of hiking in the mountains and taking a walk in the forest. A vacation rich in such impressions in Baku will not be erased from memory for years.
Favorite places for tourists
Speaking about Azerbaijan as a whole, there are hundreds, and maybe thousands of such places. But the most interesting and visited are concentrated in the capital.
One can talk endlessly about the sights of Baku, but today we will single out only the main groups.
Ancient buildings, architectural monuments
- Maiden's Tower is a cylindrical structure, 16 meters in diameter. The purpose of the building is unknown, today it houses a museum.
- The Shirvankhanov Palace was built by the rulers of Shirvan in the 15th century, today it is a museum-reserve.
- Theater of Opera and Ballet. Akhundova, built in 1920.
- The old bathhouse of Haji Gaib, discovered during excavations in 1964 and restored. Dated to the 15th century.
- Government House on Freedom Square. This baroque-style palace building is a must see if you are interested in the sights of Baku.
- The quadrangular castle Mardakyan is located 35 km from Baku (Azerbaijan), built in the XIV century.
- Mukhtarov Palace. If you like openwork architecture, be sure to look at this creation in the Venetian style. Today it is used as the Wedding Palace.
- Modern architecture also occupies a worthy place on this list. The Flaming Towers complex belongs to it. The tallest buildings in the city, they have an external resemblance to the flames and are decorated with LED screens that transmit the image of fire. In the evening, these towers turn into flaming torches.
City parks
- Seaside Park is a popular tourist destination. It is a two-tier building with a large number of attractions, alleys full of flowers, and small cozy cafes.
- Upland park, or observation deck. From its territory you can see the whole city, as well as an open theater.
- Philharmonic Garden. It is always cool from the shade of trees and the abundance of fountains. A large number of flower beds, decorative trees, stone crafts - all this will present a real pleasure.
- The zoo with almost 100 years of history occupies an area of 4 hectares, today work is underway to expand it to 230 hectares.
- Baku funicular. Few people give up the pleasure of taking a ride on this transport, especially since a magnificent view of the city opens from above. The route is going over a distance of about 500 meters.
Holy places
- Temple of fire worshipers. It was built in the 17th century, in a place where natural gas came out from under the ground and ignited, reacting with oxygen.
- The old mosque. There are a lot of them in Baku, and many have already had several centuries.
- Beibi Aibat Mosque is a magnificent building, important for all Muslims.
- Church of the Savior. Today it is no longer used as a temple, but organ music concerts are held here.
These are not all the sights of Baku, only a small part of them, so that you can imagine how intense your vacation can be.
National dishes, or What's new to taste
Since there are many tourists in Baku every year, the food industry is developed here in the highest rank. The city has a huge number of restaurants, cafes, eateries, teahouses, where you can eat for a very reasonable fee. There are institutions with traditional Russian or European cuisine.
But usually tourists want to taste the local dishes. The choice will be given to you royal: pilaf, kebab, dolma, kutaba, booglam, kebab and much more. A feature of the kitchen is the abundance of seasonings, saffron is the most popular.
Tea is at a premium. It is drunk from special glasses that do not heat up, but keep the temperature of the drink well. Leave room for dessert, because nowhere else will you try such sweets - baklava, shaker borax, halva. Neither an adult nor a child will refuse these delicacies.
If you tried everything, and you want something even more exotic, then at your service are restaurants of Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Indian cuisine. Moreover, if you do not want to leave the hotel, just call and the messenger will neatly deliver your order while still hot. As you can see, the city of Baku (Azerbaijan) is famous for its hospitality.
Hotels
You will not be left without a roof over your head in Baku. More than 300 hotels are ready to receive tourists daily. Prices are very different, on average, a room can be rented for an amount from 200 to several thousand dollars a day. In addition, in the city you can rent an apartment and relax in a family style. It will cost less - about $ 50.
Entertainment for tourists
Almost any corner of the city and the suburbs can be considered good entertainment. Do not forget to capture Baku (Azerbaijan), the photos will serve as a memory of this country. Depending on your preferences, you can sunbathe on the beach and have fun at the water park, fish or surf. In the evening, it is good to stroll slowly and drink tea with delicious sweets in the parks. For lovers of outdoor activities there are hiking in the mountains and surrounding forests. Children will be happy to visit the amusement park and zoo. If you are a lover of the beautiful, then this city will delight you with an abundance of theaters and philharmonic.
A special pleasure will bring Baku at night. Such an abundance of lights and bustling life, even late at night, amazes and delights.
Souvenirs, or What you can bring from Baku for relatives
Of course, Azerbaijan is famous for its luxurious carpets. There are many workshops in which needlewomen make and sell their goods. But the carpet is a rather bulky baggage. If you appreciate unique things, then pay attention to woven bags, caskets or coasters for a teapot.
Crockery and ceramics with oriental ornaments will certainly interest you, unless you are afraid to break the jewel on the way back. Wood carving is also popular here, in the shops of craftsmen you will find figurines, panels and many souvenirs.
Silk shawls and scarves, as well as amazing wine can please your loved ones.
Moving around the city
The roads are excellent, so trips will give you a special pleasure. It is easiest to get out of town on excursions by bus and minibus; for travel to the village, located 400 km from Baku, you will give only $ 10. The city center is characterized by busy traffic, so the metro will save you time and money. A ticket costs about 0.4 $.
There are a lot of taxis in Baku. Travel around the city will cost you about $ 7. If you enjoy driving, car rental is at your service. The cost of this service is about $ 50 per day, depending on the prestige of the machine. But on it for a vacation you can go round almost all of Azerbaijan. Baku, whose map or GPS-navigator will help you not to get lost, will delight you with hidden corners.
Security
It should be noted that in Baku it is very quiet and calm. Azerbaijanis are the sweetest and most affable people who practically all speak Russian. Until late at night, walks in parks and squares do not stop, children play in the yards, and parents do not stand behind each, closely watching.
The hospitality of the local population is amazing. Do not be surprised if the taxi driver who drives up calls you on a visit and introduces you to the whole family. It is better not to refuse, because it will be perceived as an insult.
Police officers are responsible for safety in the city. They are distinguished by a dark blue shape and the inscription Polis. For emergencies, there is a single emergency telephone number 103.
But you need to cross the roads here quite accurately, because the locals poorly observe the rules of the road. But at the same time, drivers are ready to let a pedestrian pass in any, even the wrong place.
cellular
To talk among themselves within the country, it is easier for you to buy a card of local telecom operators. Its cost is $ 5-7. A minute of conversation in this case will cost about 12 cents.
Keep in mind that during hiking in the mountains, cellular communications are likely to be absent. If during a walk around the city the phone is dead, use a payphone.
Travel Tips
As when entering any country, stock up on national currency and never use the services of street money changers.
When leaving the hotel, do not forget your identity documents.
Follow the rules of decency and do not go into the street while intoxicated. This can lead to a fine and other troubles.
In restaurants and cafes, it is customary to leave 10% of tips, they can even be included in the bill.
Agree on the fare for a taxi in advance. Do not rush to pay the declared amount in the market and be sure to bargain.
If you want new impressions and a wonderful vacation, you like the frequent change of scenery (a large metropolis is pristine nature), then the Republic of Azerbaijan is at your service . The city of Baku is many-sided, it is difficult to recognize it at a time, so you will probably want to return.