The city’s main waterway is the Ishim (Esil) River, along whose right bank, in the Samal district, stretches a well-maintained promenade. Here you can go for a walk, ride a bike, or rent a catamaran—life jackets are provided by the rental companies on site. In the summer, sightseeing boats also run along the river from Central Park toward the Akorda residence—the trip takes about 45 minutes and costs around 3,000₸ for an adult and 2,000₸ for a child.
Lake Taldykol on the left bank remains more of a natural area than a developed recreational zone—the city is discussing the creation of a nature park there, but for now, it’s more of a place for a quiet stroll than for swimming.
In Astana itself, several large parks are accessible completely free of charge:
All of the parks listed are open to the public free of charge. In the summer, they feature outdoor seating areas and beverage stands; in winter, some of the paths are cleared of snow for walking, and an ice rink is set up in Ataturk Park—in other words, the recreational activities in these areas change with the seasons, but they remain free year-round.
There is no distinct “forest” in the traditional sense within the city—forested areas begin just outside its boundaries. The closest option with infrastructure is the BalQaragai recreational area (about 20 minutes from the city), where you can spend a day outdoors in the summer and go snowmobiling in the winter. A more substantial concentration of vacation resorts, cabins, and sanatoriums in a pine forest is found in the area around Lake Shchuchye and Zerenda (about 230–240 km from Astana), as well as in Burabai National Park (Borovoye, about 260 km)—where forests, cliffs, and lakes come together, and some of the resorts offer cabins for overnight stays.
If you only have a few hours to spare, choose city parks or the waterfront: you can get there by public transportation, and it won’t cost you a thing. If you have half a day and are looking for water and more “wild” nature, BalQaragai—just half an hour from the city—is the perfect choice. If you’re planning an overnight trip in nature, you should look into Burabay or the Shchuchye/Zerenda Lakes right away and book accommodations in advance, especially for summer and weekends.
In addition to recreational areas, the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve (~150 km) is located a couple of hours from Astana—home to the world’s northernmost population of rare pink flamingos, with the viewing season running from mid-April through September. This destination is more suited to ecotourism and birdwatching than to a beach vacation, but it’s worth a separate trip for anyone interested in the region’s natural environment. The reserve is also home to up to 350 species of birds and 43 species of mammals, so even outside the flamingo season, there’s plenty to see here.
Further along the same “Astana–Shchuchinsk” route are Burabai National Park (~260 km) and Lakes Shchuchye and Zerenda (~230–240 km) — these destinations are covered in detail in the article about getaways outside the city, and it makes sense to consider them a continuation of the “nature” trip if you want to spend a few days in nature rather than just one.
Where in Astana can you enjoy nature for free?
In Zhetysu Park, the Botanical Garden, Ataturk Park, and along the Ishim River promenade—all of these are open to the public without an admission fee.
Where can I rent a catamaran or a boat?
On the Ishim Embankment in the Samal district—life jackets are provided there as well; there are also pleasure boats available from Central Park.
Where can you go for an overnight trip to the countryside?
To Burabai National Park or to Shchuchye and Zerenda Lakes—recreation centers and health resorts are concentrated there.
Is it possible to swim in the Ishim River in Astana?
There are no special, equipped beaches for swimming within the city limits—it’s better to choose lakes outside the city in the summer.
Is the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve suitable for a day trip?
Yes, it’s about 2–2.5 hours from Astana, and many tours can be completed in a single day.
