A Complete Guide to Baku: Culture, Landmarks and Local Life!, Baku, Azerbaijan

When I arrived in Baku one December evening, the first thing that struck me was the air. It felt colder and sharper than anything I was used to in Malta, yet it carried a sense of promise. I had four full days in the city in total, split between the start and end of my trip, and those days shaped my entire experience of Azerbaijan. Baku was modern, historic, chaotic and calm all at once. It felt like a place that never stopped shifting, and I found myself drawn into its rhythm almost immediately.

I spent my first full day wandering around Icherisheher, the old city. It sat right at the heart of Baku and felt like a world of its own, enclosed by thick stone walls and narrow streets that opened into little courtyards. The Maiden Tower stood quietly above it all. I had seen countless photos of it before, but standing there in person, surrounded by layers of history, made it feel far more real. I made my way through souvenir shops, teahouses and small bakeries, stopping often just to watch daily life unfold. In Malta, we are used to small towns with a sense of intimacy. In a strange way, Icherisheher had that same feeling, despite being in a city of millions.

Later that afternoon, I followed the curve of Baku Boulevard along the Caspian Sea. The promenade stretched far beyond what I expected, lined with cafés, gardens and families out enjoying the weekend. Street vendors roasted chestnuts and the smell drifted along the waterfront. The sea was a dark shade of blue and perfectly still, almost reflecting the Flame Towers rising behind me. They felt like a symbol of the city’s ambition, three giant glass shapes glowing over everything. Even in daylight they were impressive. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).