Your Last BordersBEST PLACES TO VISIT IN KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan is a huge transcontinental country located between Eastern Europe and Central Asia, by the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan is the largest muslim country by land area, and overall the world’s ninth-largest country. Therefore, its natural diversity and stunning landscapes should come as no surprise. In this list of the best places to visit in Kazakhstan you’ll find everything you need to prepare a trip of a lifetime to this wonderful country.
Every must-visit city, mind-blowing lake, stunning canyon, and captivating desert has its place on the below Kazakhstan travel guide. Keep it handy when planning your visit. And ensure to also check out my Instagram and Tiktok pages where you’ll find daily stories of my trips and tips to inspire yours.
Best cities to visit in Kazakhstan
1. Almaty, Kazakhstan nicest and largest city
Almaty is the largest, nicest, and most interesting city to explore in Kazakhstan. Once the country’s capital, it still remains its economic and cultural hub. Consequently, there’s plenty of great things to do in Almaty and many amazing day trips from Almaty to explore Kazakhstan. Additionally, Almaty’s airport is a great point of entry to visit neighbouring country Kyrgyzstan and spend some time in Bishkek.
Among the best things to do in Almaty, visiting the Ascension Church, the Central Mosque, and the Green Bazaar are absolute musts. It’s also great to walk around downtown and its parks, attend a show at the opera, and take a Russian bath. If you love arts and history, you’ll find plenty of great museums to visit in Almaty as well. And no shortage of tasty restaurants, of both local and international cuisine.
2. Astana, Kazakhstan’s futuristic capital
Astana is, since 1997, the capital city of Kazakhstan and thus one of the cities to visit in the country. This ever-changing city home of several skyscrapers and futuristic-looking buildings might well be the most modern city in all of Central Asia.
Astana changes every year as enormous landmark buildings, each more impressive than the last, are constantly appearing on its streets. Therefore, you’ll find plenty of interesting places to visit in Astana.
These include religious buildings such as the Assumption Russian Orthodox Cathedral, and the Nur-Astana and Hazrat Sultan mosques. Along with the Independence Square, Kazakh Monument, Bayterek Tower, and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
Best places to visit in Kazakhstan for nature lovers
3. Famous Big Almaty Lake
Big Almaty Lake is the country’s most famous lake and thus one of the best places to visit in Kazakhstan. Its deep azure waters always shining under the sun and tall green trees are mesmerising.
However, swimming her tis forbidden and severe fines apply to those trying to get too close to the shore. As the lake is a natural reserve providing drinking water to Almaty, the government makes every effort to protect its quality.
Nevertheless, this beautiful lake is a top Kazakhstan sightseeing spot and makes a great spot for a picnic and sunbathing. Big Almaty Lake is also one of the best spots for hiking in Kazakhstan. It’s located 2,500 meters above sea level and surrounded by the Big Almaty Peak and many beautiful easy-accessible hills.
Big Almaty Lake is only 30km away from the city, which makes it one of the most accessible natural wonders to visit in Kazakhstan. Plus there’s many guided day trips from Almaty that will take you there.
4. Stunning Kolsai Lakes
Kazakhstan’s Kolsai Lakes are a system of three stunning mountain lakes 300 km East of Almaty, at the Tien Shan Mountains. It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty, with clear waters, snowy peaks, and mountain pastures. Many go horseback riding in the area. And spend a night or two camping around the lakes or in a guesthouse in Saty, the closest village.
The three lakes lay at very different altitudes and are connected via a nice yet strenuous hiking trail. That’s because lake Kolsai 1 is 1,000 meters above sea level, Kolsai 2 is at 2,500 and Kolsai 3 at 2,700.
The lakes are one of the best places to visit in Kazakhstan, no wonder they are called the Pearls of Tian Shan. Consequently, there’s lots of day trips to Kolsai Lakes from Almaty, check them out.
