10 Best Things to Do in Astana

Looking for what to do in Astana? Rising with startling ambition from the vast, windswept Kazakh Steppe, Astana (officially Nur-Sultan) is not just a capital city; it is a bold statement of national identity and futuristic vision. This ultramodern metropolis is a living gallery of cutting-edge architecture, where avant-garde towers, gleaming spheres, and soaring geometric forms create a skyline unlike any other. Wide, immaculate boulevards, monumental public squares, and expansive parks speak to a grand vision of urban planning, while beneath this modern veneer lies a deep connection to Kazakh cultural heritage and nomadic traditions. As the political and administrative heart of Kazakhstan, Astana offers a unique, almost surreal travel experience, blending Central Asian soul with 21st-century ambition.

From iconic symbolic towers and the world’s largest spherical building to serene riverside promenades and world-class cultural venues, here are the 10 best things to do in Astana. This guide is designed to help you plan the perfect trip to a city that feels simultaneously like a glimpse into the future and a celebration of a nation’s profound history.

1. Touch the Golden Handprint at Bayterek Tower

Bayterek Tower is the undisputed symbol of Astana, a 97-meter monument whose design is rooted in Kazakh folklore. It represents the mythical Samruk bird’s tree of life, holding a golden egg at its crown. More than just an observation tower, it is a profound national symbol of independence, hope, and aspiration. Visitors ascend via a high-speed elevator to the panoramic viewing deck housed within the golden sphere.

The 360-degree view from the top is essential for understanding the city’s meticulous layout: the symmetrical axis of Nurzhol Boulevard, the gleaming government buildings, and the architectural wonders dotting both banks of the Ishim River. At the heart of the observation level, you’ll find the most iconic Astana photo opportunity: the golden handprint of First President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Placing your own hand in its impression while making a wish is a cherished local tradition. Illuminated at night in a dynamic light show, Bayterek Tower is a captivating sight at any hour.

2. Step into the Future at Nur Alem, Museum of Future Energy

A stunning legacy of the EXPO 2017, the Nur Alem sphere is a marvel of modern engineering and the largest spherical building in the world. Its shimmering, blue-glass exterior houses the exceptional “Museum of Future Energy,” an immersive journey through the possibilities of sustainable power. The exhibition spans eight floors, each dedicated to a different form of energy—wind, solar, kinetic, biomass, and more.

This is not a passive museum; it’s an interactive playground of innovation. Visitors can ride a bicycle to generate light, experience a simulated space flight powered by solar energy, walk across a glass bridge overlooking the sphere’s core, and engage with breathtaking multimedia installations. The top floor offers a panoramic view of the Expo grounds and the city beyond. Nur Alem is a testament to Kazakhstan’s forward-looking vision and provides an awe-inspiring, educational experience for all ages.

3. Stroll the Grand Axis of Nurzhol Boulevard

Nurzhol Boulevard is the majestic central spine of Astana, a grand pedestrian promenade that embodies the city’s planned perfection. Stretching from the Ak Orda Presidential Palace to the Khan Shatyr entertainment center, this wide, landscaped avenue is lined with elegant fountains, geometric gardens, contemporary sculptures, and manicured green spaces. It serves as an open-air museum of urban design and the city’s favorite public living room.

Walking its length is the best way to appreciate the scale and symmetry of the capital’s layout. Key landmarks, including Bayterek Tower and the KazMunayGas building, flank the boulevard, creating a continuous photogenic corridor. In the evenings, the fountains are illuminated with colorful lights, street performers add to the atmosphere, and locals and visitors alike gather for leisurely strolls, making it the perfect place to feel the pulse of the city.

4. Journey Through Time at the National Museum of Kazakhstan

Housed in a colossal, modern building whose design incorporates elements of traditional Kazakh jewelry and tents, the National Museum is the country’s premier repository of history and culture. Its vast, marble-lined halls take visitors on a chronological journey from the Paleolithic era to the present day. The “Hall of Ancient and Medieval History” is a highlight, featuring stunning artifacts from the Golden Man (a Scythian warrior in full regalia), treasures from the Silk Road, and exhibits on the great nomadic empires.

Other significant sections include the Hall of Ethnography, showcasing traditional costumes and yurts, and the Hall of Independent Kazakhstan, detailing the nation’s modern development. The museum makes excellent use of technology, with interactive screens, dioramas, and multimedia displays that bring history to life. A visit here is fundamental for understanding the rich tapestry of cultures and events that shaped the land now crowned by this futuristic city.

