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location.beaches.districts
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Downtown / Auezov
cultureMain pedestrian zone around Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral. Arbat street, Green Bazaar, Soviet architecture. Cultural and shopping hub with museums and restaurants.
Medeu District
natureUpper city district with famous Medeu skating rink (world's highest). Gateway to Shymbulak ski resort. Mountain views, fresh air. Upscale residential area with nature access.
Almaly District
businessBusiness center with modern malls and offices. Esentai Tower, Dostyk Plaza. Expensive restaurants, expat hangouts. Almaty's Manhattan with high-rise living.
Kok Tobe Area
viewpointHill overlooking the city with iconic TV tower. Cable car from downtown, amusement park, restaurants with panoramic views. Beatles monument, apple fountain.
Samal District
luxuryUpscale residential area with embassies and luxury apartments. Quiet tree-lined streets, high-end boutiques. Popular with diplomats and wealthy locals.
Bostandyk District
expatsSouthern district stretching towards mountains. Mix of Soviet blocks and new developments. Access to Esentai mall, close to mountain roads. Growing expat community.
Zhetysu District
budgetNorthern industrial and residential area. Barakholka mega-market, cheaper accommodation. More local, less tourist-oriented. Good for budget travelers.
Tausamaly / Talgar Road
excursionsEastern corridor towards Big Almaty Lake and Charyn Canyon. Mountain resorts, dachas, hiking trailheads. Gateway to spectacular nature day trips.
faq.title
faq.subtitle Almaty
Different vibes! Almaty: mountains, trees, culture, cafes, Soviet charm. Astana: futuristic architecture, modern capital. Most prefer Almaty for tourism.
Travel Tips
Useful tips for visiting Almaty
Kaspi Bank is essential for Russians - their cards work everywhere in Kazakhstan. Open account online before arrival or at any branch with passport. Takes 10 minutes.
Shymbulak ski resort is just 30 min from city center via cable car. World-class skiing in winter, hiking and mountain biking in summer. Runs from Medeu skating rink.
Big Almaty Lake is stunning turquoise alpine lake (2511m). 30 min drive from city. Arrive early (7-8 AM) for best photos and to avoid crowds. Road can close in winter.
Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazar) is must-visit for local experience. Fresh produce, dried fruits, nuts, spices, horse meat. Bargaining expected. Don't photograph without asking.
Charyn Canyon ('Kazakhstan's Grand Canyon') is 200km east. Full day trip, hire driver or join tour (~$50/person). Red rock formations, echo canyon, river. Start early.
Yandex.Taxi and inDrive are cheapest transport options. Metro has only one line but covers downtown well. Buses confusing for tourists - stick to taxis.
Try Kazakh cuisine: beshbarmak (horse meat with noodles), kazy (horse sausage), kumys (fermented mare's milk), baursaks (fried dough). Kaganat and Gosti restaurants are good.
Russian speakers will have no problems - everyone speaks Russian. Kazakh language growing but Russian remains dominant in Almaty. English limited to tourist areas.
Altitude sickness possible at mountain attractions (2500-3500m). Take it easy first day, stay hydrated. Medeu is at 1691m, Shymbulak top at 3200m.
Weather
Average temperature by month
Now
1°
1°54%1 м/с
Today
5°-2°
5°-2°Tomorrow
-1°-5°
-1°-5°Thu
-2°-8°
-2°-8°Fri
-2°-15°
-2°-15°Sat-15°-18°
-15°-18°Sun-15°-22°
-15°-22°Mon-7°-19°
-7°-19°1°
-8°Jan
2°
-7°Feb
9°
-1°Mar
17°
6°Apr
22°
11°May
28°
16°Jun
30°
18°Jul
29°
17°Aug
24°
12°Sep
16°
5°Oct
8°
-1°Nov
2°
-6°Dec
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Safety
High safety level
Tourist area with low crime rate
Generally safe city. Watch for pickpockets in crowded markets and bazaars. Taxi scams exist - use apps like Yandex or inDrive. Avoid walking alone in suburbs at night. Mountains require proper preparation.
What to see
Attractions and points of interest
