1. Roam around the Green Bazaar

One of the best introductions to a country and its culture is by roaming along the myriad of stalls from an authentic local market.

Not only is it the perfect way to get a feel for the locals and their ways, but it’s also the number-one place to sample new flavours and locally-grown produce.

Established at the heart of Almaty is the Green Bazaar, an extensive covered market that is home to loads of vendors, offering their visitors the most authentic flavours of Central Asia.

From Kazakhstan’s traditional Kymyz (fermented horse milk) to delicious dried fruits and nuts, Almaty’s famous apples to distinguishing spices and vegetables, it is all found here.

Though I mostly came to the Green Bazaar to stock up on mouth-watering dried fruits and nuts, it is also a place to find all sorts of other goods, including clothes, souvenirs, electronics and more.

If you’re after a genuine, authentic vibe, make sure you experience the hustle and bustle of Almaty’s exciting Green Bazaar.

2. Behold inspiring art at the Kasteev State Museum of Arts

First established in 1935, the intriguing Kasteev State Museum of Art is not only the largest art museum in Kazakhstan but also the most interesting if you ask me.

Today, visitors to Kasteev can behold some of Kazakhstan’s finest artworks, with a total of more than 25.000 intriguing art objects dotted throughout the museum.

The distinctive collection is an excellent mix of past and present, with fascinating contemporary art objects and intriguing historical pieces alike – I even noticed several extraordinary paintings from my country of birth, the Netherlands.

But some of my favourite works in the museum include the glorified paintings that represent the Soviet Union. Though I realize that these paintings give a biased glimpse into this eventful period, they clearly are of high artistical value.

Other highlights found in the museum include paintings of Kazakhstan’s famous poet Abay Kunanbaev, modern sculptures and highly regarded works of Asian, European and Russian artists.

If you’re short on time, and only have time to visit one museum in Almaty, I’d advise taking in the exquisite artworks that are on display in the Kasteev State Museum of Arts.

3. Take a walk around Panfilov Park

Wandering through the spruce tree-lined Panfilov Park is in many ways, one of my absolute favourite things to do in Almaty.

At the heart of downtown Almaty, a lush urban park occupies, granting its visitors the perfect place to escape the rush of the city.

Named after Almaty’s famous Panfilov heroes (who gave their lives in the defence of Moscow during World War II), the park is home to a gigantic memorial statue, showcasing 28 soldiers as well as an eternal flame.

But it’s not just the Statue of Panfilov’s 28 Guardsmen that make the Panfilov Park an excellent place to venture to for an afternoon stroll.

There are actually loads of other highlights nestled in the verdant park; the Russian Orthodox Ascension Cathedral, the Kazakh Museum Of Folk Musical Instruments, and the Military History Museum to name a few.

Also, you’ll find Bowler Coffee Roasters here, a trendy cafe with the most excellent coffee and pastries on the menu. These yummy treats are best enjoyed in hand while watching local life unfold on a relaxing walk.

If there is one thing I learned during my time in Almaty, it surely is that Kazakh people appreciate spending time in one of the many urban parks – and so did I!

4. Admire the Ascension Cathedral

Defined by its distinctive palette of bright pastel colours, the majestic Ascension Cathedral stands proud against the lush greenery of Panfilov Park.

Built entirely out of locally obtained Tien-Shan spruce trees by architect Andrei Pavlovich Zenkov in 1907, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral is considered one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world.

Also, the cathedral survived 2 massive earthquakes due to the building’s distinctive engineering and design, which is even more impressive if you note that most of the buildings in Almaty were left damaged or in ruins.

In my opinion, the Ascension Cathedral is one of the most extraordinary buildings in Almaty, and for that reason, unmissable on any list of things to do in Almaty.

5. Visit the Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

Almaty has a myriad of interesting museums, and the Kazakh Museum Of Folk Musical Instruments is definitely one that is worth a visit, especially if you’re into music.

Those familiar with Kazakstan’s deep-rooted nomadic culture, realize that living on the road constantly, largely shaped their customs, religion and beliefs – this is clearly reflected in their musical expression and the instruments that they’ve mastered.

Luckily for us, these intriguing traditional music instruments are now on display.

Occupying an authentic Russian-style wooden house in the midst of Panfilov Park, the Ykhlas Museum of Kazakh Folk Instruments houses more than 1.000 items related to Kazakhstan’s captivating musical heritage.

Most notable of these items contain distinctive instruments that were used to perform Küy, a short solo composition played on traditional Kazakh instruments; the famous Dombyra, Kobyz and Syrnai to mention a few.

Additionally, the museum is home to a great collection of Turkish, Uzbek and Kyrgyz folk instruments, which are definitely worth checking out too.

6. Go hiking in Almaty’s untouched mountains

Encircled by the untouched mountains of the Ile-Alatau National Park, Almaty is actually a true paradise for those into hiking and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

These towering mountain ridges form an enchanting backdrop against the city’s modern skyline, and will constantly lure you towards them, day in, day out.

And though I loved the energetic contemporary ambience in Almaty, it is safe to say that the city’s real treasure lies in the sheer natural beauty surrounding it.

