Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest metropolis, is set in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. It served as the country's capital until 1997 and remains Kazakhstan's trading and cultural hub. Landmarks include the Central State Museum, displaying thousands of historic Kazakh artifacts. In the center is Panfilov Park, home to the bright-yellow towers of Zenkov Cathedral, a tsarist-era Russian Orthodox church.
The best time to visit Almaty, Kazakhstan is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). These seasons offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful natural scenery.
Spring (April – June)
The city blooms with greenery and flowers.
Mild temperatures (15-25°C / 59-77°F).
Great for hiking in the nearby Ile-Alatau mountains and exploring Big Almaty Lake.
Autumn (September – October)
Cool, comfortable weather (10-20°C / 50-68°F).
Stunning golden foliage in parks and mountains.
Fewer tourists compared to summer.
Summer (July – August)
Hot (up to 35°C / 95°F) but manageable.
Best for exploring Shymbulak ski resort (still open for sightseeing).
Winter (November – March)
Cold, snowy (as low as -10°C / 14°F).
Best for skiing and snowboarding at Shymbulak.
Perfect if you love winter sports!
Almaty International Airport (ALA) is the main airport, about 25 minutes from the city center.
Direct flights from Istanbul, Dubai, Frankfurt, Seoul, Moscow, and Beijing.
Domestic flights from Astana (Nursultan), Shymkent, and other Kazakh cities.
Trains from Astana, Shymkent, and Karaganda take 12-24 hours.
Comfortable Talgo trains available for a faster journey.
Buses connect Almaty with other Central Asian cities like Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan).
A scenic drive from Bishkek (4 hours) via Korday Border.
Good road connections but be prepared for mountainous routes.
A stunning turquoise alpine lake surrounded by mountains.
Best visited in spring or autumn for clear reflections.
A hilltop amusement park with the best panoramic view of Almaty.
Cable car ride from the city center.
Highest-altitude skating rink in the world!
Great for skating in winter and hiking in summer.
Kazakhstan’s top skiing and snowboarding destination.
Open for sightseeing in summer and skiing in winter.
The best place to buy local delicacies, dried fruits, nuts, and souvenirs.
A colorful wooden cathedral in a beautiful park.
Perfect for a peaceful stroll.
The "Grand Canyon of Kazakhstan" with stunning red rock formations.
A 4-hour drive from Almaty (best with a guided tour).
✔️ Hiking in Ile-Alatau National Park – Beautiful trails and waterfalls.
✔️ Paragliding over Almaty – Amazing views of the city and mountains.
✔️ Camping near Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes – Crystal-clear mountain lakes.
✔️ Explore the Arbat Street – A lively street with cafes and street art.
✔️ Try local Kazakh food – Must-try dishes: Beshbarmak, Shashlik, Lagman.
✔️ Visit the Central State Museum – Learn about Kazakhstan’s history.
Almaty offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget hostels and cozy guesthouses.
✔️ The Ritz-Carlton Almaty – Best panoramic views, world-class service.
✔️ Rixos Almaty – Elegant stay with a spa and top-notch dining.
✔️ InterContinental Almaty – Great location near the mountains.
✔️ Novotel Almaty City Center – Comfortable & modern, great value.
✔️ Hotel Kazakhstan – Historic, unique architecture, city-center.
✔️ Renion Park Hotel – Affordable, with good amenities and breakfast.
✔️ Sky Hostel Almaty – Rooftop views, great for backpackers.
✔️ Wanderlust Hostel – Cozy, friendly atmosphere.
✔️ Almaty Central Hostel – Clean, budget-friendly, central location.
For Airbnb lovers, you’ll find affordable apartments with mountain views for $30-$50 per night.
Almaty has a rich food scene with Kazakh, Central Asian, and international cuisine.
🥩 Beshbarmak – Kazakhstan’s national dish (boiled meat & pasta).
🥟 Baursaki – Fried dough, soft and delicious.
🥘 Plov – A flavorful rice dish with meat & carrots.
🍜 Lagman – Noodles with spicy meat & vegetable sauce.
🐎 Kazy – Traditional horse meat sausage (for the adventurous!).
✔️ Gakku – Authentic Kazakh cuisine in a traditional setting.
✔️ Navat – Best for plov, shashlik, and lagman.
✔️ Kishlak – Cozy place with Uzbek & Kazakh dishes.
✔️ Line Brew – Famous for steaks & local beer.
✔️ Daredzhani – Amazing Georgian food (try khinkali & khachapuri!).
✔️ Tyubeteika – Great Central Asian cuisine with live music.
✔️ Coffeedelia – Best coffee & brunch spot.
Almaty is a blend of Kazakh nomadic traditions, Soviet history, and modern influences.
Kazakh people are incredibly welcoming. It’s common to be offered tea, bread, and sweets when visiting someone’s home.
Kazakh is the official language, but Russian is widely spoken.
Learning a few phrases like "Rakhmet" (Thank you) can be appreciated.
Nauryz (March 21-23) – Kazakh New Year with traditional games & feasts.
Almaty Apple Festival (September) – Celebrating Almaty’s famous apples.
Spirit of Tengri (June) – A big ethnic music festival.
You might see locals wearing Shapan (long coats) during festivals.
Dombyra (string instrument) is central to Kazakh folk music.