The official monetary unit of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani manat (in turn consisting of 100 qepiks, which act as a small change). The international designation of the manat is AZN. In circulation since the summer of 1992, originally used as monetary unit on a par with Soviet rubles and post-Soviet Bank of Russia notes. Since 1994, it has acted as the single currency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Today, the Azerbaijani currency is presented in the form of six paper banknotes of different denominations (the largest is 100 manats), as well as six gyapik coins.

“The design for the manat banknotes was developed by Robert Kalina, a well-known banknote designer from Austria. He also worked on the design of the modern euro - this explains the external similarity of the two currencies. However, the manat and euro rates also differ slightly.”

Azerbaijan: currency exchange

Currency exchange on the territory of Azerbaijan is carried out both in banks and in numerous exchange offices. At the same time, not only euros and dollars, but also Russian rubles are readily accepted for direct/reverse exchange. In most cases, the exchange rate will be quite favorable. In addition, most exchangers operating in the center of Baku change currencies 24/7 - around the clock. As a rule, exchange rates in Azerbaijani banks and exchange offices differ slightly.

Keep in mind: most currency exchange offices in Azerbaijan refuse to accept worn and torn bills, as well as US dollars in the form of banknotes issued before 1992.

“Some banknotes have slang “nicknames”: for example, when talking about a 10-manat banknote, you can often hear about “shirvan” (the Palace of the Shirvanshahs is depicted on the bill).”

Azerbaijani currency against dollar

As is the case with the single European currency, the Azerbaijani manat is quoted at a rate close to the US dollar. Despite periodic fluctuations foreign exchange market, caused largely by geopolitical and foreign economic factors, the Azerbaijani currency has been and remains quite stable. As of mid-September 2015, 1 manat averaged 0.95 USD (on the contrary, for 1 U.S. $ gave 1.05 AZN). At the same time, the dynamics of fluctuations in exchange rates can remain literally minimal for a long time.

Azerbaijani currency against ruble

The average exchange rate of the Azerbaijani manat to the Russian ruble is about 62.92 RUR per 1 AZN (data as of September 2015). The official rate of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation is a little more than 64 rubles per 1 Azerbaijani manat. In turn, 1 Russian ruble equals 0.02 AZN. Over the past year, the AZN/RUR and RUR/AZN cross rates experienced only one serious “shake-up” - in January-February, after which the ratio of the Azerbaijani currency manat and the Russian ruble demonstrated enviable stability.

Azerbaijani manat exchange rate

You can find out the current exchange rate of the Azerbaijani manat through many websites dedicated to the national currency of Armenia, as well as exchange rates in general. To find the manat ratio on charts and tables of exchange offices, pay attention to the AZN designation. In particular, you may be interested in the AZN/RUR and AZN/USD rates, since the Russian ruble and the US dollar are the main world currencies with which the currencies of neighboring countries are usually compared. nominal cost manat differs slightly from the cost of 1 euro, but their rates are rarely the same.

Dynamics of the Azerbaijani manat exchange rate

To track the dynamics of the Azerbaijani manat exchange rate, you should take data for a certain period (month, year) and compare the cost of 1 manat in several currencies large countries. The easiest way is to compare the exchange rate of the manat to the euro, dollar and Russian ruble. Drawing up a simple chart by time intervals will give a picture of how the Azerbaijani manat is strengthening or weakening on the world market. financial market. In addition, you will be able to somewhat accurately predict exchange rate fluctuations in the near future if you plan to trade Azerbaijani currency on exchanges, or exchange money in local banks.

Exchange rate of Azerbaijani manat to major world currencies

First of all, tourists entering the country need to view and keep in mind the exchange rate of the Azerbaijani manat to the main world currencies. Azerbaijan remains an open country for guests, but this does not eliminate the need to pay for local goods and services in an acceptable currency. This means that any tourist needs to be able to find a favorable exchange rate for dollars, euros, rubles or other currencies into Azerbaijani manats. You can find out the exchange rates both on the Internet and in local banks, as well as at currency exchange offices.

Description of the Azerbaijani manat

The external description of the Azerbaijani manat may sometimes partially coincide with the description of the popular European currency - the euro. However, the manat has its own original features that distinguish banknotes of different denominations from similar bills of other currencies. All banknotes have a standard size of 125x63 mm. The denomination is indicated on both sides of the banknote; on the front side there is also an architectural object or cultural monument of Azerbaijan, by which it is much easier to distinguish different denominations of the manat. There is a commemorative issue where the banknotes differ in size, but all have the characteristic outline of the borders of the state of Azerbaijan.

