Things To Do
in Aqtaū

Buy fresh bread, dried fruits, nuts, local honey, dairy and seasonal fish; small stalls sell kebabs, samsa and tea—great for inexpensive local meals and ingredients.

Simple stands along the embankment serving fried or grilled fish, shashlik and tea — convenient after a promenade walk and good for casual seafood sampling.

A handshake is the common greeting; show respect to elders and remove shoes when entering private homes. Use formal greetings and modest dress in more conservative or religious settings.

Ask permission before photographing people, especially at shrines or when children are involved. Some religious sites may restrict photography.

Accepting offered tea or food is polite; hosts may be generous. It’s courteous to reciprocate appreciation and offer thanks after meals.

Avoid heated political discussions about regional or international conflicts; be aware that historical and cultural topics can be sensitive.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants 5–10% is common if service is good; round up taxi fares and offer small tips to guides or hotel porters.

Cash (Kazakhstani tenge, KZT) is widely used, especially in markets and taxis. Cards are accepted at larger hotels, restaurants and supermarkets in Aqtaū; ATMs are available in the city but may be scarce in remote areas, so bring sufficient cash for excursions.

Hot, dry and often windy; daytime temperatures can reach 30–40°C, strong sun and little shade. Plan early-morning and late-afternoon outdoor activities; carry water, sun protection and expect busy beach and tourlet seasons.

Milder days and cooler nights with pleasant conditions for hiking and sightseeing; autumn is one of the best times for desert excursions when temperatures are comfortable.

Fairly mild by inland steppe standards but windy; temperatures often hover around freezing with occasional colder spells. Some remote excursions may be limited and services reduced.

Warming temperatures, occasional winds and budding plant life; a good season for travel before peak summer heat, though spring storms can bring gusts and dust.

Vegetarian options are limited but available: salads, breads, dairy dishes, potato-based meals and vegetable pilavs. Communicate clearly (in Russian/Kazakh or with a translation app) and expect to adapt dishes as many traditional meals center on meat.

Challenging due to heavy use of meat and dairy. Rely on simple bread, vegetable salads (ask about added meat), potatoes and fresh produce from markets; self-catering or staying near supermarkets helps.

Most meat served locally is halal in practice, and Kazakh cuisine aligns with Muslim dietary norms; if you need certified halal, ask locally but in most traditional places meat is acceptable.

Not widely advertised; gluten is common in breads, dumplings and noodles — request rice- or meat-based dishes and check ingredients where possible.