Astana is a planned capital on the Ishim River, in a flat, semi-arid steppe where winters are long and very cold and summers are warm. The river divides the city in two: the older boroughs lie north of the Ishim, while the newer boroughs are south of it. That single fact shapes where you should base yourself.
For a visitor, the practical choice is between the north bank, which holds the older street grid and the main railway station, and the south bank, where the newer, monumental city and its landmark tower stand. This guide covers which areas to use as a base, what kind of accommodation each one holds, and how each connects to the rest of the city.
Best areas to stay in Astana
1. South bank, around Bayterek
This is the new city south of the Ishim, the area built up after the capital moved here, and it is the most convenient base for a first visit. You are within walking distance of the Bayterek tower and the Circus, and the wide ceremonial streets and government buildings of the planned city are laid out around you.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the main sights on foot rather than by taxi. Accommodation here runs from hostels with neat, gender-separated dorms and shared kitchens to the plushest hotels in town. Because this is the showpiece part of the city, it is also where the largest and most expensive properties cluster.
2. North bank, around Saryarka Avenue
The area just north of the Ishim River belongs to the older boroughs and has a more conventional city feel, with mid-range and four-star hotels and a reliable restaurant or two attached to them. It is a sensible base if you want to be near the river and within reach of the centre without paying new-city prices.
It suits business travellers and visitors who prefer a quieter, less monumental setting. The trade-off is that the headline sights on the south bank are across the river, so you will cross it regularly. Some properties here sit right on Saryarka Avenue, which keeps you well connected.
3. Around Astana-1 railway station
The streets near Astana-1 station, including the Beibitshilik and Moscow Street corner, are a practical base for arrivals and departures by train. This is mid-range business hotel territory, with straightforward rooms and easy access to the station.
It suits travellers passing through, those arriving late or leaving early, and anyone who values a short transfer over proximity to the sights. Expect a taxi or a ride into the centre for the main attractions; the station area is about two kilometres from the hotel cluster on Beibitshilik Street.
4. Chubary village
Chubary is a separate settlement area within the city, with hotels on Kosmonavtov Street, including four-star properties. It is a quieter, more residential choice than the riverfront districts.
It suits travellers with their own transport or those who prefer calm over convenience, and it can work for longer stays. The trade-off is distance: you will depend on taxis or buses to reach the centre and the south-bank sights.
5. Off Turan Avenue
The area off Turan Avenue, on the south side, holds large hotels overlooking the park and river, including high-rise blocks with rooms facing the water. It is close to the new city but set slightly back from the busiest ceremonial streets.
It suits visitors who want space, views and full facilities such as restaurants and pools. Rooms facing the park and river are the draw here, and the glass elevator views are a known feature of the area. Note that air conditioning in some of these older high-rises struggles in summer.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: hostels with neat, gender-separated dorms, shared kitchens and fridges, often within walking distance of Bayterek and the Circus; a small number of budget hotels with simple double or twin rooms.
- Mid-range: business-oriented hotels with B&B doubles, including properties near Astana-1 railway station and on the north bank; some larger hotels operate a separate mid-range wing alongside their main building.
- Splurge: the plushest hotels in town, with heated bathroom floors, jacuzzi tubs, spas, pools, multiple restaurants and conference facilities, concentrated in the new city and along the river.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself on the south bank around Bayterek. It puts the landmark tower and the Circus within walking distance and keeps you in the planned new city that most visitors come to see. You also get the widest choice of accommodation, from dorms to the plushest rooms in Astana.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of the Ishim River should I stay on?
The older boroughs are north of the river and the newer boroughs are south. Stay south for the new city and its landmarks; stay north for the older grid, the riverfront and easier access to Astana-1 station.
When is the best time to visit, given the climate?
Astana has an extreme continental climate with warm summers and long, very cold, dry winters. Temperatures of −30 to −35 °C are common from mid-December to early March, and the river usually stays frozen from the second week of November until early April, so plan around the cold if you travel in winter.
Is it easy to reach the main sights from the station area?
The mid-range cluster around Beibitshilik Street sits about two kilometres from Astana-1 railway station, so it works well for train travel but leaves you a ride away from the central sights.
Do I need air conditioning in summer?
Summer temperatures can reach 35 °C, and in some of the older high-rise hotels the air conditioning struggles in summer. If you are booking a large riverside property for a summer trip, it is worth checking this before you commit.
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