Baku Old Town Walking Tour: Maiden Tower & Palace of Shirvanshahs

The Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower stand inside medieval walls that still frame daily life.

A 3-hour private walking tour of Baku's Old Town, starting at Icharishahar metro station and moving through the Old City Walls, Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, and Torgovaya street before ending at Baku Boulevard and Martyrs' Lane with an observation deck. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with a souvenir postcard and a live guide who speaks English or Russian.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Baku Old City10m
2. Palace of the Shirvanshahs10m
3. Maiden Tower15m
4. Baku Boulevard10m
5. Martyrs' Lane40m

Explore Baku's historic and modern sites

• Meet at Icharishahar metro station
• Introduction to Baku and city tour overview
• Walk historical landmarks from early 1900s
• Enter Old City Walls and learn city history
• Visit Shirvanshahs’ Palace
• See Maiden Tower and hear its legends
• Walk along central Torgovaya street
• Stop at Baku Seaside Boulevard
• Drive to Martyrs' Lane
• Walk to observation deck for city views

The experience

The tour begins at Icharishahar metro station, where your guide meets you and outlines what shaped Baku since the early 1900s. You'll walk through the Old City Walls to learn how the city divided itself and how ordinary Bakuvians lived within those boundaries. The Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the ancient residence of an Azerbaijani kingdom, sits as a stop where medieval Islamic civilization becomes tangible. From there, the Maiden Tower rises in the southeast corner of the old quarter: the guide shares its history and the legends attached to it.

After the tower, you head to Torgovaya street, the old trading heart where people from different classes, religions and nations once crossed paths. The walk then moves to Baku Boulevard along the seaside, where the guide offers tips for the rest of your time in the city. A short car ride takes you up to Martyrs' Lane, which holds the darker chapters of Azerbaijan's past and its resistance to Soviet rule. The observation deck at the top gives you time to rest, take in the panoramic view of the city, and photograph it at your own pace.

Your hotel pickup and drop-off are arranged. The guide speaks English or Russian. A souvenir postcard comes with the booking. The tour suits all fitness levels, and public transport options are nearby if you prefer to meet the guide at the metro station instead.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a live guide in English or Russian.
• a souvenir postcard.
• access to all five main stops (the Old City Walls, Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, Torgovaya street, and Baku Boulevard) plus a car ride to Martyrs' Lane and time at the observation deck.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Baku Explorer

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Russian, so you can follow the stories of how oil reshaped Baku and what the medieval landmarks mean to the city today. If you speak another language, this tour is not the right fit.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and why is it on this tour?

The Palace of the Shirvanshahs was the residence of an ancient Azerbaijani kingdom and represents the medieval Islamic civilization that shaped Baku. It's included as one of the core historical landmarks that show how the city's identity formed over centuries.

Does the tour include time to go inside the Maiden Tower?

The tour stops at the Maiden Tower so your guide can share its history and the legends connected to it, but the itinerary focuses on the exterior and the stories rather than entry into the tower itself.

What happens at Martyrs' Lane and why is it part of a Baku introduction?

Martyrs' Lane holds the history of Azerbaijan's resistance to Soviet rule and represents a defining moment in the country's past. The guide explores this darker chapter, then takes you to the observation deck for a panoramic view and time to reflect and photograph the city.

Is hotel pickup really included, or do I meet the guide at the metro station?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price. If you prefer to meet at Icharishahar metro station instead, that option is available and public transport nearby makes it easy to reach.