Kazakhstan · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Kazakhstan
These are the places worth your time in Kazakhstan, from the mountain lakes and bazaars of Almaty and the futuristic skyline of Astana to the Silk Road shrines of Turkistan and the otherworldly canyons of Mangystau. Classics sit beside quiet corners most visitors miss, so every kind of traveller finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Almaty
Things to Do
- Medeu Skating Rink (Medeu Gorge)
The famous high altitude outdoor rink sits in a mountain valley just above the city. - Kok Tobe (Kok Tobe Hill)
Ride the cable car up for city views, a small amusement park and the Beatles statue. - Almaty Metro Art Stations (City Centre)
Ride the short metro to see mosaic and marble stations such as Alatau and Zhibek Zholy. - Almaty Arbat (Zhibek Zholy)
The pedestrian street fills with buskers, painters and families in the evening. - Arasan Baths (Panfilov Park)
Grand Soviet era bathhouse with Russian, Finnish and Turkish steam rooms. - Sunkar Raptor Centre (Ile Alatau)
Watch eagles and falcons fly in a show near the mountains.
Nature and Outdoors
- Shymbulak Mountain Resort (Ile Alatau)
A cable car ride lifts you from Medeu to snowy peaks for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. - Big Almaty Lake (Ile Alatau National Park)
A turquoise reservoir ringed by peaks, about an hour into the mountains south of the city. - Panfilov Park (Medeu District)
Shady paths, the Eternal Flame war memorial and the cathedral make a gentle first walk. - Charyn Canyon (Almaty Region)
Red rock walls of the Valley of Castles make a long but rewarding day trip. - Kolsai Lakes (Kolsai Lakes National Park)
Three spruce lined mountain lakes, with village guesthouses in Saty. - Kaindy Lake (Saty Village)
Sunken spruce trunks rise out of an icy blue lake formed by a landslide. - Altyn Emel National Park (Almaty Region)
Home of the Singing Dune and painted Aktau mountains, best with a permit and a guide. - Almaty Botanical Garden (Bostandyk)
A large green park for picnics and walks with the mountains as a backdrop. - Kok Zhailau Trail (Ile Alatau National Park)
A popular hike to an alpine meadow above the city.
Shopping and Markets
- Green Bazaar (Zhibek Zholy)
The city market for horse meat, kurt, dried fruit and honey, with generous tasting. - Barakholka Market (Northern Outskirts)
A vast bazaar where locals buy everything from clothes to carpets. - Dostyk Plaza (Samal)
A modern shopping centre with a food court and cinema, good on a hot or snowy day. - Mega Alma-Ata (Rozybakiev Street)
A large mall with shops, ice rink and restaurants under one roof.
Arts and Culture
- Ascension Cathedral (Panfilov Park)
A colourful wooden Orthodox cathedral built without nails in the leafy central park. - Central State Museum of Kazakhstan (Samal)
The best overview of Kazakh history, from Saka gold to nomad yurts and Soviet times. - Kasteyev State Museum of Arts (Bostandyk)
The country's largest art collection, strong on Kazakh painting and applied arts. - Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments (Panfilov Park)
A charming wooden building full of dombras and kobyz, with live demonstrations at times. - Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre (Kabanbay Batyr Street)
See ballet or opera in a grand Soviet era hall.
Restaurants
- Navat (Zhibek Zholy)
A popular chain for plov, lagman, manty and Central Asian teahouse dishes in a lively setting. - Kaganat (City Centre)
Fast canteen style Kazakh and Central Asian food that locals use for quick lunches. - Del Papa (Kabanbay Batyr Street)
Busy Italian restaurant that has been a favourite date spot for years.
Cafés
- Nedelka (Kabanbay Batyr Street)
A long running café and terrace for breakfast, people watching and cakes. - Coffee Boom (City Centre)
A homegrown coffee chain with branches across the city, handy for a break.
Bars and Nightlife
- Line Brew (Al Farabi Avenue)
A big beer hall and grill brewing its own beer.
Events
- Nauryz Celebrations (Citywide)
Spring new year on 22 March brings yurts, games and kozhe soup to city squares. - Almaty Marathon (City Centre)
A popular spring road race with shorter runs open to families.
Stays
- The Ritz Carlton Almaty (Esentai Tower)
Luxury rooms high in the Esentai tower with mountain views. - Rixos Almaty (Seyfullin Avenue)
Classic city centre luxury with a big spa. - Kazakhstan Hotel (Abay Avenue)
The landmark Soviet tower hotel with views and good value.
