Walking Around Almaty: Top Attractions & City Center Tour
Walking Around Almaty
Almaty, Kazakhstan’s former capital, had a much different feel than the other cities I visited during my time in Kazakhstan. While Astana, Turkistan, and Aktau felt very foreign, Almaty felt like I was in an Eastern European city—think Bucharest or Zagreb. While I used Almaty as a hub for two marathon day tours, I also enjoyed spending some time walking around Almaty, taking in the sights of Kazakhstan’s largest city and noting the many things to do in Almaty on foot.
This self-guided Almaty walking tour focuses on easy, photogenic Almaty attractions—a simple Almaty city center walk that hits the highlights. If you’re building an Almaty itinerary, these are classic places to visit.
Walking Around Almaty: Top Attractions & City Center Tour - Table of Contents
- Walking Around Almaty
- Getting Around Almaty
- Kok-Tobe
- Green Space in Almaty
- Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre
- Panfilov Pedestrian Street
- Ascension Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- The Green Bazaar
- Central Almaty Mosque
- Almaty Day Trips: Charyn Canyon, Kolsay & Kaindy, Altyn-Emel
- I’M (McDonald’s Rebrand) in Kazakhstan
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Walking Tours of Almaty
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Getting Around Almaty
Almaty is full of hills and I quickly learned that walking was not always the easiest way to get around.
Using Yandex Go in Almaty (Scooters & Rideshare)
In Almaty, walk when the sidewalk is flat or downhill, and rent a Yandex Go scooter when the walking path becomes inclined. A Yandex Go scooter can easily be rented through the Yandex Go app and costs just a few dollars per ride.
Uber is not available in Almaty, so when I wanted to go further than walking or a scooter allowed, I used the rideshare app Yandex Go. A ride almost always cost less than $10 and I found the drivers to be helpful and friendly despite the majority of them not speaking English.
Kok-Tobe
The highlight of my time in Almaty was a trip to the Kok-Tobe Cable Car which took me to the top of Kok-Tobe Hill. It’s also one of the most popular places to visit in Almaty for first-time visitors.
Kok-Tobe Cable Car Tickets & Ride Time
After walking from my hotel to the ticket office, I purchased a round-trip Kok-Tobe Cable Car ticket for ₸8,000. For those who want to take the cable car to the top and then walk back, the cost of a one-way ticket is ₸4,500.
The ride to the top of Kok-Tobe Hill takes around 6 minutes and provides the best views in Almaty. Once at the top, there are multiple viewpoints that provide panoramic views of the entire city.
I ate lunch at one of the Kok-Tobe restaurants, and then walked the length of the amusement park towards the Almaty Television Tower.
Kok-Tobe Viewpoints, Beatles Monument & Almaty TV Tower
After enjoying the stunning views of Almaty, I stopped by the Beatles Monument.
I couldn’t figure out how to access the tower, as all of the walkways were blocked off. After asking a few people, I learned that the Almaty Television Tower is closed to the public. The tower is still used for broadcasting but is not open to visitors, and there are no confirmed plans to reopen it.
I walked back along the Kok-Tobe mini zoo and then was surprised to see that the Kok-Tobe Cable Car had closed due to a mechanical issue. It took about an hour to solve the issue and then 6 minutes later, I was back at ground level.
In this video, I ride the Kok Tobe Cable Car up to Kok Tobe Hill, enjoy the views over Almaty, grab a bite at the hilltop restaurant, and wander through the small amusement park. I stop by the Beatles statue, walk past the Kok Tobe mini zoo, and then take the cable car back down to the city.
Green Space in Almaty
After leaving Kok-Tobe, I set out towards Panfilov Pedestrian Street and the Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Along the way, I was impressed by the huge amount of green space.
Parks, Tree-Lined Paths & Green Spaces in Almaty
It seemed like every block there was another public park, square, or walking/bicycle path lined with trees and greenery. While I didn’t catch the name of all of parks, it definitely did not feel like I was in Kazakhstan’s largest city.
Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre
The Abay Kazakh National Opera House and Ballet Theatre is located at the beginning of the Panfilov Pedestrian Street. It was not a marked stop on my Almaty walking tour, but a happy coincidence that I happened to spot it.
Constructed during the height of the USSR, the building features a mix of Stalinist and Italian Neoclassical architecture. I did not go inside the opera house, but did photograph both the opera house and the fountain from the outside.
Panfilov Pedestrian Street
From the opera house, I crossed the street to get to the Panfilov Pedestrian Street. Also known as the Panfilov Street Promenade, this classic Almaty city center walk was created by the Almaty City Maslihat after studying some of the finest pedestrian promenades around the world including La Rambla in Barcelona, Spain.
I walked almost the entire length of the Panfilov Promenade starting at the Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre and finishing where Panfilov Street leads into Panfilov Park, home to the Zenkov (Ascension) Cathedral.
Panfilov Street Promenade: Public Art & Apple Sculptures
Along the way, I enjoyed photographing the large painted apples. Almaty is known as the city of apples and there were quite a few of these sculptures along the promenade.
