After breakfast and hotel check-in, take a gentle orientation walk to Hazret Sultan Mosque to admire its soaring domes and calm courtyard, then stroll along the nearby Yesil River Embankment for riverside views and photo stops. Finish the morning with a visit to the modern Expo 2017 Park where you can explore pavilions, panoramic viewpoints and grab a light Kazakh snack at a café while getting your bearings for the city-wide sightseeing ahead.
Head to the futuristic heart of the city with a visit to Bayterek Tower-take the elevator up for panoramic vistas and a photo with the famed golden handprint. Afterwards wander through the nearby cultural complex of Korgalzhyn Square (or its local equivalent civic plaza) to explore outdoor sculptures, stop for a coffee at a riverside café, and finish the afternoon with a relaxed museum stop at the contemporary National Museum of Kazakhstan to get a compact, engaging overview of Kazakh history before evening plans.
As dusk falls, enjoy a riverside walk along the illuminated promenade to Presidential Park, then cross to the modern art hub at Nur Alem Museum of Energy for striking night-time architecture shots and a brief inside visit if open. Finish with dinner at a popular local spot like Line Brew or Kazakhstan Restaurant to sample hearty beshbarmak and local beers while soaking up live music and the city's evening buzz.
Begin with a brisk visit to Palace of Peace and Reconciliation to take in the striking pyramid architecture and a morning view from inside where exhibitions often open early; follow this with a short walk to the nearby Abylai Khan Square to observe local life and ornate monuments. Next, head to the leafy grounds of Independence Park for a relaxed stroll past memorials and fountains, then stop at a café near Duman Entertainment Center for a warming coffee before the afternoon's museum and tower visits.
After a morning of grand squares and parks, head to the contemporary arts quarter to explore Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center-ride the glass elevator to the promenade level, browse boutiques, and enjoy a light lunch with skyline views. Then visit the nearby National Opera and Ballet Theatre for a guided look at its ornate interior (or catch an afternoon rehearsal if available), finishing with a leisurely riverside tram ride past Nurzhol Boulevard to see the city's modern skyline from a different angle.
As evening falls, stroll through the atmospheric alleys of Old City (Qala) to soak up traditional architecture and stop at a cozy teahouse for Kazakh chai and baursaks. Continue with a visit to the illuminated Palace of Independence facade and then enjoy a performance or concert at the nearby Kazakh State Academic Theater for Children and Youth (check listings), finishing the night with rooftop cocktails at a bar overlooking Nurzhol Boulevard for twinkling skyline views.
After an early flight and hotel drop-off, ease into Almaty with a stroll through the leafy paths of Panfilov Park, where you can visit the colorful wooden Zenkov Cathedral's exterior and watch locals feed pigeons; linger over a strong coffee at a nearby café. Continue to the bustling Green Bazaar for an immersive taste of Kazakhstan-sample kurt, dried fruits, and local cheeses while bargaining for spices and a small souvenir before a light lunch at a traditional chaikhana.
After arriving and settling into your hotel, head to Kok Tobe Hill via the scenic cable car for sweeping city and mountain views, a stroll past the small amusement area, and a visit to the iconic Almaty TV Tower viewpoint. Descend to explore the leafy avenues of the nearby Arbat (Zhibek Zholy pedestrian street) for street performers, local crafts, and a relaxed late-afternoon tea at a café while soaking up Almaty's lively urban vibe before evening plans.
After settling in, head for a relaxed sunset walk along the verdant banks of Medeu River Promenade, then continue to the nearby art-forward Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments for a short, atmospheric visit and live-demo timings if available. Finish with a casual dinner at Café Central or Line Brew Almaty (both popular with locals) to sample grilled shashlik and local draft beer while people-watching in a lively city district.
Begin with a hearty breakfast before heading to the leafy slopes of First President's Park for a peaceful morning stroll among sculptures and city views, then visit the nearby Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments to hear a short live demo and see traditional instruments up close. Continue to the historic Republic Square to admire official monuments and architecture, then wander down to the charming open-air Old Bazaar (Zelyony Bazaar extension area) for tastings of local honey, kurt and hand-made confections before a mid-morning coffee at a nearby café to refuel for the day's deeper exploration.
After a morning of parks and bazaars, take the tram or a short taxi to Republic Square (Almaty's civic center) to admire the grand government buildings and seasonal sculptures, then stroll through the adjacent Gorky Park (Central Park of Culture and Recreation) to enjoy tree-lined paths, a small lake and local snack vendors for a light refreshment. Continue to the elegant Abai Opera House area to join a guided interior tour or catch an afternoon rehearsal glimpse, finishing with a relaxing tea at the historic Zhibek Zholy café-lined boulevard where you can watch street life and plan an evening near the cathedral.
