Astana (formerly known as Aqmola, Tselinograd and Nur-Sultan), in the north of Kazakhstan on the banks of the Esil river (better known by its Russian name Ishim), is the capital and the second largest city of the country. Modern Astana is a planned city, designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. It is home to a range of futuristic buildings, including many skyscrapers.

Understand

File:Central Downtown Astana 2.jpg

Downtown with Baiterek Tower in the middle

The settlement was founded as a Russian military outpost in 1830 as Akmola ("white grave" in Kazakh) and was given town status 1832, when its name was Russianized to Akmolinsk. The town was a mining town, and during the time of Stalin it was a destination where people were deported. During World War II, peasants from the western Soviet Union fleeing the advancing Germans were moved here. From then on, the region started developing into an agricultural center also.

In the 1960s, the town found itself as the nerve centre of the Soviet "Virgin Lands Campaign", which involved ploughing natural steppe landscapes into cereal fields, with an eye towards boosting the agricultural production of the union to the self-sufficiency levels. It was accordingly renamed to Tselinograd; tselina in Russian denotes a fertile but uncultivated land. After the independence of Kazakhstan in 1992, the city's original name Akmola was restored.

The city took over the role as capital from Almaty (the largest city) in December 1998, and at that was renamed Astana, meaning "capital city". This was changed to Nur-Sultan in 2019 after Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first president of Kazakhstan, who had just stepped down from office. The name Astana was restored in September 2022.

Over the last decades the city has been growing and is undergoing a transformation costing billions of dollars, with top international architects assisting in trying to make it a worthy capital — not only of Kazakhstan but of Central Asia. Astana presents an interesting and intriguing blend of old Soviet architecture with the modern designs of Norman Foster and the like. It still does not offer the comforts and thrills of its Western counterparts, or of Almaty, but has its own charms and pleasures.

Climate

Astana
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       17     −12 −21       12     −12 −21       13     −5 −14       22     9 −1       35     19 6       33     25 12       52     27 15       32     24 12       23     19 6       30     8 −1       20     −3 −11       18     −9 −17 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm Climate-data.org
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       0.7     10 −6       0.5     10 −6       0.5     23 7       0.9     48 30       1.4     66 43       1.3     77 54       2     81 58       1.3     75 53       0.9     66 43       1.2     46 30       0.8     27 13       0.7     16 1 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

The climate is continental with extreme temperature differences: strong winds, long, cold winters and scorchingly hot summers. It is one of the coldest capital cities in the world and temperatures may drop below -35°-40°C already in autumn.

Orientation

The new town is along the southern bank of Esil, and has a city plan similar to an immense hippodrome. At a river bend, on a small hill is the presidential palace. Across the river from it is the Khan Shatyr recreational center, formed like a sail. The backbone of the hippodrome is the wide Nurzhol Bulvar, that connects the presidential palace with Bayterek Tower and is lined by different government buildings.

The general plan for the new town was drawn by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, after winning an architecture competition arranged by the city government. Also other international architects have been designing modern buildings in Astana, most famously British architect Norman Foster who designed the pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.

On the northern river bank is the older town; what it lacks in architecture it makes up for in city life. The older downtown is delimited in the north by the railway. Along Abey Avenue you can find many of the city's major hotels.

Visitor information

• Visit Astana website

Talk

English, German, Turkish are quite often understood by hotels such as Ritz Carlton, Radisson, Rixos and some restaurants in Astana, but the go-to language is Russian. No-one will expect you to know any Kazakh so a few civilities go a long way. If you are familiar with any Turkish, things like numbers and days of the week are similar.

Get in

See Kazakhstan for visa information, but most western passport holders don't need a visa for visits of up to 30 days.

By plane

• 1 Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (updated Sep 2022)

As of early 2023 there are flights from many places in the former Soviet Union, and a couple each from Western Europe, the Middle East and East Asia. World airports with connections to Astana include Beijing, Dubai, Moscow Sheremetyevo (and other Moscow airports), Frankfurt, and Istanbul

Bus 10 and Bus 12 connect the airport and the city centre at least twice hourly, the price is 90 tenge. You can find the timetable at the bus stop directly in front of the main entrance to T2 (domestic) terminal. It's a one-minute walk from T1 (international) terminal. A taxi from the airport to the city centre is about US$20.

