15 Best Things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almaty, as the largest city in Kazakhstan, is also considered to be one of the most vibrant and exciting cities to visit in the country. From exciting food markets to ski resorts, Almaty is truly a city that will surprise you in every way. The city is also in the prime location. It is surrounded by Tian Shan mountains, which makes it the perfect destination for several unique day trips. Whether you are visiting Almaty for the first time or just want to discover more things to do in the city, this list will tick off all the activities not to be missed.

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1. Visit Panfilov Park

Start your visit of Almaty by going to explore the Panifilov Park. The peaceful atmosphere of the park makes it the perfect place to escape from the busy city life. You can find squirrels roaming around, and take in the greenery around.

As you walk in, you will immediately notice the impressive structure of the Ascension Cathedral. This Russian Orthodox Church was built in 1907 and happens to be the second tallest wooden building in the world. The Cathedral is also significant as it survived a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in 1911 thanks to its strong foundation. However, one might be surprised to learn that it is built without a single nail! It is worth going inside to observe the colourful tiling work and admire the interior of this impressive building.

The park is also a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the war. In the main square, you can find the Eternal Flame, as well as several statues to the main figures in the war throughout the park. The park is in fact names after General Ivan Panfilov, a Soviet military leader who led his division during World War II.

You can also discover here the “pigeon square”, where a lot of pigeons gather together. Pigeons in Kazakhstan are considered holy animals and don’t have bad connotations like they do in the Western Countries. There are stands where you can buy food to attract the pigeons and take a picture with them gathering around you.

2. Green Bazaar

Next, head to Green Bazaar, located only a 10 minute walk away from the Panfilov Park.

This is where you will get a taste of the local cuisine and discover what the locals eat and their local delicacies.

The market is known for its array of fresh produce. When you enter, you are immediately hit by the array of colours, such as the different fresh fruits and vegetables, and even the different flavours of honey. This is where the locals come to buy fresh produce for their meals, or to enjoy a delicious local lunch.

If you find yourself here, also make sure to try the local Kazakh foods. Fore example, kurt (a dried cheese ball), kazy (horsemeat sausage), and other dairy products like shubat (fermented camel’s milk). Horse meat is very popular in Central Asian countries and you will find a lot of it for sale in this market!

The Green Bazaar is a great place to buy a few souvenirs to take home. We bought some dried fruits, honey, and you can even buy some handwoven carpets and traditional Kazakh hats.

3. Rakhat candy factory

If you are a chocolate lover, this is definitely the one place in Almaty that you do not want to miss. Dating back 70 years, Rakhat candy factory is one of the oldest candy producers in Kazakhstan. The factory offers a diverse selection of candies, chocolates, and other treats, many of which are deeply tied to local traditions and flavours.

Walking in here, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of choice available! The factory is known for its great quality, taste and variety, which is what helped it maintain its reputation over the many years. There are a lot of different varieties of sweets available here, but the most popular ones include Central Asian sweets that come in the shape of chocolate bars, pralines, and candies filled with nuts, fruits and nougat.

If you want to go deeper and learn about how the candies are made, it is a very unique experience to to a tour of the factory. Here you can see how the candies are packages and as the chocolates are poured, taking you through every part of the process.

The sweets from this factory are made here but exported to many other countries, so you may recognise a few if you have visited any countries in the nearby regions.

We ended up walking away from this factory with a lot of sweets to bring back to our friends and family – so make sure to leave some space in your suitcase for this!

4. Shymbulak Mountain Resort

Did you not that only 30 minutes drive away, you will find a ski resort in Almaty?

This is part of what makes Almaty such a unique destination, is that it is surrounded by mountains and they are so easily accessible from the city centre.

Our trip to Kazakhstan took place in March, meaning that we did not expect snow at all. However, we did find it at the Shymbulak Mountain Resort! ❄️

With an elevation of 2,260 meters (7,415 feet), the resort is a perfect spot for outdoor lovers during the summer as it offers a huge choice of outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding. There is a cable car you can take all the way to the top, to enjoy the panoramic views and take in the surroundings. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes here where you can enjoy a delicious lunch.

In the winter, this becomes a very popular skiing destination. There are more than 20 kilometers of ski runs, and its highest point, Talgar Pass, reaches 3,200 meters. The slopes range in terms of difficulty, catering to both beginners and advanced skiers. The ski season lasts from November till April.

Bonus tip: for a luxury and unique experience, you can stay in the Tenir Eco Hotel in the mountains. The hotel offers incredible panoramic mountain views through its glass window, and the best high end facilities, such as the sauna in the room. Better yet, it costs £274 a night! You can book book your stay here.

5. Medeu Ice Skating Rink

Located at an altitude of 1,691 meters (5,548 feet), the Medeu Ice Rink is the highest ice rink in the world. It was built in 1972 and has since been a go-to place for tourists and locals during the winter months.

If you want to get a good view of the ice rink, I’d suggest to go up the ladder at the flank of the hill Mokhanatka. From here, you can see the whole ice rink and the mountains at the back.

Due to its unique location, the Medeu Ice Rink is also a significant place to host many events and skating competitions during the winter. Some of the most significant events that took place here include the Asian Winter Games in 2011 and the Bandy world championship, a type of ice hockey but played using a ball instead of a puck.

The Medeu is open from the end of October to March.

6. Walk along the Arbat

Walking along the Arbat is definitely a must do if you want to experience the atmosphere Almaty has to offer. Officially named the Zhybek-Zholy Street, the Arbat is a long street in the heart of the city, lines with restaurants, bars, coffee shops and more. It is often compared to the Arbat street in Moscow.

