The Azerbaijani capital is a city of contrasts, where medieval walls stand on one side and glass skyscrapers reach for the sky just around the corner. If you’re wondering where to stay in Baku, Azerbaijan, your decision will likely come down to choosing between the romance of winding cobbled streets in the old town and bustling boulevards around Fountain Square. You might be debating whether to book a small boutique room in a historic building for around €35 to €60 per night, or opt for one of the luxury hotels scattered throughout the city.
For those of you watching your budget, there’s a pragmatic option near 28 May railway station, where the Aeroexpress airport bus terminates with tickets costing 1.30 AZN (around €0.70). In this article, you’ll find an overview of seven neighborhoods, 18 hotels, approximate prices in euros for two people, and most importantly, honest complaints from travelers so you know exactly what you’re getting into before booking 🙂 Once you’ve chosen your accommodation, check out the article Baku, Ázerbájdžán: 22 tipů, co vidět a dělat to know what to visit in Baku.
Summary
- Best for luxury with a view: Fairmont Baku Flame Towers offers rooms with sea views and a rooftop pool, but on weekends a DJ plays here according to guests, so don’t expect complete peace and quiet.
- Best value for romance: Qiz Qalasi Boutique Hotel is located in the old town near the metro, just be prepared to drag your suitcases over cobblestone streets.
- Best budget choice inside the walls: Pera Hotel Baku will please those of you who want to stay in the historic center for around €35 to €40 per night.
- Luxury for a better price: Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard offers views of the promenade, but it’s a bit farther from historic sites.
- Best for families: Midtown Hotel Baku offers family rooms for four and a sauna, outside the tourist center in the Nasimi district.
- Cheapest near the airport bus: Freestyle Hostel Baku is located at the Aeroexpress terminus and a bed here costs approximately €10 to €15.
- Best for night arrivals: FLY INN BAKU is about a kilometer from the terminal and offers airport transfer.
The full destination guide: Asia — guide and what to see
Which Neighborhood to Choose and Where to Stay
Baku is a fairly sprawling city, so your choice of neighborhood will determine whether you step out the door in the morning straight onto medieval cobblestones or whether you’ll be taking a taxi to the monuments from the seaside promenade. The following overview will help you choose the right area for your travel style.
Old Town (Içərişəhər). This walled area will please those of you visiting Azerbaijan for the first time and who want a historic atmosphere literally outside your window. You can walk to the Maiden Tower in just a few minutes, and terraces often offer sea views. However, guests warn that you can’t drive to the hotel by car and must drag suitcases over cobbled streets, plus elevators are often missing and some small hotels require cash payment. In November 2026, a night in boutique hotels costs around €35 to €60. Hotels in this article include Qiz Qalasi Boutique Hotel, Pera Hotel Baku, Art Club Hotel, and Seven Rooms Boutique Hotel, while near the walls you’ll find Four Seasons Hotel Baku and Friends Hostel.
Fountain Square, Nizami, and the Boulevard. If you enjoy evening buzz, shopping, and good food, this area between the walls and the sea will likely be your ideal choice. You can walk from here to the old town and the seaside boulevard, and there’s a 24-hour supermarket right next to the Courtyard. According to guests, some hotels experience traffic noise if your room faces the street, and cars often can’t drive right up to the entrance. At the Courtyard, one visitor complained about smokers near the entrance. In November 2026, you’ll pay approximately €40 to €170 per night. Hotels in this article include InterContinental Baku, The Merchant Baku, and CENTRIC HOTEL.
Flame Towers and Bayil. Head here if you’re looking for luxury with a view and crave the atmosphere of a large resort in the city center. The Fairmont Hotel is located right in the famous towers and offers an outdoor rooftop pool, while from the Bayil district at the foot of the hill, you can walk to the Baku Eye Ferris wheel. From the hill, you walk down to the center or take a taxi, and one guest had trouble finding a Bolt car before New Year’s Eve. In autumn (November 2026), prices range from around €40 to €140 per night, with hotels from this overview costing €115 to €140. Hotels in this article include Fairmont Baku Flame Towers and Sheraton Baku Intourist.
White City (Ağ Şəhər) and Xətai. This newly built area on the site of a former oil district makes sense for longer stays, business trips, and for anyone who prefers quieter modern development. Guests praise the quiet environment and views of the promenade and Caspian Sea. The main drawback is the distance from the old town, which is about 3 to 4 kilometers away as the crow flies, so you’ll be taking taxis or the metro. In November 2026, you’ll pay approximately €35 to €260 per night. Hotels in this article include Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard and ibis Baku City, and on the border between White City and Nasimi district, The Ritz-Carlton Baku.
