Almaty, the biggest city in Kazakhstan and the country’s former capital, is a fantastic place to begin any journey around this enormous Central Asian nation. It is surrounded by the formidable Tian Shan mountains, which are a natural barrier. The most busy metropolis in Kazakhstan, Almaty, is home to a diverse array of architectural styles and a thriving arts community, all of which contribute to the city’s abundance of opportunities for outdoor activities.
Those who have a passion for art, music, cuisine, and other things will find more than enough here to keep them occupied for at least a weekend.
Kök-Töbe
A promiment hill that rises to the east of Almaty is known as Kok Tobe, sometimes known as The Blue Hill or, in some cases, Green Hill. There is a road that leads to the summit, but the most well-known transportation option is a gondola or cable car that departs from the city center next to the Hotel Kazakhstan and travels in a straight line from the top to the bottom. The views of the city and the surrounding region are rather pleasant, which costs 5000 tenge ($10.33) for a round-trip, is sure to be a highlight of any excursion that you do here.
At the peak of Kok-Tobe, you may have a picnic, get dressed up, and ride a Ferris wheel.
A popular destination for recreation, Kok-Tobe, also known as the Green Hill, is perched high above the city and offers breathtaking views of the cityscape below as well as the snow-capped mountains beyond. At its peak, you will discover an amusement park as well as a large number of sellers offering a variety of souvenirs and handicrafts from Kazakhstan. You will be able to snap pictures of yourself dressed in traditional garb, listen to live music on summer evenings, and have a picnic on days when the fair is being held.
It’s true that the whole scene has a touristic vibe about it, but it’s also a lot of fun. To add insult to injury, you won’t be surrounded by visitors alone since the hill is also quite well-liked by the locals.
Experience heritage at wonderful Museums
In the Central State Museum, you will be able to immerse yourself in the history of Kazakhstan, which includes everything from ancient relics to typical carved balbal columns to dazzling gold adornments. Despite the fact that not all of the exhibit contents are written in English, a significant number of these unique artifacts speak for themselves. There is a wonderful collection of work by Soviet-realist painter Abylkhan Kasteev (1904–1973) that is housed at the Kazakhstan Museum of Arts, which is by far the biggest collection of Kazakh art in the whole globe. The Tselinny Contemporary Arts Center, which will reopen in January 2025 after a refurbishment, is the place to go to see the work of Kazakh artists who are relatively young and quite interesting.
Dine horsemeat as a Kazakh
Although it may not be able to compete with southern Shymkent as a hub of traditional cuisine, Almaty has the distinction of having the most international culinary scene in the country, in addition to having a large number of restaurants that are worthy of sampling national specialties. Some of the most prevalent types of restaurants in Almaty are those that serve shashlik, which is meat that is skewered and cooked on a grill.
You should go to Abay on Kok-Tobe or Sandyq, which is an expensive restaurant, for a special supper where you may sample beshbarmak, which is a well-known Kazakh dish consisting of horsemeat and flat noodles.
- Beshbarmak (Non-Vegetarian) is a cuisine that is sometimes referred to as the national dish of Kazakhstan. It is made out of boiling meat (mostly horse, although chicken variants are also available), which is served on handmade pasta sheets and covered with a broth that is essentially produced from meat.
- Kazy is a classic sausage that is produced from horse flesh and is often served as an appetizer or as a component of a bigger meal with other foods.
- Manti (non-vegetarian) are huge dumplings that are filled with minced meat, often lamb or chicken, and served with a dollop of sour cream. Manti are not vegetarian foods.
- Baked pastries stuffed with minced meat (either lamb or chicken) and onions are known as samsas, which are not vegetarian.
- Non-vegetarian Laghman is a cuisine consisting of noodles that are accompanied by a substantial stew of vegetables and meat, generally lamb or chicken, and is occasionally served as a soup.
- Kuurdak is a savory stir-fried meal that is created with potatoes, onions, and either chicken or lamb. It is suitable for vegetarians.
