The Most Beautiful Parks and Green Spaces in Baku, Azerbaijan

A few minutes east of Baku Boulevard past Baku Shipyard sits New City Park. While the park itself resembles the nearby boulevard, the quiet and less crowded feel gives it an appeal. Walk along the wide walkways, and sit on the benches on one of the many piers, while soaking up the views in isolation. From here, lucky tourists might see hundreds, if not thousands, of fish swimming in the Caspian Sea.

Upland, or Dagustu Park, sits at the top of the Baku Funicular a few minutes southwest of Icheri Sheher. Not only is this park in Baku clean and attractive, but it also gives some of the best views of the city’s skyline. Either ride the funicular or climb the two-hundred-and-something steps to reach the top. Locals come in numbers as the sun begins to set to enjoy the romantic views.

Located 2 kilometres (1.53 miles) north of Icheri Sheher in Yasamal District is the small and leafy Izmir Park. Several benches provide the perfect place to sit and enjoy the fresh air and surroundings. This park is sometimes referred to as Firefighter Garden because of its proximity to the fire station, and there is another interesting story behind the park’s name. The Turkish city of Izmir has been one of Baku’s Twin Cities since 1985. Despite the Turks following Sunni Islam and Azerbaijanis practicing Shia, they consider themselves brothers.

Out of all the parks in Baku, Zabitler (or Officer’s Park) is the greenest. Created to honour those who fought in World War Two, the small space combines natural surroundings with numerous statues and sculptures of famous Azerbaijanis. Several trees and flowers line the paths stretching around the fountain and children’s play area. Officer’s Park is 2 kilometres north of Baku Boulevard.

Stretching for more than 600 metres (1969 feet) and just a short walk west of 28 May Metro Station lies Fizuli Park. The marble paths lined with flowerpots in the centre and sandstone buildings to the side make a photogenic place for a stroll. But, it’s best to avoid the midday heat, as Fizuli Park offers little in the way of shade.

On the southeast tip of Absheron Peninsula sits a large national park with the same namesake. Just 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Baku, Absheron National Park can be visited on a day trip. Inside, expect to see a variety of flora and fauna throughout the semi-arid landscape. While not strictly a park in Baku, this national park deserves a special mention.