Places to Visit in Astana
Things to Do
- Baiterek Tower (Nurzhol Boulevard)
The symbol of the capital, with an observation deck in its golden sphere. - Khan Shatyr (Turan Avenue)
A giant transparent tent with a mall, indoor beach and rides. - Nurzhol Boulevard (Left Bank)
A long walk linking the city's landmarks, lively on summer evenings. - Nur Alem Sphere at EXPO (EXPO District)
A vast glass sphere housing a museum of future energy. - Duman Oceanarium (Left Bank)
A large aquarium with a shark tunnel, a favourite with children.
Arts and Culture
- National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Independence Square)
A huge museum with the Golden Man and halls on nomad and modern history. - Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (Independence Square)
A glass pyramid by Norman Foster with an opera hall and a light-filled apex. - Hazret Sultan Mosque (Tauelsizdik Avenue)
One of the largest mosques in Central Asia, with white domes and calm interiors. - Astana Opera (Left Bank)
A palatial opera house staging ballet and opera seasons. - ALZHIR Memorial Museum (Akmol Village)
A moving memorial to wives of so-called traitors held in a Soviet camp. - Kazakh Eli Monument (Independence Square)
A tall white column topped by a golden samruk bird on the square.
Shopping and Markets
- Mega Silk Way (EXPO District)
A big mall near EXPO for shopping and food in cold weather.
Restaurants
- Line Brew Astana (Left Bank)
A big brewhouse grill for an easy evening meal. - Navat Astana (City Centre)
Teahouse plov and lagman for a filling and affordable meal.
Cafés
- Coffee Boom Astana (Left Bank)
A reliable spot for coffee and breakfast near the landmarks.
Nature and Outdoors
- Astana Central Park (Right Bank)
Riverside park for strolling, cycling and summer cafés. - Botanical Garden Astana (Left Bank)
New botanical garden with lakes and paths close to the centre. - Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve (Akmola Region)
A UNESCO listed steppe wetland where flamingos breed in summer. - Burabay National Park (Akmola Region)
Lakes, pine forest and granite peaks, a few hours north of the capital.
Events
- Astana Day (Citywide)
The capital's birthday in early July brings concerts and fireworks. - Astana Opera Season (Left Bank)
Autumn to spring brings the main ballet and opera programme.
Stays
- The Ritz Carlton Astana (Talan Towers)
Luxury rooms in the city's business district. - St. Regis Astana (Right Bank)
Refined luxury overlooking the central park.
Places to Visit in Shymkent
Things to Do
- Shymkent Dendropark (City Centre)
A huge leafy park that is the city's favourite place for an evening walk. - Shymkent Zoo (Al Farabi District)
One of the biggest zoos in the country, popular with local families. - Independence Park Shymkent (Al Farabi District)
A big park with monuments, fountains and city views.
Shopping and Markets
- Shymkent Central Bazaar (City Centre)
A noisy southern bazaar full of melons, spices and fresh lepeshka bread. - Shymkent Plaza (City Centre)
A modern mall for shopping and food courts.
Arts and Culture
- Shymkent Regional History Museum (City Centre)
A small museum on the history of the south, from the Silk Road to today. - Sayram Old Town (Sayram)
One of the oldest towns in Kazakhstan, with mausoleums and minarets.
Nature and Outdoors
- Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve (Turkistan Region)
Central Asia's oldest nature reserve, with spring tulips and walnut forests. - Sairam Su Gorge (Sairam Ugam National Park)
Mountain streams and walking trails in the western Tian Shan.
Stays
- Rixos Khadisha Shymkent (City Centre)
The city's best known upmarket hotel.
Places to Visit in Turkistan
Arts and Culture
- Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Hazret Sultan Reserve)
A UNESCO listed Timurid masterpiece and one of the holiest sites in Central Asia. - Rabiga Sultan Begim Mausoleum (Hazret Sultan Reserve)
A smaller restored mausoleum beside the main shrine. - Otrar Archaeological Site (Otrar)
Ruins of a great Silk Road city linked to the philosopher Al Farabi. - Arystan Bab Mausoleum (Otrar)
A pilgrimage site traditionally visited before Yasawi. - Sauran Ruins (Turkistan Region)
The walls of a medieval caravan city on the open steppe.
Things to Do
- Karavan Saray (Turkistan)
A modern Silk Road style complex with canals, boat rides and a night show. - Hilvet Underground Mosque (Hazret Sultan Reserve)
A small underground cell where Yasawi is said to have spent his later life.
