Hostel Sweet Home

Top choice in Shymkent


With its individually decorated rooms and friendly, incredibly helpful, English-speaking host Albina, this hostel gets rave reviews from backpackers. The attention to detail, the tranquil location, the summer terrace and the superclean, airy doubles and dorm are all pluses. Albina can pick you up from the train station and bus 26 stops three blocks away.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Shymkent attractions

1. Central or Upper Bazaar

2.07 MILES

The central bazaar is now somewhat diminished after the conversion of its outlying sprawl into parks and the removal of many traders to markets on the…

2. Wedding Palace

2.09 MILES

The squat, blue-domed Wedding Palace is a useful landmark.

3. Tauelsizdik sayabagy

2.27 MILES

Tauelsizdik sayabagy, accessed by footbridge from the tall, Mother Earth–topped Independence Monument, was inaugurated in 2011 for the 20th anniversary of…

4. Independence Monument

2.27 MILES

This monument consists of a tall, red granite column topped with the figure of Mother Earth.

5. Altyn Shanyrak

2.32 MILES

The tall Altyn Shanyrak monument in the middle of Independence Park – a sort of tall, metallic funnel – represents the central roof opening of a yurt.

7. Alleya Slavy

3.15 MILES

In Abay Park, two tall concrete pillars lean on each other above an eternal flame, and the alley is lined with plaques bearing the names of the more than…

8. Bazar Samal

4.74 MILES

Of several new markets around the city fringes, Bazar Samal, next to Samal bus station, is the biggest and most interesting, with a particularly colourful…