The fun loving Saim Ali sure knows how to have a good time! As a certified globetrotter, he visited the best places to in Baku; as well as detailed us on the local foods, and his fun experiences! Let’s transport to the beautiful land of fire with Saim!
- Why did you select Baku for your holiday destination?
Baku is one of the most wanted destinations these days where everyone wants to visit for its various reasons.
- First impressions of the city?
The first impression is always when you land at the airport and Baku’s airport is extremely modern and beautifully designed with amazing lounges, restaurants and duty free. Also on arrival, London cabs wait for you to drop off.
- Which are the must-see places in Baku?
The Fire Temple, Shopping Malls, Nizami Street, the Baku Tower restaurant on the top with the whole city view, energy club, the main bazaar, restaurants on the sea view belt, flame towers etc.
- People travel to Dubai for shopping or to Nepal for a peaceful getaway. What is the specialty of Baku? The differentiating feature?
Baku is cheaper than Dubai for sure in every way, from taxis to the hotels to shopping and to food, it is all very reasonably priced, and on such an easy visa like Dubai you get the feel of Europe with of course the beautiful weather.
- Which tasty street foods and cuisines did you try?
I have tried from high class fine dining’s like Nusrat , Buddha Bar, and high end cafes like The House cafe from the street, Arabic and Lebanese cuisines with the rich sheesha culture.
- What did you enjoy most about the city?
The weather, my hotel Hilton on the most beautiful sea view, food, hamams are definitely to try for relaxation and the best body scrubbing ever.
- Any funny incident that took place on your trip?
Well the locals don’t know a word of English apart from the hotel lingo, so it was extremely funny and difficult to converse with the taxi drivers and with cafe restaurant staff, each time I used to ask for something I always used to get the opposite.
- The city is famous for its medieval walled old city; containing a vast royal complex and the iconic Maiden Tower. Did you visit any of them?
The old city is a must visit place it’s not very big as it’s from the donkey years but whatever the preserve areas are, they are definitely eye catching and to study for. The Maiden Tower is right in the middle of the old city facing the sea.
- Baku is also renowned for its rich culture and heritage. Detail us on your experience.
Yes Baku is definitely rich on culture and heritage, people are very simple and beautiful; some part of it extremely high fashion and some are still very basic and simple. It is called the city of fire because of gas and volcano and that’s why they have these huge 3 beautiful flame towers.
- Is there anything one should be prepared for when visiting Baku? (Excluding common factors like language barrier)
If you going in winters then make sure you have your proper long coats and boots as it’s -1 degrees and goes further down in winters plus Baku is famous as the Windy City too so be prepared but it’s all very beautiful and I love the winters in Baku.
- Did you bring any souvenirs with you?
Yes each new place I visit I do bring fridge magnets or cups and I keep collecting them.
- What is the one thing that you recommend others to try/experience in Baku?
Shopping, out skirts of Baku on a tour bus, the food of course, Nazmi Street, the Flame Towers , and must download the Google translator app in your cell phones.
