Kazakhstan

Almaty

Almaty: apple orchards, snow peaks, and leafy Soviet boulevards.

Local time
UTC+5
Population
2.1M
Safety

Cost of a day

$$$$$
Moderate
  • Food$$$$$About $42 a day: light breakfast, cheap lunch, mid-range dinner
  • Stay$$$$$3-star hotel about $66 a night for two
  • Transport$$$$$About $1.1 a day: 4 public transit rides

Exchange rate

🇰🇿 KZT =
Rates from 2026-10-23, refreshed monthly.

Getting in

ALAAlmaty International AirportMain gateway for Central Asia, 15 km northeast of the centre.
HowCostTime
Bus 92City centre via Almaty-2 station200 KZT30-50 min
Stop just outside Arrivals; runs 05:30-23:00.
Bus 79 or 86Downtown via Mailin Street stop200 KZT40-60 min
About 400 m walk from Arrivals to the Mailin St stop.
Bus 106Sayran inter-city bus station200 KZTabout 50 min
Skips downtown; useful for onward buses.
TaxiAnywhere in the centre1500-3000 KZT25-40 min
Book at the arrivals booth or via Yandex Go; agree the total price first.
Yandex GoAnywhere in the centre1500-2500 KZT25-40 min
Fixed app price avoids the per-kilometre scam.

Estimates, checked October 2026. Wikivoyage: Almaty

Getting around

Metro for the centre, Yandex Go for airport and mountain trips; walk the core.

  • Metro ★One line, open 06:00–00:00, 120 tenge per trip. Contactless cards accepted at gates.
  • BusAbout 170 routes plus trolleybuses. Cash fare 200 tenge; Onay card fare 120 tenge.
  • Taxi / ride apps ★Yandex Go is the main app. Airport rides around 1500 tenge, but watch for fare scams.
  • Rental carDriving is busy and parking is hard. Only worth it for out-of-town trips.
  • WalkingEasy in the centre, with gentle slopes toward the mountains.
  • Scooter / bikeRentable by app. Yandex Go scooters run about 50 tenge per minute.
Recommended stay★ 2 nights (3 days)

Two nights covers the centre, Panfilov Park and one mountain day; add a night if you want both the lake and Shymbulak.

Best for
  • CultureCathedrals, bazaars and Soviet-era landmarks.
  • NatureMountain gorges, cable cars and alpine day trips.
  • FoodBazaars, horse-meat dishes and café culture.

Weather by month

0°-9°Jan🌧 6d
3°-6°Feb🌧 7d
10°0°Mar🌧 13d
17°6°Apr🌧 12d
22°11°May🌧 12d
27°16°Jun🌧 8d
31°19°Jul🌧 6d
29°17°Aug🌧 5d
23°12°Sep🌧 6d
15°5°Oct🌧 8d
6°-2°Nov🌧 9d
1°-7°Dec🌧 7d

Average daily high / low (°C), sea temperature and rainy days. Typical figures, not a forecast.

Climate

Continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The mountains nearby make weather change fast.

  • Best time: May to SeptemberWarm days from 22°C to 31°C. Ideal for mountain trips, parks and long walks.
  • Winter is properly coldDecember to February: highs near 0°C, lows to -9°C. Bring a heavy coat, hat and boots.
  • Wettest in springMarch has about 13 rain days. April and May are also showery. A light rain jacket helps.
  • Mountains are coolerHigher trails and the lake sit well above the city. Take a warm layer even in summer.
  • Big day-to-night swingEvenings drop sharply, often 10°C or more. Carry a jacket for after sunset.
  • What to packLayers, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses; winter boots and gloves from November to March.

Landmarks 9

Must-see · 8

  1. 1

    Kok Tobe Tower

    The city's most famous landmark, a TV tower on a hill above Almaty with sweeping views over the mountains and the city. Ride the cable car up from the city center, or take a taxi; go in the late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds.

  2. 2

    Ascension Cathedral

    A striking wooden cathedral in Panfilov Park, famous for being built without nails and surviving earthquakes. It is an active church, so dress modestly and keep quiet inside; visit in the morning when it is quieter.

  3. 3

    Medeu

    A high-altitude mountain sports complex in a dramatic gorge, a classic Almaty excursion. Check opening times before you go and bring a warm layer, as it sits well above the city and is much cooler.

  4. 4

    Shymbulak

    A mountain resort reached by cable car from Medeu, popular for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Go on a clear day for the best views and buy your cable car ticket at the base station.

  5. 5

    Big Almaty Lake

    A turquoise alpine lake set in the mountains above the city, one of the region's most photographed sights. Access can be restricted at times, so check locally before setting out, and go early to avoid afternoon traffic.

