Things to do in Almaty
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Top 10 attractions in Almaty
Shymbulak
Shymbulak is an alpine ski resort near Almaty, Kazakhstan, located in the upper reaches of the Medeu Valley in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, approx. 25 km from the city center. The base of the ski area is at an elevation of approx. 2,260 m, with the upper ski lift station located at Talgar Pass, rising to around 3,200 m. The ski runs have a vertical drop of 900 m, making it one of the largest alpine ski resorts in Central Asia. The ski season runs from November to the following spring, with an average snow depth of approx. 1.5 m. Winter temperatures are usually a few degrees below zero, and the snow quality is dry and firm. This was the venue for the alpine skiing events of the 2011 Asian Winter Games, which led to an overall upgrade. It features gentle slopes for beginners, steep slopes and a snowboard park for advanced skiers, and also offers night skiing. Non-skiers can also have fun: take the three-stage cable car up the mountain from Medeu at the foot of the mountain, and enjoy views of the canyon forests and the city skyline in the distance along the way. The mountain is cool in summer, making it suitable for hiking and mountain biking, with glaciers and alpine meadows nearby. The resort features a hotel as well as several restaurants and cafes.Almaty · 19.6km from downtown
Ascension Cathedral
Ascension Cathedral, also known as Zenkov Cathedral, stands in Panfilov Park in the center of Almaty. It is built entirely of Tien Shan spruce, stands 56m tall, and features a pale yellow facade accented with white and light green lines, topped with a set of golden onion domes. Most of the building is constructed using mortise and tenon joints, with almost no metal nails, which is quite rare for a structure of this size. The true uniqueness of the cathedral lies in its earthquake-resistant design: just a few years after its completion, a powerful earthquake in 1911 almost leveled the city of Verny, yet it remained almost completely intact. Engineer Zenkov incorporated a wooden frame structure known as an earthquake-resistant basket into the design, allowing the building to flex without breaking during tremors. During the Soviet era, the cathedral was converted into a museum and public office space, and a radio transmitter antenna was even installed on the bell tower, until it was returned to the church in 1995 and resumed services in 1997. Today, when you step inside the cathedral, you can see the iconostasis painted by artist Khludov and walls filled with icons.Almaty · 3.3km from downtown
Big Almaty Lake
Big Almaty Lakeis at an altitude of approx. 2,511 m and is a natural alpine lake in the Tian Shan mountains of Kazakhstan created by seismic activity. The lake is fed primarily by glacial meltwater and is clear and cold, with its color shifting between light green and blue-green depending on the season and light. A dam at the northern end of the lake provides a wide vantage point. Standing on the dam, you can see several snow-capped peaks surrounding the lake basin: Soviet Peak at an altitude of approx. 4,317 m to the southeast, Ozyorny Peak to the south, and Tourist Peak to the southwest, all reflected in the lake water. Take a slow walk along the lakeside trail to capture the changing light and shadows on the water and mountains from different angles. Higher up above the lake sits the domed Tian Shan Astronomical Observatory. It is a drive of approx. 1 hour from the city, heading up along the winding mountain canyon and through stretches of spruce forest. For visitors with good stamina, the entire canyon can also be used as a hiking route. Mountain weather is changeable, and temperatures are significantly lower even in midsummer. Compared to midsummer, the frozen lake in winter offers a different kind of snowy landscape.Almaty · 23.5km from downtown
Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is located next to Republic Square in Almaty. The three-story building with a blue dome incorporates elements of traditional Kazakh yurts. The museum's history can be traced back to local collections from the 1830s, and it moved into this purpose-built building in 1985. As one of the larger museums in Central Asia, it houses over 300,000 artifacts, covering history from the Bronze Age to the post-independence period after 1991. The permanent exhibition halls are arranged chronologically: the Paleontology and Archaeology Hall displays animal skeletons, petrified wood fossils, as well as unearthed gold artifacts and models of ancient and medieval architecture; the History and Ethnography Hall recreates the nomadic life of the Kazakh people from the 15th to the early 20th century, featuring weapons, armor, traditional clothing, leather goods, jewelry, and carpets, with a fully assembled Kazakh yurt serving as an iconic exhibit; subsequent halls present the history of multi-ethnic settlement, the years of World War II, and the process of independence. The museum's centerpiece is the "Golden Man" (Issyk Golden Man)—a Scythian royal warrior unearthed from the Issyk burial mound on the outskirts of Almaty. His armor is adorned with thousands of hand-engraved gold flakes, and he wears a gilded pointed crown decorated with bird motifs. Today, it is considered one of the national symbols of Kazakhstan; the version on display is a meticulously crafted replica of the original.Almaty · 3.7km from downtown
