Almaty walking tour & city guide

Parks, bazaars and the mountains

The heart of the old centre is Panfilov Park, a large green square around the Ascension Cathedral, often called the Zenkov Cathedral, a colourful wooden church built in the early twentieth century. A few blocks north, the Green Bazaar is a busy covered market of fruit, nuts, dried fruit, spices, cheeses and meat.

Between them runs Zhibek Zholy, a pedestrian street known as the Arbat, with street musicians, shops and cafés. To the south, the city climbs gently towards the mountains: a cable car rises to Kok Tobe hill for views over the city, and further up the valley are the Medeu skating rink and the road to the Shymbulak ski area.

A classic walk: Panfilov Park to Kok Tobe

Start at the Green Bazaar in the morning, when it is busiest, then walk to Panfilov Park and the Zenkov Cathedral. Continue along the Arbat and down the tree-lined avenues towards the city's central squares.

In the late afternoon, take the cable car up Kok Tobe and stay for sunset, when the lights of the city spread out across the plain below the mountains.

Good to know

May to June and September to October are the most pleasant months; summers are hot and winters cold and snowy, though the mountains are lovely in winter too. Almaty has a short metro line, buses and cheap ride-hailing apps. The streets slope gently uphill towards the mountains, which is a useful way to keep your bearings. Big Almaty Lake and the mountain valleys make easy day trips.