  6. 6

    Panfilov Park

    A leafy central park that holds the Ascension Cathedral and the Golden Warrior Monument, an easy and pleasant stop. It is free to enter and best visited on a mild morning combined with the nearby cathedral.

  7. 7

    Central State Museum of Kazakhstan

    The country's main museum, with collections on Kazakh history, archaeology and culture. Allow a couple of hours, and check the day's opening hours since museums here often close one day a week.

  8. 8

    Zelionyj Bazar

    A lively green market where you can see local produce, dried fruit, spices and dairy. Go in the morning when it is busiest and freshest, and bring small cash for purchases.

1Kok Tobe Tower2Ascension Cathedral3Medeu4Shymbulak5Big Almaty Lake6Panfilov Park7Central State Museum of Kazakhstan8Zelionyj Bazar

Cultural

Christian 1

Museum 1

Statue 1

Tower 1

Park 1

Resort 1

Market 1

Natural

Lake 1

Mountain 1

Overview

History & significance

Highlights

    Day trips from Almaty

    Talghar (Talgar) · 31 min by road

    ★★★☆☆ · Full day · 31 km from Almaty

    Best way: The 31 km road trip is short, but transit needs a marshrutka plus a last-mile shared taxi, so a taxi is simpler and clearly better.

    Take a marshrutka (minibus) from Almaty's Sayran bus station toward Talgar, then a taxi or shared taxi up the valley road to the Turgen Gorge trailhead for the last few kilometres.

    • Car ★31 min · taxi ≈ 3,600 KZT

    What to see

    • Turgen Gorge hiking trails
    • Turgen Gorge waterfalls and river
    • Turgen Gorge horse riding area
    • Talgar town centre

    Good to know

    • Go in late spring to autumn; winter snow can make the valley road and trailhead difficult.
    • Taxi fare is 3600 KZT, so agree on the price before you set off.
    • Trailhead is for Turgen Gorge; plan for hiking and bring water and warm layers.

    Times and prices are typical one-way estimates (train and bus: Omio / Rome2Rio route data; taxi: local tariff × road distance, tolls extra). Exact prices are on the booking page.

    Plans

    Almaty rewards visitors with mountain trails, café culture, and grand old squares within a short ride of each other. Pick how long you have and what you enjoy most. Prices checked October 2026; ≈ marks estimates.

    How long?

    What do you enjoy most?

    2 nights · Culture ★ Recommended length

    First-timers who want the cathedral, the bazaar and a Soviet-era museum in two easy days.

    Tickets & tours
    ≈ KZT 0
    per person
    Taxis
    ≈ KZT 4,732
    per taxi, up to 4 people
    Day 1

    Panfilov Park and the old centre

    Tickets ≈ KZT 0 pp · taxis ≈ KZT 2,452
    12345
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. 1

      09:30–10:15 · Free · donations welcome

      Ascension Cathedral Landmark quest

      Wooden cathedral inside Panfilov Park. Go early for quiet.

      Open Open daily, roughly 07:00–19:00 · check on the day

    2. Taxi · 178 m · ≈ 5 min · ≈ KZT 518
    3. 2

      10:20–11:05 · Free

      Panfilov Park walk

      Walk the paths and the war memorial next door.

      Open Always open

    4. Taxi · 568 m · ≈ 7 min · ≈ KZT 557
    5. 3

      11:15–12:15 · Free to enter · pay for what you buy

      Zelionyj Bazar Landmark quest

      Green market a short walk away. Busiest and best in the morning.

      Open Daily, roughly 08:00–18:00

    6. Taxi · 170 m · ≈ 5 min · ≈ KZT 517
    7. 4

      12:20–13:05 · Cheap eats · pay per item

      Bazaar snack stop

      Lunch from the food stalls: samsa, dried fruit, tea.

      Open Daily, roughly 08:00–18:00

    8. Taxi · 4 km · ≈ 15 min · ≈ KZT 860
    9. 5

      14:00–14:45 · Cheap single fare · pay per ride

      Almaty metro ride

      Ride a few stops to see the decorated stations. Avoid rush hour.

      Open Roughly 06:00–24:00

    Day 2

    Museums, then evening in the Golden Quarter

    Tickets ≈ KZT 0 pp · taxis ≈ KZT 2,280
    12345
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. 1

      10:00–12:00 · Small entry fee · check price on the day

      Central State Museum of Kazakhstan Landmark quest

      Closed Monday. Allow two hours for the main halls.

