Kostanay is a city that's easy to fall for, especially if you let it share its story. Founded in 1879 on the banks of the Tobol River as an outpost of the Russian Empire, it still retains a sense of the past. In the 1950s, Kostanay became a key hub of the Virgin Lands campaign, welcoming waves of settlers from across the Soviet Union who came to cultivate the surrounding lands.

But Kostanay isn’t frozen in time. It’s a growing, modern city with new parks, residential neighborhoods, and some of the country’s most successful industries. Believe it or not, even double-decker buses run along its streets like a hello from London. And it's home to Kazakhstan’s only monument to Charlie Chaplin.

Let’s take a closer look at Kostanay and discover what makes it worth your visit.

Parks and Embankment

Let’s start with the heart of Kostanay – Central Park. Located at the intersection of Altynsarin and Gogol Streets, it resembles many city parks in Kazakhstan: a Ferris wheel, children’s rides, walking paths, flower beds, and sculptures. You’ll also find a cinema here, along with a pedestrian fountain where jets of water shoot up from the ground through a grate. Children love running through the splashes.

Just a few steps from the park is the square in front of the regional akimat (administration building). Look to the left, and you’ll spot one of Kostanay’s key landmarks – the clock tower at 55 Baitursynov Street. It’s probably the most recognizable building in the city, and taking a photo with it is practically a rite of passage.

Another favorite spot for locals is the embankment along the Tobol River, located at the beginning of Al-Farabi Avenue. In summer, the word “Kostanay” is spelled out in flowers here, and the whole area comes to life. The embankment becomes a hub for strolls, picnics, and photo sessions. There’s even a beach – the perfect excuse to stay a little longer.

Further upstream, the newly built Triathlon Park offers a modern space for active recreation. It features children’s and sports playgrounds, a skate zone, a workout area, and even a dedicated parkour spot. If you’re in the mood for something more energetic, this is the place to go.

On Pobeda Street, you'll find Victory Park. It’s not just a place for walks, but also a memorial complex. Until 1965, this area was a cemetery where participants of the Civil War and World War II were buried in mass graves, along with cadets from the Stalingrad Military Aviation School, which was relocated to Kostanay during the war. Today, the park features military equipment, monuments to war heroes, memorials to victims of political repression and radiation disasters.

Along Hašek Street lies the spacious Uly Dala Park. It’s a peaceful place for a walk along the embankment, perfect for enjoying nature and a bit of quiet. While there aren’t many attractions yet, the park offers plenty of open space for a relaxing stroll.

In the northern part of the city stands the elegant, modern Wedding Palace at 395a Kairbekov Street. Right nearby is Youth Boulevard – a promenade ideal for walks and photo sessions.

Therma Park

If you ask a local where to go first in Kostanay, chances are you’ll hear the answer: Therma Park. It’s not just a bath complex, it’s a full-blown world of water, warmth, and relaxation.

Therma Park offers everything a spa lover could dream of: a hammam, Russian banya, Scythian steam room, Roman and stone saunas, an infrared cabin, hay and herbal baths, a salt room, and a tepidarium. The vibe here is more like a proper thermal resort than an ordinary wellness center.

Kids are welcome, too. There’s a warm soft bath, a shallow pool, and a salt room where children can have fun and benefit from the healing environment.

Swimming fans will also feel at home. You’ll find a sea-water pool, a hot Japanese ofuro, a pool filled with thermal mineral water, whirlpools, and a children’s pool with slides. The complex also offers aqua aerobics and yoga classes, swimming lessons for kids, and even foam parties with DJs and entertainers in the evenings. If you're visiting with a group, you can rent a VIP room for 4 or 8 people. Everything you need is on-site: a food court, bar, and a shop with bath and swim accessories.

Therma Park is located inside Kostanay Plaza, one of the city's largest shopping centers, at 193 N. Nazarbayev Avenue in the new Bereke microdistrict.

Just next door are Tobol Arena Stadium, the Umurzakov Regional Philharmonic, and the Ice Arena. So if you want to experience modern Kostanay, do some shopping, enjoy a swim, and unwind, this is the perfect place to start.

Museums

The best place to learn about the region’s history is the Kostanay Regional History Museum. It's located right in the city center, next to Central Park, at 115 Altynsarin Street. The museum is housed in a historic XIX building.

In the museum's courtyard stands the Red Wall that preserves the memory of tragic events. In 1919, during the Russian Civil War, an uprising broke out in the region. People rebelled against mass extortion, forced conscription of youth, and the seizure of food. The response was swift and brutal. Over the course of just a few days in April, around eight thousand people were executed in Kostanay. The shootings took place at the Red Wall. To this day, bullet holes remain in the bricks like silent witnesses to those horrific days.

