In this Astana travel guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Astana based on my own experience. Find out how to make the most of your time, and why this often overlooked city deserves a spot on your Kazakhstan itinerary.
The city is a place designed to impress, at times surreal, at times empty, but somehow I also found it mighty fascinating.
Also read: Kazakhstan Itinerary | 9 Days Of Cities, Canyons & Culture
A Short History of Astana
Astana’s origins go back to a small settlement called Akmolinsk, which later became Tselinograd during the Soviet Union’s Virgin Lands campaign. It remained a provincial city until 1997, when President Nursultan Nazarbayev made the bold decision to move Kazakhstan’s capital here from Almaty.
The city was renamed Astana (“capital” in Kazakh), briefly called Nur-Sultan between 2019 and 2022, and has now reverted to its original post-independence name.
Today, Astana is a showcase of Kazakhstan’s ambition: a planned city of futuristic architecture, wide open spaces, and monumental government buildings set in the middle of the steppe.
How Much Time Do You Need in Astana?
Astana is compact in terms of its attractions, but the distances between them are vast. One full day is enough to see the main sights, including the Bayterek Tower, the National Museum, and the EXPO area.
If you have two days, you can explore at a more relaxed pace, visit the Astana Grand Mosque, stroll the botanical gardens, and enjoy the city at night with dinner and live music.
However many days you decide on though, Astana is memorable add-on to a wider Kazakhstan trip.
Where to Stay in Astana
I stayed at the Hampton by Hilton Astana Triumphal Arch, a comfortable and modern hotel just a short Yandex taxi ride from the main attractions. The rooms were spacious, the beds extremely comfortable, and it made a great base for exploring the city.
Other good options include:
- The Ritz-Carlton Astana | Ultimate luxury with sweeping views over the city, located in the Esentai Tower.
- Hilton Astana | A stylish five-star next to the EXPO site, perfect if you want to focus on the modern side of the city.
- Inn OZZ Astana | A budget-friendly boutique hotel that offers excellent value for money. Clean, modern rooms make it one of the best choices for travellers on a budget.
Also read: Where To Stay In Kazakhstan | My Favourite Hotels
12 Best Things to Do in Astana
Start Your Morning with Coffee at Kultura Diktuet
If you know me a little bit after reading more of my articles you know I’m a passionate coffee lover. So I always try to find the best coffee spot in the city to start the day.
For Astana I recommend to ease into the city with a coffee at Kultura Diktuet, one of Astana’s most stylish cafés. It’s a favourite with locals and the perfect spot to plan your day before heading into the city’s vast boulevards.
Explore the National Museum of Kazakhstan
All caffeinated take a yandex taxi (or ride the metro, if it has finally opened) to the National Museum of Kazakhstan. The museum is vast and impressive, with modern galleries covering archaeology, ethnography, and the country’s path to independence.
The displays are fascinating, though the routing can be confusing — staff will often redirect you and insist you start elsewhere before entering a gallery. It can feel frustrating, but the museum is still well worth the time.
Stand in the Vastness of Independence Square
Right outside the museum lies Independence Square, the largest open plaza in the city. Surrounded by monumental buildings and dotted with statues and fountains, it symbolises Kazakhstan’s independence and ambition.
The scale is striking, but I’m not gonna lie, the emptiness makes it feel desolate. It’s a reminder of how Astana was designed for grandeur rather than for people. Walking across the square after leaving the museum really highlights the city’s surreal atmosphere.
Some of the most important landmarks around the square include:
- Kazakh Eli Monument | A 91-metre-high column topped with the mythical bird Samruk, symbolising Kazakhstan’s independence.
- Palace of Independence | A modern glass building used for official state ceremonies, forums, and exhibitions.
- Palace of Peace and Reconciliation | The pyramid-shaped building designed by Norman Foster, hosting interfaith congresses and cultural events.
- Hazrat Sultan Mosque | For a decade the largest mosque in Kazakhstan, located right next to the square.
- National Museum of Kazakhstan | The country’s main museum, anchoring the southern side of the square.
Also read: 10 Spectacular Things To See & Do In Kazakhstan
Visit the Hazrat Sultan Mosque
Next to the square stands the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, completed in 2012. For a decade it was the largest mosque in Kazakhstan, with space for up to 10,000 worshippers.
