Unique culture, traditions, rituals, art, museums, traditional lifestyle of Kazakh people, food, historical sites many other aspects of Kazakhstan attracts tourists from around the world to this beautiful nation.

A country consisting of a combination of mountainous scenery and plains that contrast with modern cities, such as Almaty and Astana (renamed as Nur-Sultan in March 2019), Kazakhstan is just waiting to be discovered.

The best time to visit Kazakhstan is in shoulder season – either spring or autumn. The temperatures are never too extreme and the produce is in abundance, as are the festivals. While visiting Kazakhstan is desirable in both summer and winter, many of the day trips in the area are simply not feasible due to weather conditions (ie. Singing Dunes are too hot in summer and snow prohibits many trips in winter).

Kazakhstan is a country where you can experience true seasons all year round in many parts of the country. Thanks to the topography and the climate caused due to it being completely landlocked, temperatures between seasons fluctuate from very hot summers to cold and snowy winters. Due to the size of the country, there is also a marked difference between southern and northern climates. As the seasons transition, new wonderful experiences open up and become available, making Kazakhstan perfect to visit year-round.

Beshbarmak is the national dish of Kazakhstan. It consists of boiled meat served with thin pasta sheets and a sauce (chyk) made from onions, meat broth, salt, and pepper. Horse and mutton are most often used but it can be made with beef as well. Kazy is a traditional sausage made from the rib meat of horses.

Kazakh national food reflects the traditional nomadic lifestyle. And if you are planning to visit Kazakhstan, be prepared to see a wide range of meat dishes.

Local souvenir shops usually offer elements of the national outfits, tubeteika, felt slippers, and more. The same items will be a bit cheaper in local markets. Bazaars are also a great place to shop for natural dairy products and baked goods.

There are numerous markets and malls throughout the country that will help you loosen up those pockets. Some of the recommended places to go for shopping in Kazakhstan are Baizaar Mall, Sine Tempore, Dostyk Plaza and Asia Park Mall. Bazaars are also a great place to shop for natural dairy items and baked products.

The official languages of Kazakhstan are Kazakh and Russian. Both Kazakh and Russian are used on equal grounds.

1. ALMATY

Almaty is a city of apple orchards, beautiful fountains, and rapid development. Its name is translated as “Apple”. It is the largest city of Kazakhstan, which is buried in greenery and attracts tourists with its diverse architecture. Here you can meet oriental steppe motives, old Soviet buildings, and modern constructions in high-tech style. A walk around the city is worth starting from Republic Square with the Monument of Independence in its center. The next point is the Central State Museum, with a collection of over 200 thousand exhibits. You can admire the picturesque view of Almaty from the top of Kok Tobe Mountain (Green Hill), where the cableway leads. There is also a small zoo and a famous fountain, “Apple”. Speaking of fountains, there are more than 120 of them in the city, and every year at the end of spring, when they all turn on, after winter, Almaty citizens celebrate the holiday “Day of Fountains”. There are also fantastic sights on the outskirts of the city. The most famous is the phenomenon of nature “Singing Barhan” in the Altyn-Emel National Park. But it is necessary to go there in dry weather because, at other times, you risk not to hear the “singing” sands, similar to the sounds of a ringing organ. The Tract of Turgen is another natural beauty that deserves attention as well.

Places to visit in Almaty: Charyn Canyon, Beatles Statue of Almaty, Big Almaty Lake, The Last Wild Apple Forests, Kok-Tobe Hill, Almaty Central Park, Kolsai Lakes, Lake Issyk, Panfilov Park, The Arasan Baths, and Central State Museum of Kazakhstan

2. NUR-SULTAN

Nur-Sultan is a city that had been known as Astana up until March 2019. The capital of Kazakhstan received the new name after the former President Nursultan Nazarbayev after he had announced his resignation. Nur-Sultan is a beautiful and rapidly developing city with stunning modern buildings and monuments as its main feature. Take the Khan Shatyr shopping mall alone! Forbes Style magazine has included in the list of the best eco-buildings in the world. Its construction resembles a transparent tent, and there is even a beach resort on the territory. Baiterek Tower — the famous “Chupa Chups” with a dizzying view from the observation deck — is no less delightful. You should also visit the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in the capital of Kazakhstan; check out the scale of the entertainment center “Duman”; walk along the three-level bridge; go shopping at the eastern bazaar.

