Baku Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 8/10
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October are most comfortable; summers are hot and famously windy, winters mild but blustery.
- Population
- 2.3M
Overview
Baku is Azerbaijan's flamboyant capital on the Caspian Sea, where the medieval walled Old City sits beneath the futuristic Flame Towers. Oil wealth has produced bold modern architecture and a glamorous seaside promenade known as the Boulevard.
Getting around
A clean metro, buses, and ride-hailing app Bolt make getting around cheap and simple. The Old City and Boulevard are best on foot.
Local etiquette
Dress smartly and modestly at mosques, where women should cover their heads. Azerbaijanis value hospitality, so accept tea when offered.
Safety
Baku is generally very safe with low street crime, though petty scams and overcharging can occur around nightlife. Avoid political discussions in public.