Port Baku and Azadlıq Square. This luxury seaside area attracts shopping lovers and conference attendees. It offers good amenities including nearby supermarkets, bars, and restaurants. However, be aware that during Formula 1 races, Azadlıq Square falls within the closure zone. At the Holiday Inn, one guest complained about windows that can’t be opened. You can reportedly walk to 28 May station from here. In November 2026, a night costs around €45 to €210. Hotels in this article include JW Marriott Absheron Baku, Hilton Baku, Holiday Inn Baku, and Radisson Hotel Baku.
28 May, Nasimi, and the Railway Station. If your priority is a low budget and you’re arriving by bus from the airport or by train, this busy transport district will make sense for you. The Aeroexpress airport bus terminates at the railway station, and a large shopping center is nearby. However, it’s a less touristy area where construction work occasionally takes place. Additionally, at one cheap hostel, a guest complained about dirt and suspected bedbugs. Prices start around €10 for a hostel bed and end at around €90 (November 2026). Hotels in this article include Freestyle Hostel Baku and Midtown Hotel Baku.
Airport Area and Airport Route. This option makes sense if you have a night arrival, very early departure, or are just passing through the city. Accommodation near the airport offers convenient transfers, saving you lots of nighttime hassle. The selection is limited, and some hotels between the airport and city are quite isolated according to reviews, with no shops or restaurants nearby. The distance to the Maiden Tower in the center ranges from 9 to 22 kilometers. In November 2026, you’ll pay around €35 to €100. Hotels in this article include FLY INN BAKU and Wyndham Garden Baku.
💡 On this map, you can compare what’s currently available — you’ll immediately see how the price changes a few blocks away.
When to Go, When to Book, and What to Watch Out For
The following practical tips come from guest experiences and will help you avoid unnecessary complications before you confirm your reservation.
Formula 1 Races. If you’re thinking of going in late September 2027, be careful about the dates of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which will run from September 24 to 26. Streets around the circuit, meaning near the old town walls, on the coastal boulevard, and around Azadlıq Square, are usually closed to cars for about a week. In 2024, this restriction lasted from September 9 to 17. The closures don’t affect pedestrians, but according to specialized F1 websites, hotels near the circuit charge significantly more during this period. Therefore, book well in advance and be careful with apartment offers “with track views.”
High Season and Prices. The most pleasant period is generally considered April to June and September to October. Summer is hot and winter is windy. According to prices downloaded in October 2026, the InterContinental costs around €130 on November 18, 2026, but around €225 on June 2, 2027, and JW Marriott is also noticeably more expensive in summer. Hilton, on the other hand, comes out similarly expensive in both June and February (around €210). Some small hotels in the old town keep prices stable year-round. For example, Pera or Qiz Qalasi cost around €35 to €40 in autumn and winter.
Cash and Small Hotels. Reviews repeatedly mention complaints about small accommodations in the old town. Some won’t accept cards, won’t issue receipts, or will try to charge more than the reservation stated. Always have enough local currency in cash with you and demand proof of payment. For smaller hotels, confirm your booking from reservation portals directly via WhatsApp or email, because according to one review, a hotel canceled a reservation without the guest’s knowledge.
Getting from the Airport. The Aeroexpress bus departs from terminals 1 and 2 and takes about 30 minutes to 28 May station. During the day it runs every 20 minutes, at night every 45 minutes. A ticket costs 1.30 AZN (around €0.70), but since the driver reportedly doesn’t take cash, you must buy a BakıKart for 2 AZN. A trip via the Bolt app costs approximately 10 to 20 AZN (around €5 to €10), but one traveler described an attempted scam at the arrivals hall and when ordering through Bolt.
City Tax and Stay Registration. A foreigner staying in Azerbaijan for more than 15 days must register. For a typical week-long holiday, you don’t deal with this bureaucracy, and for longer stays, hotel management will handle it free of charge. Also expect a small city tax of around 1.30 AZN (around €0.70) per person per night, the exact amount of which you should verify directly at your accommodation.
