Is Baku a safe city to visit? The biggest question in every traveler’s mind is whether their destination of choice is safe or not. There is nothing as terrifying as being in a foreign country and experiencing incidents that leave your safety at risk.
Baku History
But it is also important to know a little history about Baku city. This incredible city is part of a country called Azerbaijan. Located just 28m below the Caspian sea, Baku is a mixture of modern and old historic architectural designs.
The city offers a mix of both European and Dubai vibes, with a few Italian designs. They even have their own Venice in the city center, called mini Venice.
A few travelers have been left wondering if this is the next Dubai but when you get a glimpse of mini Venice, you wonder if the country is trying to be a little bit of Italy. You can see the designs attempting to have the water bridges you see in Venice, but of course, you need to visit Venice to experience the authenticity.
if you do not feel like visiting Dubai and wish to opt for something close or similar, I suggest changing your trip to Baku City. Although this is not the main focus of this article, I know you’re thinking of the desert safaris and stuff, well not in Baku City. But the excitement of hidden adventures in this city will leave you speechless.
When I discovered Baku on YouTube, I immediately fell in love with it. My mind was all set, this was the next destination. You look at the beautiful combination of the city’s architectural structure and there is no way you can’t immediately fall in love.
What I looked forward to the most, was visiting the flame towers. That was the first tourist attraction point I wanted to become a part of and I did. The excitement was so intense that I couldn’t wait to share this with my siblings.
Even though one can confirm the safety of a destination, it is important to remain cautious of your surroundings. It is never an out-of-fashion moment to check your surroundings, to be alert when moving around, and also to keep an eye on your belongings.
Police Presence
I noticed something different about Baku, there is a heavy police presence everywhere. While we were traveling up to Qabala(one of the countryside of Azerbaijan), there was always one police officer stationed on the highway with someone from the army too, on just every other kilometer.
I thought to myself, it must be a relatively safe country if the focus on police presence is this intense. It was exciting to see, and even in the city, you always notice the presence of police. While this may be the case, we still want to remain safe so read along.
I know it sounds all woo-woo and stuff, but please stay focused on your intuition. Anything you need to be aware of, your intuition will alert you. It is therefore important to do a bit of research to find out if where you are headed is safe.
Overall, Baku, in my opinion, is a very safe city for a solo traveler. I would advise against being outside at night, although the risk of being unsafe remains low. But one never knows, some people are crazy enough to take a chance.
So if going out at night is something you fancy, try to go out with fellow solo travelers or maybe join a night tour. The nightlife in Baku is very active, especially on Nizami street. This is one of the busiest streets in Baku and at no point would you ever feel unsafe.
So based on my experience of the city, here are a few things you can practice to remain safe in Baku. This is not because Baku is an unsafe city, this is just based on personal experience.
1. Get a local sim card
The reason for getting a local sim card in every destination you visit is to avoid being at the mercy of your hotel wifi. I mean you don’t move around the city with the hotel’s wifi so it is important to get a local sim card to stay connected. In cases where you are getting lost, just like how I was getting lost every now and then, you can use Google Maps.
This can also help you to quickly ask around for directions in the local language using apps like Google Translate. It also helps with staying in touch with family while exploring. I had my family a little worried when I visited Qabala and had no network reception the entire day.
2. Walk in the busiest streets
I know every now and then we crave our alone quiet moments, just don’t let those moments be in the most isolated areas of the city. When you are on a busy street, chances of getting robbed or anything similar remain low. So always choose the crowded street, and in this case, in Baku city, Nizami street remains the most crowded street.
3. Trust your intuition
Any time you hear that little voice alerting you of being unsafe, trust it. Each time we feel unsafe, there is a reason behind it. I am not talking about being paranoid and stuff. I am talking about being alert and present enough to hear the voice within guide us out of trouble. You are always protected by unseen forces. They inform you when there is a need to know something, that is your intuition.
4. Keep an eye on your belongings
Although I can confirm that no one will actually try to steal your items in Baku city, just practice caution on keeping your items safe and locked away. This is not a reflection of Baku city, it is just a standard procedure.
5. Try to learn some Azerbaijan language
The reason I am suggesting learning the local language before visiting Baku is that the people in Baku city do not speak a lot of English. Sometimes you might not get help, not because people are unwilling to help, but simply because of the language barrier.
The people of Baku are the most welcoming people, but they speak their own local language so you might feel as though you are lost in this city. So in order to remain safe and have the ability to ask for help, I recommend learning the local language.
Although I was clueless about any of the things I am sharing here, I believe a lot of things would have gone easier had I learned their language. Because I do not believe in regrets, I am currently playing around with the language as I have plans to visit this beautiful city again.
Overall Verdict
Baku city is an overall safe city to visit. Your life will not be at risk if you take note of some of the recommendations I have made. This is not to make you feel unsafe, it is just standard procedure that one has to practice when traveling.
One notable quality of Baku city, is the respect men have towards women. I know you’re thinking what is this about now, but having to vividly witness the misogynistic attacks directed at women in other countries, it was kind of refreshing to witness a country that prioritizes protecting women.
Will you be visiting Baku anytime soon? Let me know in the comments. If you would like to know more information about Baku, preferably what I may have not shared on the blog, my email inbox is always open and ready to be at your service.
In case you need more information about the visa application process, check out How To Get Azerbaijan Visa here.
