Almaty Itinerary: Complete Day-by-day breakdown
Once the capital of Kazakhstan and still its cultural heart, Almaty is a city where snow-capped mountains meet leafy boulevards, and Soviet mosaics and fountains stand beside third-wave coffee shops. It’s one of the most liveable cities in Central Asia, with a surprisingly European feel– and a perfect base for exploring the wild, mountainous south.
Also known as the “city of apples” (the name Almaty itself comes from alma, meaning apple), it’s said to be the birthplace of the wild apple that gave rise to varieties eaten around the world today.
Whether you’re here for a short city break or using Almaty as your launchpad into the surrounding nature, this Almaty itinerary covers everything you need to make the most of your time. So let’s get into it!
Almaty Itinerary in Short
- Day 1: Explore the city: Green Bazaar, parks, museums, Zenkov Cathedral
- Day 2: Big Almaty Lake & Kok-Tobe Cable Car
- Day 3: Day trip to Medeu and Shymbulak
- Day 4 & 5: Overnight trip to Charyn Canyon, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes
How to use this Almaty itinerary: This itinerary covers as much as you can squeeze into 5 days in Almaty, and includes several days out of the city. Therefore, remember to leave those days free for alternative accommodation options. Feel free to swap around or remove stops if you prefer, I have given some alternatives if you have more time (or want to extend further) at the end.
How long to spend in Almaty?
Almaty is one of the most western cities in Central Asia, meaning (for me) it’s very liveable. I could spend a long time here, and many people do end up getting stuck while they plan their next steps.
However, as a tourist or backpacker, you only need two or three days in the city to explore. This gives you time to dive into the local vibe and explore the best bits of the city. In addition to this, you should allow a few additional days to explore the surrounding area and squeeze in a nature escape or two.
If you’re short on time, you could cover the essentials in 3 days, but if you’re planning hikes, skiing, or day trips to Charyn or Kolsai, 4–5 days is much better.
When to visit Almaty?
Almaty has four seasons and each one gives you a completely different experience.
- Summer (June–August): Best for hiking, lake days, and canyon trips. Warm, sunny, and full of life.
- Autumn (September–October): Golden trees, perfect temps, fewer tourists.
- Winter (December–February): A snowy wonderland. Come for skiing at Shymbulak or skating at Medeu.
- Spring (April–May): Parks bloom, mountains still have snow, and cafes spill outdoors.
I recommend a visit during the late-spring/summer time to have good weather to hike and align with the rest of my longer trip through Central Asia.
Day 1: Markets, Cathedrals & City Strolls
Your first day in the city is perfect for getting a feel for the city. Since it’s a relatively large city, you can use e-scooters and Yandex taxis to get around whenever you don’t want to walk.
TOP TIP: Download 2GIS (offline map app) – it’s much better than Google Maps here and shows minibus routes
Start in the Green Bazaar – a local institution where you can try dried fruits, fresh bread, and kazy (Kazakh horse sausage). If you want to feel the city’s heartbeat, this is where to begin. It’s also a great place to stock up on snacks for future adventures!
The bazaar goes much further than just the main hall, there is an underground section with more food, as well as several alleys branching from the main bazaar with clothes, souvenirs and textiles. Some of the sellers might offer you to try some of the foods, which is great – but beware of getting sucked in!
Next, walk over to Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park – a striking, rainbow-coloured wooden cathedral that’s survived earthquakes and wars.
Spend the afternoon exploring:
- Arbat Street – pedestrian-only, street art, shops, and local buskers.
- Central State Museum – for an intro to Kazakhstan’s complex history.
- Republic Square – great Soviet architecture and statues.
- 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park – a leafy chill-out spot with monuments and music.
- Folk Music Museum – a small but fascinating place showcasing traditional Kazakh instruments like the dombra and kobyz. Takes around 30 minutes to see everything.
Dinner tip: Try local cuisine at Gakku, Navat, or a modern twist at Kishlak.
If you have more time in the evening, I highly recommend a visit to the best Hamam in Almaty – Arasan Wellness and Spa. They offer a variety of treatments, or just access to the spa which is an experience with Eastern saunas, Western saunas, Russian Saunas, cold baths and more!
Day 2: Big Almaty Lake & Kok-Tobe Cable Car
Start your day with a hike up to Big Almaty Lake – a surreal turquoise lake surrounded by mountains, about an hour outside the city. Since it sits at 2,500m, you should bring layers as it can get chilly.
You can get a Yandex directly to the park entrance (sometimes beyond), then you can hike from there. Or go directly with a tour.
Swimming is not allowed (it’s a water source), but the views are unreal.
NOTE: Bring snacks and water with you as there’s limited/no options to buy anything once you leave the city.
End your day with a cable car ride to Kok-Tobe Hill for panoramic views of the city and the mountains behind it. Up top, you’ll find cafés, a mini zoo, a Beatles statue (yes, really), and plenty of photo ops. In my opinion, it’s a bit of forced fun, but it’s the best place to overlook the whole city and the cable car is pretty cool. Stay here for an epic sunset over the city!
There’s also a new ‘roller-coaster’ which you can take on the hillside which will give you some epic views.
Day 3: Medeu & Shymbulak
Medeu is the world’s highest ice-skating rink, tucked in a beautiful alpine valley.
From there, take the cable car up to Shymbulak ski resort – even if you’re not skiing, the views are epic.
In summer, there are plenty of hiking trails. in this area – Furmanov Peak being one of the most spectacular! In winter, hit the slopes or just sip coffee at 3,000m.
Day 4 & 5: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes + Charyn Canyon
The highlight of any visit to Almaty, you can’t miss a visit to these famous lakes and canyon.
Whist you can do a day trip to Charyn Canyon, I highly recommend making this into an overnight trip to include the lakes as well. Alternatively, you can rent a car if you’re confident driving, and loop round all of these sights.
Charyn Canyon
Located about 3–4 hours from Almaty, this mini–Grand Canyon will blow your mind. It looks like a slice of Utah dropped into Central Asia with its red sandstone cliffs glow at sunrise and sunset.
I recommend a quick walk along the rim to explore the viewpoints. Then descend into the canyon via the Valley of Castles trail. There is a taxi service back up to the top, but you need to buy a ticket in advance. Otherwise you can walk back up again.
Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes
These mountain lakes are postcard-perfect, especially Kaindy, with submerged trees poking out of the water.
Kaindy requires a short walk from the car park. You can go by horseback for a small fee, or walk the trail. Once you’re there, you can admire how blue the lake is. I walked up a separate hillside to get away from other people and have a better view of the lake.
If you want to do these lakes it’s a rather long day trip (~5 hours each way), hence it’s better done over 2 days.
Kolsai actually has three lakes which you can hike between. If you have a tent or camping equipment, you can hike between them easily. Otherwise, you’re likely limited to Kolsai Lake 1, which you can enjoy by taking a pedal boat out to the middle!
Where to stay in Almaty
Whether you’re a backpacker, flashpacker or anywhere in between, Almaty’s got a few good options:
Stay downtown (near Dostyk Ave or Abay Ave) for easy access to sights and cafes. If you want nightlife, head closer to Panfilov Street.
Here are some of my recommendations:
- Budget: Wanderlust Hostel, Dostyk Hostel
- Mid-range: Renion Park Hotel, Mildom Premium
- Boutique: Hotel Kazakhstan (iconic Soviet-era vibes)
- Luxury: Ritz-Carlton Almaty – if you want to splurge with mountain views
The most popular (i.e. social) and developed hostel is currently Almaty Backpackers. I don’t know many people that loved it there, but it serves a purpose as a very social place.
What to eat in Almaty
Kazakh food is hearty – think meat, dumplings, and noodles – but Almaty also has loads of international options.
Here are a few must-try dishes:
- Beshbarmak – “Five Fingers” pasta with horse or beef
- Lagman – Hand-pulled noodle soup (Uyghur origin)
- Plov – Central Asian rice and meat dish
- Baursak – Fried dough balls, perfect with tea
Whilst Kazakhstan can be difficult for vegetarians and vegans, there are a few decent options in Almaty, including Govinda’s, VEGAS, and trendy cafés with plant-based menus. Look out for manty (dumplings) with pumpkin, mushroom lagman, and plenty of fresh salads.
Where to visit next
Almaty makes an excellent base – but the south of Kazakhstan has more to offer:
- Charyn Canyon – for more hiking and desert landscapes
- Altyn Emel National Park – singing sand dunes and wild horses
- Turkestan – for Islamic architecture and Silk Road history
- Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) – just 4–5 hours by marshrutka or shared taxi, you can hop over the border to get a taste of Kyrgyzstan. If you’re continuing through Central Asia, the crossing from Almaty to Bishkek is one of the easiest land borders to cross.
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