population: 0.18 million

extension: 540 square kilometers

Museums

If you're in Aktau and interested in museums, you may want to visit the Regional Museum of Local Lore, which showcases the history and culture of the Mangystau region. Additionally, there is also the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Modern Art in Aktau for those interested in art. If you're willing to travel a bit further, you could also visit the Karagiye Depression Museum, which is located about 90 km from Aktau and features exhibits on geology and paleontology.

Food

Some of the most recommended and popular dishes in Aktau and Kazakhstan include:
- Beshbarmak: a traditional Kazakh dish made with boiled meat (usually lamb or beef) served over large flat noodles with onions and sometimes potatoes.
- Kazy: a type of sausage made from horse meat and typically served sliced thinly as an appetizer or snack.
- Shashlik: grilled skewers of marinated meat (usually lamb, beef, or chicken) often served with vegetables and bread.
- Lagman: a hearty soup made with noodles, vegetables, and meat (usually lamb or beef).
- Plov: a pilaf dish made with rice, carrots, onions, and sometimes meat (usually beef or lamb).

There are many other delicious Kazakh dishes to try as well, but these are some of the most typical and beloved by locals.

Activities

Some fun activities that local people enjoy in Aktau include visiting the local bazaar or market to shop for fresh produce and souvenirs, taking a stroll along the seafront promenade, and enjoying traditional Kazakh cuisine in local restaurants. You could also visit the Botanical Garden, go horseback riding or take a boat tour around the Caspian Sea. During the summer months, many locals also enjoy swimming and sunbathing at the beaches near Aktau.