Walking Tour Baku Old City: Maiden Tower & Shirvanshahs' Palace

Medieval fortress, two palaces, a tower built to last, and the alleyways where Baku began

A walking tour of Baku's Old City starts at the Double Gate entrance and covers the UNESCO World Heritage site within its 12th-century walls, including the Maiden Tower, the Shirvanshahs' Palace complex, the Muhammad Mosque and the Juma Mosque. The tour lasts around two hours with a live guide speaking English, Russian, Ukrainian or Turkish; you can add paid entry to the Maiden Tower or the palace if you want to go inside, and the route takes in souvenir shops, a caravanserai, and the Museum of Miniature Books (free entry, closed Mondays and Thursdays).

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Baku Old City highlights

• Start at Double Gate entrance
• Walk through Baku Old City UNESCO site
• See 14th-century fortress towers
• Visit Maiden Tower (optional entry)
• Shop for ethnic crafts and souvenirs
• Visit Muhammad Mosque (Siniggala Mosque)
• Visit Juma (Friday) Mosque
• Tour Shirvanshahs' Palace (optional entry)
• See Bukhara Caravanserai
• Visit Museum of Miniature Books
• View Monument to Lovers and Cats
• Return to starting point

The Experience

The tour begins at the Double Gate, the main entrance to the Old City, and moves through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways that have housed Baku's oldest residents, artists' workshops and traditional restaurants for centuries. Your guide points out the Muhammad Mosque, built in the 11th century and known locally as the Siniggala for its damaged minaret, and the Juma Mosque from the 16th century, with its ornamental balcony and stalactite decoration. Both are UNESCO-listed, and both stand as evidence of the city's medieval Islamic heritage.

The Maiden Tower, or Giz Galasi, rises in the heart of the Old City and is Baku's most recognized landmark. Built in the 12th century, the tower was part of the fortress's defensive system and is named for its impenetrability—the name translates to "Virgin Tower." Entry inside costs $9 and is optional; many travelers skip it and photograph from outside, while others climb to the top for views over the Old City and the modern skyline beyond. The Shirvanshahs' Palace complex, a 15th-century masterpiece, is the other major stop. The palace belonged to the rulers of the Shirvanshahs' State and comprises 52 rooms, a divankhana, a family tomb, a mosque, a bath and the tomb of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. Entry is also $9 and optional.

Between the main sites, the tour passes the Bukhara Caravanserai, a 15th-century trading post that once hosted merchants from Central Asia and India, and the Museum of Miniature Books, which holds around 8,000 tiny publications from 76 countries—including the world's smallest book at 2x2mm, readable only with a magnifying glass. The museum is free to enter and open daily except Mondays and Thursdays from 11am to 5pm. Souvenir shops line the streets, selling ethnic crafts, carpets, hammered copper dishes and armudu glasses. The tour ends back at the starting point.

What’s included

• Professional guide service in English, Russian, Ukrainian or Turkish.
• access to all exterior sites and the free Museum of Miniature Books.
• walking through the UNESCO-protected Old City within its 12th-century walls. Entry to the Maiden Tower ($9) and the Shirvanshahs' Palace ($9) are optional and paid separately at the site.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Azerbaijan Travel

Is this one for you?Book the group tour if you're comfortable with other travelers and want to keep costs down; choose the private walking trip if you're traveling with family or friends and prefer the guide's full attention, or if you want to set your own pace through the alleyways and stop longer at sites that interest you.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Maiden Tower and why is it called the Virgin Tower?

The Maiden Tower, or Giz Galasi in Azerbaijani, was built in the 12th century as part of Baku's fortress defensive system. It is named "Virgin Tower" because of its impenetrability—the structure was designed to be nearly impossible to breach. Today it stands in the heart of the Old City as Baku's most recognized landmark, and you can pay $9 to enter and climb to the top for views over the Old City.

Can I go inside the Shirvanshahs' Palace, or do I just walk past it?

The Shirvanshahs' Palace complex is a 15th-century masterpiece with 52 rooms, a divankhana, a mosque, a bath and family tombs. Entry inside costs $9 and is optional—you can view the exterior and learn about it from your guide, or pay to explore the interior. The palace is UNESCO-listed as one of the pearls of Azerbaijan architecture.

How long does the tour take and what should I wear?

The tour lasts around two hours and covers the Old City on foot through narrow alleyways and between historic sites. The route is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as you'll be on uneven medieval streets, and bring water—the Old City has few shaded spots in summer.

Is the Museum of Miniature Books included, and what will I see there?

The Museum of Miniature Books is a stop on the tour and entry is free. The museum holds around 8,000 tiny publications from 76 countries, including the world's smallest book at 2x2mm, which you can only read with a magnifying glass. The museum is open daily except Mondays and Thursdays from 11am to 5pm and holds the Guinness Record for the largest collection of miniature books in the world.

Can I book this tour as a private group instead of joining a group?

Yes, you can choose between the Group Walking Tour or the Old City Private Walking Trip at checkout. Both follow the same route through the Old City, Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs' Palace, but the private option means you have the guide to yourself or your group instead of sharing with other travelers.