Best Time to Visit
June to September (20-30°C, pleasant). Astana is the world's second-coldest capital — winters drop to -30°C or colder
Language
Kazakh, Russian widely spoken
Currency
Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT)
Time Zone
ALMT (UTC+5, unified since 2024)
Airport
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ), 17km S of city center
Population
1.4 million (city proper)
Climate
Extreme continental steppe, -30°C winters with blizzards, 30°C+ summers, very dry
Safety Rating
Very Safe — modern city with low crime, well-policed
Astana's 97m symbol — a tower holding a golden orb representing a mythical bird's egg in a poplar tree. The observation deck (entry: 1,500 KZT / ~$3) offers 360-degree steppe views. At the top, place your hand in the gold handprint of President Nazarbayev and make a wish (yes, really). Open 10AM-9PM. The tower anchors the Nurzhol Boulevard, Astana's central promenade of futuristic government buildings. Allow 1 hour.
A 150m-tall transparent tent designed by Norman Foster, housing a shopping mall, water park with sand imported from the Maldives, food courts, and a monorail. Free to enter (activities inside priced separately). The Skybeach indoor tropical waterpark (5,000 KZT / ~$10) is surreal — palm trees and warm sand while it's -30°C outside. Open 10AM-10PM daily. One of the world's most distinctive buildings. Allow 2-3 hours.
A 77m glass pyramid by Norman Foster housing a 1,500-seat opera hall, a multi-faith center, and exhibitions on world religions. Entry: 2,000 KZT (~$4) for guided tour. Open 10AM-6PM (closed Mondays). The stained glass apex by Brian Clarke is spectacular. The building hosts the triennial Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The pyramid shape amid the flat steppe is otherworldly. Allow 1-1.5 hours.
Central Asia's largest mosque with capacity for 10,000 worshippers, opened in 2012. The white and gold interior is breathtaking, with elaborate Islamic geometric patterns and a 51m dome. Free entry. Open 9AM-9PM (non-prayer times). Women must cover head and arms (scarves provided at entrance). Shoes off. Non-Muslims welcome. The mosque is particularly beautiful at dusk when illuminated. Allow 45 minutes.
A massive modern museum covering Kazakh history from the Golden Man (Saka warrior's golden armor, 4th century BC) to space exploration (Kazakhstan hosts the Baikonur Cosmodrome). Entry: 1,500 KZT (~$3). Open 10AM-6PM (closed Mondays). Four floors of exhibits including yurt reconstructions, Soviet-era art, and the stunning Golden Man replica in the central hall. Allow 2-3 hours. English audio guide available (500 KZT).
The site of EXPO 2017 (Future Energy theme), now partly repurposed. The Nur Alem sphere (80m diameter, the world's largest spherical building) houses a science and energy museum (3,000 KZT / ~$6). The surrounding pavilions host exhibitions and events. The architecture is aggressively futuristic. Located on the left bank, 15 minutes by taxi from the center. Allow 2-3 hours if you enjoy modern architecture.
Arrive at Nursultan Nazarbayev International (NQZ), 17km south. Yandex Go taxi (1,000-2,500 KZT). Hotel on the left bank near Bayterek Tower.
Airport transfer(30 minutes)
Yandex Go: 2,000-3,500 KZT (~$4-7)
Bayterek Tower at sunset(1 hour)
1,500 KZT. 97m symbol of Astana. Golden orb observation deck with steppe views. Place hand in Nazarbayev's gold handprint to make a wish
Dinner at Kaganat restaurant(1 hour)
Kazakh cuisine. Beshbarmak (boiled meat on flat noodles, 3,000-5,000 KZT) — the national dish. Kurt (dried yogurt balls) and kumis (fermented mare's milk) for the adventurous
Astana's futuristic government district — Norman Foster buildings and the steppe-meets-space-age skyline.
Walk Nurzhol Boulevard(2 hours)
The central promenade connecting Bayterek to Khan Shatyr. Government buildings by international architects line both sides. The scale is intentionally overwhelming — this is a capital designed to impress
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation(1.5 hours)
2,000 KZT guided tour. Norman Foster's 77m glass pyramid. Opera hall, multi-faith center, Brian Clarke stained glass apex. The shape on the flat steppe is otherworldly
Hazrat Sultan Mosque(45 minutes)
Free. Central Asia's largest mosque. White and gold interior, 51m dome. Non-Muslims welcome outside prayer times. Scarves provided
Lunch at Khan Shatyr food court(1 hour)
Norman Foster's 150m transparent tent. The Skybeach indoor tropical waterpark (5,000 KZT) has Maldives sand. Food court: 2,000-4,000 KZT for a meal
National Museum of Kazakhstan(2 hours)
1,500 KZT. Golden Man (4th century BC Saka warrior armor), space exploration, yurt reconstructions. Audio guide 500 KZT. The Golden Man replica in the central hall is the icon of Kazakh identity
The EXPO 2017 site and the original pre-capital right bank with its Soviet-era character.
EXPO grounds & Nur Alem Sphere(2.5 hours)
3,000 KZT. World's largest spherical building (80m). Science and energy museum inside. The surrounding pavilions have rotating exhibitions
Central Market (Zelyony Bazaar equivalent)(1.5 hours)
The old-town market with meat, dairy, and dried fruit sections. More authentic than left-bank malls. Try horse meat sausage (kazy, 800 KZT per 100g) if you are feeling bold
Lunch at a local ashkhana(1 hour)
Cafeteria-style. Lagman (noodle soup, 1,200 KZT), manty (steamed dumplings, 1,000 KZT). Working-class Astana
Yevraziya Cultural Center or Cathedral walk(1 hour)
The right bank has Orthodox churches and Soviet apartment blocks — a different city from the left bank's marble and glass
Kazakhstan's 'little Switzerland' — a lake and forest resort area 250km north. A complete contrast to the flat steppe.
