Top Activities to Enjoy in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Fringed by the mighty Tian Shan mountains, Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and former capital, serves as a fantastic starting point for any adventure in this vast Central Asian country. While Kazakhstan is well-known for its plethora of outdoor adventures, do not overlook the delights of its bustling metropolis, which offers an eclectic collection of architecture and a vibrant arts scene.

Anyone who loves art, music, food, and more will find ample entertainment here to fill a weekend—or even longer.

1. Picnic, Dress Up, and Ride a Ferris Wheel at the Top of Kök-Töbe

Kök-Töbe (the Green Hill) rises above the city, making it a go-to spot for fun, complete with panoramic views of the urban landscape below and the snow-capped mountains beyond. At its summit, you’ll discover an amusement park and vendors selling Kazakh handicrafts and souvenirs. Capture a photo in traditional attire, enjoy live music on summer nights, and savor a picnic on fair weather days. Although the area may feel somewhat touristy, it remains genuinely enjoyable and is equally popular with locals. One highlight is the cable-car ride up, costing 5000 tenge ($10.40) round-trip.

2. Eat Like a Kazakh by Digging into a Plate of Horsemeat

Although it may not rival southern Shymkent as a hub of traditional cuisine, Almaty boasts the most international food scene in the country, along with plenty of excellent spots for savoring national dishes. A common type of establishment in Almaty are places serving shashlik, skewered meat grilled to perfection. For a special experience where you can try beshbarmak, the renowned Kazakh specialty of horsemeat and flat noodles, visit Abay located on Kök-Töbe, or consider Sandyq, an upscale chain.

3. Experience Central Asia’s Liveliest Club Scene

For those eager to party with the social elite of Central Asia, Almaty is the place to be. Red Room is infamous for its electrifying DJ sets, while the younger crowd favors the straightforwardly named The Club. If you wish to celebrate until dawn, Gogol Night Club hosts after-parties that last until 8 am on Saturdays.

4. Revitalize at Arasan Baths

After a day of exploration, skiing, or just as a way to kick off your journey in Kazakhstan, pay a visit to the Arasan Baths. Located in the city center, this impressive ’70s-era bathhouse harmoniously combines traditional Central Asian features with high-Soviet Modernist design.

Anticipate spending around 2 hours as you navigate through the Finnish sauna, Russian banya, and Moroccan and Turkish hammams (steam rooms). You can extend your stay by booking a massage or trying a traditional veniki (beating with oak leaves). Access starts at 1500–2000 tenge (US$3–4) per hour, with additional charges for massages or towel rentals.

5. Explore Russian and Soviet History at Panfilov Park

Situated in the city center, Panfilov Park is Almaty’s most popular green space. Established in the 19th century, this elegant park is laid out around the yellow, fairy-tale-like Ascension (or Zenkov) Cathedral, which stands proudly at its center. Today, many of the park’s monuments—including the memorial to Ivan Panfilov, eternal flame commemorating fallen heroes, and a collection of Soviet-era tanks and artillery—visually represent Soviet military culture.

6. Engage with Culture at Top-Notch Museums

Dive into Kazakh history at the Central State Museum, featuring prehistoric artifacts, carved balbal columns, and stunning gold adornments. While not every exhibit is accompanied by English text, many distinctive objects tell their own stories. The Kazakhstan Museum of Arts boasts the world’s largest collection of Kazakh art, including a captivating array of works by Soviet-realist painter Abylkhan Kasteev (1904–73). The Tselinny Contemporary Arts Center is where to discover new and exciting works by contemporary Kazakh artists, reopening in January 2025 after renovations.

7. Haggle for Groceries at the Green Market

No visit to Central Asia is complete without a trip to the bazaar, and Almaty’s most central and beautiful one is the vibrant Green Market. Here, you can do your grocery shopping, discover herbs from the Kazakh mountains, stock up on teas from China, and much more. Abundant dried fruits and nuts from neighboring Uzbekistan are also available.

Make sure to explore the dairy section where you’ll find tables offering kurut, the salty cheese that fuels shepherds as they ride across the vast steppe. (It pairs remarkably well with local vodka.)

Planning Tip: Do not hesitate to haggle on prices at the bazaar; it is part of the culture.

8. Take to the Slopes of Shymbulak

The breathtaking Tian Shan mountains overlook Almaty, making the ski resort of Shymbulak easily accessible, merely a 20-minute ride from the town center. Winter visitors can ski around 20 km (12.5 miles) of runs, utilizing eight lifts to ascend the mountain. Equipment rental for both skis and ski clothing is available onsite.

The resort also serves as a fantastic summer getaway, offering numerous hiking trails, several mountain restaurants, and horseback riding excursions.

Planning Tip: Every half hour, bus number 12 departs from the city center to the Medeu ice rink. From there, you can take a lift up to the resort.

9. …or Glide on Ice at Medeu

Strap on a pair of ice skates and glide around the world’s highest skating rink. Once a crucial training center for ice skaters due to its high-altitude benefits, the Medeu skating rink is also conveniently near the city.

Over 200 speed records have been achieved on this ice, with the crisp and cold air contributing to the exceptional conditions. The rink operates year-round; summer skating costs 1500 tenge (US$3) per hour, while winter rates are 2400 tenge (US$5) per hour. Skate rentals are generally about 1000 tenge (US$2).

Detour: Nearby, discover the famous and rigorous 842-step “Health Ladder,” atop which a magnificent view of the mountains awaits.

10. Attend a Concert in a Soviet-Era Palace

Constructed in the ’70s, the impressive Palace of the Republic serves as Almaty’s primary concert hall and an excellent venue for Kazakh folk or classical music performances. Originally built for party meetings and union rallies, it now hosts conferences and various gatherings. In summer, outdoor festivals, such as the Spirit of Tengri, extend from the palace into the square.

Alternatively, seek tickets for performances at the Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic, a venue with a more intimate, classic atmosphere.

Local Tip: The Museum of Folk Musical Instruments off Panfilov Square occasionally organizes concerts featuring traditional music as well.

11. Enjoy an Uyghur-Language Performance

If you lean towards lively theatricality, do not miss a performance at the Uighur Theatre. The repertoire includes contemporary plays, musical comedies, and classic dramas, all performed in the Uyghur language. While understanding everything might be challenging, it guarantees an unforgettable experience.

Planning Tip: The Uyghur people have been an integral minority in Almaty since the 1800s. Many restaurants on Yassawi St in the Druzhba neighborhood serve Uighur lagman, a hearty dish consisting of noodles, meat, and vegetables.

12. Admire the Street Art

Architecturally, Almaty presents numerous surprises, featuring towering domes, Soviet-era apartment blocks, and modern skyscrapers. A wealth of street art adorns many of these buildings, particularly in the Golden Quarter, the epicenter of this art scene. While large-scale murals were a hallmark of Soviet city planning, a new generation of artists has revitalized this tradition over the past 15 years. Designs often incorporate nomadic motifs and Central Asian fauna, with more subversive themes occasionally surfacing, such as messages hidden in ancient glyphs.

Planning Tip: Walking Almaty hosts excellent street-art tours that are well worth the investment.

This article was first published Feb 25, 2020, and updated Oct 7, 2024.