Astana City (Nur-Sultan) Travel Guide - Free

Explore Astana City in Nur-Sultan with Evendo's free guide. Find the best shops, historic streets, restaurants, and gems on web or mobile.

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Astana City
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Astana City in Nur-Sultan reveals Kazakhstan’s futuristic capital through Baiterek, riverfront walks, museums, grand avenues and steppe-shaped city life.

A Capital Shaped by the Steppe

Astana City, identified here with the capital formerly known as Nur-Sultan, is less a conventional neighbourhood than a broad urban setting of monumental avenues, new residential quarters and carefully planned civic spaces. The city stands on the flat northern steppe beside the Ishim River, where severe winters, open horizons and ambitious architecture have shaped an unmistakable sense of place. Kazakhstan restored the capital’s name to Astana in 2022, although the name Nur-Sultan remains relevant to recent history and some older travel references.
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Old Bank and New Skyline

The city’s character is clearest along both banks of the Ishim. The older right bank contains established streets, Soviet-era apartment blocks, local shops, theatres and the central markets, while the newer left bank is marked by government buildings, broad boulevards and monumental landmarks. The Baiterek monument, Ak Orda Presidential Palace, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, and National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan form the best-known architectural sequence of the modern capital. Their scale reflects the city’s role as the political centre of an independent Kazakhstan rather than an organically grown historic quarter.

Everyday Astana

Beyond the ceremonial avenues, Astana is a working city with cafés, bakeries, shopping centres, family parks and busy public transport corridors. Ishim River embankments provide some of the most approachable walking routes, while Central Park and the nearby old-bank streets offer a less monumental view of urban life. Dining ranges from Kazakh specialities and Central Asian cooking to international restaurants, and evening activity is concentrated in commercial centres, theatres and restaurants rather than a single nightlife district. Distances can be deceptive, winter weather is demanding, and the wide roads often make taxis or buses useful between landmarks.

Best attractions in Astana City

Astana’s principal attractions are concentrated around the civic and cultural districts on both sides of the Ishim River. Baiterek is the city’s most recognisable observation monument, while the nearby Nurzhol Boulevard presents a sequence of landscaped spaces, contemporary buildings and public art. The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan provides a broad introduction to the country’s archaeology, history and modern identity, and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation adds a distinctive pyramid-shaped cultural venue to the skyline. On the right bank, Central Park and the Ishim embankment offer more relaxed urban scenery, with bridges, promenades and views towards the newer capital. The Astana Opera and the National Academic Library add cultural depth to the ceremonial landscape, while Khan Shatyr’s vast tent-like structure combines architecture, leisure and retail in a landmark that is particularly noticeable from the city’s major avenues.

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Best landmarks in Astana City

Astana’s landmarks reveal how architecture has been used to express the identity of Kazakhstan’s modern capital. Baiterek, with its golden sphere, stands on Nurzhol Boulevard as a visual emblem of the city and its planned central axis. The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, designed in the form of a glass-and-steel pyramid, reflects Astana’s role as a venue for interfaith and international meetings. Nearby, the Ak Orda Presidential Palace and surrounding government buildings give the left bank a formal civic scale, while the National Museum anchors the cultural quarter with a monumental contemporary façade. Khan Shatyr is distinguished by its enormous tent-like roof, engineered for the capital’s severe climate. On the older side of the river, bridges, embankments, Central Park and surviving Soviet-era apartment districts provide a counterpoint to the newer skyline, showing the city as an evolving capital rather than a single architectural project.

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Explore Astana City on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Astana City, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Astana City

Astana’s dining scene reflects the capital’s international population and its position between northern steppe traditions and wider Central Asian culinary cultures. Visitors can find restaurants serving beshbarmak, kuyrdak, baursak and other Kazakh dishes alongside Uzbek, Uyghur, Georgian, Russian, Turkish, Korean and international cooking. The older right bank has established cafés, bakeries and everyday eateries, while the newer left bank and major shopping centres provide a denser selection of contemporary restaurants and coffee shops. Traditional meals are often meat-led, with horsemeat and lamb appearing in some menus, though vegetarian and modern interpretations are increasingly available in larger venues. Food courts in shopping and entertainment complexes are useful for informal meals, particularly in winter, while markets offer a sense of local buying and eating habits without necessarily functioning as dedicated tourist food halls. Menus may appear in Kazakh and Russian, so translation tools can be helpful.

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Best bars in Astana City

Astana’s evening life is dispersed rather than organised around one historic entertainment quarter. Restaurants, hotel lounges, specialist bars and late-opening venues are most concentrated around central commercial areas, the left-bank business district and large shopping or leisure complexes. The city also has established theatres and concert venues, including Astana Opera, where an evening performance offers a more characteristic cultural experience than moving between nightlife venues. Younger crowds gather in contemporary cafés and bars, while the older right bank retains a mixture of informal restaurants and local meeting places. Winter weather encourages indoor socialising, and the wide distances between districts make taxis practical after dark. Visitors should check current listings and entry arrangements directly, as programmes, opening patterns and venue identities can change more quickly than the city’s monumental architecture suggests.

