Astana, Kazakhstan’s outlandish first city is, before everything else, new. The world’s youngest capital was dreamed up in 1998 by leading Japanese architect Kurokawa Kishō as a city of symbiosis – between past and future, man and nature, local and universal. Since then, it has tripled in size and so has the list of reasons why you should put this off-the-beaten-path capital on your travel bucket list. Astana has everything you need for an alternative city break: a neofuturist shopping centre that’s also the world's largest tent, a White House-inspired presidential palace, a decaying, Soviet-era grain silo, a glass pyramid that doubles as a 1,350-seat opera hall and a literal piece of the Maldives. Plus, the friendliest locals you’ll ever meet.
Archilovers, unite!
Take in Astana’s futuristic architecture in all its glory on Nurzhol Bulvar, flanked by the most iconic landmarks of the Kazakh capital. Start your stroll at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace. Stretching at the east end of Astana’s design artery, the palace was opened in 2004 and serves as the workplace of the President of Kazakhstan and the presidential administration. It can only be admired from the outside, which, trust us, is still plenty to look at. In the middle of the 2-kilometre-long avenue soars the pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. The 62-metre-high glass structure was designed by prominent British architect Sir Norman Foster to embody the open, warm spirit of both the country and its capital. Make the slender Bayterek observation tower your next stop . A symbol of independent Kazakhstan, the 97-metre monument was inspired by a well-known Kazakh folktale about Samruk, a sacred bird and knower of divine truths, which nested on the Tree of Life. Finish your archi-walk with another Fosterian masterpiece, the Khan Shatyr entertainment centre. Covered by a 200-metre-high transparent tent (who needs roofs anyway?), the world's largest marquee houses, well, a city within the city, with cobbled streets, canals and a tropical indoor beach fringed with golden sand imported from the Maldives. Yes, you’ve read that right. History buffs can uncover Kazakhstan's fascinating past at the National Museum of Kazakhstan, from nomadic roots to modern times.
Buckle up for a real culinary adventure
Local dishes and cooking techniques have been heavily influenced by Kazakhs’ traditional nomadic lifestyle. Meaning that horse meat and sour milk are at the core of the Kazakh diet. Case in point: beshbarmak. Kazakhstan’s national dish is made from boiled horse meat and noodles, served with onion sauce and mutton broth. It’s best chased down with some kumys (fermented camel’s or mare’s milk). Give Kazakh specialities a go at Epokha, a must-visit spot on Shokan Valikhanov Street, known as much for its food as it is for its evocative, Soviet-era decor. Line Brew on Kenesary Street serves up a mean steak but doesn’t disappoint on the shashlik front, either. Do try Line Brew’s microbrewery beer, too. If you’re looking for fine dining options, riverside Astana Nury should be at the top of your list.
Fancy some indoor canoeing?
Retail enthusiasts had better make sure to dedicate ample time to discovering Khan Shatyr. The “Royal Marquee” is king-size indeed, housing 188 shops and 30 cafés and restaurants on some 100,000 square metres, no less. But that’s not nearly all. It comes with a 450-metre jogging track, a dinosaur park, golf courses, a rollercoaster and a mountain stream to canoe on, among other things. For after-dark entertainment, taste what local viticulture has to offer at Provino on Kenesary Street. Not ready to call it a night just yet? Hit local favourite Zaza Club right next to The Barley or make your way to glamorous Icon Astana on Turan Street.
Mix and (fla)mingle
Nature lovers shouldn’t miss the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve, Kazakhstan's largest national park, located some 120 kilometres west of Astana. Covering 5,432 square metres of lakes, steppes and semi deserts, the UNESCO-listed area is a major stop along the Indian and Siberian-East African bird migration routes and home to the largest population of wetland birds in Asia. Birdwatchers have a rare opportunity to spot Siberian white cranes, Dalmatian pelicans and Pallas’s fish eagles here or watch Lake Tengiz go from blue to pink as thousands of flamingos make their last stop en route here from southeast Asia. Further north of Astana lies Burabay National Park with lush pine forests, deep-blue lakes and untouched wilderness. Head to the peak of Bolektau mountain for the best views.
Astana weather
Sitting on the banks of the Ishim river in the middle of endless grasslands, Astana is no stranger to extreme weather conditions. It’s the world's second-coldest capital, which has long, freezing winters with an average temperature of -14°C (but temperatures as low as -50°C are not unheard of, either). March usually brings nicer days but plenty of rain, too. The months between May and September are prime time to enjoy your Kazakh getaway to the fullest.
Astana airport
Located less than 20 kilometres from the Kazakh capital, Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport serves as the primary airport for Kazakhstan and a major gateway to Central Asia. Albeit small, it’s one of the most state-of-the-art airports on the Eurasian continent, with one runway, two passenger terminals and plenty of shopping and food options. Hop on bus no. 10 to reach the city centre in just 15 minutes. Taxi and car rental services are also available.
FAQs for booking flights to Astana
How to get cheap flights to to Astana?
Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Astana flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.
When is the best time to visit Astana?
The best time to visit Astana is during the warmest months from May to August, when temperatures average 29 °C. However, April and May bring a good climate without the crowds of summer. For winter visitors, especially those who would love to experience the city’s snowy landscape or to engage in winter sports, January and February will be the coldest with temperatures plummeting to as low as –22°C. Tourism is at its peak in October, June, and August; prices are significantly higher during this time. Therefore, February may be a better option due to it being cheaper during the quieter months.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Astana flight?
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Astana flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.
