Baku City Tour

Arrival and city tour

We meet at the Turkish Airlines counter in the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport, 3 hours before the flight. After check-in and passport control we board Turkish Airlines flight TK332, departing at 08.35 for Baku.

We land at 12.30 local time and begin our city tour in the waiting vehicle. Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, sits on the Caspian Sea and pairs a long history with bold modern architecture. Our first stop is Upland Park, with views over Baku Bay, Primorsky Boulevard, the Old City, the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Here we visit the memorial to the Turkish soldiers who fell in the battles to free Baku, with the Flame Towers behind it for photos.

We continue to Baku Boulevard, a favourite promenade for locals and visitors alike, then see Government House and the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, the Governor's Garden and Nizami Street, one of the city's liveliest pedestrian streets, lined with boutiques, cafes and historic buildings.

After the tour we check in to our hotel. Following a short break, guests who wish can join the optional extra Old City (Icherisheher) tour (30 USD). Icherisheher, on a hill above the Caspian Sea, is the historic heart of Baku, with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Maiden Tower (from outside), caravanserais, mosques and traditional baths. We then return to the hotel for free time. In the evening, guests who wish can join the optional extra Azerbaijan Night (75 USD) with local music. Overnight at the hotel.

Free day, modern Baku

After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Guests who wish can join the optional extra Modern Baku tour (40 USD).

We start with a panoramic drive through White City and the contemporary architecture of new Baku. Next is Military Trophy Park, dedicated to the country's history and patriotic spirit, where military trophies are displayed in the open air. We then have free time for shopping at one of Baku's best malls, home to international brands and local designer stores.

Afterwards we stop for photos at the Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by the architect Zaha Hadid and built to honour Heydar Aliyev's life, political career and role in Azerbaijan's history. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Free day for Gobustan

After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Guests who wish can join the optional extra Gobustan tour (60 USD).

Gobustan, 64 kilometres southeast of Baku, is a historic area on the UNESCO World Heritage List. More than 6000 petroglyphs (rock carvings), ancient settlements, dwellings, cemeteries, caves and finds from many periods give the site its great cultural value.

On the way back we visit the Bibi-Heybat Mosque, built in 1267, and see the world's first mechanically drilled oil well, opened in 1846 in the Bibi-Heybat settlement. After the tour we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Ateshgah and home

After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Guests who wish can join the optional extra tour to the Ateshgah Fire Temple (55 USD). Held sacred for centuries by followers of Zoroastrianism, Hinduism and Sikhism, Ateshgah is one of the 3 Zoroastrian temples in the world. The complex dates to 1713, while the temple itself is older and keeps its original structure. At its centre a fire burns over a natural gas source as a symbol of the eternal flame; today it is kept alight artificially.

At the time set by our guide we transfer to the airport. After check-in we board Turkish Airlines flight TK341, departing at 17.35 for Istanbul. We arrive at 19.10 local time, and our tour ends.