landmark
Khan Shatyr
Norman Foster designed this giant transparent tent housing a shopping mall and indoor beach with imported sand.
Ask ParleyKazakhstan
Astana
Futuristic architecture rising from the windy Kazakh steppe.
introduction
Overview
Astana is a planned capital split by the Ishim River. The Left Bank holds futuristic skyscrapers and wide government avenues built after 1997. The Right Bank feels like a traditional Soviet river city with walkable streets. Vast distances and harsh steppe winds make taxis essential for getting around.
Airport to city center
Yandex Go taxis cost around 2,500–3,500 KZT from NQZ airport. Never accept unregistered drivers inside the terminal.
UNESCO City for Peace
UNESCO awarded Astana the City for Peace title in 1999 for rapid, peaceful civic expansion.
Navigating winter cold
Underground passages and indoor malls connect major Left Bank towers. Use them to dodge sub-zero winds.
highlights
Highlights
landmark
Hazrat Sultan Mosque
One of Central Asia's largest mosques features classical Islamic detailing. Cover legs and shoulders before entry.
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landmark
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
A 62-metre glass pyramid built for world religion summits. Guided tours run hourly and access the top atrium.
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landmark
National Museum of Kazakhstan
Houses the famous Golden Man artifact and massive historic halls. Give yourself two hours for the ancient history floor.
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landmark
Astana Grand Mosque
Opened in 2022, its main dome is one of the largest in the world. Located south near the Expo grounds.
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On the map
areas
Where life happens
Left Bank (Esil)
Monarchic avenues, futuristic skyscrapers, and wide plazas. Built for cars rather than pedestrians.
ArchitectureLuxury hotelsGovernment sites
Trade-offWalking between buildings takes much longer than it looks.
NearbyBaiterek Tower, Ak Orda, Khan Shatyr
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Right Bank (Old Town)
Older Soviet apartments, tree-lined streets, independent cafes, and human-scale sidewalks.
Local lifeBudget diningWalkability
Trade-offLacks the dramatic futuristic skyline views.
NearbyEmbankment, Arbat, Central Park
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EXPO District
Ultra-modern eco-developments centered around the Nur Alem spherical building.
TechnologyModern mallsClean design
Trade-offSits far south from the traditional city center.
NearbyAstana Grand Mosque, Mega Silk Way
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Park District
Green spaces around the Ishim River, urban beaches in summer, and family walking paths.
River viewsSummer walksRelaxation
Trade-offQuiet in winter when river paths freeze over.
NearbyCentral Park, Embankment, Atyrau Bridge
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Steppe meats, horse delicacy, and tea rituals
Astana dining leans heavily on horse meat, mutton, and fermented dairy. The central dish is beshbarmak, flat noodle sheets topped with slow-cooked meat and boiled onion broth. Modern Kazakh restaurants serve refined versions alongside traditional tea sets accompanied by baursaks, fried dough pillows.
Beshbarmak served hot with boiled meat and thin dough sheets.
Pannet · CC BY-SA 4.0- Try Qazaq Gourmet or Arnau
These restaurants specialize in elevated traditional Kazakh cuisine like horse rib roast and camel milk drinks.
- Order tea sets first
Tea service is integral to Kazakh meals. Order black tea with milk and sweet baursak dough balls before hot courses.
- Tipping standard
Most Astana restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge to the final bill.
history
A short history
Astana grew from Akmolinsk (renamed Akmola in 1992), a 19th-century Russian military outpost on the Ishim River. Under Nikita Khrushchev, it became Tselinograd, the capital of the Soviet Virgin Lands Campaign. In 1997, President Nursultan Nazarbayev moved Kazakhstan’s capital here from Almaty, launching a massive architectural transformation.
- 1830
Akmoly Fort
Russian forces establish a military outpost on the Ishim River to secure steppe trade routes.
- 1961
Tselinograd Era
Renamed Tselinograd to lead the Soviet Virgin Lands agricultural campaign.
- 1997
New Capital
Kazakhstan shifts its capital north to Akmola, soon renamed Astana.
- 2017
EXPO 2017
The city hosts Future Energy Expo, adding the Nur Alem sphere and new southern urban grid.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your hotel base by river bank. Stay on the Left Bank if you want grand international hotels and direct proximity to government complexes and major sights. Choose the Right Bank for lower rates, leafier streets, and local neighborhood dining within walking distance.
- First-timersLeft Bank (Esil) — Close to Baiterek Tower, Ak Orda, and high-end dining options.
- Budget travelersRight Bank (Old Town) — Cheaper boutique hotels and easy access to affordable local cafes.
- Business travellersEXPO District — Modern tech infrastructure and direct access to major corporate hubs.
- Families in summerPark District — Direct entry to Central Park, riverboat docks, and pedestrian bridges.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
The St. Regis Astana
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The Ritz-Carlton, Astana
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Rixos President Hotel Astana
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The Veil Hotel
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Hilton Astana
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Getting around
Astana is built for vehicles. The Left Bank features multi-lane avenues where walking between consecutive buildings can take twenty minutes. Taxis are cheap, reliable, and essential for getting around quickly, especially during winter months.
From Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ)
- Taxi25-35 min2,500–4,000 KZT
Book via Yandex Go app inside the airport terminal to avoid street driver overcharging.
- Bus45-60 min100–180 KZT
Bus #10 and #12 run to the city center and main train station.
Street hailing is outdated. Yandex Go is the standard hailing app in Astana and accepts international credit cards.
Pay bus fares using the Avtobys app or QR codes inside buses; cash fare is higher.
Distances on maps look short on the Left Bank, but wide avenues make crosswalks hundreds of meters apart.
Bridges across the Ishim River jam during 08:00–09:30 and 18:00–19:30 weekdays.
cost
What things cost
Astana is affordable compared to Western European capitals. Cash is rarely needed as card readers and QR payments dominate local trade, though keeping a few thousand Tenge for small market stalls is useful.
- Mid-range dinner for two: 12,000–20,000 KZT
Includes main meat dishes, appetizers, and tea at a solid regional restaurant.
- Specialty coffee: 1,200–2,000 KZT
Flat white or espresso in modern Right Bank or Left Bank cafes.
- Baiterek entry ticket: 2,000 KZT
Standard adult admission to the top observation deck.
seasonality
When to go
MAY – SEP
Warm, clear weather with river cruises open. July gets hot but wind keeps air fresh.
Crowds
Snow
OCT – NOV
Brisk autumn transition. Temperatures drop rapidly below freezing by November.
Crowds
Snow
DEC – FEB
Extreme winter with temperatures hitting -30°C. Ice sculpture parks open across the city.
Crowds
Snow
MAR – APR
Spring thaw brings slush and windy weather. Nauryz celebrations occur in late March.
Crowds
Snow
practicalities
Good to know
- Time zone standard
Kazakhstan unified its time zones in 2024 to UTC+5. Astana operates on UTC+5 year-round.
- Language usage
Kazakh is the official state language and Russian is widely spoken in daily business and service.
- Card payments rule
Contactless card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including small kiosks and taxis.
- Steppe wind factor
Wind speeds are high year-round. Dress in windproof outer layers even on sunny days.
- Mosque dress etiquette
Remove shoes at entry. Women must cover hair and body; robes are provided at the entrance.