Free things to do · Almaty · Kazakhstan
6 free things to do in Almaty
Almaty without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Batyrbek.kz, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Almaty without paying an entry fee: Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), Green Bazaar, Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat) and Almaty Central Mosque are all free. Weekday business lunches are the best-value way to eat in good restaurants.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 8
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- November
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
1.Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral)
Visit during a service to hear the choir, dress modestly and, for women, carry a headscarf.
- Time needed
- 1 hour with the park
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Market · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
2.Green Bazaar
Try kazy, kurt and dried apricots before you buy, and bring cash; prices are by the kilogram.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- Photo spot
Street · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
3.Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat)
Look for the mosaics in the Zhibek Zholy metro station below the street.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Food
Religious site · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
4.Almaty Central Mosque
Dress modestly with arms and legs covered, and women should bring a headscarf.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Park · Al-Farabi and Esentai
5.First President's Park
Come at sunset when the fountains run and the mountains glow behind the main avenue.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Park · Medeu district
6.Gorky Central Park
Come in the late afternoon on a summer weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Free
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy | Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), Green Bazaar, Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat) and Almaty Central Mosque | 1 hour with the park + 1–1.5 hours + 1 hour + 30 minutes |
| Al-Farabi and Esentai | First President's Park | 1–2 hours |
| Medeu district | Gorky Central Park | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Landmark · Medeu and Shymbulak
Medeu
Skate in the evening, when the rink is floodlit and music plays; climb the dam stairs in daylight for views down the valley.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Active
- Views
- After dark
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Nature · Ile-Alatau National Park
Big Almaty Lake
Go early with a taxi or tour; the last stretch is a mountain road, and the lake's colour is best in sunshine from June to October.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Nature · Ile-Alatau National Park
Kok Zhaylau trail
Start before 9am, bring water and layers, and check tick precautions in spring and early summer.
- Time needed
- 4–6 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Views
Museum · Samal
Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
Allow time for the nomadic culture rooms, which put the steppe's horse-based life in context.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Golden Square
Kasteyev State Museum of Arts
Head first to the Kazakh halls on the ground floor, which you will not see anywhere else.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments
Combine it with the cathedral and memorial in the same park.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Architecture · City centre
Almaty Metro art stations
Ride the whole line between Raiymbek Batyr and Abay stations, getting off at the decorated stations.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Architecture · Golden Square
Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre
Check the programme for a Kazakh opera such as one by Mukan Tulebayev for something you will not see at home.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Art
- Couples
- Architecture
More ways to save
- Weekday business lunches are the best-value way to eat in good restaurants.
- Ride-hailing is cheap; split cars to Medeu and Big Almaty Lake rather than booking private tours.
- Group tours to Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy cost much less than private drivers.
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere in the city, but carry cash for markets and villages.
- Hotel prices in the Panfilov Park area are lower than in the Golden Square for similar standards.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Almaty expensive to visit?
Almaty is affordable for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Almaty?
Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral): Visit during a service to hear the choir, dress modestly and, for women, carry a headscarf.