The best time to walk along this street is in the evening. This is also we’re here’re hereen the locals come out to enjoy the local nightlife and the atmosphere becomes lively. On some days, you will also encounter street performers, and some local vendors selling hand made crafts, souvenirs and jewellery.

This is the perfect place to take in the atmosphere of the city of Almaty and discover the hot-spots where the locals like to go out.

7. Try the local cuisine at Sandyk

Sandyk restaurant in Almaty needs to be on your list if you would like to try some local cuisine in a traditional setting. The restaurant feels very grand as you enter. The decor is done in a very traditional Kazakh style, with the waiters dressed in traditional Kazakh dresses too.

One of the must try dishes here is the beshbarmak, which is the national dish of Kazakhstan. It is a broth, usually served with noodles and meat. If you are feeling up for it, then try this dish with horsemeat to have the true taste of Kazakhstan. More popular dishes to try include the shuzhuk and the kazy, both sausages made out of horsemeat.

If you are not a fan of horsemeat, the restaurant still offers a great selection of food. You can try one of their fresh salads, plov (rice with meat), manti (steamed dumplings), shashlik (grilled meat skewers), and more. You can check out their menu here.

Make sure to visit on a Friday or a Saturday in order to not miss the traditional live music performances. Usually, these involve acoustic singing with instruments such as the dombra, adding to the lively atmosphere of the restaurant.

8. Arasan Banya

The Arsan Banya is the perfect place to explore if you want to visit a hidden gem in Almaty where the locals go to relax. The Banya was established in 1982. You can still see some historical elements in the building. However, this is combined with modern amenities inside the baths.

The baths are huge, and they are separated into the male and female sections. You will find a variety of baths inside, such as the dry sauna, steam bath, and more. There is a pool you can enjoy here too but swimsuits are not allowed.

You can also get a spa treatment here. The treatments range from massages, to body scrubs and skin treatments. They are not very expensive and are very popular with locals and tourists alike.

There are great relaxation areas within the spa too, as well as a cafe which serves food and drinks. You can enjoy a hot tea if you want to relax even further. Otherwise, you can opt for the full Banya experience with some vodka and herring.

9. Discover the metro

The metro in Almaty is worth seeing as it is very impressive architecturally. It was only built recently in 2011. The Almaty metro is the only metro system in Kazakhstan and the second in the whole of Central Asia.

Each station is unique, and you will find mosaics, sculptures, and patterns at every one. It may be a lot smaller than most cities, but it is very beautiful inside. The most notable stations are Baikonur, with a futuristic style design, and Almaly, where walls are lined with marble mosaics.

The stations are surprisingly clean and modern, and they feel very safe. There are only 11 stations, However, the metro connects the main areas, such as the city centre, the business district and the residential areas.

The metro is a very budget friendly and affordable way to get around the city

10. Kok Tobe View Tower

If you want to see the best views of Almaty, then you need to take the cable car up to the Kok Tobe Hill. It departs from Dostyk Avenue and offers panoramic views on the way up.

Once you get to the top, this is where you will find the TV tower. It is not possible to go inside but is an iconic symbol of the city.

At the top, you can also find a statue of The Beatles. This makes for a good picture opportunity with the view on the background.

11. Day trip to Big Almaty Lake

One of the most popular things to do in Almaty is to take a day trip to the Big Almaty Lake. Located between the Tien Shan mountains, the lake is located about 40-50 minutes away from the city, making it the perfect place for a day trip.

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To get here, I would recommend hiring a car or pre-booking a taxi. Apps such as Yandex or Bolt work well in Almaty. Another option is to take an organised tour from sites such as Get Your Guide or Viator. These companies will take you straight there, usually as part of a group.

12. Discover the nightlife

From chic cocktail bars and pubs, to clubs, you will find a range of places to have a nice drink in Almaty.

For a good selection of bars and clubs, head to Dostyk Avenue, the central hub of Almaty that comes alive at night. It is definitely the go-to place for the locals when they are looking to go out.

For a more relaxed vibe with live music venues and casual bars, head to Arbat Street. We went to an Irish pub here and had a great time listening to musicians and drinking beer alongside the locals.

13. Wine tasting

Wine is very popular in Kazakhstan. You can taste some local Kazakh wine as well as some Georgian wines, French wines, and lots more varieties from the neighbouring countries and worldwide.

We visited Arba Wines, which is one of Kazakhstan’s most prominent wineries. You can also visit their vineyards outside Almaty. Here you can have a tasting and a tour of the local vineyards. We had our wine tasting experience in a cosy room, and the wine was accompanied by a cheese plate.

Overall I recommend this experience if you love wine and want to see what the local wine tastes like.

14. Visit the Central State Museum

The Central State Museum is a must visit if you want to learn more about the history of Kazakhstan.Established in the 1930s and relocated to its current impressive building in the 1980s, the museum is a landmark of Soviet style architecture.

Some of the interesting items exhibited here include the relics from the Bronze age and the Stone Age, as well as traditional costumes, musical instruments, yurts and more, that reflect how people used to live here in the past as well as the current nomadic lifestyle that some locals still posess.

The museum is located at 44 Dostyk Avenue, and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.However, the museum is closed on Mondays. The best way to go is with a tour guide to be able to learn more about the history.

It is a perfect place to visit if you are looking to understand the historical elements to deepen your knowledge before your further exploration of the country.

15. Republic Square and Independence Monument

The Republic Square is a very important place within the city, which is also where the Independence Monument lies. The square has been the spot for many political protests, events, and public celebrations. It is also home to the Presidential Residence which adds to its significance.

Unveiled in 1996 to commemorate Kazakhstan’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Independence Monument is also a very important and symbolic statue.

This is a nice place to visit in order to get a sense of the events that have taken place here in the past, and take a few pictures. At night time, the surrounding buildings illuminate making the square a beautiful sight.

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