Getting there
The route to Baku's beaches, transport and practical tips.
From the city to the beach
Most of Absheron's beaches are 30–60 minutes from the centre of Baku. The popular villages — Novkhani, Bilgah, Mardakan, Buzovna, Nardaran — can be reached by car, taxi or bus. The resorts and clubs often have their own parking, while the public beaches are easiest to reach by car.
What to bring and where to swim
For a wild beach bring water, food, a parasol and everything you need — there may be no facilities. Paid beaches and resorts have loungers, cafés and showers. Choose the northern and eastern shores for clean water, come in the morning to claim a spot and swim in the cool, and watch the wind: on Khazri days it is better to walk than to swim.
The essentials, briefly
The cleanest and most popular beaches are on the northern and eastern coast of Absheron: Novkhani, Bilgah, Nardaran, Mardakan, Buzovna. Shikhov is nearest the city, but near an industrial zone.
In summer it is warm (25–28° by the shore) and less salty than the ocean. There are almost no tides; on windy Khazri days there are waves.
Roughly from late May to September. The warmest time is July and August; June and September are cooler and calmer.
Most beaches are 30–60 minutes from the centre. The easiest way is by car or taxi; buses also run to the villages.
There are both free public beaches and paid resorts and clubs with loungers, pools and cafés. The resorts charge for entry.
It depends on the place: the northern and eastern beaches are usually cleaner. It is worth keeping away from old industrial zones and oil fields.
Come to the sea in the morning — and the Caspian will give you the warmest day of a Baku summer.