Brief history of the Azerbaijani manat

To plunge into a short history Azerbaijani manat, it is worth paying attention to the similarity between the euro and this currency in paper banknotes. The design of manats was once developed by the Austrian Robert Kalina. Back in 1993, Azerbaijan began to switch to using its own domestic currency, gradually removing traditional currency from circulation. Soviet Union rubles and kopecks. By 1994, the country completely switched to using the Azerbaijani manat, which became the main means of payment in the country.

Banknotes and denominations of Azerbaijan

If we talk about the appearance of banknotes and banknotes of Azerbaijan, then we will talk specifically about manats. Over the modern history of the country, several series of banknotes have been issued, each series having its own set of denominations. The modern series of monetary units under the AZN label, in contrast to the old currency (AZM), has a characteristic design on banknotes - any denomination has on the reverse an outline image of the borders of Azerbaijan next to the denomination number. Such banknotes began to be issued in 2005 and today have almost completely replaced all old types of banknotes.

Advice from Sravni.ru: When going on a trip to Azerbaijan, stock up on as many small denomination banknotes as possible, and exchange currency within the expected expenses. We strongly advise against exchanging currency directly from strangers.

Azerbaijani manat (AZM) rate set Central Bank Russia, is equal to approximately 33-34 rubles. The currency is unstable, so before traveling to Azerbaijan, check the current exchange rate on the website Central Bank Republic of Azerbaijan. The monetary unit of exchange is called qepik. One manat is equal to 100 qepik.

The currency was introduced in the summer of 1992 and was initially used on a par with Soviet rubles and post-Soviet banknotes of the Bank of Russia. Since 1994, it has become the only official currency of the country. In 2006, denomination was carried out and since then banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 500 and 100 manats have been in circulation. Until 2015, the value of the Azerbaijani currency was pegged to the euro. After the decision was made to switch to a floating, unregulated exchange rate, the manat depreciated by half and since then has not risen above 40 rubles.

The appearance of banknotes and coins resembles the euro. The fact is that the design of the manat was developed by the same specialist as for the euro - designer from Austria Robert Kalina.

Throughout the country (except for the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh), it is manats that are used. In markets or small retail outlets they may accept dollars, euros or rubles, but this is rather an exception. In addition, it will be more profitable and convenient to maintain a budget in national currency.

It seems logical to exchange manats in Russia and come to Azerbaijan prepared. But even in large cities, finding a bank that will sell manats is problematic. Therefore, you have to take rubles, dollars or euros with you, and change them on the spot.

Dollars and euros

The exchange rate of the manat against the dollar and euro is more stable. For 1 manat you will have to pay approximately 0.58 dollars or 0.48 euros. Over the past two years, after the denomination of the Azerbaijani currency, there have been no strong exchange rate fluctuations. Therefore, it is more convenient and reliable to calculate your budget in American and European currencies.

Although the dollar and euro rates seem more favorable, it is possible that conversion losses will cover the difference in rate. A small amount There is no point in changing it twice (first for dollars, then for manats).

If you have a credit card, you can withdraw money from it at any ATM - but only in dollars or manats. You can pay in dollars in some shops and restaurants; taxi drivers take currency, but in any case you will need manats. They also accept cashless payments. credit cards major payment systems, but it’s more difficult to keep track of spending.

Rubles

Any bank or exchange office in Azerbaijan will sell manats for rubles. The main thing is to check the exchange rate in the banks of this country and take a sufficient amount of Russian currency. Average rate in local financial institutions- 1 manat for 34 rubles, which corresponds to offers in Russian banks.

The exchange rate may vary slightly at different locations. It is better to give preference to large banks, but before exchanging, carefully read the tariffs. You may be charged an additional commission, which can be up to 15%. The size of the commission depends on the amount.

Where to exchange

You can buy manats directly at airports and train stations in large cities, but, as in other countries, the exchange rate here will be very unfavorable. Therefore, exchange here only the amount that will be enough to travel to the city.

Take your time and contact exchange offices located in the very center or near tourist spots. Choose authorized locations away from the most popular attractions or large banks With fixed rate. Find exchange office you can follow the signs with the inscription “Mubadile menteqesi”.