By train

Astana-1 rail station

• 2 Astana 1 Railway Station (updated Oct 2019)

Nurly Zhol rail station

• 3 Astana Nurly Zhol railway station (updated Oct 2019)

So which railway station? As of autumn 2019, trains from Russia are still using Astana-1, while trains to Urumqi in China are using Nurly Zhol. The fastest trains to Almaty also use Nurly Zhol, but it's a mixture for this and other Kazakh destinations. Check locally near the day of travel.

By bus

• 4 Saparzhay bus station (Автовокорский Сапаржай) (next to Astana-1 railway station). The city's bus station with arrivals from other major cities in Kazakhstan, relatively nearby major cities in Russia and Central Asia; as far as Tashkent and Yekaterinburg. 

Get around

By taxi

There are plenty of taxis starting from local taxis, ending with the most used services like Yandex Taxi, InDriver, you can expect to pay 1000-3500 tenge for a trip within the city.

Yandex and Uber were ubiquitous and even in tough weather conditions you shouldn't expect to wait more than 5 minutes for a car. As of January 2023, Uber is reportedly no longer present in the city, only Yandex.

Street taxis: Stand at the side of any road and thumb down a passing car, within 3 minutes you should have a string of them. Tell them your destination and they will either drive off or gesture you in. It is useful to know numbers so you can set a price for the journey before starting. They are about half the price of official taxis, reckon 1000-1500 tenge for a cross river trip. Some drivers may start practicing not only their English with you, but may start a discussion connected with the area of Psychology, others will race along the streets like a maniac, slowing down for the obvious speed cameras. Use this method with caution and try to travel in groups.

By bus

An urban bus

Public buses (Astra Bus) have a flat fare of 180 tenge, pay the conductor on board (or driver if there is no conductor). The buses are efficient and comfortable, but they are often full. Some buses are from the 1990s, but there are also newer buses from the last 10 years that match any modern city in terms of the quality of the bus. For bus routes, times and real time location updates, download the very useful Astrabus smartphone app. Another useful app is 2GIS.

The municipal authorities have published a journey planner. But you must choose the bus number to see the route. This is not helpful if you know where you want to go but don't know which bus to take! Once you're on the bus, there is a route map, so it's worth taking a photo of that on your phone for later trips around the city! When you get on a bus tell the conductor your destination and they will either tell you when to get off or gesture you to get on another bus.

The number 12 bus does a nice loop around the new part of the city with the palace etc., so this is a nice one for a tour. Bus 19 runs from the railway station, down Beibilitsky Street, then through the centre eventually out past the National Museum.

Buses serving further regional destinations depart from Saparzhay (Автовокзал "Сапаржай) which is adjacent to the railway station. Times and tickets on their website.

By subway

A Metro line is under construction between the airport and Nurly Zhol railway station. As of 2022 construction has been called to an indefinite halt.

By bike

There's a bike sharing scheme, just like in other major cities around the world, operated by the French company Smoove Bike.

See

The many modern and futuristic buildings of Astana is a reason to visit the city. However, on a closer look they're less impressive as they're poorly maintained and often underused.

Palaces

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

• 1 Palace of Peace and Reconciliation  
• 2 KazMunayGas Palace  
• 3 The Triumph of Astana  
• 4 Shabyt palace  
• 5 Palace of Independence  

Ak Orda presidential palace

• 6 Ak Orda presidential palace  
• 7 Parliament building  
• 8 National education academy (Ы. Алтынсарин атындағы Ұлттық білім академиясы), Mengilik El Ave 4, ☏ +7 7172 57 72 03. A pair of shiny buildings on both sides of the main avenue, making up a beautiful set together with the Bayterek Tower. Some people think they resemble a masonic symbol. 
• 9 Emerald towers  
• 10 Expo 2017 buildings  
• 11 National archives (Қазақстан Республикасының ұлттық мұрағаты), Nurzhol Blvd 12 (A pochi passi dal Bayterek), ☏ +7 7172 57 99 32. M-F 9:00-18:00. The national archives are housed in an interesting circular building with an ogival cupola. 
• 12 Building of ministers (Министрліктер үйі). This curved governmental building is during the night lit up by moving lights turning it into a huge screen with images and texts. 