- Occasionally seasoned with a mixture of spices, shashlik is a non-vegetarian dish consisting of slices of chicken that are skewered and grilled.
- Vegetarian Plov (Veg) is a vegetarian variant of the traditional Central Asian rice dish that is spiced with carrots, onions, and a variety of spices.
- Baursaks are fried dough balls that are a delightfully easy dessert or snack that are often coated with powdered sugar. Baursaks are a vegetarian option.
- The sweet dessert known as Chak-Chak (Veg) is produced from dough that has been bathed in honey and then fashioned into little balls or strings.
Green Bazaar
It is imperative that you pay a visit to the bazaar if you are in important Asia; the Green Market in Almaty is the most important and picturesque of the city’s bazaars. Doing your food shopping, discovering herbs from the highlands of Kazakhstan, stocking up on teas from China, and a lot more are all things that you can accomplish here. The neighboring country of Uzbekistan also provides a plentiful supply of dried fruits and nuts.
The Green Bazaar is the most well-known market in Kazakhstan, and it can be found right in the middle of the city, directly adjacent to the Rahat Chocolate Factory. It was constructed in the 1970s, and in 2016, a new concrete addition brought about the replacement of the outdoor vegetable market. It is now considered to be one of the most clean and organized marketplaces in Central Asia.
It is possible for foodies to spend an entire day here savoring the astonishing variety of products that Kazakhstan has to offer, including those produced from animal flesh and milk, as well as foods from all around the Soviet Union.
Be sure not to miss the dairy area, where you will find stalls selling kurut, a salty cheese that prevents shepherds on horseback from feeling hungry while they are traveling over the huge steppe. (We’ve also heard that the delicacy goes well with the vodka that’s produced locally.)
The people who work at the bazaar are fully aware of the fact that visitors are not familiar with the costs in the area, so make sure you negotiate. Shop outside of the market for even better results. You get a taste of Almaty that a lot of visitors don’t get to experience, and the prices are out of this world.
Big Almaty Lake
Big Almaty Lake is located at a height of 2,511 meters above sea level and provides stunning views of blue waters that are flanked by mountains that are covered in snow. Due to the fact that the lake is located inside a natural reserve that is under protection, people are not permitted to swim in it or approach its beaches.
Nevertheless, due to the breathtaking views of the lake and the Tien Shan mountains that surround it, this location is perfect for taking photographs and going on excursions.
Big Almaty Lake, which is located at a height of roughly 2,510 meters above sea level, captivates tourists with its spectacular beauty and the beautiful peaks that are located in the surrounding area. In spite of the fact that camping by the lake is not permitted, there are several chances for picnics and exploring in the surrounding neighborhoods.
It is possible for adventurers to go on the climb up to Big Almaty Peak, which is a popular path that offers breathtaking views; however, owing to the terrain, care is urged beforehand. There is also the option of going to the Sunkar Falconry Center, which is located nearby and offers daily bird-of-prey displays during the summer months.
From Almaty, one must first travel for a little distance, and then either trek or drive up a mountain road in order to reach the lake. Visitors have the opportunity to engage in activities such as hiking, photography, and just soaking in the tranquil atmosphere while admiring the pristine waters and the breathtaking views of the landscapes that surround them.
Arasan Baths
Go to the Arasan Baths after you have spent a full day out and about in the city, after you have gone on a trekking or skiing trip in the adjacent town of Shymbulak, or just as a way to begin your tour in Kazakhstan. This impressive bathhouse, which dates back to the 1970s and is located in the heart of the city, mixes elements of traditional Central Asian bathhouses with high-Soviet Modernist architecture.
It is recommended that you schedule a stay of two hours in order to make your way through the steam chambers of the Moroccan and Turkish hammam, the Finnish sauna, and the Russian banya. By ordering a massage or a traditional veniki (beating with oak leaves), you may extend your stay for a longer period of time. Access begins at 1500–2000 tenge (about $3.10–4.13) per hour, with additional fees accruing for add-ons such as massages, sandal and towel rentals, and other services.