You can withdraw money from your card at an ATM. They give out manats, and some devices also give out dollars. Conversion is carried out at the rate established bank. Be prepared for additional commissions and hidden cross-rate fees.

If the bank charges a commission, the percentage will depend on the amount. How less money you change, the greater the commission. Therefore, it is more profitable to exchange large amounts at once.

Remember that most large banks are open until 18-00 and only on weekdays. Many exchange offices are open 24 hours a day.

It costs rubles, dollars or euros to take with you to Azerbaijan. This currency can be exchanged at any bank.

Hello, friends!

When planning a trip, I always take a very detailed interest in the course national currency and collect information where it can be profitably exchanged. It is very unpleasant to be left in an unfamiliar city without cash, even despite the fact that cashless payment goods and services are now more than adequately developed. Let's figure out how things are with currency exchange in Azerbaijan.

The national currency of Azerbaijan is the manat. Current rate 1 azn ≈ 32 rubles. During my trip, the manat exchange rate was 43 rubles per 1 manat. I recommend checking the course immediately before the trip, as it is quite unstable.

I liked the appearance of the money). Each banknote or coin has the outline of a country, and with reverse side- main attractions.

The main positive point for travelers is that you can safely travel to Azerbaijan with rubles! This means you won't have to convert your cash twice. First from rubles to dollars or euros, and then to manats. Of course, you can easily exchange both dollars and euros, but when buying currency in Russia and exchanging it in Baku, you can lose due to the difference in rates.

Baku is the air gateway of the country and in 99% of cases you will arrive at the airport. By the way, it is chic and functional!

There is a common belief that any airport has the worst exchange rate. However, I recommend not to be greedy and exchange a significant amount at the Baku airport. Especially if you arrived on a weekend or holiday. The fact is that exchange offices have been abolished in Azerbaijan and money can only be exchanged at a bank. Be safe! Banks will not be open on weekends.

The exchange office at Gedar Aliyev Airport is located in the hall where passport control takes place. By the way, the course there is quite decent. To find out the exchange rate of the ruble to the manat, you need to divide the unit by 0.0233 (see photo).

So, we have found out that you can profitably exchange money at Baku airport. What other options are there?

1. Withdraw money from an ATM. It is better to find out in advance how much your bank will charge for cash withdrawal fees. ATMs are a dime a dozen in Baku, on every corner.
2. Bank branch. On a weekday, you can go to any bank branch and exchange money there. I didn't notice any big difference in the course. Most likely the state controls this moment.
3. Two currency exchange points work on weekends. So in case of force majeure, you can go there.

• Fuzuli street in the area of ​​May 28 Square. I won’t tell you the exact address, look for this sign. In the background you can see the number 28, this is a shopping center located on May 28 Square. Almost a quest :)

• Bank of the Republic on Neftyanikov Avenue (near the funicular). The fountain and the funicular itself can serve as a landmark. If you stand facing the funicular, the exchange office will be in the building located on the right hand. Unfortunately, the house number is not on any map, but both maps (Google and Yandex) show a branch of the Bank of the Republic.

The only thing is that no matter how many times I looked into this bank branch (near the cable car), I never managed to exchange rubles. They exchanged only dollars and euros.

In principle, it is quite possible to live in Baku without cash. Almost all cafes and shops accept bank cards, but it’s still better to be on the safe side. What if a technical glitch occurs and the payment does not go through...

Oksana was with you! Travel more and more often. Check the cost of a flight to Azerbaijan and luck will definitely smile on you :)

Tour operator in the Baltics, Caucasus and Central Asia

Travel tips Azerbaijan

Attention!!! Don't forget to check if you have a passport before leaving. !!!

All Azerbaijan Airlines planes depart and arrive at Vnukovo Airport! Aeroflot planes take off and arrive at Sheremetyevo Airport!

The day before departure, be sure to check your departure time on the airport website, as the time may be changed by the air carrier. Please also note that the time on e-tickets is local.

Check-in begins in 2 hours and ends in 40 minutes before departure. Check-in is carried out upon presentation of an air ticket and passport, receiving a boarding pass and baggage check-in. After check-in, we ask you to board your flight without delay. Boarding ends 30 minutes before departure. If you do not show up before boarding, the plane will leave without you, and your luggage will be removed from the board.
The air ticket must be kept until the end of the trip, as it is issued for departure and return.

