Where to Stay in Baku ✔️ 4 Best Areas in 2024 (With Hotels)

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Night view of modern skyscrapers with illuminated facades in the background and people standing on a brightly lit promenade in the foreground.

Long time no holiday? Well, if the next one is in Baku, then you’ve hit the jackpot because you’re going to have an amazing time! I just came back from Baku, loved it, and I’m here to help you decide where to stay in the city!

Old Town (Icheri Sheher) is the best place to stay in Baku. This historic area is filled with attractions and great hotels! However, if you find the Old Town a bit too touristy, I’ve got you covered with 3 more areas that I neatly sorted by interest.

I also cherry-picked top-rated hotels for all budgets (including the one where I stayed in), so it’ll be even easier to choose the best accommodation for you!

Now before we start, remember to book your stay in Baku far in advance! The city welcomes tourists from around the world, and everyone wants to grab the best deal.

Quick picks for your stay

Book the best hotels in the Old Town of Baku and get the adventure started:

Check out the map below to help you visualize all the areas I’ll talk about in this post:

1. Old Town (Icherisheher) – where to stay for the first time

A street scene in Baku, Azerbaijan, featuring vendors with traditional carpets, historic buildings, and the Flame Towers visible in the background.

History buffs and culture lovers, you’re going to love this part of Baku! And if you’re traveling here for the first time, this is for sure the best area in town for you! I stayed here for 2 nights and can say that it’s definitely the most convenient location for tourists.

The Old Town (or IcherIsheher), is like a time capsule compared to the rest of the city which is becoming more and more modernized. Once you step foot onto the cobbled streets between the thousand-year-old walls, you’ll feel like you’re in a completely different world.

Packed with so many historical attractions like the Maiden Tower (map) and the Palace of The Shirvanshahs (map), the Old Town will definitely win a place in your heart.

author of the post with a green shirt and white pants walks on a cobblestone street lined with buildings and various outdoor market stalls on the right side.

I especially loved the rooftop tea houses like Cay Begi (map), it was just what we needed after walking all day. You can relax in a cozy atmosphere drinking tea and admiring the roofs of Baku!

While exploring Icherisheher, you’ll stumble across buildings that are hundreds of years old in the backdrop of which the urban Baku shines with its skyscrapers known as Flame Towers. Quite a magical sight, especially on the Bazar Square (map)!

FUN FACT: Azerbaijan is known as the land of fire, and the Flame Tower buildings in Baku are a testament to that. So much oil and gas in the region led to creation of various natural phenomena across the country, like the eternal natural gas fire of Yanar Dag (map) or the mud volcanoes in Gobustan (map). And yes, you can visit both of these amazing places from Baku! Daily tours depart from the Qosa Qala Parking (map) just outside of the Old Town gates!

Ancient stone ruins with arches and stairs in foreground, set against a backdrop of historic buildings and trees, under a clear sky at dusk.

We took a day tour from the Old Town to see these 2 places, plus the Fire Temple (map, a Zoroastrian temple, a holy place for these people) and the Gobustan stone carvings (map) made by our ancestors during the Stone Age. I won’t recommend our tour operator because there were a lot of issues with the organization, but I found this top-rated tour that has it all figured out! The trip is well worth it!

Before I move to the hotel list, I must warn you: Icherisheher is so heavily touristy to the point where it’s overdoing it. Think people stopping you on the street offering tours, inviting you to check their souvenir shops, sit in their restaurant, basically on every step you take.

If you’re not comfortable with this attention, you better stay outside of the Old City walls. Nasimi, Sabayil, and Nizami Street (all the other areas I mention below) are just a short walk from the Old City, so you’ll stay nearby anyway!

Luxury hotel

Promenade Hotel Baku

This is the best hotel in the Old Town within walking distance of all the attractions, and it has super spacious private rooms with a balcony and modern facilities, including air conditioning. Each morning you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant before you hit the town. Sounds perfect to me!

Other accommodation options in Old Town

MID-RANGE

Maajid Hotel & Restaurant

We stayed in this hotel in Baku and I couldn’t recommend it more, it’s perfect for couples

BUDGET

KING Hostel in City Center

A top-rated budget stay in Baku with a fast Wi-Fi, continental breakfast, and an excellent location

Airbnb

Stylish Apartment

A luxury apartment in the heart of the city set in a historic building

Since the Old Town (Icherisheher) is such a popular area that all the tourists want to stay in, I’ve decided to add 4 more hotel options here. That way, in case the first 4 are sold out you have some backup options:

Collage of 3 pics of luxury hotels in Baku: an elegant office with antique furniture, a spacious bedroom with rustic decor, and an indoor pool under a large skylight in a grand hall.

Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel – Go all out during this holiday and book a room at this fancy hotel that offers amazing views of the Caspian Sea. Located close to all the attractions, this accommodation has an indoor pool, a spa center and a restaurant on-site.
Luxury: Royal Antique Hotel – Loving the vintage furnishings of this boutique Baku hotel that has family rooms with a seating area. Make sure you grab some breakfast and coffee at their restaurant before you leave!
Mid Range: Deniz Inn Hotel – Simple rooms but super chic! This hotel offers some amazing views of Icheri Sheher from the terrace and it also has a bar.
Budget: Sazeli Boutique Hotel – If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable then check this City Center hotel that is cozy and beautifully-decorated! It reminds of the cave hotels in Cappadocia!

Things to do in Old Town

2. Nizami Street – where to stay in Baku for shopping

People walking and shopping along a street with historic buildings and ornate balconies under a clear blue sky.

If you’re looking for the best place to empty your credit card on this fabulous holiday in Baku, then follow me! We’ve spent hours on Nizami Street, whether it’s to shop, chill in its cool cafés, or eat in restaurants surrounding it. I can say that this is also one of the best areas to stay in Baku in general!

Nizami Street is a car-free zone just a 10-minute walk from the Old Town where everyone goes to shop! You can find anything your heart desires here, from international brands to local boutiques, and also plenty of restaurants where you can relax after a long shopping sesh!

The main shopping area begins at Fountain Square (map), and from there you can make your way down the street.

While most people come here to check out the shops, you can also take a moment to admire the architecture. You’ll spot many architectural styles, including Baroque, Renaissance and Neo-Gothic. Walking in this area felt like we were transported to Paris!

Make sure you also come here for a night stroll as the streets have lots of decorations and lights which really make the place look even more charming!

author of the post read a book while sitting on a red chair in a well-lit library with modern furniture and white shelving units filled with books.

Although not technically in Nizami Street (but really close to it), I must recommend a giant bookstore with fabulous decorations called Baku Book Center (map). I’ve never seen a more beautiful place to buy books with lavish décor, so many different corners to sit and read, and books in different languages. Can you tell I’m a bookworm already? If you are one, too, you know where to go!

Also, some of the best traditional restaurants are located just off Nizami Street. A warm recommendation for Firuze Restaurant (map), so authentic, delicious, and affordable! If you like eggplants, you must try their Gunbaz dish with lamb, eggplants, cherry, and rice. It’s an explosion of flavors, I couldn’t get enough of it! By the way, check how creative they are with their 52-page menu!

TRANSPORT TIP: Whether you stay in Old Town, Nizami Street, Sabayil, or the broader Nasimi district, you can easily walk from one place to another. There are public buses and accessible metro for traveling longer distances. Baku is a very urban city and it’s easy to get from one place to another.

Luxury hotel

Sapphire City Hotel

Set in the heart of Baku’s shopping and entertainment district, Sapphire City Hotel also has class décor, spacious rooms, and a nice breakfast. It lacks the luxury amenities like a pool or spa, but the exceptional service and lovely rooftop restaurant with a view do make up for it!

Other accommodation options in Nizami Street

Mid-Range

Eleven Hotel Baku

Decorated with soft colors, this hotel comes with family rooms, a restaurant and a kitchen

Budget

Moss Art Boutique Hotel

This hotel has all the facilities you need for your stay, including a shuttle service and a shared kitchen

Airbnb

Stay Inn

A trendy apartment that comes with a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a kitchen and lots of space

Things to do in Nizami Street

Shop until you drop at Khaghani Shopping Mall (map)
Enjoy a yummy meal at Firuze Restaurant (map) nearby
Get some souvenirs from the boutique shops lining the street
Admire the architecture around Fountain Square

3. Nasimi – where to stay in Baku for nightlife

People stroll in a city park with a patterned walkway, surrounded by trees and buildings, including a tall structure with dome-like features and a modern office building in the background.