Monuments and memorials

• 13 Bayterek Tower (updated Jul 2016)
• 14 Kazakh Eli monument  
• 15 Zher Ana. Monument dedicated to Mother Earth, created by Russian sculptor Dashi Namdakova and inaugurated in 2008. 
• 16 Triumphal arch (Триумфальная арка), Yengbekshiler Street 2. Tu-Su 10:00-22:00. A modern triumphal arch, though mimicking the style of a Roman one. 
• 17 Circus fountain (next to the circus circular building). Big fountain decorated with circus characters. 
• 18 Giant lizards sculptures, Turan ave (next to the shopping center). Sculptures at the corner of a park depicting large lizards; you can sit on them and take funny photos. 

Religious buildings

Inside the Khazret Sultan Mosque

• 19 Khazret Sultan Mosque (updated Sep 2017)

• 20 Nur-Astana Mosque (updated Sep 2017)
• 21 Assumption Cathedral  
• 22 Grand Mosque of Astana, Prospekt Mangilik Yel. 65. Built in 2022, this is the largest mosque in Central Asia. This majestic building is visible from quite a distance. free. (updated Jul 2024)

Museums

• 23 National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan (updated Sep 2017)
• 24 The Military Historical Museum of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Қазақстан Республикасы қарулы күштерінің Әскери-Тарихи музеиі), Barayev 3 (surrounded by scary looking roads, there are several underpasses to get you to this museum), ☏ +7 777 881 4285. Tu-Su 10:00-20:00. Built like a yurt with a dome resembling a mosque. It contains exhibitions about the history of the military of Kazakhstan. There is large focus on the Great Patriotic War and a collection of memorabilia related to Nazabayev, including some of his official stationery, a tank commander's hat that he wore and a big official painting of him. Don't miss the upper levels that have some excellent war paintings or the Soviet style paintings as you enter the building. Free. (updated Jul 2016)

The Atameken map

• 25 Atameken Map of Kazakhstan  
• 26 Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (updated Oct 2019)

Bridges

The pedestrian bridge

• 27 Ramstore Bridge  
• 28 Pedestrian bridge (a bit north of the Ramstore bridge). Pedestrian only bridge with interesting architectonical features; it's covered with a mesh structure and has a curved form. There are nice views to the river and its banks from the bridge. 

Others

• 29 Lovers' park (Ғашықтар саябағы). Between Khan Shatyr and the KazMunayGas building with good views to both and also to the Bayterek tower. 
• 30 Presidential Park. The most interesting feature is the phoenix-shaped pond (its shape is only visible from above), where the phoenix is flying towards the Pyramid. 

