As Kazakhstan’s largest city and cultural capital, Almaty offers a mesmerizing blend of sights and experiences. Its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality draw visitors. Whether you are an adventurer seeking majestic landscapes, a culture enthusiast eager to explore historical sites, or a food lover eager to indulge in diverse culinary delights, Almaty has something for everyone. Get ready to embark on a captivating journey with this travel guide to Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Where is Almaty Kazakhatan
Located in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world. Almaty is located in the southeastern region. The name Almaty translates to city of apples. The origins of apple trees can be traced to this region of Kazakhstan. Almaty continues to be a very green city. Trees and the Tien Shan mountains are the backdrop to a juxtaposition of shiny modern architecture next to gray Soviet Union era buildings and speckled with mosques and ornate Russian churches.
Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan) is the capital of Kazakhstan, located in the northeastern region of the country. But Almaty (originally Alma-Ata) with its location on the Silk Road remains the cultural capital and an ideal location to gain insight into Kazakh culture.
Kazakhstan borders Russia to the north, China to the east and Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek) and Uzbekistan to the south. Mongolia lies to the east sandwiched between China and Russia. All of these cultures have an influence on Kazakh culture.
This Central Asian city is clean and modern with large modern malls and clean grocery stores with every product you can imagine. While tea is more a part of their culture than coffee, cafes abound where you can find a good cup of coffee. In the city, there is a fair amount of English spoken, as well as signage in English.
Where to Stay in Almaty, Kazakhstan
There are a variety of modern hotels in Almaty.
The Grand Mildom Hotel on the west side of the city, across from a large modern mall, and with views of the mountains is an excellent option for travelers.
But there are plenty of major hotel brands in Almaty, as well. There’s a Ritz-Carlton, an Intercontinental (IHG), Ramada by Wyndham, Holiday Inn, Best Western and more.
Travelers will have no problem finding lodging that suits their needs and budget.
Several of Kazakhstan’s national parks are located within a day trip, as are a couple of ski resorts. However, you may want to spend a couple of nights outside of the city immersing yourself in the stunning Kazakh landscapes and culture.
A good jumping-off spot to explore Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake, and perhaps Charyn Canyon also is the rustic Kolsay Grand set at the entrance to the expansive park. There are three dome glamping tents that are also available here.
An overnight visit to Oi-Qaragai mountain resort and a stay in one of their tree houses is a must for families.
Yurts are available for an overnight stay at the Hun Village of Gunny Aul where you can feel as though you stepped back in time to experience Kazakh history, traditions and culture in person.
What to Do & See in Almaty Kazakhstan
Visit the Museums
To learn more about the history and culture of Kazakhstan visit Central State Museum and National Gallery. Central State Museum gives an in-depth overview of the geology, history and culture of Kazakhstan. And, the National Gallery showcases the applied arts and symbolism so important to Kazakh culture, while also illustrating history through art.
Kok-Tobe
Take a cable car from the city center up the hill to this fun amusement park with 360-degree views of the city and mountains beyond. If you bring your kids, they will not want to leave.
The owl is just one of several majestic birds you can see at Falcon Farm Sunkar. Photo credit: Liana Moore
See a Falcon Show
See the documentary The Eagle Huntress before your visit to get an idea of the skill that goes into training an Eagle for hunting. Then when you visit, be sure to see a Falcon show. Located just out of town at the entrance to Ile-Alatau National Park, Falcon Farm Sunkar offers one that is both awe-dropping and entertaining at the same time.
Visit Panfilov Park
This lovely park is home to the beautifully ornate Russian Orthodox Zenkov Cathedral (also known as Ascension Cathedral). If you time it right, you can even go into the cathedral to see the golden decor and experience an orthodox service. Be sure to stroll through the park to see the Monument of Independence paying tribute to Kazakh soldiers who died in World War II. At the far end of the park, you could also make a stop to visit the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments.
Shymbulak Ski Resort
Visit the largest ski resort in Central Asia. During the summer, hike and take in the views. During the winter ski, or ice skate at Medeu (Medeo), the largest high-mountain ice skating rink, located just below the ski resort.
First President’s Park
Take a stroll around the beautiful First President’s Park and watch the kids playing in the fountains.
Green Bazaar
Visit this decades-old bazaar located on the Silk Road and take in the vibrant colors of fruits, nuts, spices, teas, meats and cheeses. Maybe even try a few samples and make some purchases to bring home.
Take the Almaty Metro
Seeing the Metro in Almaty is an experience. There are 14 stops, each beautifully designed with a unique theme. This is perhaps the cleanest and most beautiful public transportation this writer has ridden. It has influences from the metro in Russia.
See Big Almaty Lake
Big Almaty Lake, south of the city, is the source of drinking water for the city. But it is also a popular destination for hiking, biking and picnicking.
Where to Eat in Almaty Kazakhstan
Almaty is home to some of the largest and most beautiful restaurants. The decor is stunning, whether with abundant colorful flowers or rich textiles and stunning chandeliers. The food itself is also as interesting as the city itself.
In Almaty, you will find restaurants with traditional Kazakh cuisine including the delicious fried bread, Baursak, as well as Beshbarmak, Laghman and Manti. But there’s also a variety of foods from other cultures prevalent in Kazakhstan. These include restaurants include Russian, Georgian, Italian and more.
Highlights include eating Laghman at a small restaurant on the way to Charyn Canyon, Beshbarmak at Alban Restaurant in a yurt in Sati after hiking Kaindy Lake and the most interesting salads at the beautifully ornate Villa Dei Fiori.
Kazakhstan is a really interesting place to visit and experience. Perhaps the biggest takeaway that this writer had was how genuinely welcoming they are to visitors. Greetings in English were common from adults and children alike.
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