The capital of Kazakhstan is a city of five names. At various times, it was called Akmola, Tselinograd, Akmola, Astana, Nur Sultan, and then its current name was returned. Now it is a thriving city, where both an urbanist and a coffee lover will find a place. People come here for shopping, foreign bank cards and unique Turkic culture. We tell you how to do all the most important things in one day.
Contents
- How to get there
- Where to stay
- What to do
- Where to eat
- Where to drink coffee
- Where to go shopping
Main
- Currency: tenge. Exchange rate to the ruble: 1 tenge — 4.81 rubles
- Time difference from Moscow: +3 hours.
- Visa: Russian citizens can enter Kazakhstan using an internal passport.
- Bank cards: Russian Visa and Mastercard cards do not work in Kazakhstan. MIR cards, at the time of publication of the article, are accepted only by VTB Kazakhstan ATMs.
How to get there
By plane. Direct flights to Astana depart from many Russian cities. There are several flights a day from Moscow: it takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to fly, prices in April start from 10,500 rubles for a fare without luggage. It is easy to get from St. Petersburg with a transfer, but only the Kazakh SCAT flies directly from there: it takes 4 hours on the way, the cost starts from 18,390 rubles.
By train. You can get there through the Kazakh border town of Petropavlovsk. It is easily accessible from Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Omsk and other cities. Tickets for the Petropavlovsk — Astana train can be purchased on the website of Russian Railways or Kazakh Railways: on the way — 8 hours and 15 minutes, the price at Russian Railways for a reserved seat starts from 695 rubles.
By car. From the Russian city closest to the border of Northern Kazakhstan, Omsk, to Astana, you will need to drive about 600 kilometers. Along the way, there will be a toll road on the Kokshetau — Beskol section with a length of 169 kilometers, but only truck and bus drivers need to pay for travel.
Direct flights to Astana depart from many Russian cities. Photo: MaxZolotukhin/Shutterstock.com
We are planning a big trip to Kazakhstan
To immerse ourselves in the culture and nature of this country, we advise you to take more time and visit different cities. You can get acquainted with some of them in our article “All facets of Kazakhstan: cities and natural objects that need to be seen”.
Where to stay
Those who came to Astana for a short time to see the capital, it is better to settle in the very center. Focus, for example, on Bayterek or Atyrau Bridge. Khan Shatyr Shopping Center and other city attractions are also nearby.
If you are making an air stop in Astana, then you can choose accommodation near the Museum of future energy — it is located near the airport. In the same location there is a huge Mega Silk Way shopping center and a cool coffee shop with Master Coffee breakfasts.
Sights of Astana
Nur Alem Museum of Future Energy
The spherical structure “Nur Alem” was built for EXPO-2017 — the theme of the exhibition was the energy of the future. At that time, the pavilion of the host country, Kazakhstan, was located here. Now the building houses a museum, it occupies eight floors, each of which is dedicated to a separate topic. For example, on the first level there is a zone of acquaintance with Kazakhstan, and on the seventh there is an exposition “Energy of Space”. Adult ticket — 1,500 tenge (312 rubles).
Palace of Peace and Accord
This is one of the main attractions of Astana: the pyramid-shaped building was built by the famous British architect Norman Foster. The Presidential Park with access to the Ishim River is located around the palace. You can get inside as part of an excursion — the cost will be 1000 tenge (about 208 rubles).
The Presidential Park with access to the Ishim River is located around the palace. Photo: Pictures of your Life/Shutterstock.com
National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The largest museum in the country — in it you can get acquainted with the history of the development of Kazakhstan from ancient times to the present day. The museum also has a separate exhibition about Astana. Adult ticket — 500 tenge (104 rubles).
Concert Hall named after Rosa Baglanova
On maps, posters or guidebooks, you can also find another name for this place — Qazaqstan CDC. Concerts are held here, including Russian pop stars. For example, in February 2023, Leonid Agutin performed in this concert hall. And there is also an inexpensive dining room with very tasty food.
Concert Hall named after Rosa Baglanova. Photo: Sergio Photone/Shutterstock.com
Atyrau Bridge
A futuristic bridge in the very center of Astana. It stretches over the Ishim River and connects the Central Park with the Samal district. Come here to take amazing photos with the sun, which seems to fall inside the bridge through a stencil.
Baiterek
is the main attraction not only of the capital, but also of the whole of Kazakhstan. “Chupa-chups”, as the locals call it because of its similarity to the popular candy, is on every postcard from Astana. Come here to touch the most famous place in the city,get inside for an excursion and look at the city from the height of the famous monument. The price of an adult ticket is 1,500 tenge (312 rubles).
