AKTAU
Aktau is a city on the shores of the Caspian Sea in western Kazakhstan. It’s a popular destination for those who enjoy beaches, exotic desert landscapes, and delicious food. This port city’s entire infrastructure was built to support life in the arid desert, and residents still rely on desalinated seawater.
Recommended attractions:
The Rocky Trail is Aktau’s most ambitious tourism project. The walking trail runs along a sheer cliff overlooking the Caspian Sea. Along the route are 24 observation platforms, offering views of the Caspian Sea from various angles. At the beginning of the trail, you’ll see two local landmarks: an illuminated rock cave with benches inside, and a bronze sculpture of a mermaid.
The “Melovoy” Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse located on the cape of the same name in the southern part of Aktau. It can rightfully be called the most unusual in the CIS. Why? Because it stands… on the roof of a residential building. It was built in 1974, but then remained out of service for many years. In 2021, for the 30th anniversary of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the lighthouse was restored, and the light was reactivated amidst fireworks.
The Mangyshlak Experimental Botanical Garden is a unique botanical garden in a waterless desert. Therefore, its main focus is scientific research on acclimatizing plants to extreme conditions and assisting in the greening of populated areas.
The Beket-Ata Underground Mosque is a historical and religious monument located in the foothills of the Ustyurt Plateau in the Karakiya district of the Mangyshlak Peninsula, 290 km from Aktau. To reach the mosque, one must trek 1,500 meters into the mountain. The chambers carved into the rock have extraordinary acoustics—voice sounds different in each chamber.
Caspian Sea – The city is located on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea on the Mangyshlak Peninsula. A multi-kilometer pedestrian zone with a well-maintained promenade and beaches stretches along the coastline of the city and its surrounding areas. The peak beach season in Aktau lasts from late May to late August, but the average water temperature here, even on the hottest days, is only 18°C.
Seneka Sands – Not far from the village of Seneka lies a true mini-desert. Dunes, sand stretching to the horizon, and an almost complete absence of people. These sands move—they’re called “wandering sands.” The wind creates whimsical waves and patterns on the surface.
Saura Tract and Lake—locals call it Turtle Lake because of the relict pond turtles that inhabit it. This picturesque body of water, surrounded by sheer 50-meter cliffs, is a true oasis in the desert steppes of the Mangyshlak Peninsula. A unique microclimate reigns around the freshwater lake, fed by underground springs.
Lake Karakol is an artificial lake in southwestern Kazakhstan, 10 km southeast of the city of Aktau. It is a specially protected natural area of the Karagiye-Karakol State Zoological Reserve of national significance, established in 1986. The lake is also included in the list of protected ornithological sites of Kazakhstan. It is a wintering and resting place for tens of thousands of birds, including pink flamingos, golden eagles, and pelicans.
We also recommend visiting: Monument to Taras Shevchenko, Monument to Kurmangazy