It’s a place of rough adventures and bare landscapes. Think snow-covered peaks, sharp mountain ridges, steep forest hills and loads of hiking trails running through them.

I’ve spent several days in the mountains of Almaty and had some of my favourite days here.

If you’re keen to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Almaty for the day, I’ve written several guides on hiking in Almaty, so be sure to have a look there too!

8. Visit the Central State Museum

Those attracted by history will be pleased to hear that The Central State Museum in Almaty is titled the largest museum in Central Asia, displaying an extensive collection of artefacts, including items used by the ancient nomadic people of Kazakhstan.

With more than 300.000 artefacts on display, a stroll through the Central State Museum is an excellent occasion to acquire knowledge on the country’s history, archaeology, culture and politics.

The museum is home to seven different exhibition halls, showcasing palaeontology and archaeology collections, traditional Kazakh artefacts, as well as items from the time when Kazakhstan became independent.

Some of my personal highlights include a replica of Kazakhstan’s National hero; the Golden Man, items related to Genghis Khan and the Silk Road, and traditional Kazakh folklore costumes.

The Central State Museum is a fascinating place from the inside and out, and in my verdict, worthy of an afternoon of your time, even if it’s only to see the museum’s grand exterior.

9. Relax in the Arasan Baths

Kazakh people are pretty serious when it comes to their spa day, and after looking into their wellness & spa facilities, it’s easy to see why.

Situated in the heart of Almaty, the Arasan Baths are known as one of the finest bathhouses in Central Asia, providing its visitors all the assets for a luxurious spa experience.

The Arasan Baths were built in 1980 in a modernized Soviet-style, and are home to several steam rooms, including Finnish and Russian, as well as Turkish and Moroccan style hammams.

For the traditional Russian banya experience, I would advise buying a bundle of leafy tree branches, locally known as a venik. By slapping yourself on the body with one of them, you improve blood circulation, experience deep relaxation, and several other health benefits.

I know, it sounds crazy, but it’s true!

Should you wish to opt for a more peaceful treatment, Arasan also has a number of rejuvenating massages on offer in their detox and spa facilities.

Something else that fascinated me, is that Arasan is designed in the most exquisite way. Think polished marble floors, pinewood elements, beautiful mosaic patterns, and delicate ceramic tiles.

I visited the Arasan Baths on my first day, and found it an excellent remedy to fight my jet lag!

10. Get some winter sports action at the Shymbulak Ski Resort

As mentioned earlier, Almaty is one of the most diverse natural environments I’ve ever visited, and when the winter season arrives, it also doubles as a brilliant winter sports destination.

Yeaaah, you’ve read that right!

Hidden between the picturesque mountains of the Ile-Alatau National Park, at only a 30-minute drive from the Almaty city centre is Shymbulak, a high-end ski resort that provides everything you need for an exciting day of winter sports action.

With several excellent slopes (the highest is 3.200 meters above sea level), the resort is welcoming skiers and snowboarders of any level. The lower section is great for beginners and those after lessons, while the upper slopes are more suited for experienced free riders and daredevils.

All necessary equipment can be rented near the entrance, or at the first summit, and it is unbelievably cheap compared to leading winter sports destinations in Europe. I rented a snowboard, boots and helmet, and paid only 7.000 KZT ($16,70) for an entire day.

When I booked my flight to Almaty in early autumn, I’d never imagined that I would strap on a pair of snowboarding boots to experience my first ever snowboarding lesson, but I’m happy I did – it was freakin awesome!

So, if you’re in Almaty during winter, I advise spending at least one day on the slopes of Shymbulak, even if you’re a beginner like me.

11. Visit Big Almaty Lake

If you’ve been doing your research for Almaty, then I’m pretty sure you stumbled across the Big Almaty Lake plenty of times, and that’s for a good reason.

Enchanting many with its unusual teal waters, the Big Almaty Lake is an extensive natural reservoir, nestled in the hills of the Ile-Alatau mountains only just outside of Almaty.

With its awesome backdrop and encircling mountain ridges, the area around the lake is considered one of the regions most popular hiking environments.

Do, however, note that Big Almaty Lake is near the Kyrgyzstan border, so be cautious in which direction you head on your hiking. Also, take your passport just to be safe.

But Big Almaty Lake is more than just a place to seek immeasurable natural beauty and peace.

It is in fact, Almaty’s most precious natural wonder, functioning as the region’s number-one source of mineral-rich drinking water. For that reason, it is strictly forbidden to swim in the lake.

As always, respect nature and be sure to bring your belongings and garbage on the way back.

Unfortunately, when I visited Almaty in autumn-winter, the roads to Big Almaty Lake were closed, so I couldn’t make it here on this trip. But with my intention to go back to Almaty soon, it’s only a matter of time before I see this stunning lake with my own eyes.

12. Explore the Altyn-Emel National park

One of my absolute favourite things to do in Almaty involves venturing to the tremendously beautiful Altyn-Emel National Park.

