Baku is an incredible city to stay in while visiting Azerbaijan! We were fortunate enough to stay there for almost 1 month during the F1 Grand Prix in 2025. Since the Baku City Circuit is a street circuit, the track is right in the city!
We arrived in Baku a couple of weeks before the race, knowing that we wanted to make the most of our time exploring the country. One of the best things about visiting this circuit is that your hotel stay is minutes away from the track. We were easily able to walk to the track each day and be at the entry gates within a 30-minute walk – it was awesome!
This article is perfect for first-timers in Azerbaijan who are wondering where to stay in Baku for F1. We spent plenty of time exploring the main areas and can offer insight into our favourite areas to stay, where we stayed, and what to expect when booking a hotel!
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Where to Stay in Baku for F1 (Quick Overview)
There are 3 main areas that I would focus on when booking a hotel for the F1 Grand Prix weekend. The Old City, Nizami Street & Central Area, and Baku Boulevard are easily my top recommendations. Each area is well located, close to the track, and has easy access to plenty of restaurants for nights following the F1 events. All areas are within easy walking distance of the track, so you really can’t go wrong in any of these areas.
Old City: Best Area for History & a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Old City is a unique area to stay in, as the area is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Featuring fortress walls dated back to the 12th century, you’ll also find many historical places to go to, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Qız Qalası, and House-Museum of Vagif Mustafazadeh. The Museum of Miniature Books and the Workshop Ali Shamsi are also notable places to go to and certainly worth checking out as well! I found it to still be a relaxing area to explore, and the fortress walls around the Old City are quite something to see. We enjoyed dining out in this area as well, and with this location being close to the F1 track, it could be a great location to stay!
Nizami Street & Central Area: Best Area for Shopping & Nightlife
If you want to stay in a lively area, then finding your accommodation around the famous Nizami Street will be the place to go. It’s the busiest area out of these options, and there is always something going on. Nizami Street is a walking street filled with an abundance of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shopping stores, so there is always something to do. It can be a fun way to unwind after a day attending F1 and take in the busy nightlife. The Central Area & Fountain Square are prime locations during the Baku F1 Grand Prix as they are quite close to the main Absheron Grandstands and close to access to the Sahil & Bulvar Grandstands gates as well.
Where We Stayed: Central Area & Just South of Füzuli Park
We stayed near the Central Area, just south of Füzuli Park. This was the perfect location for us as we booked an apartment for almost the full month of September. We were able to walk to Nizami Street in less than 10 minutes and were able to walk to the F1 entrance gates in a 30-minute walk. This location had a few grocery stores and convenience stores close to us, which was perfect for our stay. Accommodation in this area may also be a bit cheaper than the other areas as it’s not quite in the downtown core. However, if you are coming for the F1 weekend, then expect all prices to be higher than typical rates.
Baku Boulevard: Steps from the F1 Track
Another great area for where to stay in Baku for F1 is definitely the Baku Boulevard. We found ourselves exploring the Baku Boulevard area even before the F1 weekend arrived. There are really neat restaurants along the promenade, and you have an incredible view of the Flame Towers. It felt very quiet and peaceful compared to the hustle and bustle of the Nazami Street area.
The Boulevard area is home to most of the F1 Fan Zone areas, and if you are staying before the F1 race weekend begins, then you’ll also get a chance to walk through it for free as it’s open to the public. It was really special to see the space come alive and to see where the different grandstands were. Whether you are coming to Baku for the race weekend or to visit another time, the Baku Boulevard is definitely a nice area to check out!
My Hotel Recommendations for the Old City
1. The Destan Hotel and Terrace
The Destan Hotel and Terrance is a great choice if you are looking for a simple and large room. The style is quite nice and favours an aesthetic that is true to the historic Old Town. The decor is simple yet elegant, making it a nice and comfortable stay. The rooftop restaurant has an incredible view and is beautifully decorated as well! If I get a chance to come back to Baku, then this would certainly be a hotel I’d be looking into!
Book Your Stay: The Destan Hotel and Terrace
2. Senator Panoramic Hotel
The Senator Panoramic Hotel offers more of a modern finish but still offers rooms with historic charm. Some rooms have an exposed brick wall, and many rooms have an incredible view of the city. This hotel offers a variety of rooms, including set-ups for a double double, twin room, or triple room, making it a great choice for multiple travellers.
Book Your Stay: Senator Panoramic Hotel
3. Promenade Hotel Baku
Promenade Hotel Baku is an excellent value for money, and the amenities alone are incredible. My favourite being the terrace and outdoor seating area without a doubt. There is also a lounge, coffee shop, and fitness center, making it a one-stop place during your stay in Baku. The rooms are spacious, and the bathrooms are really nice, making it an easy decision for a place to stay in the historic Old City.
Book Your Stay: Promenade Hotel Baku
Best Places to Stay in Nizami Street & Central Area
1. The Rooms Baku
The Rooms Baku is a sleek modern hotel located very close to Nizami Street and Fountain Square. The warm lighting in the room is especially a nice touch, and the design elements in the room offer a nice boutique feel. It’s a bonus that all rooms come with a mini fridge, making it easy for any takeout dining or packing up leftovers from a restaurant. Overall, the rooms are simple and a good value for money. A top choice for sure if you are looking for a nice, clean place in the heart of the city.