The main attraction is not only the capital, but also the whole of Kazakhstan. Photo: Piu_Piu/Shutterstock.com
Memorial and Museum complex in memory of victims of political repression and totalitarianism A.L.Zh.I.R.
A.L.Zh.I.r. – Akmola camp of wives of traitors to the Motherland. It was the largest women’s camp in the Soviet Union and was part of the GULAG system. The museum complex on the site of the settlement was opened in 2007. In the museum’s collection there are things of former prisoners, for example, a coffee grinder or a summer dress — you can get acquainted with the life of those years. Now you can sign up for an excursion here or take an audio guide. The price of an adult ticket is 1200 tenge (250 rubles).
Where to eat
“Dot”
A stylish cafe near the Ishim River embankment. Modern minimalistic interior, menu with trendy dishes and coffee. Come to the “Point” to meet the morning with a photogenic breakfast.
BAO
Asian cuisine is served here — rolls, tom yam and ramen can definitely be found here. The restaurant has several branches in Astana, so you can choose the most convenient one. For dessert, try mochi. The price for berry mochi is 870 tenge (181 rubles).
Asian cuisine is served here — rolls, tom yam and ramen can definitely be found here. Photo: BAO Noodles & Sushi Bar
Zheka’s doner house
A popular denernaya in Kazakhstan, which was opened by a local blogger. Zheka’s doner house has branches in Almaty. Try the “Almaty” dener here, take the achichuk salad and ayran or Coca-Cola with it. The price for the chicken version is 1990 tenge (414 rubles).
“Dastarkhan”
People come here for traditional Oriental cuisine: mantas, lagman and flatbreads. The interior is designed in the same oriental style. “Dastarkhan” is located far from the main attractions of Astana — not far from the railway station “Astana-1”, but it is definitely worth getting to it.
People come here for traditional Oriental cuisine: mantas, lagman and flatbreads. Photo: oleg/Yandex.Maps
Where to drink coffee
Pro Barista
Pro Barista has its own roasting, and also a bar counter that can be bypassed by 360 degrees. Try the alternative on freshly roasted grain here. The baristas are sociable and ready to tell a lot not only about their institution, but also about the coffee culture of Astana in general.
“Culture dictates”
One of the most atmospheric coffee shops in the capital. They brew alternatives and classics here, prepare amazing breakfasts, and the guys also have a bright colorful Origami funnel for brewing a purover.
One of the most atmospheric coffee shops in the capital. Photo: Kristina G. & Kristina G./Yandex.Maps
BlackBury
The coffee shop chain hails from Petropavlovsk, North Kazakhstan. In his hometown, the network has achieved great success and was loved by the townspeople, and now it is conquering the capital. Come here for pastries, alternative and classic ways of brewing coffee. Round croissant with caramel and peanuts — 1200 tenge (250 rubles).
Photobar
A solid chain of specialty coffee shops. There is a branch very close to Baiterek — you can take a cup and get poisoned to contemplate the iconic architectural masterpiece of Kazakhstan. The price for cocoa is 800 tenge (166 rubles).
Master Coffee
Large and delicious breakfasts, excellent coffee and an amazing location next to the Museum of future energy. If you don’t know where to go to eat, come here. And you can also buy grain called Qazaq Blend in Master Coffee. The price per kilogram pack of such grain for espresso is 9190 tenge (1911 rubles).
Large and delicious breakfasts, excellent coffee and an amazing location next to the Museum of future energy. Photo: Master Coffee
Shopping
Mega Silk Way
This is a huge shopping mall where a variety of global brands are represented. Come here for clothes, appliances and other pleasures of bourgeois life. And on the second floor there is a store of the Kazakh streetwear brand Qazaq Republic.
Khan Shatyr
This tent—shaped shopping center is one of the main attractions of Astana. It accommodates a large number of shops, cafes, a family park and even a water park with an artificial beach. The architect of the largest tent in the world was the same Norman Foster.
Abu Dhabi Plaza
The main feature of this shopping center is that it is located in a huge complex, the tallest tower of which reaches a height of 75 floors. Come not only for shopping, but also for contemplation of a giant glass skyscraper.
Khan Shatyr shopping center in the shape of a tent is one of the main attractions of Astana. Photo: Roman Akhmetov/Shutterstock.com
Astana is the face of modern Kazakhstan. Skyscrapers grow here in the middle of the steppe, artists from all over the world come here to perform. Come and check which side of Astana will open for you!
Cover photo: Almazoff/Shutterstock.com
