Baku Boulevard, Baku (must see)

Baku Boulevard is a promenade that was constructed in 1909. The park began as a horticultural program, which included the planting of trees and shrubs. It was then expanded in order to provide a recreational area for the growing city.

The original design for the park featured a bathing house, pavilions and a luxury restaurant. A casino designed by Polish architect Jozef Plosko was added in 1912.

The Soviet era brought many changes to Baku Boulevard. The bathing house closed due to pollution from the sea and lack of maintenance. The casino was converted to a puppet theatre. A parachute tower was built for adventure sports, but it was shut down and parachuting was banned after a fatality in the 1960s.

The boulevard was named a national park in 1999 by President Heydar Aliyev. Since then, the amusement park has added new rides, Parachute Tower was reconstructed, new public art was installed and a musical fountain was constructed. There is also a yacht club and a multi-story shopping mall with a 5D cinema.

Other spots of interest in and around Baku Boulevard include the Baku Ferris Wheel, the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, the Stone Chronicle Museum, the Yarat Contemporary Art Center and an open-air cinema. Mini Venice is a popular attraction as well.

The park is regularly used for cultural gatherings, celebrations, parades and concerts. It has become the annual location of the city's New Year's Eve Party as well.

Baku Boulevard runs parallel to the Baku Bay shoreline of the Caspian Sea. It begins at Freedom Square and continues to National Flag Square.