Things to do & places to visit in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Set against towering peaks striped with ski runs, Almaty mixes tradition with modern flair. While locals still meet up for steamy Russian baths, traditional Kazakh delicacies, and countless cups of tea, the city's gleaming malls and wild nightclubs are downright futuristic.

Almaty #1 destination in Kazakhstan 2023. The average rating score is 4.36 based on 7.461 traveler reviews, of 30 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Almaty, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 5:03.

Almaty Weather Statistics view more »

Top things to do (24)

• Zoos
• Hot Springs & Geysers
• Architectural Buildings
• Ballets
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Shopping Malls
• Amusement & Theme Parks
• Operas
• Fountains
• Sports Complexes
• Hiking Trails
• Observation Decks & Towers
• Theaters
• Bodies of Water
• Gardens
• Public Transportation Systems
• Mountains
• Speciality Museums
• Parks
• Lookouts
• Monuments & Statues
• Art Museums
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Farmers Markets

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

1. 5.0 Iversky Seraphimovskiy Nunnery (19 reviews)
   - Умиротворение!!!
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   Очень тихое и спокойное место! Место, где хочется быть в одиночестве и думать о вечном. Есть купель со святой водой, небольшая часовенка и церковная лавка. Портит вид только стройка ещё одного монастырского корпуса, но, в целом, стоит посетить хотя бы ради расширения кругозора See more..
   
2. 5.0 Kara Dala (9 reviews)
   - Hot springs in the Kazakhstan steppes
   Spent More than 3 hours Hot Springs & Geysers
   
   
   The Chundzha hot springs are famous in the Almaty region. It is a traditional stop for visitors going to Charyn Canyon or simply traveling to China by road. I stayed few times in the Kara Dala resort in Chundzha hot springs. Any time of the year it is always pleasant to bath and swim in natural thermal water (6 different pools, outdoor and indoor). Rooms are cosy. Staff is very kind. Food is excellent. It is quite difficult to find a room so you should better book in advance. If you need more information, there is a web site in 3 languages. See more..
   
3. 4.5 Kok-Tobe Hill (1.401 reviews)
   - Panoramic views.
   Mountains • Lookouts • Parks
   
   
   Kok-Tobe hill also called as Green Hill is ideal place to enjoy panoramic views of city, distant valleys and mountains. This can be reached by fast cable car and one can spend hours on the peak. There are lots of activities for one and all. Those adventurous can walk down leisurely. See more..
   
4. 4.5 Ascension Cathedral (884 reviews)
   - Beautiful
   Friday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Churches & Cathedrals
   
   
   Beautiful example of a Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Almaty. It is made entirely from wood with no nails. Beautiful inside and out. During much of the soviet occupation it was used as a granary. Well worth a visit inside - myself and my mother in law both found it breathtakingly beautiful. See more..
   
5. 4.5 Big Almaty Lake (794 reviews)
   - Stressful ride up the mountain in February. Worth it though.
   Spent 2-3 hours Bodies of Water • Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   I've been through mountains before in the USA, but the mountain path to Big Almaty Lake is narrow and a bit treacherous during the winter. A true heavy 4WD vehicle with nice tires seems necessary to handle the climb due to all the ice. The front wheel drive sedans with chains on their tires were sliding down the path and made it maybe 1/5 up the mountain pass. See more..
   
6. 4.5 Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort (741 reviews)
   - Exploratory visit to Central Asia
   Spent 2-3 hours Sports Complexes
   
   
   Medeu Alpine Sports Complex is located in picturesque canyon Ile Alatau on 1691 metres high above the sea level. The highest ice skating rink in the world. • Working schedule: whole year • Activities in winter: ice skating • Activities in summer: skating, bicycles, skateboarding, streetball and volleyball. • Ice field area: 10 500 sq.m • Average temperature: summer time 20 C, winter -10 C • See more..
   
7. 4.5 Park Named After Panfilov’s 28 Guardsmen (657 reviews)
   - Beautiful memorial for the martyrs of Kazakhstan
   Parks
   
   
   This park honours 28 martyrs of Kazakhstan. They died so others could live peacefully. The memorial monument is very nice, as is the park. The autumn colours were beautiful. In some very shaded areas, the sunlight on the leaves, made them look like lanterns. See more..
   
8. 4.5 Almaty Metro (444 reviews)
   - Great Way to Spend a Few Hours
   Spent < 1 hour Public Transportation Systems
   
   
   I rode the Metro, stopping at every station to enjoy the unique styles and beautiful artwork. I spent 2.5 hours and only 80 tenge(19 cents U.S.) to do this. It was a wonderful way to spend a cold, snowy Sunday morning. I highly recommend this if you have the time during your visit. See more..
   
