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

Astana is simply a modern superior rising from nan Kazakh steppe, known for its futuristic architecture, utmost climate, and domiciled arsenic a Central Asian governmental and taste hub.

The metropolis defines itself successful galore ways – arsenic a business centre, a taste haven, a gastronomical pole, and more. Recently, it’s made strides to go a hotspot for world events.

Over 500 events took spot successful Astana past year, attracting 13% much visitors to nan metropolis than nan twelvemonth before, according to Olga Abeldinova, Director of Tourist Services and Infrastructure Department astatine nan Tourism Development Centre “Astana Tourism”.

“We induce Class A stars, which attracts visitors from neighbouring countries and increases nan position of nan city,” Abeldinova said. “If Hollywood stars travel here, it connotes a definite information and trust.”

Abeldinova highlighted Jennifer Lopez’s performance successful April 2025 and Andy Serkis headlining Astana Comic Con 2025 arsenic examples of top-billed stars visiting nan city.

Whether you’re successful Astana for an arena aliases conscionable visiting arsenic tourist, nan metropolis has thing to connection each type of traveller. Don’t miss our favourite attractions and monuments connected your adjacent travel to nan Kazakh capital.

Baiterek Monument

The first point immoderate resident of Astana will apt show you to sojourn is Baiterek – a soaring beacon that watches complete each portion of nan city, which has go its de facto symbol.

The 105-metre building astatine nan centre of nan near slope was inspired by a Kazakh legend, and represents nan Tree of Life pinch a aureate ovum astatine its top.

There’s a mini ethnographic depository connected nan crushed level of nan tower, and a panoramic platform connected nan apical floor, wherever you tin bask sweeping views of nan metropolis – pinch nan “Akorda” Presidential Residence connected 1 broadside and nan Nurly Zhol Boulevard connected nan other.

To bask nan view, aliases possibly touch nan thenar people of nan first Kazakh President, you will request to salary a 2,000 KZT (€3.5) entranceway fee.

For much cityscapes, you tin besides drawback a hop-on/hop-off autobus work present that will return you to nan main tourer sites crossed nan capital.

Nurly Zhol Boulevard

From Baiterek, an easy accessible adjacent extremity is Nurly Zhol Boulevard – nan cleanable spot for a leisurely stroll. It starts astatine nan Presidential Residence and stretches each nan measurement to nan Khan Shatyr mall, which is built to look for illustration a ample tent.

As you make your measurement down nan Boulevard, you will spot nan administrative centre of nan city, pinch ministry buildings and nationalist institution offices, arsenic good arsenic cafes, fountains, and a sprinkling of unsocial sculptures.

Riverbank and ferry ride

Like Paris aliases Budapest, nan metropolis of Astana is divided by nan Ishim River (Yessil successful Kazakh) into near and correct banks.

The correct slope is an older portion of nan city, featuring chiefly Soviet style architecture, while nan near slope is nan newer, much futuristic portion of town, afloat of sparkling precocious rises.

When nan upwind is nice, particularly successful summer, locals flock to nan riverside connected nan correct slope to return pictures astatine nan beautiful Atyrau span and transverse nan Seruen Bridge into nan Amusement Park.

If you want to bask nan stream while seeing arsenic galore of Astana’s landmarks arsenic you can, taking a ferry is nan measurement to go. A 45-minute thrust will costs you 4,000 KZT (€7) astatine nan mini booth hidden by nan trees.

Astana Grand Mosque and Hazrat Sultan Mosque

Islam is nan largest belief practiced successful Kazakhstan, truthful it is nary astonishment that it has awe-inspiring mosques.

Opened successful 2022, Astana Grand Mosque is nan newest attraction successful nan city. The 68,062 quadrate metre location of believe is nan largest mosque successful Central Asia. It tin accommodate almost 250,000 group astatine nan aforesaid time, making it 1 of nan apical 10 successful nan world.

Hazrat Sultan Mosque is simply a small smaller successful comparison but is still a beautiful illustration of belief architecture.

Both mosques are adorned pinch ornate carpets, majestic chandeliers, verses from nan Quran, and Kazakh ornaments.

Entrances to mosques are free but beryllium judge to deterioration due clothing – for women, that intends covering head, shoulders, and knees and for men, avoiding shorts.

National Museum

To dive deeper into nan history and civilization of Kazakhstan and nan nomadic group that inhabited its territory you should salary a sojourn to nan National Museum.

The biggest depository successful Central Asia is location to galore historical artefacts arsenic good arsenic modern creation pieces. It besides has a abstracted accumulation hallway for impermanent exhibition.

“Last year, nan depository hosted nan Leonardo da Vinci exhibit, successful business pinch Italy, and it gathered a batch of world visitors,” said Olga Abeldinova.

The accumulation centred connected La Bella Principessa, a image of an Italian noblewoman, which was exhibited only 5 times before.

Ticket prices alteration depending connected which halls you want to see, but nan basal entranceway interest is 700 KZT (€1.2).

Independence Square

The astir convenient point astir Independence Square is that it gathers galore of nan places worthy seeing successful Astana successful 1 location.

Both nan National Museum and nan Hazret Sultan Mosque are located here, arsenic good arsenic nan Independence Palace and nan Shabyt Arts University. The second 2 some characteristic different architecture, but service arsenic much functional buildings than classical tourer attractions.

The square’s centrepiece is nan Kazakh Eli Monument, which celebrates Kazakhstan’s 1991 independence. The 4 sides of nan monument correspond nan country’s past and future, arsenic good arsenic its people.

Presidential Park and Pyramid

Across from Independence Square, you will spot nan Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, known to locals arsenic nan Pyramid.

Initially built for nan convention of nan Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, it now serves arsenic a metropolis landmark. Inside you’ll find a hallway for events, an opera hallway and an accumulation venue, which you tin sojourn for 1,000 KZT (€1.7).

The Pyramid is situated successful nan Presidential Park, which stretches to nan stream and meets nan Presidential Palace connected nan different side. It tin beryllium accessed from Nurly Zhol Boulevard, but you would person to loop astir to transverse nan river.

These sights will springiness you a sensation of what Astana is each about, but nan metropolis is successful changeless flux, pinch caller attractions appearing each nan time.

Astana is besides location to galore parks, an oceanarium, opera and ballet houses, and overmuch much – conscionable travel your curiosity and this welcoming metropolis will gladly reward you.