What to see in Astana if you’re visiting for the first time

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, features unique architecture and a ton of unusual sights, from a tent-shaped shopping mall to a huge tower with a golden sphere on top.

In the Kupi.com Blog, we tell you where to go, what to see, where to relax and how to get the most out of this city.

How to get there

Kazakhstan is a great travel destination, and direct flights to Astana operate from many major cities.

You will arrive at Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport — one of the coolest and most modern in the region. It is located just 15 kilometers from Astana — you can easily reach the city in 30 minutes. You can do this by public buses No. 10 and No. 12 for 100 tenge or by taxi for 2,000 tenge.

When to go for the best weather

Astana is located in the middle of steppes and plains, so the city is swept by icy Arctic winds, which alternate with exhausting heat.

Summer in Astana can be hot: during the day, air temperature reaches +40 degrees. And winter here is the coldest in the entire country: temperatures in November drop to –30 degrees and stay at this mark until mid-April. Also, note that strong winds blow from late September to late March, and blizzards occur in winter.

The best time to travel to Astana is from late April to early July, before the heat becomes unbearable, and from September to October, when the city is still warm and pleasant.

Astana Sights: at the crossroads of futurism and national flavor

Hazret Sultan Mosque

It is considered one of the largest in Asia. It was built quite recently, services only began in 2012. The temple is made in a traditional Islamic style with elements of traditional Kazakh ornament. Entrance to the mosque is free, but keep in mind that you must be dressed appropriately: no shorts, tops, or other revealing clothing.

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

An unusual pyramid-shaped building located on a hill. It was built in 2006 specifically for the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Now various events are held there: both business and entertainment. Among the interesting things: the palace has an opera hall with a capacity of up to 1,300 people, an ethnographic museum, and an observation deck with a magnificent panoramic view of the city.

Library of the First President of Kazakhstan

Astana’s most unusual library with books and the personal archive of the country’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. It is more of a museum than a library: here you can see documents, works of art, and gifts presented to the President of Kazakhstan. The building itself is also unusual: it looks like a flying saucer.

Baiterek Tower

On the main city square, there is a 105-meter tower, which is a symbol of modern Astana. You can admire “Baiterek” from the outside or go inside. On the lower level, there are cafes, souvenir shops, and a gallery. At the top of the tower, in its crowning golden sphere, there is an observation deck with the best view of Astana and even a small bar. You can go up there by high-speed elevator.

Khan Shatyr Shopping Center

A huge entertainment complex built in the shape of a tent-yurt. From the outside, it looks impressive. Inside, everything is as usual: cafes, entertainment, shops. But there is also the main attraction of this shopping center: a water park with a beach area, for which sand was specially brought from the Maldives.

Museum of Future Energy

Astana has recently been striving to be the most futuristic city in Kazakhstan. That’s why it has its own Museum of Future Energy. This exhibition remained here after EXPO-2017. Here you can see how energy is extracted from unusual types of fuel, such as algae. At this exhibition, you will feel like you are in a science fiction movie thanks to the futuristic decorations.

Nurzhol Boulevard

A large pedestrian zone in the very center of Astana, designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. This is one of the most beautiful places in the city with a unified design concept, stretching from the president’s residence to the Khan Shatyr shopping center. Here you will find park areas, fountains, lawns, flower beds, and benches. If you walk along the boulevard, you will surely see the city’s main attractions: “Baiterek”, “Khan Shatyr” and others.

Nur-Astana Mosque

The second large mosque in the city, whose design was developed by Lebanese architect Charles Hafiza. The mosque is decorated in a classic oriental style, with snow-white facades and a gilded dome. “Nur-Astana” is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Kazakhstan, so your cultural journey will not be complete if you do not visit it.

National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The largest museum in Kazakhstan, opened in 2014. Inside are tens of thousands of exhibits dedicated to the culture and life of the many peoples inhabiting the country. If you are interested in history, this is a must-visit place. By the way, the museum itself is quite futuristic, using touch screens, LED displays, and holograms.

How to get around the city

If you arrive in good weather, you can explore Astana and all its sights on foot. For other weather conditions, there is a solution: take a bus or order a taxi. By the way, there are convenient mobile applications for tracking buses and ordering taxis, and taxi prices are quite reasonable.

Astana has special tourist transport — double-decker red hop-on/hop-off buses that tour the entire central part of the city and its main attractions. While you ride, you can listen to an audio guide. Such an excursion costs about 5,000 tenge; you can buy a ticket on Kupi.com or on the Red Bus website.

By the way, from May to September, small river trams run along the Ishim River. Here is the route: Saryarka Bridge — Akorda Palace and six stops between these points. A full round trip will take about an hour, the excursion cost is 2,500 tenge.

Where to stay

Astana has five districts: Almaty, Yesil, Baikonur, Nura, Saryarka. Most of the sights are in the first two, while the oldest authentic part of the city is in the last one. Therefore, choose a hotel depending on which places you want to visit first.

Astana has local hotels, small hotels, and hostels for every budget. Also, after EXPO-2017, quite large hotel chains appeared here, such as Rixos and Hilton.

We’ve compiled a list of top hotels where you’re sure to have a great time:

• The St. Regis Astana;

• Rixos President Astana;

• King Hotel Astana;

• Sheraton Astana Hotel;

• Hilton Astana;

• Radisson Hotel Astana;

• The Veil Hotel;

• Saad Hotel Astana;

• Hilton Garden Inn Astana;

• Best Western Plus Astana Hotel.

What to bring: must-haves for fans of jewelry and warm home clothes

Oh, there’s so much brought from Kazakhstan — from practical household items to horse sausage and sweets. Let’s break it down in order.

• Wool and felt products. Some of the most popular, and for good reason: they are of good quality. Tourists choose robes, hats, slippers, vests, rugs, and napkins.

• Silver jewelry. Kazakh national style jewelry looks beautiful and expensive. In addition to earrings, rings, and bracelets, you can bring hair pendants — sholpy.

• Tableware. Especially often, painted tea cups and plates for meat dishes are brought. By the way, in Kazakhstan, an unusual vessel called a torsyk is made from natural leather, which is used for preparing kumis.

• Food. While you are in Kazakhstan, you will surely try many delicacies and will definitely want to bring something back with you. For example, you can take horse sausage and Kazakh sweets: zhent or camel thorn honey.

If you really liked Astana and want to stay there, we also tell you in the blog how to move to Kazakhstan. We wish you a great trip to the capital of Kazakhstan!