5. Special Lake Kaindy
Lake Kaindy is close to Saty village, 36 km away from Kolsai Lakes. Thus, visiting Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy in one day perhaps with a tour is the perfect way of mastering your trip to the stunning Tien Shan Mountains.
However, if you were looking at what to do in Kazakhstan shortly a century ago this lake wouldn’t make it on the list. That’s because the lake is geographically super new. It appeared in 1911 following a strong earthquake. During the earthquake the forest was literally submerged under water and lots of tree trucks still remain there, frozen under Kaindy’s cold waters.
The mountain lake is 2,000 metres above sea level and its waters rarely get above 5C. The lake’s water is so clear, wandering around its shore and admiring the frozen underwater trees is one of the best things to do in Kazakhstan. One can also walk around the lake’s 400 meters, go horseback riding, try to fish some trout and admire the bird life.
6. Charyn Canyon
Charyn Canyon is the world’s second largest canyon, only behind the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It stretches over 150 kilometres along Charyn River, in Northern Tien Shan mountains, and is definitely one of the best places to visit in Kazakhstan.
Wind, water, and sand have shapped Charyn’s Canyon for over 12 million years, creating five differentiated areas. For their colours and shapes, these are: Valley of Castles, Temirlik Canyon, Red Canyon, Yellow Canyon, and Bestamak Canyon.
The Valley of Castles is the most impressive and the first you’ll come across. Here the cliffs reach a depth of up to 33 meters and resemble magical figures. Bring comfortable clothes and plenty of sunblock and water, as the sunshine gets very intense in the area.
Charyn Canyon is located 4 hours away from Almaty. If you’d like to extend your time in the area, it’s possible to camp at the canyon and there’s toilet facilities available. There’s also day trips to Charyn Canyon from Almaty.
7. Singing Dunes in Atlyn Emel National Park
The Singing Dunes are huge sand dunes of over 150m high and 1.5k long within Altyn Emel National Park. What makes the dune one of the best places to visit in Kazakhstan is the organ-like sound that comes from the same when the wind skims across the warm sand. Which gets stronger if heard from the top of the sand dune.
There are various legends trying to explain this curious sound, all of them including demons and natural superforces. To this day, no scientific explanation has been provided, so why not trying to figure it out yourself?
Climbing the dune on foot is tough, yet it won’t take more than 15 minutes. Make sure to bring water with you and consider climbing barefoot. Running down the dune after enjoying the views is also a lot great fun. You can see my experience on my Instagram and Tiktok pages.
There’s an entrance fee of $3 to the national park area, and only 4×4 vehicles should drive within the park. We had to flat tyres within an hour long drive, so I’d recommended taking this advice quite literally.
8. Shimbulak Ski Resort
Kazakhstan is a winter wonderland country, packed with great winter sports facilities usually functioning from November until May. Among them, one of the best places to visit in Kazakhstan is Shimbulak ski report. It’s famous for hosting the 2011 Winter Asian Games and having bid (although unsuccessfully) for the 2014 and 2022 Winter Olympics.
The Shimbulak ski resort lays between 2,200 and 3,300 meters above sea level and is located only 25 kilometers South of Almaty. A day pass costs around $14. Here you’ll find over 20km of pisted ski runs, several restaurants and great hotels.
If you’d like to go skiing in Kazakhstan, check out these tours to Shymbulak.
Best places to visit in Kazakhstan for history lovers
9. Baikonur Cosmodrome, the Russian NASA
Baikonur Cosmodrome is the Russian equivalent, and lifelong competitor, to the United State’s NASA. Located in the city of Baikonur, it’s the largest space launch facility in the entire world. And as such was the hosting spot of many human-made historical events and should be a must visit for those interested in cosmos and the space race.
It was the departure point of famous dog Laika, the first mammal to travel to space. And of Yuri Gagarin, the first man who traveled to space. Sputnik rockets were all launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome and all Russian launches are still done here.
That is because, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia reached a monetary agreement with Kazakhstan to keep Baikonur under their control. Consequently, in the city of Baikonus you’ll see more Russian than Kazakh cars and most payments are still made in Rubles.
