Things to do in Kazakhstan: best places to visit
Kazakhstan's highlights: Ascension Cathedral, the Green Bazaar and the Medeu rink in the mountains above Almaty; the Baiterek tower, Khan Shatyr and Nurzhol Boulevard in Astana; and in the south the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan and the old centre of Shymkent. Almaty and Astana are about 1,000 km apart, so most people fly.
Sights in Kazakhstan
39 places in 4 cities
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
Turkestan, Kazakhstan
1 h5,000 ₸ foreigners, 2,000 ₸ CISmosqueshistorymuseums
Mausoleum of Rabiya Sultan Begim
Turkestan, Kazakhstan
15 min≈ Yasawi zone ticket · 2,000–5,000 ₸mosqueshistory
Turkestan Citadel Walls
Turkestan, Kazakhstan
45 minReserve ticket: 5,000 ₸ for foreignershistorywalksviews
Hilvet Underground Mosque
Turkestan, Kazakhstan
20 min5,000 ₸ foreigners · 2,000 ₸ CISmosqueshistorymuseums
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
Astana, Kazakhstan
1 h2,000 ₸ incl. guided tourhistorypalacesmuseums
Turkestan Oriental Bathhouse
Turkestan, Kazakhstan
20 min5,000 ₸ foreigners · 2,000 ₸ CIShistorymuseums
Itineraries across Kazakhstan
City itineraries in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan travel guide
Before you go: Almaty and the mountains, Astana, Turkestan and the south — visa, money, distances and weather.
Kazakhstan on your own: the essentials
- Visa
- Visa-free for many passports, often 30 days
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- Kazakhstani tenge (KZT); cards widely accepted
- First trip
- Almaty with the mountains and Charyn Canyon
- When to go
- May–June and September; winter for Shymbulak skiing
- Distances
- Huge — fly between cities
- Time zone
- UTC+5
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Kazakhstan”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Astana”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Baikonur Cosmodrome”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Malus sieversii”Best places to visit in Kazakhstan
For a first trip, spend 3–4 days in Almaty with the mountains, lakes and Charyn Canyon. Astana, the futuristic capital, is worth 1–2 days. In the south are Turkestan with the Yasawi mausoleum and Shymkent. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above; the “Map” button shows them on a map.
| Almaty | Mountains, Medeu, lakes, Charyn | 3–4 days |
|---|---|---|
| Astana | Bayterek, Khan Shatyr, Burabay | 1–2 days |
| Turkestan | Yasawi mausoleum — UNESCO | 1–2 days |
| Shymkent | The south, parks, ancient Sayram | 1 day |
Ready trips around the country — “Kazakhstan in 4 days” and city itineraries — are above on this page.
Kazakhstan visa and currency
Citizens of many countries — including the EU, UK and US — can visit Kazakhstan visa-free, often for up to 30 days. The currency is the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT); cards are widely accepted in cities.
Check the current entry rule for your passport before you travel.
Kazakhstan weather by month
The best time to visit Kazakhstan is May–June and September — warm in the south, green in the mountains. Summers are hot in the south and mild in Astana; winters are very cold in the north. Below is Almaty.
AlmatyiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 0° | 2° | 9° | 18° | 23° | 28° | 31° | 30° | 25° | 16° | 7° | 2° |
| Night | -9° | -8° | -1° | 6° | 11° | 15° | 18° | 17° | 11° | 4° | -3° | -7° |
| Rain | 7 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: May–June and September
- day ≈ 0°
- night ≈ -9°
- rain 7 days
Frost, skiing.
- day ≈ 2°
- night ≈ -8°
- rain 8 days
Cold, skiing.
- day ≈ 9°
- night ≈ -1°
- rain 11 days
Spring, Nauryz.
- day ≈ 18°
- night ≈ 6°
- rain 12 days
Warm, orchards in bloom.
- day ≈ 23°
- night ≈ 11°
- rain 13 days
Warm — one of the best months.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 10 days
Warm, the mountains open.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 8 days
Hot — head for the hills.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 17°
- rain 6 days
Hot.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 11°
- rain 5 days
Warm — a great month.
- day ≈ 16°
- night ≈ 4°
- rain 8 days
Golden autumn.
- day ≈ 7°
- night ≈ -3°
- rain 8 days
Cool.
- day ≈ 2°
- night ≈ -7°
- rain 8 days
Frost.
Each city page has its own weather: Astana is very cold in winter, Turkestan hot in summer.
Tips
- Fly between Almaty and Astana — the train takes almost a day.
- Bring warm layers for the Almaty mountains even in summer.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Kazakhstan?
Citizens of many countries can visit visa-free, often for up to 30 days. Check the rule for your passport before you travel.
Is Kazakhstan safe for tourists?
Kazakhstan is generally considered safe for visitors; take the usual precautions and check your government’s travel advice.
What are the best places to visit in Kazakhstan?
Almaty with Medeu, Big Almaty Lake and Charyn Canyon, futuristic Astana and Burabay, and Turkestan with the UNESCO-listed Yasawi mausoleum.
Sources and fact-check
- Wikipedia, “Kazakhstan”; “Astana”; “Baikonur Cosmodrome”; “Malus sieversii”; Almaty climate (1991–2020 normals)