Little Venice
Canals and boats.
Nigar2nigarnigar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Самый древний — Public domain · Matti Blume — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Urmen19 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Urmen19 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Consulbk — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Marco Monelli — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Marco Monelli — CC BY-SA 3.0
A long promenade along Baku's waterfront, running parallel to the Caspian shore and officially called the Seaside National Park. It was founded in 1909, when the oil barons were building mansions along the shore, and has grown over time: an extension in 2012 brought it to about three and three-quarter kilometres, and a new stretch was added in the White City district in 2015. Trees, gardens, fountains and cafés line its length. Highlights include «Little Venice», with canals where visitors take small boat rides, the big Ferris wheel known as the Baku Eye, the Carpet Museum in its rolled-carpet building, the International Mugham Centre and the old parachute tower. At its western end is National Flag Square with its towering flagpole, and all along the boulevard there are views over Baku Bay and the Flame Towers on the hill, which sparkle at night with colourful light shows. Walking the boulevard is free and always open, while the boats, the Ferris wheel and some rides cost extra. Evenings are best, when the heat eases and the towers light up; the sea breeze can be strong in Baku, nicknamed the city of winds.
Canals and boats.
The Ferris wheel.
And the Flame Towers at night.
Along Baku Bay's waterfront on the Caspian Sea
Taghiyev Palace (National Museum of History)A grand palace in central Baku built in the 1890s by Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, 4 minutes walk
Maiden TowerA massive twelfth-century stone tower in Baku's Old City, known in Azerbaijani a7 minutes walk4.5
Old City of Baku (Icherisheher)Baku's historic heart, a walled town on a hill above the Caspian bay, known in A8 minutes walk4.6
Nizami StreetBaku's best-known shopping and strolling street, running about three and a half 8 minutes walk
Fountains Square and Nizami StreetThe liveliest square in central Baku, stretching from the Old City walls to Niza8 minutes walk4.5After the 2012 extension it ran for about three and three-quarter kilometres, and a White City stretch was added later, so walking its length takes around two hours.