Shymbulak Ski Resort is a great place to spend a day with your family. It’s one of the premier ski resorts in Central Asia with slopes for all levels. The resort also offers many other activities like snowmobiling, tubing, and ice-skating - perfect for non-skiers too. You can take the cable car to reach the resort, which provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Almaty Central Park is a great place to relax and spend time with your family. You can enjoy a picnic, bike rides, and even rent paddle boats to explore the lake. The park also houses a small amusement park for kids and a mini zoo with different animals.
Big Almaty Lake is a beautiful glacial lake situated in the Tian Shan mountains. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows, making it an ideal place for hiking and taking scenic pictures. Your family can also have a picnic by the lake or try fishing if you’d like.
Kok-Tobe Hill is the highest point in Almaty city, and the Kok-Tobe recreational area offers panoramic views of the city. You can reach the top using the cable car or drive up with a taxi. The area has many attractions, including an amusement park, a zoo, restaurants serving local cuisines, and souvenir shops.
Medeu Skating Rink is another great place to visit with your family. It’s the highest skating rink in the world and has hosted numerous international competitions. You can rent skates at the venue or just watch others skate while enjoying the stunning scenery around you.
Zenkov Cathedral is a unique wooden building built-in 1907, and it’s considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Almaty. The interior’s architecture is stunning and has 40m high bell towers that are used to ring the bell throughout the day.
When traveling around Almaty, it's recommended to use taxis or ride-hailing apps like Yandex, which is the most popular app in the city. Prices are reasonable with the average taxi ride around the city costing no more than $2-3. If you want to go to locations that require more time or travel beyond Almaty, then it's better to rent a car with a driver. This may cost between $50-100 per day, depending on the distance traveled.
If you’re looking to add more to your itinerary, consider visiting the Botanical Garden, Lake Issyk, or the nearby Charyn Canyon. You can also explore the local markets like the Green Market for bargains and local souvenirs. Alternatively, if you have less time, prioritize the places closer to the city center such as Kok-Tobe Hill and Zenkov Cathedral.
Almaty International Airport (ALA) is the main airport serving Almaty city. It's located 8 miles northeast of the city center and offers both domestic and international flights. The airport has two terminals, and several airlines operate flights to and from the airport.