10 Best Things to Do in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan and the main entry point into the mountainous country. With towering snowy peaks seen in the distance from the central square, the incredible nature of the Tian Shan Mountain Range is right at the city’s doorstep. However, before you head for the mountains, it’s worth exploring Bishkek’s main attractions for an insight into the history of Kyrgyzstan.

While most travellers tend to spend as little time as possible in Bishkek, I ended up spending a week there getting some work done and trying to plan the rest of my trip. It might not be the most impressive city, but it has a bustling market, interesting Soviet architecture, and good food to introduce you to Central Asian culture.

If you’re planning on spending a day or two in the capital, then here are the best things to do in Bishkek. Plus, where to stay and what to eat and how to get out of the city.

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Getting to Bishkek

Bishkek is the biggest transport hub for the entire country of Kyrgyzstan. It’s home to the main international airport, Manas International Airport, plus a train station and bus stations with marshrutkas (public minibuses) going almost anywhere (even to international destinations like Tashkent and Almaty).

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How to Get From Manas Airport to Bishkek 

Manas International Airport is around 25km north of the city centre and can take around an hour to reach or more, depending on traffic. Here’s how to get into the city after you arrive:

Bus | Marshrutka #380 operates between the arrivals terminal and the city centre from 6:30am until 9pm each day. It costs about 60 som. Otherwise, public bus #153 also operates from 7am until 9pm for around 10 som. It will likely take a bit more than an hour with several stops.

Taxi | You can grab a taxi from the arrivals terminal, although be prepared to bargain a little for the price. It should cost around 900 som for the trip into the city centre, depending on where your hotel is.

Yandex | If you can download the Yandex Go taxi app (works like Uber), then you’ll be able to book a driver. It will cost less than a taxi and it also saves the language barrier of directing a taxi driver to your hotel.

Want peace of mind? 🚕 Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel

Main Marshrutka/Bus Station

The New Bus Station or Bishkek Avtovokzal is now the main bus station in Bishkek (ignore anything on online that talks about the old Western Bus Station which is closed for now). This new bus station has marshrutkas and buses going all over the country, including internationally to Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The station is north of the city centre and it costs about 300-400 som to reach it with a Yandex depending on where you are staying. Otherwise, public bus #13 connects the centre of Bishkek with the New Bus Station for 20 som (and also the old Western Bus Station, in case you end up there by mistake).

Ensure you purchase bus tickets from the ticket offices in the terminal rather than directly with the drivers (who may overcharge you). The terminal has public bathrooms (10 som) and a few snack shops. 

‘There are buses to and from Almaty five times a day for 600 som. The marshrutkas to and from Karakol start from 7am and leave regularly. You can also get marshrutkas to Kochkor and Naryn here.

Bus Terminal for Tashkent and Osh

There is a temporary bus station for transport to Tashkent and Osh operating from this parking area here. It’s at least 1.5 hours west of Bishkek, so ensure you allow enough time to reach it for your bus. Take a Yandex for 500 som or public bus #13 will reach this spot as its final stop, which costs 30 som.

Buses to Tashkent via Kazakhstan depart in the evening for 2,400 som. It’s best to book in advance through your accommodation because they book out in high season. There are sleeper and regular seat buses available. The journey is long (12+ hours) with several border crossings involved.

Marshrutka #517 from Bishkek to Osh (also Toktogul and Jalal-Abad) depart from here in the early morning, starting at 6am. It costs around 1,200 som. Otherwise, you can also find shared taxis here to Osh for 2000+ som for a seat. It takes around 12 hours for the journey.

Bishkek Train Station

Bishkek-2 is the main train station in the city, although, train travel is not very extensive in Kyrgyzstan. However, the Bishkek to Balykchy train that runs in summer is a very worthwhile trip for travellers. The scenic ride takes around 4 hours to reach the western edge of Issyk Kul lake. In particular, the VIP class is beautiful and comfortable and has become a must do while travelling in the country.

Read more: How to Take the Train from Bishkek to Balykchy

There’s also a train from Moscow to Bishkek, via Shymkent (Kazakhstan). It’s a long-distance train that takes around 3 days in total, operates on a weekly basis and is seasonal. There’s little information available on this train online, so it’s best to head to the station to ask for up to date details.

