Natural attractions around and inside the city -
Architecture and appearance of old and new Almaty -
Almaty is a rare example of a megalopolis where nature does not begin "somewhere outside the city", but is literally woven into the urban fabric. Here the mountains approach almost closely, and the steppe expanses begin already half an hour's drive from the center. This combination makes Almaty a unique travel destination, where you can see several natural areas in one day.
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Mountains around Almaty, which are always nearby
The main natural wealth of the city is mountains of the Trans-Ili Alatau, the northernmost of the Tien Shan Ridge. The locals also call these mountains – the mountains of Almaty or the mountains around Almaty. The name "Alatau" translates as "mottled mountains", and it is fully justified: coniferous forests of blue Tien Shan firs are replaced by birch groves, mixed forests and high-altitude meadows of Kok Zhailau, which are as beautiful as the Alpine ones. Glaciers begin above, the meltwater of which feeds the Bolshaya Almatinka River and Malaya Almatinka River, the Yessentai River and even the city's water supply system.
In just a few minutes from the center you can find yourself on Kok-Tobe Mountain. Cable car and the kok-Tobe cable car station gets here in about 5-6 minutes. At the top is located Kok-Tobe Park with attractions, observation decks, a mini zoo and some of the best panoramic views of the city. Nearby stands Kok-Tobe TV Tower is the tallest TV tower in the world and one of the most recognizable symbols of Almaty and one of the tallest TV towers in the world.
Here, next to the above-mentioned attractions, there is a famous 25-storey hotel "Kazakhstan", a symbol and architectural landmark of the city. You can stay there during your stay in the southern capital.
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Ile-Alatau National Park and mountain peaks within the city
South of the city center begins Ile-Alatau National Park is an area of real wildlife, which is easily accessible without long journeys. There are routes to popular peaks on: Tourist Peak, Molodezhny Peak, Titov peak, Bukreev peak and others. Some routes allow you to climb snow-capped peaks without actually leaving the city limits, even in the summer.
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The highland tract of Medeu and the Small Almaty mountain gorge
The famous highland the Medeu skating rink is located just 20 minutes from the center in The Small Almaty Gorge. You can skate here in winter. Located nearby Medeu anti–mudflow dam, with 842 steps leading to the top, is an ascent popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Routes start from Medeu to Butakov Gorge on Butakovsky waterfalls and cozy trails, as well as in Kimasar Gorge, where the famous mountain swing.
Located even higher ski resort "Shymkent". It is interesting not only in winter: The Medeo - Cimbulac cable car offers breathtaking views of the mountains covered with Tien Shan spruce. The resort consists of three levels, the highest of which is Talgar pass at an altitude of 3,200 meters, in an area of alpine meadows and eternal snow. From here you can walk to the top Chimbulak Mountains (Cimbulac Peak) it offers a stunning mountain panorama of the city of Almaty and the surrounding mountains. Routes to the Mynzhylky dam and Gorny Dam begin from the lower station to the Mynzhylki tract, Tuyuksu Glacier, Lake Manshuk Mametova and Bogdanovich Glacier. Nearby is Gorelnik gorge with waterfalls and hot springs.
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The Great Almaty Gorge
To the south of the city stretches The Great Almaty Gorge is one of the most interesting places. Here are locatedBig Almaty Lake, gorges of Alma-Arasan, Ayusai tract with three waterfalls, Shukur glade (Moon Glade), «Space station" on the Dzhusaly-Kezen pass. The route starts from here to The Great Almaty Peak, clearly visible even from city streets. The trail also starts here on the Kok-Zhailau mountain plateau is one of the most popular hiking trails. There is also a Sunkar Bird of Prey Nursery, where you can see falconry and watch a bird of prey show.
Here you can see the full list of mountain attractions!
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Steppe and semi-desert around Almaty
Almaty is not just about mountains. If you go north, in half an hour the city blocks are replaced by steppe landscapes: gentle hills, grasslands, and blooming poppies in spring. A little further away, the semi-desert begins. Such a variety of landscapes allows you to see mountains, steppes and almost deserted spaces in one day. In that direction, you can go to Kapchagai Lake (reservoir) and Altyn-Emel Park, which is full of interesting natural and ancient architectural sights.
