Almaty Uncovered: Your Ultimate Guide to Kazakhstan’s Jewel
Surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains and covered in lush green spaces, Almaty is a city on the rise.
Central Asia’s second-largest and most modern city has a hell of a lot to offer. With its tidy pedestrian streets, cozy wine bars and sunny cafe-filled lanes, travellers could be forgiven for mistaking Almaty for a more famous European location.
Throw in inexpensive top-notch restaurants, a wide range of affordable accommodation options, access to excellent outdoor activities and fascinating Soviet-style architecture and you’ve got yourself an excellent destination that is well worthy of your time.
Not sure where to begin exploring Almaty? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our complete guide to Almaty, including all the best places to stay, eat and things to do in Almaty.
Kazakhstan Travel Resources
- Getting there: search for flights to Kazakhstan
- Where to stay: find a guesthouse, hostel or hotel
- Guidebook: pick up a copy of Bradt’s Kazakhstan
- How to get around: search for trains in Kazakhstan or rent a car
- Travel insurance: get travel insurance for your trip
- Money: get a Wise travel card to save big time in Kazakhstan
- Tours: browse the best tours in Kazakhstan
Where is Almaty, Kazakhstan?
Almaty is located in Central Asia and more precisely, in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains in southern Kazakhstan.
Almaty is located approximately 1,000 km south of the capital city of Astana.
The city sits in a valley at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Read next: The Essential Guide to Visiting Iskanderkul
When is the best time to visit Almaty?
The best time to visit Almaty is during the summer months from June to September. During this time, the weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures averaging around 25-30°C (77-86°F).
The days are long, and there are many outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking in the nearby mountains, swimming in the lakes, and visiting the city’s parks and gardens.
Here’s a breakdown of the other seasons in Almaty to help you plan your visit.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is a great time to visit Almaty if you prefer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
The weather is mild, with temperatures ranging from 10-20°C, and the city is less crowded than during the summer months.
You can still enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking, and the autumn colours in the mountains are particularly beautiful.
Winter (December to February)
Winter in Almaty is cold and snowy, with temperatures averaging around -5 to -10°C.
However, if you enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, this is the perfect time to visit as the ski resort Shymbulak is located just outside of the city.
Spring (March to May)
Spring in Almaty is short but lovely. The weather is mild, with temperatures ranging from 5-15°C, and the city is blooming with colourful flowers and trees.
This is a great time to visit if you enjoy nature and outdoor activities, as the mountains and parks are especially beautiful during this time.
Is Almaty Safe For Tourists?
Overall, Almaty is a very safe city for tourists to visit. During my 3 weeks in the city, not once did I feel unsafe or apprehensive about walking around by myself, including at night.
That being said, just like in any other city in the world, things do happen, particularly petty theft such as pickpocketing. Therefore, it’s important to remain streetwise.
This means being mindful about where you put your cell phone, not wearing expensive jewellery and watches and not flaunting big wads of cash.
Make sure you’re good on travel insurance before you visit Almaty. We use and recommend SafetyWing. Their policies are flexible and can be taken out on the road.
Also, (as per usual) taxi drivers can often overcharge for rides. Fortunately, more and more countries have rideshare options which basically eliminate the risk of overcharging altogether. In Kazakhstan, they use Yandex (their version of Uber).
Almaty Guide: Where to Stay in Almaty
Almaty has a wide range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious hotels.
In this Almaty guide, here are some recommendations for places to stay in Almaty.
Budget
A new hostel opened in 2023 that is centrally located, has a great vibe and offers rooms for an affordable price. This is the best place to stay in Almaty for first-time visitors.
A top-rated hostel that offers comfortable beds with a chilled vibe. We also recommend this as one of the best places to stay in Almaty for first-time visitors.
Mid-range
A modern well-equipped apartment that features a microwave, a dining area, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with shower and slippers. Some units feature a terrace and/or a balcony with city or inner courtyard views.
High-end
A luxury hotel located in the heart of the city that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It’s the Ritz, so it goes without saying that it’s one of the best places to stay in Almaty.
Hotel Kazakhstan is an iconic Almaty hotel that offers comfortable rooms and suites with panoramic views of the city. It’s a great area to stay in Almaty.
Almaty Guide: How to Get to Almaty
Almaty is easily accessible by air, train, and bus from many major cities in Kazakhstan and other neighbouring countries. In this Almaty guide, we’ve outlined some ways to get to Almaty.
