Aktau, Kazakhstan: The Caspian Transit City

Aktau is a transit hub most travelers overlook.

Originally built as a small Soviet city for uranium mining, it was named “Shevchenko” during Soviet times (after the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, who was exiled here). After Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991 it was renamed Aktau (Kazakh for “white mountain”, referring to nearby limestone cliffs).

Arrival

The classic route to Aktau is by ferry from Baku, Azerbaijan across the Caspian. The overnight ferry takes 18-24 hours and gives a chance to see the Caspian turn deep blue at sunrise.

Aktau itself doesn’t have many sights. The city hugs the coast with Soviet-era block buildings and a new seaside promenade. The Caspian is a real sea (despite being the world’s largest lake), with rough waves and a color close to ocean blue.

In Aktau

Worth seeing in town:

• The Regional Museum, with exhibits on western Kazakhstan’s history
• The coastline at sunset, especially on windy days
• Sherkala, a lonely rock mountain 2 hours east of Aktau

Most people stay one night in Aktau before continuing by road or air to Almaty. But if you want to see the “real Caspian” of Central Asia, this city is the best entry point.