Your Complete Guide to Travelling to Baku During Your Next Trip
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, may not be the first place on a list of destinations, but it is a beautiful and unique place to visit for a single person or an entire family. You can find Baku packages that will allow you to find everything you need for an exciting and entertaining trip.
At first glance, you may think there is not much to see in this former Soviet state. You have the Caspian Sea to the East, the nations of Georgia and Armenia to the West, Russia to the North and Iran to the South. But there is beauty and uniqueness about Baku that must be seen in person.
The Centre of The City
Many travelers have described the center of the city, at the shore of the Caspian Sea, as London, Paris, and Rome all in one place. The architecture, which dates back to the first oil boom of Azerbaijan in the early 20th century, is a mix of many different Western European designs.
Another architectural highlight is the beautiful Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. This wonderful building was designed by Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-British designer. There are thousands upon thousands of white tiles that form a wave on the top of the building and is an excellent representation of modern Azerbaijan.
The Land of Fires
The Land of Fires is the nickname of Baku, Azerbaijan. Since the Persian Empire, this has been home to Zoroastrian fire temples. Another reason is that the hillsides are on fire. This is caused by gas that is seeping through crevices located within the Earth.
One of the most impressive sites to see in Baku is the three Flame Towers that loom large over the entire city. They were erected in 2012 and now became a symbol of the Land of Fires. During the night, large LED lighting creates flame shapes that seem to "lick" the sides of the towers.
A Sport for Everyone
Baku is home to the inaugural European Games which is a take on the Olympics. The games featured competitions like boxing, wrestling, three-on-three basketball and beach football. There is also skiing in the uppermost Northern area and scuba diving in the Caspian Sea.
In addition to these spectator sports, there are often Formula 1 Grand Prix racing events planned in most years.
Dress Accordingly
When you visit Baku, plan to bring several different types of clothing. Azerbaijan is home to nine different climate zones, including central lowlands, Northern hills, the Alpine Tundra, located in the Greater Caucsus and the rain forests and the semi-desert areas.
Try the Delicious Foods
One of the most famous and delicious foods comes from the Caspian Sea, beluga caviar. It is regulated more strictly than the oil being produced in the area, but it is great to eat it as fresh as it can get, directly from the sea.
The food is a wonderful mixture of influences from Turkey, Georgia and Iran. The food is different and delicious at the same time. It is unlike anywhere else in the world and must be experienced when visiting Baku.