Drive to Borovoye(3 hours)
Hire car (25,000-35,000 KZT round trip) or join a tour
Burabay National Park(4 hours)
Entry: 550 KZT. Pine forests, granite rock formations, and crystal-clear lakes surrounded by steppe. Hike to Bolectau Peak (1 hour) for panoramic views. Rent a catamaran on Borovoye Lake (3,000 KZT/hour). The rock formation called Zhumbaktas (Sphinx Rock) rises from the water like a face in profile
Lunch at a lakeside restaurant(1 hour)
Fresh fish from the lake, shashlik, and wild berry kompot (fruit drink). 3,000-5,000 KZT
A day focused on traditional Kazakh life, food, and arts.
Shabyt Palace of Creativity(1.5 hours)
Free. Kazakh National University of Arts campus — exhibitions of student work, traditional instruments, and contemporary Kazakh art. The building itself is architecturally interesting
Visit an ethno-village (Kazakh aul recreation)(2 hours)
Several recreated Kazakh aul (village) sites outside Astana offer yurt stays, horse milking demonstrations, eagle hunting displays, and traditional game demonstrations (kokpar — a horseback sport played with a goat carcass). Tour operators arrange: 15,000-25,000 KZT
Lunch — full beshbarmak feast(1.5 hours)
At a traditional restaurant, the full beshbarmak ceremony: the guest of honor receives the sheep's head and distributes parts. The ears go to children (listen well), the tongue to the eloquent, the eyes to the far-sighted. A deeply meaningful ritual. 5,000-8,000 KZT
Dinner and nightlife at Loft Bar or Chocolate Bar(1.5 hours)
Astana's nightlife scene is small but growing. Cocktails 2,000-4,000 KZT
Choose your adventure.
Option A: Astana Opera (if performance scheduled)(2.5 hours)
One of Central Asia's finest opera and ballet companies. The building is spectacular. Tickets from 2,000 KZT
Option B: Left bank architecture photography walk(3 hours)
The buildings are best photographed in afternoon light when the glass and steel catch the steppe sun. Underground passages connect many buildings — explore these in winter
Option C: Rest and shopping at Khan Shatyr(3 hours)
The world's largest tent has decent shopping and the surreal indoor beach
Farewell dinner at Line Brew or Astana Nury(1.5 hours)
Astana Nury serves Kazakh fine dining with a modern twist. Tasting menus from 15,000 KZT. A surprisingly sophisticated end to a visit
Final morning and airport.
Last Bayterek view(30 minutes)
If time allows, one final look from the observation deck. The steppe stretching in every direction reminds you how improbable this city is
Airport transfer(30 minutes)
Yandex Go: 2,000-3,500 KZT. Allow 2.5 hours before international flights
Citizens of 76 countries (including US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea) can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days. No registration required for stays under 30 days. Just arrive with a valid passport. For longer stays, an e-visa is available. Kazakhstan has the most liberal visa regime in Central Asia.
Astana's new left bank (where all the futuristic buildings are) has enormous distances between landmarks on wide boulevards with brutal wind exposure. Use Yandex Go taxis (1,000-2,500 KZT / ~$2-5 for most rides) or the city bus system (150 KZT). Walking from Bayterek to Khan Shatyr (3km) is doable in summer but miserable in winter when wind chill hits -40°C. The underground passages connecting buildings are a lifesaver in winter.
The Talgo high-speed train connects Astana to Almaty (Kazakhstan's largest and more vibrant city) in about 12 hours (overnight sleeper, 8,000-15,000 KZT / ~$16-30). Flights take 1.5 hours and cost $40-80. Almaty has mountains, bazaars, and a completely different vibe — worth combining with an Astana visit if you have time. Book trains on railways.kz.
Astana is Kazakhstan's most expensive city. A restaurant meal costs 3,000-8,000 KZT (~$6-16). Budget hotels: $25-40/night. Mid-range: $60-100. Taxis are cheap. A beshbarmak (national dish — boiled meat on flat noodles) at a local restaurant costs 3,000-5,000 KZT. Supermarkets are well-stocked and reasonable. Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted throughout the city.
If invited to a Kazakh home, you will be offered kumis (fermented mare's milk) or shubat (fermented camel's milk). Both are sour, slightly alcoholic, and an acquired taste — but refusing is impolite. Take at least a sip. At formal meals, the guest of honor is served the sheep's head (beshbarmak style) and expected to distribute parts of it. Tea is constant — always accept the first cup.
If visiting November to March, pack serious cold-weather gear: down jacket, thermal base layers, insulated boots, wool hat covering ears, and gloves. Exposed skin gets frostbitten in minutes at -30°C with wind. Many tourists underestimate how cold Astana gets. The wind on the steppe is relentless. Hotels, malls, and restaurants are well-heated — the danger is moving between them.
Travel GuidesA glass pyramid in the steppe, an indoor beach with Maldivian sand, and a golden handprint you're supposed to press for good luck. Astana is gloriously bizarre.
TipsThe cold is real, the distances are deceptive, and the beshbarmak is eaten with your hands. Everything you need to know before visiting Astana.
Travel GuidesNorman Foster, a 97-meter golden egg, and a glass pyramid on the steppe — how Kazakhstan turned a railway town into the world's most ambitious capital.
