Atyrau
Kazakhstan · Atyrau Region · -20 m
Description
Atyrau sits twenty metres below sea level in the Caspian depression, where the Ural river reaches the sea, and the river is taken as the boundary between Europe and Asia, so a bridge in the middle of town crosses between continents. This is an oil city and it reads like one, expensive and functional, with the money visible in the hotels and not much else. The old sturgeon fishery that made the place is largely gone. What is worth the detour is the delta itself, a reed wilderness full of pelicans, and the medieval site of Sarayshyq upstream.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – May or September – October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Bridge between Europe and Asia
- Ural river embankment
- Imangali mosque
- Atyrau regional history museum
- Uspensky cathedral
- Sarayshyq medieval site and museum(Day trip)
- Pelicans of the Caspian delta(Day trip)
- Akzhaiyk reed wilderness(Day trip)
- Fish market and the sturgeon story
Getting there
- Airports:
- GUW
- Train stations:
- Atyrau