Right next door, at 117 Altynsarin Street, is the museum’s art gallery where you can view works by both local and Kazakh artists.

Right next to Central Park, at 85a Gogol Street, there’s a building that immediately catches the eye. It looks like something out of a fairy tale – turrets, a blue roof, and whimsical architecture. This is the Kazakh-French Center, and outside it, you’ll find sculptures of Napoleon Bonaparte, Mary Poppins, Charlie Chaplin, Joan of Arc, and even a modern girl with a laptop. But it’s not just the quirky exterior that draws people in.

Inside the building is the Toy Museum – the first and only one of its kind in Kazakhstan. It houses more than 5,000 toys from different countries and time periods, from antique dolls and tin soldiers to modern remote-controlled models.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the monument to Charlie Chaplin, which stands right near the entrance to the Kazakh-French Center. It’s one of only 13 Chaplin monuments in the world. And believe it or not, there’s a second one in Kostanay. You’ll find it on the Tobol embankment, although it’s more modest and not quite as photogenic. No other city in Kazakhstan has even one statue of Chaplin but Kostanay has two. Clearly, the city has a special affection for the king of silent comedy.

Mosques and Churches

Kostanay is home to several mosques and churches, but a few stand out for their historical and cultural significance.

The Maral Ishan Mosque, located at 44 Al-Farabi Avenue, is the oldest mosque in the city. Built in 1893, it served as a spiritual center for the local Muslim community for many years. Like many religious buildings during the Soviet era, it was repurposed and used for secular purposes. At one point, it even housed a concert hall. After Kazakhstan gained independence, the mosque was restored to its original religious function.

The city’s largest mosque is Aimagambet Kazhy Spanuly, a striking modern building at 104a Mayakovsky Street. Its grand scale and spacious interior allow it to welcome a large number of worshippers.

When it comes to Orthodox Christianity, none of Kostanay’s historic churches have survived. The original St. Nicholas Cathedral, once located in the city center, was destroyed during the Soviet period. A new cathedral bearing the same name was built in the 21st century. Located at 8/2 Voinov-Internationalistov Street, it now serves as the main center of Orthodox life in the city.

Old Merchant Manors

The center of Kostanay holds on tightly to its pre-revolutionary past. Here, old merchant houses have survived the passage of time, still echoing the spirit of a bygone era.

One such building is the former home of merchant A. P. Loretz, located at 68 Dulatov Street. A Swiss citizen, Loretz founded what became the largest brewery in the territory of modern Kazakhstan at the end of the 19th century. Remarkably, the brewery is still operating today under the name Arasan Brewery, now located at 238/1 Kairbekov Street. It continues the legacy of its founder, producing both beer and soft drinks. A company store stands right next to the plant.

Not far from the Loretz house is another historical building – the former city treasury, at 73 Baitursynov Street. During World War II, the funds of the State Historical Museum, evacuated from Moscow, were temporarily housed here. In front of the building is a small park with a monument to Alexander Pushkin.

Another notable architectural landmark is the house of merchant Kargin, built in 1913 at 71 Al-Farabi Avenue. The two-story building once included a shop, storage rooms, and a private residence. Today, it is home to the restaurant “Merchant Manor”, where guests can enjoy a meal while soaking in the atmosphere of old Kostanay.

One more interesting site is the house of industrialist Stoll, located at 26 Kasymkhanov Street. Built in the late 19th century by merchant and entrepreneur Arkhipov, who traded flour and groceries in Kostanay and nearby villages, the house later changed hands. From 1905 to 1910, it belonged to Stoll, who acquired it following the bankruptcy of the original owner.

What Do Kostanay and London Have in Common?

One of Kostanay’s most unexpected features is its fleet of double-decker buses, which run on two city routes: No. 18 and No. 102.

Route 18 crosses the city from south to north. In the city center, it passes key landmarks like the Central Department Store, the Maral Ishan Mosque, and the Central Market, continues past the Wedding Palace, and finishes at the northern edge of the city.

For those wanting to explore a bit beyond the city limits, Route 102 is a great option. It starts at Victory Park, passes by the Omarov Drama Theater and the Tobol River embankment, crosses the bridge, and continues to the village of Zarechnoye on the right bank. This route that offers a glimpse of both the city and its outskirts.

Keep in mind, not all buses on the two routes are double-deckers, so if you’re hoping to catch one, a bit of patience might be needed.