5. Experience a City Under a Tent at Khan Shatyr

Designed by the renowned architect Sir Norman Foster, Khan Shatyr (The Khan’s Tent) is a breathtaking feat of engineering—a 150-meter-high translucent tent that dominates the northern end of Nurzhol Boulevard. Inside this climate-controlled biosphere, a world of leisure unfolds across multiple levels. It houses a full-scale shopping mall with international brands, a family entertainment park with a monorail, indoor gardens, a fountain plaza, and numerous cafes and restaurants.

The crowning attraction is the “Sky Beach Club” on the top floor, a surreal indoor beach resort complete with real sand imported from the Maldives, a wave pool, a lazy river, and a retractable roof that opens in summer, all maintained at a summer-like temperature year-round, even when it’s -30°C outside. Khan Shatyr is more than a mall; it is a symbol of Astana’s ambition to create a self-contained, perfect environment, defying the harsh steppe climate.

6. Find Serenity at the Hazrat Sultan Mosque

As one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in Central Asia, Hazrat Sultan is a masterpiece of contemporary Islamic architecture. Its colossal central dome, flanked by four minarets and eight smaller domes, creates an awe-inspiring silhouette. The interior is even more impressive, adorned with intricate white marble, gold-leaf calligraphy of Quranic verses, vast Turkish carpets, and a majestic chandelier weighing several tons.

The mosque can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers and is named after a 12th-century Sufi saint. The atmosphere is one of profound peace and grandeur. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times (appropriate modest dress is required), and the surrounding landscaped gardens and courtyards offer a tranquil space for reflection with beautiful views of the mosque’s elegant façade and the nearby Ishim River.

7. Contemplate Peace at Independence Square and the Pyramid

Independence Square (Mangilik El Square) is the nation’s ceremonial heart, a vast, flagstone plaza surrounded by monuments to Kazakhstan’s statehood. Here you’ll find the soaring “Mangilik El” triumphal arch, the “Kazakh Eli” monument, and the golden statue of the mythical Samruk bird. The square’s most striking feature is the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a 62-meter-high pyramid designed, like Khan Shatyr, by Norman Foster.

This iconic building was conceived as a global center for religious understanding and hosts the triennial Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Inside, visitors can explore the stunning atrium, a 1,500-seat opera hall, and ascend to the apex, which features a stunning stained-glass ceiling depicting doves, created by artist Brian Clarke. The rooftop offers another superb panoramic view of the city. The pyramid is a powerful architectural symbol of unity, peace, and dialogue.

8. Relax Along the Ishim River Embankment

The Ishim River provides a natural, fluid counterpoint to Astana’s rigid geometric planning. The recently developed promenades on both banks have become the city’s favorite recreational zone. Lined with cycling and walking paths, modern bridges (like the elegant “Singing Fountain” pedestrian bridge), parks, playgrounds, and outdoor cafes, it’s a perfect place to escape the grand scale of the boulevards.

In summer, the area buzzes with life: boat rentals ply the river, families picnic on the grass, and outdoor concerts are held. The “Tree of Life” fountain and various modern sculptures add artistic interest. A walk along the embankment offers a more relaxed, human-scale perspective of the city and beautiful views of landmarks like the Hazrat Sultan Mosque and the Presidential Palace reflected in the water.

9. Be Enchanted at the Astana Opera

A temple to the performing arts, the Astana Opera House is one of the most technically advanced and opulent theaters in the world. Its neoclassical exterior, adorned with columns and sculptures, gives way to an interior of breathtaking grandeur: marble staircases, gold leaf, crystal chandeliers, and exquisite frescoes blending European motifs with Kazakh ornamental patterns.

The venue hosts a world-class repertoire of opera, ballet, and classical music performed by a highly acclaimed resident company and international stars. Even if you cannot attend a performance, taking a guided tour of the building is highly recommended to admire the main hall’s magnificent ceiling painting, the Royal Hall, and the stage’s impressive machinery. It is a powerful statement of Kazakhstan’s commitment to high culture on the global stage.

10. Savor the Flavors of Modern and Traditional Kazakh Cuisine

Astana’s dining scene reflects its status as an international capital. While you can find everything from Italian pasta to Japanese sushi, the real adventure lies in exploring Kazakh cuisine. In upscale restaurants, savor national dishes like beshbarmak (boiled meat with thin noodles, traditionally eaten with the hands), flavorful kuyrdak (a hearty fried offal dish), and succulent shashlik (kebabs).

For a unique experience, seek out restaurants specializing in shelpek (flatbread) and traditional dairy products like kumys (fermented mare’s milk) or shubat

In conclusion, Astana is a city of breathtaking contrasts and audacious vision. It challenges preconceptions, offering a travel experience that is both intellectually stimulating and visually spectacular. From touching a symbolic handprint in a golden egg to walking through a pyramid dedicated to peace, these ten experiences provide a comprehensive guide to engaging with the ambition, culture, and innovative spirit of Kazakhstan’s capital on the steppe.