Panoramic view of Baku, from the Old City to the Caspian waterfront

The city beyond the exhibition

Explore Baku

Meet a capital where a UNESCO-listed old city, bold contemporary architecture and the Caspian waterfront share the same horizon.

Dan Lundberg · CC BY-SA 2.0

Baku at a glance

Ancient character, modern momentum

Baku is Azerbaijan’s capital and its cultural, commercial and logistical centre. Set on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, the city moves easily between medieval lanes, oil-boom stone façades, ambitious new architecture and a long waterfront made for walking.

Local currency

The Azerbaijani manat

The national currency is the Azerbaijani manat (AZN), divided into 100 qəpik. Cards are common in hotels, restaurants and larger shops, while carrying some manat is useful for markets, taxis and smaller purchases.

Historic stone walls and lanes of Baku's Old City

Heritage

A city shaped by centuries

Baku’s story is most visible inside Icherisheher. Its defensive walls, caravanserais, Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshahs reflect the cultures and trade routes that have met here over more than nine centuries.

Baku's Caspian waterfront and city skyline

Location

Where the Caspian meets global trade

On the western Caspian coast, Baku sits at the heart of Azerbaijan’s east–west and north–south connections. The Caspian crossing, rail links and the Port of Baku make the city a key point on the Middle Corridor between Central Asia, the Caucasus, Türkiye and Europe.

Local flavours

Flavours worth making time for

Discover six dishes that carry the aromas, ingredients and generous table culture of Azerbaijan.

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Shah plov

Saffron rice, chestnuts and dried fruit sealed beneath a crisp golden lavash crust.

Dolma

Tender vine leaves wrapped around a savoury filling, served with cool garlic yoghurt.

Qutab

Paper-thin flatbreads folded around herbs, meat or pumpkin and cooked on a griddle.

Dovga

A bright yoghurt soup fragrant with fresh herbs, enjoyed warm or chilled.

Kebab

Charcoal-grilled meat served simply with lavash, sumac onions and roasted tomatoes.

Pakhlava & tea

Layered walnut pastry with fragrant black tea in an armudu glass—the classic finish.

Baku skyline, Caspian waterfront and port at blue hour

Why Baku matters

A capital that connects more than places

Baku concentrates Azerbaijan’s government, finance, energy, culture and international business networks in one place. For exhibition visitors, that means the city is not simply a backdrop: it is where regional expertise, investment and long-term partnerships meet.

Places to see