Wanted to try a city in a country that none of your friends have visited and you only have a short time to do so? No worries, here is what I think you should do if you have only 5 days in Almaty!
Before you get there
Download the appropriate apps
Yandex is Kazakhstan’s Uber equivalent and has a very streamlined booking process. It links in with Apple Pay if you’re on iPhone. It’s safe and usually much cheaper than private taxis. My recent trip from the airport to a hotel near Dostyk Plaza cost me 3,339Tg (~US$7). A private taxi will usually try to charge you at least triple that. Download Yandex at the App Store or Google Play.
I suggest you also download 2gis, as an alternative to Google Maps. While Google does function here and is improving, its still not the most accurate mapping app. Also 2gis gives you the ability to order a Yandex taxi to destinations that you find on its app. Download it at the App Store or Google Play.
May I also suggest you download a good translation app. My preferred is Google Translate because you can take a photo of a sign or label and it translates the text in the photo for you quickly. Download Google Translate at the App Store or Google Play.
Book a hotel in a great location
Almaty is incredibly walkable if you’re in the right spot but it does have some crazy moments with traffic. When you are only in Almaty for 5 days the location is important, so I recommend you choose it with care. When I lived in Almaty we stayed near the intersection of Al Farabi and Dostyk Ave. This area is ideal – the roads are arterial and can easily get you out of the city (to the airport, to Shymbulak etc). You are also close to several shopping centres and landmarks. In February 2026 I stayed in Terrenkur Boutique Hotel which had a brilliant location. It was situated along the gorgeous Terrenkur river path (one of my favourite areas in the city!), located just downhill from a great shopping centre, Dostyk Plaza.
Other good locations would be anywhere along Dostyk Avenue (such as Kazakhstan Hotel or Novotel Almaty) or near the Opera and Ballet House (such as Almaty Hotel – which boasts one of the greatest views of the city). If you’re planning to visit the mountain resorts, then you may wish to stay a night in the mountain. Please check out my reviews of the hotels in Shymbulak, Oi Qaragai and Ak Bulak.
Day 1 – Preparations
While the Air Asia flight that we use to travel to Almaty has a very civilised arrival time of 6pm, most flights into this glittering central asian city arrive after midnight. Give your body time to acclimatise to the difference in time, and the height above sea level, and also to recuperate after your long journey. However, let’s not forget you only have 5 days to enjoy Almaty so let’s use this initial time wisely! One easy task is to visit the Abay Opera and Ballet Theatre box office to check for upcoming shows. I have learnt the hard way that they don’t publish their full calendar online. If any shows that interest you are playing while you’re in town, buy the tickets now! The schedules are printed and placed on the walls of the ticket office in English, Kazakh and Russian. For more information check out my Abay Opera Theatre post.
After visiting the opera theatre, take a walk down to the city’s oldest modern supermarket, the charming Stolichny. They bake their loaves fresh every day. There are a number of great eateries in this area too, so eat, drink and wander.
Finally, take a Yandex across to the newly opened Almaty Museum of Arts to take a look at their exhibits. Or head back to your hotel and get some rest!
Day 2-3 – Get into the mountains
If you’re lucky enough to be here in winter set aside 2-3 days for skiing. The Almaty ski season stretches from December till April, and there are a number of mountain resorts to choose from. If you’re skiing at the beginning or end of the season then choose Shymbulak Mountain Resort. With an altitude of 3,200m at its peak, Shymbulak will likely provide you the most reliable snow. Oi Qaragai and Ak Bulak are lower altitude but also fun. If you have 5 days in Almaty to work with you can definitely visit more than one resort. It’s possible to do day trips to any of the resorts, as I did on my recent visit, or you can stay on the mountain overnight. You can rent ski gear and equipment either in the city at Skadi or at one of the rental locations at the resorts. If you need lessons, book them. All the resorts have ski schools, and instructors speaking English, as well as Kazakh and Russian. Instructors can be booked either via the resorts’ app, or you can visit the ski schools in person.
Summer visitors, you could try some hiking. Please do be aware of the mountains and keep to known paths, or get a local guide.
Day 3 – Enjoy the food
You must eat some Central Asian food on one of your 5 days in Almaty. Try Auyl, near the base of the Shymbulak gondola. If you’re ok sitting on the floor, you can choose to sit at one of the low tables. In the city there are some wonderful options such as Sandyq or one of the many Navat restaurants. Take note that Sandyq does not serve alcohol. If you’re there in the summer months, please do check out Alasha, just to witness their spectacular evening shows.