When to Visit Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

As with most of Kyrgyzstan, it’s best to visit Bishkek in the warmer summer months. Most travellers visit from May until September, for the best weather. Outside of these months, it’s cold, rainy and miserable in the city and it can be difficult to explore the surrounding mountains.

However, it also gets quite hot in Bishkek, so expect temperatures in the mid to high 30s in the middle of summer. At this time, it’s best to explore early in the morning or head into the nearby Ala Archa National Park for fresher, cooler air.

Where to Stay in Bishkek

Bishkek has a variety of accommodation options for tourists, backpackers, and business people. You’ll find everything from hostels to luxury hotels in the centre of the city, within walking distance of the main square and attractions.

I stayed at Meeting Place Hostel, a friendly place with comfortable dorm rooms, a kitchen, and outdoor patio. It’s within walking distance of Osh Market and Ala Too Square, so an all round good value spot.

• Budget: Meeting Place Hostel
• Midrange: SilkRoad Guesthouse
• Luxury: Orion Hotel

Where to Eat in Bishkek

Bishkek is where you can find the most variety in Kyrgyzstan’s dining scene. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes offering different cuisines. Here are my recommendations for where to grab a good meal: 

• Navat Restaurant: The best place to get acquainted with traditional Kyrgyz food. Navat is beautifully decorated and has an extensive menu showcasing all the typical food of the country. It’s often very busy, so book ahead if you can.
• Sierra Café: The ideal place for a coffee and a non-Kyrgyz meal, this café brings coffee culture to Bishkek. The menu offers delicious breakfast options, plus Mexican-inspired main meals, and burgers. It’s the best spot to bring a book or your laptop and relax or work for a few hours. 
• Furusato: This Japanese restaurant is an absolute must if you like Japanese food. A very traditional Japanese spot with authentic food and vibe, it’s often very busy until late every night. Book a table on weekends.
• Al Baraka (Аль Барака on Google Maps): Located inside Osh Market, this little local spot is a great place to try real local food. From lagman to plov and snacks like samsa, it’s a budget-friendly place to grab a meal in Bishkek.

Book a food tour in Bishkek 🥘 4 Hour Private Food Tasting Tour

Best Things to Do in Bishkek

Whether you have a day or two or longer, here are the best things to do in Bishkek. From the markets to the Soviet architecture, you shouldn’t miss the following places on your visit:

Book a day tour to save time:

Osh Market

This is one of the biggest bazaars in Bishkek and a great place to observe local life and discover new foods. The sprawling market covers everything from food and spices to clothes and household products. 

The stall holders are generally pretty friendly and happy to explain their products to you, especially in the nuts, dried fruit and sweets sectionn of the market. This is perfect for picking up some snacks and trying new things you might not have seen before.

Osh Market is open every day of the week from early until late. If you arrive first thing in the morning around 8am, you’ll be able to see people setting up and the produce being brought in from the countryside.

We visited several times to pick up fruit, vegetables, and snacks. Plus, it’s also a good spot to purchase anything you might need for your trip.

Ala Too Square

Ala-Too Square is the central square in Bishkek and the most obvious example of Soviet style architecture. Ala-Too means “great mountain” symbolising the mountain ranges you can see in the distance from the square beyond the cityscape.

In the square, you’ll find a fountain where children run around, surrounded by some cafes and shops. Across the road, the prominent statue of the legendary Aikal Manas sits high on his horse. It stands once where the State of Lenin was located during the Soviet Union.

Next to the statue is a giant Kyrgyz flag underneath which you’ll find guards who change every few hours. It’s cool to be there to watch the changing of the guard, if you can time it right.

Behind the statue is the State History Museum, while Oak Park lies just to the east and the Parliament building is to the west. The square is definitely the centre of culture, history and politics in Bishkek.

State History Museum

Just back from Ala-Too Square, the State History Museum is one of the most important museums in Central Asia. It’s worth visiting if you’re interested in understanding more about Kyrgyzstan’s heritage along the Silk Road.

There are several levels with exhibits showcasing everything from jewellery and coins to military antiques and ancient sculptures. You’ll likely need at least two hours, if you want to really take your time in each space.

