Things to do in Astana
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Astana
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Comfortable spring sightseeing; Korgalzhyn flamingos arrive.
Hot, sometimes upper 30s; Capital Day crowds in early July.
Mild early autumn, often the nicest walking weather.
Severe winter with steppe wind; avoid unless you want the cold.
What's on
- Capital Day (Astana Day) 6 July
Concerts and fireworks on the river; book hotels early.
- Nauryz around 21 March
Spring festival with yurts, horse games and concerts in the parks.
Best things to do in Astana
Bayterek Tower
Astana's signature tower: ride up for the planned-city panorama and the golden handprint.
National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The country's biggest museum; the Golden Hall and nomadic ethnography halls are the draw.
Khan Shatyr
Foster's giant tent mall with a real-sand indoor beach under the roof.
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
Glass pyramid with tours inside when it is not hosting events.
Hazret Sultan Mosque
One of Central Asia's largest mosques; free to enter outside prayer times.
Nur Alem
The EXPO 2017 sphere, now an eight-floor museum of green energy.
Atameken Ethno-Memorial Park
Open-air miniature map of Kazakhstan; a good mental map early in a trip.
Nurzhol Boulevard
The ceremonial axis of the Left Bank; walk it in the evening when fountains are lit.
Where to stay in Astana
Left Bank (Nurzhol Boulevard area)
a first trip
Walk to Bayterek, the National Museum and Khan Shatyr; quiet at night.
Right Bank Old Town (Saryarka)
local life and food
Older streets, bazaars and the best Kazakh restaurants; longer taxi rides to the Left Bank.
Expo district
business travellers and Nur Alem
New, clean and quiet; little street life and you will taxi everywhere.
Ishim riverfront (Ak-Bulak)
a quieter design-led stay
Near the river paths and away from tour buses; thin restaurant choice on foot.
Think twice about
- Industrial outskirts beyond the ring road
Cheap rooms but nothing to walk to after dark and long taxi rides everywhere.
- Around the old bus and train station at night
Fine to transit by day; the immediate streets are scruffy with no reason to sleep there.
Best restaurants in Astana
Line Brew Astana
Castle-like steakhouse and brewery; the hot-stone beef is the order.
Saksaul
Straightforward Kazakh cooking; order beshbarmak and try kazy.
FARHI
Modern Kazakh fine dining; book dinner ahead and take the chef's set.
The Shoreditch
British-style bar and bistro; the easy familiar evening option.
Astana Nury
Caucasian restaurant with river views and live jazz in the evenings.
Mökki
Contemporary dining room; ask staff what is fresh on the seasonal menu.
Yakitoriya
Reliable Japanese; sushi rolls and skewers, quick and consistent.
Emiliya
Upscale local favourite for celebrations; a slow, proper dinner.
Best coffee in Astana
Marrone Rosso
Local coffee chain; a proper flat white and a work stop between sights.
Outdoor things to do in Astana
Burabay National Park
Pine forests, lakes and granite peaks; the classic Astana escape with easy hikes.
ALZHIR Memorial
Sombre, well-kept memorial and museum of the Stalin-era ALZHIR camp.
Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve
Steppe wetlands famous for flamingos and migratory birds in spring.
Best hotels in Astana
The St. Regis Astana
Riverside luxury in Central Park; the city's top address.
The Ritz-Carlton, Astana
Talan Towers flagship with a strong spa and skyline views.
Rixos President Hotel Astana
Government-district five-star with a large spa and pool.
Hilton Astana
Inside the EXPO 2017 complex with a rooftop bar and indoor pool.
Sheraton Astana Hotel
Near Abu Dhabi Plaza; walkable to Bayterek and the botanical garden.
Hilton Garden Inn Astana
Solid mid-range base on Qabanbay Batyr Avenue.
The Veil Hotel
Boutique five-star near the river paths with spa and concierge.
Is Astana expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | KZT 15,000 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | KZT 45,000 a person |
| Splurge | KZT 120,000 a person |
| No limits | KZT 250,000 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Burabay National Park: a few days ahead
- ALZHIR Memorial: a few days ahead
- Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve: a few days ahead
- Line Brew Astana: a few days ahead
- FARHI: a few days ahead
- Burabay day tours: a few days ahead in summer.
- Line Brew Astana: ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner.
- ALZHIR memorial tours: a day or two ahead.
Is Astana safe?
- Low-crime capital; the realistic risks are taxi overcharging and winter cold. Emergency number: 112.
Astana travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- The Khan Shatyr beach is a pricey novelty; go once.
- Bayterek's tinted orb windows ruin midday photos.
- EXPO grounds food and souvenir prices run above street level.
Getting around Astana: public transport and more
- The Left Bank core is walkable; order taxis by app rather than hailing.
- Buses are cheap but slow; the airport is 20 to 30 minutes by taxi.
Who Astana suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Good |
| Bachelor parties | OK |
| Families | Good |
| Bachelorette parties | OK |
Make Astana your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
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