Planning a trip to Almaty? This guide brings together the city sights, hotels, restaurants and tours that can help you make the most of your visit. From leafy parks and lively streets to mountain scenery just beyond the city, Almaty offers plenty to ...
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4
Things to Do
Places to Stay
Places to Eat
Great Tours
Things to Do
A mix of city highlights and easy outings for exploring Almaty at your own pace.
Visit the colorful, wooden Ascension Cathedral.
Ascension Cathedral
Wander the park’s tree-lined paths and see the war memorials
28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park
Browse this lively market for local produce, dried fruit, snacks and souvenirs.
Green Bazaar
Ride the cable car up the hill for city views, walking paths and a relaxed break from downtown.
Kok Tobe
Stroll along Zhibek Zholy Street to see local shops, cafés and street performers.
Arbat Almaty
Get an introduction to the country’s history, culture and archaeological collections.
Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
We enjoyed our visit to this well-kept zoo, where highlights included Amur tigers, polar bears, Przewalski’s horses, white rhinos and Asian elephants. It’s an easy outing by Yandex Go.
Almaty Zoo: Is It Worth Visiting in Kazakhstan?
Places to Stay
A few hotel options for different travel styles and locations.
A luxury hotel in the Esentai Tower with spacious rooms, mountain views, a spa and several dining options. It’s a little outside the historic center, so plan on a short drive to many downtown sights.
The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty
A modern option close to Kok Tobe’s lower cable-car station and the Green Bazaar.
Novotel
A full-service hotel near Republic Square, with mountain views and a central location.
InterContinental Almaty by IHG
A grand hotel near the city center, with a spa, restaurants and spacious rooms.
Rixos Almaty
A practical, centrally located option near Republic Square, with an on-site restaurant, fitness center and easy access to shops and city sights.
Holiday Inn Almaty
This is where we stayed. It’s a comfortable base for exploring the city, and we also used it for an early check-in before a full day of sightseeing.
Park Dedeman Almaty
Places to Eat
A casual choice for Central Asian favorites, including lagman, plov and grilled meats.
Navat
ry Kazakh dishes in a setting inspired by traditional hospitality and culture.
Restaurant Sandyq
A destination restaurant on the outskirts of the city, known for Kazakh cuisine and its mountain setting.
AUYL
A popular restaurant with a broad menu and a comfortable setting for dinner.
Line Brew Almaty
Gary and I enjoyed this Asian restaurant in Almaty. Add it to your list for a meal when you’re craving Chinese flavors.
J.Z.Peking Duck
Great Tours
Guided outings for mountain scenery, local history and experiences beyond the city.
Visit one of the region’s most striking alpine lakes with transportation and a guide.
Tour to Big Almaty Lake
Head into the mountains to see the Medeu skating rink and ride up toward Shymbulak.
Medeu and Shymbulak ski resort private excursion - Almaty
Learn about Kazakhstan’s tradition of hunting with birds of prey and watch a demonstration.
Day trip to Big Almaty Lake and Falconry Farm
Get oriented with a guide who can connect the city’s landmarks, history and everyday life.
City Tour in Almaty
Take a full-day excursion to the dramatic canyon landscape east of Almaty.
