16 Awesome Things to Do In Almaty in 2024

Hey, guess what? Almaty is a pretty fun and happening city.

Unbeknownst to many travellers, there’s a pretty solid range of awesome things to do in Almaty. From taking in bizarre Soviet architecture to going on a day trip or two, we’ve outlined for you the best places to visit in Almaty.

Heading there yourself? Well then, read on for our guide to the 16 best things to do in Almaty.

Things to Do in Almaty City

Most of Almaty’s attractions are located in the city proper and are thus easy to access by walking, rideshare or public transportation.

Here are the top tourist attractions in Almaty.

Read: The Complete Guide to Almaty for tips on where to stay, eat and how to get around Almaty

Panfilov Park

Panfilv Park is a beautiful park located close to the city centre. It’s a lovely city refuge with lots of green spaces and benches that are perfect for watching the world go by. 

The Zenkov Cathedral, also known as the Ascension Cathedral, is a remarkable Russian Orthodox church located inside Panfilov Park.

Built in the early 20th century, the cathedral is made entirely of wood, without the use of nails or screws. This impressive cathedral is a must-see Almaty tourist attraction in my book. 

The Memorial Complex in Panfilov Park is an interesting (and very Soviet-looking) war memorial that’s dedicated to the 28 Panfilov soldiers who fought against Nazi forces during World War II.

Related: 14 Awesome Things To Do In Kyrgyzstan

Arasan Baths  

Located just around the corner from Panfilov Park, Arasan Baths is another must-visit Almaty tourist attraction.

Taking a soak at the Baths is as much a cultural experience as anything else – think old naked men (and presumably naked women in the female section) meeting with friends for a good chin wag while a stranger proceeds to beat their sweaty bodies with some sort contraption made of herbal leaves.

Though admittedly, it’s a pretty relaxing experience too.    

Price: around 3000 KZT (approximately $7 USD) for a 2-hour mid-week entry, during the day. The prices increase slightly on weekends and after 4 pm. Bathers can also opt for massage packages for an additional fee.

Read about visiting Ala-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan

Check out awesome Soviet-style architecture

Almaty has many interesting examples of Soviet-style architecture. It’s worth walking around and checking out these unique structures.

A few recommendations include Hotel Kazakhstan, Palace of the Republic, Arman Cinema, Palace of Pioneers, Republic Square, City Milk Factory and Kazakh State Circus. Look here for details on where to find more awesome Soviet-era art in the city.  

I also loved seeing the creative ways in which many of the old Soviet buildings are being integrated with more modern architectural designs. It’s yet another example of how this city is constantly evolving.   

Read next: How to Go Horse Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

Wander around Arbart 

The most popular pedestrian zone in Almaty is the section of Zhibek Zholy Street (also spelled Jibek Joly), also known as Arbat. In our opinion, Arbat is one of the best places to visit in Almaty.

Arbat is a lively neighbourhood that’s filled with students, restaurants and cafes. If, like us, you like seeing the authentic and local side of a city, this is it.

It’s a great place to soak in the vibes and participate in my favourite activity, people-watching.  

Central State Museum of Kazakhstan 

The Central State Museum of Kazakhstan is the largest museum in the country, with a collection that covers the history and culture of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. This is one of the better-known Almaty tourist attractions.

The museum’s exhibits include ancient artifacts, traditional Kazakh costumes, and a replica of a yurt (a portable dwelling used by nomads).

The Academy of Sciences

The Academy of Sciences is yet another example of a location that is more of a cultural experience than a tourist attraction.

This mammoth building is a maze of obscure museums located within a larger building. It features doors within doors, doors leading to nowhere and doors leading to the most random places you can imagine.

It’s a bit like being in an escape room.  You really just need to check this place out for yourself.  

St Nicholas Cathedral

St Nicholas Cathedral is another Russian Orthodox cathedral that features beautiful architecture and ornate interior paintings.

This is a good option to check out if you find yourself with a bit of extra time to play with and have finished seeing some of the more conventional Almaty tourist places. 

