Weather in Nur-Sultan

About Nur-Sultan

Nur-Sultan (renamed from Astana) remains one of the world's youngest capitals, built from steppe grassland since 1997 on President Nursultan Nazarbayev's vision. The Bayterek Tower dominates the skyline; government buildings cluster in planned districts. The city's futuristic architecture contrasts sharply with the endless steppe around it.

Country

Kazakhstan

Best months to visit

May, June, July, August

Currency

KZT

Language

Kazakh, Russian, English

Things to do in Nur-Sultan

Visiting the Bayterek Tower with its panoramic viewing platforms and symbolism Exploring the Khan Shatyr entertainment centre (world's largest tent structure) Visiting government buildings and monuments reflecting Kazakhstan's independence Shopping the Nurzhol Boulevard for designer goods and international brands Eating Kazakh shashlik kebabs and kumiss (fermented mare's milk) at restaurants Day tripping to Akmola nature reserve 50 kilometres south for steppe wildlife

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

-11C

Cold, with occasional showers.

February

-8C

Cold, with occasional showers.

March

-1C

Cold, with occasional showers.

April

12C

Cool, with occasional showers.

Recommended

May

21C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

June

25C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

July

26C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

Recommended

August

25C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

September

17C

Cool, with occasional showers.

October

Cold, with occasional showers.

November

-3C

Cold, with occasional showers.

December

-8C

Cold, with occasional showers.

Nur-Sultan (also known as Astana) is one of the world's newest capitals, a futuristic city of glass towers, golden domes and striking architecture rising from the Kazakh steppe. Bayterek Tower, the Khan Shatyr tent-shaped mall and the Hazret Sultan Mosque make for a strikingly different cityscape, especially given the extreme temperature swings between its brutal winters and hot summers.

Best areas to stay in Nur-Sultan

Left Bank (new city)

The futuristic government and cultural district, home to Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr and the presidential palace.

Right Bank (old town)

The older, more modest part of the city with Soviet-era buildings and local markets.

Nurzhol Boulevard

The central pedestrian axis linking most of the city's landmark modern buildings.

Hazret Sultan Mosque area

Home to one of Central Asia's largest mosques, an impressive modern addition to the skyline.

Getting to Nur-Sultan

✈

Flights

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport has direct flights from several European and Asian hubs.

⏱

From London

~7-8 hours direct from London.

🚕

Getting around

Buses and taxis cover the spread-out city; ride-hailing apps are widely used given the large distances between sights.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Nur-Sultan?

May to September offers warm, pleasant weather; winters are extremely cold, often dropping well below -20°C.

What is the Bayterek Tower?

A 97-metre tower symbolising a mythical tree of life, with an observation deck offering panoramic views over the city's futuristic skyline.

Why was the capital moved to Nur-Sultan/Astana?

The capital was relocated from Almaty in 1997 to a more central location, and the city was rapidly built up with striking modern architecture as a statement of the new nation's ambitions.

Is Nur-Sultan worth more than a day?

A day or two covers the main architectural highlights along the Nurzhol Boulevard axis, including Khan Shatyr, Bayterek and the Hazret Sultan Mosque.

Is Nur-Sultan walkable?

The main sights along the central boulevard are walkable in warmer months, but distances are large and winters make outdoor walking impractical.

Traveler reviews

★★★★☆

The architecture is unlike anywhere else I've visited — Khan Shatyr and Bayterek look like something from science fiction against the flat steppe. Worth a stop on any Central Asia trip.

Yerlan D. · June 2024

★★★★☆

A strange but fascinating city — felt almost empty in places despite the huge buildings. The view from Bayterek Tower over the symmetrical new district was the highlight.

Petra S. · August 2023

★★★☆☆

Visited in winter and the cold was genuinely extreme, but the city's covered walkways and malls like Khan Shatyr made it manageable. Better suited to a summer visit.

Marat K. · January 2024