Hotels in Astana

Astana: A Planned Capital on the Eurasian Steppe

Astana became Kazakhstan's capital in 1997 when the government relocated the seat of power from Almaty, roughly 1,000 km to the south. The city sits on the Ishim River at an elevation of 347 m, where winter temperatures regularly drop below −30 °C. That climatic severity shaped the built environment: architects Kisho Kurokawa and Norman Foster both left signatures here, including the glass tent of Khan Shatyr (completed 2010) and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation pyramid. The left bank of the Ishim, developed after 1997, reads like an open-air exhibition of 21st-century urban planning, contrasting with the older Soviet-era grid on the right bank.

Where to Stay in Astana

Most hotels concentrate along Nurzhol Boulevard, the 2 km pedestrian spine linking Baiterek Tower to the Ak Orda presidential palace. Business travelers dominate midweek demand, drawn by the Aifc (Astana International Financial Centre), which operates under English common law. Leisure visitors arrive in greater numbers for the Astana International Film Festival (June) and Nauryz celebrations in March. The Mega Silk Way shopping complex near the arena district offers convenient access for guests staying on the left bank.

Practical Tips

• Climate: Pack insulated outerwear from October through April; even May evenings turn cold.
• Transit: Astana's single metro line opened in 2011 and connects the railway station to the left-bank government district.
• Entry: Citizens of over 50 countries qualify for visa-free entry for up to 30 days under current Kazakh policy.
• Currency: The Kazakhstani tenge (KZT) is used; ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard are available along Nurzhol Boulevard.