As twilight falls, wander up to Panfilov Park's quieter lanes to catch the soft glow on the wooden facades, then head to the nearby Kazakh State Museum of Arts for a late-afternoon exhibition or gallery talk showcasing regional painters. After the museum, enjoy a relaxed dinner at Line Brew Almaty or a cozy meal at Chaikhana Napar with traditional pilaf and live folk music, finishing the night with a short stroll along the illuminated alleys of Zhibek Zholy to savor Almaty's evening atmosphere.
Set out early for a scenic drive into the Trans-Ili Alatau to reach Big Almaty Lake, where you'll walk the shoreline for crystal-clear reflections of the snow-capped peaks and photograph the vivid turquoise water; pause at the official viewpoint for panoramic shots and a short guided chat about the lake's role as Almaty's water source. Afterward, continue higher into the valley to explore the alpine meadows around Otegen Batyr Pass, where you can spot hardy mountain flora and, if conditions allow, enjoy a picnic of fresh local cheeses and dried fruits while listening to the distant rush of meltwater streams.
After a morning at the lakeshore, continue up-valley to the alpine research outpost and viewpoint near Satin Peak for sweeping vistas and a short guided talk on local geology and glaciation, then hike a gentle 30-45 minute trail to the scenic meadow by Kasskarak Pass, where wildflowers (or winter grasses) and distant ridgelines make a perfect picnic spot. Later, visit the nearby Meteorological Station to learn about how the lake and mountain weather affect Almaty's water supply, and finish the afternoon with a warm drink at the rustic Trekker's Hut while watching shepherds drive flocks down the slopes-an unhurried end to a nature-rich day before returning toward the city.
As dusk settles, return toward the foothills for a peaceful riverside stroll along Kaskelen River Promenade, where wooden viewing platforms and birdlife create calm photo opportunities. Follow this with a warming meal at the rustic Kerey & Zhanibek Guesthouse or a similar mountain chaikhana to sample hot beshbarmak-style soup and local tea, then finish the night with stargazing from the open terrace near Alpine Meadow Lookout while guides share local Kazakh tales of the mountains.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hazret Sultan Mosque | Free |
| Yesil River Embankment (walk) | Free |
| Expo 2017 Park (Nur Alem / pavilions) | ₸1,500 |
| Bayterek Tower (observation deck) | ₸1,200 |
| Korgalzhyn Square / civic plaza (outdoor sculptures) | Free |
| National Museum of Kazakhstan | ₸700 |
| Presidential Park (walk) | Free |
| Nur Alem Museum of Energy (inside visit) | ₸1,500 |
| Dinner at Line Brew / Kazakhstan Restaurant (typical main + beer) | ₸5,000 |
| Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (entrance/exhibit) | ₸800 |
| Abylai Khan Square (visit) | Free |
| Independence Park (walk) | Free |
| Duman Entertainment Center (café / aquarium optional) | ₸2,000 |
| Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center (entry / elevator to promenade) | ₸500 |
| National Opera and Ballet Theatre (guided look / ticket) | ₸1,500 |
| Riverside tram ride (short tourist tram) | ₸300 |
| Old City (Qala) alleys & teahouse (chai + baursaks) | ₸800 |
| Palace of Independence (facade visit) | Free |
| Kazakh State Academic Theater for Children and Youth (performance) | ₸1,200 |
| Panfilov Park (Almaty) & Zenkov Cathedral (visit) | Free |
| Green Bazaar (tasting / small purchases) | ₸600 |
| Kok Tobe cable car (round-trip) | ₸2,000 |
| Almaty TV Tower viewpoint (Kok Tobe area) | ₸700 |
| Arbat (Zhibek Zholy pedestrian street) (street activity) | Free |
| Medeu River Promenade (walk) | Free |
| Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments | ₸600 |
| Dinner at Café Central / Line Brew Almaty (typical meal + beer) | ₸4,000 |
| First President's Park (walk) | Free |
| Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments (live demo) | ₸600 |
| Republic Square (Almaty) (visit) | Free |
| Gorky Park (Central Park) (entry / snacks) | ₸300 |
| Abai Opera House (tour / rehearsal ticket) | ₸1,000 |
| Kazakh State Museum of Arts | ₸700 |
| Chaikhana Napar (dinner typical cost) | ₸3,500 |
| Big Almaty Lake (day trip transport + viewpoint fee) | ₸3,500 |
| Otegen Batyr Pass / alpine meadows (guided hike) | ₸2,000 |
| Satin Peak / alpine research viewpoint (visit / talk) | ₸1,500 |
| Kasskarak Pass (short hike / picnic) | ₸500 |
| Meteorological Station (visit / info) | ₸500 |
| Trekker's Hut (warm drink) | ₸400 |
| Kaskelen River Promenade (walk) | Free |
| Kerey & Zhanibek Guesthouse / mountain chaikhana (dinner) | ₸2,500 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₸44,800 |