AZERBAIJAN - Baku Downtown City Tour

16:43 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan and it is also the largest city in the world located below sea level. I’ve explored the Old City of Baku. It’s time to explore the modern city Baku really is.

On the way to see Flame Towers up close and more importantly to visit the Martyr’s Lane.

Martyr’s Lane is a cemetery and memorial in Baku dedicated to those killed by Soviet Union during Black January and later to those killed in Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Both the war happened not too long ago, during the 90’s.

The first tomb in Martyr’s Lane belongs to married couple Fariza and Ilham Allahverdiyeya who died during Black January. Ilham was shot dead by Soviet troops and Fariza committed suicide in two attempts after hearing the death of her husband. Today their tomb become a symbol for fidelity and love for Azerbaijan youth.

At the end of the Martyr’s Lane is the Eternal Flame memorial.

The eternal flame in the memorial building.

Panoramic view of Baku city from Martyrs Lane.

The memorial offers view of the Caspian Sea and Baku Bay.

The National Flag Square and Baku Crystal Hall can be seen from Martyr’s Lane. The flag pole measures 162m and is the second tallest flagpole in the world after being overtaken by Dushanbe Flagpole in Tajikistan, the current record holder for the tallest flagpole. Baku Crystal Hall was specially built for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest.

At 310m high, Baku TV Tower is the tallest structure in Azerbaijan. Commissioned to be built during Soviet time.

Approximately 15,000 people are buried here.

People visiting their loved-ones tomb.

Just across the street from Martyr's Lane are the Flame Towers. The three Flame Towers consists of an apartment, office block and a hotel.

At 190 meters high, Flame Towers are the tallest skyscrapers in Baku.

Nearby is the Baku Turkish Martyr’s Memorial which is dedicated to the Turkish troops who were killed in the Battle of Baku in 1918.

The monument of General Hazi Azlanov in front of a cable car station.

One can ride the cable car for free to the bottom of the hill where downtown Baku is and vice versa.

Besides the cable car station is the Martyr’s Mosque built by the Turks.

Martyr's Lane, a place not to be missed while visiting Azerbaijan.

Had a photo taken with a district police motorcycle.

This white space ship like building is designed by Iraqi-British Zaha Hadid.

Heydar Aliyev Center has a conference hall, a gallery hall and a museum. It is named after the former president of Azerbaijan (1969 – 1982), Heydar Aliyev.

The current exhibitions that are displayed here.

The current art exhibition that I can see outdoor is candies wrapped in national flags.

People even took their wedding photographs here.

The national flag of Azerbaijan.

My hubby taking photo with a local boy who cycled there.

The view of the surrounding city mirrored in man-made ponds at Heydar Aliyev Center.

Fountains Square is another attractive tourist destination in downtown Baku city. It was named Fountain Square because of the dozen of the fountains here. You’ll find everything from boutiques, restaurants, shops and etc. here.

Not far from Fountain Square is National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature.

These six statue are figures of famous people who has great impact in Azerbaijani Literature.

We’re now at Fountain Square.

Panoramic view of Fountain Square

This is the main fountain in Fountain Square.

Another fountain.

And another fountain.

And another one! Well, this one has a bronze statue who was checking her makeup.

I briefly passed by Fountain Square on the way to the Old City on the first day and I liked it.

So I went back there again on the second day.

Galleria Nargiz is a shopping mall as Fountain Square.

Only pedestrian are allowed at the square.

A bronze statue carrying an umbrella at the square. Well, it had been drizzling that afternoon so it’s quite fitting.

My tour guide recommended this restaurant to us. So we decided to pay it a visit. The restaurant is at the basement. It is a bit inconvenient for us because we had to carry the baby with the baby stroller down the stairs.

Firuza restaurant’s menu offer quite a wide range of traditional Azerbaijan food.

They even have a baby chair in the restaurant, yay.

The setting in the restaurant is quite cosy.

We had a feast. The price was reasonable and the food was good. Good recommendation from our tour guide.

After lunch, we continued strolling at the square.

A Baku city map if you need directions.

Fountain Square was initially designed for parades in 1868. During the Soviet Union in 1920, the government named it ‘The Garden of Karl Marx’. Eventually, the square was turned into a park. In 1984, it was redesigned, tiled, paved and fountains were installed along the roads.

Plenty of shops at the Fountain Square.

Fun to walk at the Fountain Square.

Later we walked towards the Baku’s Boulevard which is not far from the Fountain Square.

Another fountain at the end of Fountain Square.

We had to cross an underpass to reach the other side of the road.

My hubby had to be a macho man and carried the baby with stroller up the stairs again. There are many steps and stairs in the city and too few ramp.

The map or Baku Boulevard or Dənizkənarı Milli Park in Azerbaijani language. It stretches for about 3km and starts at National Flag Square to Freedom Square.

My beau getting his shoes polished.

Taking photo in front of the Caspian Sea.

The terrace at the Baku Boulevard where people can sit and enjoy the view of Caspian Sea.

Baku’s Flames Towers can be seen from here.

The park is very well maintained and clean. It’s a joy to stroll here leisurely.

There is also a train running from one end of the boulevard to another end. But I’m not sure whether the ride is free though.

A small cactus garden at the Baku Boulevard.

The best view of Flame Tower can be seen at the Boulevard.

There are fountains everywhere.

There are a few cafes and bars around the park.

Don’t expect anything fancy to eat at the Baku Boulevard.

Boulevard or better known as Bulvar in Azerbaijan.

Sculpture of a painter.

The floating pipe without the water.

A 30 minute ferry cruise at the Caspian Sea is also available if you’re interested.

It cost 3 Manat for a ride and 10 Manat for VIP seats. Children under 5 years old are free of charge.

Azerbaijani girls taking a selfie at the Boulevard.

Park Bulvar shopping mall was opened in 2010.

Well, it’s just a regular shopping mall. I much prefer the open air concept of shopping at Fountain Square. So we proceeded to go to the Freedom Square.

Hop on and hop off city bus parked at the side of the road.

Freedom Square is the biggest city centre square in Baku. Originally, the square was named after Lenin.and a monument of Lenin was erected in front of it in 1955. However, the square was renamed to Freedom Square after collapse of Soviet Union and the statue of Lenin was also demounted.

Government House of Baku was finished constructed in 1952. Currently several ministries occupy the building offices.

A beautiful fountain at the square.

Watcha looking at?

It’s getting dark and Baku Boulevard offers the best view of the light presentation of Flame Towers and Baku TV tower. There is a total of 3 presentations that alternates every few minutes.