Book Your Stay: The Rooms Baku
2. Amara Boutique
The Amara Boutique Hotel is quite close to Fountain Square, making it an ideal location if you want to be right in the action of the busy bars and restaurants. I love the cute balcony that some of the rooms have, making it a perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. The room design has a modern and cozy feel, making it a really nice place to truly unwind and relax. If you are looking for a cozy stay with modern finishes, then I’d certainly recommend this place.
Book Your Stay: Amara Boutique
3. FermaArt Hotel & Restaurant
FermaArt Hotel & Restaurant is another great hotel that offers a lot for a traveller! It features a terrace, bar, and coffee shop in addition to clean, modern rooms. One of my favourite features as a digital nomad is that it has a proper work desk right in the room as well – which isn’t always the case for hotels. The hotel is in a prime location, steps away from many shops and restaurants! The FermaArt Hotel & Restaurant is also ideal for travellers looking to share a room as it includes triple and quadruple rooms. If you are looking for a nice room for a shorter visit, then I’d certainly recommend this hotel!
Book Your Stay: FermaArt Hotel & Restaurant
Where to Stay Near Baku Boulevard
1. ART Gallery Hotel
If you are looking for a unique boutique hotel with a luxury feel, then the ART Gallery Hotel is easily the win here. The rooms are spacious, clean, and the suites have separate living areas. It’s a great location too, being just on the edge of the Baku Boulevard. The featured art pieces in the rooms truly stand out, making it a unique experience and hotel feel. I’d recommend this hotel especially for couples as the rooms have extra-large doubles or king-size beds!
Book Your Stay: ART Gallery Hotel
2. Dinamo Hotel Baku
Dinamo Hotel Baku is one street off Baku Boulevard, but it’s definitely still worth mentioning on this list! It’s a beautiful 5-star hotel featuring stunning large rooms, a spa & wellness center, and an indoor swimming pool! The bathroom is a huge stand-out feature for me, and I love that it has a tub! After being a nomad for so many years, it’s nice to have a tub for a change haha. The location is also ideal if you are staying for the F1 race as it’s steps away from the city circuit. If you want to treat yourself while in Baku, then this is the place to go!
Book Your Stay: Dinamo Hotel Baku
3. Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard
Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard is a beautiful hotel with stunning views of the Caspian Sea. The rooms are elegant and exactly what you think of when the name Marriott comes to mind. As it’s so close to the sea, you can enjoy incredible walks along the boulevard, which are amazing, especially at night to enjoy the city lights and Flame Tower views! This is definitely located in a much more relaxing area than Nizami Street, and if you want to have a bit more of a relaxing stay, then I would highly recommend booking here!
Book Your Stay: Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard
FAQs About Booking Accommodations in Baku, Azerbaijan
Is it better to stay in the Old City or near Nizami Street in Baku?
If I were to choose between the two, I would recommend staying near Nizami Street. The Old Town area is really neat, and I would certainly spend time visiting there, but I like the idea of being more centrally located. That being said, if you are staying in Baku for the F1 Grand Prix, then I would choose whichever area is closest to the gate that leads to your grandstand.
How far in advance should I book a hotel in Baku for the F1 Grand Prix?
I would book your accommodation as early as possible. As soon as we decided that we were going to Baku for our near month-long stay, we booked our apartment stay right away. We really only decided to go to the race at the end of July. This was only a month and a half before the race, and lots of places were already booked up. I would definitely book as early as possible.
Is Baku a walkable city for tourists?
Yes, absolutely! One of my favourite things about the city is that you can walk just about anywhere in the downtown core! The sidewalks are nice and well kept, making it easy to explore. I would recommend comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking everywhere! We also managed to go on the subway as well, especially as a station was close to our apartment. This made it convenient to get to places like the Heydar Aliyev Center.
Where is the best place to stay in Baku for nightlife?
The best nightlife can be found near Nizami Street. There are tons of bars and nightclubs as well. We tried to go to a nightclub on a whim right before we left, but we were turned away as we were wearing sandals. This made sense since we didn’t actually plan to go and thus didn’t dress accordingly. But lesson learned: we should have planned better earlier in our stay. Baku is a fun city to explore both day and night!
How do I get from Heydar Aliyev Airport to downtown Baku?
There are a few different ways to get from the Airport to downtown Baku.
- Taxi/Ride Sharing App (~18.00 CAD to downtown & 25 minutes travel time)
- Bus (~2.00 CAD to downtown & 1 hour travel time) Baku Bus
What is the best taxi app to use in Baku?
When we arrived, we took a taxi using the Bolt app to get to our apartment. I would recommend using a ride-sharing app such as Bolt or Uber AZ. We had good experiences using these apps.
Should I buy a physical SIM card or use an eSIM in Azerbaijan?
I would recommend getting an eSIM before arriving in Azerbaijan. It’s a perfect way to save time, as you can pre-purchase and load the eSIM ahead of time and then activate the eSIM so it’s ready to go once you land in Azerbaijan. We used GlobalYo while we were staying in Baku. We had great internet connection, no issues and still use plans from this app today!