Ascension Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Panfilov Street eventually leads into Panfilov Park, which is the location of the Ascension Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Although most people in Kazakhstan are Muslim, it is easy to see the influence of the Soviet Union when visiting the cathedral.
Zenkov (Ascension) Cathedral in Panfilov Park
The Ascension Russian Orthodox Cathedral is unique as it was built without the use of any nails. Completed in 1907, the cathedral is the second tallest wooden church in the world.
During my visit, there was a small wedding ceremony taking place in the cathedral. Despite the wedding, the security person insisted that I could go inside the cathedral and look around. I tried to do so respectfully without interfering with the wedding ceremony.
The Green Bazaar
Continuing onward with my walking tour of Almaty, I next came across the Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazaar). The Green Bazaar is a large market that dates back to 1875 and is one of the most lively Almaty attractions.
Although the original Green Bazaar was destroyed by an earthquake, the current bazaar is still a great place to buy traditional Kazakhstani items including foods, textiles, clothing, antiques, and souvenirs.
Shopping at Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazaar) in Almaty
Be ready to bargain as prices are not marked on items at the Green Bazaar. I particularly enjoyed walking through the fringe markets at the edge of the Green Bazaar. Those locations have some of the best deals and most interesting items.
Be sure to walk through the food market and check out the vendors selling a variety of meats, vegetables, spices, and dried fruit.
Central Almaty Mosque
The final stop on my walking tour of Almaty was the Central Almaty Mosque. This mosque replaced the Tatar Mosque which dated back to 1890. The Central Mosque of Almaty was completed in 1999 and can hold upwards of 3,000 worshippers.
While I did not go inside the Central Mosque of Almaty, I did enjoy walking around the perimeter and admiring the dome which is decorated by verses of the Koran.
Almaty Day Trips: Charyn Canyon, Kolsay & Kaindy, Altyn-Emel
Despite spending five nights in Almaty, I did not have a lot of time for walking around the city. I used Almaty as the hub for two marathon day tours. First, I toured Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake, and Kaindy Lake. This tour lasted just under 19 hours.
The other day tour that I took was to Altyn-Emel National Park where I saw the colorful Aktau Chalk Mountains and the Singing Dune. This tour took around 17 hours.
Tour Options From Viator
If you are interested in either of these day tours from Almaty I have linked them below. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional charge to you.
Rest Day at Hotel Kazakhstan
After these two tours, I definitely needed a rest day and spent my final day mostly relaxing at Hotel Kazakhstan, my hotel, without walking around Almaty.
I’M (McDonald’s Rebrand) in Kazakhstan
I did have my first experience in Almaty with Kazakhstan’s rebranded McDonald’s restaurant. In Kazakhstan, McDonald’s is known as I’M. Once inside, everything was the same as McDonald’s including the ordering kiosks, decorations and menu.
Conclusion
Almaty blends mountain views, Soviet-era architecture, lively markets, and leafy promenades making it easy for travelers who enjoy exploring on foot. Whether you’re riding the Kok-Tobe Cable Car, wandering the Panfilov Street Promenade, stepping inside Zenkov (Ascension) Cathedral, bargaining at the Green Bazaar, or admiring the Central Mosque of Almaty, walking around Almaty is a rewarding way to experience the city between epic Almaty day trips to Kazakhstan’s natural wonders.
For a quick Almaty travel guide and more ideas across Kazakhstan, browse my Kazakhstan travel blog.
FAQs: Walking Around Almaty
Is Uber available in Almaty?
No—Uber is not available in Almaty. Use Yandex Go for rideshares and scooter rentals via the Yandex Go app.
How much is the Kok-Tobe Cable Car in Almaty?
Round-trip Kok-Tobe Cable Car tickets are typically around ₸8,000, and one-way tickets are about ₸4,500. The cable car ride takes roughly 6 minutes and offers some of the best views in Almaty.
What is Panfilov Street Promenade?
The Panfilov Street Promenade (often called Panfilov Pedestrian Street) is a redesigned pedestrian boulevard in central Almaty with cafés, public art, and easy access to Panfilov Park.
Can you visit the Almaty Television Tower?
No—while the Almaty TV Tower is an iconic landmark, it is not open to the public. You’ll get great photo angles of the tower from Kok-Tobe Hill.
Is Zenkov Cathedral the same as Ascension Cathedral?
Yes—Zenkov Cathedral is also known as the Ascension Russian Orthodox Cathedral. It’s a wooden church completed in 1907 and a top Almaty attraction in Panfilov Park.
What can you buy at the Green (Zelyony) Bazaar?
Expect local foods, spices, dried fruits, textiles, clothing, antiques, and souvenirs. Prices aren’t always marked, so bargaining at Green Bazaar Almaty is common.
Is Almaty a good base for day trips?
Yes—many travelers use Almaty as a base for Almaty day trips to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay & Kaindy Lakes, and Altyn-Emel National Park (including the Singing Dune and Aktau Mountains).
Walking Tours of Almaty
I did not feel like I needed a guide to enjoy walking around Almaty. For those that prefer being led around by a local guide, I have linked some tour options below. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
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