Things to Do in Almaty

About Almaty

Almaty sits below the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, a city where Soviet blocks stand next to glass towers and tree-lined streets run straight to the bazaars. Fresh nan and grilled shashlyk—the smells hit you first. The rhythm here is distinct: commuters pass elderly men playing chess in parks, while traditional teahouses operate beside cafés that serve apples from the orchards that made this region famous. The mountains turn pink at dusk. That is when the city shows what it is—nomadic roots, cosmopolitan ambitions, and enough Silk Road history to fill every street corner. The Kazakh welcome is real. You won't stay a stranger long. This place doesn't just show you Kazakhstan—it pulls you in.

Travel Tips

Transportation: The Almaty Metro has 11 stations and costs 80 KZT ($0.17) per ride - clean, fast, and Soviet-era beautiful. Yandex Go is the main ride-hailing app at 500-1,500 KZT ($1.10-3.25) for most trips. City buses cost 150 KZT ($0.33) with a contactless card. For Big Almaty Lake day trips, hire a car for 15,000-25,000 KZT ($33-54). Airport transfers cost 2,000-4,000 KZT ($4.30-8.60) via Yandex Go. InDrive also works well.

Money: Kazakhstani tenge (KZT) is the local currency at about 460 KZT to $1. ATMs at Halyk Bank and Kaspi Bank are everywhere. Kaspi QR payments dominate local commerce - download the app if you have a local number. Budget $25-40 daily. Cards work at most restaurants and shops. Tipping 10% is becoming common at upscale restaurants. Exchange USD or EUR at official obmen valyut offices for competitive rates.

Cultural Respect: Kazakhstan is secular and moderate - alcohol is widely available and dress codes are relaxed in Almaty. Show respect at mosques by removing shoes and covering shoulders. Russian and Kazakh are both spoken - learn 'rakhmet' (thank you in Kazakh). Avoid discussing politics. If invited to a Kazakh home, bring sweets or fruit. Refusing food or drink from a host is considered rude.

Food Safety: Beshbarmak (boiled meat with flat noodles) at traditional restaurants costs 2,500-4,500 KZT ($5.40-9.75). Lagman (pulled noodle soup) runs 1,200-2,000 KZT ($2.60-4.35). Shashlik skewers at Green Bazaar cost 500-1,000 KZT ($1.10-2.15) each. Plov at an ashkhana runs 800-1,500 KZT ($1.75-3.25). Kurt (dried yogurt balls) from markets cost 300-600 KZT ($0.65-1.30) per bag. Kumys (fermented mare's milk) is an acquired taste at 200-400 KZT ($0.43-0.87).

When to Visit

Spring (April-May) offers perfect weather with temperatures of 15-25°C, blooming apple orchards, and 40-60mm monthly rainfall, making it ideal for sightseeing and hiking. Expect peak season pricing with 20-25% higher accommodation rates. Summer (June-August) brings warm weather (20-30°C) and minimal rainfall (30-40mm), perfect for mountain activities at Medeu and Shymbulak, though prices remain elevated. The Apple Festival occurs in late August, celebrating the region's fruit heritage. Autumn (September-November) delivers impressive weather with 10-20°C temperatures and crisp, clear mountain views. This shoulder season offers 15-20% savings on hotels while maintaining excellent conditions for outdoor activities. Winter (December-March) transforms Almaty into a winter wonderland with temperatures from -10 to 5°C and 20-30mm precipitation, mostly snow. Ski season at Shymbulak runs December-March, while accommodation drops 30-40% in the city. Nauryz (March 21-23) marks the Persian New Year with lively celebrations. Budget travelers should visit November-February excluding holidays, while photographers will love autumn's golden aspens and spring's blossoming orchards. Summer suits families and outdoor ensoiasts despite premium pricing.