The Highland Park, Baku, Azerbaijan

Perched high above the heart of the Azerbaijani capital, Highland Park (Baku) offers visitors an elevated vantage point where the modern skyline, the Caspian Sea’s shimmering expanse and the gentle contours of the Absheron Peninsula converge in one sweeping panorama. Whether basking in golden-hour light or witnessing the city’s after-dark glow, the views here are nothing short of cinematic — and yet this is far more than simply a photo stop. Highland Park is a place where nature, history, remembrance and urban leisure intersect.In this long-standing green enclave, structured under successive political regimes, you will find traces of British military cemeteries, Soviet-era monuments, post-independence transformations and a quiet memorial space that honours those who lost their lives in Azerbaijan’s turbulent 20th century. As you walk its tree-lined paths, press pause on city bustle and take in the deep blue of the Caspian horizon and the flickering lights of the Flame Towers rising behind you. For travelers seeking the best of “things to do in Baku”, Highland Park is essential.

The hilltop site of what we now call Highland Park was, at different periods, home to various burial grounds and later a public leisure park. According to multiple sources, the hill originally housed cemeteries for both Muslim and Christian residents of Baku, and in the early 20th century British soldiers who died in the 1918 battle for Baku were laid to rest here.In 1935, the modern park’s construction began under Soviet urban planning—architect Lev Ilyin is credited with the design of the terraces and pathways.The park was for decades named after Sergei Kirov (“Kirov Park”) during the Soviet era; a monument to him was erected here in 1939.

Following Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991, and particularly after January 1990’s tragic events (known as Black January), the park was renamed Highland Park (Azerbaijani: Dağüstü Park) and the Soviet monument removed. From 2011 to 2013 a major renovation renewed the pathways, lighting and landscaping to better suit modern visitors.Thus today, Highland Park stands as a layered historical site: remembrance of war and mourning, Soviet-era public space, independent Azerbaijan’s leisure platform, and vantage point for the city’s contemporary architecture.    

At Old City Tours, we include Highland Park in our “Baku Night Tour (4 Hours): Top 30 Historical & Modern Highlights” itinerary.

The hilltop vantage point gives clients an unforgettable panoramic view of Baku as daylight fades and city lights sparkle. It combines beautifully with our stops at Flame Towers, the Old City and Baku Boulevard for a compact yet enriching urban evening experience.

For guests with more time, we also incorporate Highland Park into our full-day Baku City Tour, allowing daytime exploration and a return at sunset for the full effect. Let us help tailor a visit that maximises light, view and comfort with our local guides and logistics.