28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park
Panfilov Park 28 Warriors Memorial Park was built in the 1870s and was named after the Panfilov Warriors in 1942 to commemorate the heroes of the 316th Division and the 16th Regiment who died in the war against the Nazis in 1941. 28 soldiers from Almaty. When celebrating the 30th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War, the Glory Monument and the Eternal Fire Tower were built. During festivals and anniversaries, many people will lay flowers in front of the monument to commemorate the martyrs.Almaty · 3.4km from downtown
Kok Tobe
Kok Tobe is a hill on the southeastern edge of Almaty, with an elevation of approx. 1,070 m, rising approx. 200 m above the city. Its name comes from the Kazakh language, meaning "green hill," which is why it is also often called "Green Hill." It is one of Almaty's city landmarks. The area at the summit has been developed into a leisure park. You can reach the top in a few minutes by cable car from the city center. On the way, you can overlook the streets and distant mountains, and the cable car ride itself is an experience. The attractions at the summit are quite concentrated: the 372 m tall Almaty TV Tower stands here, and the panoramic platform next to the tower is the perfect spot to overlook the city and the snow-capped peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau. The park also features a Ferris wheel and a bronze statue of The Beatles—John Lennon sits on a bench holding a guitar, with Paul, George, and Ringo standing beside him. The apple-shaped wishing fountain echoes Almaty's name as the "City of Apples." Visiting in the evening is especially recommended; as the sunset sinks into the city skyline and the lights begin to twinkle, the night view from the panoramic platform captures the distant snow-capped mountains in the same frame. There are also souvenir shops and restaurants scattered on the mountain.Almaty · 13.9km from downtown
Central Park
Central Park, also known as Gorky Park, is located in Almaty and is one of the city's historic urban parks. The park was built in 1856 and was initially used as the "National Garden" (Kazenny Sad) for the leisure of garrison officers. Later, it gradually developed into a cultural and entertainment center for citizens and tourists. The park covers an area of about 42 hectares, with green trees, lakes, and a variety of entertainment facilities. These include amusement parks, water parks, dinosaur parks, etc. suitable for family fun. There is a small island in the middle of the lake with a restaurant on the island. Visitors can reach it via a pedestrian bridge or boating. In addition, the park also has sports fields, jogging paths, bicycle paths and fitness areas, suitable for visitors of all ages. In the eastern part of the park is the Almaty Zoo, which was established in 1937 and raises a variety of wild animals and birds.Almaty · 4.3km from downtown
Almaty Zoo
Almaty Zoo is a zoo that is home to animals from around the world, including tigers, lions, bears, monkeys, birds, and more. In addition to viewing the animals, visitors can also participate in various activities, such as horseback riding, camel riding, riding the small train, and more.Almaty · 5.2km from downtown
First President park
Almaty First President Park is named after the first president of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The park covers a total area of 73 hectares. It was built in 2001 and the garden is planted with green plants. About a hundred spruce and birch trees were planted to commemorate the participation of the city of Almaty in the Olympic torch relay for the Beijing Olympics.Almaty · 7.1km from downtown
Ile-Alatau National Park
Ile-Alatau National Park is famous for its magnificent mountain scenery and rich biodiversity, aiming to protect and showcase the unique ecosystems and natural beauty of the Tianshan Mountains. The park covers a vast area and encompasses a variety of landforms, including towering mountains, expansive grasslands, clear lakes, and dense forests. The park features multiple hiking trails suitable for hikers of all levels. These trails not only lead visitors through magnificent natural scenery but also offer opportunities to observe various plants and animals up close. In addition, the lakes and rivers within the park provide an ideal environment for fishing and picnicking. Ile-Alatau National Park not only attracts visitors with its natural beauty but also holds significant cultural and historical value. The park contains several archaeological sites that showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of Kazakhstan. Visitors can explore ancient petroglyphs and historical relics here to learn about the local cultural background.Almaty · 15.5km from downtown
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What travellers say about Almaty
Nuna Kelana22 May 2026
5.0
Love this place because the snow is much in winter time 🥰🥰🥰I visited shymbulak twice and always with snow. Even on April, snow still much and cold!!!