Do

Football game at the Astana Arena

• 1 Ak Bulak sauna Complex, 8th kilometre on the Astana-Airport highway (Olympic stadiums), ☏ +7 7172 497698 (reception), +7-705-140-7221 (cell). 24 hr. A sauna complex with 3 private VIP double floor saunas (for a party of 6, 9 and 12 people). Each sauna is decorated in a different geographic style and has its own swimming pool, Finnish and Russian steam rooms (banya), jacuzzi, hamam, entertainment hall with a banquet table, billiard, karaoke, TV with cable channels and 2 private relax rooms. The Complex has its own parking lot and conveniently located on the main Astana–Airport highway (not far from Olympic stadiums). Ak Bulak sauna Complex is an excellent way to enjoy cold and windy Astana and feel the bathing tradition of Kazakhs. Food and beverages are provided at the Complex. Different types of massage can be ordered at the reception. from US$20-60/hour. 
• 2 Duman. An entertainment complex consisting of an oceanarium, 3D theatre, dome area, souvenir shops and cafes. The aquarium is unique for being located over 3,000 km away from the ocean! It has more than 2000 sea inhabitants, the representatives of 100 species of sea fauna from different parts of the world. You can also see "Mermaid" and sharks-feeding shows at the aquarium. In the Motion Theatre you can make an underwater trip under the command of captain Mac-Cloud during the World War II, to overcome the traps while rescuing the gorgeous princess, confined in the dungeon, go on a tour to the past to dinosaur age, escorted by a troll etc. 
• 3 Astana Arena  
• 4 Stadio Kazhymukan Munaitpasov  
• 5 Barys Arena  
• 6 Saryarka Velodrome  
• 7 Alau ice palace  
• 8 Palasport "Kazakhstan"  

Performances

• 9 Astana Opera  

  

  A concert in the concert hall

• 10 Kazakstan Ortalyk concert hall  
• 11 Kinopark 8, Saryarqa, Turan Ave 24, ☏ +7 7172 79 09 99. A movie theater with many auditoriums. On Tuesday night there's a screening in English. 
• 12 Astana Circus, Qabanbay Batyr Ave 5, ☏ +7 7172 24 40 60. Lun-Dom 9:00-18:00. Looking like a spaceship, this building is the home to the city's circus. 

Events

Astana has a range of venues, used for different international events from sports to conventions.

• The festival of the capital  

Buy

There are cash machines in shopping centres, on the street and in most hotels. Most accept Visa and some people have had trouble with MasterCard. Most banks convert dollars, euros and roubles. Pounds are much harder to get rid of.

Souvenir shopping

• 1 Talisman, 7 Republic Avenue and a larger shop on 18/2 Syganak Street. Daily 10:00-20:00. A great little souvenir shop boasting over 3,500,000 different types of gifts, including T-shirts, felt products, leather paintings, contemporary art, traditional musical instruments, desk sets and jewellery and stuffed leopards. A bit expensive and the staff watch you very carefully to make sure you don't shoplift, but there is a good variety of goods. (updated Jul 2016)

General shopping

New Western-style shopping malls have sprung up with all the variety of shopping you would expect from a mall in the West.

Khan Shatyr

• 2 Khan Shatyr  
• 3 Saryarka (ТЦ СарыАрка), Turan Street, ☏ +7 7172 51 56 06. M-S 10:00-22:00. Cinema. Supermarket. 
• 4 Keruen Mall Astana (ТРЦ Keruen) (on the left river bank close to the Bayterek tower). Supermarket, cinema, Babylon (video-arcade/indoor rides for children). Food court. 
• 5 Mega Silk Way (Мега Центр "Mega Silk Way Astana"), Turan Street, ☏ +7 7172 73 50 95. M-S 10:00-22:00. Cinema. Ramstor supermarket. Climbing wall. Food court. 
• 6 Ramstore - Mega, Mega, 1st fl., Qorghalzhyn Hwy 1, ☏ +7 7172 79 14 85. M-S 10:00-22:00. Another chain of supermarkets that is popular among Westerners. They sell lots of things you can't find elsewhere such as macaroni and cheese, microwave popcorn, Worcestershire Sauce, barbeque sauces, tortilla chips, salsa and so on. 
• 7 Asia Park Mall (ТРЦ Азия Парк), Qabanbay Batyr Ave 21 (next to the central mosque), ☏ +7 7172 97 87 67. M-S 10:00-22:00. Has a nice skybar with a pretty good view. Includes an Alma supermarket with good bakery, dairy, tinned food and frozen food. Fruit and vegetables don't look so good (in late 2011). Some basic homeware is also on sale. There is a Finn Mark shop for winter clothes. There is also a Fitness First gym. 
• 8 Td Artem (Тд АРТЕМ), ☏ +7 708 351 0272. M-S 00-24. This is half way between a bazaar (as some people call it) and an old fashioned shopping mall. The ground floor is open and feels like a market - it has lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and dried fruit and nuts, all for sale in market stalls; plus mobile phone shops at one end. There are also areas that sell meat and fish. The many upper floors contain mostly clothes shops - a bit more reasonably priced than Mega, Khan Shatyr etc., plus toiletries, furniture, and more. 
• 9 Eurasia shopping mall (Евразия Центр «Дархан»), Petrov St 24, ☏ +7 7172 34 40 64. M-S 10:00-21:00. One of the first shopping centres in Astana. Has everything for a little bit lower prices. 

