Baku Old City Walking Tour: UNESCO walls and Maiden Tower

Walk narrow alleys lined with workshops and mosques inside UNESCO walls

A guided walking tour of Baku's Old City (Icheri Sheher) with a professional English, Russian or Turkish-speaking guide covering the Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs' Palace, Mohammed Mosque, and the labyrinth of medieval streets within 12th-century walls. The tour lasts two hours and starts at the Double Gate. Monument tickets are separate.

The experience

The tour begins at the Double Gate and moves through the walled Old City on foot, a UNESCO-protected site that sits as a city within the modern city. Your guide walks you past the Maiden Tower, Baku's most recognizable landmark, and the Shirvanshahs' Palace, the 15th-century residence of Azerbaijan's medieval rulers. The route takes in mosques, hamams (bathhouses), karvansarays (caravanserais) and divans, but the real texture of the place emerges in what lies beyond the main monuments: narrow alleyways where some of Baku's oldest residents still live, artists' workshops tucked into corners, souvenir stalls, and traditional restaurants serving Azerbaijani dishes.

The guide provides context for the oriental history layered into these streets, explaining what each building was and why it mattered. Two hours is enough to move through the core without rushing, though the warren of passages means you'll cover ground without feeling hurried. The Old City is wheelchair accessible throughout, and the walking pace suits all fitness levels.

Note that entry to the Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshahs' Palace are ticketed separately (15 AZN each). The tour includes the guide's knowledge of these sites but not admission. The guide speaks English, Russian or Turkish depending on your choice at booking.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English, Russian or Turkish.
• two-hour walking route through the walled Old City covering the Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs' Palace, Mohammed Mosque, hamams, karvansarays and medieval alleyways.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 95 years) · Child (6 to 11 years): free · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Russian and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by AZP Travel company

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a local guide to explain the history and layout of the Old City as you walk: the guide's knowledge of why each street and building matters is what transforms a walk through narrow alleys into an understanding of medieval Baku. If you prefer to explore at your own pace without a guide, or if you want to linger inside the monuments themselves, this shared walking tour may not suit you.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Russian and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years): free; Infant (under 6): free.

What is the Maiden Tower and why is it the main landmark in Baku's Old City?

The Maiden Tower is Baku's most iconic structure, a 12th-century cylindrical tower of mysterious origin that dominates the skyline of the Old City. Its exact purpose remains debated by historians, but it stands as the symbol of Baku and is the centerpiece of the walled medieval quarter.

How long does the Baku Old City walking tour take?

The tour lasts two hours and covers the main monuments and the surrounding alleyways within the UNESCO-protected walls, starting at the Double Gate.

Are the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs' Palace included in the tour price?

The tour includes a guide who explains both sites as you walk past them, but entry tickets to the Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshahs' Palace are purchased separately at 15 AZN each if you want to go inside.

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

Yes. The Old City is fully wheelchair accessible, all surfaces are paved, and the walking pace suits all fitness levels. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome.