Date: 7-9th May 2026
Travelled: 13,855 kms from Taren Point to Baku in Azerbaijan
Visited: Baku
Stayed: Sapphire Bayil Hotel, Baku, Azerbaijan
We booked this tour so long ago that it didnโt come back into our thoughts until the deal maker seriously misjudged the resolve of the Islamic State, leaving the middle eastern airlines in disarray. The last 6 weeks have seen our anirline and flight schedules change and the cost of the tour increase. But here we are in Baku.
Pam managed her usual 10 hours sleep on the long leg and we got to spend 6 hours is Dubiaโs terminal 3 waiting for the final leg onto Baku. Tracking the flight it was nice to see we kept well clear of Iranian airspace.
So for the next 3 weeks we will be touring Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. These three countries are the southern Caucasus sitting between the Black Sea and the Caspian, Russia to the north, Iran to the south. Last bit sounds a bit dodgy doesnโt it.
Arriving safely but a little jaded our guide says hello and puts us into hire car to the hotel. The driver obviously in a hurry drives very fast and has a habit of changing 3 lanes at a time (note the disco lighting inside the van). The freeway from the airport to the city is excellent but the Friday afternoon traffic in the city is close to a standstill.
More lane changes and attempted short cuts still result in an hour from the airport to the hotel. The Sapphire is modern enough but the decor a very dated or perhaps that Azerbaijan kitch. Our rooms is large as is the bed.
So next morning the 13 members of our tour group (red) climb into a huge coach and head off on Baku city tour. Itโs all a bit of a blur by the end of the day so Iโll let the pictures show the highlights.
The Azerbaijan people like a memorial. There is a complex history of independence, world wars, second independence and local grievances with the Soviet Union and Armenia.
Below some views of Baku from the memorials lookout.
Done with the memorial its back on the bus for the short drive to Old Baku. The main point of interest being the Palace of Shirvanshahs which dates dates to the 7th century.
The palace done we walk parts of Old Baku, looking for a coffee as we do.
A Costa Coffee (an English chain) was the best we could find before it was time to relocate to the new Baku for another wander and lunch.
We enjoy a very late lunch in this cellar restaurant. The food an experience in itself and very reasonable priced. From a food and wine perspective Azerbaijan is good value for Australian with the current exchange rate.
As a general comment it feels a safe and clean place, no graffiti. There are police everywhere as are the street cleaners. The parks and gardens full of flowers. Anyway thatโs enough for this blog, till next time.
Michael + Pam
One thought on “Baku, Azerbaijan ๐ฆ๐ฟ 2026”
Great to see you on the move again. I look forward to tomorrowโs update.