I’ve been to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, several times, and I’ve stayed there for quite a while, giving me plenty of time to get to know the city.
In this guide, I’m sharing some of the coolest things I did in Almaty during my visits that will help you plan your own time in the city.
One of my most unexpected experiences in Almaty was running into a group of Kazakh warriors (batyrs) in traditional armor.
For a moment, it felt like I had stepped straight back into the era of the Great Steppe. Dressed in traditional armor and carrying medieval weapons, they happily posed for photos, and I ended up hanging out with them for a while.
It definitely wasn’t something I had planned, but it became one of my favorite memories from Almaty.
Arbat Street is one of the main pedestrian streets in central Almaty. It’s lined with cafés, shops, street performers, and artists, and there always seems to be something happening along the street.
This is actually where I met the Kazakh warriors.
I always enjoy taking the metro in former Soviet countries because the stations are works of art, and Almaty was no exception.
The stations are beautifully decorated with marble, chandeliers, mosaics, and artwork inspired by Kazakh history and culture.
Construction of the Almaty Metro began in 1988, when Kazakhstan was still part of the Soviet Union. Although it wasn’t completed until 2011, it has kept the grand Soviet-style architecture that makes metro systems across the former USSR so unique.
Some of the most beautiful stations are Almaly, Zhibek Zholy, and Auezov Theatre. Each has its own unique design, featuring marble, chandeliers, mosaics, and artwork inspired by Kazakh culture and history. I actually went out of my way to visit these stations just to admire their architecture, and believe me, I wasn’t the only tourist doing the same.
The metro is also clean, comfortable, and incredibly cheap. A single ride costs only around 80 kazakh tenge, making it one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get around Almaty.
The Green Bazaar was one of my favorite places in Almaty. Originally opened in 1875, it has been one of the city’s best-known markets for well over a century.
I loved walking through the different stalls filled with dried fruits, nuts, spices, fresh vegetables, local sweets, and all kinds of traditional products. It’s also a great place to buy souvenirs to take home.
During my visit, I tried horse meat and kumis, a traditional fermented mare’s milk that is one of Kazakhstan’s most famous drinks. Visiting the Green Bazaar was one of the highlights of my time in Almaty.
Panfilov Park is one of the most popular parks in Almaty and a great place to experience everyday life in the city. I enjoyed walking around the park, where locals come to relax, meet friends, and spend time outdoors.
There always seemed to be something going on around the cathedral, with plenty of locals gathering in the square.
The park is home to the colorful Zenkov Cathedral, also known as the Ascension Cathedral. It’s one of Almaty’s most famous landmarks and one of the tallest wooden churches in the world, built almost entirely without nails.
There always seemed to be something going on around the cathedral, with plenty of locals gathering in the square. The park is also home to the Memorial of Glory and the Eternal Flame, dedicated to the Heroes of Panfilov who fought during World War II.
The park is also home to the Memorial of Glory and the Eternal Flame, dedicated to the Heroes of Panfilov who fought during World War II.
Navat is actually a restaurant chain with several locations in Almaty. I went to the branch at 48 Dostyk Avenue, and this was my favorite restaurant in Almaty.
Beautifully decorated in traditional Central Asian style, it serves a wide selection of traditional Kazakh and Central Asian dishes.
I visited the restaurant with a local. We ordered different dishes and shared them. I ordered plov, a traditional rice dish cooked with meat, carrots, and raisins, served with horse meat, while my friend ordered Guyru Lagman, a stir-fried hand-pulled noodle dish with beef and vegetables.
I tasted both dishes, and I really liked them. The plov was delicious, and so was the Guyru Lagman. The only part that wasn’t really for my taste was the two pieces of horse meat. I can tell you that the horse meat I had at the Green Bazaar was much more delicious.
There was also live traditional music while we were having dinner. It created a great atmosphere and made the whole dining experience even more enjoyable.
The Almaty Central Mosque is the largest mosque in the city.
Its huge golden dome can be seen from far away, and I really enjoyed walking around the peaceful courtyard while admiring its elegant architecture.
The Arasan Wellness Center is one of the best-known bathhouses in Almaty. I stopped by to check it out because it’s considered one of the city’s landmarks.
The building is a great example of Soviet-era architecture and has been a popular place for locals to relax for decades. I went inside to have a look around, but I didn’t use the baths or spa facilities.
I really enjoy visiting wellness centers when I travel, so I’ll definitely come back to try them the next time I’m in Almaty.
I also visited First President Park, one of the largest parks in Almaty. It’s a nice place to take a walk and enjoy a break from the busy city.
The park has beautiful flower beds, fountains, and wide walking paths. On a clear day, you can also enjoy great views of the Tian Shan Mountains in the background.
One of the highlights of my time in Almaty was visiting Big Almaty Lake.
The lake is located in Ile-Alatau National Park, just outside the city. It’s famous for its incredible turquoise color and spectacular mountain scenery.
Together with a few other travelers, I took a Yandex taxi to the entrance of the national park. From there, we walked around 15 kilometers uphill to reach the lake. We spent some time enjoying the beautiful scenery before walking back to the entrance, where we took another taxi back to Almaty.
If you don’t want to walk 15 kilometers uphill and another 15 kilometers back, making it a 30-kilometer round trip, I recommend joining a tour on GetYourGuide instead. The walk to the lake isn’t particularly spectacular, so unless you really enjoy hiking, you can make much better use of that time exploring other parts of Almaty.
There are taxis waiting at the entrance of the national park.
However, when I was there, the prices they quoted were simply too high. The price was also only for the ride to the lake, so you would have to pay again for the return trip. That’s why we decided to walk instead of taking a taxi.
Leave A Comment