Astana Hotels

Astana offers plenty of engaging activities year-round. During the warmer months, take a stroll through the lush greenery of central Astana Park, home to the Atameken ethno-memorial complex featuring an outdoor miniature map of the entire country. Sports enthusiasts love Triathlon Park for its well-maintained running tracks and bike rentals, while the Botanical Garden features a massive musical fountain measuring seventy-three meters across. In the evenings, the Ishim River embankment hosts vibrant laser shows by the sun fountain.

For family fun, head to the Ailand entertainment center, which houses a large oceanarium, the Jungle animatronics park, an indoor water park, and a sixty-five-meter Ferris wheel. Inside the Khan Shatyr entertainment and shopping center, you will find the year-round Sky Beach Club with real Maldivian sand and heated pools, alongside Dino Park and an indoor monorail circling beneath the massive translucent dome.

In winter, public parks and squares open free ice rinks and ice slides, while Presidential Park grooms illuminated cross-country ski trails. After dark, the capital comes alive with energetic night spots and karaoke lounges, including popular venues like Fashion Night Club, Faces Retro Club, Icon Club, and ZaZa.

Traditional Kazakh cuisine revolves around hearty meat dishes and rich dairy specialties. The centerpiece of any feast is beshbarmak, made with tender boiled horse meat or beef served over delicate sheets of homemade pasta and garnished with onions and fresh herbs. Be sure to order sorpa, a rich meat broth, or its creamy version ak-sorpa, as well as kuyrdak, a flavorful roast of tender meats and offal, savory palau (pilaf), and steamed manti dumplings. A prized delicacy is kazy, a spiced horse-meat sausage served boiled, smoked, or dried.

Meals are always accompanied by freshly baked breads, including puffy golden baursaks, tandoor flatbreads, and crisp fried shelpek. For traditional drinks, sample fermented mare's milk (kumis), camel's milk (shubat), refreshing ayran, and savory dried kurt cheese balls. Feasts typically conclude with strong, hot black tea poured with milk or rich cream.

To savor authentic dishes in a stylish setting, visit restaurants like Saksaul, Satti, or Arnau. Turan Avenue has also become a renowned culinary strip, gathering dozens of dining spots specializing in Kazakh, Georgian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Thai cuisines in one vibrant hub.

Hand-painted wooden or ceramic tableware, traditional tea bowls (piyala), and quality felt goods—like cozy house slippers, sauna hats, and stylish patterned cases—make wonderful keepsakes. In jewelry boutiques, you will find handcrafted silver pieces, including the traditional bes bilezik bracelet connected to rings with delicate chains. Sweet tooths will love chocolate gift sets from the famous Rakhat factory in iconic "Astana" and "Kazakhstan" boxes, while foodies often bring home kazy sausage, local loose-leaf teas, and Kyzyl May herbal balsam.

For a full day of shopping, visit the large malls in the Yesil district, such as MEGA Silk Way, Khan Shatyr, Keruen, or Saryarka. These complexes house global fashion brands, footwear boutiques, local designer labels, and expansive food courts.

A rich selection of authentic souvenirs, dolls in folk costumes, home textiles, and artwork can be found at the Talisman gift salon, the KERUEN souvenirs shop inside the Saint Petersburg Business Center, and Empire of Gifts boutiques.

The region features an extreme continental climate with dry air and distinctly defined seasons. Winter stretches from November to early April and brings freezing temperatures. January is the coldest month, with average temperatures around minus fourteen degrees Celsius, though Siberian anticyclones can easily push the thermometer down to minus twenty-five or thirty degrees. Steppe winds often make the cold feel sharper, particularly in October and November.

Summer kicks off in late May and lasts until early September. July is the warmest and most pleasant month for travel, with average temperatures around twenty-one degrees Celsius. Summer showers are typically brief, so prolonged overcast spells are rare. The prime window for sightseeing and outdoor dining is from June through August, when city fountains flow and open-air terraces buzz with life.

The main air gateway is Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, located fifteen kilometers from the city center. You can reach downtown from the terminal via city bus routes ten and twelve or express route one hundred, which runs directly to the modern Nurly Zhol railway station. Long-distance train travelers arrive at one of the city's two railway stations, while intercity coaches pull into Saparzhay and Saparzhay-2 bus terminals.

Getting around town is easy thanks to the comprehensive bus network operated by Astana LRT. The most convenient way to pay for rides is with a reloadable Transcard electronic travel card, which includes free transfers within sixty minutes, though paying cash directly to the driver upon boarding is also an option. To plan transit routes and track buses in real time, download the ASTRA Bus app.

Local ride-hailing services, including Kiwitaxi and Yandex Go, provide quick and comfortable point-to-point travel. During warm weather, you can easily get around on Astana Bike shared bicycles or take in the sights aboard the Hop-on Hop-off Red Bus double-decker.

The ideal area depends on what you want out of your stay. The sleek, modern Yesil district on the left bank is perfect for business travelers and anyone wanting to be within walking distance of the Baiterek Monument, Nurzhol Boulevard, Khan Shatyr, and the EXPO pavilions. This district features premier international hotels, upscale residences, and major government offices.

The historic Saryarka district on the right bank appeals to travelers who enjoy classic city strolls, theaters, and cultural venues. Staying here places you close to the Ishim River embankment, the Russian Drama Theatre, the state philharmonic hall, and the old railway station.

The Almaty district is a great pick if you plan to explore scenic green spaces and major landmarks, putting you within easy reach of Hazret Sultan Mosque, Independence Palace, and Presidential Park. The newer Baikonur district offers a peaceful setting close to the Zhastar cultural center and military history museums.

The main difference across Astana's districts lies in their architecture and the concentration of tourist attractions. The left-bank center in the Yesil district is characterized by gleaming modern towers, diplomatic residences, and vast retail complexes. The layout is grand and spacious, with wide avenues and well-kept public squares accented with fountains and contemporary art installations around the diplomatic quarter.

Right-bank neighborhoods in Saryarka and Baikonur feature a more traditional, human-scale feel with quiet green squares, historic administrative buildings, and charming neighborhood cafes. Suburbs farther from the river are primarily peaceful residential communities, requiring a short public transit ride or taxi trip to reach major monuments and central walking boulevards.

Astana offers accommodation options for every budget and travel style. For upscale luxury, you will find five-star properties like The St. Regis Astana in Central Park along the riverbank, Rixos President Hotel Astana with its Anjana Spa in the government quarter, Astana Marriott Hotel near Khan Shatyr, and Hilton Astana on the EXPO grounds with a panoramic rooftop bar.

Popular four-star options include Hilton Garden Inn Astana, Wyndham Garden Astana near the Mega Silk Way mall, Park Inn by Radisson, and Ibis Astana near Independence Square. Budget-conscious travelers can choose from well-equipped hostels with dorms or private rooms, while families on longer stays frequently rent modern, fully equipped apartments in new residential complexes.

Mid-range and luxury hotels generally offer buffet breakfasts featuring a mix of European staples and Central Asian dishes, while serviced apartments provide equipped kitchens for cooking your own meals. Given the hot summer days and cold, windy winters, modern climate control and heating systems come standard across virtually all types of city lodging.

High-speed wireless internet works reliably across most hotels, shopping malls, the airport, and coffee shop chains. To stay connected on the move, you can purchase a CityPASS tourist card with an included SIM card or pick up a local data plan from carriers like Beeline, Kcell, Tele2, Altel, or Activ.

It pays to book your stay in advance, especially around major events like Capital City Day on July 6th, international summits at the EXPO convention center, or large music festivals. During major expos and conferences, left-bank hotels fill up fast, so reserving early secures the best rates and ideal locations.

To save money on sightseeing, consider getting a 24-hour or 72-hour CityPASS card, which grants free entry to key observation decks, museums, and the oceanarium, plus discounts at dozens of city venues. Our website provides a wide selection of verified hotels and apartments with flexible conditions, helping you find and book the best accommodation in Astana with ease.