10 Awesome Things to Do in Astana for First-Timers

10 Best Things to Do in Astana

1. Go Up Baiterek Tower

One of the most iconic structures in Astana that I highly recommend you check out is Baiterek Tower, a cool-looking futuristic tower of independence that stands right at the heart of the city surrounded by beautiful parks and fountains.

The tower represents a Kazakh mythological tree of life and symbolizes the aspirations and future of the Kazakh people hence why it was designed in the shape of a tall tree with branches spreading around the golden orb at the top.

The height of Baiterek is approximately 105 meters (344 feet), and at the top of the tower, there is an observation deck that offers an incredible panoramic view of the city.

For around 2000 KZT, you can take an elevator to the top and enjoy the breathtaking vistas of Astana's modern skyline, including its iconic buildings such as the Presidential Palace and the Khan Shatyr we will be visiting next.

Although, don't expect to get a nice photo up there as your view will be impaired by the yellow/orange tint from the windows of the orb-shaped deck. You'd get a better of the city from above for photography if you choose to stay at Bon Mary Hotel on the 41st floor as I did. It's higher and the windows are a little cleaner, plus you get to see it all the time. Highly recommended!

Inside the tower, you will also find a restaurant and a small exhibition space on its lower levels. The tower is open from 9 AM to 9 PM every day and the entrance fee is 2000 KZT. Definitely one of the best things to do in Astana so be sure to check it out.

2. Stroll Along the Nurzhol Boulevard

After you are done with Baiterek Tower, you can spend some time and stroll along the vast Nurzhol Boulevard where you will find a beautiful spacious area with colorful flowers and stunning fountains right in the city center.

The park connects much of Astana's city center together all the way from the Presidential Palace to Khan Shatyr making it extremely easy to see everything in one go.

The park is extremely lively at night with a ton of people coming out in droves, enjoying the cooler climate of Astana and hanging out with one another.

There are many benches in the park so you can sit and relax but it does get pretty hot during the day due to the lack of trees so it is best that you explore the park in the evening, during sunset.

All the buildings and fountains are also beautifully lit up at night which makes for a magical sight to see. Right in between Baiterek Tower and the Presidential Palace, you will also find the Singing Fountain which is a fun little thing to witness.

The song performs after sunset every 10 minutes but don't expect it to be epic like the one in Dubai since it is not very big but still, the locals seem to really enjoy it. If you are not sure what to do in the evening in Astana, be sure to go for a stroll around the park.

3. Check Out Khan Shatyr

On the other end of the boulevard opposite the Presidential Palace, you will find Khan Shatyr, the largest tent-shaped structure in the world, and guess what is inside? A massive shopping complex!

The design of Khan Shatyr resembles a transparent tent, made primarily of fluorine-based plastic that is often used to build structures with unconventional shapes like this one.

The translucent material allows natural light to enter the building while providing shelter from the harsh climatic conditions of Astana, which can experience extremely cold winters and hot summers.

The building stands at a height of approximately 150 meters (492 feet) and it houses a large shopping mall with the center column used as a drop tower amusement ride which I think is pretty dope.

Khan Shatyr also includes a recreational space called "The Beach," which features a large artificial beach area complete with sand, palm trees, and a temperature-controlled environment. This beach area allows you to relax, sunbathe, and even enjoy water activities in a tropical setting, regardless of the outside weather conditions. Now, that is futuristic!

Khan Shatyr is open from 10 AM to 10 PM every day and there is no entrance fee. If you want to see where the locals often hang out in Astana, be sure to check out Khan Shatyr.

4. Visit Nur Astana Mosque

Located not too far from Khan Shatyr, you will also find Nur Astana Mosque, an expansive mosque with gilded domes and a uniquely modern contemporary architectural style, and an impressive and colorful interior you can check out.

The mosque incorporates elements of traditional Islamic architecture with modern features representing the contrasting identity of traditions and progress the Kazakh people are known for.

And since it is within walking distance, it is also pretty accessible compared to other epic mosques in Astana, which we will get to soon enough. The mosque is open during daylight hours and it is free to enter.

5. Learn About the History of Kazakhstan at the National Museum

Now, if you are interested in diving deeper into the fascinating history of Kazakhstan, there is no better place to do that than at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, one of the best and largest museums you can visit in the country.

The museum is housed in a massive building with a modern architectural design characterized by its unique shape, which resembles a giant silver-colored dome or a flying saucer.

