Travel guide · Kazakhstan
Almaty travel guide
Tree-lined Soviet boulevards below snow peaks, mountain lakes and canyon trips
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dauren Nabijan, CC0
Quick answer
Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city and former capital, spreads across the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau, with peaks over 4,000 metres visible at the end of its leafy avenues. Its centre mixes Soviet modernist buildings, the wooden Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park and the busy Green Bazaar, while the Medeu skating rink, the Shymbulak ski area and Big Almaty Lake are all under an hour away. Further afield, day trips reach Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September.
Key facts
- Country
- Kazakhstan
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- ALA
- Mid-range daily budget
- $90–$180 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Tian Shan mountains, Shymbulak ski resort, Medeu skating rink and Zenkov Cathedral
Why visit Almaty
- Mountains start at the edge of the city: the Medeu rink at about 1,700 metres and the Shymbulak gondola rising above 2,200 metres are reached by bus or taxi in 30–40 minutes.
- Panfilov Park's wooden Ascension Cathedral, the Green Bazaar and the Soviet mosaics on Almaty's buildings give the centre a distinctive character.
- Kazakh, Uyghur, Russian and Korean cooking meet in the city's restaurants: beshbarmak, lagman, manti, plov and kazy.
- Charyn Canyon, the Kolsai lakes and the sunken forest of Kaindy are among Central Asia's most striking landscapes within a long day's drive.
- Big Almaty Lake, the Kok Zhaylau plateau and Ile-Alatau National Park put serious hiking within reach of a city base.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Religious site · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral)
Completed in 1907 and designed by Andrei Zenkov, this brightly painted Russian Orthodox cathedral is built almost entirely of wood and survived the 1911 earthquake that destroyed much of the city.
- Time needed
- 1 hour with the park
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Dostyk Avenue and Kok Tobe foothills
Kok Tobe
A hill at about 1,100 metres on the city's south-east edge, crowned by the Almaty TV tower.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
- Couples
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Landmark · Medeu and Shymbulak
Medeu
An outdoor speed-skating rink built in 1972 at about 1,700 metres in the mountains above Almaty, where many world records were set.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Active
- Views
- After dark
Nature · Medeu and Shymbulak
Shymbulak
Central Asia's best-known ski resort sits above Medeu, connected by a gondola of about 4.5 km that rises to around 2,260 metres.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
- Iconic
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Nature · Ile-Alatau National Park
Big Almaty Lake
A glacial reservoir at about 2,500 metres, about 28 km south of the city, whose milky-turquoise colour comes from glacial silt.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Market · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
Green Bazaar
Almaty's central market, the Zelyony Bazar, fills a large hall with stalls of horse-meat sausage, dried fruit, nuts, honey, Korean salads and bowls of kurt cheese, with vendors offering tastings.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Golden Square is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, food lovers and families
Golden Square
Leafy, upscale grid of the old centre between Abay, Dostyk and Al-Farabi avenues
$$ · Best for first-timers, budget, culture and shopping
Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
Historic core around the cathedral, the Green Bazaar and the pedestrian Arbat
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples and quiet stays
Dostyk Avenue and Kok Tobe foothills
Main avenue rising south towards the mountains, with hotels and the Kok Tobe hill
$$$$ · Best for luxury, shopping and nightlife
Al-Farabi and Esentai
Business district of glass towers, the Esentai Mall and luxury hotels
What to eat
- Beshbarmak — Kazakhstan's national dish: boiled horse meat or mutton served over sheets of flat noodles with onion broth.
- Lagman — Hand-pulled Uyghur noodles topped with stir-fried beef or lamb, peppers, tomato and garlic, either as a soup or fried (guiru lagman).
- Plov — Rice cooked in a large kazan with lamb or beef, carrots, onions and cumin, sometimes with chickpeas and raisins.
- Manti — Large steamed dumplings filled with minced lamb or beef, onion and sometimes pumpkin, served with sour cream or chilli.
- Samsa — Flaky triangular pastries baked in a tandoor-style oven and filled with lamb, beef or pumpkin.
- Kazy — Horse-meat sausage, cured or boiled and sliced thin, served as a cold appetiser at celebrations.
When to go
The best time to visit Almaty is May–June and September, when the city is green or golden, temperatures are comfortable and mountain trails and lakes are accessible. July and August are hot in the city but ideal for high mountains. December to March is for skiing at Shymbulak and skating at Medeu, though the city can be smoggy.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Nauryz celebrations, blossom and green parks, with frequent showers and snow lingering on high trails. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, sunny city days and cool mountains; the best season for Big Almaty Lake, Kolsai, Kaindy and hiking. |
| Autumn | September–November | Golden foliage and apple season in September, cooling quickly through October towards the first snow. |
| Winter | December–February | Snowy and cold, with skiing at Shymbulak and skating at Medeu; smog can settle over the city on still days. |
Getting there and around
Almaty International Airport (ALA) is about 15 km north-east of the centre, roughly 30–40 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing car outside rush hour. City buses also link the airport with the centre.
Central Almaty is a walkable grid; remember that south is 'up', towards the mountains, and streets slope noticeably. Ride-hailing apps are cheap and the main way to get around, supplemented by the metro, buses and the mountain lifts.
Plan your days
Three days covers the centre, Kok Tobe, Medeu and Shymbulak, and Big Almaty Lake. Five days adds Charyn Canyon and an overnight trip to the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes; a week leaves time for Altyn-Emel or hiking in Ile-Alatau National Park.
Practical information
- Currency
- KZT
- Language
- Kazakh and Russian
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated, but most visitors drink bottled or boiled water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (general emergency); 102 police, 103 ambulance
- Tipping
- Restaurants often include a service charge; if not, about 10% is customary for good service.
Mountain weather changes quickly, so carry layers and water on hikes and check conditions before heading to high altitude. Winter smog can affect people with breathing conditions, and ticks are a risk in the foothills in spring and early summer.
Flights to Almaty
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Almaty?
Three days covers the centre, Kok Tobe, Medeu and Shymbulak, and Big Almaty Lake. Five days adds Charyn Canyon and an overnight trip to the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes; a week leaves time for Altyn-Emel or hiking in Ile-Alatau National Park. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Almaty?
The best time to visit Almaty is May–June and September, when the city is green or golden, temperatures are comfortable and mountain trails and lakes are accessible. July and August are hot in the city but ideal for high mountains. December to March is for skiing at Shymbulak and skating at Medeu, though the city can be smoggy.
+What is Almaty known for?
Tian Shan mountains, Shymbulak ski resort, Medeu skating rink, Zenkov Cathedral, Green Bazaar, Charyn Canyon and Apples. Mountains start at the edge of the city: the Medeu rink at about 1,700 metres and the Shymbulak gondola rising above 2,200 metres are reached by bus or taxi in 30–40 minutes.
+Is Almaty expensive?
Almaty is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $90–$180 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Almaty?
Not in the city, where ride-hailing is cheap. For Charyn Canyon, Kolsai, Kaindy and Altyn-Emel, a tour or private driver is easier than self-driving, as distances are long and some tracks need a 4×4.