Holiday in Almaty

About Almaty

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.