Things to Do in Baku in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Baku
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Post-summer shoulder season means hotel rates drop 25-40% compared to June-August peak, while weather remains warm enough for comfortable sightseeing - you're essentially getting summer conditions at autumn prices
- The Caspian Sea stays swimmable at 22-24°C (72-75°F) through September, but beach crowds thin out dramatically after the first week as local families return to school schedules
- September brings the pomegranate harvest season - you'll find fresh nar (pomegranate) juice stands on every corner, and restaurants feature seasonal dishes like nar-sharab (pomegranate sauce) with lamb that you won't taste the same way in other months
- Outdoor exploration becomes genuinely pleasant as the brutal 35°C+ (95°F+) summer heat breaks - the Old City's stone streets and Gobustan's desert landscapes are actually walkable during midday instead of requiring dawn starts
Considerations
- September sits squarely in the Khazri wind season - these strong northerly winds off the Caspian can gust to 60-80 km/h (37-50 mph) for 2-3 days at a stretch, making the seaside promenade unpleasant and occasionally disrupting ferry schedules to Turkan
- You'll catch the tail end of wedding season, which means popular restaurants in Icheri Sheher and along the Boulevard often have entire sections reserved for wedding parties on Friday and Saturday evenings - book dinner reservations 3-4 days ahead or risk eating at 10pm
- Rain in Baku tends to be unpredictable and brief but intense - those 10 rainy days usually mean sudden downpours that flood underpasses and make taxis impossible to find for 30-45 minutes, then clear completely
Best Activities in September
Old City Walking Tours
September weather makes Icheri Sheher actually enjoyable to explore on foot - the limestone walls aren't radiating heat like they do in July, and 26°C (78°F) afternoons mean you can comfortably spend 3-4 hours wandering the maze of alleys without ducking into cafes every 20 minutes. The shoulder season also means fewer tour groups clogging the narrow passages around Maiden Tower. Early morning (8-10am) gives you the best light for photography before the UV index climbs to 8.
Gobustan and Mud Volcano Day Trips
The desert landscape around Gobustan becomes accessible again in September after the punishing summer heat. Temperatures at the petroglyphs site stay around 28-30°C (82-86°F) versus the 38-40°C (100-104°F) you'd face in August. The mud volcanoes are particularly active in autumn as underground pressure builds. That said, this is still exposed terrain with zero shade - the 70% humidity makes it feel warmer than the thermometer suggests, so you'll want to start these trips early.
Caspian Seaside Boulevard Cycling
The 25 km (15.5 mile) Boulevard cycling path is perfect in September - warm enough that you're not fighting wind chill, but cool enough that you won't arrive everywhere drenched. The path runs from the National Flag Square past Little Venice to the new Deniz Mall extension. Rental bikes cost 5-8 AZN per hour. Watch for those Khazri wind days though - cycling into a 60 km/h (37 mph) headwind along an exposed seafront is miserable. Check the wind forecast and plan your route to have wind at your back on the return leg.
Absheron Peninsula Village Tours
September is ideal for exploring the fire temples and coastal villages of the Absheron Peninsula - places like Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag (burning mountain) are outdoor sites that become genuinely pleasant once summer heat breaks. The burning natural gas at Yanar Dag is actually more visible in September evenings as sunset comes earlier (around 7pm) compared to the 8:30pm sunsets of summer. The peninsula's exposed landscape means you'll feel that Khazri wind, but it's refreshing rather than oppressive.
Nizami Street Evening Food Walking
September evenings on Nizami Street hit the sweet spot - warm enough at 20-22°C (68-72°F) that outdoor cafe seating is comfortable, but not so hot that you're sweating into your plov. This is pomegranate season, so every second restaurant features nar-sharab dishes and fresh pomegranate juice. The street comes alive after 6pm when locals finish work, and you'll find everything from 5 AZN street plov to 40 AZN sit-down meals. The pedestrianized section between Fountains Square and 28 May Street is where the action concentrates.
Shahdag Mountain Day Trips
If you're visiting late September, the Shahdag mountain region (200 km or 124 miles north) starts showing early autumn colors as temperatures at 2,000-2,500 m (6,560-8,200 ft) elevation drop to 12-15°C (54-59°F). The alpine meadows turn golden, and hiking trails are dry after summer but before winter snow arrives. This is a long day trip (3 hours each way) but worth it if you want dramatic scenery and cooler temperatures. Not ideal if you're only in Baku for 3-4 days, but perfect for week-long visits.
September Events & Festivals
Baku International Jazz Festival
Typically runs in mid-to-late September with performances at venues across the city including the International Mugham Center and outdoor stages along the Boulevard. Features both international headliners and Azerbaijani jazz fusion acts. Tickets range from 20-80 AZN depending on venue and performer. The outdoor Boulevard concerts are particularly pleasant in September evening temperatures.
Pomegranate Harvest Season
Not a formal festival, but September marks peak pomegranate season throughout Azerbaijan. Markets overflow with fresh nar, restaurants feature seasonal pomegranate dishes, and you'll find fresh-pressed pomegranate juice stands everywhere. The Taza Bazaar and Yasil Bazaar are the best markets to see the harvest in full swing - expect to pay 3-5 AZN per kilogram for premium pomegranates.