12 Best Places to Visit in Kazakhstan for Every Traveler

Kazakhstan spans 2.7 million square kilometers of steppe, desert, mountains, and lakes, making it the world’s ninth-largest country by area. The best places to visit range from Almaty’s alpine foothills and Astana’s futuristic skyline to remote canyon systems, ancient Silk Road cities, and the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Best Places to Visit in Kazakhstan

1. Almaty

Kazakhstan’s largest city sits at the base of the Tian Shan mountains. Within 30 minutes of downtown you can reach alpine lakes, ski slopes, and hiking trails. The city itself offers the Green Bazaar, Zenkov Cathedral, a growing cafe and nightlife scene, and the country’s best restaurant selection. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on things to do in Almaty.

Best for: Mountain access, food, culture, nightlife How long: 3-4 days minimum

2. Astana (Capital)

Astana is Kazakhstan’s purpose-built capital, moved from Almaty in 1997. Its skyline features bold modern architecture including the Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr (the world’s largest tent-shaped building), and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. The EXPO 2017 site now houses the Museum of Future Energy. Astana is also bitterly cold in winter — the second-coldest capital in the world.

Best for: Modern architecture, museums, understanding Kazakhstan’s ambitions How long: 2 days

3. Charyn Canyon

Often compared to the Grand Canyon (on a smaller scale), Charyn Canyon is a 154-kilometer gorge about 200 km east of Almaty. The most visited section is the Valley of Castles, where red sandstone formations create a dramatic landscape. The canyon is accessible as a day trip from Almaty or as an overnight camping stop.

Best for: Photography, hiking, geological landscapes How long: 1 day (day trip from Almaty) or overnight

4. Turkistan

Turkistan is the spiritual capital of the Kazakh world and home to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a 14th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site and masterpiece of Timurid architecture. The surrounding Silk Road complex has been extensively restored. Turkistan is the most important pilgrimage destination in Kazakhstan and increasingly a major tourist draw.

Best for: Islamic architecture, Silk Road history, cultural significance How long: 1-2 days

5. Lake Balkhash

Lake Balkhash is one of Asia’s largest lakes and one of only a few in the world that is half freshwater and half saltwater. The lake is remote and tourism infrastructure is minimal, but the landscape is striking and largely untouched. Fishing and birdwatching are the main activities.

Best for: Off-the-beaten-path exploration, nature, fishing How long: 2-3 days

6. Kolsai Lakes

The Kolsai Lakes are a chain of three alpine lakes in the northern Tian Shan, about 300 km southeast of Almaty. Surrounded by spruce forest and mountain ridges, they are among the most photographed natural sites in Kazakhstan. Hiking between the lakes takes 4-6 hours. Camping and guesthouses are available nearby.

Best for: Hiking, alpine scenery, photography How long: 2 days

7. Aktau and the Caspian Coast

Aktau is a port city on the Caspian Sea and the gateway to the Mangystau region. The nearby landscapes include underground mosques, rock formations, dramatic cliff coastlines, and the Bozzhyra tract — often described as Kazakhstan’s most otherworldly scenery.

Best for: Dramatic geology, coastal scenery, adventure travel How long: 3-5 days (Mangystau needs time)

8. Shymkent

Kazakhstan’s third-largest city is the cultural heart of the south. It has a lively bazaar culture, strong Uzbek culinary influence (some of the best plov and samsa in the country), and serves as a base for visiting Turkistan. The city itself is undergoing rapid modernization.

Best for: Southern Kazakh culture, food, access to Turkistan How long: 1-2 days

9. Altyn-Emel National Park

Altyn-Emel is a large national park east of Almaty, known for the Singing Dune — a 150-meter-high sand dune that produces a low humming sound in certain wind conditions. The park also contains the Aktau Mountains (colorful sedimentary formations) and Scythian burial mounds.