Stays
- Hampton by Hilton Turkistan (Turkistan)
A modern hotel close to the mausoleum.
Events
- Nauryz in Turkistan (Turkistan)
The spring festival is celebrated with games and music in the historic city.
Places to Visit in Aktau
Nature and Outdoors
- Bozzhyra Valley (Mangystau)
Towering white chalk fangs in a remote desert valley, best with a guided 4x4 trip. - Torysh Valley of Balls (Mangystau)
A plain strewn with giant round stone concretions. - Sherkala Mountain (Mangystau)
A lone flat-topped mountain shaped like a lion or a yurt. - Aktau Embankment (Microdistricts)
A seaside walk along the Caspian with sunset views. - Karagiye Depression (Mangystau)
One of the lowest points on earth, well below sea level, close to the city. - Aktau Caspian Beaches (Caspian Coast)
Clear water and rocky coves for a summer swim. - Kyzylkup (Mangystau)
Striped red and white hills known locally as the tiramisu mountains.
Arts and Culture
- Beket Ata Underground Mosque (Mangystau)
A revered underground mosque in desert cliffs, reached by pilgrims from across the country. - Shakpak Ata Underground Mosque (Mangystau)
A carved cave mosque with an ancient necropolis. - Mangystau Regional Museum (Microdistricts)
A museum on local history, geology and necropolis culture.
Things to Do
- MiG Fighter Monument (Microdistricts)
A Soviet jet monument on the seafront, a popular photo spot. - Fort Shevchenko (Mangystau)
A seaside town with a museum to the Ukrainian poet once exiled here.
Stays
- Renaissance Aktau Hotel (Microdistricts)
A reliable seafront hotel with Caspian views.
Places to Visit in Burabay
Nature and Outdoors
- Lake Burabay (Shchuchinsk)
Clear lake under the granite Okzhetpes rock.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Gakku (Medeu District, Almaty)
Elegant dining on beshbarmak and other Kazakh classics, often with live folk music. - Darkhan Manty (City Centre, Almaty)
Simple spot for steaming manty dumplings at local prices. - Auyl (Al Farabi Avenue, Almaty)
Upmarket Kazakh cooking with a modern touch and a garden terrace. - Tbilisi Café Gruzinskiy Dvorik (Bostandyk, Almaty)
Georgian khachapuri and khinkali, a cuisine much loved across Kazakhstan. - Lumiere Rooftop (Golden Square, Almaty)
Rooftop drinks with mountain views at sunset. - Shakespeare Pub (Zheltoksan Street, Almaty)
A friendly pub with live bands that is popular with locals and visitors alike. - Shymbulak Hotel (Shymbulak, Almaty)
Wake up on the ski slopes above the city. - Shapagat Market (Saryarka, Astana)
Local market for meat, dairy and dried goods, a taste of everyday life. - Artem Market (Saryarka, Astana)
Busy old market on the Right Bank for fruit, nuts and clothes. - Saksaul (Left Bank, Astana)
Central Asian and Kazakh dishes in a warm yurt inspired setting. - Qazaq Gourmet (Left Bank, Astana)
Modern Kazakh tasting dishes using local horse meat and dairy. - Shokoladnitsa (City Centre, Astana)
A chain café for hot chocolate and pastries in the cold months. - Sky Bar at the Ritz Carlton Astana (Talan Towers, Astana)
Cocktails high above the city skyline. - Chukotka Bar (Left Bank, Astana)
A lively bar for drinks and music among locals. - Ibis Astana (Left Bank, Astana)
Simple, clean rooms at a reasonable price. - Shymkent Plov Centre (City Centre, Shymkent)
Southern plov cooked in giant kazans. - Zhuldyz (City Centre, Shymkent)
A local favourite for shashlik and Uzbek style dishes. - Coffee Boom Shymkent (City Centre, Shymkent)
A familiar coffee chain for a break from the heat. - Turkistan Ethnographic Museum (Hazret Sultan Reserve, Turkistan)
Displays on crafts and pilgrimage life inside the old town walls. - Turkistan Old Bazaar Teahouses (Turkistan, Turkistan)
Simple teahouses serving plov and shashlik to pilgrims. - Turkistan Central Market (Turkistan, Turkistan)
A busy market for fruit, bread and southern crafts. - Aktau Fish Restaurants (Seafront, Aktau)
Caspian fish dishes along the coast. - Spirit of Tengri Festival (Almaty, Almaty)
A modern ethno music festival.