2 Days in Almaty: A Complete Itinerary
Spending 2 Days in Almaty: Complete Itinerary
Are you prepared to spend 2 days in Almaty, the contemporary metropolis of Central Asia?
As a seasoned traveller, I’ve spent nearly eight months moving through the landscapes of Asia. I realise Central Asia might be a region shrouded in mystery for many, making it a potentially daunting travel destination.
I am happy to say that my experience couldn’t be more positive (apart from that one week when Guada was in hospital – more on that later).
I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
My aim is to ease your worries and share my own experiences, advice, and insights to enhance your short but exciting trip to Almaty, Kazakhstan.
So buckle up and let’s embark on this exciting journey together!
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Day 1 in Almaty
Morning
Republic Square and Independent Monument
If you want to start your morning well, I recommend visiting Republic Square.
The first construction you will notice is the enormous office of Almaty’s mayor, Erbolat Dosaev. This building was formerly the President’s Palace.
This is Almaty’s main square, which means that today there are many events held due to its central location.
This impressive building shows off the typical style of central Asian political architecture, which is common throughout Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan too, coming from the region’s Soviet past.
Apart from the interesting design, the office is surrounded by green areas such as the Park of the Foundation of the First President and Memorial Park.
Make sure to walk around and appreciate so much green in a huge city like Almaty.
Other things to watch out for include the Giant Oak at the Square of Independence as well as the Fountains and Linden Alley.
When we made it down to the roadside at Republic Square, it was impressive as a big fog had come into the city, and you could see the lamp posts glow as well as the moon high in the sky overlooking the city.
While we found Republic Square to have few tourists, the streets were busy and many people were beside the Independence Monument photographing it.
In 2007, an underground entertainment centre was constructed here, modernising the square even further.
As a whole, the area is impressive to visit in my opinion, and it showcases the power and wealth that Almaty city possesses.
You can find places to eat or simply sit on a bench and people-watch.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 1986, the square was the setting for an uprising when the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, Dinmukhamed Kunayev, was ousted.
This event was known as Jeltoqsan. Lasting three days, a student demonstration brought thousands of people together in political mobilisation.
Afternoon
Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
A short walk from Republic Square and the Independence Monument is the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Be prepared to be blown away by all the artefacts found inside the museum.
Said to be one of central Asia’s largest and most impressive museums with seven different levels, you can explore Kazakhstan’s ancient to contemporary history and culture at the museum.
While we were visiting, one section was closed upstairs as there was a TV camera recording what looked like some official people dressed elegantly.
While we were obliged to leave that section quicker than we wanted, we felt we missed out on part of the museum.
A little disappointing if I am honest.
Still, I would revisit this museum when I return in the future (I want to see more of Kazakhstan).
Evening
Kok Tobe For Sunset
What a view at Kok Tobe!
We got the Kok Tobe Hill Gondola Cableway up to Kok Tobe to enjoy a special view of Almaty and the surrounding mountains.
It cost us 3,000 tenge (€6.00) to travel a little over 1,600 metres in distance with a max height of 250 metres. It was magical!
The fog was starting to set in on the city, and with the sun setting, the sky turned a scenic pink. You could barely see the skyscrapers in the distance.
This view was one of the most memorable from my time in Kazakhstan.
Once you are at the top, it’s not just about the views.
There is a Ferris wheel, a mini Zoo, an amusement park with rides, Kazakh restaurants and fast food options available, making it a great place to come and spend some hours.
You can even get your picture taken in traditional Kazakh clothing.
I would argue the most impressive landmark here was the Almaty Television Tower.
We could not get too close to it as construction works were going on when I visited, which was sad, but just viewing it from Kok Tobe, you can see how huge it is.
The fact it overlooks Almaty makes it iconic as a landmark.
As the evening was coming to a close, there was live music, and we entered the Ferris wheel to get an even higher view of Almaty from Kok Tobe.
Once word – wonderful.
PRO TIP: if you are an adrenaline junky, you may want to try the fast coaster. This roller coaster can take two people in a sledge on wheels, which races around Kok Tobe Hill.
There was a great atmosphere as people waved to their friends goodbye, and then in an instant, they disappeared down the hill, only to return a short time later with huge dilated pupils.
Night
Dinner at Degirmen
Now, let me tell ya, you won’t be breaking the bank when you visit Degirmen.
It’s not fancy, but it is effective.
I loved the food here. A buffet-style chain where you can get tasty Kazakh food and good coffee. Once again, my favourite had to be the Plov (my favourite Central Asian dish).
Admittedly, I must have eaten here ten times, especially when Lupe was in the hospital. I found a restaurant close to the hospital, and I could work away on my laptop too without issue.