9. 4.5 Gorky Central Park (324 reviews)
   - Pretty good day out
   Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Amusement & Theme Parks
   
   
   Lots of stuff to do for kids here. Horse riding, boats, amusement stalls and a water park. Some decent places to eat also. Worth a visit. See more..
   
10. 4.5 First President's Park (320 reviews)
    - Beautiful park
    Parks
    
    
    Beautiful architecture, maybe try it during golden hour for great photos. It's pretty crowded and there are children playing everywhere in the water. Very clean, looks properly taken care of. A good place for families, though a bit far from everything. See more..
    
11. 4.5 St. Nicholas Cathedral (85 reviews)
    - Beautiful Orthodox Church
    Churches & Cathedrals
    
    
    Beautiful complex of buildings, with in the middle this important and ancient Orthodox Church . Very rich inside , in its ornaments and religious objects. Must see in Almaty. See more..
    
12. 4.5 Kazakh State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after Abay (84 reviews)
    - First-Rate Culture!
    Ballets • Operas • Theaters
    
    
    If you have a chance to see a ballet or opera here, take it! I've been amazed at the excellent level of performances. They are offered several times per week during the season, and are very affordable. I've never been disappointed. See more..
    
13. 4.5 The Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan (83 reviews)
    - Wonderful breadth and vibrancy of fine art
    Art Museums
    
    
    I had never seen Kazakh art before so was completely blown away by the pieces in this gallery - textiles, fabrics, fine arts, paintings, sculptures, installations of every era, genre, influence and part of Kazakhstan, with a few pieces from Europe too. I spent many hours in there, longer than I meant to, as the building itself is light and spacious and conducive to hanging around. Staff were also incredibly friendly too. See more..
    
14. 4.5 Glory Memorial (55 reviews)
    - STUNNING!
    Spent < 1 hour Monuments & Statues
    
    
    Wow, did the architect get that one right! This is by far the most beautiful monument I've seen in Central Asia. Just the amazing story behind it, this design is superb and couldn't have been done better! See more..
    
15. 4.5 Archeology Museum (47 reviews)
    - Digging up bones
    Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums
    
    
    The Archeology Museum in Almaty is a neat little part of a complex of museums that you can visit relatively inexpensively. We spent a bit of time there in May looking at the mammoth bones and the other flora and fauna of the Kazakhstan region. Taking pictures cost about a dollar and you need different tickets to see the other parts of the museum complex but still a fun way to spend a bit of time when in the city. See more..
    
16. 4.5 Almatinskiy Terrenkur (37 reviews)
    - Favourite place
    Hiking Trails
    
    
    Cycle this path every day, commuting, love it, best place in Almaty. Although be careful of cyclists coming down hill, a handful of them seem to have an absence of brakes/brains* * delete as applicable See more..
    
17. 4.5 Nedelka Fountain (24 reviews)
    - Great for a walk during summertime
    Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Fountains
    
    
    There are the fountains functionning during the summertime and giving some freshness to passers-by. A quiet place near the Theatr of Opera. Few cafes are located nearby. Can be an idea for an afternoon walk with a nice outdoor dining afterwards. See more..
    
18. 4.5 Falcon Farm Sunkar (22 reviews)
    - Nice and interesting falcon show
    Zoos
    
    
    We had a good time at the bird (falcons, hawks, eagles, owls, vultures) training show (we paid 1900 KZT pp). The trainer Paul speaks good english, russian and german and makes an entertaining show (about half hour). He and his assistant wear traditional costumes and show and explain every birds features and habits individually. The birds come really close and you can also take pictures with them. It is easy to reach taking bus 28 from presidential Park to the park gate. The show is every day at 5 pm, except mondays. They also have a wolf, dogs, horses and many birds, which you can watch before/after the show. But the highlight is the show :-) See more..
    
19. 4.5 D.A. Kunayev Museum (20 reviews)
    - Tranquility and peace at the museum
    Friday: Speciality Museums
    
    
    Good for discovering the place where lived the man who created the modern-day Almaty. As the now rulers are jealous of Kunaev's deeds, his museum is not very known, but it certainly deserves a visit. Honest and noble D.Kunayev (who was the head of the Kazakh government in 70-s and 80-s) left the remarkable architectural legacy in Almaty. See more..
    
