Month guide · Almaty · Kazakhstan
Almaty in March
What March is really like in Almaty: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Girdi at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. The thaw begins and the city celebrates Nauryz; spring skiing at Shymbulak.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in March
March is the 8th-warmest month in Almaty: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with February (2°C (36°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 18°C (64°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 06:05
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 17:59
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
Spring (March–May). Nauryz celebrations, blossom and green parks, with frequent showers and snow lingering on high trails.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March 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 March
- Nauryz — spring new year festival with yurts and food in public squares (around 21–23 March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Market · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
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
Nature · Ile-Alatau National Park
Kok Zhaylau trail
One of the most popular day hikes from Almaty climbs through spruce forest from the Medeu road to a high meadow plateau at around 1,700–2,000 metres, with views of the peaks.
- Time needed
- 4–6 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Views
Street · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
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
Almaty Central Mosque
Completed in 1999 near the Green Bazaar, the white marble mosque with a blue dome and minarets is one of the largest in Kazakhstan.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 0°C and 11 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 March a good time to visit Almaty?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Almaty in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Almaty?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The thaw begins and the city celebrates Nauryz; spring skiing at Shymbulak.
+How warm is Almaty in March?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Almaty in March?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.