Nizami Street is one of Baku’s best-known central thoroughfares, with a pedestrianised shopping stretch locals often call Torgovaya. Lined with ornate stone buildings, shops and cafés, it is as much a place to watch the city go by as it is a route between sights. Fountains Square sits just off the street and makes a natural starting point for a walk.
Named after the 12th-century Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi, the street took shape as Baku expanded during its late-19th-century oil boom. Look above the shopfronts to appreciate the architectural mix: elaborate balconies, carved façades and influences ranging from European historicism to Art Nouveau. The grand buildings give the commercial bustle a sense of the city’s earlier ambitions.
Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter look at the architecture, or come in the evening when families and friends gather for a leisurely stroll. Allow time to explore the side streets around Nizami Street, where cafés and older buildings offer a change of pace. The main shopping section is pedestrianised, but watch for traffic when crossing the surrounding roads.