When visiting Baku, the vibrant capital of Azerbaijan, you’ll undoubtedly want to take home a piece of its charm. With its rich tapestry of history and modernity, Baku offers an array of souvenirs, culinary delights, and handcrafted items that make for perfect gifts for both men and women. From exquisite carpets to delicious local treats, here’s a comprehensive guide on what to bring back from your journey.
No trip is complete without picking up a few memorable keepsakes adorned with national symbols. Common options include magnets, T-shirts, baseball caps, and mugs featuring the Azerbaijani flag. The shops in the Old City are filled with unique souvenirs that reflect the local Eastern flair—think charming plates showcasing views of Baku, decorative ceramics, and mugs inscribed with “Baku.” Be sure to browse through posters, postcards, and books that delve into the history of the country and its capital, as well as practical items like tote bags or T-shirts emblazoned with the iconic Flame Towers.
For a more authentic experience, take a leisurely stroll through the numerous stalls in the Old City and search for something truly special and traditional, infused with national character.
The markets and small tourist shops in Baku are brimming with wooden souvenirs to suit every taste and budget. High-quality wood is used to create an array of items including backgammon sets, prayer beads, figurines, cutting boards, intricately carved plates, and kitchenware. Delicate wooden boxes make for lovely gifts for the ladies in your life.
The selection of copper items with intricate embossing is truly impressive. Eastern pitchers, plates, coffee pots, salt shakers, trays, and even samovars are hard to resist. While many of these beautifully crafted pieces can be found in small antique shops, be aware that most are affordable souvenirs that primarily hold aesthetic value. Many copper products are crafted in the village of Lahij. You can either take a guided tour to this historic village or purchase embossed trays, coffee pots, or samovars in Baku’s shops. The copper masterpieces from Lahij have become part of the world’s cultural heritage. Though they may be pricier, you’ll likely own a unique item crafted as a one-of-a-kind piece.
It’s nearly impossible to leave Azerbaijan without a ceramic souvenir shaped like the country’s national symbol—the pomegranate. Expertly crafted ceramics, painted by the finest artisans, can enhance any interior. The elegant oil lamps known as “chirag” and the stunning selection of pitchers available in shops will delight even seasoned travelers. You’ll also find beautifully painted ceramic tableware that adds a touch of elegance to any meal.
A rather unconventional souvenir is oil itself! As an oil-rich nation, Azerbaijan has made significant strides in development thanks to this valuable resource. Now, you can take home a bottle of oil for a modest price. For those seeking something more unique, consider purchasing paintings made with oil.
Eastern carpets are Azerbaijan’s national treasure, a symbol of the country’s rich heritage. Numerous souvenir shops, beautiful galleries, and historical tours are dedicated to these exquisite textiles. For a deep dive into the history of Azerbaijani carpet weaving, visit the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum located along the Seaside Boulevard. The building, designed to resemble a giant rolled-up carpet, is a sight to behold. Here, you’ll learn about this ancient craft that dates back to the Middle Ages.
Over centuries, Azerbaijani artisans have perfected their weaving techniques. Each region boasts its own unique patterns and methods. The variety available at the markets can be overwhelming, making it difficult to choose. Modern carpets come in various colors, qualities, and price ranges, depending on their production. The finest carpets are handwoven using only natural materials, featuring geometric patterns, animal motifs, and floral designs. Many of their patterns echo those of ancient carpets, which are considered intangible cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. If purchasing a full-sized carpet isn’t feasible, consider a miniature version—Baku offers tiny souvenir carpets, pot holders, and even bags adorned with carpet designs!
Keep in mind that exporting antiques, including carpets made before 1960, is prohibited from Azerbaijan. If you do purchase a carpet, ensure you obtain an export certificate.
Modern tote bags featuring national symbols make for a typical souvenir from any trip. In Azerbaijan, you’ll find these bags in many shops, especially in the Icheri Sheher area. Pay special attention to the khurjun, heybe, and chanta bags, which are proudly crafted by local artisans. These vibrant bags reflect national motifs and can be a striking addition to any outfit. You can find them in souvenir shops and local markets.
