Holiday in Almaty
City in Kasachstan — tips, highlights & best time to visit
Country
Kasachstan
Type
City
Best time to travel
May to June and September to October (18-28 °C). Winter (December-February) for skiing. July/August hot (up to 35 °C).
Budget/day
45-100 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Almaty (ALA, approx. 6-9 h with a stopover in Istanbul, Dubai, or Moscow). No visa required for Germans for up to 30 days.
Deals for Almaty:
What makes Almaty special as a destination?
Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and was the capital of the country until 1997. The former capital is spectacularly located at the foot of the Tian Shan mountains at over 700 meters above sea level, surrounded by snow-capped peaks rising up to 4,979 meters. Almaty means 'city of apples' — and indeed, the wild apple (Malus sieversii), the ancestor of all cultivated apple varieties, originates from the forests around the city. The Medeo ice rink at 1,691 meters is the highest ice speed skating rink in the world, nestled in a breathtaking mountain valley. Just above it lies the Shymbulak ski resort, accessible by cable car, offering ski slopes up to 3,200 meters. The combination of a major city and a ski resort just 30 minutes apart is unique in the world. The Big Almaty Lake at 2,511 meters is a turquoise mountain lake that changes color depending on the season and light conditions. The mountain road leading there offers spectacular views of the gorge. The Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral) in Panfilov Park is one of the tallest wooden churches in the world, built in 1907 entirely without nails. The Green Bazaar is Almaty's central market featuring Central Asian specialties: dried fruits, horse meat, kumys (mare's milk), and spices. Almaty is Kazakhstan's cultural capital with museums, theaters, trendy cafes, and a vibrant nightlife — a surprisingly cosmopolitan city on the historic Silk Road.
What are the top highlights in Almaty?
The top highlights in Almaty include Medeo & Shymbulak, Big Almaty Lake, Zenkov Cathedral, Green Bazaar, Kok Tobe Viewpoint.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Medeo & Shymbulak
Highest ice speed skating rink in the world (1,691 m) and ski resort at 3,200 m: accessible by cable car in 30 minutes from the city.
Big Almaty Lake
Turquoise mountain lake at 2,511 m: changes color depending on the season, spectacular mountain backdrop.
Zenkov Cathedral
One of the tallest wooden churches in the world (1907): built entirely without nails, located in the colorful Panfilov Park.
Green Bazaar
Central Asian market with dried fruits, horse meat, kumys, and spices: the culinary heart of Almaty.
Kok Tobe Viewpoint
Hill with panoramic views over the city and the Tian Shan mountains: accessible by cable car, with an amusement park.
Hotels in Almaty
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Reise-SIM für Almaty
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Almaty?
The best time to visit Almaty is May to June and September to October (18-28 °C). Winter (December-February) for skiing. July/August hot (up to 35 °C).. 25-35 °C, warm to hot, dry with occasional thunderstorms In winter: -10 to 0 °C, cold with snow, ideal for skiing
Recommended travel time
May to June and September to October (18-28 °C). Winter (December-February) for skiing. July/August hot (up to 35 °C).
Summer
25-35 °C, warm to hot, dry with occasional thunderstorms
Winter
-10 to 0 °C, cold with snow, ideal for skiing
How much does a holiday in Almaty cost?
Budget travellers: 20-40 €/day, mid-range: 45-100 €/day, luxury: 120-300 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
20-40 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
45-100 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
120-300 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Almaty?
Flight to Almaty (ALA, approx. 6-9 h with a stopover in Istanbul, Dubai, or Moscow). No visa required for Germans for up to 30 days.
Book a package holiday to Almaty
Compare thousands of package holidays to Almaty and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Almaty?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
No visa required — Germans can stay visa-free in Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Passport must be valid for 6 months.
Kazakh Tenge (KZT) — 1 € ≈ 520 KZT. Credit cards accepted in the city, cash needed for markets and taxis.
Use the Yandex Go App — the common taxi app in Kazakhstan. Cheaper and safer than street taxis.
Mountains right at your doorstep — pack hiking shoes. Many day trips to the mountains start right at the city limits.
Visit the Green Bazaar in the morning — the largest selection and freshest goods are available early in the morning. Tasting before buying is common.
What should you eat in Almaty?
Typical specialities in Almaty: Beshbarmak — Kazakhstan's national dish: boiled meat (horse or lamb) on wide noodles with onion broth., Kumys — fermented mare's milk: traditional drink of the nomads, slightly sour and worth trying., Plov — Central Asian rice dish with lamb, carrots, and spices: hearty and aromatic., Lagman — hand-pulled noodles in a spicy vegetable-meat soup: a Silk Road classic available in every restaurant., Baursak — fried yeast dough bun: fluffy and slightly sweet, served with every tea and meal..
These specialties you must try!
