18 Best Things to Do in Almaty (2026 Local Guide)
Almaty is Kazakhstan's biggest city and its most rewarding to visit — a green, leafy metropolis with snow-capped Tien Shan mountains rising right at the end of the street. You can spend the morning in a café and the afternoon at 3,000 m in the mountains. Here are the best things to do, from the city itself to the day trips that make Almaty special.
In the city
- Ride up Kok-Tobe. Take the cable car to the hill on the city's southern edge for the best view over Almaty, a small park, and the famous Beatles monument. (See our full Kok-Tobe guide.)
- Wander the Green Bazaar. Almaty's historic central market is the place to taste dried fruit, horse sausage and local honey, and to feel the city's Silk Road roots. (More in our Green Bazaar guide.)
- See Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral. A beautiful all-wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral sits among the trees of the city's central park.
- Stroll Almaty's cafés and Arbat. The pedestrian streets around Zhibek Zholy are full of coffee shops, galleries and street musicians.
In the mountains (half-day)
- Medeu and Shymbulak. The world's highest skating rink and, above it, Kazakhstan's top mountain resort — cable cars climb toward Talgar Pass at 3,200 m. (See the Medeu + Shymbulak transfer.)
- Big Almaty Lake. A turquoise alpine reservoir an hour from the city — one of the most photographed spots in Kazakhstan. (See the Big Almaty Lake tour.)
- Kok Zhailau. The classic alpine-meadow day hike straight from the edge of town. (See our Kok Zhailau guide.)
Full-day trips
- Charyn Canyon. Kazakhstan's "little Grand Canyon," three hours east — walk the Valley of Castles among red-rock towers. (See the Charyn Canyon tour.)
- Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes. Alpine lakes in the Tien Shan, including Kaindy's eerie "sunken forest." Often combined with Charyn in one big day.
- The Golden Man, Esik Lake and Turgen Waterfalls. History and mountains east of the city. (See the Golden Man tour.)
For a ranked rundown, see our best day trips from Almaty.
How many days do you need?
Two days covers the city and one mountain trip. Three to four days lets you add Charyn Canyon and the lakes without rushing — see our 3 days in Almaty itinerary.
Do it with us
We run private, English-guided tours and transfers around Almaty, priced per vehicle, not per person. Tell us how long you have and we'll build the days around you. Browse our tours or message us on WhatsApp — we usually reply within about 15 minutes.
Quick questions
Is Almaty worth visiting? Yes — it combines a relaxed, green city with world-class mountains and canyons within day-trip range, all at a friendly price.
What is Almaty famous for? Its mountain setting, the Medeu and Shymbulak resorts, apples (the city's name means "father of apples"), and being the gateway to Charyn Canyon and the Kolsay Lakes.
How many days do you need in Almaty? Three to four days to enjoy the city plus the best mountain and canyon day trips without rushing.