Kok-Tobe Hill 

Kok-Tobe Hill is a popular Almaty attraction for both tourists and locals, offering sweeping views of the city and the surrounding mountains.

At the top of the hill, you can visit the Kok-Tobe Tower, a 372-meter-tall television tower that has an observation deck and a restaurant.

You can also enjoy a ride on the cable car that takes you up the hill. It’s one of the best places in the city to catch a good sunset. 

Green Bazaar 

The Green Bazaar is a vibrant market in central Almaty, where you can find a variety of goods, from fresh produce to souvenirs.

The market is an excellent place to visit in Almaty to experience the local culture and sample some traditional Kazakh foods.

Barakholka Bazaar 

Barakholka Bazaar is a lively, large market where you can find cheap traditional Kazakh goods such as rugs, pillowcases and clothing. 

Another place to visit in Almaty if you like bazaars and haggling!

Ride the metro

Almaty has a lively and colourful metro system, which has become a tourist attraction of its own.

Even if you don’t necessarily need to go anywhere, it’s still worth checking out its many interesting stations that include beautiful murals and ornate designs.

Also, tickets cost only 80 KZT (20 US cents) so you really have no excuses to miss it. My favourite stations include Saryarka, Auezo, Baikonur and Almali stations. 

Hotel Kazakhstan 

Hotel Kazakhstan isn’t just a relic of Soviet architecture – its rooftop bar is still 100% operational and is an awesome place to visit in Almaty for sunset drinks.

The views from the rooftop bar are unbeatable and offer sweeping views of the city and neighbouring mountains. Can you think of a better sundowner spot?

Go To The Ballet

As with many other former Soviet cities, Almaty offers high-quality ballet and opera performances at very affordable prices. 

Performances are held regularly at the Abay Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. This is an excellent thing to do in Almaty to get some culture in.

Check out Abay’s website for a list of current performances and to book tickets. Prices start around 1500 KZT ($3.50 USD).

watch a hockey game 

Almaty has a semi-professional hockey team, HC Almaty, and their games are affordable and surprisingly entertaining. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Day Trips from Almaty 

Some of Almaty’s best tourist attractions are short day trips from the city. For each, we’ve outlined how to get there independently, or via a tour.

Big Almaty Lake 

If you’re looking to escape the city and enjoy the natural beauty of the area, head to Big Almaty Lake, one of the region’s top tourist places.

Located about 25 kilometres outside the city, this stunning lake is surrounded by mountains and offers hiking trails and scenic views.

When I visited in November, the lake was the most incredible shade of blue – just look at that photo! 

How to Get to Big Almaty Lake

The easiest way to get to Big Almaty Lake is by renting a car and driving.

If you don’t have a car, you can take a Yandex to Big Almaty Lake, which should cost around 4000 KZT.

To get back, you’ll either have to pay extra to have the driver wait for you, or you’ll have to hitchhike. You shouldn’t have many problems getting a lift, as hitching is very common throughout Kazakstan (and all of Central Asia for that matter).

When I visited, the road leading directly to the lake was closed, so I still needed to walk a further 2+ hours to the lake (the trail is on maps.me).

Alternatively, if you want everything taken care of for you, it’s also very easy to arrange a tour to Big Almaty Lake.

Medeu Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort 

If you visit Almaty in the winter, make sure to check out the Medeu Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort.

Medeu is the world’s largest high-altitude ice rink, located at an elevation of 1,691 meters. That alone makes it one of the best places to visit in Almaty.

Meanwhile, Shymbulak Ski Resort offers a variety of skiing and snowboarding trails, as well as stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Even though I didn’t ski or snowboard, I really enjoyed taking the chairlifts all the way to the top. It offers a great perspective of the city. 

There’s also a neat hike to one of the peaks that’s accessible from the top of the second chair lift. The trail can be found on maps.me.

How to Get to Medeu Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort

You can get to Medeu Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort by renting a car and driving, taking a Yandex rideshare or taking the number 12 bus from the centre of Almaty.

I took the number 12 bus and found it easy to navigate. Just bear in mind the bus can get VERY busy. 

Again, you can always book a tour out to Medeu Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort.

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