If you manage to get tickets to the Opera and Ballet Theatre, there are several excellent eateries nearby: Afisha, The Bottle, Ogenok, and Del Papa (one of my family’s favourites when we lived in Almaty!). There are plenty of others that I’ve not eaten at myself but the recommendations are all good.
And I almost forgot about horse meat! If you wish to try horse then most restaurants will sell horse in either bishbarmak (a traditional noodle and broth dish) or as a steak. I also once had the most delicious horse meat and mango salad at a restaurant called Dushes. Keep your eyes peeled when perusing the menus for novel dishes in which horse meat can be served.
While you’re out and about, you might consider visiting a karaoke venue! It’s super popular in Kazakhstan, and you can hire a private room for you and your friends. I recommend one of the many Ris Karaoke spots with their fun themed rooms. Those brave souls who don’t mind doing it in front of a crowd are welcome to choose the general area.
Day 4 – Relax in the City
Visit the Bath House
After a few days of skiing or hiking you may be feeling tight and tired. I’d recommend visiting the iconic bathhouse, Arasan. Arasan is segregated by gender so the women’s area is separate to the mens. The general etiquette is to sauna and bathe naked, but to wrap up in a sheet for inbetween, and in the restaurant. Aim to spend at least 2 hours here and go in the morning, before the crowds. If you wish to do a treatment, may I recommend a very nice scrub called “coffee with cream peel” (not the corn husk one or the dry peel! They are VERY abrasive!). There are plenty of other wellness centres in Almaty that are mixed (so you must wear a swim suit). Check out my Arasan post to find out more details.
Walk in the Park
After refreshing your body and soul at the bathhouse, you can pop across the street to visit Panfilov Park, home to 2 incredible sites: the first being Zenkovs Cathedral, purportedly the second tallest wooden cathedral in the world, and the second is one of the most magnificent wartime memorials I’ve ever seen. Having been raised on Australia’s recording of modern history, its interesting to see the ways Kazakhstan remembers its recent past, including some slightly different war dates to the ones I learned!
Wander the Fair Ground
Later that afternoon I suggest you wander up to Kok Tobe. You may take the cable car up from Abai Square, next to Novotel Almaty, or you could walk up from the Terrenkur (there are some exceptional photo spots on the pedestrian path up the hill), or there is a bus which you can take from the car park at the base of the hill. While you’re up there, explore the fairground, take a ride on the ferris wheel, buy a vegetable cup from one of the ladies to feed the zoo animals, and get a photo with the brass Beatles statue (a fairly random thing to find in Almaty!). If you’re hungry, eat dinner at Abai Restaurant and check out the beautiful view from its terrace.
Day 5 – Shop at the Bazaar
You must visit Green Bazaar, which can be done at the end of your 5 day stay in Almaty. Start with a coffee at Bowler Cafe, up above the action on on of the four main pillars of the hall. Try one of their delicious dutch pancakes – I would recommend the bacon and leek pancake (non-pork eaters can opt for turkey bacon). They’re absolutely massive, so you might want to share one. Once you’re fed and watered, then peruse the food hall from the vantage point of your seat before you head downstairs. The meat section is a particular favourite area of mine to wander through. Many of the vendors in the cheese and nut aisles will happily give you a taste of their wares. For gifts, go through the side door behind the Korean food stalls, and check out the tourist shops. Check out my Green Bazaar post for more details.
On Departure
Your 5 day excursion to Almaty is at an end! Reflect on your time in this rapidly growing city as you wait for your midnight or early hours flight out of here. If you wish, it helps the local businesses enormously if you review them on are your preferred platforms.
What do I know about Kazakhstan?
I lived in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s former capital, for almost 4 years and was a regular at most the places I’ve recommended. I can confirm that this itinerary is doable – I did most of it on my own recent 5 day trip to Almaty! Please check out my About Me page to understand more about my perspective.
Check out my other Almaty posts
- Why visiting Abay Opera Theatre is a great idea
- How to get the most out your visit to Arasan
- What to see when you visit Almaty’s Panfilov Park
- Visiting Kok Tobe: What to expect and how to have a great time
- The best places for beginners to try horse meat
- Fly to Almaty from Perth: A review of the new Air Asia route
- The best time of year to visit Almaty
- Kazakhstan should make your list for great ski destinations
- Why I think Kazakhstan is safe to travel to
- Almaty’s Green Bazaar: Planning a great visit there
- The best way to enjoy Nauryz in Kazakhstan
- The best way to visit Charyn Canyon
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