Villa Petrolea – Nobel Brothers' House Museum
A 19th-century Byzantine-style residence turned museum, once the heart of Baku’s Nobel oil empire.
Flexible timing • No admission fees
European Architectural Heritage in Baku
Recommended by 97% of travellers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Tour Overview
Experience Baku’s forgotten European charm on this guided walking tour through the city’s architectural masterpieces. Built during the oil boom by renowned architects from Poland, Germany, and Italy, these buildings reflect styles from Venetian Gothic to French Neo-Baroque. Discover a world where art, oil, and ambition shaped the city's skyline.
You’ll explore beautifully restored mansions, romantic palaces, and pioneering educational institutions—all while hearing untold stories about Baku’s oil barons and European designers.
Highlights
- Explore 10 stunning European-style landmarks from the Nobel brothers' villa to Gothic palaces and Baroque mansions
- Small group experience for a more personalized and insightful tour
- Architectural deep dive with commentary from a passionate local expert
- Perfect for history, culture & architecture lovers looking to see Baku from a new angle
- Photographer's paradise with ornate details, statues, and vibrant facades
Itinerary
Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature
Former caravanserai with a grand facade and over 120,000 literary artifacts inside.
Flexible timing • No admission fees
Ismailiyya Palace
Venetian Gothic gem built by Polish architect Józef Płoszko—once a charity center, now a scholarly institution.
Flexible timing • No admission fees
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Inclusion & Exclusion
Includes
Excludes
Meeting and Pickup
🚩 Meeting point
"Old City Tours" office at 09:50 Google Map
🚌 Pickup details
Hotel pickup/drop-off is available at extra cost.
🏁 End
🎭 Baku Marionette Theatre — at approx. 14:00
What to Expect
- Begin your morning at the Nobel Brothers' villa, learning about their impact on Azerbaijan's oil and urban development.
- Walk past intricate building facades designed by European architects in the early 1900s.
- Hear untold stories of the philanthropic oil millionaires and the social transformations they brought.
- Capture memorable photos at Gothic palaces, Venetian-style mansions, and neoclassical gems.
- Learn how education, culture, and architecture merged during Baku's most transformative era.
Additional info
Know Before You Book:
- The tour is mostly a walking tour.
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
- This tour is available in English only.
- Children under the age 12 are free of charge. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
Know Before You Go:
- Dress code: comfortable, casual clothing suitable for walking and weather conditions.
- In case of rain, suitable footwear for outdoor locations is recommended.
- Guests are advised to bring water.
Reviews
Why Go on this Baku heritage tour?
- Discover Baku’s European roots hidden behind its Eastern walls
- Learn how Italian, German, and Polish designers shaped the capital’s aesthetic
- Explore both iconic and overlooked historical buildings with cultural significance
- Ideal for architects, history buffs, and curious travelers
- Get insider access to stories and places most tourists miss