18 Best Hotels in Baku: Where to Stay
We’ve arranged the hotels roughly from luxury to budget, with hostels and airport accommodation at the end. All distances are given as the crow flies. Prices are approximate, per night for two people, for one autumn, one summer, and one winter Wednesday (November 2026, June and February 2027), to give you an idea of seasonal fluctuations. For hotels that have recently been renamed, we include the former name, and we don’t skip honest guest complaints either.
1. Four Seasons Hotel Baku
Four Seasons Hotel Baku has what guests consider one of the best locations in the city: it sits right by the walls of the Old City, about 400 meters from the Maiden Tower. According to travelers, it offers beautiful sea views, a café in an elegant lobby, and an Italian restaurant, with guests praising both the food and the overall luxurious design of the rooms.
The overall impression is completed by an indoor pool and wellness center, though one guest complained in August 2026 about a non-functioning jacuzzi and showers next to it, which is quite disappointing for such a prestigious name. However, if you’re planning a honeymoon, want to fulfill a dream, and you like exploring monuments comfortably on foot, this will likely hit the mark.
💡 Tip: According to one Reddit comment, the Old City is safe both day and night, so feel free to head out from the hotel for an evening walk through the streets inside the walls.
2. Fairmont Baku Flame Towers
Guests write that staying right in the iconic towers is an experience in itself, and that’s exactly what Fairmont Baku Flame Towers offers, with impressive views of the Caspian Sea opening from the rooms. Travelers write that kids really enjoy the evening LED lighting of the towers themselves, while adults appreciate rooms with smart controls, a bistro, and a rooftop pool with spa. One guest in August 2026 praised the restaurant for thinking of vegetarians, who otherwise have a tough time in Baku, Azerbaijan. They prepare vegetable biryani or ratatouille.
On weekends, however, the outdoor pool turns into a party zone with a DJ according to one review from August 2026, where the music plays so loud it hurts your ears, so peace-lovers should avoid Friday through Sunday. You’ll pay approximately €140 to €155 per night, which is almost half less than The Ritz-Carlton, Baku (hotel #5). If you’d prefer to stay down by the sea below the towers, check out the slightly cheaper Sheraton Baku Intourist, which bears the name of the former Intourist hotel, though according to some guests you’ll have to accept smaller bathrooms.
💡 Tip: Across the three measured dates (November 2026, June and February 2027), the price came out similar, around €140 to €155, so you can choose your dates based more on weather.
3. JW Marriott Absheron Baku
When you want shopping and the promenade literally on your doorstep, you might be interested in JW Marriott Absheron Baku, which stands on Azadlıq Square, just 200 meters from the Port Baku shopping mall. Guests highlight the elegant lobby, spacious rooms with views, and indoor pool with wellness, while also praising details like thorough cleaning during longer stays. One guest in July 2026 received complimentary early check-in and late check-out, which is welcome after a long flight.
Guests don’t complain about anything substantial, just be careful about the Formula 1 race dates, because the building sits in the closure zone around the circuit and the surrounding streets are closed for about a week. You’ll pay about €205 to €225 per night in autumn and winter, while summer is noticeably more expensive. It’s an ideal choice for racing fans with trackside tickets and for those seeking luxury near the sea.
💡 Tip: From the airport you can take the Aeroexpress to the 28 May terminus and from there you can reportedly walk to the hotel.
4. Hilton Baku
Hilton Baku is Azerbaijan’s first Hilton, opened back in 2011 and still maintaining its standards. It also has a great location on the seaside boulevard and features a rotating rooftop bar, from which the evening city is laid out below according to guests. Inside you’ll find a spa with pool, and guests praise the cleanliness, very well-equipped gym, quick transfers thanks to five elevators, and also the helpful concierge who assists with the city itinerary.
Guests don’t complain about anything substantial, but again the warning about races applies, as F1 websites list it as a trackside hotel. You’ll pay €140 to €210 per night. If you’re looking for a slightly cheaper option near Azadlıq Square, consider Radisson Hotel Baku. It underwent renovation and renaming from the original Park Inn in spring 2023, and travelers mention nice sea views and proximity to the marina. Near the Radisson you’ll also find the Indian restaurant Maaya, which is great news for vegetarians.
💡 Tip: One guest praised the executive lounge with happy hour in August 2026, so when booking ask if access is included with your room.