Baggage transportation
The maximum total weight of hand luggage is 10 kg; standard luggage is 23 kg. All liquids up to 100 ml must be checked in luggage

We bring to your attention information that may be useful when traveling around Azerbaijan.

Ambulance health care: 103, firefighters: 101, police: 102, exact time service: 106, city information: 109.

If you need to call Moscow, you need to dial 810 (international access code) + 7 (Russian code) + 495 (Moscow code) + subscriber’s phone number

When calling to Russia on a mobile phone whose number begins with 8 (for example 8-902...), you need to dial 8-10 (international access code) +7 (Russian code) + 902 (instead of the code of Moscow or another city).

There are three main mobile operators- Azercell, Bakcell and Nar. The average cost of SIM cards is 5-10 AZN; a foreign passport is required for registration. You can connect in official communication stores, where they also sell cards for replenishing your balance with a face value of 1-50 AZN. Money is also deposited into the account through ATMs and terminals.
Azercell's rate for calls to Russia is 0.30 AZN per minute; on weekends around the clock and on weekdays at night, discounts of 25% are provided.

There are payphones on the central streets of large cities, in some shops and at bus stations. Calls are paid using cards sold at post offices, supermarkets and newsstands. The cost of the card is from 5 AZN, a call to your homeland will cost 1-2 AZN per minute.

Wireless Internet access is available only in large cities. Wi-Fi points are equipped at airports, some cafes and hotels. In public places - parks, train stations and metro stations - Internet is paid and available only to Bakcell subscribers. It is most profitable to buy SIM cards with prepaid traffic (from 0.20 AZN per day).

Important phone numbers

Telephone information - 09/009. Embassy Russian Federation in Azerbaijan: Baku, st. Bakikhanova, 17, 495-53-00, 498-60-83 , 498-14-46
International telephone information - 07. Lost and Found - 909119. Police - 02. Ambulance - 03. Fire service - 01.

Public transport within cities

Public transport - city buses and minibuses, in the capital - metro. Bus tickets are sold from drivers or conductors; fares vary in cities. On average, the trip is within settlement costs 0.20 AZN, you can get to the suburbs for 0.80 AZN. The Baku metro operates until 0:00 and consists of 3 lines; travel is paid using plastic cards purchased at stations for 2 AZN (the cost of one trip is 0.20 AZN).

All signs at stops are in Azerbaijani, so you will have to navigate yourself.

Taxis in Baku are not only fast and comfortable, but also beautiful: black and purple retro cars reminiscent of London cabs. But in the provinces, things are different: there, passengers are transported by Zhiguli cars and budget foreign cars. You can call a car by phone or catch it on the street; there are parking lots at all bus and metro stations. Each carrier sets its own tariffs; on average, landing costs 1 AZN, each km - from 0.70 AZN.

Rent a Car

Both international (Avis) and local (AzCar, Aznur, etc.) rental offices operate in Azerbaijan. Renting a small car will cost from 65 AZN, a standard model - from 80 AZN, an SUV - from 150 AZN per day. The cost of gasoline is 0.80-1 AZN per 1 liter.

To rent a car, you will need a foreign passport (driver’s age is from 23 years old) and an international license (driving experience is from 1 year). In addition to paying for the rental, a deposit (from half to full cost) is most often required, which is returned upon delivery of the car. Toll roads not in Azerbaijan, most parking lots are free, with the exception of some parking lots in the center of Baku (1 AZN per hour).

Shopping

Shops in the central part of Baku are open from 9.00 to late evening, in the periphery, as a rule, until 19.00-20.00.

The most low prices- at markets and fairs. Local silk, ceramics and other handicrafts can be purchased at the Sharg Bazary (a modern indoor market), as well as on the famous Merchant Street and in the Old City of Baku.
Everywhere, especially in private stores and markets, you should bargain - with a certain skill, cutting the price in half is quite easy.

Boutiques of luxury brands are concentrated on Neftyanikov Avenue and other streets of the modern center. The largest shopping complexes are “Ganjlik Mall” near the metro station of the same name, “Port Baku Mall” on the coast and “28 Mall” next to the railway station. The most colorful market is Teze Bazaar; fresh vegetables and fruits can always be found on the shelves of Yashyl ​​and Nasimisky. In the vicinity of the capital there are outlets with substantial discounts on goods of famous brands.