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Places for walking in Almaty
Numerous parks are suitable for relaxing holidays within the city. In the central Gorky Park of Culture and Recreation you can go boating, visit attractions and a water park. Nearby is the oldest in the country Almaty Zoo with a rich collection of animals – from polar bears to Asian elephants.
The Park of the First President has a more relaxed atmosphere, it is located in the urban foothills in an ecologically clean area of the city. The landscape design, Japanese garden and viewing platforms are appreciated here. In autumn, the park becomes the site of the AlmaFest apple festival. The park is great for leisurely walks, relaxing and walking with children and for outdoor activities. Here you can run and play sports on special sports grounds.
A special place is occupied by park named after 28 Panfilov Guards. Located here The Ascension Cathedral is one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world, as well as Memorial of Glory. The park is part of a historical and architectural reserve with buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Eternal Flame is burning on the memorial of glory.
There is a pedestrian street nearby Panfilov Street and Zhibek Zholy Street, known as Almaty Arbat. Musicians perform here, artists work, and iconic art objects can be found on the walls of houses, including the Viktor Tsoi memorial wall. On Tulebaev Street installed monument to Viktor Tsoi in the image of the hero from the movie "The Needle", the final scenes of which were filmed here in Almaty. Tulebayev Street itself is considered one of the most atmospheric – famous cultural figures and politicians lived here, and fir trees and fountains accompany the walk.
Another popular place is Almaty terrencourt (health trail) along the Malaya Almatinka River, a favorite route for runners and hikers. In 2022, it appeared new terrencourt along the Yessentai River above Al-Farabi Avenue. These places are very popular and are perfect for walking and outdoor activities.
The main Botanical Garden of Kazakhstan is a real collection of rare plants: wild tulips, peonies, tropical and coniferous species. Located nearby Atakent Center with exhibition halls and recreation areas.
Suitable for a "wild" atmosphere Baum's grove. Families with children will enjoy the Fantasy World Park, next to which the Almaty Circus is located. There are other amusement parks in the city – Alem Park and Family Park, near which there is an unusual "cemetery" of dismantled Soviet monuments. It is also worth paying attention to M. Gandhi Park and S. Seifullin Park near Almaty-1 railway Station.
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Cultural life of Almaty
Almaty is rich in museums. The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan introduces archeology, the history of nomadic tribes, ethnography and the modern history of the country. In the park named after 28 Panfilovtsev is located the museum of folk musical instruments named after Ykylas, interesting both for its exposition and architecture. Nearby is Military History Museum.
The Museum of Almaty tells about the history of the city from antiquity to the present and includes an exposition Boraldai mounds. Art lovers should visit the Abylkhan Kasteev Museum with works of world and Kazakh painting, as well as his house museum.
The Scientific Museum Center "Gylym Ordasy" at the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan unites museums of nature, archeology, rare books and the history of science. Popular and museum-memorial apartment of Dinmukhamed Kunaev. There are other themed museums in the city, including Shaken Aimanov Museum at Kazakhfilm Studios.
List of other museums worth seeing:
• Literary and Memorial Museum Complex named after S. Mukanov and G. Musrepov;
• Museum of Railway Transport;
• Memorial Museum of N. Tlendiev;
• Museum of Geology of Kazakhstan;
• Museum of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
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The theatrical life of the city
The theatrical life of Almaty is no less intense. National theaters of all major ethnic groups operate here: Kazakh, Russian, Uighur, Korean, and German. The city is also actively developing contemporary art: the ArtBatFest festival is held annually in the summer, and the works of street art masters appear on the walls of buildings.
List of theaters in the city:
• Almaty Theatre;
• Artishok Theater;
• Korean Musical Comedy Theater;
• Uyghur Musical Comedy Theater;
• German Drama Theatre;
• Lermontov Drama Theater;
• Gabit Musrepov Theater for Children and Youth;
• Mukhtar Auezov Academic Theater;
• Abai Kunanbayev Opera and Ballet Theater;
• Puppet Theater;
• Natalia Sats Russian Theatre for Children and Youth.
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Outdoor sports
The sporting soul of Almaty is in the mountains, these are "Medeu" and "Shymkent" – not just infrastructure facilities, but symbols of an active lifestyle. But there are also many places for sports in the city: stadiums Halyk Arena, Almaty Arena and Central Stadium – for football and concerts; Almaty Hippodrome (May–October) – for equestrian enthusiasts; international Sunkar ski jumping complex – for jumping and city views.