There is also something to see on the outskirts of the city. There is a picturesque resort area Borovoye, with pine forests, mineral springs, and blue lakes, relatively close to the capital. Tourists who dream of seeing pink flamingos should visit Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve. Space lovers should definitely visit Baikonur — the first and largest spaceport in the world, where you can even see the launch of a real rocket.

Places to visit in Nur-Sultan: Bayterek Tower, Duman Recreational Complex, The Museum of Miniatures and Seaquarium, The National Museum of Kazakhstan, Khazret Sultan Mosque

3. AKTAU

Aktau is an almost forty-year-old city that is overlooking the huge Caspian Sea which is also known as the mesmerizing beauty. The place is known for ancient architectural ensembles. The eye-catching cultural centers, cinemas, concert hall, and big libraries from the ancient times, spread in all over the town. One can also visit Aktau city roads for long hours approving the green and attractive alleys that are lined with some acacias and poplars, architectural ensembles, the emerald-green lawns, and beautiful parks.

Places to visit in Aktau: Botanical Garden, World War II Memorial, Costa Cafe, Regional Museum, Taras Shevchenko Statue, seafront, multi-colored and eye-catching mountains in the Altyn-Emel National Park.

4. KOSTANAY

Kostanay is a cozy and well-tended town, which should definitely be included in the list for visiting in Kazakhstan. Kostanay is located on the bank of the Tobol River, so you can’t do without a walk along the waterfront. It will be no less pleasant to spend time in Central Park or Victory Park. Picturesque nature, shady alleys, attractions for children, a picnic in the fresh air — what could be better? In addition to walks around the city, in Kostanay, you can visit the Toy Museum, see the exposition of the Regional Museum of Local History, drop by the famous Ak Mosque (Maral Ishan Mosque). Another local entertainment is a walk on a double-decker bus № 18, giving the opportunity to get acquainted with the city from an unusual angle.

Places to visit in Kostanay: Toy Museum, Maral Ishan Mosque, Victory Park, Tobol River

5. TURKISTAN

One of the most historic cities of Kazakhstan, Turkistan is currently the administrative centre in its region. What really attracts visitors and speaks volumes about the rich heritage of the city is its vast variety of architectural wonders. These include, primarily, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hailed as the Spiritual Capital of the Turkic world, it is also the site of the famed tomb of Timur.

Turkistan is located near the Syr Darya River, 160 kilometers North-West of Shymkent. It lies on the Trans-Aral Railway amidst Kyzylorda and Tashkent to the North and the South respectively. You can reach Turkistan on a 20-hour long train journey from Almaty. The nearest airport is two hours away from Shymkent. Walking along the streets of Turkistan will set you far back in time, leafing through the scrolls of history. It is almost as if the city is a mosaic of stone, unchanged through the advancing years.

The city also boasts a bathhouse from the medieval eras, accompanied by 4 mausoleums for the khans of Kazakhstan, and Timur’s granddaughter.

Apart from participating in the Holy Pilgrimage every year, there are a number of activities that you can take part in. The Shymkent Plaza, the Park Abaya, and Central Park are popular destinations for curious tourists who want to get a feel of the local cultures and communities. There are several renowned museums that will assist you to relive the days of the past. Overall, one of the most historically relevant cities in Kazakhstan.

The climate is cool and semi-arid, with the summers being hot and clear, while the winters are freezing cold. The general skies are windy, with temperatures between 16 degrees to 94 degrees in Fahrenheit. The ideal tourism timings are from mid-May to late-June or late-July to late-September.

Places to visit in Turkistan: Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Historical Cultural Ethnographic Center, Sauran, Friday Mosque, History Museum

6. SHYMKENT

Founded in the 12th century, Shymkent is one of the most ancient cities of Kazakhstan. This beautiful and fascinating city was once a caravanserai beside the Silk Road. The city underwent destruction by various nomadic tribes and Genghis Khan along with his army later in 1864 the place was conquered by Russia and then it turns into the essential trading center. Today Shymkent is a modern city with some great hotels to stay, nightlife, European-style club, restaurants, good markets and cinema halls. When you are in Shymkent, you must visit the ancient Sauran city to watch the ruins. You can also visit Sairam mausoleums.

Places to visit in Shymkent: Shymkent Plaza, Park Abaya, Museum of Political Oppression, Regional Museum of Southern Kazakhstan, Central Mosque Shymkent, Independence Park, Baidibek Ata Monument, Sacred Cave “Akmeshit”, Khyzyr Minaret

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