Astana for Couples, Friday to Sunday

October 29, 2026

A romantic weekend in Astana

Astana is a city of lit-up towers, grand halls and warm interiors rather than beaches or mountains. A good weekend for two follows the rhythm of the day: slow mornings, a warm afternoon activity and an evening built around one special booking. The city sits on flat steppe, and the weather shapes everything. From November to March, lows reach -30C or colder with wind, so keep outdoor walks short. Costs are in tenge (KZT), at roughly 470 to 500 KZT to US$1 in 2026.

Friday evening: dinner high above the city

Selfie, a fine-dining room on the 18th floor, sits inside the Ritz-Carlton Astana at Talan Towers, Dostyk Street. It was listed on La Liste 2025, and reports put the average check at about 30,000 KZT per person. Treat that as a rough guide and ask when you reserve. Secondary sources list +7 777 000 05 15 for reservations. The venue is described on the visitastana.kz restaurant page . Book a window table early for weekends.

Saturday morning: a warm place to wake up slowly

If you want a spa-style start, BEIBARYS on Kenes Street sells a three-hour package with a heated pool, sauna and hammam. A June 2026 report put it at about 8,000 KZT per adult. In summer, Orman Park and Oasis Beach Club offer outdoor pools, with prices from about 5,000 to 14,000 KZT. These were June 2026 figures from secondary reports, so confirm before you go.

Saturday afternoon: an indoor beach in the snow

Sky Beach Club inside Khan Shatyr reopened on 1 May 2026, with air at about +30C. Adults pay 20,000 KZT whatever the day of the week, and towels and robes are extra. Opening hours are unconfirmed, so ask in advance. On a minus-30 January afternoon it is the most memorable choice in the city.

Saturday evening: the opera

Astana Opera on Dinmukhamed Kunayev Street has about 1,250 seats and stages opera and ballet. Seats typically start from low thousands of tenge, depending on the production. Tickets are sold at ticketon.kz or by phone on +7 7172 70-96-10. Dress smartly and arrive early, since cloakrooms can be busy in winter.

After dark: a short walk with a view

The curved Atyrau pedestrian bridge by Central Park is free and pleasant after sunset. The area around Baiterek is lit at night, and Nurzhol Boulevard offers long skyline views. In winter, aim for about 20 minutes outside, then step into a cafe or mall to warm up. Do not walk on the frozen river.

Sunday: a lakeside change of pace

For a longer escape, Burabay National Park is about 257 km away, around 3 hours each way by road or about 2.5 hours on the Burabay Express train. The Rixos Borovoe hotel, on Lake Shchuchye, offers a spa and an indoor pool for lazy afternoons. A day return is rushed, so plan a night or two. You can compare hotels on a Booking.com search for Astana stays .

Practical notes

The Tarlan Astana light rail costs 200 KZT and runs about 06:00 to 23:00. Yandex Go taxis typically cost a few thousand tenge for city rides, and are safer than unofficial street taxis. Violent theft near bars and clubs at night is flagged in the UK government safety advice , so keep to busy streets.