Baku: Stunning Walking Tour of Historical and Modern City

Super city tour - old and new town

It was a beautiful experience with Ashraf on the tour. He took us to most of the important places and explained the history about it.

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Good tour, much variety

Very informative. Well paced . Our questions were answered well. Flexible guide for carrying my bags and gave us a time to explore museum. Recommend

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Awesome experience of Azerbaijan!

Ashraf is what a quintessential example of a tour guide should be in a foreign place. The tour was so special that it was deeply fulfilling. The historical and contemporary details of Baku and Azerbaijan were so passionately, patiently and professionally explained by Ashraf leaving room for no questions. He went above and beyond to make the tour profound and soulful with a good sense of humor and honesty! It was a 5 star experience, thanks to Ashraf!

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Would do it again

Professional and very knowledgeable. The guide was very respectful and accommodating according to each individual need.

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Scammed by Azerbaijani guide

The itinerary states free admission however that is purposely misleading as we have to pay for the funicular ride at Highland Park and “encouraged” to buy a local snack. The cost per person per funicular ride is 1 Manat. This tour guide- Ashraf, purposefully planned to scam us (two women tourists). When we met him he asked if we have cash on us- we found it odd but nevertheless. When we reached the Highland Park funicular queue he said do not worry he will pay and at the end we will sort out the money and I can pay him back (I found it odd but shrugged it off as I thought he was hinting at a tip even though tipping is not common in Azerbaijan- which there is nothing wrong with and I’d accounted for a tip for him already before the tour). He tried to block me from hearing or seeing what happened in the queue when he paid for the tickets, he spoke in native language when purchasing our tickets. I know the ride is 1 Manat, however in the funicular he told me it was 20 for my mother and I and we would sort out at the end. I was upset but my mother told me to pretend and it is okay and I should just minus it from the tip. At the end- we used the stairs to return instead of the funicular and Ashraf said that the funicular for the two of us cost us 40 manat (not 20 like he had earlier lied about) . We quietly paid him as we are two women that are alone. Our interaction with him left a bad taste in our mouth. We also witnessed him being racist to another Indian tourist- we are of Indian descent. Azerbaijan is beautiful and they are trying to boost their tourism, however it seems many if not all Azerbaijanis are scammers and out to trick tourists. During the tour he spoke of money problems and elderly parents. He told us he lives very far and it’s expensive to get back home. We just wanted to enjoy the walking tour of Baku. He still continued to WhatsApp me 2 days later, hounding me for a 5 star review after scamming us- we paid him his scam amount and still tipped him. Please be careful who you book in Azerbaijan and especially do not book this operator.

Response from the operator: I would like to address the recent review left by a guest, Nasiha, from South Africa, who joined my walking tour in Baku. I am deeply concerned by the accusations made and feel it is necessary to provide my perspective on the matter. First and foremost, I strive to welcome every guest warmly and ensure their comfort throughout the tour. On this occasion, we began our tour at Nizami Street, as usual, with a friendly introduction. During the tour, these two guests frequently spoke of their affluent lifestyle, detailing their luxury cars and boasting about their wealth. They persistently asked me about my earnings and the average salary in Baku, making comments that implied a sense of superiority. I pride myself on being patient and respectful, but no one should have to endure condescending remarks or attempts to belittle their way of life. Despite these uncomfortable interactions, I continued to lead the tour with professionalism and courtesy. I did not respond in kind to their behavior, nor did I attempt to escalate the situation. Regarding the funicular ride at Highland Park, the cost per person is indeed 1 Manat. I initially paid for their tickets and suggested we settle the payment later, a gesture meant to ease the process and maintain the flow of the tour. The claim that I charged them an inflated price is false. Additionally, I have never pressured any guest for tips, nor do I hound anyone for reviews. I also want to address the serious accusation of racism. I have welcomed countless Indian guests on my tours, and many have left positive feedback about their experiences. I treat all my guests equally, regardless of their background, and I am saddened that such an allegation was made. The suggestion that I behaved in a way that made these guests feel unsafe or harassed is simply untrue. I share stories about my life when guests show interest and ask questions, as many do. Discussing topics such as family and daily life helps create a connection and enriches the cultural experience. It is not an invitation for judgment or mockery. To future guests, please know that I am committed to providing an informative and enjoyable experience. My tours are designed to showcase the beauty of Baku while ensuring everyone feels included and respected. I welcome feedback that helps me grow, but I cannot accept baseless claims that question my integrity and professionalism. Thank you for considering my side of the story. Best regards, Ashraf

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