Baku Landmarks: Hadid Curves and Walled City

October 20, 2026

Advice from governments. The British FCDO recommends against all travel within 5 km of Azerbaijan’s border with Armenia and against all but essential travel to south-western districts that still hold mines and unexploded munitions, and the US advisory is Level 3, Reconsider Travel. The landmarks listed here are in Baku, a city the UK advice does not name. Most visitors fly in, as land and sea entry is restricted. Read gov.uk and travel.state.gov before you leave.

Baku’s landmarks sit close together, so most can be seen in two days. Fees below are for a foreign adult in manat (AZN), about 1.70 to the US dollar, and several are hedged because published figures differ.

The Walled City

Inscribed by UNESCO in 2000, the Walled City holds two paid sights.

Maiden Tower, 19 AZN. A 12th-century cylinder, about 28 m high on the south side and 31 m on the north, with walls roughly 5 m thick at the base. Its function is disputed, since fire temple, watchtower and observatory have all been suggested.
Shirvanshahs’ Palace Complex, 24 AZN. A 15th-century set of buildings on three terraces, including the octagonal Divankhana, the burial vault, a palace mosque, the mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, bath remains and the Ovdan reservoir. Murad’s Gate bears an inscription of 1585 to 1586.

Both are open daily from 10:00 to 19:00. The palace is a protected monument, so no climbing. The fee table is published by the reserve.

Modern and museum landmarks

Heydar Aliyev Center. A Zaha Hadid design from 2012, best known for its flowing white shell. Inside are the Heydar Aliyev museum, miniature landmarks in Mini Azerbaijan and classic cars. Check heydaraliyevcenter.az for admission, since published figures differ.
Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. Sits on the Boulevard in a building shaped like a rolled carpet, designed by Franz Janz, with more than 10,000 items. Expect a ticket of about 10 AZN and a Monday closure.
National Flag Square. On Neftchilar Avenue, reopened on 8 November 2024. The flag museum has six halls and 431 items, with a gallery on the 2020 war, so keep a sober tone. Heights quoted for the flagpole vary.

A square and a pedestrian street

Fountains Square began as a military parade ground in 1868, was nicknamed the Dry Garden and was last reconstructed in 2010. Its fountains are from the Soviet era. A traffic-free stretch toward Rashid Behbudov Street is Nizami Street, which locals call Torgovaya.

The view from Highland Park

The hill looks across the bay to the Flame Towers, completed around 2012, which carry an LED show on their facades at night. The towers are not documented as having a public observation deck. Reaching the park by funicular, a 455 m line opened in 1960 and reopened in May 2012, costs about 1 AZN in cash, from a stop on Neftchilar Avenue. Hours reported are Tuesday to Sunday, with a break around midday, and no service Monday, so confirm first. The hilltop station is beside the national cemetery covered below.

Guided options

For commentary, browse Baku sightseeing tours and check what each ticket includes.

Martyrs’ Lane

Martyrs’ Lane is the national cemetery above the city, with the Eternal Flame inaugurated in 1998. Those buried include victims of the January 1990 Black January crackdown and soldiers killed in the Karabakh wars. This is a place for remembrance, not for photographs or leisure. Dress modestly, keep your voice low and ask permission before photographing. The FCDO warns of police action for disrespectful conduct, and access can be restricted around 20 January.