Essentials
- City
- Baku, Abşeron, Azerbaijan
- Population
- 2,300,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 55 Mbps fixed broadband; 5G available in city center via Azercell
- Currency & Banking
- 1 AZN ≈ 0.59 USD, 1 USD ≈ 1.70 AZN (Manat is pegged to USD)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; filtered or bottled water (e.g., Sirab or Badamli) is recommended
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Azercell (Best coverage), Bakcell, or Nar; 10GB data plan costs ~15-20 AZN
- Banking for Expats
- Pasha Bank, ABB (International Bank of Azerbaijan); Revolut works for withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Bina.az (Local listing site), or serviced apartments like Baku Palace
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes; cards accepted in malls and restaurants, but cash is needed for bazaars and small taxis
- Short Term Rentals
- Lighthouse Apartments (Sea Breeze), Airbnb listings in Yasamal district
- Budget Accommodation
- Sahil Hostel & Hotel (approx. 20 AZN/night), Travel Inn Hostel
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Icherisheher (Old City) and Sabayil (Targovyi/Nizami Street area)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Nasimi District (Near 28 May Station) or White City (Baku Ağ Şəhər) for modern infrastructure
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Lotfi Zadeh Technology Center (approx. 150 AZN/month); Colab. (25 AZN daily)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Coffee Moffie (Literature inspired, quiet corners); United Coffee Beans (fast Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Baku Community Meetups; Events at Baku IdeaLab or INNOLAND Incubation center
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Baku Facebook group; weekly meetups at Finnegan's Irish Pub
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (most reliable), Uber AZ, and Yandex Go
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- İsmayıl Bike; Baku Boulevard rental stations (Scood scooters via app)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Amburan Beach Club (Bilgah) - 30 mins drive; entry approx. 30-40 AZN
- Top Regional Airline
- Buta Airways (Low cost carrier of AZAL)
- Top International Airline
- Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways
- Highway Access
- M1 (North to Russia), M2 (West to Georgia), M3 (South to Iran)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Baku Railway Station (28 May District)
- Public Transport Passes
- BakiKart (Refillable card); 0.40 AZN per ride for Metro and Bus
- Regional Travel
- Baku International Bus Terminal (Avtovaghzal) for buses to Sheki, Ganja, and Quba
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Bona Dea International Hospital; Central Customs Hospital (English speaking staff)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Shala Baku; Seven Beauties Spa at Fairmont Flame Towers
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- GoFit (Nasimi); Vitam (Port Baku); Day pass approx. 15-20 AZN
- Laundry Services
- Clean Fix; 177 Laundry (Pick up and delivery available via WhatsApp)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt (Local favorite), Glovo
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Shah Plov (King Pilaf) at Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant; Saj Ichi
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Mari Vanna (Good vegetable stews); Manipura Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pasha Tandir (for traditional Shekerbura); Cafe City for modern cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Yaşıl Bazar (Green Market) for spices and fruits; Taza Bazar
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Umico.az (General marketplace); Trendyol (via cargo forwarders like Limak)
- Grocery Delivery
- Bravo Supermarket app; Bravo.az
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Nizami Street (Targovyi) and Fountain Square bars like Otto Club
- Local Brewery
- Xirdalan (standard); Beerbaşa (Craft brewery and restaurant)
- Wine Bars
- KEFLE Local Wine & Snacks; Enoteca Baku (Wine boutique)
- Street Food Stalls
- Qoçət (Doner/Kebab); Shaurma №1 (multiple locations)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Paul (French); Chinar (Asian fusion); Scalini (Italian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Heydar Aliyev Center (Zaha Hadid design); Flame Towers; Maiden Tower
- Museums & Art Venues
- Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum; YARAT Contemporary Art Space
- Historical Sites
- Palace of the Shirvanshahs; Ateshgah Fire Temple (Surakhany)
- Religious Sites
- Bibi-Heybat Mosque; Taza Pir Mosque
- Annual Events
- Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix; Novruz Holiday (March festivals)
- Cultural Districts
- Icherisheher (The Walled City of Baku)
- Theater Venues
- Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater
- Local Markets
- Green Market (Yasil Bazar) for atmospheric food shopping
- Music Scene
- Baku Jazz Center; International Mugham Center
- Street Art
- Salaam Cinema (Underground art hub); murals in the 'Sovetsky' area
- Cooking Classes
- Baku Cooking Classes (Traditional Dolma and Plov lessons)
- Art Galleries
- Baku Creative Center; Kicik QalArt
- Historic Buildings
- Ismailiyya Palace; City Hall near Philharmonic Garden
- Local Heritage
- Mugham Music (UNESCO Intangible Heritage)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Gobustan Rock Art Reserve (Mud volcanoes); Absheron National Park
- National Parks Nearby
- Shirvan National Park (gazelles and flamingos - 1.5 hours away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Baku Boulevard (Denizkenari Milli Park) stretches over 15km along the Caspian
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Highland Park (Dagustu Park) accessible by funicular
- Birdwatching Locations
- Absheron National Park (Migratory paths at the 'Beak' of Azerbaijan)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Pirshagi beaches (permitted during off-season and low wind)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Azerpost (National); DHL; Limak.az (for Turkish imports)
- Tech Repair Services
- Alma Store (Apple authorized); Caspian Shopping Center tech floor
- Table Tennis Spots
- Baku Table Tennis Center (Jala Plaza area)
- Language Classes
- Baku State University language courses; private tutors via Preply Baku
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Library of Azerbaijan; Baku Book Center (excellent study area)
- Community Centers
- YARAT Studios; ADA University public events
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Republic; GameLab Baku
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Azerbaijan (Gambling is prohibited by law)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 2,800 AZN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 112,000 AZN / $65,800)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 1,400 AZN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 56,000 AZN / $33,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 2,600 AZN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 156,000 AZN / $91,800)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 1,200 AZN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 72,000 AZN / $42,300)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 2,400 AZN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 192,000 AZN / $113,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 1,100 AZN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 88,000 AZN / $51,700)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (5% for micro-entrepreneurs under certain conditions)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Residency based; Taxed on worldwide income for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% on income above 2,500 AZN (0% for non-oil sector up to 8,000 AZN/month)
- VAT
- 18%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, managed under the Tax Code of Azerbaijan
- Property Tax
- Yes, calculated based on area exceeding 30m² in Baku
- Property Transaction Tax
- Fixed notary fees and State Duty approx. 200-500 AZN
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Simplified Tax (2% of turnover) for small service-based businesses