Old City Walking Tour Baku: Maiden Tower & Shirvanshahs Palace

What's inside the walls of Baku's oldest quarter, and why the Maiden Tower climb matters

An Old City walking tour in Baku led by a professional English-speaking guide covers Icheri Sheher's top landmarks: the Maiden Tower with its rooftop views of the Caspian, the Shirvanshahs Palace complex, Juma Mosque, and the Bukhara and Multani caravanserais built along medieval trade routes. The tour runs two to three hours and suits all fitness levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Palace of the Shirvanshahs40m
2. Maiden Tower15m

Explore Baku's Old City highlights

• Start at Double Gates entrance
• See Chain, Sailor and Cat Houses
• Visit Bukhara and Multani Caravanserais
• Explore Juma Mosque
• Tour Maiden Tower rooftop viewpoint
• Visit Shirvanshah Palace complex
• Explore Museum of Miniature Books

The experience

The tour starts at the Double Gates, the main entrance to Icheri Sheher, and moves through the Old City's narrow lanes past the Chain, Sailor and Cat Houses before reaching the Bukhara caravanserai. Built in the late 15th century, this quadratic structure once served as a gathering place for merchants and travelers. Its octagonal courtyard and surrounding balconies still show the restoration work completed in 1964 that stripped away later additions and revealed the original scale. Your guide explains the history of each building as you walk.

The Shirvanshahs Palace stands as the architectural centerpiece of the complex: the former residence of Shirvan's rulers, now a UNESCO site. Beyond the palace itself, the compound includes the Divan-Khan courtyard, a mosque built in 1441, a bathhouse, and the mausoleum of the court scholar Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. The Maiden Tower comes next: a 12th-century fortress with walls five meters thick at the base, tapering to four meters at the top. The interior holds old photographs and a souvenir shop, but the real draw is the rooftop viewpoint: a sweep of the Old City, the Caspian Sea, and the modern skyline beyond.

The Museum of Miniature Books, also within Icheri Sheher, rounds out the walk. Zarifa Salahova assembled over 5,600 miniature books from 66 countries over three decades. The museum holds the Guinness record for the largest collection of its kind. A professional licensed guide in English leads the entire route and provides the historical context that ties these sites together. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them before or after.

What’s included

• Professional licensed English-speaking guide.
• entry to the Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs Palace complex, Juma Mosque, Bukhara and Multani caravanserais, and the Museum of Miniature Books.
• historical commentary on each site and the Old City's medieval layout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Guided Azerbaijan

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a walking pace through narrow lanes and includes climbing to the Maiden Tower rooftop, so it suits anyone comfortable with a couple of hours on foot and stairs. The route is manageable for all fitness levels, and children are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

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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 (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4).

How long does the Old City walking tour take?

The tour runs two to three hours, covering the main attractions of Icheri Sheher at a pace suitable for all fitness levels.

What is the Maiden Tower and why is it worth climbing?

The Maiden Tower is a 12th-century fortress that once defended Shirvanshahs' territory. The climb to the rooftop viewpoint rewards you with a panorama of the Old City, the Caspian Sea, and Baku's modern skyline: views that justify the effort.

Does the tour include the Shirvanshahs Palace?

Yes, the Shirvanshahs Palace complex is a main stop on the tour. Your guide explains the history of the palace, the Divan-Khan courtyard, the 1441 mosque, bathhouse, and the mausoleum of court scholar Seyid Yahya Bakuvi.

What are the caravanserais and why are they on the tour?

The Bukhara and Multani caravanserais are 15th-century structures built along Baku's medieval trade routes. They served as lodging and gathering places for merchants and travelers. The Bukhara's octagonal courtyard and surrounding balconies show the original architectural design after 1964 restoration.

Is the Museum of Miniature Books included?

Yes, the Museum of Miniature Books is included in the tour. It holds over 5,600 miniature volumes from 66 countries and holds the Guinness record for the largest collection of miniature books in the world.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the starting point?

The tour begins at the Double Gates, the main entrance to Icheri Sheher. Public transportation options are available nearby. After booking, you will receive details on how to recognize your guide at the meeting point.