Nowadays it’s possible to visit the Cosmodrome and take a guided tour around the facility. There’s also a museum hosting interesting old rocket models and it is even possible to attend launches aiming for the International Space Station.
However, obtaining the required permit to visit the are is expensive and involves tons of bureaucracy, so if you are short on time (and/or money) and are aware of a launch, drive up to the area and look at the sky from your car.
10. Abandoned Seaport of Aralsk
The remains of the Aral Sea are one of the best things to see in Uzbekistan, and everywhere the world’s fourth biggest lake used to be. Thus, one of the Kazakhstan attractions to include in your trip is the abandoned seaport of Aralsk city. The Aral Sea, which is indeed a huge salty lake, was the world’s fourth-largest body of freshwater and is now a desert.
What happened to its waters? Well, in the mid 20th century Russians decided it would be great for the Soviet Union to be the world’ largest cotton export. So they diverted the Aral Sea into human-made rivers to irrigate the large deserted steppe of Central Asia and turned it into cotton plantations.
Within a few years, the size of the Aral Sea started to shrink and dry up, to the point nowadays only 10% of the Sea remains covered by water. It’s one of the greatest ecological disasters in history, and one of the few that converted fishermen towns and vibrant ports into deserts. Aralsk is one of them.
Once a flourishing seaport, Aralsk is now a small town in the middle of nowhere. It’s dry, dusty and almost abandoned. A living reminder of a plan that went wrong. One gets heartbroken looking at the old ship skeletons surrounded by sand and no with sea in the horizon. Certainly an unusual one among Kazakhstan tourist spots.
11. Silk Road City of Turkestan
Turkestan is a southern Kazakh city located in the historical Turkestan region, once a major commercial centre of the Silk Road. Consequently, there’s several remains of its golden times that are interesting Kazakhstan tourist attractions.
It’s main highlight is the beautiful Mausoleum Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. He introduced the Islam religion in Central Asia and is buried in the mausoleum. Along the mausoleum there’s some other ruins from the ancient city and a small bazaar.
The place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important pilgrimage spot among muslims. According to regional tradition three pilgrimages to Turkestan are equivalent to one to Mecca.
12. Sacred Sanctuary of Tamgaly-Tas
Tamagly-Tas is a sacred open-air Buddhist sanctuary. It’s 150 kilometers west of Almaty. Several religious rituals are held here and people come to refill themselves with energy, meditate, and pray.
Tamagry-Tas means “written rocks”. The name comes from the many rocks and boulders that have for long been carved and painted in the area. These tend to contain images of Buddha, Tibetan scriptures and bodhisattvas. Make sure to visit Tamgaly-Tas if you are into Buddhism and ancient rituals.
13. The Petroglyphs of Tamgaly
Tamgaly Petroglyphs shouldn’t be confused with the above Tamgaly-Tas Sanctuary, as both host very different remains and are far from each other.
The ancient Tamgaly Petroglyphs are stone craving and paints dating back to the Bronze Age. There’s over 5,000 of them, most depicting ancient traditions and hunting scenes. These include a large variety of animals, wildlife, and human figures.
They are located along a gorge, which makes the place even more mystical and spiritual. If you love history, nature and/or geography, make sure to include the site among your things to do in Kazakhstan.
Recap on the best places to visit in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a huge Central Asian country. Here one can swim at the Caspian Sea, explore vast deserts, hike mountains, visit ancient sights, and wander lively cities.
Natural highlights of Kazakhstan include Big Almaty Lake, Lake Kolsai, and Lake Kaindy. Along with Charyn Canyon and the Singing Dunes. In terms of cities, Astana and Almaty are the nicest.
Take a look at my Instagram and Tiktok pages for additional information on the country. And feel free to reach out with any questions. Enjoy your trip to Kazakhstan and consider also visiting beautiful Kyrgyzstan when in the area.
