About this experience
The Formula-1 route in Baku, encircling the heart of the city, was designed to cover all the most important urban attractions. We will walk along the entire racing route—from Azadliq Square, Baku Boulevard, and Maiden Tower to the ancient walls of Icherisheher, the Baku Panoramic View observation deck, and the beautiful Baku Venice. You will learn the legends of the old streets of Baku and, of course, hear the happy and tragic stories surrounding the homes of the city's khans, merchants, and oil magnates.
What to Expect
Soviet legends and the Formula-1 Alley
Start! Our walk starts from the Formula-1 starting point—Azadliq Square. Here you will see the grand building of Soviet Azerbaijan—the Government House, where Stalinist monumentalism is combined with Eastern elements, and learn an interesting theory about the fascist swastika hidden in the form of this building by German prisoners of war. Later, I will guide you past the beautiful musical fountains to the alley dedicated to the legendary racing cars and provide details about the Formula 1 stage in Baku.
City symbols from Maiden Tower to Baku Venice
Then we will stroll through Baku Boulevard, admiring baobabs, huge cacti, and other unique plants. You will learn how this park was created and see photos from the early last century, showing how it used to be. Along the way, we will explore the iconic sights of Baku, with their amusing or tragic stories that I will surely share. After that, we will reach the ancient symbol of Baku—Maiden Tower: you will learn about the role of this structure and hear the legends and mysteries associated with the tower. Passing by the Puppet Theater building (I will explain why it was considered a phenomenon in the early 20th century), we will arrive at the famous Baku Venice, where you can ride a gondola and admire the beautiful yachts. At the Mugham Center and Carpet Museum, you will not only compare these modern and interestingly shaped buildings but also get acquainted with important aspects of Azerbaijani culture.
Best Panorama of Baku
To view the track from a height, we will walk past the bronze monument-fountain of Bahram Gur, often referred to as the statue of the Baku Dragon, and take the funicular up to the highland park. You will get a close look at the famous Flame Towers and the only Turkish mosque in Baku, then enjoy an incredible view of the city from the Baku Panoramic View observation platform.
Treasures and secrets of Icherisheher
Diverging slightly from the race route, we will delve into the alleys of the ancient fortress city of Icherisheher. You will explore ancient caravanserais, baths, and mosques, witnessing a place where two millennia seemingly collide. Take a stroll through the beautiful Governor's Garden, discover the secret passage to the fortress, and admire the building of the Baku Philharmonic. We will then descend to the narrowest and most iconic section of Formula-1—The Double Gates. Here you will encounter the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Khan's House, the defensive structures of the city wall, visit the filming location of the movie 'Diamond Arm,' and explore the workshop of the artist Ali Shamsi. Along the way, we will discuss the incredible stories and legends filling Icherisheher, and once outside the Old City—admire the architecture of Baku's attractions, finally reaching the finish line!
Organizational Details
- Children under 3 years old go free, children up to 12 years old receive a 50% discount
- For groups of up to 4 participants, transfer in a comfortable Hyundai SantaFe SUV is included in the price. If the number of participants exceeds 4, an additional 30 euros will be charged for a Mercedes Vito minivan or Mercedes Sprinter microbus.
- Transfer is provided from any hotel in Baku with a return to the hotel after the excursion
- The excursion price includes tickets for the funicular and bottled water
- Visit to museums and attractions is not included in the tour price (Maiden Tower—$6, Palace of the Shirvanshahs—$6, Carpet Museum—$4; gondola ride—$3)
- Tip! The excursion is very packed, so it's better to defer museum visits to subsequent days.
