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Astana

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At a glance

Country
Kazakhstan
Region
Astana
Population
1.4 million
Best time to go
June to September
Main airport
Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev International (NQZ)
Coordinates
51.17°N, 71.45°E

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Overview

Astana became Kazakhstan's capital in 1997, and since then a planned city of extraordinary buildings has risen from the steppe. Glass towers, a pyramid, a giant tent and gold-domed ministries line the Left Bank of the Ishim river.

It is a strange, fascinating place to spend a couple of days, especially for architecture fans. The older Right Bank feels more lived-in, with parks and Soviet-era streets.

Things to see

  • Bayterek
    Photo: Ken and Nyetta, CC-BY-2.0

    Bayterek

    A white tower holding a golden sphere, symbolising a tree of life, with an observation deck at the top.

    Tickets and tours
  • Khan Shatyr
    Photo: Bgag, CC0

    Khan Shatyr

    A vast transparent tent designed by Norman Foster, sheltering a shopping centre and an indoor beach.

  • Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
    Photo: Koval Anastassiya, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

    Foster's glass-topped pyramid, built to host a congress of world religions, with an opera hall inside.

    Tickets and tours
  • National Museum of Kazakhstan
    Photo: Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0

    National Museum of Kazakhstan

    A huge modern museum with a Golden Hall of Saka-era treasures and good displays on the steppe's history.

    Tickets and tours
  • Hazrat Sultan Mosque
    Photo: t_y_l, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Hazrat Sultan Mosque

    One of the largest mosques in Central Asia, white and domed, which welcomes respectfully dressed visitors.

Things to do

  • Walk Nurzhol Boulevard

    The central axis links Khan Shatyr, Bayterek and the presidential palace, and is best at dusk as the lights come on.

  • Astana Opera
    Photo: Albert Bergonzo, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Astana Opera

    A grand neoclassical house with a strong ballet and opera programme.

    Find tours
  • Try Kazakh food
    Photo: Pannet, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Try Kazakh food

    Order beshbarmak, boiled meat over flat noodles, and baursak fried dough at a traditional restaurant.

  • Day trip to Burabay
    Photo: Kalabaha1969, CC0

    Day trip to Burabay

    Lakes, pine forest and granite outcrops a few hours north, a favourite summer escape.

Where to stay

  • Left Bank

    Near the landmark buildings and the main shopping centres, with modern international hotels.

    Hotels in Left Bank

  • Right Bank

    The older centre, with parks, cafés and better-value hotels.

    Hotels in Right Bank

Getting around

Buses cover the city well, and ride-hailing taxis are cheap and reliable. Distances between landmarks are large, and walking is hard work in winter.

The airport is around 20 to 30 minutes from the centre by taxi. Trains connect Astana with Almaty and other Kazakh cities.

When to go

Summer is warm and the best time to visit. Winters are among the coldest of any capital in the world, regularly falling far below freezing, with biting steppe winds.

Plan your trip to Astana

Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

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