Baku is a large city on the shore of the Caspian Sea. Ruled by the Soviet Union since the early 1900's it has suffered greatly. Pollution, a lack of infrastructure and a lack of an ethic of environmental concern are the legacies. However, it has an exceptional Carpet Museum (as well as a Bazaar where one can buy carpets as souvenirs), wonderful (and very accessible) wall carvings on the sandstone cliffs about 70 Kilometers South of Baku, and a very interesting Zoroastorian temple complex to the East. The old city is also very interesting. Some very good restaurants, plenty of alcohol (although the majority of the population is Moslem, they, like their Turkish bretheren, are a secular state; they do not follow the Sharia law) and the prices are very low by U.S. standards ( for two, including drinks and wine would be a high end dinner with all the trimmings at one of the best restaurants.)
Quick Tips:
Download the available information from the Baku website (Use a search engine such as Yahoo or Google). Take cash because credit cards are not normally accepted. Bribery is a serious issue. If you buy a carpet, either get your purchase approved/stamped at the carpet museum or take an Azeri speaker to the airport with you, or your customs officer will expect an 'export fee' of 10 to 20 percent of the purchase price. That can be painful.Best Way To Get Around:
Public transportation is to be avoided...the trains and buses are archaic and unreliable. Best bet is to hire a car if going out of the city, (American Express). If you stay at the best located western style hotel, The Radisson, you can easily walk throughout the old city as well as to the premier shopping and restaurant district. The Hilton is another option, but it is not nearly as well located. I'd avoid the other hotels.