Carry passport + visa/ETA, printed and digital copies, AZN cash & cards, travel insurance, local SIM/eSIM or roaming; Europlug Type C adapter, power bank, phone, camera, comfortable walking shoes, lightweight waterproof jacket and layers (November is cool and windy), basic meds and prescriptions, reusable water bottle and small daypack.
Wander the UNESCO Old City lanes, visit Maiden Tower for views and history; it's the heart of historic Baku and gives a strong sense of the city's layered past. Check opening: typically 9:00–19:00 (seasonal).
Visit Zaha Hadid’s iconic cultural center for exhibitions and striking architecture; normal hours are around 10:00–19:00 (check current exhibits/times).
Grab an early breakfast and join a guided tour or drive (~45–60 minutes) southwest to Gobustan National Park to avoid crowds; tours often depart 7:30–9:00.
See the bubbling mud volcanoes nearby — dramatic natural phenomenon best visited with a guide and camera; some sites are free but guided tours cost more.
Visit the historic Ateshgah temple on the Absheron Peninsula where natural gases were worshipped; typical opening hours 10:00–19:00 but arrive earlier for parking and crowds.