Astana Walking Route: Nur-Sultan Arrival to Expo 2017
An 18.7 km route through Astana (Nur Sultan), Kazakhstan's capital city, covering key landmarks and viewpoints. The journey showcases the city's modern architecture and urban layout from various vantage points across the flat terrain.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Nur-Sultan Arrival
- End
- Expo 2017 Complex
- Stops
- 5
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Nur-Sultan Arrival — Kazakhstan's modern capital city, redesigned in the 1990s as a futuristic hub featuring contemporary architecture and wide boulevards.
- Almaty Return — Former capital nestled against the Tian Shan mountains, preserving Kazakhstan's Soviet heritage and cultural history.
- Green Market
- Hazrat Sultan Mosque — One of Central Asia's largest mosques, showcasing Islamic architecture with its distinctive turquoise dome and intricate tilework.
- Expo 2017 Complex — Architectural landmark in Nur-Sultan featuring a giant glass sphere (Nur Alem), hosting an international expo in 2017 with various themed pavilions.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Domestic flights connect Almaty and Nur-Sultan (Astana). Budget time for the flight journey between these two major cities.
- Tip
- Charyn Canyon (Grand Canyon of Central Asia) has an eco-park with yurts and bungalows available for overnight stays in the middle of the canyon.
- Tip
- Jeep tours available at Charyn Canyon to skip the 40-minute walk and cruise through the canyon.
- Food
- Green Market in Almaty has a cafe on top level offering free cookies and locally brewed coffee. Market is divided into sections: dried spices, fresh vegetables, and meat.
- Tip
- Kok-Tobe Hill in Almaty has a gondola ride. The hill overlooks the entire flat city and mountains; buildings are kept low due to earthquake risk in the area.
- Tip
- Zenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral) in Almaty is a yellow Russian Orthodox Church recently renovated. Built by an architect who studied in St. Petersburg.
- Tip
- Hazrat Sultan Mosque in Nur-Sultan was built in 2012 and features four minarets, marble, and unique gold finishing. Visitors must cover up before entering.
- Tip
- Expo 2017 Complex (Nur Alem) in Nur-Sultan is a giant glass ball structure with a Science Museum inside. Built for the 2017 expo.
- Tip
- Bayterek Tower in Nur-Sultan offers panoramic views of the city from the top. Popular spot for watching sunset and seeing major landmarks.
- Tip
- In Kazakhstan, people speak Russian or Kazakh. Russian is more common in cities; Kazakh or Russian in countryside areas.
- Food
- Almaty means 'father of apples' in the local language. Traditional Kazakh dishes include aroma (layered vegetable pasta dish similar to lasagna).
Video on this route
48 Hours in Kazakhstan's Capital City | Nur Sultan (Astana) Vlog