5. The Ritz-Carlton, Baku
The Ritz-Carlton, Baku is the newest luxury hotel in the city. According to available information, it opened at the end of 2022 on the border of White City and the Nasimi district, a bit further from the historic center. According to one review it has about 33 floors, offers an adults-only pool, and breakfast is served à la carte, which pleases anyone who doesn’t like morning buffet rushes. According to reviews, the beds are very comfortable and the food is excellent, and one Marriott Bonvoy member received an upgrade to an apartment with a kitchen. One guest who stayed for several months felt at home according to the review.
Expect about €240 to €260 per night, and the hotel shuttle will take you to the center according to reviews. In May 2026, however, one guest rated the location low, complaining about dust in the room, poor cleaning, and windows that don’t open in all rooms. In September 2026, Marriott and PASHA announced plans for the beach resort The Ritz-Carlton Baku, Zagulba north of the city, so don’t confuse them.
💡 Tip: In one Reddit thread about five-star hotels in Baku, the recommended trio was Four Seasons, Fairmont in Flame Towers, and Ritz-Carlton. The Ritz is the furthest from the center of the three.
6. Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard
Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard is a sprawling complex with 818 rooms, which you may know under its former name Boulevard Hotel Baku, Autograph Collection. Today it bears the Marriott brand and you’ll find it right on the promenade in the White City district. It features a pool, its own restaurant, and according to guests a good gym, with guests praising the Caspian Sea views and quiet, well-air-conditioned rooms most of all. Travelers also mention that cleaning works smoothly even during longer stays and breakfast maintains high standards.
For five-star standards you’ll pay approximately €80 to €125, which is a pleasant price for the luxury category. The only catch is the distance: it’s about four kilometers to the Old City, so according to guests you won’t get by without taxis. For families or those planning a longer stay and wanting to live near the sea, this will be a very good choice.
💡 Tip: Right in the hotel is the White City Restaurant & Bar, so you’ll solve dinner in this more remote district without a taxi.
7. InterContinental Baku by IHG
InterContinental Baku by IHG is a luxury hotel positioned exactly between Fountain Square and the waterfront boulevard. Guests appreciate being able to walk to all the main sights from here, and when you return after a full day of exploring, you can head straight to the indoor pool or hotel spa, according to reviews. The staff is very attentive, from the smiling doorman to the lounge service. Guests also praise the breakfast.
A night for two costs approximately €130 in autumn to €225 in summer. There are also minor drawbacks: in October 2025, a guest complained about weak water pressure and temperature in the shower. In March 2026, one guest complained that the Club Lounge was closed for renovation, so if you’re planning to pay extra for access, check its current status beforehand. If you’re looking for a well-known chain nearby, Courtyard by Marriott Baku is an option. There’s a 24-hour supermarket right next door. However, one guest criticized the small shower stall and smokers at the entrance.
💡 Tip: Near Fountain Square, not far from here, you’ll find Indian restaurants Desidine and PremJi. According to guests, Desidine has many vegan dishes on the menu and will gladly modify them.
8. The Merchant Baku
The Merchant Baku is a stylish hotel halfway between bustling Nizami Street and the historic old town. Guests praise the large rooms and cozy design, which couples escaping the uniformity of big chains will especially appreciate. The breakfast gets the most praise, changing daily and featuring regional dishes according to guests.
A night for two costs approximately €135 in winter to €210 during the peak summer season, and guests in this year’s reviews find almost nothing to fault. If you wanted something different in the same area, Boutique 19, Hotel is on the same street. You can walk straight into the old town through the back entrance. However, guests disagree about noise from the pub below the hotel, and cars can’t reach the front door.
💡 Tip: Next to The Merchant Baku is Hope Cafe, an organic plant-based café. However, it also offers collagen drinks, so it’s not purely vegan, and according to one 2025 review, prices are on the higher side.
9. CENTRIC HOTEL
CENTRIC HOTEL offers just a few rooms, but guests say they’re large, and some have balconies. At this location, everything is close by—just a few minutes’ walk and you’ll find yourself either on the promenade or in the quiet streets of the old town. The biggest draw here is the soundproofing according to guests: no noise from the busy street penetrates the rooms. One guest in June 2026 also praised the working air conditioning.
A night costs approximately €60 to €85, making it an excellent choice for a mid-range budget, especially since the hotel will gladly arrange a driver for transfers. If it’s fully booked, you can try the recently renovated Art Gallery Hotel with high ceilings. However, rooms facing the sea are noisy with traffic according to guests, and in August 2026 the restaurant wasn’t operating, meaning no breakfast either.
💡 Tip: The CENTRIC reception is on the second floor, so before arriving with heavy luggage, ask if there’s an elevator in the building.