Inside, the National Museum, you will find a comprehensive collection of artifacts and exhibits that span various periods of Kazakhstan's history.

The museum's permanent exhibition is divided into several sections, covering topics such as archaeology, ethnography, history, art, and natural history, spread out into the many rooms and floors of the museum.

As you walk around the museum, you will find all kinds of interesting items displayed here like ancient artifacts, traditional Kazakh costumes and crafts, historical documents, artworks, and interactive exhibits that delve into the country's past in both Kazakh and English which makes it extremely easy to follow.

One of the museum's main highlights is the "Golden Man" exhibit, which features the famous Golden Man (Altyn Adam) archaeological find. The Golden Man is an ancient Scythian warrior's burial suit adorned with gold and is considered a national symbol of Kazakhstan.

The museum is so big, you can easily spend more than 2 hours trying to visit all the exhibitions inside. If you are a history buff, there is no better place to visit than here. The museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day except on Mondays and the entrance fee is 1700 KZT per person.

6. Admire the Beauty of the Monument of Kazakh Eli and all the cool structures around

Once you are done with the museum, you can walk across the street and check out the Monument of Kazakh Eli, an independent monument surrounded by some of the coolest structures in the area.

The monument was unveiled in 2001 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence from the Soviet Union. The design consists of a tall column with a golden statue of a golden eagle, the national bird of Kazakhstan, perched on top.

What's cool about the monument for me was the spacious area around it which allows you to see all the cool structures around the area like the beautiful Shabyt Palace of Creativity, the Wall of Peace, and the stunning Hazrat Sultan Mosque which we will be visiting next.

7. Visit Hazrat Sultan Mosque

After you admire the beauty of the Monument of Kazakh Eli, walk across another street and you will find another impressive mosque called Hazrat Sultan Mosque, a perfect place to check out next as we continue our journey across the city.

The construction of Hazrat Sultan Mosque began in 2009 and was only completed in 2012 so it is really new. The mosque's design draws inspiration from traditional Islamic architecture, featuring a combination of Kazakh and Ottoman architectural elements while its grand and majestic structure reflects the cultural and religious significance it holds for the people here.

The exterior of the mosque is characterized by its impressive domes and minarets, adorned with intricate patterns and calligraphy with the main dome being crowned with a crescent, symbolizing Islam, while the minarets towering over everything in the area. You can see the mosque from miles away.

Of course, as you come to expect in most mosques in Astana, the interiors are decorated with beautiful carpets, chandeliers, and ornate calligraphy, which is quite serene to walk around in. The mosque is open during daylight hours and it is free to enter. Be sure to dress appropriately for your visit.

8. Check Out the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

Right next to Presidential Park, just across the street from Hazrat Sultan Mosque and the Monument of Kazakh Eli, you will find the odd-looking pyramid-shaped structure called the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, another great place to check out.

The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation was inaugurated in 2006 and has since become an important cultural and symbolic landmark in the city. Its unique design resembles a transparent pyramid, constructed with glass and steel. The pyramid shape represents harmony, unity, and the convergence of diverse cultures.

Inside the palace, there is a central hall called the Hall of Peace, which often holds events and exhibitions featuring an impressive glass roof, allowing natural light to illuminate the space.

You can check out one of the exhibitions inside where artwork and cultural artifacts are on display, as well as a section that promotes the values of peace, tolerance, and understanding among different religions and cultures. The palace is open from 10 AM to 7 PM every day and the entrance fee is 500 KZT per person.

9. Be Amazed by The Grand Mosque of Astana

If you are looking for the most impressive mosque to see in Astana, you can't beat the Grand Mosque of Astana, the largest mosque in all of Central Asia and among the largest in the world. It took me almost 5 minutes just to walk from the road to the mosque itself through its vast courtyard.

The grand mosque has 4 minarets standing at over 130 meters high and it features a massive central blue dome with a height of 83.2 meters and a diameter of 62 meters, the largest of its kind in the world.

If you think that these are all the record-breaking features of this mosque, you are going to be surprised that even the entrance door of the mosque is considered one of the tallest wooden doors in the world, standing at 12.4 meters with a weight of one and a half tons.

The interior of the mosque is as impressive as the exterior with the walls of the mosque decorated with colorful patterns, verses from the Koran, and prayers as well as Arabic calligraphy and inscription that is beautifully illuminated with yellow light installed under the surface.

