Almaty
A beautiful vibrant city, charming and fabulous at any time of the year! This is practically the only megacity in the world with a world-class ski resort, which can be reached in just 30 minutes from the city center! In winter, it is incredibly cozy here: a lot of fluffy white snow covers huge fir trees on the streets of Almaty, making the city look more like the scenery for Christmas movies. In spring and summer, Almaty will envelop you with warmth, the scent of pine needles and mouth-watering smells wafting from summer cafes and coffee shops. There is a lot of entertainment for absolutely every taste!
What to see and do in Almaty?
The main attractions of Almaty, which must be visited:
◉ Some of the must-see places in Almaty are: the Park of 28 Panfilov Guards, the Ascension Cathedral (also known as Zenkov Cathedral), the Green Bazaar, where you can taste and buy local food; the Kok-Tobe TV Tower and recreation area, where you can ride a cable car and enjoy stunning views of the city. Also, take a walk along Zhibek-Zholy Avenue and Panfilov Street, admiring the beauty of the local architecture. The Old Square (also known as Abai Square) is also worth a visit — something interesting is constantly happening there.
◉ Urban entertainment: Choose from a variety of shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants and clubs.
◉ Outdoor activities: Medeu, the highest alpine skating rink at an altitude of 1,691 m above sea level, where you can skate outdoors while admiring the beautiful high mountains around; or the ski resort of Shymkent, an ideal place for skiing for both beginners and professional skiers, especially if you do not want to leave far from the city.
◉ Trekking in the countryside: Big Almaty Lake, Kok Zhailau or Charyn Canyon – incredible landscapes near Almaty, will be your best impressions of a trip to Almaty.
Almaty welcomes you with open arms at any time of the year — there is no bad weather here. Almaty is literally created for travel, so try to give them as much time as possible. Believe me, it’s worth it!