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From the airplane window, and before landing in Baku, the land appears dry in large parts, then the Caspian Sea comes into view and the features of the Azerbaijani capital begin to expand, but the image from above doesn't say much about what awaits the visitor below.

“Okaz” arrived in Baku and decided to walk through it, away from the ready-made tourist images, in search of the city as its residents live it, its history, its connection to Arabs and Muslims, and what has made it a popular travel choice for Saudis in recent years.

The first thing that catches the eye here is that Baku does not try to hide its age; in the heart of the capital is a wall, and behind the wall is a complete city known as “Icheri Sheher” that you enter on foot, where the roads narrow and the ground beneath your feet changes to stones, and glass buildings disappear behind old houses, balconies, mosques, and small shops. Here lies Baku, which predates oil, towers, and modern hotels.

In one of its most famous sites stands the “Maiden Tower,” that stone structure which has become a symbol of the city, and at a distance from it is the Shirvanshahs' Palace. The entire area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

But what is more important to the Saudi and Gulf visitor is that the history of this city carries an ancient Arab chapter.

Muslims arrived in the lands of Azerbaijan in the seventh century AD, and large parts of it came under Islamic rule. UNESCO mentions the Arab influence among the civilizational layers that shaped the walled city of Baku, alongside Persian, Ottoman, Russian, and other influences.

Thus, the mosque within the old city does not seem like a strange building in the place. Islam here is part of the country’s history, even though Azerbaijan later underwent long political and religious transformations, the most impactful of which was its decades under Soviet rule.

Why Fire?

The question will haunt the visitor from the moment they arrive: why is Azerbaijan associated with fire?

The answer lies underground, as the country possesses large reserves of oil and gas, and some of its areas have been known since ancient times for natural gas leaks that ignite on the surface. From here, fire became linked to the history of this region, becoming part of its image and tourism identity.

In Baku today, you don’t need to read a book to know how present this symbol is; just look up at night and you will see three massive towers shaped like flames illuminating the city: the “Flame Towers.”

However, the wealth that truly transformed Baku was oil.

In the late 19th century, the city became one of the most important oil production centers in the world, attracting money, investments, and workers. Baku expanded beyond its old walls, and new buildings and streets emerged, many of which still stand today.

For this reason, the city can be better understood when you walk through it rather than passing through by car.

Inside the wall, you see old Baku. You exit it and find buildings from the oil boom era. Continuing towards the Caspian Sea, you reach a modern city with hotels, shopping centers, and new towers.

Saudis Here

For Saudis, the distance to Azerbaijan has become shorter than what the map suggests.

Flight routes and the increasing tourist interest have facilitated access, and Azerbaijan's decision to exempt Saudi citizens from entry visas from February 15, 2026, to February 15, 2027, adds another reason to visit the country.

But Baku is not all of Azerbaijan; outside the capital begins another image: mountains, villages, small towns, forests, and areas that differ in nature and climate from the Caspian Sea coast. This is what “Okaz” will also seek to explore in a later report.