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Best nightclubs in Astana City

Astana’s evening life is dispersed rather than organised around one historic entertainment quarter. Restaurants, hotel lounges, specialist bars and late-opening venues are most concentrated around central commercial areas, the left-bank business district and large shopping or leisure complexes. The city also has established theatres and concert venues, including Astana Opera, where an evening performance offers a more characteristic cultural experience than moving between nightlife venues. Younger crowds gather in contemporary cafés and bars, while the older right bank retains a mixture of informal restaurants and local meeting places. Winter weather encourages indoor socialising, and the wide distances between districts make taxis practical after dark. Visitors should check current listings and entry arrangements directly, as programmes, opening patterns and venue identities can change more quickly than the city’s monumental architecture suggests.

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Best shops in Astana City

Shopping in Astana ranges from practical local markets and established right-bank retail streets to large contemporary complexes on the newer side of the city. Markets are useful for observing everyday commerce and finding produce, bread, dried goods and regional food products, while specialist shops and department stores provide clothing, household goods and gifts. Khan Shatyr and other major shopping centres combine international retail with cafés, entertainment and indoor spaces that are particularly welcome during cold weather. Visitors looking for Kazakh-themed presents may find felt goods, ornaments, textiles, leather items and food products, although quality and provenance vary and should be assessed individually. The city is not primarily a traditional bazaar destination; its commercial identity is strongly shaped by modern malls, broad retail corridors and rapidly developing mixed-use districts. The older right bank generally offers a more practical, locally oriented shopping experience than the monumental government quarter.

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Astana City essentials

Getting There
Astana is served by Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, located outside the central urban area, with onward taxis and city transport connections. Long-distance trains arrive at Astana-1 and Astana-Nurly Zhol stations; Nurly Zhol is particularly relevant to newer southern and left-bank districts, while Astana-1 serves the older urban side. Intercity buses and domestic flights connect the capital with other parts of Kazakhstan. Because the requested Astana City area covers a wide urban landscape rather than a compact neighbourhood, confirm which bank, landmark or district you are using as your destination before setting out.
Getting Around
The central parts of Astana can be explored on foot in short sections, especially around Baiterek, the government quarter, the Ishim embankment and Central Park, but the city as a whole is spread out. Buses connect the main districts, while taxis are often practical for crossing between the old right bank and newer left-bank developments. Wide avenues, large junctions and winter conditions can make walking slower than the map suggests. The river, bridges and prominent towers provide useful orientation points, but check route information locally because services and street layouts can change as construction continues.
Safety
Use ordinary urban precautions around transport hubs, shopping centres, markets and crowded public events, keeping phones and belongings secure. Take care when crossing broad multi-lane roads, and allow extra stopping distance around traffic in icy weather. Wind, extreme cold and sudden weather changes are more significant practical concerns than they may appear from indoor photographs of the city. At night, use well-lit routes and established taxi or ride-hailing arrangements, particularly when travelling between separated districts. Respect barriers and security instructions around government buildings, embassies and official compounds.
Emergency Situations
In Kazakhstan, call 112 for general emergency assistance; 101 is used for fire and rescue, 102 for police and 103 for ambulance services. State the location clearly, using a recognised landmark, street name or building entrance, since Astana’s large avenues and extensive new developments can make addresses difficult to identify. International visitors should carry identification and, where possible, have their accommodation address written in Russian or Kazakh. For non-urgent medical advice or assistance, contact accommodation staff or a local clinic rather than using emergency lines.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress respectfully when visiting mosques or religious sites and follow local instructions about footwear, photography and access. Ask before photographing people closely, particularly in markets or family settings, and avoid climbing on monuments or entering landscaped areas around official buildings. In restaurants and cafés, check whether a service charge is included before adding a discretionary tip. Keep noise down near residential blocks and treat the Ishim embankments, parks and public art as shared civic spaces. Visitors should also avoid blocking entrances or ceremonial routes while taking photographs of major landmarks.
Local Tips
Divide sightseeing into right-bank and left-bank days rather than trying to cross the city repeatedly. The right bank offers a more established urban texture, with older streets, markets and everyday services, while the left bank concentrates the capital’s most recognisable contemporary architecture. Use the National Museum to understand Kazakhstan’s history before exploring the monumental skyline, and leave time for the riverfront, where the city feels less formal. Indoor cultural venues are especially valuable during the cold season, while summer evenings make the parks and embankments more inviting.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloСәлем[Salem]
GoodbyeҚош келдіңіз[Qosh keldiniz]
YesИя[Iya]
NoЖоқ[Joq]
Please/You're welcomeРахмет[Rahmet]
Thank youРахмет сізге[Rahmet sizge]
Excuse me/SorryКешіріңіз[Keshiriniz]
How are you?Қалайсыздар?[Qalaisyzdar?]
Fine. And you?Жақсым. Сіз кім?[Jaqsym. Siz kim?]
Do you speak English?Сіз ағылшынша сөйлейсіз бе?[Siz agylshynsha soylesiz be?]
I don't understandМен түсінбеймін[Men tusinbeymin]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseМенюмен танысу керек[Menyumem tanysu kerek]
I don't eat meatМен қасап тамақтамын[Men qasap tamaktamyn]
Cheers!Тамшы![Tamshy]
I would like to pay, pleaseТөлеу керек[Toleu kerek]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Көмек![Komek!]
Go away!Ауыр![Awr!]
Call the Police!Полицияға қоңырау шақыру[Politsiyaga qonyrau shaqyru]
Call a doctor!Дәрігерге қоңырау шақыру[Daregerge qonyrau shaqyru]
I'm lostМен алдым[Men aldym]
I'm illМен аурушымын[Men aurushymyn]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Сатып алу керек[Satyp alu kerek]
I'm just lookingКөріп тұрмын[Korip turmyn]
How much is it?Бұл канша?[Bul kansha?]
That's too expensiveОл тым де арзан[Ol tym de arzan]
Can you lower the price?Бағаны төмендете ме?[Bagany tomdete me?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Ұшқыш неше уақыт[Ushqysh neshe uaqyt]
It's one o'clockБір жақ[Bir zhaq]
Half past (10)Онға жеткенді[Ongha jetkendi]
MorningТаң[Tan]
AfternoonКеш[Kesh]
EveningКешкі[Keshki]
YesterdayКеше[Keshe]
TodayБүгін[Bugyn]
TomorrowЕртең[Erten]
1Бір[Bir]
2Екі[Eki]
3Үш[Ush]
4Төрт[Tort]
5Бес[Bes]
6Алты[Alty]
7Жеті[Jeti]
8Сегіз[Segiz]
9Тоғыз[Toghyz]
10Он[On]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?...қайда?[...Qayda?]
What's the address?Мекен-жайдың мекенжайын айта ма?[Meken-zhaidyn mekenzhaiyn aita ma?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Мені көрсете аласыз бе?[Meni korsite alasiz be?]
When's the next (bus)?Келесі(автобус) неше уақытта?[Kelesi(avtobus) neshe uaqytta?]
A ticket (to ....)Билет (....ға)[Bilet (gha)]

