Baku is a large, modern metropolis, but it maintains safety measures to ensure safety for visitors. The city is known to be safe. Azerbaijanis are famous for their hospitality, which extends to tourists, who are respected as very important guests.

As with anywhere you travel, use precautionary measures by simply keeping your eye on your valuables while in crowded places, only ride in a certified taxi, and be aware of your surroundings, especially after dark. We also recommend that you don’t drink the tap water in Baku if you’re only traveling in the city for a short time.

The national currency of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani Manat. You can easily exchange money at local banks, as well as at small exchange offices located on the territory of the airport, bus station, railway stations, and in the city center. Keep in mind that credit cards are not accepted in small shops and cafes, so it’s advisable to keep some cash on hand to avoid the hassle of needing to find an ATM at the last minute.

The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, a Turkic language which you will hear widely spoken on the streets. However, it’s not uncommon to come across people speaking Russian, Ukrainian and other languages. Since Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union, most of the older population can also speak fluent Russian.

In restaurants and cafes, particularly in downtown Baku, some people speak English. We suggest you get a good English-Armenian guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

Azerbaijani food is delicious. It’s a mix of Turkish, Persian, and Central Asian food. You’ll find no shortage of kebabs, dolma, plov, stews, and dumplings. The food is cooked with an array of different spices and herbs that have evolved over centuries.

The Plov, which is a dish of rice and meat, is the national dish of Azerbaijan. Plov is not so popular in Turkish cuisine, but rather a staple of Central Asian cuisine like Uzbekistan or Tajikistan. There are several types of plovs to try

Dining is very affordable in Baku. You can get quality food in a very nice atmosphere at a bargain price. There aren’t many trendy restaurants, cocktail bars or cafes in Baku, however, they are slowly starting to pop up around the city.

Yes, take a day trip to Gobustan and the mud volcanoes. The Gubustan National Park is located about 37 miles away from Baku and is one of the most popular day trips from Baku. The typical itinerary goes to Gobustan and mud volcanoes and takes most of the day. There are many tour operators that you can find offering this tour.

This park was created to protect the true jewels of nature hidden in the lands that make up the Gobustan National Park, which was also declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage in 2007.

It’s generally recommended to drink bottled water in Baku.

Emergencies: 103 for an ambulance (operators may not speak English, so have your hotel or a local assist if needed).

Many private hospitals and clinics in Baku have English-speaking doctors and modern facilities. Recommended hospitals for tourists include: Central Clinical Hospital, Baku Medical Plaza, and German Medical Center. For minor issues, local pharmacies (“Aptek”) are widely available and can offer basic meds and advice.