PARIS BRUSSEL AMSTERDAM

Paris – a unique city where romance, art, history, and modernity converge. As France’s capital and the famed “City of Love,” it draws millions of tourists annually. Positioned along the Seine River, many of its historic sites and breathtaking landmarks are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

You’ll encounter iconic spots like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, Notre‑Dame Cathedral, Palace of Versailles, the Pompidou Centre, and La Défense. The elegant café culture, local cuisine, and art galleries will make your visit unforgettable.

Whether you plan a 2025 trip to Paris for a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or for cultural and photographic exploration, this city is an ideal choice.

From its breathtaking medieval centre to its 21st-century temple to Surrealism, the new Magritte Museum, Brussels offers the visitor a great deal more than just beer and chocolate and is resoundingly unlike its unfortunate staid image as the home of EU bureaucrats. Indeed, Brussels is a creative, dynamic city. Its compact city centre is clustered with bars, restaurants and museums set along cobbled streets. Inevitably, most tourists head to the Grand-Place. With its ornate Flemish guild houses, impressive Town Hall and buzzing atmosphere, it would be difficult to find a more beautiful square in the whole of Europe. It deservedly is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the city’s crowning jewel. Wander next to the nearby Royal and Sablon districts teeming with art galleries and antique shops. Throw away your map and meander down a myriad side streets, discovering flea markets, art-deco houses and boutique stores. The Bruxellois take pride in their self-effacing, intellectual sense of humour, underpinned by a strong appreciation of the bizarre. The city has a long-running love affair with the Surrealist art movement, pioneered by René Magritte, and with classic comic strips, epitomised by Hergé's boy hero, Tintin. There's a telling irony in the fact that the city's best-known landmark is the Manneken-Pis, a tiny statuette of a urinating boy. Meanwhile, all of this sits alongside world-class collections of art, fabulous cooking including mussels, frites, waffles and whelks, some of Europe’s best and unique beers (literally, there are thousands of varieties), and master-chocolatiers. The city’s cultural calendar is packed with events for everyone from the massive, raucous Foire du Midi street fair every July teeming with stalls and fairground attractions to the legendary Christmas Market that takes centre stage in the Place Sainte Catherine with 240 stalls, a skating rink, a big wheel, and numerous rides. One of the biggest events is Art Brussels, showcasing the city’s edgier, creative side and a hub for art connoisseurs from around the globe. If you’re a Euro-loving national, check out the European Quarter, centered around Schuman and the Berlaymont. Its liveliest part is the Place du Luxembourg: all its bars fill up around 6pm on week days with some of the 20,000 diplomats, politicians and civil servants who reside in the city after Brussels became the centre of international political following WWII. Open your eyes and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all that Brussels has to offer.

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a city that never fails to delight visitors with its charming canals, historic architecture, and vibrant culture. This beautiful city offers something for everyone, from art lovers and history buffs to foodies and party-goers. One of the most iconic features of Amsterdam is its canal system, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a boat tour or stroll along the canals to admire the picturesque bridges and colorful houseboats that line the waterways. The city is also home to many world-renowned museums, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, which houses a vast collection of Dutch art and artifacts. For those looking to indulge in some shopping, Amsterdam has plenty of options. The city's main shopping district is centered around Dam Square, where you'll find everything from high-end fashion to quirky boutiques. And when it comes to dining, Amsterdam is a food lover's paradise. From traditional Dutch dishes like stroopwafels and bitterballen to international cuisine from all corners of the globe, there's something to suit every taste. When the sun goes down, Amsterdam comes alive with a buzzing nightlife scene. Head to the famous Red Light District for a taste of the city's more risqué offerings, or hit up one of the many bars and clubs that dot the city's streets. No matter what your interests, Amsterdam is a city that's sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

Tour Baku by Newly Renovated Caspian Sea Cruise Ship Mirvari

First-time travelers to Baku often ask this question:

Can I sail on the Caspian Sea?

The answer is definitely yes. 

If you’re interested in sailing (literally) - if you mean a sailing boat or a yacht - yes.

Or if you want to travel across the Caspian Sea by ferry from Baku to Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, or Aktau, Kazakhstan, again, yes.

But these answers don't really cut it for people who just want to see the city from the sea and enjoy the fresh sea breeze.

So, if you're among those looking for a half-hour sea tour around Baku, you're in the right place.

In this post, you'll learn about touring on the Caspian Sea Cruise at Baku Bay, including:

About the passenger ship;

Itinerary and schedule;

Ticket prices and more.

Let’s dive right in.

Caspian Sea Tour from the Beautiful Seaside National Park

The cruise ship tours on the Caspian Sea have resumed in November 2024 after a two-year hiatus.

Heretofore, boat tours on Baku Boulevard (Seaside National Park) had been suspended due to the drop in sea level.

Once, the passenger ship departed from Sadko Bridge, but now it departs from the pier in front of the Baku Sea Terminal (Bakı Dəniz Vağzalı).

So, if you want to take a Caspian Sea cruise ship, you'll need to go to Baku Sea Terminal.

It’s 800 meters on foot from Sadko Bridge and very close to the Crescent Bay on the Boulevard as well.

The Baku boat trip, departing from the sea terminal and passing around the White City, takes more than 30 minutes.

And it's available every day from 2 pm to 9 pm, including holidays, unless there’re bad weather conditions.

Note 1: For more details about the schedule of the Baku boat tour, it’s best to check the official Baku Boulevard website, as the working hours may vary in summer and winter.

About the Baku Cruise Ship “Mirvari”

Mirvari (operating since 2013) is the largest passenger ship on Baku Boulevard, with a capacity to carry 450-460 passengers at a time.

The ship has 3 decks.

After the renovation, the first deck is also available for passengers to take close-up pictures of the blue waters of the Caspian Sea.

There's also a lovely restaurant where you can enjoy your meal while listening to classical music.

Along with the passenger seats on the second deck, there is a café where you can enjoy hot coffee or tea with a snack or sweets.

By the way, you're welcome to bring your own food - there are no rules about that.

And lastly, the VIP lounge and extra passenger seats are on the 3rd deck.

Note 2: Sadly, the smaller passenger ship, Shafag (which had 60 seats), is out of service now. 

Caspian Sea Cruise Baku Price and Tickets

As of 2025, prices for the Caspian Sea Cruise "Mirvari" are 5 AZN (about 3 USD) for standard and 10 AZN (around 6 USD) for VIP. 

For kids under 6, boarding the ship is free.

You can buy your tickets from the box office at the pier.

I mean the box office where it says “Tickets” (Kassa).

Buying tickets in advance is not possible yet.

Final Note: When I first took a tour in November 2024 on the "Mirvari" after its renovation, they were offering a rich breakfast for 30 AZN (18 USD) on weekends from 11 am to 1 pm as well. Hope this service is still valid.

That’s it.

In the end, I want to mention that it'll absolutely be worth taking a short sea trip at Baku Bay and it must be on your itinerary of the best things to do in Baku.

The prices are affordable, and the view is scenic. 

You won’t lose anything at all, I promise.

Have a great Caspian Sea tour.