Baku City Tour & Old Town Walk: Maiden Tower & Palace

Medieval gates, Flame Towers and a palace built across three centuries

A private four-hour city tour of Baku with a professional guide covers the modern seafront, Heydar Aliyev Center and Flame Towers, then moves into the walled Old City for a walking tour of the Shirvanshahs Palace, Maiden Tower, Juma Mosque and the narrow streets of Icheri Sheher. Hotel pickup and private vehicle transport are included; the guide speaks English or Russian.

Step-by-step itinerary

Baku City and Old Town Tour

• Visit Baku Boulevard promenade
• See first oil well at Bi bi-Heybat
• Drive past Baku Water Sports Palace
• Drive past Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum
• Drive past Government House building
• Drive past Heydar Aliyev Center
• Drive past Flame Towers
• Stop at Highland Park viewpoint
• Enter Old City via Gosha Gala Gapysy
• Tour Palace of the Shirvanshahs
• Visit Maiden Tower museum

The Experience

The tour starts with a drive along Baku Boulevard, the seafront promenade that runs parallel to the Caspian Sea, then moves inland to see the Heydar Aliyev Center — a curved, cornerless structure by architect Zaha Hadid that stands as one of the 21st century's most distinctive buildings. You'll pass the Flame Towers, three giant structures shaped like tongues of fire that dominate the modern skyline, and stop at Highland Park, the highest point in the city, for a panoramic view of the bay and the capital spread below.

From there the route shifts to history. You enter the Old City through the Double Gates (Gosha Gala Gapysy), a pair of gates that mark the entrance to Icheri Sheher, the walled medieval quarter. The walking portion takes you through narrow cobbled streets that have survived centuries, past the Shirvanshahs Palace — a complex built between the 13th and 16th centuries as the residence of the rulers of Shirvan — and to the Maiden Tower, a UNESCO monument that began as a cult structure and later served as a defensive tower. The tour also includes the Juma Mosque and Bazar Square within the Old City walls.

A private vehicle means no shared stops or waiting for other groups, and your guide handles the route and timing. Hotel pickup and drop-off are arranged in advance, so you start and end at your accommodation. The whole day runs four hours, which holds the modern sights and the Old City walking tour inside a single outing without rushing either one.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private vehicle transport.
• professional guide in English or Russian.
• access to the Old City walking tour through Icheri Sheher, the Shirvanshahs Palace complex, and the Maiden Tower exterior.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by AZTERRA TRAVEL

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling alone or with a small group and want to see both Baku's modern architecture and its medieval core without coordinating with other visitors or arranging your own transport. The private format means your guide sets the pace through the Old City's narrow streets and can answer questions about each stop without keeping a larger group moving.

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Top questions

What is the Maiden Tower and why is it important?

The Maiden Tower, or Giz Galasi, is an ancient monument in the Old City that began as a cult structure and later became a defensive tower. It's been a museum since 1964 and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2000, making it one of Baku's most significant landmarks.

How much walking is involved in the Old City section?

The Old City portion is a walking tour through Icheri Sheher's narrow cobbled streets, but the exact distance and pace are managed by your guide. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it involves navigating historic streets on foot.

Does the tour include entry to the Maiden Tower or the Shirvanshahs Palace?

The tour visits these sites and walks through the Old City, but entrance tickets to attractions are not included in the price — you arrange those separately if you want to go inside.

What are the Flame Towers?

The Flame Towers are three giant buildings shaped like tongues of fire that stand as symbols of modern Baku's skyline. You'll see them as part of the drive through the city's contemporary landmarks.

Can I choose between English and Russian for the guide?

Yes, the tour is available with a guide who speaks English or Russian. You select your preferred language when you book.

Is lunch or food included in the tour?

Food and drinks are not included. The four-hour tour covers the major sights, but you'll need to arrange meals separately or plan a break if you want to eat during the day.