Things to do in Almaty : The city of Apples
Hello all,
How many of you are fascinated with cities? Just taking a long walk in unknown streets. Just casually smiling at strangers in those streets. And remembering those smiles while doing your chores once you are back home. Yes, it happens with most of us. Some way or other, we have faced this scenario in our life. And when the city is like Almaty where modern culture is so beautifully amalgamated with historic Russian vibes, you can not not fall in love with it. In our case, we visited this city in Autumn, so the city has cast an unforgettable spell on our hearts and minds, and we are totally in awe of those mesmerizing fall colors!
Almaty was originally called Alma-Ata – “alma” translates to apple, and “ata” is grandfather. That means, in a literal way, the city is “the grandfather of apples.” The name of the city was changed in 1993. It is said that the first apple on the planet was from the Tian Shan mountains. We stayed in the city per se for two days but those two days were enough to make us fall in love with the city. Yes, we did the touristy things, and we forgot sometimes to be a traveler. But we randomly found our traveler soul here and there and enjoyed the maximum in our style.
Here are the places that you shouldn’t miss while in Almaty:
Kok Tobe Hill:
If you want to see the entire city from one spot, then this is the place. It is the perfect mixture of adventure, fun, and nature. You can reach the top of the hill with appx 6 minutes thrilling cable car ride, and you are in the midst of the mountains surrounding you with the serene vineyards, panoramic views of foothills of Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, and spectacular cityscape below. There are few rides with restaurants. But that all aside, you should just visit it for the feel of the Almaty.
On the top of the hill, there is a famous TV tower, which is one of the tallest towers in with world with the height of. You can not enter the tower as it is closed to tourists. You can also find a mini zoo, an open Fast Coaster sled ride, a mirror maze, and a giant Ferris wheel.
Timings: It is open all days of the week from 10 AM to 12 AM
How to reach?:
By cable car – appx 6 minutes ride
By car or bus: 10 minutes drive.
Altitude: 1100 meters
Entrance fee:
3000 Tenge per person one way, 1500 Tenge for kids < 12 years old
5000 Tenge for a round ticket, 2500 Tenge for kids < 12 years old
Points to Consider Before Visiting Kok Tobe Hill
- Check the operating hours of the hills and cable car
- It can be windy at the top of the hill, so dress accordingly.
- It can be crowded during weekends
First president park
It is a large park with multiple walkways, beautiful landscapes, flower beds, and well-maintained lawns. The park is named after the first president of the country, Nursultan Nazarbayev. There is one monument of the president in the park. The park is not only famous among tourists but is frequently visited by locals also for the fresh air and serene atmosphere.
At the entrance of the park, there is an iconic Almaty apple monument with an enormous entrance gate. As you approach the end of the park, you will be amazed by the backdrop of the Almaty mountains!
Green Bazar
This market is the heart of the city. Any visit to Almaty is incomplete without visiting this market. While I was planning our trip, I skipped this place. I thought we didn’t want to do much shopping so why should we go to this market. But our guide, Mr. Nur Sultan, was so keen to show us this place, and rightly so. This is one of the best places to witness the culture of the city and to interact with local vendors. This place is heaven for photographers. The market is the reflection of Kazak food and crafts.
The market has different sections.
- Fresh products: a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Meat and Dairy: we skipped the meat section, but in the dairy section, you can get a variety of fresh dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.
- Spices and Nuts: this is the best section as you can get a wide range of nuts and dried fruits.
- Clothing, Handicrafts, and Souvenirs: just outside the entrance, there are many shops for souvenirs.
Here, don’t miss to talk with vendors. They will amaze you with beautiful stories about the city, their products, and the people.
Timings:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Visiting the Green Bazaar Almaty is more than just a shopping trip; it’s an experience that immerses you in the local culture.
Zenkov Cathedral
This beautiful cathedral is also known as Ascension Cathedral. The peculiarity of this amazing cathedral is that it is entirely made up of wood without any nails. It is one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world. The cathedral is located in the Panfilov Park. It has witnessed natural as well as man-made crises in the form of earthquakes and political changes. Still, it is standing tall and proud, telling stories of resilience and faith.
The cathedral was built in 1904 and was designed by the architect Andrei Pavlovich Zenkov. It was Built when Kazakhstan was part of the soviet union Russia. As it is a very old building over the years, many restorations have been done by skilled workers.
Points to consider:
- Dress modestly as it is a place of worship. Women are supposed to cover their head with scarf., which you can get from there.
- There is no entrance fee.
- Photography is allowed, but avoid using flashlights.
Timings:
Open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
War Memorial
Also located in Panfilov Park. In fact, the park name is dedicated to Panfilov Heroes, who were 28 brave soldiers of an Almaty infantry 316th Rifle Division who died fighting off Nazi tanks in a village outside Moscow in 1941. The park honors the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers and is a tribute to them.
The Museum of Musical Instruments:
This is the unique museum of musical instruments, built by the architect A.P.Zenkov and was opened in 1980. there are more than 1000 objects, including artifacts and 60 types of musical instruments with instruments from all around the world. Again, it is located in Panfilov Park.
- Timings: daily except Mondays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Entry Fee: INR 248 approximately
Терренкур Terrenkur Path.
This is one of the best places in Almaty to see autumn colors. It is the paved path of appx 5 km along the small Almaty River. It is also known as Almty Health Path, as it is one of the best places for jogging, walking, and cycling.
Location: on the eastern part of the city
Length – 04.5 km
Altitude: The highest [point of the park is 1060 meters, and the lowest point is 876 meters. So you can gain appx 184 meters of inclination during your activity.
There are multiple zones for workouts as well as kids’ play areas with a serene pond along the trail.
Big Falcon Show:
This was one of the best parts of the trip for Satva. The giant birds will captivate you with their hunting skills and with their enormous sizes. Their predatory instinct wont allow you even to blink. Birds like eagles, hawks, vultures, falcons, and owls will make you gaze upward with their spectacular aerial show. Their dive and their swoop, their speed, and their agility will mesmerize you.
Alma Arasan Gorge with hot water spring:
This was the best part for Shaurya. The sulfur thermal raden springs are located in Prohodnoy Gorge on the right bank of the Prokhodnaya River near Almaty. The trail is very well-marked, and there are wooden bridges with railings for support at tricky places. There are a few stairs also, and this makes the trail relatively easy. There is a recreational area with hot and cold thermal water pools made up of barrels with a shower area and a gazebo with changing rooms.
Best time to visit: open all year around. But if you want to have fun in icy cold water with snow, then Autumn is the best time.
Altitude: 1835 meters
Appx distance: 3.8 kilometers from the road
Trek level: easy
Lakes around Almaty:
There are multiple serene spectacular lakes around Almaty. You can read about them here.
Charyn Canyon:
With a few hours’ drive, you can visit this amazing canyon on a day trip from Almaty. Read about them here.
Altyn-Emel National Park:
This is also visited as a day trip from Almaty. check this for more details.
Places where we eat in Almaty:
There are many Indian restaurants in Almaty, but we loved Spicy Mantra. The food was delicious, with a superb ambiance.
And this fun-filled trip would not have been possible without this man. Mr. Nur Sultan. Here is his contact number : +7 777 015 0276
So, this amazing city has everything to offer to everyone, be it adventure enthusiasts, nature lovers, history nerds, or culture fans. we have already attached our Kazakhstan itinerary.
Let us know about your experience once you visit.
Thank you…