• Shanghai. These are big supermarkets that are more like bazaar mostly for the groceries but they also have clothes.

With China relatively close, you can find many electronic gadgets in the shops, just remember that returns policies are not as customer-friendly as in the West. Also some of the latest gadgets such as iPhones and iPods are more expensive here than in Western countries.

Eat

Local specialties

Beshbarmak

• Beshbarmak - a horse meat and pasta dish. Most restaurants that serve it will present a portion enough for two or three people.
• Boursaky - bread best served piping hot, resembles an unsweetened doughnut.
• Shashliq - these kebabs are often cheap, and the one thing you're sure to recognise on the menu.

General

• In addition to the places listed in Eat, many hotels also have restaurants (see the Sleep section below)
• Along Turan street (formerly Sara Arka), there's a strip of restaurants that are a little more expensive but good. They also have private rooms for parties, saunas, and even hotel rooms.

Budget

• 1 Cafe Shymkent, General Sabyr Raqymov (Block north of Artyom Shopping Centre). Daily 08:00-00:00. Cheap and cheerful place. (updated Oct 2019)
• 2 Melnitsa (Windmill), Turan 31 (near Khan Shatyr). Daily 12:00-00:00. Ukrainian restaurant with large dining areas. Lots of traditional dishes like potato pancakes and of course Chicken Kyiv. Live music in the evenings. Fresh bread oven. Great décor, like a farmer's hut. Mains 500-3,000 tenge. (updated Oct 2019)
• 3 Rafe, 5 Zhengis Ave (block north of river). M-F 08:00-00:00, Sa Su 10:00-00:00. A modern coffee bar offering Italian food with a twist. Be sure to check out the horse pizza. A few other cafés around town. 3000 tenge. (updated Oct 2019)

Mid-range

• 4 Line Brew, Kenesary 20, ☏ +7 701 155 1322. Daily 12:00-02:00. Popular with expats and locals alike, Line Brew features its own brew of beer, with an impressive menu that includes several delicious steaks, including one made of horse meat. (updated Oct 2019)
• 5 Ali Babas, 3 Bukeikhan St (north of the river). May-Sept daily 12:00-00:30. Popular summer restaurant. The waitresses and waiters dress in traditional dress and the menu offers a selection of central Asian cuisine. Prices are in line with Europe or America but the food is good. Fake bird cages hang from the roof which tweet electronically. Camel and horse milk are on offer alongside Leffe beer. 3000 tenge. (updated Oct 2019)
• 6 Turfan, Azerbaijan Mambetov 10 (was Alikhan Bokeikhan St), ☏ +7 717 239 0850. Daily 11:00-23:00. Popular cafe with Turkish and other Central Asian food. Limited English, just point to the menu pictures. Alcohol served except in Ramadan. (updated Oct 2019)
• 7 Sunduk, Sauran Street 14/2. M-S 12:00-01:00. Central Asian cuisine. 
• 8 Saksaul, Northern Lights, Dostyq St 5, ☏ +7 7172 47 59 59. M-S 09:00-02:00. Restaurant with Kazakh cuisine and menu also in English. Good choice, although the staff doesn't seem professional all the time. 

