When we think of Nur-Sultan, our mind conjures an image of the slim body of Baiterek, the solid blue dome of Ak Orda, and maybe even the enigmatic pyramid of the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. You may have been conditioned to think that is all that the city has to offer – but we would like to show you more meditative and less showpiece-y locations that grace the cityscape.

The pricing of the tickets is valid as of August 22, 2022.

Museum of Saken Seifullin

Let’s start with the museum dedicated to Saken Seifullin, a renowned Kazakh poet and political activist. The building – a rare exemplar of wooden architecture in the capital city – is located in the historical ‘Old City’ on Auezov Street 20 (78). The exhibitions display around seven thousand items that tell the history of Kazakhstan at the turn of the 20th century.

The museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day of the week except on Mondays. The entry fee is around ₸300.

Respublika Avenue

From there, you can walk along the Respublika Avenue to get to the Astana Concert Hall. Take a venture around the promenade, where pedestrians can admire the blending of Tselinograd’s old soviet-style buildings with modern 21st century designs. Plus, you will find that every nook and cranny is chock-full of cafes for you to stop by.

At the end of the street, you will arrive at Atatürk Park, where you can rest while enjoying the view of the Ishim River.

Astana Concert Hall

You can find the Astana Concert Hall on Kenesary Street 32. Whether you like to listen to traditional Kazakh kuis or European classical music, this is the place for you.

The hall is open all week from 10 AM to 7 PM. The prices for the tickets vary, but usually stay within the range of ₸1000-3000.

If you are looking for more relaxing spots, you have two choices: the ‘Pyramid’ on the right side or the Zhetisu Park on the left side of the Ishim River.

Presidential Park

To change things up, we recommend you to take a detour around the pyramid and stroll around the hilly landscape of the Presidential Park. The panoramic view is not the usual bright and pristine architectural configuration – but a slightly mistier, more romantic image of the city.

You can find the Palace of Peace on Tauelsizdik Avenue 57.

Zhetisu Park

Zhetisu Park on Sarayshyq Street 13 has a different feel, with a much quainter ambience compared to the Presidential Park. Here you can find distinctive Korean-style buildings that compliments the surrounding nature.

Astana Opera

One place you certainly cannot miss in the city is the Nurzhol Boulevard. Almost an antithesis to the Respublika Avenue, the pathway embodies the stylishly futuristic flavor of the city with bluish-greenish skyscrapers towering over you wherever you turn.

Passing through Nurzhol Boulevard, head to the Astana Opera to experience the finer delights of opera and ballet, musical concerts, and other events. Located on Qonayev Street 1, this Parthenon-styled edifice is one of the cultural centers of the city, staging both classical and original works. The opera’s troupe has gone on multiple tours to showcase their talent across the world.

Astana Opera is open all week except on Mondays, though event schedule is updated regularly. The pricing varies from ₸1000 to ₸7000.

Nur-Alem Pavilion

Just like its street address ‘3CQ7+86G’ (Mangilik El Avenue, B1) suggests, the futuristic “disco ball” that is the Nur-Alem Pavilion – reverently called The Sphere - Museum of The Future – is more than just a monument of EXPO2017. The museum exhibition is all about the energy of the future. You can learn everything there is to know about renewable, green, and solar-powered energy sources, as well as see a model of the city proposed for 2050.

‘Nur-Alem’ is open on weekdays from 10 AM to 8 PM and on weekends from 10 AM to 9 PM. The usual ticket price is ₸1500.