Month guide · Almaty · Kazakhstan
Almaty in May
What May is really like in Almaty: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dauren Nabijan, CC0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Almaty. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 14.7 hours of daylight. Warm and green with lilacs and fountains; some rain, but a lovely month in the city and foothills.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 14.7 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Almaty: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with April (18°C (64°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 04:28
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:09
- Daylight
- About 14.7 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, May rates 4 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 May
- Victory Day commemorations (9 May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
Arasan Baths
Bring flip-flops and a towel or rent them, and try a venik (birch-twig) treatment in the Russian banya.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
Architecture · City centre
Almaty Metro art stations
Almaty's single metro line, opened in 2011, has stations decorated with themes from Kazakh culture: mosaics and chandeliers at Almaly, Silk Road reliefs at Zhibek Zholy and stained glass at Abay.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
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
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
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 11°C and 13 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Almaty?
One of the best months to visit Almaty, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are June and September. Compare every month.
Almaty in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Almaty?
It is one of the best months to visit Almaty. Warm and green with lilacs and fountains; some rain, but a lovely month in the city and foothills.
+How warm is Almaty in May?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Almaty in May?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.