      Open Closed Monday · roughly 10:00–18:00

    2. Taxi · 690 m · ≈ 7 min · ≈ KZT 569
    3. 2

      12:15–12:35 · Free

      Golden Warrior Monument Landmark quest

      Monument outside the museum. Quick photo stop.

      Open Always open

    4. Taxi · 1442 m · ≈ 9 min · ≈ KZT 644
    5. 3

      13:00–13:45 · Cheap · pay per item

      Local tea house stop

      Afternoon tea and a snack in the Golden Quarter.

      Open Daily, roughly 09:00–22:00

    6. Taxi · 379 m · ≈ 6 min · ≈ KZT 538
    7. 4

      17:00–18:00 · Free

      Arbat pedestrian street

      Pedestrian street. Busiest in the evening.

      Open Always open · busiest evenings

    8. Taxi · 283 m · ≈ 6 min · ≈ KZT 528
    9. 5

      18:15–19:15 · Free

      Golden Quarter evening walk

      Evening walk past the lit-up buildings. Dinner nearby.

      Open Always open

    2 nights · Culture ★ Recommended length

    A balanced two days: city sights one day, mountains the next.

    Tickets & tours
    ≈ KZT 0
    per person
    Taxis
    ≈ KZT 5,964
    per taxi, up to 4 people
    Day 1

    Old centre on foot

    Tickets ≈ KZT 0 pp · taxis ≈ KZT 2,452
    12345
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. 1

      09:30–10:15 · Free · donations welcome

      Ascension Cathedral Landmark quest

      Start here before the crowds.

      Open Open daily, roughly 07:00–19:00 · check on the day

    2. Taxi · 178 m · ≈ 5 min · ≈ KZT 518
    3. 2

      10:20–11:05 · Free

      Panfilov Park walk

      Park and memorial walk.

      Open Always open

    4. Taxi · 568 m · ≈ 7 min · ≈ KZT 557
    5. 3

      11:15–12:15 · Free to enter · pay for what you buy

      Zelionyj Bazar Landmark quest

      Market visit; morning is best.

      Open Daily, roughly 08:00–18:00

    6. Taxi · 170 m · ≈ 5 min · ≈ KZT 517
    7. 4

      12:20–13:05 · Cheap eats · pay per item

      Bazaar snack stop

      Lunch at the stalls.

      Open Daily, roughly 08:00–18:00

    8. Taxi · 4 km · ≈ 15 min · ≈ KZT 860
    9. 5

      14:00–14:45 · Cheap single fare · pay per ride

      Almaty metro ride

      Short metro ride to see the stations.

      Open Roughly 06:00–24:00

    Day 2

    Mountains and sunset

    Tickets ≈ KZT 0 pp · taxis ≈ KZT 3,512
    123
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. 1

      10:00–12:00 · Skate rental and entry charged · check on the day

      Medeu skating rink

      Seasonal skating; views any clear day.

      Open Seasonal · check on the day

    2. Taxi · 5 km · ≈ 19 min · ≈ KZT 1,001
    3. 2

      12:30–15:30 · Cable car ticket charged · check on the day

      Shymbulak cable car

      Cable car up, roughly 09:00–17:00. Check on the day.

      Open Roughly 09:00–17:00 · check on the day

    4. Taxi · 20 km · ≈ 1 h · ≈ KZT 2,511
    5. 3

      17:00–19:00 · Cable car and tower entry charged separately · check prices on the day

      Kok Tobe Tower Landmark quest

      Back in town for the cable car and sunset.

      Open Cable car roughly 10:00–22:00 · check on the day

    Swap in instead

    • Add a day for Big Almaty Lake and the mountain road; go early and check road access on the day.
    • Swap one city day for Medeu and Shymbulak: cable car up, easy walks, cool air in summer.
    • History fans can add a half-day for the Central State Museum and the WWII memorial in Panfilov Park.

    Getting around

    • Metro: one line, open 06:00-00:00, 120 tenge per trip, contactless cards accepted at gates.
    • Buses: about 170 routes plus trolleybuses; cash fare 200 tenge, Onay card fare 120 tenge.
    • Onay card costs 800 tenge at караван newsstands; top up at Qiwi terminals, cash only.
    • Yandex Go is the main ride app; airport rides around 1500 tenge, but watch for fare scams.
    • Driving is busy and parking is hard; walking is easy in the centre, with gentle slopes toward the mountains.
    • Bikes and scooters are rentable by app; Yandex Go scooters run about 50 tenge per minute.