How to Get to Almaty By Plane
The Almaty International Airport (ALA) is the largest airport in Kazakhstan and is serviced by several major airlines, including Air Astana, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and Emirates.
There are direct flights to Almaty from many cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Pro tip: for the best deals on flights to Almaty, take a look on Skyscanner – it’s what we always use to find cheap flights.
The airport is located about 15 km (9 miles) northeast of the city centre and you can take a taxi or a bus from the airport to the city.
How to get to Almaty By Train
Almaty has a major railway station that connects it to other cities in Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries.
Several trains run daily between Almaty and Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, as well as other cities such as Shymkent, Karaganda, and Aktobe. Surprisingly, you can purchase many train tickets ahead of time on 12Go.
You can also take a train from Almaty to Urumqi in China, Tashkent in Uzbekistan and even all the way to Moscow.
How to get to Almaty By bus
Almaty has several long-distance bus stations that connect it to other cities in Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries.
Daily buses run between Almaty and Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, as well as other cities such as Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Taraz and Turkistan in Kazakhstan.
How to get to Almaty By car
You can also drive to Almaty from other cities in Kazakhstan or neighbouring countries.
However, it’s important to note that driving in Kazakhstan can be challenging due to poor road conditions and the aggressive driving habits of some motorists.
Almaty Guide: How to Get Around Almaty
Walking Around Almaty
Almaty is a very walkable city with lots of pedestrian crosswalks, sidewalks and parks to meander through.
The city is relatively compact, and many of its main attractions are within walking distance of each other.
Walking is also a great way to explore the city’s neighbourhoods and soak up its atmosphere.
Public transportation in Almaty
Almaty has a relatively extensive public transportation system that includes buses and a small metro which is a tourist destination in and of itself.
The metro system has two lines that cover many of the city’s central areas. You can purchase a ticket or a smart card (called “Onay”) from vending machines or ticket booths at metro stations.
The cost of a single ride on the metro is 80 KZT (about 20 US cents). Routes can be accessed through the app maps.me.
Trains run from 6:00 am to midnight, and the interval between trains is about 5-10 minutes during peak hours and 10-15 minutes during off-peak hours. The metro system is relatively new and modern, and it’s a convenient way to travel around the city.
Almaty’s bus network is relativity easy to navigate. Again, routes can be accessed through maps.me and rides cost between 80 – 150 KZT.
Taxis in Almaty
Taxis are readily available in Almaty, and you can flag one down on the street. However, make sure to negotiate the fare beforehand if you are taking a taxi on the street.
My recommendation? Stick to Yandex (their version of Uber). This helps get around the language barrier and prices are fixed.
Renting a car in Almaty
If you prefer to drive yourself, it is quite easy to rent a car in Almaty. In our experience, it’s cheaper and easier to rent a car online.
Our recommendation? Hop over to Discover Cars for the best deals. It’s what we personally use and recommend.
Be aware that driving can be unpredictable, especially if you are not used to driving in a foreign country.
Things to Do in Almaty
There are many weird, wonderful and fascinating things to do in Almaty!
From exploring offbeat Soviet architecture to some awesome day trips, you won’t be bored in this city.
Check out our guide, 16 Awesome Things to Do in Almaty, to get the full rundown of Almaty’s awesome attractions.
How Much Does Almaty Cost?
While Almaty is one of the most expensive cities in Central Asia, it’s still Central Asia, which means that it’s an excellent value destination.
For example: basic meals cost around $3 – $5 in a local restaurant, a dorm bed in a hostel varies from $10 – $20, private double rooms cost around $30 and a ride on the metro costs 20 US cents.
Almaty Guide: Where to Eat and Drink in Almaty
Almaty Guide: Great Restaurants in Almaty
There are many great restaurants in Almaty that offer a variety of cuisines to satisfy different tastes. Our Almaty guide recommends:
Almaty Guide: Cool Bars in Almaty
Almarty’s bar scene has taken big steps forward over the last few years.
Nowadays, there are lots of great options to find a good lively atmosphere and even some delicious craft beer. In this Almaty guide, here are our favourites:
Almaty Guide: Good Cafes in Almaty
Almaty has a happening café culture, and there are many great cafés to choose from in the city. This Almaty guide lists some popular cafés that you may want to check out:
Good to Know
It’s important to note that English is barely spoken in Almaty.
Russian is well and truly the dominant language in Kazakhstan, so it’s worthwhile to learn a few basic phrases and numbers before you head off. Learning Cyrillic, the alphabet, will help you out immeasurably.
It’s also a good idea to download the Russian language pack on Google Translate to help you navigate the city.
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