Good to know
Good to Know
- The Old City (Icherisheher) is a compact, walkable neighborhood where the majority of Baku's major historical museums and sights are concentrated—plan to spend a full day exploring this area.
- The Carpet Museum's distinctive building designed by architect Zaha Hadid is architecturally significant in its own right; it resembles a rolled carpet and is located near the scenic Seaside Boulevard.
- Most museums enforce a dress code requiring you to remove outerwear (coats, jackets) upon entry and restrict photography with flash.
- No smoking, food, or animals permitted inside museums.
- Many historically significant sites, including the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah Palace, are UNESCO World Heritage-listed, reflecting their global cultural importance.
Must See Sites
Maiden Tower (Qız Qalası)
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Closed
- Monday
- Location
- Old City (Icherisheher)
- Admission
- AZN 15
- Description
- UNESCO-listed historic monument with panoramic city views from the top. A 12th-century tower that is one of Baku's most iconic symbols.
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Closed
- Monday
- Location
- Old City (Icherisheher)
- Admission
- AZN 15
- Description
- 15th-century palace complex built by the Shirvanshahs dynasty (ruled 861-1538). UNESCO-listed with ornate gardens and a royal tomb. Showcases exhibits from the Shirvanshahs' reign and represents medieval Azerbaijani architecture.
Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Closed
- Monday
- Location
- Seaside Boulevard, 28 Mikail Huseynov Avenue (opposite the funicular)
- Admission
- AZN 7.00
- Description
- Showcases unique carpet types from all regions of Azerbaijan. The distinctive building was designed by architect Zaha Hadid and resembles a rolled carpet.
National History Museum of Azerbaijan
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Closed
- Monday
- Location
- 4 Tagiyev Street
- Admission
- AZN 15
- Description
- Comprehensive museum covering Azerbaijan's history from ancient times through modern periods.
Heydar Aliyev Center
- Hours
- Closed Monday
- Closed
- Monday
- Location
- Baku city center
- Admission
- AZN 15
- Description
- Modern cultural institution designed by Zaha Hadid. Features contemporary exhibitions related to Azerbaijani history and culture.
Museum of Miniature Books
- Hours
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Location
- Old City (Icherisheher), near Shirvanshah Palace
- Description
- Unique museum featuring a rare global collection of miniature books. One of the most distinctive museums in Baku.
National Art Museum of Azerbaijan
- Location
- Niyazi Street, city center
- Description
- Country's largest art museum. Showcases regional artistic talent and traditional Azerbaijani art forms.
Passes And Packages
4-Museum Combo Pass
- Price
- AZN 36
- Savings Note
- More economical than purchasing individual tickets. Individual prices would total significantly more.
Includes
- Maiden Tower
- Shirvanshah Palace
- Underground Bath
- Tahir Salahov's House Museum
Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- Most major museums are located in or near the Old City (Icherisheher), a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it easy to visit multiple sites in one day.
- Most Baku museums are closed on Monday; plan your visits for Tuesday through Sunday.
- Last Tuesday of each month is cleaning day at the National History Museum; avoid visiting that day.
- Museums in Baku have notably lower entrance fees compared to European museums relative to the richness of their collections.
- Group excursions and thematic tours are available at most major museums.
- Photo and video shooting fees apply separately at some museums (e.g., National History Museum: 2 AZN for photography, 15 AZN for amateur video).
- Many museums offer Wi-Fi, cafes, museum shops, and cloakrooms for visitor convenience.
- Children up to 12 years old receive free entry to most museums and reserves.
- Students, persons with disabilities, and veterans qualify for special discounts.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.