    Where to stay

    • Golden Quarter · ≈ KZT 35,000–90,000 a night
      Central and walkable, close to cafés, shops and the metro; easy base for first-timers.
    • Panfilov Park area · ≈ KZT 25,000–65,000 a night
      Next to the park, Zenkov Cathedral and the Green Bazaar; quiet streets and good value.
    • Abay Avenue · ≈ KZT 30,000–75,000 a night
      Wide avenue with hotels, restaurants and metro stops; a short ride to the centre.
    • Bostandyk · ≈ KZT 28,000–70,000 a night
      Leafy and calm, higher up toward the mountains; good for longer stays and families.

    Food & drink

    • Try Kazakh dishes: beshbarmak (meat with flat noodles), kazy and baursak bread.
    • Green Bazaar: buy dried fruit, nuts and horse-meat snacks; some stalls cook to order.
    • Lagman and plov at cheap cafeterias are filling; expect roughly 1500–3500 KZT a plate.
    • Coffee culture is strong in the centre; a flat white is often 1200–2000 KZT.
    • Book a table for dinner on weekends; popular places fill up. Check prices on the menu first.

    Tips

    1. Take the cable car to Kok Tobe for panoramic views of the city and mountains
    2. Visit Medeu and Shymbulak for world-class ice skating and alpine skiing
    3. Yandex Go is essential for getting around quickly and safely
    4. The mountains trap smog over the city during winter, so check air quality
    5. Try local delicacies like Beshbarmak (horse meat and noodles)
    Sources for prices and hours

      Taxi costs are estimates from straight-line distance and the metered fare. Map positions are approximate.

      Tours & activities

      Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

      Big Almaty Lake
      • Visit Charyn Canyon, Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes
      • Full-day excursion from Almaty
      • 2,446 reviews · 4.7 rating
      Day tripSmall group

      Almaty: Charyn Canyon, Kolsay, and Kaindy Lakes Day Trip

      GetYourGuide · ★ 4.7 (2,446)

      Take this tour to unlock 3 landmark quests

      Ascension Cathedral
      Panfilov Park
      Kok Tobe Tower
      • Explore Almaty's main sights
      • Learn about local history and culture
      • 1,065 reviews · 4.8 rating
      City tourGuide

      Almaty City

      GetYourGuide · ★ 4.8 (1,065)

      Take this tour to unlock 3 landmark quests

      Medeu
      Shymbulak
      Kok Tobe Tower
      • City tour plus mountain visits
      • Ride the cable car to Kok-Tobe
      • 288 reviews · 4.6 rating
      City and natureCable car

      Almaty: City tour and Medeu, Shymbulak and Kok-Tobe

      GetYourGuide · ★ 4.6 (288)

      Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

      Big Almaty Lake
      • Scenic drive to Big Almaty Lake
      • Relax at Alma-Arasan hot springs
      • 414 reviews · 4.6 rating
      No hikingHot springs

      Big Almaty Lake no hiking and Alma Arasan hot springs

      GetYourGuide · ★ 4.6 (414)

      Take this tour to unlock 2 landmark quests

      Zelionyj Bazar
      Panfilov Park
      • Discover hidden gems with a local guide
      • Experience everyday Almaty life
      • 31 reviews · 4.8 rating
      Walking tourLocal life

      Almaty Walking Tour: Local Life & Hidden Gems

      GetYourGuide · ★ 4.8 (31)

      Souvenirs

      Kazakh felt slippers

      KZT 6000–150001 pair, adult size · estimate

      Warm slippers made from wool felt, decorated with traditional Kazakh patterns. Felt making is a long-standing craft of the nomadic people of this region, and Almaty is a good place to find them.

      Where: Karavan Saray craft shop or Zhibek Zholy craft bazaar
      Check the Kazakh patterns and confirm the slippers are real wool.

      Rakhat Kazakhstan chocolate

      KZT 1500–35002 to 3 bars of 100 g · estimate

      A chocolate brand made in Almaty and sold across the country. It is a popular gift that reflects the city's own food industry.

      Where: Rakhat factory store, Zenkov Street
      Choose from the blue Kazakhstan packaging or other designs, depending on your taste.

      Flights

      Dates are departure dates at each airport, which may differ from your itinerary arrival date. Select your flight and complete payment on Trip.com.

      Search flights · Trip.com

      Hotels

      Search all Almaty hotelsHotels.com

      Popular hotels

      eSIM

      Get an eSIM for AlmatyStay connected in Kazakhstan from day one · Airalo
      Compare all 4 plans · choose data and duration

      Check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Data-use estimates are a guide; verify coverage, activation rules and the final price on Airalo.

      Luggage storage

      Store your bags in AlmatyDrop luggage at nearby shops and hotels · Bounce