Astana: Don’t miss these must-see sights on your next trip to Kazakhstan’s capital

Astana is a contemporary capital rising from the Kazakh steppe, identified for its futuristic structure, excessive local weather, and position as a Central Asian political and cultural hub.

Town defines itself in some ways – as a enterprise centre, a cultural haven, a gastronomical pole, and extra. Lately, it’s made strides to change into a hotspot for worldwide occasions.

Over 500 occasions happened in Astana final 12 months, attracting 13% extra vacationers to the town than the 12 months earlier than, in keeping with Olga Abeldinova, Director of Vacationer Providers and Infrastructure Division on the Tourism Growth Centre “Astana Tourism”.

“We invite Class A stars, which attracts vacationers from neighbouring international locations and will increase the standing of the town,” Abeldinova mentioned. “If Hollywood stars come right here, it connotes a sure safety and belief.”

Abeldinova highlighted Jennifer Lopez’s live performance in April 2025 and Andy Serkis headlining Astana Comedian Con 2025 as examples of top-billed stars visiting the town.

Whether or not you’re in Astana for an occasion or simply visiting as vacationer, the town has one thing to supply each sort of traveller. Don’t miss our favorite points of interest and monuments in your subsequent journey to the Kazakh capital.

Baiterek Monument

The very first thing any resident of Astana will doubtless let you know to go to is Baiterek – a hovering beacon that watches over each a part of the town, which has change into its de facto image.

The 105-metre tower on the centre of the left financial institution was impressed by a Kazakh legend, and represents the Tree of Life with a golden egg at its high.

There’s a small ethnographic museum on the bottom ground of the tower, and a panoramic deck on the highest ground, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in sweeping views of the town – with the “Akorda” Presidential Residence on one aspect and the Nurly Zhol Boulevard on the opposite.

To benefit from the view, or maybe contact the palm print of the primary Kazakh President, you have to to pay a 2,000 KZT (€3.5) entrance charge.

For extra cityscapes, you may as well catch a hop-on/hop-off bus service right here that can take you to the primary vacationer websites throughout the capital.

Nurly Zhol Boulevard

From Baiterek, an simply accessible subsequent cease is Nurly Zhol Boulevard – the proper place for a leisurely stroll. It begins on the Presidential Residence and stretches all the way in which to the Khan Shatyr mall, which is constructed to appear to be a big tent.

As you make your means down the Boulevard, you will notice the executive centre of the town, with ministry buildings and nationwide firm places of work, in addition to cafes, fountains, and a sprinkling of distinctive sculptures.

Riverbank and ferry experience

Like Paris or Budapest, the town of Astana is split by the Ishim River (Yessil in Kazakh) into left and proper banks.

The correct financial institution is an older a part of the town, that includes primarily Soviet model structure, whereas the left financial institution is the newer, extra futuristic a part of city, filled with glittering excessive rises.

When the climate is good, particularly in summer time, locals flock to the riverside on the proper financial institution to take footage on the lovely Atyrau bridge and cross the Seruen Bridge into the Amusement Park.

If you wish to benefit from the river whereas seeing as lots of Astana’s landmarks as you’ll be able to, taking a ferry is the way in which to go. A forty five-minute experience will price you 4,000 KZT (€7) on the small sales space hidden by the bushes.

Astana Grand Mosque and Hazrat Sultan Mosque

Islam is the biggest faith practiced in Kazakhstan, so it’s no shock that it has awe-inspiring mosques.

Opened in 2022, Astana Grand Mosque is the latest attraction within the metropolis. The 68,062 sq. metre home of worship is the biggest mosque in Central Asia. It may well accommodate nearly 250,000 individuals on the identical time, making it one of many high 10 on this planet.

Hazrat Sultan Mosque is a bit of smaller as compared however continues to be a good looking instance of spiritual structure.

Each mosques are adorned with ornate carpets, majestic chandeliers, verses from the Quran, and Kazakh ornaments.

Entrances to mosques are free however you’ll want to put on correct clothes – for ladies, which means masking head, shoulders, and knees and for males, avoiding shorts.

Nationwide Museum

To dive deeper into the historical past and tradition of Kazakhstan and the nomadic people who inhabited its territory it is best to pay a go to to the Nationwide Museum.

The largest museum in Central Asia is house to many historic artefacts in addition to up to date artwork items. It additionally has a separate exhibition corridor for momentary exhibition.

“Final 12 months, the museum hosted the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit, in partnership with Italy, and it gathered a number of worldwide guests,” mentioned Olga Abeldinova.

The exhibition centred on La Bella Principessa, a portrait of an Italian noblewoman, which was exhibited solely 5 instances earlier than.

Ticket costs differ relying on which halls you need to see, however the fundamental entrance charge is 700 KZT (€1.2).

Independence Sq.

Probably the most handy factor about Independence Sq. is that it gathers lots of the locations price seeing in Astana in a single location.

Each the Nationwide Museum and the Hazret Sultan Mosque are situated right here, in addition to the Independence Palace and the Shabyt Arts College. The latter two each characteristic uncommon structure, however function extra practical buildings than traditional vacationer points of interest.

The sq.’s centrepiece is the Kazakh Eli Monument, which celebrates Kazakhstan’s 1991 independence. The 4 sides of the monument symbolize the nation’s previous and future, in addition to its individuals.

Presidential Park and Pyramid

Throughout from Independence Sq., you will notice the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, identified to locals because the Pyramid.

Initially constructed for the session of the Congress of Leaders of World and Conventional Religions, it now serves as a metropolis landmark. Inside you’ll discover a corridor for occasions, an opera corridor and an exhibition venue, which you’ll be able to go to for 1,000 KZT (€1.7).

The Pyramid is located within the Presidential Park, which stretches to the river and meets the Presidential Palace on the opposite aspect. It may be accessed from Nurly Zhol Boulevard, however you would need to loop round to cross the river.

These sights offers you a style of what Astana is all about, however the metropolis is in fixed flux, with new points of interest showing on a regular basis.

Astana can be house to many parks, an oceanarium, opera and ballet homes, and far more – simply comply with your curiosity and this welcoming metropolis will gladly reward you.