Bradt Travel guides. Engelsk Text. Edition 2026
This updated Bradt Kazakhstan Guidebook remains the only guide dedicated solely to the world’s ninth largest country – a thrillingly fresh destination that even well-seasoned travellers will find unfamiliar and exotic.
Geographically, this Central Asian state is impressively varied: choose from snow-covered peaks with excellent skiing opportunities, hiking trails through valleys, secluded lakes in the Tian Shan Mountains, endless semi-desert steppes and the Caspian Sea’s blue waters.
Culturally, Kazakhstan is similarly diverse, enabling visitors to enjoy authentic local hospitality from 130 ethnic groups.
Kazakhstan is a modern country with a profound appreciation of its nomadic roots; petroglyph sites with ancient rock art plus the remains of Silk Road settlements testify to its varied history.
Politically and socially, Kazakhstan now oscillates between east and west – a vibrancy reflected in its architecture, lifestyle and national ambitions.
The small Caspian city of Aktau served as the cultural capital of the Turkic world during 2025, while the country’s capital (Astana) is a statement of western-inspired modernity. Leafy Almaty, meanwhile, with its fountains and parks, remains by far the most charming (and somewhat nostalgic) city.
Where you venture depends, in part, on when you visit – and every season offers something special:-
Safe and politically neutral, Kazakhstan is also more accessible than ever: tourist visas are no longer required, and there are numerous direct flights from Europe.
Tourist infrastructure has also significantly improved, with faster trains, more comfortable buses and efficient internal flights making it easy to get around.
The new edition of Bradt’s Kazakhstan covers all recent developments, including more practical information to make independent travel easier.
The updated Bradt Kazakhstan Guidebook provides the perfect companion for all travellers, from nature lovers to cultural explorers, teenage backpackers to family groups.
