Outdoors · Almaty · Kazakhstan
5 best outdoor things to do in Almaty
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: МаратД, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Start with Shymbulak, Big Almaty Lake and Kok Zhaylau trail. Together the 5 picks below take roughly 13–18 hours across 4 areas; 2 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 5
- Free entry
- 2
- Time to see them all
- 13–18 hours
- Areas
- Medeu and Shymbulak, Ile-Alatau National Park and Al-Farabi and Esentai
Outdoors in Almaty
Nature · Medeu and Shymbulak
1.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
Nature · Ile-Alatau National Park
2.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
3.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
Park · Al-Farabi and Esentai
4.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
5.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
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Medeu and Shymbulak | Shymbulak | Half a day |
| Ile-Alatau National Park | Big Almaty Lake and Kok Zhaylau trail | Half a day + 4–6 hours |
| Al-Farabi and Esentai | First President's Park | 1–2 hours |
| Medeu district | Gorky Central Park | 2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 5, 2 free, 2 low cost, 1 expensive. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Kok Zhaylau trail; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 4 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Medeu and Shymbulak): Shymbulak, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Ile-Alatau National Park): Big Almaty Lake, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Ile-Alatau National Park): Kok Zhaylau trail, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Al-Farabi and Esentai and Medeu district): First President's Park → Gorky Central Park, at least 3 hours.
The best months to be outside
- September: highs of 24°C (75°F), about 5 rainy days, busy crowds. Often the best month: warm, dry days, golden trees and apple season, with clear mountain views.
- August: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 6 rainy days, busy crowds. Hot and dry; ideal for Kolsai, Kaindy and high-altitude trails, with fruit season at the bazaar.
- October: highs of 16°C (61°F), about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds. Crisp and colourful early in the month; the first snow dusts the peaks and some mountain roads close later.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Al-Farabi and Esentai — Business district of glass towers, the Esentai Mall and luxury hotels
- Medeu and Shymbulak — Mountain valley above the city with the skating rink, ski resort and chalets
More of Almaty
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Almaty?
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.
+Which of these are free in Almaty?
First President's Park and Gorky Central Park.