Aktobe is a regional centre in western Kazakhstan, where the Ural mountains fall away to the south. Its name means white hill in Kazakh and the city began as a Russian garrison in 1869. Today it is known for chromium and ferroalloy industry, with a population above 500,000 that makes it the largest settlement in the west of the country. Its emblem is the blue domed Nur Gasyr Mosque. In the centre the monument to Aliya Moldagulova, the Kazakh sniper of the Second World War, and the airport that carries her name are the two points by which the city defines itself.
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See flights to Aktobe →When to visit Aktobe
May to September is the best window; June and July pass 30C but the steppe air is dry. Winters are severe, with January averages around minus 13C and blizzards. In April and May the steppe turns green for a short spell.
Things to do in Aktobe
Nur Gasyr Mosque
Opened in 2008, the mosque is the best known building in the city with its blue dome and four minarets, and it is also the largest in the region. A library and a conference hall are housed inside the complex.
Aliya Moldagulova monument
The monument to the Kazakh sniper killed in the Second World War stands on a square in the city centre. The airport carries her name as well, and documents relating to her are displayed in the museum beside it.
Aktobe Regional History Museum
Founded in 1929 and housed today in the Ruhaniyat building, the museum brings together archaeological finds from the western Kazakh steppe, objects of nomadic life and a natural history collection. Sarmatian metalwork is the most striking part of the display.
Nurdaulet Mosque
With its white front, turquoise domes and single minaret, this is the largest mosque in the city. It is laid out as a complex, with an inner courtyard and a library.
Akhtanov Drama Theatre
The regional theatre named after the writer Takhawi Akhtanov stages plays in Kazakh and Russian. Its colonnaded front reflects the Soviet approach to public buildings and it closes the pedestrian axis in the centre.
St Nicholas Cathedral
The city's Orthodox cathedral, with its yellow front and gold onion domes, stands close to the Nur Gasyr Mosque. Seeing the two places of worship in one frame is the most photographed view in Aktobe.
Flights from Turkey to Aktobe
A direct flight from Sabiha Gokcen to Aktobe takes about 4 hours 25 minutes and Pegasus operates the route year round. Frequencies are limited to a few days a week, and connecting options through Almaty or Astana also exist.
Aktobe FAQ
How many days do you need in Aktobe?
Two days cover the centre, the mosque and the museum. Adding trips out to the steppe and the Ilek river makes three days a suitable length.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Aliya Moldagulova Airport lies southwest of the centre, about 2 kilometres away. Because it is so close, the transfer takes under 10 minutes.
Do you need a visa for Kazakhstan?
Holders of a Turkish passport may enter Kazakhstan without a visa and stay for a set period. The limit can change, so the current rule should be checked before travel.
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