tours to Astana from Almaty · excursion

Nurzhol Boulevard: architectural heart of the capital

4.9 · 22 reviews

Tour to Astana from Almaty: a walking tour along Nurzhol Boulevard. Choose one of two routes and discover the main architectural symbols of Astana.

WhenCheck dates
Duration2 hours
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $20/person

Program

Nurzhol Boulevard tour program

The day before

Travel from Almaty to Astana on your own (train or plane); the tour starts in Astana

We recommend arriving the day before so you can reach the meeting point without rushing. Tickets are not included in the tour price.

00:00

Start at the 'Qazaq Eli' monument

Group meets at the 'Qazaq Eli' monument on Independence Square. The guide tells about the history of the boulevard and its role in the urban ensemble of Astana.

00:20

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

Viewing the pyramid — the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. Discussion of Norman Foster's architecture and the building's symbolism for interfaith dialogue.

00:40

National Museum of Kazakhstan

Walk to the National Museum. The guide highlights the facade and layout, as well as the museum's significance as a cultural center.

01:00

Turan-Astana University and residential complexes

Pass by the university building and modern residential complexes. Discussion of the 'smart city' concept and architectural solutions along the boulevard.

01:20

Khan Shatyr

Approach the Khan Shatyr entertainment center. The guide talks about the tent structure and its symbolism, as well as shopping and leisure options.

01:40

Finish at the 'Tree of Life' fountain

Finish at the 'Tree of Life' fountain. Wrap-up and Q&A. Those interested can stay for a self-guided tour of Khan Shatyr.

What's included

What's included

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Services of a professional guide
  • Walking tour along Nurzhol Boulevard
  • Visit to all listed architectural sites (exterior viewing)
  • Unlimited photo and video shooting

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Travel Almaty — Astana — Almaty
  • Entrance tickets to museums and shopping centers
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, food)
  • Transfer to the meeting point

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Bottle of water
  • Camera or smartphone for photos
  • Umbrella or hat depending on weather

Team

Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty

Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.

Alexander Пашкин — Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу★4.52

Alexander Пашкин

Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу

52 review · experience 10 years

Andrey Шевелёв — Driver-guide★4.74

Andrey Шевелёв

Driver-guide

73 review · experience 13 years

Анжелика Чвыкова — Гид-фотограф★4.27

Анжелика Чвыкова

Гид-фотограф

58 reviews · experience 11 years

Ильяс Дарбеков — Гид-переводчик★4.27

Ильяс Дарбеков

Гид-переводчик

36 reviews · experience 6 years

Мадина Данина — Организатор туров★4.55

Мадина Данина

Организатор туров

65 reviews · experience 15 лет

Сергей Бабичев — Personal guide-водитель★4.49

Сергей Бабичев

Personal guide-водитель

65 reviews · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of Nurzhol Boulevard: architectural heart of the capital

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
AF
Alexander F.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went as a family, the kids were interested too. What I remember most is Khan Shatyr — the tent-like structure. The route is good, just a pity the time flew by quickly.

Verified review · Order #48758
TM
Tatyana M.
Google ·
★★★★★

I took the tour to get to know the city, it's my first time in Astana. I liked everything! The architecture is great. I especially remember the descent to the fountain and the story about the boulevard's history.

Verified review · Order #48145
ZM
Zhanat M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Bardak jol, kop kisi boldy, biraq korsetken jerler korkem

Verified review · Order #47324
AR
Alina R.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I liked the route along Nurzhol. Very beautiful, highly recommend.

Verified review · Order #45696
NB
Nurlan B.
Google ·
★★★★★

The boulevard is excellent, but the road was bumpy. The coordinator is great

Verified review · Order #43431
TK
Timur K.
Google ·
★★★★★

Progulka po bulvaru klass. Zdanija krasivye, no veter silnyj byl

Verified review · Order #41912
IV
Ivan V.
Google ·
★★★★★

The tour was ok. We just stood in line for a long time at the entrance to Khan Shatyr, but overall it was fine. The guide helped

Verified review · Order #41447
VL
Viktoria L.
Google ·
★★★★★

Great route along the boulevard. Only downside was waiting 15 minutes for the group.

Verified review · Order #41283
DE
Dana E.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We walked along the boulevard in November; the city was already decorated, and the atmosphere was pleasant. The guide beautifully told us about the symbols embedded in the buildings, especially the pyramid and its meaning. We walked slowly and had time to take photos. I liked that the route is logically built, from the square to the fountain. The only thing is, the wind was strong, but that's a question for the weather. Overall, a great walk if you want to get to know the city on foot.

Verified review · Order #39884
DS
Dmitriy S.
Google ·
★★★★★

Progulka po Nurzhol bulvaru ochen ponravilas, arhitektura porazhaet

Verified review · Order #38573
AK
Askhat K.
Google ·
★★★★★

A walk along the boulevard is super! Aleksandr showed all the beautiful places

Verified review · Order #33488
RG
Ruslan G.
Google ·
★★★★★

We walked along Nurzhol boulevard, the buildings are impressive. Andrey explained everything

Verified review · Order #32616
AS
Aizhan S.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

I really liked this tour. The stories the guide told were necessary. But in some places it was incomplete.

