Astana
Kazakhstan's futuristic capital rises from the steppe with bold architecture — the Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr mall, and Norman Foster's Palace of Peace. One of the world's youngest capitals, showcasing ambitious 21st-century city building.
Tours & Experiences
Browse bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Astana
📍 Points of Interest
Loading map...
📋The Rundown
Astana became Kazakhstan's capital in 1997, transforming from a sleepy provincial town into a futuristic showpiece in just two decades
The city was renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019 then changed back to Astana in 2022 — locals always called it Astana anyway
Astana is the second-coldest capital city in the world (after Ulaanbaatar), with winter temperatures dropping to -40°C
Khan Shatyr is the world's largest tent-like structure — inside you'll find a shopping mall, a water park, and even an indoor beach with sand imported from the Maldives
Many of the city's bold buildings were designed by international starchitects including Norman Foster, Kisho Kurokawa, and Santiago Calatrava
The Bayterek Tower represents a mythical tree of life where a magical bird (Samruk) lays a golden egg — the golden orb at the top contains a handprint of former president Nazarbayev
🏛️Must-See Spots
Bayterek Tower
🗼The symbol of Astana — a 97-meter observation tower shaped like a poplar tree holding a golden sphere. The viewing platform offers panoramic views of the futuristic cityscape. Place your hand in Nazarbayev's gilded handprint at the top for good luck.
Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center
📌A massive transparent tent designed by Norman Foster that houses a shopping center, food courts, a cinema, and an indoor tropical water park with imported Maldivian sand. A surreal experience in the middle of the Kazakh steppe.
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
🗼A glass pyramid also designed by Norman Foster, hosting interfaith congresses. Inside you'll find an opera house, a museum, and stunning stained-glass windows by Brian Clarke. Tours reveal the symbolism behind every element.
Nur-Astana Mosque
📌One of the largest mosques in Central Asia with a capacity of 5,000. Its modern design blends traditional Islamic geometry with contemporary architecture. The golden dome and minarets are striking against the steppe sky.
National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
🏛️A vast modern museum covering Kazakhstan's history from ancient nomadic cultures to independence. The Golden Man exhibit and the Hall of Gold are highlights. Allow 2-3 hours.
EXPO Grounds (Nur Alem)
🏛️The glass sphere from Expo 2017, now the Museum of Future Energy. The surrounding EXPO district has been converted into an international financial center with art installations and event spaces.
Ak Orda Presidential Palace
🗼The official residence of the President of Kazakhstan, a grand blue-and-gold domed building at the terminus of the Nurzhol Boulevard. Not open to the public, but an impressive sight from the boulevard.
✈️Where Next?
Almaty
Kazakhstan's cultural capital at the foot of the Tien Shan mountains, with alpine lakes, vibrant bazaars, and excellent food.
Burabay (Borovoe)
Known as the "Pearl of Kazakhstan" — a lake resort area with pine forests and granite mountains rising from the steppe. Popular weekend escape for locals.
Tashkent
The capital of neighboring Uzbekistan and gateway to the Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara.
🌤️Weather
Astana has an extreme continental climate. Winters are brutally cold and windy; summers are warm and pleasant. The temperature difference between seasons can exceed 70°C.
Spring
April - May37-68°F
3-20°C
Brief and unpredictable. Snow can fall into April. May is generally pleasant but windy. The steppe starts to green up.
Summer
June - August59-90°F
15-32°C
The best time to visit. Warm, sunny days with long daylight hours. July can occasionally see hot spells. Very pleasant for walking the city.
Autumn
September - October32-59°F
0-15°C
September can be mild and golden. October sees the first frosts and temperatures drop rapidly. Early autumn is still reasonable for visiting.
Winter
November - March-13 to 23°F
-25 to -5°C
Severe cold with bitter steppe winds. January can reach -40°C. The city functions normally but extended outdoor time is challenging. The futuristic architecture looks dramatic against snow.
🛡️Safety
Moderate
out of 100
Astana is generally safe for tourists with low street crime. The biggest danger is the extreme winter cold. The city is modern and well-organized, with a visible police presence.
Things to Know
- •In winter, dress in serious cold-weather gear — frostbite risk is real at -30°C and below
- •Use ride-hailing apps rather than hailing random taxis
- •Carry ID (passport copy) at all times — police may ask
- •The wind on the steppe is brutal in winter — cover all exposed skin
- •Most sights on the Left Bank are connected by indoor passages or are close to metro stops
- •Tap water is generally safe but bottled is recommended for visitors
Emergency Numbers
Police
102
Ambulance
103
Fire
101
🚇Getting Around
Astana is a modern, spread-out city. The new LRT system, buses, and ride-hailing apps are the main transport options. The Left Bank (new city) is where most tourist sights are concentrated.
Astana LRT
90 KZT (~$0.19 USD)A light rail line connecting key areas of the city. Modern and efficient, though coverage is still limited.
Best for: Getting between major points on the Left Bank
Yandex Go / inDriver
500-2,000 KZT ($1.05-4.20 USD)The most convenient way to get around. Affordable and essential in winter when walking is impractical. Apps work well throughout the city.
Best for: Door-to-door travel, especially in extreme weather
City Buses
90 KZT (~$0.19 USD)Extensive network with modern buses. Payment by Onay card. The 2GIS app shows routes and schedules. Generally reliable and well-heated in winter.
Best for: Budget travel with route-planning via 2GIS
🚶 Walkability
The Left Bank boulevard from Bayterek to Ak Orda is a pleasant walk in summer (~2 km). In winter, the extreme cold and wind make walking impractical for more than short distances.
🛫Getting In & Out
✈️ Airports
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport(NQZ)
17 km southTaxi via Yandex Go (2,000-4,000 KZT / $4.20-8.40 USD, 20-30 min). Airport express bus also available.
🚆 Rail Stations
Astana Railway Station (Nurly Zhol)
Central, adjacent to Khan ShatyrA modern integrated transport hub. Trains to Almaty (12-15 hrs), and connections across Kazakhstan and to Russia. The Talgo trains are the most comfortable.
💰Budget Breakdown
budget
$30-50
Hostel dorm, canteen meals, public transport, free exterior architecture viewing
mid-range
$70-120
Hotel room, restaurant meals, taxis, museum entries, Khan Shatyr activities
luxury
$180-300
International hotel, fine dining, private tours, premium entertainment
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| FoodLunch at a canteen/stolovaya | 1,500-2,500 KZT | $3.15-5.25 |
| FoodDinner at a mid-range restaurant | 5,000-10,000 KZT | $10.50-21 |
| TransportLRT or bus single ride | 90 KZT | $0.19 |
| TransportTaxi across town | 1,000-2,500 KZT | $2.10-5.25 |
| AccommodationHostel dorm bed | 4,000-7,000 KZT | $8.40-14.70 |
| AccommodationMid-range hotel | 20,000-40,000 KZT | $42-84 |
| AttractionBayterek Tower observation | 700 KZT | $1.47 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Most of Astana's impressive architecture can be admired from the outside for free
- •Download 2GIS for navigation — it works offline and covers all bus routes
- •Eat at stolovaya (self-service canteens) for cheap, filling Kazakh and Russian food
- •The Nurzhol Boulevard walk from Bayterek to the Presidential Palace is free and covers the main sights
- •Visit the National Museum on free-entry days (check their schedule)