Traditional armudu glasses, often brought back as souvenirs from Baku, are charming and functional. Beautifully painted sets will not only enhance your kitchen decor but also serve practical purposes. The selection of exquisite armudu glasses is vast, made from glass, ceramics, silver, and other materials. In Azerbaijan, no tea ceremony is complete without these pear-shaped glasses, which are easy to hold even without a handle and keep tea warm for longer. You can purchase them individually or in sets, with many marked as handmade, which typically come at a higher price.
Ceramic Souvenirs
Azerbaijan boasts a rich variety of souvenir ceramics, including plates, cups, tableware sets, and stunning dishes perfect for serving traditional Baku plov. You’ll also find charming figurines and salt shakers. Look for ceramic coffee pots (jezve), decorative lamps for essential oils, and vibrant red pomegranates, which symbolize the country’s abundance. Painted dishes can be used in everyday life for sweets and fruits or hung on walls as striking decorative pieces.
Beautifully crafted daggers, knives, and swords have long been a part of Caucasian culture and remain so today. Handmade cold weapons are considered works of art, showcasing intricate designs, engravings, and embellishments on the blades and handles. You can find these exquisite items in souvenir shops, but remember to keep your purchase receipt, as it may be required during customs checks.
For a memorable gift for a man, consider the Azerbaijani dagger known as Kama. This straight, double-edged blade features a beautifully carved handle and intricate patterns on the sheath. Authentic ethnic-style daggers are widely available in both weapon shops and local markets, but there are some important considerations. It’s advisable to avoid purchasing daggers from weapon stores, as they often carry non-souvenir versions that cannot be transported legally.
Azerbaijan is renowned for its skilled artisans and traditional crafts. Techniques such as embossing, painting, and creating shabaka (mosaic panels with colorful glass windows) have been perfected over centuries. These stunning compositions once adorned the walls of palaces and khan’s reception rooms in the historic city of Sheki. Today, you can find mosaic panels crafted without nails or glue, making for a unique and elegant addition to your home decor.
For those looking for more affordable options, costume jewelry is widely available. Baku’s designer boutiques offer a delightful experience where you can try on earrings, necklaces, and choose eye-catching brooches or delicate rings. Antique shops often showcase vintage jewelry with history, while contemporary stores feature trendy accessories. Jewelry pieces are often adorned with intricate designs and precious stones, while costume jewelry may incorporate beads, silk, and even pieces of carpet! For gold and silver, shop at reputable boutiques that provide quality certifications.
Recently, Azerbaijan has seen a surge in new jewelry brands that skillfully blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Notable brands include:
For high-end jewelry, it’s best to shop at branded stores that can provide accompanying documentation. In markets and souvenir shops, you’ll find an array of affordable ethnic-style jewelry. Azerbaijan is particularly known for its unique pieces crafted using techniques such as embossing, engraving, enamel painting, khatamkarlyg, shebeke, and garasavad.
When you purchase armudu glasses, consider also buying local tea, which is a staple in Azerbaijani culture. Tea drinking is deeply embedded in local traditions and is an integral part of hospitality. Baku residents enjoy tea in beautiful cafes, tea gardens in the Old City, and bustling markets. If you spot a vendor with jingling tea glasses, don’t hesitate to join in on the tea-drinking experience!
Tea is typically served in armudu glasses, brewed with black tea and infused with spices and fragrant herbs. Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, thyme, rose petals, and dried berries all lend unique flavors and aromas to the tea. For gifts, consider buying beautifully packaged tea sets, and for personal use, you can purchase loose tea from the market.
