Is Baku Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city in the Caucasus.

The center of Baku boasts a mix of modern and historical atmosphere.

Lots of skyscrapers alongside buildings built centuries ago.

Also, you can find any type of restaurants, shops, entertainment centers of very high quality

This city is pretty tourist-friendly, has quite several options depending on how you want to spend your time and offers a very exciting time for any tourist.

It’s a very modern place with tolerance towards other religions where Christians, Jews, etc. live together in a peaceful neighborhood and people are pretty much open-minded.

Warnings & Dangers in Baku

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Bau is overall relatively safe to travel to, with both petty and violent crime to keep in mind and watch out for. It is advised that you remain vigilant at all times, especially when crossing the streets.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Transport in Baku is generally reliable and safe, though you should be careful when on public transport as you might encounter pickpockets. Taxi drivers might overcharge you for a ride so negotiate everything in advance. Also, bear in mind that the roads can be treacherous at night due to potholes.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpocketing levels are extremely high in Baku and you should remain vigilant at all times, making sure not to flash your belongings in crowded places such as bus or train stations, or public transport. Be careful and keep your valuables close by your side.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Baku is somewhat susceptible to natural disasters the most prominent one being earthquakes, with the last huge earthquake recorded in 2000. There are also some man-made disasters here: there are many industrial disasters and transport accidents.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Mugging and other forms of violent crimes are on the rise currently in Baku, but still not that common. Avoid going out at night especially around areas filled with bars and clubs, where you can encounter intoxicated people. Male tourists are more targeted for violent attacks than females.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

There is a certain likelihood of terrorists trying to carry out attacks in Baku, and these attacks could hit at any time and affect locals as well as tourists. Remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There are many scams and frauds performed on tourists in Baku: street vendors and cab drivers might try to cheat you and rip you off if you are not careful. ATM frauds happen, though they are not too common. You may encounter people pretending to be police officers, targeting tourists and extorting money.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

For a woman, especially if she's lone in Baku, it might be pretty tough. A golden rule for women is that they shouldn't be out alone after 9 pm. Of course, the general rules of precaution apply for all other times of day: avoid poorly lit and deserted areas at night and never find yourself in places filled with drunken people.

So... How Safe Is Baku Really?

Baku is very safe, like no other city with its population – but that isn’t to say that it doesn’t have its share of dangers.

In Baku, you should expect crime like in many cities around the world, but the problem here is that petty crime made way for more violent types of crime, some of them involving foreigners.

Surprisingly, male tourists are more targeted than female ones and these attacks occur with groups of men just approaching and attacking unsuspecting tourists.

These crimes happen more during the winter months.

So avoid drinking and roaming around the tourist frequented areas such as Fountain Square and the Maiden’s Tower, and know that in case something happens, you can’t rely on the police.

Expect corruption in this country – the police will expect you to pay if you want anything from them.

Avoid giving them any bribe.

Another thing is that, even though such behavior is slowly disappearing, some people, like taxi drivers, fast food sellers, small shops tend to look at foreigners like walking wallets and try to sell something for way more than the actual price.

One of the popular scams involves a woman approaching you for a drink and leaving you an astronomically high tab. If you refuse to pay, a group of men approach you and demand you do, threatening to beat you up.

How Does Baku Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Many countries need a visa to enter Baku, and some, such as U.S. nationals can get a visa upon arrival. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months past the date of your planned departure from Azerbaijan. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Azerbaijan embassy for further information.

Currency

Azerbaijani manat is the official currency in Baku. ATMs are widespread throughout the city, and the country too, not just in Baku.

Weather

Baku is influenced by the local steppe climate. There is not much rainfall in Baku throughout the year. You'll have the best time, weather-wise, in Baku during May and September with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20C and 25C.

Airports

Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport is the busiest one serving not just Baku, but all of Azerbaijan. It is located about 20 km northeast of Baku, connected to the city by a modern highway.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Baku since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Baku Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Azerbaijan - Safety by City