Almaty Travel Guide: Things to Do, Where to Stay & Day Trips
- Kerry Purnell
- Jun 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 2
Arriving in Almaty, we were instantly charmed by how beautiful and vibrant the city is. Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city and its cultural heart — often called the “Southern Capital.” It’s also a major university city, with a large student population giving it a youthful energy and lively café culture.
The streets are wide and lined with gorgeous, mature, leafy trees, giving the city an almost European feel. Almaty is surrounded by the dramatic snow-capped peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains, part of the northern Tian Shan range. The name Almaty means “Father of Apples” — the region is believed to be the ancestral home of all cultivated apples, and you can still find wild apple forests in the surrounding hills!
Exploring the City
One of our first stops was the famous Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazaar) — an absolute must for anyone visiting Almaty. This bustling market is the best place to soak up local life, sample fresh produce, nuts, dried fruit, honey, spices, and traditional Kazakh delicacies like kurt (dried cheese balls) and baursaki (fried dough). The market is vibrant, colorful, and full of friendly vendors — don’t be shy to taste a bit of everything!
After wandering the market, we visited the stunning Zenkov Cathedral, officially known as the Ascension Cathedral, located in beautiful Panfilov Park. This striking Orthodox cathedral is one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world and was built entirely without nails! The park surrounding it is lovely — there are playgrounds for kids, flocks of pigeons waiting to be fed, horse and carriage rides, and even little remote-control cars you can hire for children to drive around. It’s a wonderful spot for families to relax and play.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the iconic Hotel Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan Express) which we booked through Booking.com. It’s a real piece of Soviet-era history — the hotel is partly renovated but you can still see hints of its original 1970s Soviet interior in places. It looks like full renovations are on the way, but we really enjoyed the vintage charm!
Breakfast at Hotel Kazakhstan was honestly one of the best buffet breakfasts we’ve ever had — a huge spread of cereals, breads, pastries, nuts, eggs, deli meats, cheeses, salads, fruits, soups… it felt endless. So good!
They also arranged our airport transfer from Almaty International Airport, greeting us with a luxurious car and a kind driver — such an easy and welcoming start to our trip.
Up to Kok Tobe
One of the highlights of staying in central Almaty is how close you are to the Kok Tobe Hill, one of the city’s top attractions. The Kok Tobe Cable Car is a short walk from our hotel and whisks you up to the top of the hill, giving you sweeping views over the city and the mountains beyond.
At the top, Kok Tobe is home to a quirky amusement park with kids’ rides, games, a climbing obstacle course, a small zoo, and farm animals to feed. We went up around 4 pm and caught a magical sunset over the city — the lights starting to twinkle as the sun dipped behind the peaks was just unforgettable. Riding the cable car back down after dark gave us a whole new perspective of Almaty sparkling at night.
Day Trip: Charyn Canyon & the Lakes
No trip to Almaty is complete without exploring the beautiful and spectacular nature that surrounds the city so the next day we embarked on an epic day tour through GetYourGuide to explore some of the incredible nature outside the city — highly recommended if you want to see more than just the urban side of Kazakhstan!
Our tour took us to the breathtaking Charyn Canyon, often nicknamed The Grand Canyon of Kazakhstan. Walking through the canyon felt a bit like exploring Monument Valley in Arizona — It was a total highlight for me! Dramatic red rock formations and endless photo opportunities.
We also visited the surreal Kaindy Lake, famous for its submerged forest — pine trees rise ghost-like from the clear, cold mountain water, creating a hauntingly beautiful sight. Next stop was the picturesque Kolsai Lakes, a string of alpine lakes surrounded by fir forests and rugged mountains. And our final stop was Black Canyon.
The day trip was long — we were up at 5:30 am and didn’t get back until late at night — but absolutely worth it. If you only have a few days in Almaty, this is one of the best ways to experience the country’s wild natural beauty. If you prefer to do it independently, you can also rent a car through Iron Horse Nomads or Rentalcars.com for a more flexible adventure.
Overland to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
After our time in Almaty, we continued our journey overland to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. We caught a bus from Sayran Bus Station — one of the main departure points for cross-border travel.
A quick tip for crossing the Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan border: when the bus reaches the border, you need to get off with all your bags and walk through immigration on foot. It can feel a bit chaotic, so keep your belongings together and stay calm — you’ll pass through passport control, walk across the ‘no man’s land’ on foot, and re-board your bus on the Kyrgyz side.
Top Travel Tip: Take a photo of your bus’s number plate — it’s easy to lose track of which bus is yours in the border shuffle!
✨ To read more about our adventures in Kyrgyzstan, click here
Almaty Travel FAQs
Getting to Almaty
We flew with Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flagship airline, and were genuinely impressed — the staff were really friendly and the in-flight meals & movies were surprisingly good! We booked all our flights & accommodation through Booking.com, which made planning our trip super convenient.
How many days do you need in Almaty?
Ideally, spend 2-3 days in Almaty to see the main attractions like the Green Bazaar, Zenkov Cathedral, Kok Tobe Hill, and to enjoy a day trip to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, or the Kolsai Lakes.
Is Almaty safe for tourists?
Yes! Almaty is generally very safe for tourists and families. Locals are friendly and welcoming.
What is the best time to visit Almaty?
The best time to visit Almaty is spring through to early Autumn (April–October). Winter is beautiful too if you love snow and want to go skiing nearby!
How do I get from Almaty Airport to the city?
Almaty International Airport is about 15 km from the city centre. Many hotels (like Hotel Kazakhstan) offer airport transfers at a reasonable price, or you can book a taxi. We highly recommend downloading the Yandex App.
Can you visit Charyn Canyon on your own?
Yes! You can rent a car with Iron Horse Nomads and drive to Charyn Canyon yourself. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Almaty. Many people prefer a guided tour if they don’t want to drive.
Is Almaty worth visiting?
Absolutely! Almaty is one of Central Asia’s most beautiful and accessible cities, combining leafy streets, vibrant markets, stunning mountain views and easy day trips into nature. It’s perfect for culture, food and adventure lovers alike.
What should I pack for Almaty?
Pack layers! Almaty’s weather can change quickly, especially if you’re heading into the mountains. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a warm jacket if you’re visiting in spring or autumn, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle for day trips.
Final Thoughts
Almaty is a great starting off city to begin your Central Asia Adventure! Its a warm friendly city and you can easily pick up a hire car here and head off to see more of Kazakhstan or cross the boarder and head to Kyrgyzstan!
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