Its elegant white domes and slender minarets dominate the skyline. And the interior is just as impressive with colourful patterns and vast prayer halls.
Even if you’ve seen mosques elsewhere in Central Asia, Hazrat Sultan is worth visiting for its scale and serene atmosphere.
Walk the Axis of Power (and See the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation)
From the museum, cross the river into the government quarter. This so-called Axis of Power is lined with monumental buildings such as the Presidential Palace, Parliament, and ministries.
The scale is surreal. Enormous boulevards and hardly any people, which reminded me of Ashgabat. The walk itself is long; you can take a Yandex taxi back if you prefer.
Along the way, you’ll pass the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a pyramid-shaped building designed by Norman Foster. It was closed during my visit, but the interior (from photos online) looks impressive, so plan ahead if you love architecture.
Stroll Along Nurzhol Boulevard to the Bayterek Tower
The heart of Astana is Nurzhol Boulevard, which stretches west from the Presidential Palace. It’s lined with bold modern buildings, the Singing Fountain, and sculptures.
Walking the boulevard gives you a real sense of the city’s futuristic ambitions. At the western end you’ll reach Lovers Park and the tent-like Khan Shatyr Mall.
The highlight is of course the Bayterek Tower, Astana’s most famous landmark. Shaped like a white lattice tower topped with a golden orb, it symbolises a folk tale about a mythical tree and a bird of happiness.
Lines can be long, and once inside there are two levels at the top. Once at the top many people queue again to reach the very highest platform.
I skipped going up to this highest platform however, as it didn’t seem to add much value. The views are just as good from the main deck, where there’s plenty of space to look out over the city.
Admire the Astana Grand Mosque
Opened in 2022, the Astana Grand Mosque is the largest in Central Asia, with space for up to 30,000 worshippers. Built with support from Kazakh businessmen, it’s a bold statement of national pride and faith.
The white domes, intricate mosaics, and spotless carpets create a grand yet welcoming atmosphere. There’s even a café on-site for visitors.
Compared to the earlier Hazrat Sultan Mosque near Independence Square, the Grand Mosque is even larger and more ambitious. As a non-Muslim, I found it a peaceful and spiritual place to wander, and one of the highlights of the city.
Marvel at the EXPO Area and Nur Alem Pavilion
The futuristic EXPO area is one of Astana’s most eye-catching districts. At its centre is the Nur Alem Pavilion, a giant glass sphere built for Expo 2017.
Its exhibitions on renewable energy have been closed for some time, and it’s unclear if they’ll reopen or be repurposed. Still, the architecture is extraordinary.
The surrounding EXPO district is filled with some pretty cool installations and modern art pieces.
Don’t miss Cult Café, a brilliant spot for fresh pastries, coffee, and tea. The nearby Mega Silk Way Mall is one of the city’s biggest shopping centres, perfect for a meal or a break from Astana’s extreme weather.
Visit the Botanical Garden
Just across from the EXPO area is the Astana Botanical Garden. Two large greenhouses house exotic plants and are worth a look.
Outside, the park is newly planted and lacks shade. Like much of Astana, it will take years to feel established. Still, it’s a good stop if you’re already in the area.
Shop Inside the Khan Shatyr Mall
At the western end of Nurzhol Boulevard, the Khan Shatyr Mall is one of Astana’s most unusual buildings.
Designed by Norman Foster, the enormous tent-shaped structure houses shops, restaurants, a cinema, and even an indoor beach with sand imported from the Maldives. It’s quirky, futuristic, and pure Astana.
Take a Day Trip to Burabay National Park
If you have more time in Astana, consider escaping the city for a day at Burabay National Park, about 2–3 hours north of the capital.
Often called the “Kazakh Switzerland,” the park combines clear lakes, pine forests, and striking granite rock formations rising out of the steppe. It’s a refreshing contrast to Astana’s glass towers and wide boulevards.
Burabay can be done as a long day trip, but you can also choose to stay overnight in one of the park’s resorts or guesthouses to make the most of the scenery. In summer it’s ideal for boating or hiking, while in autumn the forests glow in shades of yellow and orange.
End Your Day with Dinner and Live Music
Astana’s evenings are best spent over a good meal. I had a fabulous Kazakh dinner with live music at Restaurant Sandyq. It was the perfect way to end a long day of sightseeing.
