Best Things to Do in Baku
Sitting down with a coffee after my trip to Baku felt surreal. I mean, I just got back, and it's like the city's still buzzing around in my head. You know how some trips start with a checklist of "Best things to do in Baku"? Mine didn't go exactly as planned, and honestly, that's what made it incredible. The surprises, the detours—these are the moments I keep replaying.
This spot? Total surprise.
So, imagine me wandering down Nizami Street. It's bustling, vibrant, with shops, cafés, and all this street art I hadn't even seen in the guidebooks. Somewhere in the middle of all that noise, I got this insane craving for something sweet. Honestly, my gut instinct isn't the best when it comes to food. But I found this little pastry shop called “Dadi” tucked into a small alley. What caught my eye was this impossibly flaky baklava towering in the window.
I had never really been a baklava person, but there was something about the way it sparkled under the soft light. I walked in and ordered a piece—on a whim, really.
Oh man, when I took that first bite? It was like every taste bud got slapped awake. The honey was sweet but not overpowering, the pistachios had this perfect crunch, and the layers were just—the layers! I could've monotoned “wow” for hours. I ended up sitting on a bench outside, licking my fingers and completely ignoring the world around me, which felt oddly freeing.
The afternoon that changed my whole mood
Honestly, I had set out that day with this nagging sense of doubt. The day before had felt a bit bizarre. I went to the Flame Towers, which looked stunning from a distance, but once I got there, it was just a bunch of corporate offices. I stared at them for a while, wondering why they'd named them like they were about to host some massive bonfire.
But this little detour? That baklava? It flipped my mood completely. I decided to stroll down to the waterfront. The Caspian Sea was glistening, and I just meandered. I stumbled across this park, and I don't know why I ended up there, but it was a gem. There were families laughing, kids playing, and the sun was golden and warm, just hanging there, giving off this vibe that everything was alright, you know?
Just sitting there, I felt like I could breathe again. Sometimes you really don't realize how much city life gets to you until you're just chilling, watching pigeons scavenge for crumbs next to a crazily adorable child who was convinced he could befriend them. It was a reminder that in the rush to check off all the “Best things to do in Baku,” you can miss the joys of just being present.
I almost missed this, no thanks to my bad sense of direction
So later, I decided to explore the Old City, the Icherisheher. I grabbed a map, but let me tell you, my sense of direction could get a GPS lost. I thought I had it all figured out—but surprise! I somehow ended up wandering through some side streets that weren't even on my map.
I didn't even realize until I stumbled into this tiny courtyard where this elderly gentleman was selling what looked like homemade pomegranate juice. I think I mumbled something in broken Azerbaijani when he offered me a sample, but the flavor of that juice is something I'm still thinking about. It was fresh and slightly tart, just the right punch of energy. We chatted (well, I nodded and smiled; he talked) while I had my juice, and for that bizarrely brief moment, I felt connected to the culture in a way that no tourist trap could offer.
It was a small mistake, my bad navigation leading to a sweet spot with such genuine warmth, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the ridiculousness of it all. I mean, when's the last time you stumbled upon a local really living his art?
Meal that left a strong impression
Dinner was a whole other adventure. I had heard about this traditional place called “Tavan restaurant.” It was supposed to showcase Azerbaijani food, and honestly, I wasn't expecting much. So I strolled in, minding my own business when this plate of plov landed in front of me, a mountain of saffron rice, juicy lamb nestled carefully beneath it, flecked with raisins and nuts.
Each bite was an explosion of flavors; I've never had rice that was so perfectly fluffy and aromatic. I was with two other travelers who were fun, but honestly, I was low-key in my own world, devouring every morsel. Then, of course, we shared stories, and my heart swelled a little seeing how food can do that—bring people closer.
And then, they brought out fresh lavash, hot from the oven, and I swear my eyes rolled back into my head because I was so in love. It made me think about how we take such simple things for granted, like sitting around a meal that warms you in every way possible.
Some reflections over coffee
So there I was, reflecting on a week spent in a city pulsing with energy. Baku was an unexpected mix of salvaged beauty and modernity. I found some of the best things to do in Baku weren't even on my radar. Sometimes you just gotta let the wind blow you off course to discover the heart of a place. It might not be perfect, but those raw, messy bits—the detours, the surprise baklava, the captivating old man selling juice—those are the moments that make your experience richer.
Finishing up my coffee, I realized I might not have seen everything I planned. But maybe that's the point. It's not about following a road map; it's about letting the journey unfold. There's something beautiful and real in knowing that the best part of your trip might just be that unexpected slice of baklava you grabbed on a whim. And isn't that just the best part of traveling?