Shymbulak
HAB465 April 2026
5.0
The Ascension Cathedral in Almaty is located at the center of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park. The colors on the exterior of this structure are magical, and the Russian modern architecture is reminiscent of the magnificent cathedrals in Russia.
Ascension Cathedral
zomitrip16 October 2024
5.0
As of October 2024, the road is closed partway, so you can use YandexGO to get there partway. From there, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours on foot for adults to Almaty Lyk.
There are several trash cans along the way, and you can take a rest in a pension-like place (only this one place).
Please be aware that the temperature and weather are prone to change, so don't forget to bring warm clothes and food.
The scenery of Almaty Lyk is very beautiful and worth seeing. Perhaps because it is difficult to get there, there are few tourists now, so you can enjoy it quietly.
Big Almaty Lake
BeMa3542 April 2026
5.0
The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is one of the important museums in Almaty. The museum has a large front yard with a garden and a uniquely shaped sky blue dome. Like many other museums in the city, the architectural features of this museum combine modernist Soviet and Kazakh elements, making it an interesting and significant site to visit, other than the fact that it has collections of relics and artifacts pertaining to the history of the state of Kazakhstan.
Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
sculptor29 December 2021
4.0
The 28 Panfilov Heroes Memorial Park is a city park in Kazakhstan, located in central Almaty. The eternal flame in memory of the fallen soldiers of World War II burns in front of a huge black monument to soldiers from all 15 Soviet republics. The Ascension Cathedral of Almaty is also located in Panfilov Park.
28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park
Even1 July 2020
4.0
If you want to overlook the entire city of Almaty, then KokTobe Park is the place to go. The park is located on the top of KokTobe Mountain, 1,100 meters above sea level. Get in the cable car, accompanied by beautiful dombra music, as the altitude continues to rise, the whole city begins to slowly appear at your feet. The top of the mountain is not only a great place to overlook Almaty, but also a magnificent panoramic view of the foothills of Zailiysky Alatau, which is more beautiful than any other angle in the city.
Kok Tobe
ソロ旅女子らいむ7 July 2026
5.0
It's a pretty big park. Since it's a park, admission is free, but it also has an amusement park and a zoo, so you could easily spend a whole day there. The gardens and flowerbeds within the park are beautifully maintained and make for great photo opportunities. If you like kids, I definitely recommend going!
Central Park
cross-cultural family6 July 2026
5.0
The Almaty Zoo was a fantastic and interesting stop for our family of three. It is a very large zoo covering many hectares, and because we were visiting in the summer, we were a bit worried about the intense heat and the possibility of sudden rain, especially with a little one.To make things easier, we booked the English-guided tour on a golf cart, and it was the perfect decision!Why we loved it:Convenient & Timely: The golf cart made it incredibly easy to navigate the massive grounds. We were able to see all the major highlights and animals in a timely manner, finishing up right before lunch so we could head to our next attraction.Wonderful Guide: Our tour guide was fantastic and highly knowledgeable. He knew the names of all the animals and was incredibly accommodating, stopping whenever we wanted to take photos or pointing out exactly where the animals were hiding so we wouldn't miss them.Great for Kids: It completely saved us from worrying about our toddler getting too tired from walking.Tip for future visitors: If you are visiting during the summer, definitely bring sunscreen and don't forget to wear your hats—it gets very hot out there!We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend the zoo and the golf cart tour to any families visiting Almaty.
Almaty Zoo
