Here are 10 popular tourist destinations in Kazakhstan, along with 5 pros and cons for each location:
- Almaty: Pros:
- Located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, providing beautiful natural surroundings and opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing
- Large, modern city with a diverse culture and a variety of restaurants and entertainment options
- Home to many historical and cultural landmarks, including the Central State Museum and the Medeo skating rink
- Cons:
- Can be quite crowded and busy, especially in the summer months
- Pollution and traffic can be issues in the city
- Some areas may not be as safe as others, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings
- Astana: Pros:
- Modern, futuristic city with a variety of architectural landmarks, including the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
- Home to many cultural and historical attractions, including the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Astana Opera
- Good transportation infrastructure, making it easy to get around
- Cons:
- Can be quite expensive compared to other cities in Kazakhstan
- Some may find the city to be overly artificial and lacking in traditional Kazakh culture
- Can be cold and windy in the winter months
- Burabay: Pros:
- Located in the Burabay National Nature Park, providing beautiful natural surroundings and opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing
- Many resorts and spas in the area for relaxation and rejuvenation
- Good place to learn about traditional Kazakh culture and history
- Cons:
- Can be quite crowded and busy in the summer months
- Can be expensive, especially for accommodation
- Some may find the area to be too touristy
- Shymkent: Pros:
- Large, modern city with a diverse culture and a variety of restaurants and entertainment options
- Good transportation infrastructure, making it easy to get around
- Home to many historical and cultural landmarks, including the Shymkent History Museum and the Shymkent Zoo
- Cons:
- Pollution and traffic can be issues in the city
- Some areas may not be as safe as others, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings
- Can be hot and dry in the summer months
- Turkistan: Pros:
- Home to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage site and important cultural and historical landmark
- Good place to learn about traditional Kazakh culture and history
- Smaller, more laid-back city compared to some of the larger urban centers in Kazakhstan
- Cons:
- Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities
- Can be hot and dry in the summer months
- Some areas may not be as safe as others, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings
- Kokshetau: Pros:
- Located in the Akmola region, providing beautiful natural surroundings and opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing
- Many resorts and spas in the area for relaxation and rejuvenation
- Good place to learn about traditional Kazakh culture and history
- Cons:
- Can be quite cold in the winter months
- Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities
- Some areas may not be as safe as others, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings
- Atyrau: Pros:
- Located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, providing beautiful natural surroundings and opportunities for water-based activities
- Large, modern city with a diverse culture and a variety of restaurants and entertainment
- Aktau: Pros:
- Located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, providing beautiful natural surroundings and opportunities for water-based activities
- Good place to learn about traditional Kazakh culture and history
- Smaller, more laid-back city compared to some of the larger urban centers in Kazakhstan
- Cons:
- Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities
- Can be hot and dry in the summer months
- Some areas may not be as safe as others, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings
- Taldykorgan: Pros:
- Located in the Almaty region, providing beautiful natural surroundings and opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing
- Good place to learn about traditional Kazakh culture and history
- Smaller, more laid-back city compared to some of the larger urban centers in Kazakhstan
- Cons:
- Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities
- Can be cold in the winter months
- Some areas may not be as safe as others, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings
- Pavlodar: Pros:
- Located in the Pavlodar region, providing beautiful natural surroundings and opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing
- Good place to learn about traditional Kazakh culture and history
- Smaller, more laid-back city compared to some of the larger urban centers in Kazakhstan
- Cons:
- Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities
- Can be cold in the winter months
- Some areas may not be as safe as others, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings