7 Best Places to Visit in Kazakhstan
By Ploy Suwannakit · Sep 17, 2026 · 3 min read
Figures last verified Sep 17, 2026 — the code above is always live
Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, and it stretches from the Tien Shan mountains to endless steppe, with a capital built almost from scratch in the last three decades. Many of its most striking sights are within day-trip range of Almaty. Here are seven of the best places to visit.
1. Almaty
Kazakhstan's largest city and its capital until 1997, Almaty sits at the foot of the snow-capped Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. A cable car climbs Kok-Tobe hill for views over the city, the pastel Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park was built almost entirely of wood, and the Medeu skating rink and Shymbulak ski resort are a short drive into the mountains.
2. Big Almaty Lake
Set at around 2,500 metres in Ile-Alatau National Park, Big Almaty Lake is a strikingly turquoise mountain lake surrounded by peaks, reachable by road from Almaty. Its colour shifts through the seasons as glacial meltwater feeds it. The lake is part of the city's water supply, so swimming is not allowed.
3. Charyn Canyon
About 200 kilometres east of Almaty, Charyn Canyon has been cut by the Charyn River through layers of red sandstone, and is often compared to a smaller Grand Canyon. Its best-known section, the Valley of Castles, is a walkable trail between towering eroded rock formations that leads down to the river.
4. Kolsai Lakes
The Kolsai Lakes are a chain of three mountain lakes in the northern Tien Shan, surrounded by spruce forest and sometimes called the pearls of the Tien Shan. The lower lake is easy to reach by road, and a hiking trail climbs through the forest to the middle and upper lakes. They are often combined with Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon on a multi-day trip from Almaty.
5. Kaindy Lake
Kaindy Lake was formed after an earthquake in 1911 triggered a landslide that dammed a mountain gorge and flooded a spruce forest. The bare trunks of the drowned trees still stick up out of the cold, clear water, making it one of the most photographed sights in Kazakhstan.
6. Astana
Kazakhstan's capital since 1997, Astana is a showcase of bold modern architecture rising out of the steppe. The Bayterek Tower has an observation deck overlooking the city's central axis, the Norman Foster-designed Khan Shatyr is a giant tent-shaped shopping and entertainment centre, and Hazrat Sultan Mosque is one of the largest in Central Asia.
7. Turkistan
Turkistan, in the south of the country, is home to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a revered Sufi poet and mystic. The huge building was commissioned by Timur in the late 14th century and left unfinished, yet it remains one of the finest examples of Timurid architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an important pilgrimage destination for Muslims in Central Asia.
Staying connected while you travel
Kazakhstan's main operators — Beeline, Kcell, and Tele2/Altel — provide solid 4G in Almaty, Astana, and other cities, but coverage thins out quickly on mountain roads and across the open steppe, so download offline maps before heading to Charyn or the Kolsai Lakes. An eSIM gets your data running as soon as you land.
Cheapest Kazakhstan eSIM plans right now
Live prices-
Yesim500MB · 1 dayGet eSIM$0.58 -
SuperalinkUnlimited · 1 dayGet eSIM$1.00 -
SimOptions1GB · 1 dayGet eSIM$1.00 -
Orbit Mobile1GB · 1 dayGet eSIM$1.00
Running a promo code for Kazakhstan right now:
Applies to every eSIM plan at checkout. Announced in eTravelSim's September newsletter.
Stay connected in 200+ countries the moment you land — skip the roaming bills and SIM swaps on your very first trip.
New customers only, first order; the discount is capped at $3 per Airalo's terms.
Read more in our beginner's guide to how eSIMs work, or see all Kazakhstan eSIM plans.
Ploy is a Bangkok-based travel writer covering Southeast and East Asia, from Chiang Mai co-working cafes to overnight trains in Vietnam. She's tested more late-night airport SIM kiosks than she'd like to admit, which is exactly why she writes about eSIMs now.
Frequently asked questions about Kazakhstan eSIMs
What is the cheapest eSIM for Kazakhstan?
Right now the cheapest Kazakhstan eSIM on eSIMKart is Yesim's 500MB plan for 1 day at $0.58. Prices from 107 providers are re-checked automatically every day, so this answer updates itself.
Is there an unlimited data eSIM for Kazakhstan?
Yes — 745 unlimited-data plans cover Kazakhstan. The cheapest is Superalink's 1 day unlimited plan at $1.00. Most unlimited plans apply a fair-use speed cap after heavy daily use, so check the provider's terms.
How many providers sell eSIMs for Kazakhstan?
107 providers currently list 5088 plans for Kazakhstan, from $0.41 to $995.80. Every plan links straight to the provider's own checkout — eSIMKart compares, it doesn't resell.
How long does a Kazakhstan eSIM last?
Validity ranges from 1 to 730 days. Pick a plan that covers your whole stay — validity usually starts on first connection, and most plans can't be paused.
Which Kazakhstan eSIM providers offer 5G?
AirPlans, Dingo, Esimatic, eSIMzio, Flysimio, JamboSim, Maya Mobile, MicroEsim, Roamless, Textr eSIM, Virgin Connect, Yatelo (12) report 5G access in Kazakhstan where the local network supports it. Other providers may also offer 5G but haven't published network details.
Can I use a multi-country eSIM in Kazakhstan?
Yes — 1146 regional or global plans listed here also work in Kazakhstan. They cost a little more per GB but save you from buying a separate eSIM for each country on a multi-stop trip.
Will my phone work with a Kazakhstan eSIM?
You need an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone — most iPhones from XS onward and most recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models qualify. Use our free eSIM compatibility checker to confirm your exact model before buying.
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