Splurge

• 9 Sattj, 32 Kabanbay Batyr, ☏ +7 7172 24 28 48, [email protected]. Daily 12:00-02:00. Serves mainly Kazakh food, with some European. (updated Oct 2019)

Drink

The Presidential Park

• Kumis - different varieties are available of this mare's milk, some are a little salty. Slightly fermented. Can contain alcohol.
• Shubat - local variety of fermented camel milk. Contains some alcohol.
• Vodka - supermarkets stock a huge variety, ranging from US$2 bottles that will strip your throat to US$115 bottles that are more for giving as a present or showing off your wealth. Shots tend to be drunk, rather than utilising mixers - don't feel obliged to down each and every one if at a celebration.
• Cognac - what we would refer to as brandy, again a wide range in the shops and restaurants. Same rules apply regarding shots - with all the toasts made at parties and other gatherings, you may want to pace yourself.

There are more than 10 discos (night clubs) that are frequently referenced by locals: Chocolate , A8, Fusion, Ice, etc. Chocolate is in the same building as the SAS Radisson hotel, but may only be open on selected days (weekends). "Ice" (centrally located - ask locals for the address) has a nice atmosphere and is on two floors with a large dance area. Prices are towards the high end, no entrance fee on Thursday night.

• 1 A8, Mukhtar Auezov Street 8. 
• 2 Fusion night club, Bayimbet Maylin St 4, ☏ +7 7172 22 27 77. F-Sa 23:00-05:00. 

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Hostel Nomad 4x4, Nurtas Ongdasynov Street 52A, ☏ +7 708 865 1940. Neat dorms, gender separated. Mix of locals and foreigners from all over the world. Kitchen and fridge available for guests, as well as sale of drinks. Walking distance from Bayterek tower and the Circus. dorm 2000 tenge, double/twin 6000 tenge. (updated Oct 2019)

• 2 Ibis Astana Hotel, Tauelsizdik Ave 38, corner with Bauryzhan Momyshuly, ☏ +7 717 270 8200. US$35. 

Mid-range

• 3 Absolute Hotel, Beibitshilik Street 1 (by corner of Moscow St, 2 km from Astana-1 railway station), ☏ +7 717 231 4742. Good mid-range business hotel. B&B double US$43. (updated Oct 2019)
• 4 Hotel Altyn Dala (Алтын Дала), Bigeldinov str. 6, ☏ +7 7172 32 33 11. 
• 5 Uyutnaya (Гостиница Уютная), Seifullin street, 52/2, ☏ +7 7172 346 310, fax: +7 7172 324199. 
• 6 Akku, Ryskulov St., 22, ☏ +7 7172 324199. 
• 7 Astana comfort hotel, Chubary village, Kosmonavtov street, 60, ☏ +7 7172 22 10 21, +7 7172 22 10 22. Four star hotel. 
• 8 Business Hotel, Imanov street, 18/9, ☏ +7 7172 222 280, +7 7172 223 335. Four star hotel. 

Splurge

• 9 Hotel Duman, Korgaldzinsko 2A (off Turan Ave), ☏ +7 7172 79 15 00. 18-story block with 213 rooms overlooking the park and river. Decent rooms with large firm beds and good bathrooms. The A/C struggles in summer. Ride the glass elevator to the 16th floor restaurant for the view not for the food. B&B double from US$44. (updated Oct 2019)
• 10 Rixos President Astana Hotel, Kunayeva 7, ☏ +7 7172 24 50 50. Plushest hotel in town: heated bathroom floors, step-in showers and jacuzzi tubs, LCD wide-screen television, and free Wi-Fi. The service is friendly and professional. There is a bar, a cafe, and two restaurants, conference facilities, spa and pool. Splendid breakfast with harpist. Security can be heavy when they have VIPs staying. B&B double from US$118. (updated Oct 2019)
• 11 Radisson Hotel Astana, Saryarka Avenue 4, ☏ +7 7172 670 777, [email protected]. 4-star just north of Ishim river with 180 rooms, clean & modern, with fitness center / sports club and spa. Rooms are modern with flat-screen TV and free internet. Wi-Fi in the rooms can be dodgy, but there is a cable alternative, and Wi-Fi works fine in the lobby/lounge. Hotel has a reliable Italian restaurant. Adjacent, Park Inn by Radisson seems to operate as a separate mid-range hotel. B&B double from US$78. (updated Oct 2019)

Stay safe

Astana doesn't have any major safety issues, for example you can drive late at night without problems. Bus drivers may shortchange you when buying tickets.

