Things to Do in Almaty
Top attractions, best neighborhoods to wander, and the food you shouldn't skip in Almaty, Kazakhstan — 2026 traveler picks.
Top places to see
Kok Tobe Hill + cable car
Cable car (KZT 2,000) to 1,100m hilltop park + Soviet-era TV tower + Beatles statue + Almaty city panorama with Tian Shan mountains backdrop.
Medeu skating rink + Shymbulak ski resort
Medeu is the world's highest outdoor skating rink (1,691m), year-round skating in winter. Cable car continues to Shymbulak ski resort (Dec-Apr).
Panfilov Park + Ascension Cathedral
WWII memorial park + 1907 wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral (one of the world's tallest wooden buildings without nails). Free.
Green Bazaar
Almaty's historic market — try horse meat (kazy) + dried fruits + nuts + Central Asian spices. Lively + authentic. KZT 0 entry.
Book tours + skip-the-line tickets
Compare tours + attractions in Almaty across GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Trip.com — free cancellation on most, and prices match direct booking.
Things to do in Almaty
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Almaty and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse AlmatyJust need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Almaty.Eat here first
Beshbarmak (horse meat + dough) at any traditional restaurant. Shashlyk (kebab) at Saksaul. Plov at Daniyar. Lunch KZT 3,000-6,000 (€6-12).
Local tip
ALA is 15km from centre — Yandex Go (Russia's Uber) is the standard taxi app (KZT 3,500-5,500 for tourists, much cheaper than official airport taxis). Cash is widely accepted but card payment increasingly common. ATMs at airport dispense tenge.
Where to stay
Hotels across Almaty — filter by neighborhood + budget on the map below.