10. Art Club Hotel
The romantic Art Club Hotel is housed in a historic building right in the heart of Içərişəhər old town, with decorations designed by the owner’s wife, giving it a distinctive character. According to guests, it’s pleasantly quiet, partly due to rooms facing the inner courtyard as one guest noted. In the morning, you’ll enjoy a good breakfast full of fresh pastries, cheeses, and vegetables. From here, it’s about four hundred meters to the Maiden Tower.
A night here costs approximately €30 to €45, which is very affordable for the historic center for couples in love. However, one guest in October 2025 mentioned an odor in the bathroom. The hotel compensated with a free transfer.
💡 Tip: If you want peace in the old town, ask when booking for a room facing the inner courtyard, which one of the guests praised.
11. Qiz Qalasi Boutique Hotel
The cozy Qiz Qalasi Boutique Hotel is considered one of the best-rated and simultaneously most affordable boutique hotels in the old town. Inside, thematically decorated rooms await, but the main attraction according to guests is the terrace with views over the entire city. Plus, you’ll be just a 3 to 4-minute walk from İçərişəhər metro station, which you’ll appreciate when exploring more distant corners of the city.
A night for two costs approximately €35 in both autumn and winter. However, guests warn that taxis can’t reach the entrance directly, so you’ll have a short walk with luggage over cobblestones, though the staff will gladly help. Alternatives include Two Seasons Boutique Hotel, where travelers praise the balconies and airport transfer. Another option is Old Baku Boutique Hotel, converted from the owners’ grandmother’s house, but guests complained about weak air conditioning and windows with no view.
💡 Tip: If you’re looking for meat-free food in the old town, near the Maiden Tower there’s Tea Garden 145 tea house or Indian restaurant Masala Junction. Both have vegetarian dishes on the menu according to Google.
12. Seven Rooms Boutique Hotel
As the name suggests, Seven Rooms Boutique Hotel is a small establishment with just seven rooms, located about one hundred meters from the iconic Maiden Tower. Rooms have balconies, with one guest writing about a balcony overlooking the maze of narrow historic streets and another praising the large bathroom. Guests rave most about breakfast on the rooftop, with views of both the Caspian Sea and the Flame Towers skyscrapers.
A night costs approximately €60 to €75 for two people. Guest opinions on noise differ: some praise the quiet, others note that the walls aren’t completely soundproof.
💡 Tip: When checking in at reception, have plenty of local currency in cash on hand, as one guest had trouble paying by card in January 2026 and had to find the nearest ATM.
13. Pera Hotel Baku
Pera Hotel Baku is tucked right inside the historic walls, about two hundred meters from the Maiden Tower. For a price of €35 to €35 per night for two, according to reviews it offers much more than you’d expect in this category. Guests praise the clean and comfortable facilities, shops and cafés right outside, and staff with excellent English. They’ll gladly arrange airport pickup, and according to one review the main door is open around the clock.
It’s a historic building, and guests say not to expect everything to be brand new. If you’re looking for newer accommodation in the same neighborhood, you can check out Runa Hotel Baku, which according to guests is a new hotel priced from approximately €35 to €60. Alternatively, try Kilim Boutique Hotel with a ground-floor café and a price around €35, though travelers note there’s no elevator, so you’ll carry luggage up the stairs.
💡 Tip: A small city tax per person per night may be added to the price. Check the amount with the hotel before booking.
14. Friends Hostel
For backpackers and travelers on a tight budget, Friends Hostel right by the old town walls is a good fit. Guests praise the friendly social atmosphere, owner Resul and his brother, the price and location, plus the practical kitchenette and power outlet by each bed.
Don’t expect any above-standard services. According to guests, it’s basic accommodation with shared bathrooms. If you wanted to sleep right inside the walls, there’s king hostel for approximately €25 to €30. However, read recent reviews carefully first, as it’s a single room with two bunk beds.
💡 Tip: If you value a bit of privacy, grab the bottom bunk, as curtains hang only on the lower beds.
15. Holiday Inn Baku, an IHG Hotel
If you have a slightly larger budget and want the reliability of a major chain, Holiday Inn Baku, an IHG Hotel welcomes you with an indoor pool, wellness facilities, and a generous breakfast selection where, according to travelers, excellent local tea is served. You’ll pay around €85 to €115 per night for two people and get a spacious room. You can pay by card here. It’s only about 150 meters from the Port Baku shopping mall, full of shops, restaurants, and bars.
