Things to do in Almaty: Your Guide to Must-See Sights and Activities

Almaty, a mountainous city and former capital of Kazakhstan, is situated in the southeastern part of the country. Nestled against the backdrop of Trans-Ili Alatau, this dynamic city blends natural beauty, rich history, and modern amenities. Almaty, a destination often overlooked, has recently gained recognition as a hidden gem in Central Asia. The city boasts a plethora of culturally rich museums, lush-green sprawling parks, exotic bathhouses, wildlife sanctuaries, trendy cafes, fine-dining restaurants, and lively nightclubs. The Soviet era clearly influences Almaty's architecture, revealing its history and culture. The warm hospitality and delectable cuisines of the local people are compelling reasons to visit this underrated destination. This guide will explore the exciting things to do in Almaty, ensuring a memorable trip to this beautiful destination.

Visit the Almaty Central State Museum

Visit the central state museum to see Kazakhstan's history from the Stone Age to the modern age, which includes a collection of various archaeological findings. Opened in 1931, the museum stands as one of the largest in Central Asia. The museum, housed in a three-story building, boasts more than 2,00,000 exhibits, including fossils of ancient plants and animals, a large replica of the golden man in the entrance hall, showcasing the nomadic roots of Kazakhs, and much more. The museum also traces the history of modern Kazakhstan during World War II, Soviet rule, and the republic's declaration of independence. A place where the country’s rich history is being preserved and depicted beautifully should be at the top of the list of things to see in Almaty.

Explore Green Bazar

Green Bazar is Kazakhstan's most famous market, situated in the town's center. The market offers a wide range of products and services. For a foodie, this place is a haven, offering an impressive variety of produce from animals' milk and meat. The grilled meat, exotic spices, and fresh produce are a sensory feast of aroma, colours, and culture. Apart from this, you can easily find stalls of textiles and furniture at a bargain. Green Bazar should be added to your list of things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan because it showcases its rich history. Green Bazar is one of the popular tourist destinations, which is often included in the Kazakhstan tour packages.

Ride a Cable Car to Kok-Tobe Hill

Koke-Tobe Hill, one of the city's highest points, rises to a height of 1100 meters. The hill offers a bird's-eye view of the whole city from all directions. To reach the hill, take a cable car ride starting at the Hotel Kazakhstan, which takes you over some of the oldest parts of Almaty. Once at the top, you will find many attractions, such as Kok-Tobe Park, a fountain of desire, an art gallery, a climbing mall, and a Ferris wheel. Apart from the magnificent view at the top, you can enjoy certain delicacies at many excellent restaurants there. Kok-Tobe Hill is the perfect place to visit and the best thing to do in Almaty for a full-day trip with your loved ones.

Ice-skating at Medeu

Medeu, a high-mountain sports complex located near Almaty at an altitude of 1,691 m, is undoubtedly one of the best things to see in Almaty in winter. If you are visiting in the colder season, do not miss the chance to ice skate at one of the largest alpine skating rinks in the world. The skating rink attracts people because of its pure glacial water, mid-valley climate, and gentle breeze. The best time to visit this rink is from October to April, as people will find themselves surrounded by the picturesque mountains. From here, you can visit the ski resort Shymbulak by cable car, offering a spellbound view of nature. For a truly soul-stirring experience, add this to your list of things to do in Almaty.

Relax at Arasan Baths

Arasan Bath is one of the finest bathhouses in Central Asia. It is a traditional public bath that is an integral part of the city's culture. With a male and female department, the complex can serve up to 2.5 thousand people per day. The complex has three types of baths—Russian, Finnish, and Turkish. The bath provides the traditional bathing experience of Russia and Turkey, which is known for its therapeutic benefits. The services extend to steam rooms, pools, massages, exfoliating treatments, and other spa procedures. To experience a traditional Hammam bath and spot for relaxation makes this a must in Almaty things to do.

Pray at Almaty Central Square Mosque

The Almaty Central Mosque is a significant religious and architectural landmark. The mosque, which was built in the 1990s, is one of Kazakhstan's largest mosques. Mosques are truly architectural marvels, incorporating traditional Islamic architecture and modern features. The mosques, with their grand structures, minarets, and intricate designs, showcase the beauty of Islamic artistry. You can visit the mosque at any time to have a soul-satisfying experience, and it is one of the best things to see in Almaty. The mosque can accommodate 3000 people with different sections for men and women.

Savour the Taste of Kazakhstan at Sandyk

Almaty has a lively scene of foods and drinks, with many of the world’s cuisines represented. However, if you're interested in sampling local delicacies and experiencing the authentic dishes of Kazakhstan, a visit to the Sandyk restaurant should definitely be on your list of Almaty, Kazakhstan things to do. The restaurant serves typical Kazakh cuisine, such as beshbarmak, which consists of horsemeat sausage, flat strips of pasta, and potatoes cooked in meat broth. The other delectable dishes you can try are baursak, borsha, and various local breads. The restaurant's ambience shows the age-old traditions of cooking, food, and hospitality in general. Additionally, a highly recommended Tashkent tea is an aromatic and artful blend. To get the authentic taste of Kazakhs eating at Sandyk should be one of the things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Explore First President’s Park

One of the top tourist attractions in Almaty is the First President’s Park. Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country's first president, is the honoree of this prominent public park. The park is an ideal place for a fun-filled evening with many recreational activities. The sprawling park spans across Amny Cares, featuring walking paths, picturesque gardens, and various sculptures. The park is also a symbol of Kazakhstan’s history, heritage, and achievements. The park is not only for leisurely walks and relaxation but also hosts many cultural events, exhibitions, and celebrations. For a glimpse into Kazakhstan’s history and the legacy of the first president, add this park to your list of Almaty things to see.

Enjoy a Night at the Opera

With a lively night scene, there are many things to do in Almaty at night. Attending the opera in Almaty is one way to enjoy the nightlife. Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, has many theatres. The most famous among them are the Abay Opera and Ballet Theatre. You can enjoy many outstanding productions of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Aida, Madam Butterfly, and Carmen. In addition to this, numerous talented Kazak composers showcase their extensive repertoire of operas and ballets. The opera based on the national poet Abay stands out, while the ballet Legend of the Great Steppe is a must-see. At affordable ticket prices, you can have an immersive theatre experience making it one of the most unique things to do in Almaty.

Visit the Falcon Hunting Festival

One of the truly unique Almaty things to see is the falcon hunting festival. For generations, this has been the Kazakh Nomadic tradition. The festival entails the art of hunting with the eagles. Witnessing the eagles circling the blue skies and scanning the mountains for prey is an incredible experience. Just outside Almaty is the Sunkar Falcon Sanctuary, which has daily shows of eagles, falcons, and vultures in flight. The festival perfectly captures Kazakh hunters' deep emotions and fervour. A never-miss and top thing to do in Almaty includes the Flacon Hunting Festival.

Almaty has a lot of unique and varied things and places to see. The city with rich history, cultural diversity, and beautiful natural landscapes has much to explore and a number of things to do in Almaty. The city promises a memorable and enriching experience, whether you're delving into cultural institutions, enjoying delectable authentic cuisine, exploring markets, or enjoying the natural landscapes.