Connect

Museum of the First President of Kazakhstan

Mobile phone providers

There are three mobile phone providers: KCell, Tele2 and Beeline. All three offer mobile web (Edge, 3G). SIM cards are cheap and can be bought without filling in documentation.

Internet

Wi-Fi is available at some public places including shopping malls.

Cope

Embassies

• Canada, 13/1 Kabanbay Batyr, ☏ +7 7172 475 577, fax: +7 7172 475 587. 
• China, 37 Kabanbai Batyra Ave, ☏ +7 7172-793561, fax: +7 7172-793565. 
• Egypt, 24A Sarayshyk Street, Diplomatic Town, ☏ +7 7172-241830, fax: +7 7172-286050, [email protected]. 09:00-16:00. 
• Finland, Astana Tower 17th floor, 12 Samal Microdistrict, ☏ +7 7172-44 21 21, fax: +7 7172-44 21 16, [email protected]. 
• Germany, ul. Kosmonawtow 62, Chubary, ☏ +7 7172 791200, fax: +7 7172 791213, [email protected]. 
• Greece, 109 Micro District Karaotkel 2010000, ☏ +7 7172-563714, +7 701 188 7406 (Emergencies), fax: +7 7172-244776, [email protected]. M-F 09:00-12:00 & 13:00-17:00. 
• Netherlands, Kosmonavtov street 62, Renco building 3rd floor, Microdistrict Chubary, ☏ +7 7172 555450, fax: +7 7172 555474, [email protected]. M-F 09:00-13:00 & 13:30-17:30. 
• India, Kaskad Business Center, 5th Floor 6/1, Kabanbai Batyr Ave, ☏ +7 7172 925700, fax: +7 7172 925716, [email protected]. (updated Aug 2017)
• Israel, Mukhtar Auezov Street 8, ☏ +7 717 2688739, fax: +7 7172 688735, [email protected]. 
• Italy, via Kosmonavtov 62, ☏ +7 7172 243390, +7 705 294 52 69 (Emergency cellphone), fax: +7 7172 243686, [email protected]. Ambasciata d’Italia in Kazakhstan. Consular services: [email protected]; Visa services: [email protected]. 
• Romania, Str. Saraişâk (Saraishyk) 28, ☏ +7 7172 286 201, fax: +7 7172 286 203, [email protected]. (updated Dec 2021)
• United Kingdom, 62, Kosmonavtov St, ☏ +7 7172 556200, fax: +852 2901 3066. 
• United States of America, Ak Bulak 4, Str. 23-22, building #3, ☏ +7 7172 70-21-00, fax: +7 7172 54-09-14, [email protected]. 

Religion

Catholic church of Maria Santissima. Tashenov St - Services: Sunday 11:00 (Russian), 18:00 (English)

Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Saint Joseph. 1/2a Tauelsizdik Ave

Go next

Burabay National Park

• 1 Burabay National Park (200 km to the north, 3h by train). Made up of Lake Burabay surrounded by rock formations and forests. As it's a holiday resort, the few hotels in the park are often full. (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 Alzhir, Memorial Museum of Victims of Political Repressions and Totalitarianism (Alzhir, Мемориал АЛЖИР), Akmola region, Tselinograd district, a. Akmol, Linear, building 2B, ☏ +7 7172 49 94 55, [email protected]. Former Gulag camp for female family members of those condemned to Gulag. Located in Akmol (aka Malinovka) next to main highway. Inside memorial building has documentary exhibits. To reach Akmol take the Astana–Korgalzhyn bus (departing at 10:00, 11:50, 13:00, 14:30, 400 tenge) from central bus station Saparzhay, get off at Akmol. Entrance 500 tenge, audio guide 500 tenge.. 

• Almaty, depending on the train type 13-21 hours south by train