Kicik Venesiya (Mini Venice)

Kicik Venesiya, or Mini Venice, is an artificial canal attraction on Baku's seaside boulevard, built in 1960 as part of the boulevard's mid-century entertainment district and substantially expanded in 2012 to around 10,000 square metres. It consists of two larger islands and several smaller ones linked by decorative stone bridges, with channels running between them. Four-seater gondolas can be hired to travel the waterways, passing cafes and two restaurants built on the islands that serve Azerbaijani and international dishes. The design echoes Venice on a much smaller scale and is set against the Caspian Sea rather than a lagoon. It sits within the Baku Boulevard promenade close to other attractions along the seafront and is reached on foot from the boulevard's central section or from Sahil metro station. Gondola rides operate mainly in the warmer months and into the evening, when the islands are lit. It functions as a stop along the promenade rather than a destination in its own right.