Everything you need to know to explore the city — and feel right at home.
Your guide to
Before you arrive
A few things to
know first
know first
Almaty is a city that rewards exploration — walkable neighbourhoods full of cafés and greenery, dramatic mountain scenery just 30 minutes from the centre, and a food scene that blends Central Asian tradition with cosmopolitan flair. This guide has everything you need to make the most of your time here.
Finding businesses: In Kazakhstan, most restaurants, tour guides, and local shops operate primarily through Instagram rather than traditional websites. When you want to check hours, menus, or make a reservation, Instagram and the 2GIS app are your best starting points. To book, look for a WhatsApp link on their profile — that's how most businesses prefer to communicate.
Payment: Most places in Almaty accept cards and Apple Pay, so you rarely need cash. If you do need local currency (Tenge), exchange booths are widely available and will trade US Dollars and Euros.
Essential
Apps to download
Download these before you land — they'll make navigating the city significantly easier.
Yandex
The go-to app for taxis and food delivery. Affordable, reliable, and works just like Uber. Essential for getting around the city.
2GIS
Far more accurate than Google Maps for Central Asia. Works offline. Use it to find restaurants, plan routes, and discover local spots.
WhatsApp
Everyone uses it here — not just friends, but restaurants, hotels, and tour guides. You'll need it to make reservations and ask questions.
MobiMatter
The most affordable and reliable option for an eSIM. Set it up before you travel to get data connectivity from the moment you land.
Neighbourhoods
Where to stay
If you want to make the most of the city on foot, there's really one neighbourhood to aim for: the Golden Square.
The Golden Square
This is the informal name for Almaty’s historic heart, roughly bounded by Zenkov, Gogol, Satpayev, and Zheltoqsan streets. It’s the most peaceful and walkable part of the city — lined with low-rise buildings, generous tree cover, and an easy mix of cafés, restaurants, parks, and pedestrian streets. Staying here means you can reach most attractions, restaurants, and meeting points without needing a taxi.
Rush hour warning: Almaty is notorious for traffic jams, especially during morning and evening peak hours. If you’re staying in the Golden Square, you’ll be well-placed to simply walk — which is often faster anyway.
For a more detailed breakdown of neighbourhoods and specific accommodation zones, this guide covers all the options.
Accommodation
Hotels we recommend
A hand-picked selection of good-value hotels in the city, mostly 4-star. All are well-located and offer a comfortable base for exploring.
- Grand Mildom Hotel
- Resident Hotel Abay
- AIRIS Residence
- Park Hotel Almaty
- Renion City Hotel
- Novotel Living Almaty Jetisu
Staying in the mountains
For a completely different experience, consider staying in one of the eco-hotels in the mountains south of the city. You'll wake up to mountain air and dramatic scenery, while still being close enough to visit the city.
Getting around
Transport & taxis
Taxis are the most convenient way to get around, and are remarkably affordable by Western standards. Download the Yandex app before you arrive — it works just like Uber and is the standard way locals book rides. Avoid hailing taxis on the street; the app is safer and gives you a fixed price upfront.
The Metro is a pleasant surprise — relatively new, clean, and each station has been designed by a different architect, giving each its own distinct character. Worth riding at least once just to see them.
Buses are affordable but routes can be tricky to navigate. Use the 2GIS app to plan your journey — though for most trips, a Yandex taxi will be simpler and barely costs more.
The Metro is a pleasant surprise — relatively new, clean, and each station has been designed by a different architect, giving each its own distinct character. Worth riding at least once just to see them.
Buses are affordable but routes can be tricky to navigate. Use the 2GIS app to plan your journey — though for most trips, a Yandex taxi will be simpler and barely costs more.
Getting to Medeo: You can reach the famous Medeo ice rink easily by Yandex taxi from the city centre — around 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Getting to Koktobe — take the cable car! Skip the taxi for this one. The cable car is the most scenic and fun way to arrive, with sweeping views over the city as you ascend. The 6-minute ride over rooftops and treetops is an experience in itself. The lower station is near the Palace of the Republic on Dostyk Avenue.
ССЫЛКИ НЕ РАБОЧИЕ
📍 Koktobe cable car lower station
ССЫЛКИ НЕ РАБОЧИЕ
📍 Koktobe cable car lower station
Getting to Shymbulak — take the gondola! Take a Yandex taxi to Medeo, then board the gondola from there up to Shymbulak. The gondola ride — 4.5 km through dramatic alpine scenery — is one of the trip highlights. Don't skip it by taking a taxi all the way up.
📍 Medeo gondola station
📍 Medeo gondola station