12 things you can do only in Almaty

08.10.2024 - 06:51 / lonelyplanet.com

Oct 7, 2024 • 7 min read

Fringed by the mighty Tian Shan mountains, Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and onetime capital, is a terrific starting point for any adventure in this vast Central Asian country. While Kazakhstan is justly hailed for its plethora of outdoor adventures, don’t overlook the pleasures of its most bustling metropolis, which has an eclectic collection of architecture and vibrant arts scene.

Anyone who loves art, music, food and more will find more than enough here to fill a weekend – or more. 

Kök-Töbe (the Green Hill) looms above the city, a go-to spot for fun with views of the urban panorama below and the snow-capped mountains beyond. At its top, you’ll find an amusement park and lots of vendors selling Kazakh handicrafts and other souvenirs. You can have your photo taken in traditional dress, catch live music on summer nights and enjoy a picnic on fair days. The whole scene feels a little touristy, sure – but it’s also just plain fun. And you won’t solely be surrounded by tourists, for the hill is wildly popular with locals, too. A highlight of any excursion here is the cable-car ride up, which costs 5000 tenge ($10.40) round-trip.

While it might not rival southern Shymkent as a center of traditional cuisine, Almaty has the most international food scene in the country, as well as plenty of worthy places for trying national dishes. The most common type of restaurant in Almaty are spots serving shashlik, skewered meat on the grill. For a special meal where you might try beshbarmak, the famous Kazakh specialty of horsemeat and flat noodles, check out Abay on Kök-Töbe, or Sandyq, an upscale chain.

Want to party with the socialites of Central Asia? Almaty is where you’ll find them. Red Room is known for its wild DJ sets, while the younger crowd favors the straightforwardly named The Club. For those who want to party past the break of dawn, Gogol Night Club has after parties that last until 8am on Saturday.

After a day out on the town, a hiking or skiing excursion in nearby Shymbulak, or simply as a way to kick off your journey in Kazakhstan, visit the Arasan Baths. In the city center, this imposing ’70s-era bathhouse combines traditional Central Asian bath-house features with high–Soviet Modernist design. 

Plan to stay for 2 hours as you work your way through the Finnish sauna, Russian banya, and Moroccan and Turkish hammam (steam rooms). You can stay longer by booking a massage or traditional veniki (beating with oak leaves). Access starts at 1500–2000 tenge (US$3–4) per hour, with extra for add-ons like massages or sandal and towel rentals. 

In the center of the city, Panfilov Park is Almaty’s most popular green space. Dating back to the 19th century, the elegant park is laid out around