Whether you want traditional Kazakh dishes, modern cafés, or international restaurants, Astana has enough variety to keep you satisfied. Check out the next section for some more recommendations.
Where to Eat and Drink in Astana
Astana’s food scene is as varied as its architecture, with everything from traditional Kazakh fare to international restaurants and modern cafés. Here are a few good spots to try:
- Sandyq | My favourite dinner in Astana. The food was excellent, the service attentive, and the evening was made unforgettable by live music with traditional singing and instruments. It felt both authentic and celebratory and I highly recommended it.
- Georgian Restaurant Daredzhani | If you’re in the mood for something different, Georgian cuisine is a great option. I had a memorable evening here with hearty dishes, wine, and music that made for a lively atmosphere.
- Navat | A reliable choice for Kazakh staples like plov, lagman, and manti. It’s casual, affordable, and a good way to sample local food in a comfortable setting.
- Kultura Diktuet | More than just a coffee stop, this stylish café also serves light meals and makes for a perfect morning or afternoon break.
- Cult Café | Located near the Nur Alem Pavilion (EXPO area), this café is known for freshly baked pastries, great tea, and specialty coffee. A good place to recharge while exploring the EXPO district.
- Line Brew Astana | One of the city’s most popular spots for meat and beer. Expect big steaks, kebabs, and a lively, sometimes noisy atmosphere, often with live music.
How to Get to and Around Astana
How to get to Astana
Astana is situated pretty much in the middle of nowhere and a long way from anywhere else. Flying there is your best option, unless you have a lot of time on your Kazakhstan itinerary.
- By air | Astana International Airport (NQZ) is well connected, with direct flights across Kazakhstan and to major hubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. A Yandex Go taxi into the city centre takes about 20–30 minutes.
- By train | Astana is linked to other cities by Kazakhstan’s rail network. Trains from Almaty take around 12–14 hours, while from Shymkent it’s about 11 hours. Comfortable enough, but you might prefer to fly such a long distance.
- By road | Buses and shared taxis run between Astana and nearby towns, but for intercity travel flying is usually more efficient.
Also read: Complete Guide Of Almaty With Things To Do And Day Trips
Getting Around Astana
Astana is not the easiest city to explore on foot, simply because of the distances involved. Still, some areas like Nurzhol Boulevard are great for walking if you don’t mind the scale. For everywhere else:
- Yandex Go taxis | Cheap, reliable, and the fastest way to get between sights.
- Walking | Best for Nurzhol Boulevard, Independence Square, and the EXPO district, but be prepared for long distances across wide open spaces.
- Buses | Cover much of the city, but less convenient if you don’t read Russian or Kazakh.
- Metro | The city’s metro (light rail) project is decades in the making, but set to finally start at the end of 2025. Based on my June 2025 visit I think that’s very optimistic though. Once it rides however it links many of the Astana’s attractions.
Final Tips for Visiting Astana
- Weather | Summers can be hot, but winters are famously freezing, with icy winds across the steppe. Pack accordingly.
- Distances | Astana looks compact on a map, but in reality the spaces between sights are vast. Don’t underestimate walking times.
- Transport | Use Yandex Go taxis to save time, and combine them with walks along Nurzhol Boulevard and Independence Square.
- Museum Visits | The National Museum is totally worth it, but expect confusing routing and staff insisting you follow a specific path.
- Timing | One day is enough for the highlights, but two days lets you enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace and perhaps even fit in Burabay.
- Stay connected | Get an eSIM via Saily or buy a local SIM card when you arrive. Use my referral code MARTIN84627 when using Saily for 5 USD off your first eSIM purchase.
- Travel Insurance | Always a good idea. Readers of Next Journey Ahead get 5% off Heymondo travel insurance that covers Kazakhstan.
Also read: Kazakhstan Travel Tips | What To Know Before You Go
Final Thoughts on Astana
Astana is unlike any other city in Central Asia. It’s futuristic, ambitious, and at times surreal. It might not have the charm of Almaty, but it offers a fascinating glimpse into Kazakhstan’s vision of itself as a modern nation.
Have you visited Astana already or do you have any questions? Then share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out to me on Instagram, I’d love to hear from you. And don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more travel inspiration and itineraries.
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