Baku, Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
#835
,
Nomad Score:
61%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is around 2.3 million. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is approximately 30 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) with an exchange rate of 1 USD ≈ 1.7 AZN. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is generally safe to drink in most areas, but bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity is 220V, 50Hz, with Type C and F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major mobile providers include Azercell, Bakcell, and Nar. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards like Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, hostels, and serviced apartments like Airbnb and Booking.com. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely in urban areas and most establishments. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local listings are available for short-term stay options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Baku and Sahil Hostel are affordable options for budget travelers. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Old City (Icherisheher) offers picturesque views and historical significance. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Nizami Street and Fountain Square area are bustling with cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Management Development Center and BeWork are popular coworking spaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café 10 is known for a good atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Baku Startup Weekend often hosts business and networking events for entrepreneurs. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Expats in Baku Facebook group is active for community building and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber operate effectively in Baku. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Baku has public bicycle rental programs such as Baku Bike. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Shikhov Beach, about 20 minutes from downtown Baku. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Azerbaijan Airlines serves various regional routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa operate flights to major cities. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Baku is well-connected by the M1 highway leading to various regions. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Baku Railway Station serves as the main transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | BakuCard offers unlimited travel on public transport. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Intercity buses and trains connect Baku with other cities like Ganja and Sheki. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Central Hospital and Clinic are well-known for their services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Club Baku offers various classes and sessions. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness House and Sport City are popular gyms in the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lucky Laundry and Fresh Laundry provide good services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Bolt Food and Yemeksepeti offer diverse food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Plov, the national dish of rice served with meat and vegetables. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Buddha Bowl and Vegan Kitchen are top vegan-friendly spots. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Bakertop offers delicious pastries and traditional sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Ganjlik Mall features a variety of local shops and eateries. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | azercell.az and baku-market.com provide online shopping options. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Azercell has an online grocery service available for delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Fountain Square and Nizami Street host vibrant nightlife scenes. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Baku Beer Factory is a popular local brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Winehouse Baku offers a selection of local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Sabir Park has a variety of street food vendors with traditional fare. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restoran Firuza serves a mix of Azerbaijani and international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Flame Towers and the Maiden Tower are iconic landmarks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of History are notable. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Icherisheher (Old City) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Taza Bazaar Mosque is a stunning structure worth visiting. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Baku Jazz Festival and Ganja Dance Festival take place annually. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Old City and Fountain Square have a vibrant cultural atmosphere. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater is a cultural gem. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Taza Bazaar is known for its fresh produce and local products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Baku hosts various live music events at venues like Baku Jazz Club. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art can be found in the Old City and along the Boulevard. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | AzTur Restaurant offers traditional Azerbaijani cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | YAY Gallery features contemporary local artworks. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is a stunning historical landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The carpet weaving traditions represent rich Azerbaijani heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Gobustan National Park is a UNESCO site known for rock carvings. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Goygol National Park, famous for its scenic beauty, is approximately 4 hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Baku Boulevard offers scenic paths along the Caspian Sea. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Highland Park provides stunning views of the city skyline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Caspian Sea coastline is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Shikhov Beach has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and FedEx operate reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Service Center and Local Computer Repair Shops are available. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Several parks such as Azadliq Square have ping pong tables available for public use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Baku Language School offers various language learning options. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library of Azerbaijan offers study spaces and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Baku Community Center organizes various cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Zone is a popular venue for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Shirvanshah Casino offers gambling entertainment in the city. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €48,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €32,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €90,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €60,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €136,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €96,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | The standard corporate tax rate is 20%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The withholding tax for dividends is 10%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Azerbaijan operates on a territorial tax system for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 25%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard VAT rate is 18%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | There are no strict CFC rules in Azerbaijan. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Property tax is based on the estimated value of real estate. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | The property transaction tax is 3% of the sale price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Residency options allow for a favorable tax rate for digital nomads. |