The Best Street Markets in Baku, Azerbaijan
Visiting markets and getting involved in the daily commotion tends to be the easiest way to peek into a country’s local way of life and culture. And few things make such a contrast between the capital’s wealth and lifestyles than the items found in the suburban markets in Baku.
Before We Start
Before diving into the best street markets in Baku, let me first explain a few tips and suggestions. Local markets range from sprawling bazaars to obscure flea markets and stalls selling touristy souvenirs. Others sell fresh fruit and vegetables, snacks and clothes, along the side of the street.
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Baku’s two famous ones include Taza Bazaar and Yasil Bazaar. The others get very few, if any, foreign tourists making them almost impossible to find without local help. If you want to explore the more out of the way markets in Baku, ask a tour guide or hotel receptionist for directions and recommendations.
Not many people speak English in Baku, especially in the neighbourhoods away from the centre. Learn a few phrases in Azerbaijani or Russian to help you communicate with the locals.
Taza Bazaar
Bazaar, Market
Opening hours: Daily from 8:00am to 7:00pm.
Yasil Bazar
Market
Yasil Bazar
Yasil Bazar, or ‘Green Market’, offers an authentic local experience when you travel to Baku. When you’re in the centre, Icheri Sheher, or the shopping malls, you’ll see few working-class Bakuvians. Get away from the city’s core, and stroll to the train station to find the local’s favourite market in Baku.
People from around Azerbaijan sell organic vegetables and fruit including grapes and pomegranates at Yasil Bazaar. Lower prices and making a direct contribution to the local economy makes this bazaar a win-win for everyone.
Firdovsi Mammadov, Baku, Azerbaijan,+994 50 751 41 41
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 6:00am to 10:00pm
The Russian Flea Market
Market, European
Opening hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00am to 4:00pm
The Icheri Sheher Markets
The Icheri Sheher Markets
Spending time in the medieval Icheri Sheher always ranks as one of the top things to do in Baku. And where wealthy tourists go, vendors follow. Stroll through the historical streets, and pass shops selling traditional Azerbaijani carpets. Other stalls hawk the typical souvenirs such as fridge magnets, keychains and Soviet memorabilia.
Icheri Sheher, Baku, Azerbaijan
Typical opening hours: 8:00am to 10:00pm
Icheri Sheher is a great place to buy traditional carpets and souvenirs | © Elena Odareeva/Shutterstock
Other Markets in Baku
Visit Baku and stroll through the streets. More likely than not, smaller street markets will serendipitously appear. People often sell from the back of their cars, while vendors sit around or wander the streets hawking their goods. Some sell flowers and others, traditional Azerbaijan food. Adventurous tourists might also find the iron bazaars where crafters sell their metalwork. Before getting too excited, remember the following: The only sure way to experience these markets in Baku is to ask a local for recommendations.
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