Where to stay in Astana — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan — a city conjured out of the open steppe in under 30 years, now one of the most futuristic capitals on Earth. Its signature views are the golden Bayterek Tower, the world's largest tent Khan Shatyr, Norman Foster's glass pyramid, and the giant Nur-Alem sphere — all lined up along Nurzhol Boulevard on the Left Bank, beside the Ishim River. Astana is also famously the second-coldest capital in the world after Ulaanbaatar, with deep-freeze winters but bright, walkable summers. Here's our pick of the best neighborhoods to stay, plus what to see and eat.
Why stay in Astana
World-class architecture
A purpose-built capital shaped by Norman Foster and Kisho Kurokawa — spend a full day walking the landmark-packed Nurzhol Boulevard.
Great value
Hotels, meals and admissions cost a fraction of European capitals — your travel budget stretches a long way here.
Visa-free for many
Kazakhstan is visa-free for dozens of nationalities (incl. Thai passports up to 30 days) — easy to add to a Central Asia trip.
Authentic Kazakh food
Try beshbarmak, horse-meat kazy and milk tea — bold nomadic flavors you won't find easily back home.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Astana
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Left Bank (Yesil District)The new, futuristic core — walking distance to Bayterek, Khan Shatyr and the government quarter. Most international chain hotels cluster here, ideal for sightseeing.
Coming soonRight Bank (Old City Center)The lively original side with restaurants, cafes, markets and malls. Cheaper rooms and a more local, lived-in feel.
Coming soonAround Khan Shatyr & Mega Silk WayShopping and entertainment zone near the big Khan Shatyr and Mega Silk Way malls — convenient for families and shoppers.
Coming soonAirport / SaryarkaNear the international airport and LRT line — handy for late or early flights and business travelers on tight schedules.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Astana
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
Find the right Astana hotel for you
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing one or two
Local dishes to try in Astana
- 1🍖
Beshbarmak
Kazakhstan's national dish — boiled horse or lamb over wide flat noodles with onion sauce, eaten by hand. The name means 'five fingers'.
📍 National dish - 2🐎
Kazy
Homemade horse-meat sausage made to old family recipes, sliced into rounds and served over beshbarmak at celebrations.
📍 Horse sausage - 3🥟
Manty
Big steamed dumplings stuffed with lamb and onion, served with sour cream — a Central Asian comfort food, perfect on a cold day.
📍 Steamed dumplings - 4🍩
Baursak
Puffy fried dough offered to guests as a symbol of hospitality — great with milk tea or a drizzle of honey.
📍 Fried dough - 5🥤
Shubat & Kumis
Fermented camel milk (shubat) and mare's milk (kumis) — tangy traditional nomad drinks worth trying once for the full experience.
📍 Local drinks - 6🍵
Milk tea
Kazakhs drink milk tea all day, served in small bowls with sweets — the heart of hospitality in every home.
📍 Tea culture
- 1🗼
Bayterek Tower
The city's 97m symbol — a golden orb on a lattice 'Tree of Life'. Ride up for 360° views over the boulevard; tickets around 700 KZT.
📍 Landmark - 2⛺
Khan Shatyr
The world's tallest tent structure, designed by Norman Foster. Inside is a full shopping mall topped by a warm-sand indoor beach club.
📍 Mall/Landmark - 3🕌
Hazret Sultan Mosque
The largest mosque in Central Asia, with dazzling white-and-blue domes. Free to visit for tourists (dress modestly).
📍 Religious site - 4🔺
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
Norman Foster's glass pyramid, built for the Congress of World Religious Leaders — a symbol of inter-faith harmony.
📍 Architecture - 5🟢
Nur-Alem (EXPO Sphere)
The 80m glass sphere left from EXPO 2017, now the Museum of Future Energy — climb to the top deck for skyline views.
📍 Museum - 6🏛️
National Museum of Kazakhstan
The biggest museum in Central Asia — Scythian gold, nomadic culture and the story of how this capital was built.
📍 Museum - 7🐠
Ailand Oceanarium
A Guinness-listed aquarium — the farthest from any ocean on Earth (over 3,000 km). Sharks, piranhas and a glass tunnel.
📍 Family - 8🎭
Astana Opera
Central Asia's largest opera house, grand and classical — catch opera or ballet at very affordable prices.
📍 Arts
Things to do in Astana
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Astana — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Astana hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.2LuxuryThe Ritz-Carlton, Astana
#1 5-star · floors 25-34, 360-degree views
★ 9.1LuxuryThe St. Regis Astana
#2 5-star · Riverfront with a butler in every room
★ 8.9LuxuryAstana Marriott Hotel
#3 5-star Marriott · 500 m from Bayterek
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในAstana
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Hilton Astana
#4 Hilton chain · Executive Lounge near Khan Shatyr
Park Inn by Radisson Astana
#7 international-chain value · full fitness room
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Astana dates
🚆 Getting around Astana
Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport (NQZ)
The international airport sits south of the city, about 30-40 minutes by car from the center, with direct flights across Asia and the Middle East.
LRT light metro (opened 2026)
The first Astana Light Metro line opened on 16 May 2026, linking the airport to the city; trains run every 5-10 min, 06:00-23:00.
Buses + Onay card
An extensive bus network covers the city; fares are around 100-150 KZT, paid with an Onay card you can top up at Kassa24/Qiwi kiosks.
Yandex Go / inDrive taxis
Use the Yandex Go or inDrive apps for fixed, fair prices over street cabs — airport to center runs roughly 2,000-5,000 KZT.
Cash + cards
The currency is the tenge (KZT). Cards work at larger venues, but carry cash for markets, buses and small cafes.
Where to go next near Astana
AlmatyWhere to stay, what to see, and what to eat in Almaty — Kazakhstan's mountain-fringed cultural capital, from ski slopes to cable cars and cafes.
See this city's guide →
ShymkentKazakhstan's southern hub — old bazaars, green parks, and the gateway to ancient Silk Road Turkestan
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Astana
Do I need a visa for Astana?+
Many nationalities — including Thai, EU, UK, US and others — are visa-free in Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Check your passport's rules, but most travelers just need a valid passport and return ticket.
When is the best time to visit Astana?+
May to September is best — warm, sunny and comfortable for walking. Winter (Nov-Mar) is bitterly cold, often tens of degrees below zero, so pack serious cold-weather gear.
Which area should I stay in?+
For walking to the landmarks, stay on the Left Bank (Yesil) near Bayterek and Khan Shatyr. For better value and a local feel, choose the Right Bank (old city center), where rooms are cheaper.
Ready to book your Astana stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking