Month guide · Almaty · Kazakhstan
Almaty in February
What February is really like in Almaty: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Batyrbek.kz, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
February is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 2°C (36°F), lows of -7°C (19°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 10.5 hours of daylight. Still cold with reliable snow in the mountains; good skiing and skating at Medeu.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 2°C (36°F) / -7°C (19°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in February
February is the 10th-warmest month in Almaty: days average 2°C (36°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about -7°C (19°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 28 days. Compared with January (0°C (32°F)), February is warmer; by March highs climb to around 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 06:50
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 17:23
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
Winter (December–February). Snowy and cold, with skiing at Shymbulak and skating at Medeu; smog can settle over the city on still days.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in February
February has no major recurring festival in Almaty, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in February
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
Go up an hour before sunset to see the city in daylight and then lit up, and check the weather: the view vanishes in winter smog.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
- Couples
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
Ride all the way to Talgar Pass on a clear morning and bring warm layers even in summer; the air is thin and cold at the top.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 2°C, lows near -7°C and 8 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February a good time to visit Almaty?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Almaty in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit Almaty?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Still cold with reliable snow in the mountains; good skiing and skating at Medeu.
+How warm is Almaty in February?
Average highs are around 2°C (36°F) and lows around -7°C (19°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Almaty in February?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.