Top marks from my experience eating in Degirmen.
Day 2 in Almaty
Morning
Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen
I have said many times before that there are no better city parks than Central Asian parks. Almaty is no exception.
The Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen is beautifully maintained and makes for a wonderful public space to visit and be in nature.
Its name is dedicated to, and aptly named after, the Panfilov Heroes.
These were the 28 valiant soldiers from an Alma-Ata Infantry unit who bravely laid down their lives defending Moscow from the German invasion during the Second World War.
This park oozes with history, intrigue and beauty.
You will find an architecturally astute design, Ascension Cathedral, in the centre of the park.
The cathedral’s yellow and green colours stand out with little red, blue and five golden domes sitting cutely atop.
Another iconic monument to look out for is the Memorial of Glory. This is located along the memory walk.
What stood out for me was the aggression in the design.
It was erected in 1975 on the 30th anniversary of the Victory in the Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen.
You will see close by the eternal flame lighting bright.
What stood out for me was the high relief oath on the left. This was dedicated to remembering the young soldiers who fought for the Soviet Union.
In the middle of the area depicting the image of the Panfilov soldiers who defend the Union is the Deed.
On the right side, there is the trumpeting glory.
Close to the east exit of the park, it is worth visiting the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Military History Museum of the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan.
Though I didn’t get into the Museum of Musical Instruments, it is one of the popular things to do in Almaty.
The architecture is grand and exciting, and the park is big, green and beautiful. Make this part of your Almaty travel plans.
Afternoon
Green Bazaar and Almaty Central Mosque
Less than four hundred metres from the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen is the Green Bazaar.
To get a good taste of local delicacies and marketplace bartering, you have to visit this place.
It’s not just meat and groceries, but you can do any shopping here. You can purchase electric items and clothes here too.
You will find plenty of meats, including horse meat, which was interesting to see as in Europe it’s less common. The smell is striking as so much raw meat sits within this farmer’s market, but it’s great to have so much choice.
If you have a sweet tooth, you can pick up treats and juices too. Nuts and dairy products are widely available.
Another short walk (about five hundred metres) from the Green Bazaar is Almaty Central Mosque.
It is a beautiful mosque inside and out.
I went a couple of times to this mosque to experience it in full. Many locals sit on the benches outside in the sun, and I had to do the same.
Inside, I was greeted by a friendly young local man, and we chatted for a few minutes.
Evening
Central Park is wonderful for mooching around and enjoying the city’s public space and nature.
Like me, you may be taken aback when you notice the number of security guards who seemed to be working within the park when we walked around.
They don’t take anything away from the beauty. I chatted with some of them when I was entering, and they were friendly.
You will be impressed by Ozero Tsentral’nogo Parka and its sculpture in the middle of the lake called Fontan “Na Ozere.”
Verevochnyy Park Bambu has a great open space right beside the entrance to Central Park.
There are many benches where people take their kids to have fun and enjoy a day out.
Keep an eye out for people climbing above your head! There are zip lines and other amusements to keep you busy and entertained.
You will feel a part of local life when you spend some time at Central Park.
Night
Dinner at Vahtanguri Georgian Restaurant
The food was fantastic, and hearty but expensive in comparison to Deigirmen.
The restaurant is located at Gogol St 157, Almaty 050000, which is about a 3.5-kilometre walk from Central Park, so you can easily work up a good appetite on your way.
As you can see, it will certainly be a filling meal, especially if the weather is colder. It can be exactly what you need after a full day exploring Almaty.
Your pocket won’t hurt too badly either, as you can expect to eat very well for under 7,000 tenge (€15.00).
Simply delicious!
Other Almaty Travel Information
Transportation Options
Yandex App
You can also use the Yandex App (which is free) to easily navigate the city for cheap if you don’t have the energy to walk.
I found this wonderful to get around and rarely had problems.
It is much cheaper than getting a taxi, and you can pay with a card automatically once the ride is complete or with cash.
Just decide when booking your driver.
Metro
There is also a Metro Station, which makes travel where a one-way ticket costs 80 tenge.
Though I didn’t use the metro when we were there, I know it is a good system like Kyrgyzstan. It is uniquely beautiful and clean.
Bus
The bus is a great way to get around the city.
Running from 06.00 AM until 09.00 PM, you can use it for most of the day and evening to plan your 2-day itinerary.
Cost ranges between 80-150 tenge per ticket (€0.30). You can check the bus times and routes to plan your trip.
Language
Most people will speak Kazakh, Russian or some Uzbek.
