Essential Free Tour Baku

See the ancient Maiden Tower and find out why its origins are shrouded in mystery.
Learn about the beautifully preserved 15th century Palace of the Shirvanshahs.
Be transported back to the time of the Silk Road as you wander the streets of Baku’s old town.

FAQ

Baku is a city of wonders, full of history and fantastic food and wine! The Free Essential Tour Baku gives you the opportunity to get to know this incredible up-and-coming tourist destination in the company of a knowledgeable and passionate guide. All for free! On your tour, you will explore the charming Old Town, known as Icherisheher, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be transported back hundreds of years as your guide tells you stories from Baku’s long and illustrious past. Both history buffs and casual travelers will be fascinated to discover how the Walled City of Baku has been shaped over the centuries by the presence of Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Shirvan, Arabic, Persian, Ottoman, and Russian influences.

Your group will pass by the major landmarks of Baku. Including the iconic Maiden Tower, the inspiration for countless poems and plays, whose true origins and purpose are still shrouded in mystery. From here you will be taken on a journey navigating the old city Fortress Wall to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, described by UNESCO as "one of the pearls of Azerbaijan’s architecture". Here you’ll be able to spend time taking photos with the Flame Towers in the background, highlighting the striking contrast between medieval and modern Baku. As you wander through the old town, soaking up the bustling atmosphere, your guide will tell you about the delicious traditional Azerbaijani food and recommend the best places to eat and drink.

Your tour will also take you off the beaten track to just outside the old town to some of the landmarks that are sadly overlooked by other less thorough tours, giving you the opportunity to see life in modern Baku. On the tour, you’ll be able to admire architectural gems, relics from Baku’s Soviet era, as well as monuments dedicated to Azerbaijan’s rich legacy of poetry. Your guide will also explain the big impact that the petroleum industry has had on the capital, and how Baku has become a rich city and a meeting point for the world's wealthiest elites. Along the tour, feel free to ask as many questions as you like; your guide will be happy to offer detailed and entertaining explanations!