Caviar: One of the most exquisite gifts you can bring back from Azerbaijan is black caviar. Baku Caviar produces sturgeon, beluga, and sevruga caviar, which you can sample at local restaurants or purchase from specialty shops or Duty Free at Baku International Airport. Caviar prices in Azerbaijan are generally lower than in Russia, but ensure you buy from reputable stores to avoid subpar products. Be mindful of customs regulations, as you can only export up to 125 grams of caviar per person. Caviar is available in factory packaging, and it’s essential to keep your purchase receipts for transportation.
Basturma: Despite religious restrictions on pork, Azerbaijan produces exquisite delicacies from beef and poultry. Try the basturma, a dried meat delicacy seasoned with a rich blend of spices. This vacuum-packed dried fillet is perfect for travel, ensuring it withstands transportation.
Nuts, Spices, and Dried Fruits: It’s customary to bring back nuts, dried fruits, and spices from Azerbaijan, all readily available in local markets and small shops throughout Baku. Look for spice blends tailored for meats, fish, and vegetables, as well as sumac—a tangy, reddish powder. Among the dried fruits, local figs stand out; they are smaller than Turkish varieties, less sweet, and incredibly flavorful. You can also bring back fruits that travel well, such as pomegranates and quinces.
Pickled Goods: Surprisingly popular among visitors, eco-friendly pickled vegetables and fruits can be found everywhere. The variety is astounding: peppers, garlic, quinces, cherries—it’s hard to resist buying at least a small jar as a gift for friends and family.
Baku offers a plethora of traditional sweets that will delight your taste buds. The richness and diversity of desserts astonish first-time visitors to Azerbaijani cuisine. It’s hard to resist trying everything, especially since all the sweets are made from natural
ingredients. Azerbaijani desserts predominantly feature nuts, honey, and fruits.
Some must-try treats include:
For the best experience, try these sweets on-site and consider purchasing them in well-packaged factory options for transport back home.
Azerbaijani tea time wouldn’t be complete without jam, which is an integral part of local culture. Typically served alongside tea, you’ll find various flavors, including cherry, strawberry, and exotic options like cornel or mulberry jam. For gifts, opt for commercially produced jams, which guarantee quality and are easy to transport. Unique options like feijoa, walnut, or quince jams make for delightful presents.
Wine: Azerbaijani wine is a must-try, with flavors so exquisite that they are exported worldwide. Some varieties are even named after the capital, such as “Ogni Baku” and “Old Baku.” Popular wines to look out for include “Sevgilim,” “Gizil Gaya,” “Afsana,” and “Chinar.” Many wineries offer tours and tastings, allowing you to purchase a bottle of your favorite to take home as a gift. Notable wineries include “AZ-Granata,” “Chabiant,” “Fireland,” “ASPI Winery,” and “Goygol,” among others. Stylish wine bars in Baku provide a relaxed atmosphere for sampling different varieties, and many visitors praise the excellent price-to-quality ratio of Azerbaijani wines.
A special pride of Azerbaijan is pomegranate wine, a symbol of the country. Pomegranates are celebrated in art, crafts, and even songs, and the country boasts numerous varieties. While many enjoy the unique taste of pomegranate wine, its slightly tart and sweet flavor may not appeal to everyone. Nonetheless, it’s worth trying before you buy.
Cognac: For a strong gift suitable for the gentlemen in your life, consider Azerbaijani cognac. Renowned for its rich, full-bodied flavor at reasonable prices, popular choices include “Azerbaijan” and “Baku” from the AZ-Granata distillery. Other noteworthy brands include “Absheron,” “Kyapaz,” “Shirvan,” and “Aghsu.” AZ-Granata also offers a diverse range of fruit brandies, including quince, lemon, tarragon, plum, pepper, cornel, and mulberry.
For non-alcoholic options, don’t miss out on local pomegranate juice, which many claim tastes far superior to what’s available in stores back home.
Many travelers seek to bring back traditional clothing or footwear from Azerbaijan. For women, consider purchasing a kurdju, a quilted vest adorned with hand embroidery, often trimmed with fur, or an arakhchin, a beautifully embroidered headpiece. You’ll find a variety of papakhas (traditional wool hats) made from karakul or sheepskin in souvenir shops.
