Situated on the western edge of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan’s capital enjoys an original and unique appearance that seamlessly blends the ancient with the modern - factors which have contributed to some nicknaming the city ‘the Paris of the East’. Hosting a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship - the 2016 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe - is another sign of Baku’s emergence as a major sporting destination - the city hosted the first ever European Games in early 2015 and has been named as one of several host venues for UEFA Euro 2020. Many of Baku’s most impressive features including its charming Old City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) will feature prominently around the brandnew 6 km street track, which promises to be one of the fastest and most spectacular in the world. Baku prides itself on offering something for everyone. Visitors can explore the historic delights of the Old City (Icheri Sheher), and in particular the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower
enclosed within it walls; take in the plethora of boutiques along Nizami Street; marvel at the multitude of water features in Fountain Square; visit Megafon, Europe’s largest indoor amusement arcade; take the funicular to Upland Park to enjoy clear views of the city; or simply stroll along Baku’s picturesque seaside boulevard, where you’re flanked on one side by the Caspian Sea and on the other by the city’s modern skyline, including the distinctive Flame Towers. Baku is served by Heydar Aliyev International Airport, which is located 20km northeast of the capital, but upon arrival the best way to get around is by road. Taking a cab with the governmentrun Baku Taxi Company (which operates purple London-style cabs, known locally as ‘eggplants’) is a viable option for those not hiring a car. It’s worth noting that non-residents must have an international driving permit to hire a car, and this must be kept on their person along with their passport/visa as the police often do spot checks.
Baku has a wide range of hotels, many of them from popular chains and the majority of them situated around the seafront, which will be in the thick of the action come the race weekend. Those staying on in Baku would be well advised to take a trip out of town to the Ateshgah or ‘Fire Temple’ which is an ancient religious temple in a suburb of the city called Surakhani. The site was once a place of Zoroastrian fire worship as natural fires used to spontaneously burn there as gas emerged from seven (now-exhausted) natural surface vents. A little further out of the city is Qobustan, another UNESCO site, which is home to famous rock paintings and mud volcanoes - another must see for culture vultures.