A Guide to Kazakhstan: What to Do and Where to Stay

Kazakhstan’s many wonders are spread over a country the size of Western Europe. A former Soviet republic south of Russia and to the west of China, the nation boasts cities featuring stunning futuristic architecture and quirky cultural sites. Its vast, diverse landscapes include dramatic steppes and mountains that are heaven for trekkers and skiers, and home to more than 120 mammal species and 500 bird species. Swimmers and sun-seekers will love the beaches along the Caspian Sea, while Kazakhstan’s culture, which incorporates an ancient nomadic lifestyle with settled peoples, is endlessly fascinating. It’s best to visit around spring or autumn, between periods of sweltering heat and heavy snow.

The best places to visit in Kazakhstan

Astana

The Kazakhstan capital, Astana, is a dizzying mix of the Soviet old and the glittering new

The capital, Astana, is a dizzying mix of the Soviet old and the glittering new, with modern skyscrapers studding the skyline. Highlights include celebrated architect Norman Foster’s Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a 62-metre-high pyramid, and the 97-metre Bayterek Tower, which is topped by a huge golden orb. The latter has a viewing platform with fantastic panoramic views of the city. The St. Regis Astana, The Ritz-Carlton, Astana, Sheraton Astana Hotel are the best places to stay while exploring the capital.

Almaty

The natural diversity of the Almaty region is amazing, featuring everything from arid deserts and scenic canyons to lush valleys and snow-capped mountains

Another of the best places to visit is Almaty, set in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty has a rich history encompassing the Silk Road and Russian and Soviet occupation. The natural diversity of the Almaty region is amazing – from arid deserts and scenic canyons to lush valleys, snow-capped mountains, beautiful glaciers, and turquoise lakes. Great places to visit here include the stunning, colourful wooden Zenkov Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The Central State Museum charts the history of Kazakhstan from prehistoric to modern times, with paleontology and archaeology collections, displays on traditional culture and much more. There’s also the Kok Tobe cable car, Almaty Opera House, and even a statue of The Beatles. The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty is an ideal place to stay to discover this fascinating city.

Aktau

Located in the southwest of the country on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, this relaxing city offers beaches, architectural monuments and rich birdlife. Built in Soviet times to support the mining of uranium ore, Aktau’s popular sights include a World War II Eternal Flame Memorial in the shape of a traditional yurt, and a MiG Soviet fighter plane memorial. Where to go if you want spectacular scenery is the Becket Ata Mosque, located in a picturesque desert canyon. It is a long journey, but passes spectacular steppe and desert scenery. One of the best places to stay is the Renaissance Aktau Hotel, which offers incredible views of the Caspian Sea.

What to eat and drink in Kazakhstan

Kazakh national food reflects the traditional nomadic lifestyle. If you are planning to visit Kazakhstan, be prepared to see a wide range of meat dishes.

Beshbarmak

Considered Kazakhstan’s national dish, beshbarmak consists of slow-cooked boiled horse or mutton, and sometimes beef, served with onions and large noodles

One of the dishes to try is certainly beshbarmak. Considered Kazakhstan’s national dish, beshbarmak consists of slow-cooked boiled horse or mutton, and sometimes beef. Served with onions and large noodles, it is one of the first dishes to try. Great places to eat it include Qazaq Gourmet in Astana.

Kumys

Kumys, fermented mare’s milk, is popular with locals, and it is believed to have healing properties. Try it at Kumys Butakovka in Almaty.

Baursak

This is a Kazakh national dish made from spherical or triangular pieces of dough fried in oil. People vary the recipe according to whether they want to make it sweet or not. Sometimes it is described as a type of Asian doughnut. Available at Baursak City, a traditional Kazakh restaurant in Almaty.

Koktal

Koktal is made with freshwater carp, typically from the Caspian Sea, that is smoked then slowly baked with sweet peppers, onions and tomatoes

If you like seafood, try this dish, which usually is made with freshwater carp, typically from the Caspian Sea. The fish is smoked, and slowly baked with sweet peppers, onions and tomatoes. Great places to eat it include Restaurant Sancak, Atyrau.

Shurpa

Shurpa is another popular dish to try, a soup/stew hybrid with lamb, mutton, chicken or beef. Packed with herbs and spices, it is roasted first, giving it a luxuriously rich consistency. Try it at Karvon Restaurant in Aktau.

Top things to do in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's vast, diverse landscapes include dramatic steppes and mountains that are heaven for trekkers and skiers

Such a big country has an abundance of national parks, and visiting the Aksu Zabagly National Park is one of the best things to do. Located in the south of the country where the steppes end and the mountains begin, the spectacular landscapes range from grasslands and rolling hills to snow-capped mountain peaks. The rich range of wildlife here includes bears, wolves and snow leopards.

In Astana, if you’re keen on extraordinary structures, the neo-futurist Khan Shatyr is unmissable. A huge, transparent tent, it has a revolutionary energy-saving design that ensures the building remains warm without artificial heating, even during the harshest winter. Its interior contains entertainment venues, a beach resort, a boating river and a shopping centre. Visiting it is certainly one of the most fun things to do in Kazakhstan.

Another interesting thing to do is visit the Kazakhstan Museum of Arts in Almaty. The largest art museum in the country, it boasts fine examples of Kazakh, Soviet, Russian and western European art, as well as examples from eastern Asia, from the sixteenth-century to modern times.

If you’re a fan of ice skating, Medeu – the world's highest ice-skating rink, at 1691 metres above sea level – is a great option, especially during the winter months. You can also take the cable car from Medeu to the higher parts of the mountains. Shymbulak, for instance, is Central Asia's top skiing destination. Sited at 3200 metres above sea level, the views are breathtaking – you'll be able to see the entire Tian Shan Mountains range.

Running for 154 kilometres along the Charyn River, one of the deepest rivers in the Northern Tien Shan Mountains, the Charyn Canyon is part of the Charyn National Park. Wind, water, and sand have sculpted Charyn's red sandstone for more than 12 million years, creating magnificent shapes and hues that range from deep orange to pale brown.

Hidden gems in Kazakhstan

One of the most awe-inspiring alternative things to do in Kazakhstan is to visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the south of the country, which originally served as the base of operations for the Soviet space program – this is where Russian Soviet pilot Yuri Gagarin was launched into space in 1961, becoming the first human to make the journey. You can arrange a visit through Baikonur Cosmodrome Tours.

If you are more into wildlife, one of the unique things to do is to check out Ak-Zhaiyk Reserve, a wetland habitat for migratory birds. Here you can see pelicans, pink flamingos, spoonbills and ibis, while snow leopards, the Steppe eagle and red bears are also present.

Go deeper

Taxis are usually easy to find outside train and bus stations. To avoid confusion, agree on the fare before setting off, since Kazakhstan’s taxis are unmetered. Trains are far from high-speed, but for that reason they represent an enchanting way to travel the country, take in the landscape passing unhurriedly by the window, and meet locals.

Published: July 26, 2022

Last Updated: July 03, 2023