Things to do in Astana: top sights and where to go
Astana lines up its sights along Nurzhol Boulevard: Bayterek Tower in the middle, the Khan Shatyr tent at the west end, the Akorda palace at the east, and across the Esil river the Palace of Peace pyramid, Hazrat Sultan Mosque and the National Museum. The new centre is a one-day walk; keep the second day for the Nur Alem sphere at the Expo site and the ALZHIR memorial 35 km out, or a full day at the lakes of Burabay.
Sights
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
Astana, Kazakhstan
1 h2,000 ₸ incl. guided tourhistorypalacesmuseums
National Museum of Kazakhstan
Astana, Kazakhstan
2 h5,000 ₸ foreigners, Gold Halls +1,000 ₸museumshistoryancient ruins
Astana itineraries
Astana travel guide
Before you go: Bayterek and Nurzhol, Khan Shatyr and the Pyramid, Hazrat Sultan Mosque, Burabay, weather.
Astana on your own: the essentials
- How many days
- 1–2 days, plus a day for Burabay
- When to go
- June–August — winters are very cold
- 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. - Airport
- Astana (NQZ) ≈ 15 km — 20 min by taxi
- Time zone
- UTC+5
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Astana”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Bayterek Tower”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Hazrat Sultan Mosque”Things to do in Astana
Astana’s highlights are Nurzhol Boulevard with Bayterek, Khan Shatyr and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Hazrat Sultan Mosque and the National Museum. Outside the city is the Burabay resort with lakes and pine forests. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above; the “Map” button shows them on a map.
| Nurzhol | Bayterek, Nurzhol Boulevard, Khan Shatyr | ½ day |
|---|---|---|
| Left bank | Hazrat Sultan, Pyramid | 2 h |
| The square | Independence Square, National Museum | ½ day |
| Suburbs | ALZhIR | 2 h |
| Burabay | Burabay | 1 day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries, with places in a sensible order.
Astana weather by month
Astana is one of the coldest capitals in the world: winter nights drop to −20 °C with strong wind. The best time is June–August, about 25–27 °C. October is about 9 °C by day.
°CiLong-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 | -11° | -10° | -3° | 10° | 19° | 25° | 27° | 25° | 18° | 9° | -2° | -9° |
| Night | -20° | -20° | -13° | -1° | 6° | 12° | 14° | 12° | 5° | -1° | -10° | -17° |
| Rain | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: June–August
- day ≈ -11°
- night ≈ -20°
- rain 9 days
Hard frost and wind.
- day ≈ -10°
- night ≈ -20°
- rain 8 days
Frost.
- day ≈ -3°
- night ≈ -13°
- rain 8 days
Cold, snow.
- day ≈ 10°
- night ≈ -1°
- rain 8 days
About 10°, thawing.
- day ≈ 19°
- night ≈ 6°
- rain 9 days
Warm, about 19°.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 12°
- rain 9 days
Warm — a good time.
- day ≈ 27°
- night ≈ 14°
- rain 10 days
The warmest month.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 12°
- rain 8 days
Warm.
- day ≈ 18°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 7 days
Cooler, about 18°.
- day ≈ 9°
- night ≈ -1°
- rain 8 days
About 9°.
- day ≈ -2°
- night ≈ -10°
- rain 10 days
Cold.
- day ≈ -9°
- night ≈ -17°
- rain 10 days
Frost.
In winter, Khan Shatyr is a warm place to walk around indoors.
Astana ticket prices
The boulevard, the mosque and the square are free. You pay for the Bayterek deck, the National Museum and the Pyramid.
| Bayterek Tower | 46 | 45 min | 2,500 KZT; kids 6–15 1,250 KZT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palace of Peace and Reconciliation | 39 | 1 h | 2,000 ₸ incl. guided tour |
| National Museum of Kazakhstan | 32 | 2 h | 5,000 ₸ foreigners, Gold Halls +1,000 ₸ |
| ALZHIR Memorial and Museum | 32 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ 1,200 ₸, guided tour extra |
| Burabay (Borovoe) | 16 | 4 h | Car entry from 1,298 ₸ |
Free — 4 places: Nurzhol Boulevard, Independence Square and Kazakh Eli Monument, Hazrat Sultan Mosque, Khan Shatyr.
Tips
- Go up Bayterek at sunset for a view over the whole left bank.
FAQ
Is Astana worth visiting?
For a day or two, yes — a futuristic capital of bold architecture, with the lakes of Burabay nearby. Visit in summer; winters are harsh.
Sources and fact-check
- Wikipedia, “Astana”; “Bayterek Tower”; “Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center”; “Hazrat Sultan Mosque”