2020 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Travel Guide
Posted by Andrew Balfour on Jan 13, 2020 3:40:00 AM
Join us for the 2020 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on 4-7 June to experience the history and culture of this unique F1 city on the Caspian Sea. Learn more about where to stay, what to eat and drink and the best things to do in Baku!
Visas: most visitors (including from USA, Australia and the majority of European countries) need to apply online for an e-Visa.
Currency: Azerbaijan uses the Manat (AZN), which is divided into 100 qəpik. At present exchange rates, $1 USD = 1.7 AZN and €1 = 1.89 AZN. Tipping is not necessary, especially when restaurants add a service charge to your bill, though you can reward good service by rounding up the bill. ATM's and money changers are easy to find all over the city.
Language: the locals speak Azerbaijani, which is related to Turkish. English, Russian and Turkish are also widely spoken and understood in the city, but getting an Azerbaijani phrasebook is still recommended.
Time Zone: UTC/GMT + 4 hours
In an Emergency: dial 112. Get a local to call if you don't speak Azeri, Turkish or Russian.
Power Sockets: Azerbaijan uses the same Type C and F power sockets as mainland Europe. Bring an adaptor if coming from another part of the world.
Weather: in 2020, the Grand Prix moves back from spring to summer, which is warm and dry. Daytime highs average around 27°C (81°F) and lows 19°C (66°F).
Arrival & Getting Around
You can fly to Baku's Heydar Aliyet International Airport (GYD) from several European hubs with Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), including Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Milan and Paris. Other airlines with good connections to Baku include Aeroflot via Moscow, flydubai via Dubai, Etihad via Abu Dhabi, Qatar Airways via Doha and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. Several discount carriers also fly between Istanbul and Baku.
The quickest way to get from the airport to the centre, a distance of around 20km, is to use an official taxi. The 30-minute journey should cost no more than 25 AZN ($15 USD). Uber also operates in Baku and a cheap bus service is also available. More information here: Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Getting Around Guide
As the name suggests, Baku City Circuit is located in the centre of the Azerbaijani capital. If you can, we recommend staying within walking distance of the circuit. If you do choose to stay further afield, being close to a Metro station will help you get to the circuit quickly and efficiently on Grand Prix weekend. Why not add accommodation to your Official Ticket Package? F1 Experiences offers a 4-night stay at the Hilton Baku, within walking distance of the circuit!
Where to Eat & Drink in Baku
Azerbaijani cuisine is a reflection of the country's historic connection to the Silk Road, which introduced Arabic, Persian, Ottoman and Russian influences. If you like Turkish food, then you will be happy in Baku; common dishes include barbequed beef, lamb and chicken, fresh fish straight from the Caspian Sea, tasty breads and lots of vegetables, especially eggplant, tomato and sweet pepper. Some of the best traditional restaurants can be found in or near the Old City, including the Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant, Sehirli Tendir and Sumakh.
For less formal eats, head to Nizami Street for Azeri-style kebabs or sample different dishes in the excellent food courts within 28 Mall and Ganjik Mall.
For stunning views of the circuit and old city, not to mention tasty food and sundowners, head to 360 Bar & Café on the 25th floor of the Hilton Baku. Other recommended rooftop locales include The Terrace Garden and Q Bar atop the Sultan Inn Boutique Hotel in the Old City and Sky Bar & Lounge, on the 19th floor of the Landmark Hotel.
Baku has a surprisingly lively nightlife scene. Many of the most popular venues double as a restaurant and later, lounge bar or nightclub. Popular clubs include Eleven and Hiss. For more laid-back drinking near the Old City, head to Finnegans or Room Bar.
What to do in Baku
Walk the Bulvar: take a walk along the boulevard fronting onto the Caspian Sea that runs through the centre of Baku, close to the circuit. Landmarks along the way include the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Caspian Waterfront Mall, Baku Eye (Ferris Wheel), National Flag Square and Baku Crystal Hall, where the F1 concerts are held.
Take the Funicular: get some of the best panoramic views in Baku by taking the funicular from the Bulvar (near the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum) to the top of the nearby hill, where you can walk around Upland Park and check out the Martyr's Alley cemetery and Shahidlar Monument. The Flame Towers, one of Baku's most recognizable modern landmarks, are also nearby.
Get lost in the Old Town: the western section of the Baku City Circuit skirts around the walled Old Town of Baku, which dates back almost 1000 years and is a must visit. The narrow medieval streets lead to some of the city's most important historic landmarks, including the Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshahs, both of which house museums.
Check out some modern architecture: Baku is home to some of the most ground-breaking modern architecture in the world, including the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. Designed by Iraq-British architect Zaha Hadid and completed in 2012, it houses various indigenous cultural exhibitions, as well as a classic car exhibition. The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, another modern building that resembles a giant rolled carpet, is also worth checking out.
Baku has been selected as one of twelve host cities for Europe's premier football tournament, which takes place every four years. Baku Olympic Stadium, which seats 68,700 fans and was completed in 2015, will host three group matches and a quarter final in Euro 2020; the first match between Wales and Switzerland on 13 June takes place less than a week after the 2020 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. A great reason to hang around and enjoy a bit more of the city after the race! More info and tickets here.
Get closer to the Formula 1 with an Official Ticket Package to the 2020 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from F1 Experiences! Choose from select grandstands or access to the Formula 1 Paddock Club, plus exciting benefits such as F1 driver meet-and-greets, driving tours of the track and more.
Topics: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku, Baku City Circuit