You can also sit and relax inside its massive main prayer hall that can accommodate more than 30,000 people at once. The hall is decorated lavishly with massive chandeliers and Kazakh ornamental carpets covering an area of more than 15,525 square meters, making it the largest handmade carpet in the world.

If you only have time to visit one mosque in Astana, make it this one. You will be blown away by it! The mosque also provides covers for both men and women if you are wearing shorts and shirts that do not cover your knees and shoulders, so you do not need to prepare any scarf.

The mosque is open every day during daylight hours and there is no entrance fee to enter. To get there, you can easily hail a cap via the YandexGo app from anywhere in the city center and it should take you no more than 10 minutes to get here. Definitely one of the best things to do in Astana so be sure to check it out.

10. Visit Nur Alem Future Energy Museum

While you are outside the city center, visiting the Grand Mosque of Astana, you can also walk across the road and check out Nur Alem Future Energy Museum, one of the coolest interactive museums to visit here.

This museum was the result of EXPO 2017, serving as the Kazakhstan Pavilion during the international exhibition EXPO 2017 with the theme "Future Energy" and they turned the pavilion into a museum dedicated to promoting sustainable energy and raising awareness about the importance of renewable resources and green technologies.

One of the first things you will notice about this museum is its distinctive sphere-shaped structure, covered entirely with massive screens that illuminate with advertisements visible from across the entire city at night.

Inside the museum, you can explore multiple floors dedicated to different energy-related topics. The exhibits utilize state-of-the-art technology, interactive displays, and multimedia presentations to educate us about different energy sources, their environmental impact, and potential solutions for a sustainable future.

All the exhibitions are extremely well done and really go to show just how dedicated Astana is to becoming the city of the future for the entire region. It is really inspiring and also very fun to see all the cool interactive exhibitions inside as well as the impressive architectural wonder that is the museum itself.

The museum, with its 8 stories high, also offers an incredible view of the area and you can admire all the cool futuristic buildings in the area from above. You can easily spend an hour or 2, just exploring each floor and learning about all the incredible energy of the future as you make your way down from the top.

It is a place that surprises me the most as I didn't have a very high expectation of it because I was also at EXPO 2020 in Dubai, but they really knocked it out of the park here.

If you want to learn more about the future of energy and how Astana is being developed for the future, be sure to check out the Nur Alem Future Energy Museum.

The museum is open from 10 AM to 9 PM and it is open only on Fridays and the weekends so be sure to plan your visit carefully. The entrance fee is 1500 KZT per person.

Further Reading for Central Asia

Are you looking to dive deeper into Central Asia? Here are a selection of travel guides and itineraries for traveling in Central Asia:

• Looking for a complete one-month itinerary and a travel guide for Central Asia? One Month Itinerary for Central Asia
• For a complete itinerary to Kazakhstan, check out: 10 Days Backpacking Kazakhstan Itinerary.
• Looking for things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan? Check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Almaty.
• If you are staying in Almaty for a while and want to explore the city's culinary delights, be sure to check out our 10 Best Cafes and Restaurants to Try in Almaty.
• Want to get off the beaten path in Kazakhstan? Shymkent is an awesome place to visit. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Shymkent.
• Want to visit Turkestan in Kazakhstan? Check out our Complete Travel Guide to Turkestan.
• A great country to start your journey in Central Asia is Kyrgyzstan since it is the easiest country to enter the region. Here's a complete 3-week itinerary travel guide to Kyrgyzstan.
• Bishkek, the capital city, is a great place to use as a base for you to obtain all tourist visas for the surrounding countries like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and the city has a ton to offer. Here are the 10 things to do in Bishkek.
• Kyrgyzstan is known for its mountains, and one of the best treks you can do is the Ala Kul trek. Here's a travel guide for trekking the Ala Kul trail and how you can do it in 2 days.
• The Pamir Highway is one of the best road trips you can do in your life, and it begins in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, and ends in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Here's a complete guide on how to plan your Pamir Highway road trip.
• If Kyrgyzstan is known for its mountains, then Uzbekistan is known for its culture and architecture. With several ancient Silk Road cities, there is a ton to see in Uzbekistan. Here's a 2-week itinerary and a travel guide in Uzbekistan.
• Last but not least, one of the hardest countries to visit in Central Asia is Turkmenistan, and you will require a lot of planning before you can visit. Here's a complete travel guide with a one-week itinerary for Turkmenistan.
• You can watch all my travel videos from Central Asia here: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
• Looking for more travel guides for Central Asia? You can find more on my Central Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit our All Destination Travel Guide page.