Entrance fee: 200 som

Lenin Statue

Behind the State History Museum is the Vladimir Lenin statue. It once stood in Ala-Too Square but was relocated after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, Kyrgyzstan holds onto their Soviet history a little more than other republics in Central Asian, and the numerous statues of Lenin and references to him are still found across the country.

Oak Park

Just next to the State History Museum and Ala-Too Square is Oak Park. This beautiful green space is filled with colourful gardens and several footpaths. It also acts as an open-air museum with lots of sculptures and statues of important figures in Kyrgyzstan history.

It’s a nice place to wander through and enjoy a green oasis in the city centre.

Victory Square

Further east of Oak Park, you’ll find Victory Square which stands out for its iconic monument and eternal flame. It was built in 1985 for the 40^th anniversary of the end of WWII and it has become an important landmark in the city.

Try Local Food

Bishkek is usually the first place travellers try a Kyrgyz meal. While you can certainly find any cuisine in Bishkek, I highly recommend trying local food in the city.

The best place to try authentic Kyrgyz cuisine is in Navat, which offers virtually every dish from Central Asia in a comfortable atmosphere. However, if you really want to get into the local food, I recommend heading to Osh Bazaar.

There’s a small restaurant called Al Baraka (Аль Барака on Google Maps). Here you can try plov, lagman, shaslik, or samsa with the locals. You’ll need Google Translate to decipher the menu!

Dordoi Bazaar

If Osh Market isn’t enough for you, then you can travel 10km north of the city centre to Dordoi Bazaar. This is the largest market in Kyrgyzstan and one of the biggest in Asia, often compared to markets in Bangkok.

It’s a huge sprawling place with several markets joined together to create a massive wholesale marketplace. While you might not go to buy anything, it’s still a worthwhile spot to take in the hustle and bustle and meet with the vendors.

Visit Ala Archa National Park

Just 35km south of Bishkek lies Ala Archa National Park, preserving a large section of the Ala Too range in the Tien Shan Mountains. Home to glaciers, peaks, forests and rivers, it’s filled with stunning scenes that offer the perfect introduction to the country’s incredible landscapes.

Being just an hour from the city, it’s easily the best day trip from Bishkek and is very popular amongst travellers and locals alike. You can either book a tour or take yourself there, with a couple of day hikes making it manageable to do all in a day from Bishkek.

If you want to visit independently, you can either take a Yandex taxi or a bus. Bus #1 departs regularly from near the State of Lenin in Bishkek and takes about an hour to get to the entrance gate of the national park for 50 som. From there, you pay the entrance fee of 200 som and jump on the free shuttle buses that transport visitors 12km to the trailhead.

From this trailhead, you can take two different trails. There is a gentle walk known as the Ala Archa River Trail which is a nice option for those not looking for a strenuous hike. Otherwise, you can also take the Ak Sai Waterfall and Ak Sai Glacier trail. This takes you up to a waterfall (2 hours one way), from where you can continue on to the glacier (4 hours one way) and Ratzek Hut if you have the time and energy.

There’s also an option to camp or stay at Ratzek Hut, which would make this much more achievable over two days instead of one.

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Book a day tour to Ala Archa National Park:

VIP Train to Balykchy 

Once you’re ready to leave Bishkek and start exploring the country, I highly recommend taking the train to Balykchy. This is a summer-only service, but is a must do in Kyrgyzstan, especially if you can secure a VIP seat.

The scenic 4-hour journey to Balykchy and Issyk Kul lake takes you past mountains, farmlands, and through gorges. The VIP carriages are beautifully decorated and give you plenty of space on comfortable chairs, with huge windows offering panoramic views.

It’s the perfect way to kick off your Kyrgyzstan trip!

Read more: How to Take the Bishkek to Balykchy Train

Exploring More of Kyrgyzstan?

• Issyk Kul: How to Get From Bishkek to Karakol
• Karakol: 15 Best Things to Do in Karakol
• Jyrgalan: Essential Guide to Visiting Jyrgalan Village
• Ala Kul Trek: Complete Guide to the Ala Kul Trek
• Song Kul: Complete Guide to Horse Trekking to Song Kul
• Kol Ukok: Essential Guide to Kol Ukok Lake
• SIM Card: Which SIM Card Should You Buy For Kyrgyzstan?

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