Tourist Attractions in Almaty

Situated in the foothills of the Trans-lli Alatau Mountain Range, Almaty is the largest metropolitan area in Kazakhstan. It is also one of the most ancient cities, not just in the country but throughout Central Asia. It served as the capital of Kazakhstan for a long time, only to be replaced by Astana on June 10, 1998. However, Almaty still remains the country’s trading and cultural hub. Apart from this, the city is also famous for its iconic landmarks, vibrant nightlife, and abundance of natural beauty. As a result, it enthrals a large number of tourists from all over the world throughout the year. Since Almaty is beautifully nestled between Europe and Asia, sometimes it is considered one of the popular tourist places in Europe as well.

Best Places to Visit in Almaty

Like any other popular tourist destination, Almaty also leaves you spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do and places to visit. So, here is a comprehensive list of all the must-visit attractions in Almaty that can help you make the most of your trip:

• Kazakhstan Museum of Arts
• Kok-Tobe Hill
• First President’s Park
• Central Mosque
• Big Almaty Lake
• Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

Kazakhstan Museum of Arts

Although Almaty is a fascinating city full of amazing places that will grab your attention, this awe-inspiring museum definitely tops the list. The Kazakhstan Museum of Arts is famous worldwide for its large and unique art collection. From Kazakh to Russian, you can see a wide range of art forms, with modern Kazakh handicrafts being the main highlight. In short, this place gives you a chance to take a closer look at the city’s rich culture and history. So, whether you are someone with a huge interest in history or just a tourist wanting to explore all the important Almaty attractions, this is a great place to start.

Kok-Tobe Hill

Situated at an impressive height of 1100 metres, Koke-Tobe Hill is the highest point in Almaty. Located at the southeast edge of the city, this is a place that offers beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area and is one of the must-visit sightseeing places in Almaty. You will have to take a cable car ride to reach the top, and it only takes a few minutes. Although the top of Kok-Tobe Hill is among the most beautiful tourist attractions in Almaty, the journey itself is equally thrilling. It offers absolutely enchanting views of the surrounding mountains and the beautiful vineyards located below. Upon reaching there, you can indulge in several fun activities, as there is a children’s playground and a small zoo as well.

First President’s Park

Set against a spectacular mountain backdrop, the First President’s Park is another popular place for sightseeing in Almaty. Located in the southern part of the city, this urban park is at the intersection of Navoi Street and Al-Farabi Avenue in the Bostandyq District. It was opened in July 2010 and has been named after the first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Over all these years, this place has become equally popular among locals and tourists. No matter what time of the day it is, you can always find a large number of people either lazing around or taking a stroll in the park. Other than this, this park also hosts a number of fun concerts at the amphitheatre that you can attend to learn more about the local culture.

Central Mosque

Although there are hundreds of different mosques in Almaty, the Central Mosque is among the most famous ones. Built on the site of the old Tatar Mosque, this is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The foundation of this grand mosque was laid in 1993, but the construction took six long years, and it was completed in 1999. Since then, it has been an important place of worship for Islamic people in the city. Two years later, in 2001, this structure made it to the list of historical and cultural monuments of local importance in Almaty.

Originally, the main dome of this mosque was quite simple and painted in a striking blue colour. But in 2006, its renovation started, and the dome was decorated with ceramic tiles with floral engravings. After that, in 2010–2011, those floral ceramic tiles were replaced with a layer of gold plates, adding a touch of extravagance to this iconic mosque. Currently, the Central Mosque is among the best places to visit in Almaty. So, whether it’s your first trip to the city or you’ve come here before as well, a visit to this mosque is important for a soul-satisfying experience on your vacation. However, it is important that you dress up in appropriate clothes with your head, arms, and legs properly covered.

Big Almaty Lake

Surrounded by the mighty Tien Shan mountain, the Big Almaty Lake is a natural alpine reservoir. Located in the southern part of the city, this lake is one of the most famous tourist places in Almaty, known for its scenic beauty. Also referred to as Bao by the locals here, this lake serves as a major source of drinking water for the people living in Almaty. Apart from this, it is also famous as a picnic spot frequented by locals and tourists alike. In order to keep the water clean and suitable for consumption, swimming in this lake is completely prohibited. However, you can indulge in several other activities here, like sunbathing, bird watching, etc., and spend a fun-filled day.

Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

Although the list of awe-inspiring museums in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is endless, this is undoubtedly the most popular one. Located in Panfilov Park, this museum exhibits a large collection of some of the most iconic musical instruments. Here, you can find some rarely-seen instruments used in folk music, along with some traditional Kazakh instruments that are very popular. So, if you are someone who loves to know more about the culture and music of Kazakhstan, this is a tourist place in Almaty that you shouldn’t miss. The best thing is that you can not only see all those instruments but also join a brief session to learn a specific instrument of your choice.

With this list of all the important tourist attractions in Almaty, you can easily go on a vacation and make it a memorable one. At Veena World, you can find a wide range of all-inclusive Kazakhstan tour packages and avoid all the hassle that comes with planning the trip.