Full Day Baku Layover Tour: Old City, Fire Temple & Flame Towers

Walk the Old City's medieval lanes, then watch flames rise from the earth at Yanar Dag.

A 10-hour guided tour of Baku covers the Old City, Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, Ateshgah Fire Temple, and Yanar Dag, ending with views from Baku Boulevard and the Flame Towers. A local English-speaking guide leads the route through sightseeing stops, tea, and dinner, designed for travelers with limited time in the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Palace of the Shirvanshahs1h · entry included
2. Maiden Tower1h · entry included
3. Ateshgah Fire Temple40m · entry included
4. Yanar Dag15m · entry included
5. Baku Boulevard15m
6. Flame Towers5m
7. Martyrs' Lane15m

Explore Baku's major attractions

• Visit Icharishahar Old Town
• Tour Shirvanshahs’ Palace and mausoleums
• Explore Maiden Tower
• Visit Ateshgah Fire Temple
• See Yanar Dag Burning Mountain
• Take tea break in Old Town
• Dine on Nizami Street
• Walk to Baku Boulevard sea view
• Ride funicular for city views
• View Flame Towers near Martyrs' Lane
• Visit Martyrs' Alley exhibition
• Enjoy night view at Uphill Park

The experience

The tour starts in Icharishahar, Baku's Old Town, where your guide walks you through medieval streets to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs (the central monument of an ancient kingdom), and its mausoleums. From there you move to the Maiden Tower, the symbol of Baku, built in the southeast corner of the Old City. The guide explains the history and legends tied to each site as you move between them on foot and by vehicle.

The second half takes you outside the city center to Ateshgah Fire Temple, where Indian merchants once stayed and where natural gas outlets burn continuously from the earth. A short drive brings you to Yanar Dag, the "Burning Mountain," where flames rise from the hillside: the most famous eternal flame site in Azerbaijan. After the mountain, you return to the Old Town for a tea break, then move to dinner on Nizami Street before heading to Baku Boulevard for sea views.

The tour ends with a short funicular ride up the hilly parts of Baku for a night view of the city, followed by Martyrs' Lane (an exhibition space documenting Azerbaijan's Soviet-era history), and the Flame Towers, three residential buildings lit up at night. Uphill Park gives you a final vantage point over the lit city. A local professional guide in English leads the entire route, and 0.5 liters of bottled water is included.

What’s included

• Local professional guide in English.
• 0.5 liters of bottled water.
• entry to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, Ateshgah Fire Temple, and Yanar Dag.
• tea break in the Old Town.
• funicular ride.
• and views from Uphill Park and Baku Boulevard.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour including pickup from your hotelGuide in English, Spanish or Russian · No fixed timeHotel pickup and drop-off: a 10-hour tour beginning at 10:00 am. We collect you from your hotel. Lunch and dinner are not part of the package. Pickup is included.

Airport Pickup/Drop OffGuide in English, Spanish or Russian · No fixed timeAirport pickup: we collect you from the arrivals area. Depending on your arrival time, some attractions may be unavailable. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Baku Explorer

Is this one for you?Choose hotel pickup if you're staying in the city and want to start and end at your accommodation. Airport pickup works better if you're arriving or departing and have limited time between flights. Either way, the 10-hour structure fits a full day around a layover without requiring you to arrange separate transport to each site.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is the Maiden Tower and why is it important to Baku?

The Maiden Tower is a medieval monument built in the southeast part of the Old City and stands as the symbol of Baku. Its origins and purpose remain mysterious, which is part of what makes it one of the most remarkable sites in the city.

How does Yanar Dag work? Is it a real fire burning from the ground?

Yanar Dag is a hillside where natural gas outlets ignite and burn continuously, creating flames that rise from the earth. It's a natural phenomenon caused by underground gas deposits and is the most famous eternal flame site in Azerbaijan.

Does the tour include food, or do I need to pay separately for meals?

Dinner on Nizami Street and a tea break in the Old Town are part of the itinerary, though food and beverages beyond the tea are not included in the tour price and are paid separately.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour combines walking through the Old City and between attractions with driving to sites farther out. You'll walk the medieval lanes of Icharishahar and move between stops on foot, so a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

Can I arrange hotel pickup, or do I need to get to a meeting point?

Hotel pickup is available as an option at checkout. You can also choose airport pickup and drop-off. Both options are offered depending on which version of the tour you select.

What should I wear for a 10-hour tour that includes outdoor sites?

The tour operates in all weather, so dress appropriately for the season. You'll be outdoors at Yanar Dag, on Baku Boulevard, and in the Old City, so comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are essential.