Baku Old Town & Oil Boom Walking Tour with Local Stories

Summary

Walk Baku’s ancient streets, hear oil era stories, see Old Town life unfold

You’ll wander Baku’s Old Town with a local guide who brings its oil boom past to life through stories and old photos. Walk cobbled alleys, see palaces built by oil barons, feel history under your feet — and end your day back where city life buzzes loudest.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start our Baku walking tour right in the middle of Fountains Square, with its mix of old Soviet-era buildings and new glass storefronts. The air smelled faintly of roasted chestnuts — or maybe it was sunflower seeds? Our guide, Emin, waved us over with a grin and a bottle of water already in hand. He joked about how this square used to be the “center of gossip” during the first oil boom, which made me laugh because honestly, some things never change.

We wandered into Icherisheher — Baku Old City — through one of those heavy stone gates that look like they’ve seen everything. The alleys were narrow and uneven underfoot; I almost tripped on a loose cobblestone but caught myself (Emin noticed and just nodded like, “yeah, happens”). He stopped us at the Maiden Tower and pulled out old photos from his bag — black-and-white shots of women in headscarves and men with those big mustaches. It felt like time folded in on itself for a second. There was this moment where the call to prayer echoed off the walls and everything went quiet except for that sound.

Istiglaliyyat Street was busier — cars honking, kids running past with ice creams melting down their arms. Emin pointed out the Philharmonic Hall and told us about an oil baron who built a palace for his son after tragedy struck. I remember him saying something about Venetian Gothic style but honestly, I was distracted by the smell of fresh bread from somewhere nearby. We passed the Town Hall too, all ornate facades from when European architects started showing off here. It’s wild how much history is squeezed into these few blocks.

The stories got more personal as we walked: love stories turned into wedding halls, Azerbaijan’s first secular school for Muslim women tucked behind grand doors. By then my feet were tired but my head was buzzing with all these details — little things you’d never get from just reading signs or guidebooks. We ended up back at Fountains Square as dusk crept in; people were laughing around us and I realized I hadn’t checked my phone once all afternoon. Still think about that echo in the Old City sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Baku Old Town and Oil History

• Meet at Fountains Square
• Walk through Baku Old City
• View historic photos of landmarks
• Explore Istiglaliyyat Street sights
• Visit Governor’s Garden
• See Baku Town Hall
• Learn Oil Baron love story
• Discover first Muslim women's school
• Visit Venetian Gothic style palace
• End tour at Fountains Square

Top questions

How long is the Baku Old Town & Oil History tour?

The walking tour lasts around 3 hours starting and ending at Fountains Square.

Does this tour include entry to museums or landmarks?

No entry is included; you’ll see sights like Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs Palace from outside with historic context provided by your guide.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour begins and finishes at Fountains Square in downtown Baku.

Is bottled water provided during the walk?

Yes, bottled water is included for each guest.

Are there any steep climbs or difficult terrain?

The route covers uneven cobblestones in Old Town but is suitable for all fitness levels.

Can I bring my service animal on this walking tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to Fountains Square.

What’s included

Your day includes a private guided walk through Baku’s Old Town and along Istiglaliyyat Street, plenty of stories from your local guide (with historic photos), bottled water to keep you going, plus easy access to public transport before or after your stroll.