Endless steppe, futuristic cities and wild canyons
Open Kazakhstan in the interactive travelogue →A vivid turquoise glacial lake high in the mountains above the city.
Best time: Jun–Sep — Summer clears the mountain road to the high lake.
Things to do:
A cable-car ski resort and the world's highest ice rink above town.
Best time: Jun–Sep — Summer opens the alpine hiking and cable cars.
Things to do:
A city park around a colourful all-wooden Orthodox cathedral.
Best time: May–Oct — Mild months are best for the park and cathedral.
Things to do:
A bustling covered market of horse meat, dried fruit, spices and kumis.
Best time: Year-round — A covered market lively in any season.
Things to do:
Alpine canyon featuring waterfalls, pine forests, and hiking trails near Almaty.
Best time: Jun–Sep — Accessible mountain escape offering diverse alpine ecosystems and outdoor recreation options.
Things to do:
A tree-of-life tower with a golden orb viewpoint, symbol of the new capital.
Best time: May–Sep — Warm months avoid the steppe's ferocious winter cold.
Things to do:
A giant translucent tent-mall with an indoor beach, by Norman Foster.
Best time: Year-round — A vast indoor landmark ideal even in deep winter.
Things to do:
One of Central Asia's largest mosques, of white marble and blue domes.
Best time: May–Sep — Warmer months are best for the open mosque plaza.
Things to do:
A giant glass sphere museum of future energy from Expo 2017.
Best time: Year-round — An indoor museum comfortable in any weather.
Things to do:
Modern architectural complex showcasing Kazakhstan's future vision with interactive exhibitions.
Best time: May–Oct — Represents contemporary Kazakhstan's ambitions through innovative sustainable design architecture.
Things to do:
A dramatic gorge of red rock towers eroded into castle-like forms.
Best time: May–Sep — Warm months are best for the shadeless canyon floor.
Things to do:
A green ribbon of river and ash-tree grove at the base of the canyon.
Best time: May–Sep — Summer is best for hiking down to the river.
Things to do:
A chain of forest-ringed alpine lakes in the Tian Shan foothills.
Best time: Jun–Sep — Summer opens the high-lake roads and trails.
Things to do:
A surreal submerged forest of spruce trunks rising from a turquoise lake.
Best time: Jun–Sep — Summer gives the clearest access to the remote lake.
Things to do:
Vibrant red-hued sandstone cliffs creating striking geological formations along Charyn River.
Best time: May–Oct — Dramatic natural wonder showcasing Central Asia's distinctive geological diversity and colors.
Things to do:
15th-century UNESCO mausoleum with intricate tilework and Islamic architecture.
Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Nov — Masterpiece of Timurid architecture and pilgrimage destination
Things to do:
Historic Central Asian bazaar with silk traders, spice merchants, and craftspeople.
Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Nov — Continuous commercial activity spanning centuries on Silk Road
Things to do:
Exhibits showcasing paleolithic artifacts and medieval Islamic period discoveries.
Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Nov — Window into Turkestan's role as crossroads of civilizations
Things to do:
Partially preserved medieval fortification walls with reconstructed gates.
Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Nov — Defensive architecture of important caravan city
Things to do:
Restored area with mosques, madrasahs, and traditional Central Asian buildings.
Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Nov — Living museum of Islamic education and spiritual architecture
Things to do:
Comprehensive exhibition covering Kazakhstan's natural history, pre-Islamic artifacts, and Soviet-era heritage.
Best time: Year-round — Essential cultural overview of the region's complex history and geological significance.
Things to do:
Landscaped urban park with walking trails, gardens, and cultural venues reflecting modern city development.
Best time: April to October — Pleasant green space offering respite from desert landscape and modern city atmosphere.
Things to do:
Scenic canyon formation outside Aktobe with hiking trails and geological formations in steppe landscape.
Best time: April to October — Natural wonder showcasing Kazakhstan's diverse geology and steppe ecosystems.
Things to do:
18th-century Islamic mausoleum honoring a Sufi saint with intricate tilework and spiritual significance.
Best time: Year-round — Sacred site representing Islamic heritage and traditional burial architecture in the steppe.
Things to do:
Modern exhibition documenting the region's petroleum industry, technological innovations, and economic transformation.
Best time: Year-round — Understand Kazakhstan's modern economic development and the role of energy resources.
Things to do:
UNESCO-listed 15th-century mausoleum built by Timur with massive dome and intricate tile work honoring a Sufi saint.
Best time: April to May, September to October — Masterpiece of Timurid architecture and major pilgrimage site representing Islamic spiritual tradition.
Things to do:
Partially restored medieval fortification walls surrounding the ancient city center.
Best time: April to October — Archaeological remains showing Silk Road city defenses and trade route strategic importance.
Things to do:
Underground chamber honoring a 15th-century noble woman with carved stonework and spiritual significance.
Best time: Year-round — Unique subterranean architecture and important female figure in Islamic history.
Things to do:
Restored traditional marketplace with vendors selling ceramics, textiles, spices, and local crafts.
Best time: April to October — Living Silk Road tradition where merchants continue centuries-old trading practices.
Things to do:
Exhibition of traditional clothing, household items, and cultural artifacts from Kazakh steppe communities.
Best time: Year-round — Understanding steppe nomadic heritage and material culture before modern settlement.
Things to do:
It depends on where you go: every place has its own ideal season on this page. For example, Big Almaty Lake is best around Jun–Sep. Kazakhstan has 6 featured cities and areas to plan around.
Roughly 30% of people speak English. The main language is Kazakh.
The Kazakhstan passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 80 destinations.
This page lists real traveller costs for Kazakhstan — accommodation, food, transport, plus education, medical, insurance and connectivity — so you can budget before you go.
Big Almaty Lake, Shymbulak & Medeu, Panfilov Park & Zenkov Cathedral, Green Bazaar, Assy Gorge, Bayterek Tower — each with the best time to visit, why it is worth it, and specific things to do.