For men, the iconic aerodrome cap remains a nostalgic gift, reminiscent of Soviet times. While younger generations may not wear them, older men may appreciate the sentiment. You can buy ready-made caps or have one custom-made.
Women will be enchanted by charyks, beautifully embroidered slippers with pointed toes. Many also purchase vibrant hand-knit wool socks known as jura with intricate patterns.
In larger shopping centers and boutiques, you’ll find designer clothing from contemporary Azerbaijani brands, primarily made from natural fabrics. It’s also worth exploring local brands that creatively incorporate national motifs into modern fashion. For those fond of ethnography, traditional garments such as quilted robes, shawls, or loose-fitting trousers are popular. Silk shawls, delicate silk scarves, and large wraps are especially noteworthy, as they are recognized as part of Azerbaijan’s intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
Scarves
Silk scarves known as kelagai are a beautiful reflection of Azerbaijani culture and traditions. These national scarves are listed as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The intricate designs are created using special stamps called galibi. You can find both exclusive traditional hand-made scarves and more modern silk creations by local designers in shops and markets.
One of the finest gifts you can bring back from Baku is textile. Practical and versatile, items such as blankets, towels, bed linens, and kitchen textiles make excellent choices. A vibrant tablecloth adorned with the traditional “Turkish cucumber” motif will add a colorful touch to your celebrations. Take a stroll through specialty textile shops to find the highest quality products available.
An original gift that is sure to please everyone and serve a practical purpose is a national tablecloth featuring intricate patterns. Azerbaijani tablecloths are highly sought after for their practicality and unique, one-of-a-kind designs. The “Eastern cucumber” motif, known as buta, remains a timeless symbol that continues to be relevant in modern decor.
In Baku, crafting interesting shopping routes is quite simple—incorporating shopping and souvenir selection into your exploration of the Azerbaijani capital is easy. The Old City is filled with charming souvenir shops, where you can touch carpets, try on earrings, or enjoy a cup of aromatic tea at every turn. Here, you can find everything from souvenirs and carpets to pottery, clothing, and much more.
As you wander through Old Baku—an architectural gem recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site—be sure to peek into authentic shops. The history of Icheri Sheher, or the Inner City, spans over 1,500 years. Combine shopping with a historical tour: visit museums, caravanserais, the magnificent Maiden Tower, ancient mosques, and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the rulers of Baku.
Pay special attention to streets like Asaf Zeynalov, Neftchilar Avenue, and the legendary Nizami Street (formerly known as Trade Street). Souvenir shops with intriguing offerings can be found near many attractions—don’t miss the chance to stop by the Baku Fortress towers or the medieval Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Typically, souvenir shops are open until 7:00 or 8:00 PM, and during the warm tourist season, some may stay open until the last customer leaves.
If you prefer shopping malls and trendy venues, you’ll find glowing reviews from shoppers at places like Port Baku Mall, Park Boulevard, and Deniz Mall. These locations offer not only shopping but also leisure and entertainment, making it easy to spend an entire day in the cool, air-conditioned stores trying on new outfits and selecting gifts.
Of course, no visit to southern Baku would be complete without a trip to the market. Teze Bazaar, one of the oldest in the capital, is popular among tourists for its affordable spices and exclusive black caviar.
On Khatai Avenue 7, you’ll find the Green Bazaar or Yashil Bazar, one of the most popular markets in the city. Here, you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices, tea, pickles, and Eastern sweets. One of the advantages of shopping at the market is the opportunity to haggle. Arriving early in the morning at the Green Bazaar will ensure you get the ripest peaches and the softest baklava at great prices.
Silk, ceramics, and an extensive selection of spices and fruits are available at the 8th Kilometer Bazaar. For a more extensive shopping experience, Ganjlik Mall is the largest shopping center in Baku, offering a wide range of retail options.
