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Aktau is a Caspian seaport on the cape Melovy. This is a very picturesque city offering plenty of sights to see. The history of the place alone is a sightseeing attraction!

Back in the 1960s they discovered the first uranium deposits here. These were the reason why they chose to start an industrial settlement Aktausky and a power plant. The power plant is one of a kind, for not only does it supply the community with electric power, but it also provides the locals with fresh water. And this is genuinely noteworthy. Because Aktau isn’t the first, but the only city where they use “artificial water” i.e. seawater turned fresh.

Another reason to found the city where it is, was the first and only seaport in Kazakhstan. This in essence is the country’s sea gate.

Popular places

Go visit the Torysh Valley.

At the foot of the Karatau Mountains, on the Mangistau peninsular, sits the mysterious Torysh Valley of Balls. It features a huge number of spherical boulders bearing resemblance to balls. Their origin is a mystery of many centuries. Scientists have been trying to unravel the puzzle for over 250 centuries, but with no success thus far. What’s interesting about it and astounds the travelers is that the rocks give off this mystical energy unknown to the modern science. And photoshoots down there are off the charts.

Walk down the famous Rocky Path.

Most popular tourist route in Aktau. This is a 1.5 km long footpath between the sea and the cliffs. This is a unique place, one-of-a-kind in the CIS. There are 24 vista points along the path, with benches to rest on, and lighting that is switched on in the evening. You may as well get to see the quay that is favored by both locals and tourists. This is a place to come for a stroll and enjoy the view of the sea. The quay has enough benches to go round for those willing to make themselves comfortable and enjoy the sundown.

Try sturgeon and caviar The Caspian coast has countless fish restaurants.

It is totally worth your time to visit the sturgeon farm located right in the city, and have lunch at a restaurant with glass walls and floors – a sort of a fish tank at the heart of the nursery bay. This will definitely give you a thrill. It is at a fish nursery like this that you get to buy caviar and fish to go, and get certificates authorizing you to take the fish products out of Aktau.