Glass cars
Views on the way up.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cavad Qurbanov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · AlixSaz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · AlixSaz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dmitry Karyshev — CC BY 2.0 · Robot8A — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Consulbk — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ctac — CC BY-SA 3.0
A small funicular that climbs from Neftchilar Avenue near the boulevard to the top of the hill above Baku Bay, and the only funicular in Azerbaijan. It opened in 1960 and has been renovated several times, most recently in a complete overhaul after which it returned to service in 2012 with modern glass cars. Its track is about 455 metres long and the ride takes about three minutes, on a single line with two cars that pass each other halfway, their glass sides looking out over the bay as they climb. At the upper station is Highland Park, Baku's best-known viewpoint, taking in the whole city, the bay, the boulevard and the Old City, with the Flame Towers right behind. The hilltop is also home to a memorial alley where people come to honour their dead, so quiet and respectful behaviour is expected there. The ride costs a small fare paid with the BakuCard transport card, and it usually stops one day a week for maintenance, so check times locally. The hour before sunset is best, to see the city by daylight and then its evening lights; you can walk back down through the gardens.
Views on the way up.
Baku's top viewpoint.
Up close.
Lower station on Neftchilar Avenue near the boulevard, Baku
Flame TowersThree flame-shaped skyscrapers on a hill above Baku Bay and the Old City, which 3 minutes walk
Azerbaijan Carpet MuseumAzerbaijan's national carpet museum, holding the world's largest collection of A8 minutes walk
Palace of the ShirvanshahsA fifteenth-century palace complex in the upper part of Baku's Old City, built b12 minutes walk
Maiden TowerA massive twelfth-century stone tower in Baku's Old City, known in Azerbaijani a14 minutes walk
Old City of Baku (Icherisheher)Baku's historic heart, a walled town on a hill above the Caspian bay, known in A16 minutes walkWith the BakuCard transport card, also used on the metro and buses, bought and topped up at station machines.