Stories · Baku After Dark
Flame Towers Night View: the LED Light Show, Viewing Spots and Photo Tips
Updated October 2026 · 6 min read
After sunset the Flame Towers turn into the single most recognisable sight on the Baku skyline. The three flame-shaped towers are covered in more than 10,000 high-power LED luminaires, and after dark the facades play animated scenes — moving flames, flowing water, the flag of Azerbaijan and seasonal designs — visible from across the city and the bay. For many visitors, seeing the Flame Towers night view in person is the highlight of a trip to Baku.
What time does the Flame Towers light show start?
The LED show runs every evening after dusk, roughly from 8:00 pm until 1:00 am, with the animation changing by season and by occasion — national holidays, Formula 1 weekend and New Year each get dedicated scenes. There is no ticket and no fixed "show time": the towers simply glow and animate all evening, so you can watch from anywhere in the city with a clear line of sight.
The best places to see the Flame Towers at night
- Baku Boulevard (Seaside Promenade) — the classic postcard angle: the whole trio reflected over the Caspian Sea, with the Ferris wheel in the foreground.
- Highland Park (Dagustu Park) — you stand level with the towers, close enough to see the individual LED patterns move. Combine it with the funicular ride up.
- Maiden Tower & Old City (Icherisheher) — a UNESCO-listed foreground with a modern skyline behind it; the most photographed contrast in Baku.
- Upland Park viewing terrace — the elevated panorama over the bay where both the Old City and the towers fit in one frame.
How to photograph the Flame Towers at night
- Use a tripod or steady surface. Shutter speeds of 1–4 seconds give you crisp towers with light trails from the traffic on Neftchilar Avenue below.
- Shoot during blue hour (about 20–30 minutes after sunset) when the sky is deep blue rather than black — the LED colours read far better against it.
- Step back for scale. The full 190-metre height only fits in frame from the boulevard or the bay side; from Highland Park you get detail shots instead.
- On a phone: lock focus, drag the exposure down slightly, and use night mode — the towers are bright enough that night mode produces a clean result.
Can you visit the Flame Towers at night?
Yes — parts of the complex stay lively in the evening. The Fairmont Baku hotel lobby, its bars and restaurants welcome evening guests, and the retail podium keeps shopping hours into the night. The classic photo vantage points listed above are all public and free to access at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
What do the Flame Towers look like at night?
The LED-covered facades display moving flames, flowing water, the Azerbaijani flag and seasonal animations, making the three towers glow like burning flames above the city — one of Baku's most photographed sights.
Where is the best place to photograph the Flame Towers at night?
Baku Boulevard for the reflection over the Caspian Sea, and Highland Park for a close-up, elevated view. Both are free, public and safe after dark.
Is there an entrance fee to see the light show?
No. The LED show is displayed on the outside of the towers and is visible free of charge from anywhere in Baku with a clear view of the skyline.
Planning a visit? See how to get to the Flame Towers, browse the photo gallery, or contact the Flame Towers team for residence and office enquiries.