Best for: Desert landscapes, unique geology, wildlife How long: 2 days

10. Burabay (Borovoe)

Burabay is a resort area 250 km north of Astana, often called “the Switzerland of Kazakhstan.” Pine forests, granite rock formations, and clear lakes create a landscape that looks nothing like the surrounding steppe. It is popular with domestic tourists and makes a good overnight trip from Astana.

Best for: Lake swimming, hiking, family holidays, domestic tourism How long: 2 days

11. Baikonur Cosmodrome

The world’s first and largest spaceport is located in southern Kazakhstan and is still actively used for crewed missions to the International Space Station. Organized tours allow visitors to see launch pads, the museum, and — if timing works — an actual rocket launch. Access requires advance permits arranged through licensed tour operators.

Best for: Space history, unique experiences How long: 1-2 days (tours are structured)

12. Semey (Semipalatinsk)

Semey is historically significant as the home of Abai Kunanbayev, Kazakhstan’s most celebrated writer and philosopher, and as the site of the Soviet nuclear testing polygon. The Abai Museum and the Nuclear Test Museum provide important cultural and historical context. Semey is off the typical tourist route but rewards those interested in deeper Kazakh history.

Best for: Literary history, Soviet-era history, off-the-beaten-path How long: 1-2 days

Kazakhstan Destinations at a Glance

Destination	Region	Best For	Days Needed	Difficulty
Almaty	Southeast	Mountains, food, culture	3-4	Easy
Astana	North-central	Architecture, museums	2	Easy
Charyn Canyon	Southeast	Hiking, photography	1	Easy-moderate
Turkistan	South	History, Silk Road	1-2	Easy
Kolsai Lakes	Southeast	Alpine hiking	2	Moderate
Aktau / Mangystau	West	Geology, adventure	3-5	Moderate-hard
Burabay	North	Lakes, family travel	2	Easy
Baikonur	South	Space history	1-2	Permit required
Shymkent	South	Food, bazaars	1-2	Easy
Altyn-Emel	Southeast	Desert, geology	2	Moderate
Lake Balkhash	Central	Nature, fishing	2-3	Moderate
Semey	Northeast	History, literature	1-2	Easy

How to Travel Between Destinations

Domestic flights connect Almaty, Astana, Aktau, Shymkent, and several smaller cities (Air Astana and FlyArystan). The train network covers the Almaty-Astana-Shymkent corridor well. For remote destinations like Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, and Mangystau, renting a car or hiring a driver is the most practical option.

Best Time to Visit Kazakhstan

• May-June and September-October are the best months for most destinations
• July-August can be very hot in the south and steppe regions
• December-February is ideal for skiing at Shymbulak but very cold elsewhere (Astana regularly hits -30C)

For a month-by-month breakdown, see our Kazakhstan weather by month guide.

Is Kazakhstan Safe for Tourists?

Kazakhstan is generally safe for tourists across all major destinations. Standard travel precautions apply. For a detailed safety assessment, see our guide on whether Kazakhstan is safe for travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most beautiful place in Kazakhstan?

Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai Lakes are widely considered the most scenic natural sites. For dramatic geological landscapes, the Bozzhyra tract in Mangystau is increasingly recognized as Kazakhstan's most visually striking destination.

Is Kazakhstan worth visiting as a tourist?

Yes. Kazakhstan offers a rare combination of mountain scenery, Silk Road history, space heritage, modern architecture, and Central Asian culture at affordable prices. Most visitors find it exceeds expectations.

How many days do you need in Kazakhstan?

A minimum of 7 days covers Almaty, mountain day trips, and Astana. Our 7-day Kazakhstan itinerary is the ideal starting point for first-time visitors. Two weeks allows a more complete route including Turkistan, Shymkent, and a nature destination.

What is the best city to visit in Kazakhstan?

Almaty is the best city for most visitors due to its mountain access, food scene, cultural attractions, and infrastructure. Astana is worth visiting for its unique modern architecture.

Can you visit Kazakhstan without a visa?

Citizens of over 60 countries can visit Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days, including the US, UK, EU, and most Asian nations. Check evisa.e.gov.kz for the current list.