Almaty Zoo
With a total area of 21 hectares, the Almaty Zoo is not only one of the oldest but also one of the biggest zoos in Kazakhstan. It is possible to witness local Kazakhstani fauna such as deer, wild rams, wolves, and golden eagles at the zoo, which is home to about 350 species and over 6,000 animals. In addition, the zoo provides visitors with the opportunity to see exotic species from other continents.
Elephants and zebras from Africa, Himalayan bears and tigers from Asia, American vultures and crocodiles, and other animals from a variety of continents are among the notable displays.
In addition to offering a fun and entertaining experience, the zoo also provides educational opportunities in the form of guided tours, animal presentations, and feeding sessions. There is a playground that is well-equipped, as well as picnic spaces, which provide room for enjoyment for younger people.
Shymbulak
Almaty is surrounded by the breathtaking Tian Shan mountains, which has resulted in the ski resort of Shymbulak being just a twenty-minute ride away from the city center. There are around twenty kilometers (12.5 miles) of runs for winter guests to ski, and there are eight lifts to take you up the mountain. Both skis and ski clothing are available for hire on the premises of the venue.
The resort is also an excellent place to visit during the summer months since it has a large number of hiking paths, a few mountain eateries, and horseback riding trails.
The Medeu ice rink is accessible by bus number 12, which departs from the city center every half hour. You may take the lift that goes up to the resort from this location.
A visit to the opera theater
A variety of theaters can be found in Almaty, which was once the capital of Kazakhstan. The Abay Opera and Ballet Theatre is the most well-known of these theaters. This magnificent opera building, which is exquisitely ornamented on the interior as well as the outside, is celebrating its milestone 90th season this year. A number of operas and ballets composed by Kazakh composers are included in its broad repertory, in addition to well-known works from throughout the world, such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Aida, Madam Butterfly, and Carmen.
Expect to see the ballet Legend of the Great Steppe and the opera based on the life of Abay, the national poet, as well as Kyz Zhibek, a Kazakh Romeo and Juliet. Both of these performances are spectacles that you should not miss. Tickets start at only $2, making it an excellent deal for those who are interested. The season begins in September and continues until June.
Panfilov Park
Panfilov Park, which was constructed in honor of Major General Ivan Panfilov, a hero of the Soviet Union, serves as a reminder of Kyrgyzstan’s history and the country’s march toward complete freedom.
The most well-known park in Almaty is Panfilov Park, which is located in the business district of the city. The gorgeous park, which dates back to the 19th century, is designed to be centered on the Ascension (or Zenkov) Cathedral, which is a yellow structure that seems like it was taken straight from a fairy tale.
Currently, a number of the park’s monuments, including the monument to Ivan Panfilov, to whom the park is dedicated; an everlasting flame remembering fallen heroes; and a scattering of tanks and artillery from the Soviet period, provide a visual picture of the culture of the Soviet military.
One of the most well-known green spaces in Almaty is the Park itself, which is located inside the boundaries of the city. A location that is ideal for taking a seat, relaxing, and taking in the views of the city.
Concerts in Soviet palaces
The majestic Palace of the Republic, which was constructed in the 1970s, serves as Almaty’s primary concert venue and is an excellent location to see a performance of Kazakh traditional music or classical music. Although it was first constructed to serve as a place for concerts, party meetings, and union demonstrations, it is now widely used as a location for conferences and other types of events. Outdoor celebrations, such as the Spirit of Tengri, are held on the plaza throughout the summer months. These celebrations flow out of the palace.
Another option is to make an effort to get seats for a performance at the Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic, which is a venue that exudes a more traditional and cozy atmosphere.
There are also traditional music performances that are periodically organized by the National Museum of Folks Musical Instrumentation, which is located outside of Panfilov Square.