According to guests, the windows in the rooms cannot be opened and there are no bathrobes, and one guest in August 2026 described being stopped by security at the entrance with a visitor and rudely questioned. An alternative in the same category further from the center might be Hyatt Regency Baku, priced from €95 to €105, with three restaurants and two pools. However, according to some reviews, its facilities are showing their age and there’s unpleasant noise from the technical shaft.
💡 Tip: The vegan restaurant Manipura on Həzi Aslanov Street is a short Bolt ride away, and according to guests, everything is homemade there, including vegan plov with fruit.
16. Midtown Hotel Baku
Families with children or travelers who want to avoid the tourist center will find pleasant accommodation at Midtown Hotel Baku in the Nasimi district, where you’ll pay around €80 to €100 per night. Guests praise the large bright rooms, family room for four people, excellent breakfast with eggs, cheeses, and pancakes, and also the fact that after a full day of running around monuments, you can regenerate in the hotel sauna.
Guests have no significant complaints. Hilton Garden Inn Baku (€70 to €95) is newer and located a bit further from the historic core. It reportedly opened in 2024, and one family was accommodated in a room for four even in the middle of the night in August 2026 when their flight was delayed.
💡 Tip: Two minutes’ walk from the hotel, you’ll find a 24-hour supermarket, which you’ll especially appreciate with children.
17. Freestyle Hostel Baku
If you arrive in the city late at night and take the Aeroexpress airport bus, you’ll find cheap refuge at Freestyle Hostel Baku, which is located right by the bus terminus near the train station. According to travelers, you’ll get a comfortable bed, easy access to the metro, and most importantly, you’ll meet the owner named Orxan, whom guests describe as a legend because he doesn’t hesitate to help when someone is in trouble.
Guests have no significant complaints, just keep in mind that it’s a hostel with shared spaces. A night costs approximately €10 to €12, which is likely the price per bed 🙂.
💡 Tip: If you’re looking for purely plant-based food, take a Bolt to the vegan restaurant Manipura on Həzi Aslanov Street, where according to guests they prepare excellent homemade vegan Şah plov with fruit.
18. FLY INN BAKU
For early morning departures, inconveniently long layovers, or late-night arrivals, FLY INN BAKU is available, which is the only hotel right by the airport. In autumn, a night for two costs around €100. According to reviews, the price includes free transfer from the terminal and quick check-in. According to one review, the staff even helped one guest purchase a flight ticket.
However, one traveler warns that when paying partly in cash, he only received a receipt for the amount paid by card and the receptionist charged him more than the reservation stated. As a compromise between the airport and city center, Wyndham Garden Baku is offered, priced from €70 to €95, with wellness facilities and a restaurant. From there, you can only reach the center by taxi, as it’s a good nine kilometers from the monuments.
💡 Tip: You can also get to the center from the airport by the Aeroexpress bus from terminals 1 and 2, which runs 24/7, every 45 minutes at night, and takes about half an hour to reach 28 May station.
How to Choose the Right Hotel and What to Watch Out For
Traveler experiences show that caution is especially worthwhile with smaller accommodations. You’ll save yourself unnecessary surprises.
Cash payment and billing disputes. The same applies here as in the cash section above: have cash in manats with you, confirm your reservation directly with the hotel, and request a paper receipt when paying.
New names for familiar hotels. You may come across names in older guidebooks that you can no longer find on maps, because many buildings have changed brands. Park Inn is now Radisson Hotel Baku, and Boulevard Hotel Baku, Autograph Collection became Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard. The old Intourist became Sheraton Baku Intourist. The former Kempinski Badamdar is now Badamdar Hotel & Residence, which attracts with slightly lower prices but is quite far from the center, and according to guests from August 2026, its facilities already look worn.
Beware of accommodation that isn’t actually a hotel. Don’t be immediately fooled by attractive photos in booking systems, because for example, the Crescent Hotel near Port Baku harbor is, according to recent reviews, still an unfinished building that you cannot enter. Port Baku Residence offers apartments for rent rather than classic hotel services. One guest described being shown a nice apartment and then having it switched for a different one. With the establishment called Museum Inn, most reviews relate exclusively to its rooftop restaurant, so always carefully read what exactly you’re booking.