I found there to be little English spoken fluently. Some of the younger generations have better English, but still, make sure you have Google Translate or an alternative downloaded so you can communicate with locals even if you don’t have an internet connection.
As always, learning a few words of Russian or Kazakh will go a long way to being appreciated in Almaty. This goes for any place in the world, in my opinion.
Is Almaty walkable?
Almaty is a big city where I walked a lot and had no issues.
Although the city is surrounded by mountains, the long, wide streets, which were mostly flat, made walking a nice option to get around.
Travel Insurance
DO NOT TRAVEL WITHOUT INSURANCE.
This is a hill I will die on!
Lupe needed an urgent operation when we were in Alamty, and thanks to Safety Wing Insurance, they covered the excess of 250.00.
Since then, it has changed, where they will cover all expenses for about €52.00 per month. It was a scary experience.
Thankfully, Safety Wing was quick to chase us for all the relevant paperwork, and they refunded the fee, which was nearing €1,000.00
Do not risk it.
2 Days in Almaty: How To Get There
Airport
Almaty International Airport is about 17 kilometres from the city centre. It is the busiest airport in Central Asia.
Coming from North America and Europe, you will likely fly with Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa or Air Astana. All fantastic in my experience, in particular Air Astana.
Crossing the land border
This time we travelled from Bishkek to Almaty via a large bus.
From Western Bus Station in Bishkek (a main hub for travel in central Asia), we paid 600 som per person to take the bus, which lasted about 6 hours.
You can arrange a taxi, but a bus is much cheaper.
PLEASE NOTE – When we went through Kazakh immigration on the border at Ak Zhol border control point, we had a bad experience.
There were 3 immigration officers checking passports for a line of maybe 200 people. After some time, one of the immigration officers closed his line.
Expectedly, the travellers got tired of waiting; they joined the other people and in a few moments, it was a mosh pit.
It was severely cramped, and I had to squeeze through people who were adamant they didn’t want to move. People were skipping the line and getting angry.
It was the fault of the immigration officers.
I hope this was a once-off, but be prepared, this may happen, and while everyone was safe in the end, it was the craziest immigration experience I have ever seen.
When we were cleared, we exited with our bags. The next challenge was to find our bus.
Many travellers were confused and panicked as nobody knew where we would get back on the bus. The traffic was bad and there were many large buses all around us.
Luckily, we saw a few people huddled together a short walk up along the street, and the bus collected us there.
It wasn’t the smoothest journey we undertook. Yet, I would revisit Almaty in the future for sure!
Conclusion – Should I Spend 2 Days In Almaty?
So, after all that, what’s the final word on Almaty?
Well, it’s a place that truly has it all – history, culture, stunning natural beauty, you name it.
Picture yourself soaking in the grandness of Republic Square, diving into Kazakhstan’s past at the Central State Museum, and marvelling at the breathtaking views from Kok Tobe.
Not to forget, the lively vibes of the Green Bazaar that are absolutely infectious.
Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or someone who’s all about cultural experiences, Almaty won’t disappoint.
Trust me, spending a couple of days in Almaty is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
Do you have any travel tips or recommendations for fellow readers? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
How many days do you need to see Almaty?
You could see Almaty in three to four days. But to see everything without rushing, I would suggest 6 days. This includes some amazing day trips from Almaty. Almaty can get cold, so if you travel in winter, prepare with warm clothes and jackets. No matter how long you spend, you can experience one of Central Asia’s most magical cities.
Is it worth visiting Almaty?
Almaty is totally worth visiting due to its history, museums, mountains and surroundings. Charyn Canyon is a few hours’ drive, as is Kolsay Lake. Black Canyon and Kaindy Lake are also visited, as is Big Almaty Lake. I would go further and say Almaty is the first city in Central Asia that I would revisit. I loved Almaty!
Why is Almaty so popular?
Almaty is popular because there are so many adventures to experience. You can visit many museums and learn about Kazakh history. Almaty is a modern city with great infrastructure, food and nightlife. Exploring the Kazakh countryside can be like exploring a different planet. It is easy to see why Almaty is so popular after visiting.
Which month is best to visit Almaty?
July to September offer the best weather conditions to visit Almaty, Kazakhstan. I stayed in October, and it was mostly cold but sunny with little rain. I would recommend this time of year too, as it wasn’t so busy even at many major attractions. It felt like we were integrated into normal life outside the peak tourist months. If you want to experience warmer weather, then you will have to sacrifice this for the number of tourists and go earlier in the year.
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Thank you so much this guide is super helpful!
That comment has made my day! I hope you have a great time in the wonderful city of Almaty!
This is very comprehensive and informative review!It’s the most helpful resource I’ve come across while planning my trip.Thank you very much James!