A fabulous fusion of ancient and modern, East and West, Baku is the amalgam of different historical periods, architectural styles and cultures aspects. Enjoy the views of the city’s new landmark Flame Towers and living through the ages legends of the Maiden Tower. Feel the touching mystery of our old, but yet young city opening its heart to the guests.

1^st Day: Arrival to Baku, meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel, check in (14:00). Free time.

Free time suggestions:

• Pedestrian Nizami (former Torgovaya) Street – old trading zone with lots of shops and boutiques
• Fountain Square – most popular public place with many restaurants and shops, main location for public festivals, shows and celebrations
• Deniz Mall – the most beautiful shopping mall in Baku
• Baku Boulevard – a promenade established in 1909, second largest one in Europe
• Boat trip along Baku Bay (seasonal)

2^nd Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Pick-up at 10:00.

Walking Baku city tour: “Black Gold of Caspian Sea & Mysterious Tales of Old City”: Our excursion will start at “Icherisheher” metro station to guide you down the street and get acquainted with the stories and legends of the historical mansions built by Azerbaijani oil barons in the very beginning of the 20^th century. And the first one on the way is a beautiful City Hall, which is nowadays hosting Baku Mayor’s Office, designed by Polish architect Joseph V. Goslavski in the Baroque style (1900-1904). He had also built the Empress Alexandra Russian Muslim School for Girls (1901), first school for Muslim girls in the Caucasus, sponsored by the Azeri oil baron and philanthropist Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. You will make a stop at gorgeous Palace of Happiness (Wedding Palace) to listen to the touching story of its owner, oil baron Murtuza Mukhtarov. It was built in Neo-Gothic style by famous architect Joseph Ploshko in 1912. Same architect had created the next pearl of Baku architecture, Ismailiyya Palace (1908-1913) which was ordered by Musa Naghiyev, yet another oil baron, in commemoration of his deceased son Ismayil. The building currently serves as the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.

Next to it is Gosha Gala Gapysy (Paired Fortress Gates), the entrance in the fortress walls, a portal which will take us from the Baku of the beginning of the 20th century to the Baku of the 12th century. Icherisheher (Inner City), known as a “Fortress” or “Old City”, is a unique historical and architectural conservation area in the center of Baku. This is one of the most ancient places of the country where archaeological excavations revealed burial vaults of the Bronze Age. Maiden Tower (12th century) (without entering) and The Palace of Shirvanshahs (13th-16th centuries) (without entering) are the best-known historical monuments located in the Old City. Besides them there are a lot of other unique monuments such as mosques, minarets, the remnants of caravanserais “Multani” and “Bukhara”, ancient baths, etc. Here you will also visit Miniature Book Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated to miniature editions of books. Some of the books are no bigger than a thumb. The studio of the freelance artist Ali Shamsi is also worth seeing.

You will have a walk through the Philharmonic Park, formerly known as the Governor´s Garden, towards the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall (1910-1912) built in Italian Renaissance (exterior) and  German Rococo (interior) styles. You can make nice photos next to a French-style Baroque fountain while listening to the classic music.

Cross the street and walk down to Baku Boulevard to view the International Mugham Center (without entering) created in order to widely promote Azerbaijani ‘mugham’ (folk musical composition) in the world and shaped as the national musical instrument – ‘tar’. Here you will also see Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum (without entering), designed by Austrian architect Franz Jansz and looking like a rolled carpet.

Wander between the decorative stone bridges of so-called Little Venice, a small town on the water and one of the jewels of Baku. It has two large and several small islands and its gondolas are travelling in the channels full of still and clean water.  Free time.  Overnight in Baku.

3^rd Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Free time

Free time suggestions:

• Visit the last authentic market of Baku – “Yashil (Green) bazaar”. Spend time bargaining and trying all kinds of yummies, buy local delicacies, fresh fruits, dried fruits, butter, honey, homemade cheeses, as well as caviar, “Narsharab” (popular sour sauce for fish and meat dishes), pomegranates, special jams made from white cherry or walnut, and so on.
• Get entertained or spend a relaxed day doing shopping in numerous boutiques and dining in the food courts with wide choice of international and local restaurants in Baku shopping malls: “Deniz” (Caspian Waterfront Mall), newly opened in June, 2020, with over 70 favorite branded shops and restaurants; “Park Boulevard”, the first shopping mall in Baku; “Port Baku”, a luxury shopping mall providing local and international consumers with a new premium shopping experience
• “Sharg Bazaar” (Oriental Bazaar) is a unique opportunity for tourists to see the ancient Azerbaijani traditions and cultural heritage: taste traditional dishes, buy the best sweets, dried fruits and souvenirs, listen to national music, visit the fair of handicraftsmen who create their works in front of your eyes.

4^th Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Check out, transfer to the airport.

3 night accommodation in 4* hotel in the center of Baku city

 Breakfasts at the hotel

 Transfers: airport-hotel-airport

 Excursions & transportation according to the program

 Professional English speaking guide during excursion days

 1 bottle of 0.5L water per day

Flight tickets & visa (if required)

Extras at the hotel, tips at the sites and restaurants

Tickets to the museums: Maiden Tower(optional), Shirvanshahs’ Palace(optional)

lunches and dinners

• Full payment should be done 3 days prior to arrival.
• Infants (up to 3 y.o.) are free of charge.
• Cancellation more than 3 days before check-in date is free of charge.
• Cancellation less than 3 days before check-in date is subject to 100% charge.

The organizer reserves the right to change the hotel to the different one of the same category.

The organizer reserves the right to change the order of excursions in case of necessity.

Check-in to the hotels: 14:00 (can be 15:00 in some cases).

Early check-in before 06:00 in the morning is subject to 100% of the room rate, early check-in between 06:00 and 14:00 is subject to 50% of the room rate (please confirm with our reservation managers before booking).

You can extend your stay, add more excursions and/or change the hotel category for additional payment (please confirm with our reservation managers before booking).

Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended during excursions.