Baku in May 2026 – is it worth going? Weather and reviews, air and water temperature, how to dress and whether you can swim, prices for air tickets and hotels, on excursions. What to do and what to see in Baku at the beginning of May and on the threshold of summer, where to go with children, travel in Azerbaijan – says Eurotraveler.
Baku is a seaside city. And you can call the Caspian a lake as much as you want – the essence will not change.
And it is as simple as it is pleasant – in the capital of Azerbaijan it is quite possible to do beach holiday. Moreover, thanks to its location, even without waiting for summer, already in May the weather in Baku allows both sunbathing and swimming!
Not right in the city, of course, but on the northern coast of the Absheron Peninsula, where there are plenty of beautiful sandy beaches. Interspersing carefree pastime with interesting excursions and even cruises, it’s worth seeing Baku and taking a ride along the Caspian Sea at least once in your life.
It makes the most sense, of course, to do this during a period when the region is not yet melting from the heat. That is, in the spring!
Weather in Baku in May
Will win anyone over. It is almost always warm, and sometimes hot; there may not be any rainy days during the entire month.
The air temperature in Baku in early May prefers the range of +18-22 degrees Celsius. It also happens +25 – however, not so often.
Because in general the weather in the capital of Azerbaijan at the beginning of May is still cannot boast of stability!
In other years, even during the day it is only +15-16 °C. And at night until the middle of the month, street thermometers are completely impressive – they don’t even want to know about higher temperatures.
Towards mid-May, Baku becomes considerably warmer. Although sometimes this happens only in the final ten days of the month.
Then the atmosphere during the day begins to warm up to +24-28, sometimes even +30 degrees Celsius. And at night it gets so much warmer (+20-24 °C) that you can easily leave your jackets in your hotel room and still not freeze.
A distinctive feature of May weather in Baku is the complete absence of precipitation. And also an abundance of sunshine – at the end of spring clear days here they go in an endless series.
Keep this point in mind if you plan to walk around the city for a long time – you can get sunburned “at once”! This is why, by the way, self-driving walking tours are so popular here.
We saw the sight, dived into the air-conditioned interior of the car, and off to the next one!
Wind? In theory, they willingly trample the Azerbaijani capital at any time of the year and allegedly cause problems for foreigners and locals. Especially for those who planned to take long sea baths on a not-so-hot day.
But, firstly, May in Baku, according to weather forecasters, is considered the most windless of the months. And secondly, no matter what review you read, there is no mention of gusts of wind.
That is, perhaps they are simply so weak that they do not attract attention to themselves. Or, on the contrary, in the heat they pleasantly refresh hot skin.
Water temperature
in the Caspian Sea in May it grows at a very rapid pace. From +16 °C at the beginning of the month to +20-22 °C at the end.
And if, looking at the first number, you have the right to doubt that you can swim in Baku in May, then the second convinces you that there is nothing extreme about it.
Of course, you should not take a dip right in the city – the water here is too dirty. But if you drive 35-40 kilometers north from the Azerbaijani capital, you will find yourself in the middle of an endless sandy coast.
For example, on the beaches of the villages of Mardakan and Bilgya – there are more and more reviews about them on the Internet
There are not so many vacationers here in the final month of spring, especially not on a Sunday or a very hot day. But they are already starting to swim.
Yes, you can try it yourself! After all, sea water, although cool, is as clean as if it had just been poured.
What you need to know
Azerbaijan was one of the last in the world to ease coronavirus restrictions – until March 28, 2023, people were allowed into the country only with a fresh test confirming the absence of Covid or a vaccination certificate. In the period until the end of 2022, everything was even stricter.
In particular, only citizens vaccinated against Covid (even with a single dose – Sputnik-Lite is also possible) could enter. And then, only after presenting a properly issued certificate (QR code) of a negative coronavirus test.
Persons aged 1-18 years were relaxed – only a certificate was required. Infants who were under one year old were admitted without presenting a negative PCR test.
- In 2026, such restrictions will not be remembered. And you can enter the territory of the Caspian republic under pre-Covid conditions!
Let us remind you that Russians do not need a visa to visit Azerbaijan. And holders of a Russian passport can stay in the country up to 90 days. If the visit lasts up to 15 days, you do not need to register with the local migration service – azerbaijan.mid.ru/o_registratsii_inostrannykh_grazhdan_na_territorii_azerbaydzhana/.
Travel medical insurance is not required to enter Azerbaijan. But, if you have reason to fear injury or unexpected colds, it is better to apply for it.
Prices 2026
Let us take the liberty of asserting that hotels in Baku today are still inexpensive. So for a not too crushing amount (in May it’s from 70 €/day) you can stay in a really, really good place.
Perhaps even close to the city center!
For our part, we warmly recommend Nizami Central Park Hotel. Where, for the amount indicated above, you will be accommodated in a “Standard” room and offered a (really!) good breakfast.
A special compliment to the hotel’s location – you can walk to the Maiden Tower or the Shirvanshahs’ Palace in 10 minutes.
Family travelers should pay attention to the Eleven City Center Hotel, located a 5-7 minute walk from key attractions. Because this hotel has a room for 3-4 people for 80-100 € per night.
Excursions in Azerbaijan are sometimes so inexpensive that it even arouses suspicion. Nevertheless, it is true – for example, for a 3-hour intense walk around Baku you will pay no more than 15-20 € per person.
Things to do
It is best to wander the cozy streets of Icheri Sheher in the company of a guide. For a banal reason – it’s easier to immerse yourself in its atmosphere, understand the local mentality, learn about traditions…
Another iconic attraction of the capital of Azerbaijan is the Maiden Tower. A 30-meter “splinter” of an ancient fortification, miraculously preserved to this day. There is a museum inside, and you can go up to the observation deck.
“Fountain Square”, also known as the Parapet, is replete with authentic cafes and restaurants. Where you can have a good snack before moving on.
For example, in the Governor’s Garden, perched near the western wall of the old city. Or to “Little Venice” on the shore of the bay.
It is also worth checking out the local Carpet Museum. Where everything is told about marvelously beautiful handmade products, rightfully considered one of the most recognizable symbols of Azerbaijan.
On a May evening it will be nice walk along the very European Nizami Street. Lined with impressive, beautiful 19th-century houses, replete with boutiques, shops and restaurants.
It would also be useful to take a walk along the Caspian Sea. The city, shining in the night like a jewel, looks especially gorgeous from the water!
- What you can see in Baku in 3 days
Where to go
In May, Azerbaijan sees very few tourists. And you need to use this!
Both for relaxing on the not yet crowded beaches of the Apesheron Peninsula, and for trips to other suburban attractions.
We recommend, for example, visiting the Gobustan Nature Reserve not far from the capital. Look at petroglyphs and try to understand how prehistoric people lived.
A good part of the planet’s mud volcanoes live just north of Gobustan. A whole huge field here bubbles, and at times gushes with a mixture of oil and who knows what else.
It is better to visit this literally atmospheric place, where a lover of photography and “My Planet” will definitely be able to turn around, with a guide. You will be safer, and you won’t get lost along the way.
Again, you will also see the amazing pink lake Masazir. Where, by the way, bus excursions don’t take you!
Azerbaijan also has its own “Mars” – the colorful mountains of Khizi are incredibly photogenic. Altyn-Agach is located next to them. A reserve where you can still observe desert landscapes completely untouched by human hands.
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© Eurotraveler
