You feel this warmth in every chai house where strangers become friends over steaming glasses of green tea and loud laughter. It is not merely a post-Soviet hub but a vibrant gateway where ancient Silk Road echoes mingle with modern café culture, inviting you to linger long after your itinerary ends.
Do Almaty the way locals do: start slow at Mahatma Gandhi Park, eat where the regulars do at Navat, let the evening run long at Harat's Pub on Panfilov Street.
Top things to do in Almaty Ranked by rating and review volume. These earn their hype. Booking links may earn Roam a commission, at no cost to you.
1
Medeu
Visitor Center · ★ 4.7 (21,118 reviews)
Stalwart, year-round ice arena located 1,691 m. above sea level, popular for skating & hockey.
Check tours & tickets 2
Ile-Alatau National Park
National Park · ★ 4.7 (19,199 reviews)
Created in 1996, this 200-hectare park features alpine meadows, forest, glaciers, lakes & more.
Check tours & tickets 3
28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park
City Park · ★ 4.8 (14,193 reviews)
A 44-acre park commemorating WWII heroes with wooden cathedral & folk instrument museum buildings.
Check tours & tickets 4
Green Bazaar
Farmers' Market · ★ 4.3 (38,458 reviews)
High-roofed indoor farmer's market lined with stalls & tables selling meat, vegetables & dry fruits.
Check tours & tickets 6
Ascension Cathedral
Church · ★ 4.8 (6,865 reviews)
This wooden Ukrainian-baroque Russian Orthodox cathedral was consecrated in 1907.
Check tours & tickets 8
Abilkhan Kasteev State Art Museum
Museum · ★ 4.7 (3,022 reviews)
Art museum with a vast array of paintings & sculptures, from the 16th century to recent works.
Check tours & tickets 9
Fantasy World Almaty
Amusement Park · ★ 4.4 (5,177 reviews)
Whimsical amusement park featuring classic rides for all ages, such as roller coasters & a carousel.
Check tours & tickets 10
Independence Monument (Golden Warrior Monument)
Historical Landmark · ★ 4.6 (2,752 reviews)
Soaring obelisk honoring Kazakhstan's independence featuring a golden warrior atop a winged leopard.
Check tours & tickets Where to eat Local favorites, not tourist traps.
11
Navat
Asian Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (4,634 reviews)
Website 12
Meat bar Vilka
Cafe · ★ 4.6 (3,661 reviews)
Website 13
U Afanasicha
Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (3,268 reviews)
Website 14
Eastern Gate Indian restaurant
Indian Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (1,692 reviews)
15
Darejani
Eastern European Restaurant · ★ 4.6 (1,839 reviews)
Website 16
Chef Restaurant
Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (1,493 reviews)
Website 17
Чачапури грузин тағамдары
Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (2,027 reviews)
Website 18
Line Brew Almaty
Steak House · ★ 4.6 (1,650 reviews)
Website Hungry for more? Book a food tour or tasting in Almaty
Tours worth booking ahead These sell out, so lock them in early.
Get outside 25
Mahatma Gandhi Park
Park · ★ 4.6 (2,517 reviews)
26
Butakovsky Gorge
Hiking Area · ★ 4.8 (1,299 reviews)
27
Kim Asar gorge
Hiking Area · ★ 4.9 (875 reviews)
28
Butakovskiy waterfall
Hiking Area · ★ 4.8 (926 reviews)
29
Birch Grove
National Park · ★ 4.8 (765 reviews)
After dark 30
Harat's Pub on Panfilov Street
Pub · ★ 4.6 (2,202 reviews)
Website 31
WL13Bar
Bar · ★ 4.7 (1,420 reviews)
Website 32
Guinness Pub
Irish Pub · ★ 4.4 (2,025 reviews)
Website 33
Bar "Sukhoy Zakon"
Bar · ★ 4.6 (1,074 reviews)
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