Since you'll likely arrive and settle in mid-morning, begin with a relaxed stroll to Fountain Square to soak up the city's atmosphere and grab a late breakfast at a café terrace; try Azerbaijani pastries and strong tea. Continue into the Old City to wander the winding lanes, visiting Maiden Tower for panoramic views and the atmospheric [Palace of the Shirvanshahs](https://www.google.com/search?q=Palace+of+the+Shirvanshahs+4+night+5+day+Baku+programe%0A+official+site) to get a compact history lesson - finish with a stop at a local carpet shop to see traditional Azerbaijani weaving up close.
After lunch, stroll along the waterfront to the modern Baku Boulevard for a breezy introduction to the Caspian shore, then hop on the Ferris wheel at Baku Eye for panoramic city-and-sea views as daylight fades. Continue to the nearby Little Venice canal area for a relaxed boat ride or coffee at a waterside café, finishing with a visit to the contemporary [Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature](https://www.google.com/search?q=Nizami+Museum+of+Azerbaijani+Literature+4+night+5+day+Baku+programe%0A+official+site) to connect local culture with the historic Old City you explored this morning.
As night falls, wander toward the atmospheric Neftchilar Avenue to see the city lights along the Caspian and pause for an aperitif at a rooftop bar with views of the illuminated skyline. For dinner, savor modern takes on Azerbaijani cuisine at Mugham Club or Chinar, then finish the evening with a leisurely riverside stroll to the glowing silhouette of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum for photo ops and a peaceful end to your first day.
Start the day with panoramic views from the observation platform near the Flame Towers to see how modern Baku rises above the Old City you explored yesterday, then head to the nearby Heydar Aliyev Center for Zaha Hadid's sweeping architecture and rotating contemporary exhibitions. After soaking in design and city vistas, stroll or cycle along the Seaside Boulevard toward Baku Ferris Wheel and detour to the interactive exhibits at the [Azerbaijan State Museum of Art](https://www.google.com/search?q=Azerbaijan+State+Museum+of+Art+4+night+5+day+Baku+programe%0A+official+site) for a curated introduction to national and modern artworks before a leisurely late-morning coffee at a boulevard café.
After a morning of sweeping architecture, cross the boulevard to explore the creative quarter around Nizami Street, browsing independent design shops and stopping for a light lunch of local street specialties at Taza Bazaar Café; the neighborhood's mix of Art Nouveau buildings and modern boutiques offers a lively contrast to the city's grand landmarks. Continue to the nearby Museum of Modern Art for a focused dive into Azerbaijani contemporary artists, then relax with a late-afternoon walk through Upland Park for elevated views over the Caspian and a peaceful spot to watch the city's light begin to change before evening activities.
As the city lights come alive, enjoy a sunset-to-night tapas-style dinner at Nola Restaurant on the waterfront, sampling modern Azerbaijani small plates and local wines while watching the boulevard shimmer; afterward, take a leisurely illuminated walk to Upland Park's terrace café for night-time panoramas of the lit skyline. Finish with a lively late-evening stop at Baku Jazz Center or a cozy cocktail at Sky Grill & Bar for live music and a glass under the glow of the Flame Towers, keeping the modern-city momentum from your day intact.
Leave the city early for a scenic drive to Gobustan, starting your morning with a guided tour of the open-air museum at Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, where prehistoric petroglyph panels and cliff-side carvings reveal millennia of human life. After exploring the engravings, continue to the nearby field of bubbling mud pools at the Gobustan Mud Volcanoes for a short hike and close-up views of the surreal, steaming cones-finish with a cozy roadside stop at Qobustan Visitor Center Café for strong tea and local pastries while your guide explains the area's geology and archaeology.
After a picnic lunch, continue inland to explore the nearby open-air archaeology at Gobustan National Park Visitor Trail, where a guided walk reveals lesser-known petroglyph panels and tactile reconstructions of prehistoric tools; pause at the interpretive viewpoints for further context on settlement patterns. Then drive a short distance to the dramatic, steam-ringed cones of the Lokbatan Mud Volcanoes for hands-on geology-feel the warm earth, watch real-time eruptions of mud and gas, and finish with tea and regional snacks at a local family-run roadside teahouse to compare notes before returning toward Baku.
After returning toward Baku, unwind with a sunset stop at Atashgah Park in Sahil to stretch and watch the last light over the Caspian, followed by a short visit to the atmospheric Bibi-Heybat Mosque for a peaceful moment and photo opportunity as the lamps are lit. For dinner, sample regional lamb and seafood specialties at Mərdəkan Fish House, then end the evening with traditional live music and tea at the intimate Tar Bar & Lounge, where local melodies cap a day of landscape and geology with warm hospitality.
Head east from Baku to the historic fire-worship complex at Ateshgah (Fire Temple of Baku) for a guided walk through the courtyard, ancient inscriptions and the small on-site museum that traces Zoroastrian and Sikh connections; finish with tea at the temple café while your guide explains local flame lore. Continue a short drive to the windswept salt flats to visit the atmospheric Yanar Bulag (Burning Spring) and nearby coastal viewpoints for dramatic photos of natural gas seeps, then stop at Surakhani Market en route back for freshly baked tandir bread and a chance to sample regional cheeses and pickles from friendly stallholders.
After a hearty market lunch, head inland to the village of Mardakan to visit the atmospheric Mardakan Castle (Quadrangular Tower) and stroll its courtyard for a taste of medieval defence architecture, then continue to the nearby seaside park to walk the coastal promenade and spot local fishermen. Finish the afternoon with a tasting at Mardakan Winery (or a local family-run vineyard tasting if open) to sample Azerbaijani vintages and fruit brandies while your guide connects vineyard traditions to the market flavors you experienced earlier, setting up a relaxed transition back toward Baku for evening plans.
Return toward Baku and settle into the creative Khatai district for an evening of relaxed discovery: enjoy small plates and craft cocktails at Scalini Italian Bistro then wander the nearby streets to browse late-opening galleries and design shops like Baku Design Hub for contemporary Azerbaijani crafts. Finish with a nightcap at Sky Lounge Baku overlooking the city - the rooftop's warm lights and skyline views provide a calm, reflective close to a day spent between ancient fire sites and local market flavors.
Ease into your final morning with a relaxed breakfast at Café City near the boulevard, then stroll the nearby Nizami Street pedestrian zone to pick up any last-minute souvenirs from boutique shops and traditional craft stalls. Continue to the serene Botanical Garden for a peaceful walk among evergreen terraces and a final view over the city before returning to your hotel to pack and check out.
After a relaxed morning, explore the upscale shopping and gallery-lined streets around Neftchilar Avenue and browse designer Azerbaijani labels and handmade jewelry at Park Bulvar Mall; pause for a light lunch and people-watching on the waterfront terrace. Then take a calming cultural detour to the intimate [Museum of Miniature Books](https://www.google.com/search?q=Museum+of+Miniature+Books+4+night+5+day+Baku+programe%0A+official+site) for a quirky, quick visit before a final riverside coffee at Chinar Restaurant's terrace to pack, regroup, and prepare for a smooth transfer to the airport.
Wind down your trip with an easy seaside dinner at Mətbəx (Matbakh) on the promenade, sampling Azerbaijani comfort dishes and a final glass of local wine while watching the Caspian lights. After dinner, take a contemplative walk through National Flag Square for expansive nighttime views and then enjoy a relaxed dessert and strong tea at Paul French Bakery & Café before returning to your hotel to collect luggage and head to the airport.