I like pretty places. And so do you, otherwise you wouldn’t have ended up here. Bishkek isn’t exactly a Pinterest-style city, but it does have a surprising number of beautiful spots, both within the city and just outside it. This list will keep growing!

Botanical Garden Greenhouse

The only thing that survived the unfortunate destruction of Bishkek’s long-suffering Botanical Garden is its tropical greenhouse. Entrance costs next to nothing. Inside, it’s hot and humid—just the way palm trees, monsteras, cacti, and jungle vines like it. It’s an incredibly lush, green space that’s perfect both for a quiet walk and for a photo shoot.

Riad

A riad (Arabic for “garden”) is a traditional Moroccan house or palace built around an open courtyard. Bishkek’s own Riad is hidden in one of the less glamorous streets near Osh Bazaar. You definitely won’t stumble upon it by accident. Inside, however, you’ll find a genuinely beautiful Moroccan-style courtyard complete with a fountain. Sitting on the terrace here is pure bliss.

The menu focuses on Middle Eastern cuisine, but the real stars are the cocktails. The outdoor courtyard closes in winter, but the indoor rooms still keep that authentic Moroccan atmosphere.

Riders

A unique little bar in the upper part of Bishkek, sitting right on a small pond inside Adinay Park. Spend the evening under the willow trees, watch the sky turn pink at sunset, and admire people wakeboarding across the lake. Riders only operates during the warmer months, for fairly obvious reasons.

“Society”

Obshchestvo (Society) is a craft beer bar in central Bishkek and an absolute paradise for aesthetes (and beer lovers).

There’s a charming courtyard filled with vintage furniture and three beautifully designed indoor halls, all with an eclectic style—at least I think that’s what it’s called.

DomKult

Another favourite in the upper part of Bishkek. Think retro interiors, excellent cocktails, and lively parties.

DariKuduk

Describing this place is almost impossible. Every room has its own carefully thought-out design. The overall concept is unmistakably Central Asian, although, honestly, it also reminds me a lot of Georgia and Armenia.

It’s a two-storey house with several rooms and a courtyard, each decorated in a different ethnic style. A wonderfully creative place to spend an evening.

Restaurant “Frunze”

“Frunze” was the name of the capital of the Kyrgyz SSR during the Soviet Union. It’s located in the oldest and greenest part of Bishkek, but that’s not the only reason it’s so Instagrammable – the building and the restaurant’s style are somewhere between Italy and France. Unless you step inside, where the style of what I call the “Frunze intelligentsia” reigns supreme – lacquered furniture, portraits of famous Kyrgyz figures, and a huge library on the second floor.

Museum of Great Emptiness

Imagine the home of a mad artist. Mad in the best possible way, of course. Located about thirty minutes outside Bishkek in the village of Orto-Sai, the museum is also the artist’s home. Address. The house itself is a work of art. There is a cone-shaped meditation room, a glass room, labyrinth-like installations, and countless bizarre details. You don’t have to understand or even like the artwork. Honestly, with so many details, it’s impossible to process everything anyway. What you can do is take some wonderfully unusual photos.

Read my full guide to the museum here.

Tolon Museum of Modern Art

Like the Museum of Great Emptiness, this museum is located outside Bishkek. From the outside, it looks like an abandoned factory—which, somehow, feels very appropriate for contemporary art. I’m afraid I have some bad news though: admission isn’t cheap. The museum values itself highly, so expect to pay around $20 for a ticket. The collection is enormous. You’ll need at least two or three hours to see everything. Don’t miss the exhibition by the artist whose work is obsessed with Soviet aesthetics (I’ve completely forgotten his name). It feels like wandering through the graveyard of Soviet greatness. There also seems to be a noticeable Lenin obsession—which, to be fair, is hardly unusual among people nostalgic for communism. Still, it turned out to be the perfect backdrop for my photos.

Read my full review here.

Sky Glamping

This is one of those places that’s beautiful all year round, although I’d personally recommend visiting in spring, while the mountains are still bright green. You can spend the weekend in a luxury camping dome with a panoramic view over Bishkek. In my opinion, it’s slightly overpriced, but the scenery easily makes up for it. In winter, you can watch snowstorms and rolling fog from the comfort of your bed. In summer, pack a picnic, hike to the nearby hills, and watch the sunset over the city.

Check out my reviews of both the winter and summer experience.

Ala-Archa Reservoir

You only have about one month each year to experience this little fairytale. Every spring, the reservoir is filled for the irrigation season. The water level rises dramatically, flooding part of the nearby forest. And yes—you can paddle right through the flooded trees.

Read my full guide here.

Northern Lights Christmas Market

From early December until mid-January, Bishkek hosts the Northern Lights Christmas Market. Sometimes it’s held on Ala-Too Square, sometimes outside the city—the location changes every year. Honestly, it’s every bit as charming as many European Christmas markets. Children will find plenty of activities, adults can enjoy mulled wine and hot dogs, and everyone gets festive lights, giant Christmas trees, live performers, and enough holiday decorations to force even the biggest Grinch into the New Year spirit.

Admission is paid and, for once, children’s tickets are actually more expensive than adult ones. There’s also a cosy restaurant with panoramic windows and beautiful New Year decorations.

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