Things to do · Almaty · Kazakhstan
17 best things to do in Almaty
17 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rem.photographer, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Almaty are Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), Kok Tobe and Medeu. Of the 17 picks below, 6 are free, 5 work on a rainy day and 6 suit children. Allow about 5 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral)
- Free sights
- 6
- Good on a rainy day
- Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
- Time to see the highlights
- 5 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral) | Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy | 1 hour with the park | Free |
| Kok Tobe | Dostyk Avenue and Kok Tobe foothills | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Medeu | Medeu and Shymbulak | 1.5–2 hours | Low cost |
| Shymbulak | Medeu and Shymbulak | Half a day | Expensive |
| Big Almaty Lake | Ile-Alatau National Park | Half a day | Low cost |
| Green Bazaar | Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy | 1–1.5 hours | Free |
| Kok Zhaylau trail | Ile-Alatau National Park | 4–6 hours | Low cost |
| Central State Museum of Kazakhstan | Samal | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Kasteyev State Museum of Arts | Golden Square | 1.5–2 hours | Low cost |
| Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments | Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy | 45 minutes | Low cost |
| Arasan Baths | Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat) | Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy | 1 hour | Free |
| Almaty Metro art stations | City centre | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Almaty Central Mosque | Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy | 30 minutes | Free |
| Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre | Golden Square | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| First President's Park | Al-Farabi and Esentai | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Gorky Central Park | Medeu district | 2 hours | Free |
The 17 best things to do
Religious site · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
1.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. It stands in Panfilov Park, named after the Panfilov Division of World War II, whose memorial and eternal flame are at the park's eastern end.
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
2.Kok Tobe
A hill at about 1,100 metres on the city's south-east edge, crowned by the Almaty TV tower. A cable car rises from Dostyk Avenue to the summit park, which has viewing platforms over the city and mountains, a Beatles statue, restaurants and small rides for children.
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
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Landmark · Medeu and Shymbulak
3.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. In winter it opens for public skating with skate hire, and behind it a dam protects the city from mudflows; climbing its long stairway is a popular workout.
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
Nature · Medeu and Shymbulak
4.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. Chairlifts continue to the Talgar Pass at about 3,200 metres, with views over glaciers. In summer, the lifts carry hikers and sightseers.
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
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Nature · Ile-Alatau National Park
5.Big Almaty Lake
A glacial reservoir at about 2,500 metres, about 28 km south of the city, whose milky-turquoise colour comes from glacial silt. Peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau surround it, and it supplies much of Almaty's drinking water, so swimming is not allowed.
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
Market · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
6.Green Bazaar
Almaty's central market, the Zelyony Bazar, fills a large hall with stalls of horse-meat sausage, dried fruit, nuts, honey, Korean salads and bowls of kurt cheese, with vendors offering tastings. Outside, the surrounding streets sell clothes, household goods and spices.
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
7.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. It is a moderate walk of a few hours and can be extended towards the Kumbel area for stronger hikers.
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
8.Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
The country's largest museum traces Kazakhstan's history from prehistoric petroglyphs and Scythian gold to nomadic life and the Soviet era, with yurts, jewellery, costumes and a copy of the Golden Man warrior's armour.
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
1.Kasteyev State Museum of Arts
Kazakhstan's main art museum holds Kazakh, Soviet, Russian and Western European art, from Abylkhan Kasteyev's landscapes to Soviet socialist realism and contemporary Kazakh painting, alongside applied arts such as jewellery and felt.
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
2.Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments
A carved wooden building by Andrei Zenkov in Panfilov Park houses a collection of dombras, kobyzes and other traditional instruments, some of which staff play for visitors, explaining the role of music in nomadic life.
Combine it with the cathedral and memorial in the same park.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Experience · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
3.Arasan Baths
A large Soviet-era bathhouse from the early 1980s near Panfilov Park, with Russian, Finnish and Turkish-style steam rooms, plunge pools and massage, used by locals of all ages. It is one of the best ways to warm up on a winter day.
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
Street · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
4.Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat)
The pedestrian section of Zhibek Zholy, named after the Silk Road, is lined with souvenir shops, cafés, street musicians and painters, and leads past the TsUM department store towards the Green Bazaar. It is busiest on summer evenings and weekends.
Look for the mosaics in the Zhibek Zholy metro station below the street.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Food
Architecture · City centre
5.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. A ride costs very little and is a useful way to cross the city.
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
Religious site · Panfilov Park and Zhibek Zholy
6.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. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times.
Dress modestly with arms and legs covered, and women should bring a headscarf.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Architecture · Golden Square
7.Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre
Kazakhstan's national opera and ballet company performs in a 1941 neoclassical theatre with national ornament on Kabanbay Batyr Street. Tickets for opera and ballet are affordable by international standards, and the repertoire includes Kazakh operas as well as classics.
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
Park · Al-Farabi and Esentai
8.First President's Park
A large landscaped park in the south of the city with fountains, lawns and long avenues aligned on the mountains behind. It is popular with families for evening walks and cycling.
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
9.Gorky Central Park
Almaty's oldest park, east of the centre, has a lake with pedal boats, amusement rides, the city zoo nearby and shaded paths. It is where local families spend summer weekends.
Come in the late afternoon on a summer weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Free
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, Kasteyev State Museum of Arts, Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments and Almaty Metro art stations |
| History | Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, Kasteyev State Museum of Arts and Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments |
| Views | Kok Tobe, Medeu, Shymbulak and Big Almaty Lake |
| Outdoors and nature | Shymbulak, Big Almaty Lake, Kok Zhaylau trail and First President's Park |
| Food and markets | Green Bazaar and Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat) |
| After dark | Kok Tobe, Medeu, Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat) and Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre |
| With children | Kok Tobe, Medeu, Central State Museum of Kazakhstan and Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments |
| On a rainy day | Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, Kasteyev State Museum of Arts, Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments and Arasan Baths |
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Almaty?
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.
+What can you do for free in Almaty?
Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), Green Bazaar, Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat), Almaty Central Mosque and First President's Park. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Almaty when it rains?
Head indoors to Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, Kasteyev State Museum of Arts, Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments and Arasan Baths.
+What is there to do in Almaty at night?
Kok Tobe, Medeu, Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat) and Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre are best after dark.