Looking to have some fun during your holiday in Baku? Then check out this huge neighborhood! Nazimi Street is actually part of Nasimi as well, but this area stretches even further South to the beautiful Promenade, encompasses the 28th May central metro station (map), and extends further North into residential Baku.

Located East of the Old City, Nasimi has amazing restaurants, shops, and lots of bars and nightclubs where you can unwind after a day of exploring the town. So drink some coffee and get ready to enjoy the local nightlife!

I LOVED the Friends-themed café (map) in one of the lively streets here! It’s a brand-new place and a must-visit for fans! They have tons of sugar-free desserts, cool merch, and they brew their own coffee!

I wasn’t kidding when I said Nasimi is big! You’ll need lots of days to go through every hidden corner, plus you need to count in all the time you’ll spend visiting the Old Town and other parts of the city. But you can always use public transport or car hire to explore around.

By the way, when you’re getting from the airport to the city center, I advise you to take a bus rather than a taxi. The bus will drop you off at the 28th May square, and from there you can walk or take a metro or bus if your hotel is too far. You’ll just have to buy a bus card at the vending machines at the airport (you can use 1 card for 2 people, just top it with enough money).

A large #F1Baku sign is displayed on a paved promenade with modern buildings and a television tower visible in the distant cityscape under a clear blue sky.

Baku will host the Formula 1 Grand Prix event for at least until 2026. The races take place at a different time every year and last up to four days. Unless you plan to visit the Grand Prix, avoid trips to Baku at this time since the whole city will be blocked. Do prior research to check for dates.

Taxi drivers in Baku, especially at the airport, are a total scam, and you want to avoid getting a taxi ride at all cost. For comparison’s sake, a taxi ride cost us 30 manats (US$18), while a bus ride was US$0.80 for almost the same travel time. Or, if your hotel can arrange a free shuttle, then don’t think twice about it!

In Nasimi you’ll also find the main train station in town, in case you want to take any day trips to other places in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region.

Luxury hotel

Midtown Hotel Baku

Start your day with some room service after a night of partying at one of the best luxury hotels in Baku. With spacious private rooms and a flat-screen TV, you can continue your day relaxing or with a long spa sesh! There’s nothing like a massage to get you ready for the day.

Other accommodation options in Nasimi

Mid-Range

Premium Park Hotel

Enjoy your stay in Baku at this hotel that has private rooms with free Wi-Fi and a sauna

Budget

Eminera Hostels Baku

One of the very few budget places in the area, this hostel has 8-bed male dorms and 4-bed female dorms

Airbnb

Historical Studio

A super colorful loft apartment that has an indoor fireplace, a kitchen and free Wi-Fi

Things to do in Nasimi

4. Sabayil – best area to stay in Baku for families

A few people sit and walk along a waterfront promenade with an urban skyline and a distinctive arch-shaped building in the background under a cloudy sky.

When traveling with your family, finding the perfect place to stay that will satisfy everyone is pretty hard! But don’t worry, I’m here to help you with that today!

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Baku with the whole crew, I think Sabayil will really suit you. The area has lots of cool attractions like the famous Flame Towers (map), the Central Botanical Garden (map), and the beautiful Denizkenari Milli Park (map) along the Caspian Sea where you can walk for hours! This promenade park was my favorite place in town, especially at night when the Flight Towers lighten up with fire and you can even catch the reflection of the fire in the sea – pretty cool!

Of course, the iconic Carpet Museum is also here with its authentic exterior. A Sydney-opera-like building by the sea you’ll see just below the museum is actually a huge shopping mall (map)! Can you tell Baku is a rich city already? If not, check out the looks of the Heydar Aliyev Center across town!

Since we only had 2 days in the city, we didn’t go inside any of the museums or the Heydar Aliyev Center, we just enjoyed the architecture from the outside. We wanted to make the most of our time to see the actual city, and I think we made a great decision. Just walking around the promenade in Sabayil can take hours, and it’s so stunning you won’t even want to go inside the museums unless it’s super hot!

Just like Nasimi, Sabayil is also a pretty big area, which means there are plenty of hotels near the City Center or further away if you don’t want to be in the center of all the action.

Luxury hotel

Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers

Now a luxury stay in Baku city can hardly be better than inside the very Flame Towers in a 5-star Fairmont hotel! Get lost in their 5 restaurants, 3 swimming pools, spa and wellness center, a special Gold Lounge, and spacious bedrooms!