Sabail

About the district

Sabail is Baku's historic and administrative core. It contains Icherisheher, the UNESCO-listed Old City with the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Government House, and the Seaside National Park (Baku Boulevard) running along Neftchilar Avenue. In Bayil you find National Flag Square and Baku Crystal Hall, while Badamdar and Bibiheybat form the residential south. The premium seaside Port Baku residential and retail area on the eastern part of Neftchilar Avenue also belongs to Sabail. Icherisheher and Sahil metro stations serve the centre. The central area is dense with historic buildings, hotels, offices, restaurants and museums, and walking access to the sea and the boulevard is the main draw. Sabail suits people who want city life and work downtown, as well as rental-focused investors. Things to keep in mind: traffic and scarce parking in the centre, and steep slopes in parts of Bayil and Badamdar.

Badamdar

Badamdar is a settlement in Sabail district, south of the city centre in hilly terrain; it became a settlement in 1990. Its name comes from the Persian word for almond. In recent years Badamdar has grown into one of Baku's large residential areas, with villas, private houses and modern residential complexes, as well as hotels and social facilities. Thanks to its elevation, many homes enjoy wide views over the city and Baku Bay. The M3 (E119) highway passes nearby and the centre is a short drive away; there is no metro yet, though a Badamdar station is planned. It suits families wanting a house with a yard or a flat with a view close to the centre but in a calmer setting. Living without a car is hard, and narrow, steep streets and rush-hour bottlenecks on access roads are the main drawbacks.

Bayil

Bayil is a historic residential area in Sabail district on the south-western shore of Baku Bay, and Neftchilar Avenue begins here. Its landmarks include National Flag Square with Baku Crystal Hall next to it, Bayil Stadium (restored in 2010) and Gafur Mammadov Park (reopened in 2011). The submerged medieval Sabayil Castle lies in Bayil Bay, and the main base of the Azerbaijani Navy is here. Housing is a mix of terraced houses on the slopes, older buildings and new residential complexes, and the upper streets have lovely views of the bay. There are several public schools. There is no metro yet, though a Bayil station is planned; the centre and the Boulevard are a short drive or bus ride away. It suits people wanting a seaside location near the centre; landslides have historically been an issue on some slopes.

Port Baku

Port Baku is a premium seaside residential and commercial area in Sabail district, on the eastern part of Neftchilar Avenue. Its core is the Port Baku Residence complex, the Port Baku Towers with offices and apartments, and Port Baku Mall with brand stores, restaurants and cafés. The Seaside Boulevard is a short walk away, and many apartments have sea views. Nariman Narimanov, Ganjlik and 28 May metro stations are nearby, and the city centre and Icherisheher are easy to reach. To the east, already in Khatai district, the Baku White City project begins. Port Baku is regarded as one of the most upscale addresses in Baku and is popular with expats. It suits families, expats and investors targeting premium rentals who want the sea and the boulevard close by. Keep in mind the high price level and rush-hour traffic on Neftchilar Avenue.