In the middle of the boundless plains of Kazakhstan, Astana is one of the world's youngest and most vibrant capitals. This is a city with a character of its own, where a unique blend of Asian and European influences converge to create a cultural hub that draws in visitors from every corner of the globe. Here's how to enjoy this exciting city to the fullest.
1. Admire the city's modern architecture
Astana's architecture is an eclectic jumble of Eastern and Western styles, and though it draws inspiration from diverse cultural traditions much of the city is relatively new. In 1998, renowned Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa was tasked with creating a master plan for the capital, incorporating elements of the existing settlement to form a dynamic, design-led space. Tour the centre – also known as the Millennium Axis – to take in attractions such as the Baiterek Monument, a futuristic tower topped with a glass orb that seems to shift colours in the light; the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a monumental glass pyramid; the stately Ak Orda Presidential Palace; the pedestrianised Nurzhol Boulevard, lined with colourful flower beds; and the Khan Shatyr Shopping Mall, which is also the world's largest tent.
2. Explore the historic right bank
If you're interested in seeing some of Astana's older buildings, head to the right bank of the river. Here, you can take a walk through some of the city's most historic and intriguing streets, which date back to the late 19th and early 20th century. Wander through Akmolinsk, which was previously a hub for local merchants, stopping to admire the house of wealthy trader Vasilyi Kubrin, built in 1910 in the classic Art Nouveau style. There's also a museum dedicated to early 20th-century Kazakh poet and writer Saken Seifullin, which provides fascinating insight into the area's cultural past. Then, make your way to Tselinograd where you'll find buildings such as the modernist former Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
3. Look to the future at the Nur Alem museum
Unlike most museums, which focus firmly on the past, Nur Alem Future Energy Museum offers a glimpse into the future. Its unusual architecture – a massive sphere in the middle of a thriving business district – may seem incongruous at first glance, but it's actually the cleverly repurposed site of the 2017 International Exposition. Today the innovative museum is an exciting foray into alternative energy and sustainable living.
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4. Appreciate some musical masterpieces
Few occasions carry the same connotations of elegance and grandeur as a night at the opera, and Astana is the perfect place to dip your toes into the world of classical music. Here, the third-largest opera house in the world shows an impressive repertoire of works, including famous operas such as Madame Butterfly, Carmen and Romeo & Juliet, as well as works by Kazakh composers including Latif Khamidi. Tickets are surprisingly affordable, starting at around 4,800 tenge (about £8.50). Even if you're not catching a concert, it's worth visiting to admire the beautiful classical architecture.
5. Marvel at the largest mosque in Central Asia
With a capacity of 235,000 people, Astana Grand Mosque’s scale alone is impressive enough, but it's the beauty of its interiors that really capture the imagination. Vibrant mosaics cover the walls and the light cast from stained-glass windows add kaleidoscopic pools of colour onto the pattern of the world's largest handmade carpet. Gaze up at the enormous dome and ascend one of the four minaret towers to reach a 130-metre-high observation deck for incredible views of the city.
6. Sample the best of Astana's dining scene
As you might expect from a cosmopolitan capital, Astana is home to numerous fine-dining restaurants serving up both local and international flavours. For a more traditional Kazakh experience, pay a visit to Qazaq Gourmet, dine family-style at cool, casual Take Eat Easy or soak up the glamorous atmosphere at Selfie. Visitors in 2023 will also be able to enjoy the Astana Global Gastro festival. Organised by premium hospitality company Good Project, it aims to raise awareness of Kazakhstan's gastronomic culture by inviting a series of renowned chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants to host exclusive dinners in the city. The first event, with chef Artem Evstafev, took place in June and six events are scheduled to follow in the second half of the year.
7. Discover Kazakhstan's national treasure
When in Astana, a visit to the National Museum is a must. With 18 halls spanning chronologically from the Bronze Age to the modern day, it's an accessible introduction to the rich culture and history of Kazakhstan. Perhaps the most impressive of the myriad displays is the Hall of Gold, filled with glittering treasure and guarded by a life-size figurine known as the Golden Man, adorned in the gilded clothing of a fierce warrior from the nomadic Saka people, who lived in Kazakhstan between the eighth and third century BC.
8. Enjoy the buzzy nightlife
Astana's nightlife really comes into its own at the weekend, with numerous bustling bars and clubs to choose from. Start your evening at the Dark Side Bar, where casual drinks are accompanied by small plates and board games, before moving along to Temple, a moody, atmospheric take on a traditional speakeasy, where ambient music mixes with the clinking of glasses as expert mixologists craft the city's finest and most daring experimental cocktails.
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9. Visit some of Kazakhstan's most colourful residents
The largest nature reserve in Kazakhstan, and a Unesco World Heritage Site, Korgalzhyn National Park is an ideal day trip at just under a two-hour drive from Astana. It's home to the most northerly nest of pink flamingos in the world, which – between April and September – you'll see striding through these marshy wetlands. They're joined by more than 300 other species of bird, from Dalmatian pelicans, with their distinctive curly neck feathers, enormous cormorants, gangly long-legged storks and herons gracefully diving for fish.
10. Take a weekend getaway to the mountains
A three-hour drive from Astana's city centre, Burabay National Park is known as the Switzerland of Kazakhstan or the Pearl of the Great Steppe for its rare, luminous beauty. A mysterious landscape of dramatic slopes forested with mighty pines, it's the site of countless legends including tales of dancing maidens turned into intertwined birch trees and a magical white camel. The craggy mountains and tranquil lakes are popular with hikers and climbers.
Visit Astana and learn more about the heart of Kazakhstan at Kazakhstan.travel.