History of Astana City

From Akmola to a Regional Centre

The settlement that became Astana developed around Akmola, a Russian imperial-era outpost established in the nineteenth century near the Ishim River and established routes across the steppe. Its position made it useful for administration, trade and agricultural exchange, while the surrounding landscape remained predominantly open grassland. Under Soviet rule, the town became part of the wider transformation of northern Kazakhstan, and its name and role changed several times. The arrival of railway connections and increasing agricultural settlement strengthened its position as a regional centre, although the built environment remained modest compared with the monumental capital that would follow.

Soviet Growth and Tselinograd

During the Soviet Virgin Lands campaign from the 1950s, Akmolinsk became Tselinograd and expanded rapidly as an administrative and agricultural hub. New housing, schools, public institutions and industrial facilities reshaped the town, particularly around the established right-bank core and transport routes. The campaign brought workers, administrators and families from many parts of the Soviet Union, giving the city a more diverse social and architectural character. Although the project caused serious environmental and agricultural difficulties across the steppe, its investment in infrastructure helped create the urban base from which the later capital could grow.

Capital of Independent Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan selected Akmola as its capital in 1997, and the city was renamed Astana in 1998. The decision redirected national investment towards the northern steppe and triggered extensive construction on the south bank of the Ishim. Government offices, diplomatic facilities, housing and cultural institutions appeared alongside new highways and bridges, while the old centre continued to function as a commercial and residential part of the city. The planned capital was intended to express the sovereignty and future-oriented identity of independent Kazakhstan, making urban design and architecture central to its political symbolism.

A Changing Name and Expanding City

Astana was renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019 and reverted to Astana in 2022, reflecting shifts in the country’s recent political landscape. During the same period, rapid population growth spread development beyond the most recognisable civic core, producing new apartment districts, retail complexes and transport demands. The major landmarks of the left bank remain the city’s visual signature, but everyday life also depends on older neighbourhoods, local markets, schools and river crossings. Astana’s contemporary identity therefore combines a carefully composed capital image with the practical challenges of building a large city in a harsh, exposed climate.

Astana City in Photos

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Neighbourhoods near Astana City

The closest neighbourhoods to Astana City, if you have time for more than one stop.

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Nur-Sultan
More of the region

Explore more of Nur-Sultan

Nur-Sultan, now officially Astana, pairs futuristic architecture with Kazakh culture, museums, grand avenues and steppe landscapes in Kazakhstan’s capital.

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