Pitfalls of historic buildings. Staying in an old stone house sounds romantic, but according to reviews, it often means no elevator and, in some buildings, weaker air conditioning that struggles to cool the space in summer. One guest in February 2026 complained about a cold bathroom, and at hotels on busy streets near the boulevard, guests mention traffic noise in street-facing rooms.
Parking and arriving by car. Cars are practically not allowed in the narrow streets of the old town, so taxis usually drop you off at the walls and you’ll drag your suitcases on foot over the cobblestones. If a small hotel promises you parking, it’s better to ask for details in advance. According to reviews, the advertised spaces sometimes don’t exist at all, and you’ll then have difficulty finding paid parking.
Hostel prices. When you come across suspiciously low prices for hostels in booking systems, it’s probably the price for a single bed in a shared room. Always click through to the offer details twice and carefully verify the conditions.
Cheapest international chain. If you have a limited budget, ibis Baku City works out best, where you’ll pay around €35 to €40 per night for two. The Xətai metro station is about 100 meters from the entrance, which simplifies transportation, and breakfast is served here from half past six in the morning. Just keep in mind that you’re quite far from the old town and you’ll be commuting to the main monuments.
Baku for vegetarians. Azerbaijani cuisine is very meat-heavy, so the city is quite poor when it comes to meatless dining. According to reviews, Manipura restaurant is the only purely plant-based establishment, so you’ll probably have to rely on Indian restaurants in the center, such as Desidine, PremJi, Masala Junction, or Maaya. You can also ask at the restaurants of large hotels: at the Fairmont, according to guests, they accommodate vegetarian diets.
Where to Go Next
You’ve chosen your accommodation and now all that remains is to figure out exactly how you’ll fill your days in the Azerbaijani capital. In the next article Baku, Azerbaijan: 22 Tips on What to See and Do, you’ll find specific tips on interesting places for your itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to stay in Baku for the first time?
The old town, called Içərişəhər, or the streets around Fountain Square and Nizami Street, will probably have the most charm. From both places you can walk to the Maiden Tower, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, and the waterfront boulevard. In the old town you’ll find mostly small boutique hotels for prices roughly from €30 to €60, such as Qiz Qalasi, Pera, or Art Club, while near Fountain Square there are larger hotels and it tends to be noisier from the street.
Can you stay in the old town with a car?
Not really, because cars are practically not allowed into the winding alleys inside the historic walls, and taxis often drop you off some distance from the hotel, so you’ll end up dragging your luggage over the cobblestones yourself. If you’re planning to drive, look for accommodation with its own parking rather around the boulevard, in the modern Port Baku district, or in the newly developed White City area.
Do I need to register in Azerbaijan?
This requirement only applies if you’re staying in the country for longer than fifteen days, so for a typical week-long vacation you don’t need to worry about bureaucracy at all. The whole process is free, and the application is submitted to the State Migration Service by the hotel management itself, or the owner takes care of it if you’re renting a private apartment.
Is there a city tax in Baku?
Some hotels charge a small city tax of around 1.30 AZN, roughly €0.70 per person per night, but other amounts also appear elsewhere. So it’s best to check the exact rate directly with your hotel.
How do I get from the airport to the center?
The cheapest option is the Aeroexpress bus for 1.30 AZN with a BakıKart card, which runs twenty-four hours a day and departs every twenty minutes during the day. It takes you to the station and 28 May metro in about half an hour, but the driver reportedly doesn’t accept cash. A ride through the Bolt app costs around 10 to 20 AZN. For a very early morning departure, the only hotel right at the airport, FLY INN BAKU, will help you out.
When is accommodation in Baku most expensive?
According to F1 websites, prices rise mainly around the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which in 2027 will be held from September 24 to 26, and hotels near the circuit become more expensive. So book your accommodation in advance; streets around the track are usually closed for about a week. Based on prices downloaded in October 2026, some chains are most expensive in June 2027: InterContinental costs around €130 on November 18, 2026, but around €220 on June 2, 2027. Some small hotels in the old town, like Pera, keep similar prices throughout the year.
Is there a vegetarian restaurant in Baku?
Azerbaijani cuisine is very meat-heavy, so according to guests, the only purely plant-based establishment is essentially just the Manipura restaurant on Həzi Aslanov Street. Otherwise, you’ll be better off with Indian restaurants near Fountain Square, such as Desidine, PremJi, or Masala Junction, and possibly also hotel restaurants, because according to guests, good vegetarian options are offered at places like Fairmont.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (simple monthly subscription) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
