Astana
Kazakhstan
- Safety rating
- 7.8/10
- Best time to visit
- Late spring through early autumn offers the most comfortable weather, as winters are brutally cold and windy.
- Population
- 1.4M
Overview
Astana, Kazakhstan's purpose-built capital on the windswept steppe, dazzles with futuristic architecture from gleaming towers to the tent-shaped Khan Shatyr. Rising rapidly since 1997, it showcases the nation's ambitions in bold modern design.
Top attractions
See the Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr entertainment center, the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
Getting around
Buses and ride-hailing apps are the main options across the spread-out city; the modern core is best seen by car.