Short answer. Icherisheher is the walled Old City of Baku and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Icherisheher sits in the middle of town and takes two to three hours on foot. Do not try to drive into it. Park outside the walls and walk in.
Updated 21 August 2026.
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Is Icherisheher worth visiting?
Yes, and it is the one part of Baku that almost nobody skips.
Icherisheher is the old walled town at the centre of the city. UNESCO put it on the World Heritage list in 2000. The Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs went with it. People still live inside the walls. The walled town is a working neighbourhood with laundry on the balconies.
The Old City is also small. You can cross it on foot in fifteen minutes. The Old City works even on a short stop in Baku.
What is inside the walls?
| What | Why go |
|---|---|
| Maiden Tower | The symbol of the city. Climb it for the roof view over the bay |
| Palace of the Shirvanshahs | The 15th century royal complex, the largest single sight inside |
| Caravanserais | Old merchant courtyards, several now restaurants |
| Muhammad Mosque | The oldest dated building in the walled city |
| The lanes themselves | Carpet shops, cats, and the film locations locals will point out |
The Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshahs’ Palace charge entry in Icherisheher. Both close in the evening. Hours and ticket prices change from season to season. Check on the day rather than trusting an old blog post.
Can you drive into the Old City?
Technically some lanes in Icherisheher are open to cars. Practically, do not.
The streets inside were laid out for carts. The lanes are narrow and turn at odd angles. Several are one-way, and a good number end in steps. Residents drive there because they know which turn leads out. A visitor in a rental car ends up reversing out, a wall on each side.
Driving in gains you nothing either. The whole point of the place is walking through it.
Where to leave the car
Leave it outside the walls and enter on foot through one of the gates.
| Where | Notes |
|---|---|
| Paid lots near Neftchilar Avenue | Closest to the Boulevard side, easiest to find |
| Streets around Fountain Square | Paid street parking, busy at weekends |
| Hotel parking | If you are staying in the centre, use it and walk everywhere |
Street parking in the centre is paid and it is enforced. Look for the marked bays and the payment machines. Do not leave the car on the pavement.
Parking in the centre is often more trouble than it is worth. The metro station Icherisheher opens right at the wall.
How long do you need?
Two to three hours covers Icherisheher at a normal pace. The walk includes the Maiden Tower and the palace. Half a day if you stop for lunch in a caravanserai. Longer if you look at carpets properly.
Wear shoes you can walk on stone in. The lanes are cobbled and polished smooth in places, and they are slippery after rain.
When to go
Morning is best in Baku in summer. The walled streets hold heat, and the open squares give little shade by midday.
Spring and autumn are comfortable at any hour. In winter dress for the wind off the Caspian, not the temperature.
What to pair it with
Icherisheher sits between the Boulevard and Fountain Square. An afternoon in the centre needs no car at all.
The car earns its keep on the days around it. Gobustan and the mud volcanoes are about an hour south. Absheron with its fire temple and burning hillside is a half day. Both are awkward without your own transport.
We have rented cars in Baku since 2023. The office is open 24/7 and the phone answers at night.
BookingCarBaku staff speak Azerbaijani, Russian, English and Turkish.
Common questions
Is Icherisheher free to enter?
Walking through the walls is free. The Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshahs’ Palace charge separate entry.
Can I drive inside the Old City?
Some lanes in Icherisheher allow cars, but you should not drive in. The lanes are narrow, one-way in places and easy to get stuck in.
Where do I park?
In the paid lots and marked bays outside the Icherisheher walls. Try Neftchilar Avenue and Fountain Square.
How long does a visit take?
Two to three hours on foot in Icherisheher. Half a day with lunch and the museums.
Is it walkable from the Boulevard?
Yes, Icherisheher is walkable from the Boulevard. The walls start a few minutes’ walk from the Baku seafront.
Do I need a car to see it?
No, you do not need a car to see Icherisheher. A car is useful for Gobustan and Absheron, not for the Old City itself.
Planning a few days in Baku? Message us and we will sort the car out.