20. 4.5 Esentai Mall (19 reviews)
    - Like the cinema
    Friday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Shopping Malls
    
    
    Esentai Mall is a unique project by Capital Partners, designed and developed with the aim of creating a special atmosphere and world class environment for shopping and entertainment. Esentai Mall offers a broad range of exclusive brands and restaurants, a cinema, gourmet, fitness centre and spa, as well as other entertainment facilities, all within easy access on foot or by transport. The shopping centre is the liveliest part of the multifunctional Esentai Park complex, which also houses The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty hotel, international Class A office premises in Esentai Tower, the Esentai Apartments and the Esentai Square pedestrian area. See more..
    
21. 4.5 Kazakhstan National Science Academy (19 reviews)
    - Huzzah for Science!!
    Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
    
    
    A beautiful building with four museums all under one roof, the Kazakhstan National Science Academy is lovely to see, a bit confusing to get around but filled with all sorts of great material from Kazakhstan and area dealing with literature, archaeology (see my review of that) it is a terrific place to spend time learning in Almaty. See more..
    
22. 4.5 Kok-Tobe Hill (1.401 reviews)
    - Panoramic views.
    Mountains • Lookouts • Parks
    
    
    Kok-Tobe hill also called as Green Hill is ideal place to enjoy panoramic views of city, distant valleys and mountains. This can be reached by fast cable car and one can spend hours on the peak. There are lots of activities for one and all. Those adventurous can walk down leisurely. See more..
    
23. 4.5 Ascension Cathedral (884 reviews)
    - Beautiful
    Friday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Churches & Cathedrals
    
    
    Beautiful example of a Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Almaty. It is made entirely from wood with no nails. Beautiful inside and out. During much of the soviet occupation it was used as a granary. Well worth a visit inside - myself and my mother in law both found it breathtakingly beautiful. See more..
    
24. 4.5 Big Almaty Lake (794 reviews)
    - Stressful ride up the mountain in February. Worth it though.
    Spent 2-3 hours Bodies of Water • Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    I've been through mountains before in the USA, but the mountain path to Big Almaty Lake is narrow and a bit treacherous during the winter. A true heavy 4WD vehicle with nice tires seems necessary to handle the climb due to all the ice. The front wheel drive sedans with chains on their tires were sliding down the path and made it maybe 1/5 up the mountain pass. See more..
    
25. 4.5 Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort (741 reviews)
    - Exploratory visit to Central Asia
    Spent 2-3 hours Sports Complexes
    
    
    Medeu Alpine Sports Complex is located in picturesque canyon Ile Alatau on 1691 metres high above the sea level. The highest ice skating rink in the world. • Working schedule: whole year • Activities in winter: ice skating • Activities in summer: skating, bicycles, skateboarding, streetball and volleyball. • Ice field area: 10 500 sq.m • Average temperature: summer time 20 C, winter -10 C • See more..
    
26. 4.5 Park Named After Panfilov’s 28 Guardsmen (657 reviews)
    - Beautiful memorial for the martyrs of Kazakhstan
    Parks
    
    
    This park honours 28 martyrs of Kazakhstan. They died so others could live peacefully. The memorial monument is very nice, as is the park. The autumn colours were beautiful. In some very shaded areas, the sunlight on the leaves, made them look like lanterns. See more..
    
27. 4.5 Almaty Metro (444 reviews)
    - Great Way to Spend a Few Hours
    Spent < 1 hour Public Transportation Systems
    
    
    I rode the Metro, stopping at every station to enjoy the unique styles and beautiful artwork. I spent 2.5 hours and only 80 tenge(19 cents U.S.) to do this. It was a wonderful way to spend a cold, snowy Sunday morning. I highly recommend this if you have the time during your visit. See more..
    
28. 4.5 Gorky Central Park (324 reviews)
    - Pretty good day out
    Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Amusement & Theme Parks
    
    
    Lots of stuff to do for kids here. Horse riding, boats, amusement stalls and a water park. Some decent places to eat also. Worth a visit. See more..
    
29. 4.5 First President's Park (320 reviews)
    - Beautiful park
    Parks
    
    
    Beautiful architecture, maybe try it during golden hour for great photos. It's pretty crowded and there are children playing everywhere in the water. Very clean, looks properly taken care of. A good place for families, though a bit far from everything. See more..
    
30. 4.5 St. Nicholas Cathedral (85 reviews)
    - Beautiful Orthodox Church
    Churches & Cathedrals
    
    
    Beautiful complex of buildings, with in the middle this important and ancient Orthodox Church . Very rich inside , in its ornaments and religious objects. Must see in Almaty. See more..