High-quality and inexpensive carpets are sold at the Carpet Weaving Center in the Baku suburb of Nardaran, and expensive masterpieces are sold in specialized stores in the capital.

One of the most popular places to buy souvenirs in Baku is the Caravanserai restaurant and museum complex. Here you can buy a lot of handicrafts: silk kelagai scarves, knitted joraba socks, embroidered charyki mules, kurdu sleeveless vests, small rugs.
In souvenir stalls and departments of shopping centers, panels of embossing, copper, bronze and ceramic kitchen utensils, tea cups (armudu), carved wooden and clay figurines are sold in abundance. Particularly popular are figurines of mugham masters (performers of national music) in national costumes.

It’s worth bringing backgammon from Azerbaijan (it’s practically a national game that everyone plays in the country). Armudas are good glassware - traditional pear-shaped glasses that keep drinks hot for a long time. Tablecloths embroidered with gold threads will decorate any kitchen.
Edible souvenirs and gifts are incredibly popular, for example, the wonderful pomegranate narsharab sauce (they praise the products of Sems) or local sweets: baklava, nougat, shaker-bura, etc.
We recommend bringing spices and aromatic herbs that you can purchase at the market, as well as original white cherry jam.

And of course they bring black caviar, but keep in mind that you can only export 1 jar weighing 113 grams per person from the country!

From Baku they also bring wine “7 Beauties”, “Chinar”, “Sadily”, “Akstafa”, “Gyuzel”, “Ogni Baku”, Cahors, cognac “Old Baku”, “Nagshi-Jahan”, “Ganja”, “ Babek”, “Gek-Gel”, as well as pomegranate wines and red champagne.

general information

The mains voltage is 220/240 V, 50 Hz. Eastern European type sockets with two prongs are standard.
Tips in many restaurants make up 5-10% of the bill; if this is not mentioned in the menu, you can add 10% to the bill (sometimes in advance, this will speed up service). You can leave 5-10 manats to the porter at the airport or at the hotel, depending on the amount of luggage. Tipping is not accepted in taxis; it is recommended to agree on the fare in advance (taxi drivers usually do not accept currency).

In Azerbaijan, you can freely take photographs and videos, with the exception of the metro (this will require written permission from the management). If a tourist wants to take a photograph of a stranger, they should first ask permission.
Tap water is considered safe to drink, but it is better to drink boiled or bottled water. Hotels and restaurants most often use spring water in plastic bottles or boil tap water.

In the center of Baku, neither tourists nor locals swim in the sea - the water is dirty and the beaches are not pleasant. In the city, people usually walk sedately along the embankments, breathe the sea air, but to swim and sunbathe they prefer to go to Shikhovo (Sabail district), Sahil (Garadag district), Mardakan, Zagulba, Shuvelyan, Buzovna, Bilgakh, Amburan, Nardaran and other villages of the Apsherno Peninsula .

The sea there is most often clean, the water is clear throughout the summer. It is muddy only near the shore, because fine sand floats up from the bottom with every step and settles very slowly. Most beaches are quite clean, they are cleaned or they try not to litter too much, although, alas, there are always and everywhere exceptions.

The best time to visit the country is from April to October. It is worth keeping in mind that in the second half of summer the air temperature can rise to 38°C. In winter, the Azerbaijani sky is covered with clouds, and the mountains are plunged into thick fog.

An interesting trend has been observed recently. Information about travel to the former republics of the USSR began to appear more and more often. On the one hand, it is interesting to look at the life of our neighbors, but on the other hand, the dollar has not returned to 35 rubles, and travel lovers are constantly looking for a reasonable alternative to expensive trips.
Azerbaijan appeared on my travel wish list relatively recently. You could say it was spontaneous. Quite by accident, I found out that every year on May 10 a grand flower festival is held in Baku. “Why not,” I thought and set up daily monitoring of the cost of air tickets for the desired destination.
So...How to plan a trip to Azerbaijan? What should you pay attention to first when going to Baku?

1. Facilitated visa regime

Russians do not need a visa for a tourist trip of less than 90 days. At the border they don’t ask for hotel reservations, health insurance or material support. All you need is a passport.
If you stay in Azerbaijan for more than 10 days, you will need to register with the migration service. However, the hotel can easily handle this issue.
This is the first plus - ease of entry into the country and savings on a visa.

