Family Days in Baku: Zoo, Gala Masterclasses

October 20, 2026

Advice for travellers with children. British FCDO guidance advises against all travel within 5 km of Azerbaijan’s border with Armenia and against all but essential travel to south-western districts that still contain landmines and unexploded munitions. The US advisory is Level 3, Reconsider Travel. The family outings here are all in or near Baku, away from those districts, and families usually enter by air. Check gov.uk and travel.state.gov before you book flights.

A family day in Baku can mix animals, a waterfront and a hands-on craft session. This page lists what is confirmed, with prices in manat (AZN), about 1.70 to the US dollar. Where a price or opening time is not firmly published, the text says so.

At the zoo

Baku Zoological Park reopened on 7 October 2021 on A. Bakikhanov Street in the Narimanov district, after roughly four years of works. About 125 species live on its 4.25 hectares, and 22 of them are in the Azerbaijan Red Book. Look for Amur tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, bears, zebras and flamingos, plus an aquaterrarium, a petting zoo and an artificial lake. Official opening hours are 10:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 19:00 at weekends. Book through iticket.az; no price is given on the zoo’s website .

On the Boulevard

Walking and play: the Seaside National Park has playgrounds, cafes and a flat promenade, with some 16 km of park along the bay.
Boat cruise: a 30 to 40 minute trip on the Mirvari. The last published fares were 5 AZN on the lower decks and 10 AZN on the top deck. Under-sixes go free. Seasonal timetables differ.
Baku Eye: a 60 m wheel with 30 enclosed cabins. A 2021 listing shows 10 AZN for adults, so ask on site about price and whether it is running.
Little Venice: short gondola-style rides along canals. Quoted prices conflict, so settle on a fare before boarding.

Keep younger children away from the water’s edge. The Caspian is not a place to swim from the city front.

Heydar Aliyev Center

Beyond the curved white exterior, the centre has a Mini Azerbaijan section of scaled-down landmarks and a classic-car collection. Admission is charged, and its published rate is inconsistent; the centre’s own site, heydaraliyevcenter.az , is the place to check.

Gala and Yanar Dag

At the Gala reserve, about 40 km out, a 15 AZN ticket is listed as covering two museums and masterclasses in pottery, carpet weaving and lavash baking. Children aged 3 and under are free, and those aged 12 and under pay half. At Yanar Dag, an adult pays 15 AZN, foreign children under 12 are free, and children must stay with an adult. Teach children to keep a safe distance from the flames.

Tips for the day

Plan the zoo or the Boulevard for the cooler hours in summer.
Take AZN cash for small kiosks and rides.
Use the meter or a ride-hailing app for taxis, and agree the fare first.
Metro rides cost 0.60 AZN, paid through BakıKart, a QR ticket, the app or NFC.

To browse family-friendly tours, see Baku family activities .