The Jailau Golf Resort offers 18 holes, putting greens, lakes with fountains, a spa, a boutique hotel and a fitness center. And the competitions are held in the universal Dostyk complex and in Baluan Sholak Sports and Cultural Center.
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Gastronomy as a journey
Almaty is a culinary bridge between cultures. Kazakh, Uighur, Dungan, Russian, Uzbek, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Turkish, Georgian and Armenian cuisines are harmoniously intertwined here. Local chefs have created unique dishes that are not found anywhere else in the world. To try them means to experience the very essence of a multicultural city.
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Shopping: from luxury to oriental flavor
Almaty is the southern shopping capital of Central Asia. In Esentai Mall – boutiques of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Saint Laurent. Dostyk Plaza, Mega Center Alma-Ata, Grand Park, Promenade and other shopping malls have more democratic brands and entertainment. Aport Mall East has a SanRemo Resort&SPA water park with a wave pool, a "Slow River", peeling fish and restaurants on the water.
But the true soul of shopping is on The Green Bazaar: the aroma of spices, mountains of fresh fruits, the famous aport, national sweets and handmade products. It's not just a market, it's a cultural ritual.
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Religious diversity
Almaty is a city where religions peacefully coexist. More than 200 mosques are among them The Central Mosque, the golden domes of which are visible from afar, Nur-Mubarak Mosque, Abai Mosque, The Baiken Mosque and others. Orthodoxy is represented by the Ascension Cathedral (with a wooden structure, almost without nails), St. Nicholas Cathedral, Cathedral of Christ the Savior and others. There is also a Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in the city, The Central Synagogue of Kazakhstan and other religious buildings are evidence of the tolerance and openness of the city.
Monuments of the city of Almaty
The city of Almaty, like any other city, is famous for its monuments. Here you can arrange a huge trip to the monuments of the city. You will see here all the famous personalities of Kazakhstan who have perpetuated the memory and heritage of the country.
List of monuments of the city of Almaty:
• Monument to Chokan Valikhanov;
• Sculpture "Yuri Gagarin on a bench";
• Monument to Amangeldy Imanov;
• Monument to Shafiq Chokin;
• Monument to Yuri Pomerantsev;
• Monument to Academician K.I. Satpayev;
• Monument to the soldiers who liquidated the Chernobyl disaster;
• Monument to General I.V. Panfilov;
• Monument to Bauyrzhan Momyshuly;
• Monument to Taras Shevchenko;
• Monument to Alexander Pushkin;
• Kurmangazy Monument;
• Monument to Dinmukhamed Kunaev;
• Monument to S. Lugansky;
• Monument to Shamshi Kaldayakov;
• Monument to Zhambyl Zhabaev;
• Monument to Adi Sharipov;
• Monument to Rayymbek Batyr;
• Monument to Mukagali Makatayev;
• Monument "Dawn of Freedom";
• Monument to Mukhtar Auezov;
• Monument to Abylai Khan;
• Monument to the British band The Beatles;
• Monument to Manshuk Mametova and Alia Moldagulova;
• Monument to Abai Kunanbayev;
• Monument of Independence;
• Republic Square.
Fountains of Almaty
The city of Almaty, especially its central part or the old town, is replete with many fountains that were laid and built here during the Soviet era. In summer, when the heat in the city is 30 degrees, fountains are very popular. Fountains surround parks and shade trees, which attract residents and visitors of the city.
List of main fountains:
• Alma Fountain of Desires in Kok-Tobe Park;
• Nedelka fountain next to hotel "Almaty";
• Oriental Calendar Fountain;
• Zhetysu Fountain (Semirechye);
• Dandelion Fountain;
• Fountain on Sayran Reservoir.
Almaty is a city that cannot be covered with one glance or one route. Here, the mountains come close to the city streets, the steppe begins just half an hour away, and cultural life is intertwined with nature so naturally that the journey feels alive and real. Almaty knows how to be active and contemplative, noisy and quiet, modern and deeply historical at the same time. It doesn't reveal itself immediately, but gradually – through mountain panoramas, parks and museums, theaters and streets filled with music and human stories. This is what makes it special: the city does not seek to impress, it invites you to feel, stop, see more and want to come back again.
