Art Guide to Baku: Top Contemporary Art Galleries

Baku isn’t just oil, carpets, and the Caspian Sea. In recent years, the Azerbaijani capital has become a vibrant hub of contemporary art 🖼️. From sleek private galleries to experimental art spaces, the city offers a rich cultural experience for tourists and art lovers alike.

Here’s a curated list of must-visit art spaces in Baku 👇

1. YAY Gallery

📍 5 Kichik Gala Street, Icherisheher (Old City)
Modern art, local and international artists

YAY Gallery is one of the most popular private art spaces in Baku. It showcases contemporary works by Azerbaijani and regional artists — from paintings to installations and multimedia art.

👉 Tip: It's located in the heart of the Old City, so you can combine your gallery visit with a scenic historical walk.

2. Museum Of Modern Art 

📍 5 Yusif Safarov Street
800+ works, modern architecture, 20th–21st century art

This government-supported museum is home to an impressive collection of Azerbaijani modern and contemporary artists, including Sattar Bahlulzade and Tair Salakhov. The building itself is artistic — open, flowing, and futuristic 🌀

3. ARTIM Project Space 

📍 Next to YAY Gallery
Experimental art, emerging artists

ARTIM (meaning “progress” in Azerbaijani) is an experimental platform that supports young and emerging artists. Expect performance art, conceptual installations, and boundary-pushing ideas 🎭

4. Q Gallery

📍 Neftchilar Avenue, near the boulevard
Paintings, sculpture, graphic art — many works for sale

Q Gallery presents both established and up-and-coming artists. If you're looking to explore (or buy!) some original Azerbaijani art, this is a great stop 🍷

5. Gazelli Art House 

📍 39 Neftchilar Avenue
International exhibitions, London connection, artist residencies

This is the Baku branch of a renowned London-based gallery. Gazelli Art House supports cross-cultural projects and promotes Azerbaijani contemporary art on the international stage 🌍

🧭 Helpful Tips for Visitors: