14 Best Things To Do In Almaty, Kazakhstan

1. Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is home to historical collections dating back to the 1830s. These relics were once displayed at the Orenburg Region Museum in Russia.

Renowned as one of the largest of its kind throughout Central Asia, this museum has a total land area of 17,557 square meters (5995.49 square feet). Now, it houses over 200,000 artifacts that reflect the country’s spiritual culture. Also, you can witness four exhibition rooms inside the building filled with artworks by local artists.

Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Address: Samal-1, 44, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Website: Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free entry for pre-school children; 200 KZT (0.45 USD) for school children; 300 KZT (0.67 USD) for students and retirees; and 500 KZT (1.12 USD) for adults and foreign nationals

2. Abay Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater

If you’re a fan of theatrics, don’t miss the chance to drop by the prestigious Abay Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. Founded as a music studio in 1933, it opened its doors as a theater in 1941. This point of interest got its name from Abay Qunanbayuli, a local composer and poet.

Inside this 793-seater theater, you can witness spectacular operas and ballets made by Kazakh, Russian, and European artists. You can also explore its indoor museum which was launched last March 2016. Here, you’ll find archived works and pictures of its founders, along with some of the suits worn by the previous performers of the opera house.

Abay Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater

Address: Kabanbay Batyr St 110, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Website: Abay Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater

3. Zenkov's Cathedral

Situated in Panfilovets’ Park, Zenkov’s Cathedral is a pleasant structure to behold. From 1904 to 1907, it was built and primarily served as a museum in the city. After the devasting earthquake in Kazakhstan in 1911, it was one of the few buildings that survived. In the 1990s, it was refurbished and used as a Russian Orthodox church.

Also known as the Ascension Cathedral, this spot became the symbol embellished on the “Cathedral Cathedral” coin of Kazakhstan in 2007. Now, you can see religious relics inside this majestic site.

Zenkov's Cathedral

Address: Gogol St 40в, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Website: Zenkov’s Cathedral

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 6pm; Sat: 7am - 7pm; Sun: 6am - 6 pm

Price: Free entry

4. Sunkar Raptor Falcon Sanctuary Eagles

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

A haven for endangered bird species, Sunkar Raptor Falcon Sanctuary Eagles is a must-see destination if you want to appreciate wildlife. Its name, sunkar, is a Kazakh term that means “eagle” in English. Established in 1989, this facility has released over 500 saker falcons back into the wilderness after being nestled and taken care of.

You can catch an educational show inside this refuge, making it an ideal attraction for families. You can also have a tour around and witness eagle owls, a griffon vulture, and golden eagles that are either resting in small cages or flying around large rooms.

Sunkar Raptor Falcon Sanctuary Eagles

Address: Bolshaya Almatinka, Bostandyk District Almaty, Kazakhstan

Website: Sunkar Raptor Falcon Sanctuary Eagles

5. Medeu Skating Rink

If you love skating, then this the place for you! Medeu Skating Rink is located at around 5,548 feet (1691 meters) above sea level, in Medeu, and is known as the highest skating rink in the world! This place is a resort, as well as a skating rink and is best for skating, speed skating and hockey, as well. It is an ideal place for youngsters, as well as adults who love to sports. This place also features a staircase of 842 stairs, leading to Medeu. So, venture out to this place as the climb is worth trying!

Medeu Skating Rink

Address: Gornaya St., 465 | Medeu Valley, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Website: Medeu Skating Rink

6. Kolsai Lakes

Are you in the mood for some adventure? Then, Kolsai Lakes is the place you must visit. It’s a combination of three lakes, that are very popular, near Almaty. If you want to admire the serene beauty of this place and its wild, natural beauty, then this is the right place. Its an extraordinary place to explore, as commuting to the first lake can be done by car, but from there, you need to walk to reach the second lake or you can even use horseback! It takes an entire day to visit all three lakes and return. Sounds fascinating, right? Well, don’t wait further and head out to this beautiful place!

Kolsai Lakes

Address: Almaty, Kazakhstan

Website: Kolsai Lakes

7. Panfilov Park

This park is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit, in Almaty! It is located in the center of Almaty and it is open for all age groups. There is a story attached to this park: It was named after a group of strong soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting, during WWII. A total of 28 soldiers died and today they are known as the Panfilov Heroes! Amazing right? So, what are you waiting for? Visit this fascinating place and get a chance to see this park’s beauty.

Panfilov Park

Address: Almaty, Kazakhstan

Website: Panfilov Park

8. Kok-Tobe Hill

Want to explore the city from above? Well, then you must check out this place. It offers a fun cable car ride and a look at the city from a bird’s eye perspective! You can witness the beautiful mountains at the top of this hill, along with some of the amazing vineyards below. Not only that, the peak also offers shops, restaurants, children’s playgrounds and a zoo, as well. If you are looking for more than just a cable car ride, you will not be bored here. Enjoy the view and the food. This place is worth the hype!

Kok- Tobe Hill

Address: Dostyk Ave., 104A, Almaty 50051, Kazakhstan

Website: Kok-Tobe Hill

9. Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

Are you in the mood for music? If so, this is the best place to visit. Here, you can find a collection of ancient folk musical instruments, which you can view, some of which are unique and rare. You can also try playing these instruments, yourself! This place also offers live musical performances by the folk music group, Turan, which you can watch and enjoy!

Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

Address: Zenkov St., 24, Almaty 0001, Kazakhstan

Website: Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

10. First President's Park

Looking for an amazing day out with your friends and family? Then, this place is a must for you. You can enjoy some of the beautiful attractions here, as well as watch some of the entertainment programs, such as a concert at the amphitheater. Or, you can go for a calm walk and just sit and admire the serene beauty of this place. First President’s Park is located in the southern part of Almaty and is surrounded by fascinating mountain views and beautifully planted flowerbeds. You do not want to miss this place!

First President's Park

Address: Almaty, Kazakhstan

Website: First President’s Park

11. Chukotka

Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed

If you are looking for an exciting night out, then make sure you visit Chukotka! You will be thrilled to check out the amazing rock bands that perform here, as well as the many DJs who spin here. It is a great place to dance and enjoy the rhythm of live music! The crowd is also amazing here, as the club is full of open-minded people, from gay friends to students, who will never make you feel out of place. Chukotka also offers alcohol at a reasonable price. What are you waiting for? Grab your friends and head out to this amazing place!

Chukotka

Address: Gogolya St., 40, Almaty 50010, Kazakhstan

Website: Chukotka

12. Green Bazaar

If you’re looking for an amazing place to shop for some of the finest ingredients, look no further than the Green Bazaar - the best place to go if you are in the mood for some shopping! This place has a vast selection of dairy products, as well as amazing nuts and dried fruit and it is an explosion of culinary flavors and smells, where a variety of food products, including meat, are also available!

Green Bazaar

Address: Zhibek Zholy, between Kaldayakov and Pushkin, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Website: Green Bazaar

13. Visit the long-standing communist-built Kunaev House Museum

Kazakhstan is not exactly a commercial travel destination, but daring travelers who make their way to this part of the world has so much in store for them. This beautiful country is rich with history, culture, and art that many tourists are often surprised by. When traveling to Kazakhstan, make your way to the Kunaev House Museum, it’s the first museum attributed to the first secretary of the communist party in Kazakhstan back in 1964. The museum opened to the public in November of 2001 and has played a huge part in celebrating and commemorating the 90th anniversary of Dinmukhamed Akhmedovich Kunaev to which the museum was named after. This impressive museum exhibits his life’s works as a politician, scientist, statesman and diplomat. There are 2 exhibition halls and holds about 3,000 exhibits, showcasing his personal collection of art, favorite books, household items, gifts, and figures that showed his fondness and interests in learning.

Kunaev House Museum

Address: 117 Tulebaev Street (Bogenbai Batyr), Central Almat, Kazakhstan

Website: Kunaev House Museum

Opening hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Tuesdays to Sundays

Price: free admission

14. Snap a solid Instagram shot with the bronze Beatles Monument

Music is beloved all over the world and classics by the Beatles like “Hey Jude” and “Come Together” still have a strong pull on the people of Kazakhstan. There’s a tradition of bronzing important material objects to signify its worth and how it is worth saving despite its seemingly worn-out appearance. This is exactly what the Kazaks did with their love for the English band, thus the renowned Beatles Monument sitting in Park Kok Tobe in Almaty. The bronze statue of the four Beatles on a park bench was made back in 2007 by artist Eduard Kazaryan who paid homage to the popular musical group. Make your way to Park Kok Tobe and snap a quick picture of you holding one of the Beatle’s hands for your Instagram, with a quirky caption saying “I want to hold your hand.” Instant likes in seconds!

Beatles Monument

Address: Park Kok Tobe, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Opening hours: 24/7, Sundays to Mondays

Price: free

Adventure awaits you!

If you want to make your vacation adventurous and entertaining, then Almaty, Kazakhstan is the best place to travel. The above-listed places offer a variety of entertainment, which are attractive and appeal to tourists of all ages. So, pack your bags and head out to this gorgeous destination - Kazakhstan awaits you!