Photograph of İçərişəhər — Baku Old City — to be added
İçərişəhər — Baku Old City
The walled medieval core of Baku, a UNESCO World Heritage Site enclosing the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs.
Included in 4 tours
Baku
YAY Gallery
Contemporary gallery in central Baku showing emerging Azerbaijani and regional artists.
Photograph of YAY Gallery — to be added
YAY Gallery is one of the more established names on Baku's contemporary art scene, showing work by emerging artists from Azerbaijan and the wider region.
It runs a rotating exhibition programme rather than holding a permanent collection, so what is on the walls changes several times a year.
What to expect
The focus is on contemporary practice — painting, photography, mixed media and occasional installation — with an emphasis on artists early in their careers rather than established names.
Shows are typically modest in scale, which suits the space. A visit takes half an hour at most, and it is worth checking the current programme before going, because between exhibitions the gallery may be closed for installation.
Baku's contemporary scene
The commercial contemporary scene in Baku is small but genuinely active, concentrated in a handful of spaces in the centre and inside the Old City walls.
For permanent collections rather than rotating shows, the Baku Museum of Modern Art holds Azerbaijani avant-garde work from the 1950s onward, and the National Museum of Art covers the historic and classical collection. Those two are the substantial stops; the galleries are a supplement.
Highlights
- Rotating shows by emerging Azerbaijani and regional artists
- Central Baku location, easy to add to a city walk
- Contemporary painting, photography and mixed media
Frequently asked questions
Are there art galleries in Baku?
Yes, though the contemporary gallery scene is small — a handful of spaces in the centre and the Old City. For substantial collections, the Baku Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of Art are the better destinations.
More to see in Baku
Photograph of Maiden Tower — to be added
Maiden Tower
The enigmatic stone tower at the edge of the Old City — Baku's oldest and least explained monument.
Included in 3 tours
Photograph of Palace of the Shirvanshahs — to be added
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
The 15th-century seat of the Shirvan rulers, and the largest surviving monument of the Shirvan-Absheron architectural school.
Included in 3 tours
Photograph of Flame Towers — to be added
Flame Towers
Three flame-shaped towers above the city, screened with LEDs that turn the skyline into a fire display after dark.
Included in 3 tours
Photograph of Highland Park & Martyrs' Lane — to be added
Highland Park & Martyrs' Lane
The hilltop terrace with the best panorama over Baku bay, reached by funicular.
Included in 1 tour
Photograph of Baku Boulevard & Mini Venice — to be added
Baku Boulevard & Mini Venice
The Caspian seafront promenade — parkland, canals, Flag Square and the Baku Eye.
Included in 1 tour
Want YAY Gallery on your itinerary?
We build private itineraries around the places you actually want to see. Tell us what interests you and we will price it per vehicle.
Or call +994 51 887 98 55 — 08:00 – 20:00, 7 days a week