2. Airport

The country's main air gate is Baku Heydar Aliyev Airport. S7, Utair and Aeroflot fly from Russia to Baku. Also, Azerbaijan Airlines operates regular flights.
In order to “catch” interesting flight prices, the most convenient way is to subscribe to Aviasales. My tickets cost me 12,500 rubles, but, for example, now there are “delicious” Moscow – Baku air tickets for October 2016 – March 2017 for 6,700 rubles. (round-trip fare).
The H1 express bus runs from the airport to the city center. This is the most best option transfer. A ticket costs only 1.3 manats and is bought from a special machine. The express stops directly opposite the arrival terminal.

3. Hotel

Everything is fine with housing in Baku. If you like to feel at home when traveling, choose AirBnb; if you don’t like making your bed, book a hotel on Booking or through any other booking site.
I recommend renting housing closer to the old city (Icheri Sheher), and even better - within walking distance. Hotels in the historical part cost a lot of money, so to save money, you can consider a hostel for accommodation (about 18 manats per day).

4. Time difference

The difference is small, only 1 hour, but it is there. When it is 7 am in Moscow, it is already 8.00 am in Baku. It is better to immediately set all clocks to local time to avoid confusion.

5. Currency exchange

The national currency of Azerbaijan is the manat. The current rate is ≈ 45 rubles for 1 manat, but the rate is currently not stable, so it is better to clarify the information immediately before the trip.
You can safely travel to Azerbaijan with rubles. Here is the second positive point.
Of course, both dollars and euros will be easily exchanged for you, but when buying currency in Russia and exchanging it in Baku, you can lose due to the difference in rates.
As such, exchange offices have been abolished in Azerbaijan. Money can only be exchanged at a bank. If you arrive in Baku on the eve of the weekend or holidays, be sure to play it safe and exchange money at the airport. There's a pretty decent exchange rate there.
There are a lot of ATMs in Baku, almost at every step. As a last resort, you can withdraw cash there.
Two currency exchange points are open on weekends:

1. Bank of the Republic, near the funicular (almost on the seaside boulevard)
2. on Fuzuli Street, not far from the 28 May Square.

6. Public transport

Baku has two large metro lines and many buses. A one-time trip costs only 0.2 manats. Converted to rubles - about 10 rubles. The third obvious plus!
The metro uses two types of special cards. Plastic for 2 manats and paper (disposable) for 0.2 manats. It is profitable to buy a card for 4 trips; the total cost of the card will cost 1 manat.

There are different buses in Baku. In more modern “models” payment is still made in the same transport card. On older buses, including intercity buses, the driver needs to pay the fare.
The funicular cannot be called public transport, but it operates absolutely free. Nice as hell. :)

7. Food

The religion of the country leaves some imprint on the local cuisine. For example, in Azerbaijan they don’t eat pork, but there are a lot of lamb dishes on the menu. For Russian people, Azerbaijani cuisine will not seem very specific, because many dishes have been known to us since childhood - dolma, pilaf, lula kebab.
Be sure to try kutab - flatbread stuffed with meat, herbs or cheese. It is served in almost any cafe and costs 0.5 - 1 manat.
In Baku they drink tea from small glass cups called “armud”. If you are offered jam for tea, first ask about its cost.
In many cafes you can pay by bank card, but it’s better to play it safe and always have some cash with you.

8. Security

It so happened that I went to Azerbaijan alone. I can safely say that Baku is a safe city for a girl. Azerbaijanis are very friendly towards tourists - they give directions, optimal bus routes and are simply happy to communicate. They definitely ask what city you came from and have heard very well not only about Moscow and St. Petersburg. :)
Also, there are a lot of police on the streets in Baku.

9. Language barrier

He's gone. :) Absolutely everyone understands Russian and speaks it at least a little. I didn't have to use my limited knowledge of English at all.
This is a huge positive moment for those who are afraid to go on an independent trip due to lack of knowledge of the language.

10. Local color. Sights of Baku

Baku surprises with its architectural mix. The heart of the city is Icheri Sheher (old city). Such cute narrow streets where Nikulin, and then Mironov, cursed and fell. Here you need to dissolve and just get lost. Just don’t forget to look into the local souvenir shops, they are here with the subtlest touch of antiquity.

What to do in the old town? Be sure to climb the Maiden Tower, look into the art salon of local artist Ali Shamsi and take a cinematic photo near the treasured “damn it” door. You can also go to an ancient bathhouse and look into the unique Museum of Miniature Books.