Verified review · Order #30942
OD
Olga D.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

My husband and I came to Astana for the weekend; we had long wanted to see the center. We chose the walking option so as not to sit on a bus. We liked the architecture; the buildings along the boulevard are truly unusual, each with its own idea. The guide Sergey told us interesting things, not from a script, and answered questions. We learned a lot about the pyramid and the tent that we hadn't even guessed. The only thing is, the departure was a bit delayed, we waited about fifteen minutes, but then we caught up. In November it was cool, but not critical. Overall, we're satisfied, I recommend it.

Verified review · Order #29533
ML
Maksim L.
Google ·
★★★★★

We took the tour for the architecture. We really liked it, the guide Ilyas is a professional

Verified review · Order #28336
MP
Maria P.
Google ·
★★★★★

Good tour, I learned a lot of new things about the buildings. Aleksandr is great

Verified review · Order #28312
LN
Larisa N.
Google ·
★★★★★

In June, I was staying with my sister in Astana, and she suggested going on this excursion. I rarely visit the capital and don't know the city well, so the walking format was perfect. We walked from Independence Square along the boulevard; there are many buildings, but the guide managed to say a couple of words about each. What I remember most is the pyramid—how it's arranged inside; it's a pity we only looked at it from the outside. We stopped by the museum; the facade is interesting, but I couldn't go inside. The weather was great, comfortable for walking. I recommend it to anyone visiting Astana for the first time; in a couple of hours you get a general idea of the center.

Verified review · Order #24405
VI
Viktor I.
Google ·
★★★★★

I chose for a long time and took this tour. I wasn't wrong. The guide did a great job, told about the pyramid and the tent. I recommend it to everyone.

Verified review · Order #22691
DS
Damir S.
Google ·
★★★★★

I went on a business trip with colleagues and on a free day we decided to walk along Nurzhol. The architecture is really impressive, especially the pyramid and the tent—it feels like you've stepped into the future. Andrey told us in detail, without dry dates, with stories, and it was interesting to listen. We passed by the university and new residential complexes; the guide explained how it was all conceived as a single ensemble. In April, it's comfortable to walk, not hot. The only thing is, I would have liked a bit more time at the museum. But overall, a great walk if you want to understand the city.

Verified review · Order #21571
GA
Gulnar A.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I chose this tour because Astana is beautiful. The guide told good stories, I learned a lot. Thanks

Verified review · Order #17767
OY
Oksana Yu.
Google ·
★★★★★

I chose the tour because of the reviews, and it didn't disappoint. The architecture is bomb, especially the pyramid and the tent. The guide told us interesting things about the symbols, but in places I wanted more details. Overall, I'm satisfied; walking along the boulevard is pleasant.

Verified review · Order #14187
NZ
Natalya Z.
Google ·
★★★★★

My friend and I went for the weekend, wanted to see the center. The tour is great, just would have liked more time for photos. But overall okay, the buildings along the boulevard are unusual.

Verified review · Order #11177

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Nurzhol Boulevard tour from Almaty

We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.

Ask a question

The whole route takes about two hours on foot along the boulevard — from Qazaq Eli to Khan Shatyr. The pace is calm, with stops at every site, so no special preparation is needed — comfortable shoes are enough. If you're unsure about your stamina, message us on WhatsApp and we'll advise you for your date.

The Nurzhol walk takes place only in Astana, so you take the train or a flight from Almaty yourself, and the tickets are not included in the price. We do not recommend combining the journey and the walk on one day: it is easier to arrive the day before and set out along the boulevard well rested. We will confirm the meeting time at Qazaq Eli on WhatsApp.

Your shoes should be comfortable — you are on your feet the whole time, and the route along the boulevard is done without transport. A bottle of water, a phone or camera for photos, and an umbrella or a hat depending on the weather will be enough. We will tell you on WhatsApp what exactly will be useful on your date.

We start in Astana, at the Qazaq Eli monument on Independence Square — the beginning of the walking route. About two hours later we finish at the Tree of Life fountain, and anyone who wishes can stay on at Khan Shatyr. We'll confirm the exact meeting time for your date on WhatsApp.

This tour is a group tour, but for your own group we confirm dates and group composition separately on WhatsApp. Write to us with how many of you there are and when you want to go, and we will advise what can be arranged. We will confirm the format and details in messages.

The walk along Nurzhol Boulevard is designed as viewing the buildings from the outside, so entrance to museums and shopping centres is not included in the price — each person pays for it themselves if they want to go in. Personal expenses such as souvenirs and food are also up to you, as is travel to the meeting point in Astana. The price is $20 per person, and on the spot you will only need money if you choose to spend it.

Message us on WhatsApp with how many of you there are and for which date — that is enough to book a place in the group, and we do not take any advance payment. You pay for the tour on the day of the trip: via Kaspi, by card or in cash. If your plans change, cancelling the booking is free — just let us know by message.