Walking in Astana Astana is flat and built at monumental scale, so a walk here means long sightlines and wide plazas rather than winding lanes. There is no single official walking tour to join, so these are two self-guided routes, one on each side of the Ishim (Esil) river, plus the rules that keep a walk safe in winter. Prices are in tenge (KZT), at roughly 470 to 500 KZT to US$1 in 2026.

Sightseeing in Astana, bank by bank Astana has been Kazakhstan’s capital since 1997, and the city is easiest to understand as two halves on either side of the Ishim (Esil) river. The Left Bank, to the south and west, is the showpiece government district with huge plazas. The Right Bank, to the north and east, is the older city. Everything is farther apart than it looks and exposed to wind, so mix short walks with the light rail or taxis.

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.

Longer journeys from Astana Distances in Kazakhstan are large, and the steppe around Astana is empty for hours in every direction, so a multi-day trip needs a firm plan. Three routes work in practice: a lakeside stay at Burabay, a short flight to Almaty, and a history route through the Karaganda region. Costs are in tenge (KZT), at roughly 470 to 500 KZT to US$1 in 2026, and fares are hedged where the schedule is not confirmed.

Travelling to Astana with children Astana suits families more than its austere skyline suggests, mainly because so much of the fun is indoors and heated. The city sits on flat steppe, so there are no beaches, hills or nature parks in town. Cold is the thing to plan for. From about November to March, lows can reach -30C with a bitter wind, and exposed cheeks and fingers can suffer frostbite quickly.

How to see Astana’s attractions with a guide Astana’s main sights stand far apart on windy plazas, and in winter that distance is the real obstacle. A guided or scheduled visit helps most when you want context, shelter and someone else to handle the logistics. This page sorts the options by format, from a fixed bus departure to private arrangements. Prices are in tenge (KZT), at roughly 470 to 500 KZT to US$1 in 2026, and anything not confirmed is flagged so you can check before paying.

Planning a day in Astana Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan, and it was called Nur-Sultan between 2019 and 2022. The city is built on dead-flat steppe, so there are no hills, lakes or rapids to organise a trip around. What it has instead is big architecture, heated indoor venues and a strong performing-arts scene. The weather decides most of the plan, so this page is organised by conditions first and by sight second.