Situated at roughly 265 kilometres northeast of Almaty, the Altyn-Emel National Park makes for a great road trip adventure, and for that reason, it is best explored as part of a multiple-day trip.

The extensive national park is home to a broad range of distinctive landscapes, with maybe even the most appealing in all of Kazakhstan. Yes, I said it!

From otherworldly Mars-like mountain ridges to massive sand dunes to some of the countries rarest animal species, the Altyn-Emel National Park is a gateway to the diverse great outdoors of Kazakhstan.

Some of the highlights include:

The Singing Sand Dunes | The number one reason why travellers go on an adventure to the Altyn-Emel National Park, is to admire the golden sands of the towering Singing Sand dunes.  And I must admit, these 150-metre high dunes, rising suddenly out of the flat steppe territory make for a postcard-perfect scenery.

The Aktau Mountains | Perched on the edge of the park, the Aktau Mountains are the main reasons why I wished to visit Altyn-Emel in the first place. These Mars-like mountains are in my opinion, the perfect example of how magical this planet we call home truly is. The distinctive ridges boast a marvellous colour palette, with deep red and white sandstone surfaces fluctuating over and over again. It is a true spectacle to behold, and wandering among them feels as though you’ve set foot on another planet.

Wildlife | With roughly 260 different animal species, the Altyn-Emel National Park is often referred to as Kazakhstan’s very own wildlife destination. During a visit, you’ll have the chance to encounter unusual animals, including Argali, lynx and dziggetai (Mongolian wild ass) just to mention a few. Also, the area is home to a series of rare and endangered birds including the Black stork and the Imperial eagle.

13. Behold the iconic Kaindy Lake

I remember exactly what I said to my hiking buddy Anuar, when we arrived at the enchanting Kaindy Lake after our exciting hike through the freshly fallen snow.

‘‘This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen’’.

Nestled in the Tien Shan mountains at roughly 30 minutes south of Saty lies one of Kazakhstan’s most unique natural phenomena; the fairytale-like Kaindy Lake, also known as the sunken forest.

After a powerful earthquake in the year 1911, a lush forested valley slowly transformed itself into a lake, as a result of a major landslide.

Over the following years, the valley gradually filled up with rainwater, while the trees died in the process, by the reason of their new unfavourable circumstances.

Today, the idyllic lake is an utterly surreal sight to behold, with its towering dead spruce trunks arising from the vivid turquoise waters of the lake – it is absolutely stunning.

Despite its sheer beauty, the lake sees little visitors. The reason for this is not only its remote location but also due to the fact that Kazakhstan is largely untouched by international tourism companies.

I was fortunate enough to witness Kaindy Lake in winter, but I can’t wait to go back there during spring or summer.

14. Explore Charyn Canyon

While the Charyn Canyon National Park is not necessarily close to Almaty, I firmly believe that it’s worth mentioning in any guide that involves the best things to do in Almaty.

Often nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Kazakhstan due to its twin-like similarities, the Charyn Canyon National Park is truly an impressive destination to explore.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by the most striking views of the ‘Valley of Castles’, a 150-metre deep canyon that was shaped out of the rough steppe terrain, following more than a million years of erosion.

From the parking lot, you can explore the entire left flank of the canyon walls, which I obviously advise you to do – some of the best vistas are obtained exactly here! However, note that it gets extremely steeps at times, so please be cautious.

While these views are definitely the highlight of your visit, it is also possible to roam endlessly between the deep-orange sandstone rock formations of the canyon. A dusty path takes you along several eye-catching rock formations, before ending up at a valley next to the idyllic Charyn River.

Due to its remote location at roughly 200 kilometres east of Almaty, Charyn Canyon is best explored on a multiple-day trip. By doing so, you can easily combine it with other destinations of Almaty’s famous Golden Triangle, such as Altyn-Emel National Park, Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake.

Also, don’t forget to bring lunch, snacks and sufficient amounts of drinking water, Charyn Canyon can be significantly warm during the peak summer months.

15. Admire the incredible Kolsai Lakes

Locally known as ‘the pearl of the northern Tien Shan’, the Kolsai lakes are an impressive series of three mirror-like mountain lakes.

Accompanied by robust pine trees, dense meadows and snowy mountain peaks, these crystal clear lakes often reflect the beauty that surrounds them, making it a stunning scene to take in.

For those after adventure, there is a trail that takes you all the way to the second and third lakes. Though I didn’t follow the trail myself, I’ve read that it’s pretty awesome.

What I did do, and advise you to do too, is take a walk around the first lake, which grants several excellent viewpoints, especially on the significantly higher right side of the trail.

And while the left side has a trail too, I wouldn’t advise you to walk it, this side is densely forested and therefore quite a challenge. If you do so, please be careful.

As with many tourist attractions in Kazakhstan, the Kolsai Lakes are truly a place of tranquillity, and when visiting during the week, you’ll most likely end up there completely alone.

If you’re thinking of visiting the Kolsai Lakes as part of an organised tour, the chances are high that it will be during the weekend. At first, this option sounds great, but it often means that you have limited time and share the lake with large groups of local tourists.