What can I do right by the city?

Ski or skate at Shymbulak and Medeu in winter, and hike to Big Almaty Lake or over the Kok-Zhailau plateau in summer — all within an hour of the centre.

When is the best time to visit?

May to October for hiking and trail running; December to March for skiing. Spring and autumn are pleasant in the city itself, with the mountains as a cool escape from summer heat.

Is it a good first stop?

Yes — Almaty has the best transport links and the widest choice of guided trips in the country, with beginner-friendly options straight from the city.

Things to do in Almaty

Kazakhstan's largest city presses right up against the Trans-Ili Alatau, so a morning in a leafy, café-lined metropolis and an afternoon on a glacier are genuinely possible. Almaty is the country's adventure gateway — the place with the airport, the guides and the mountains all in one, and a base you can ride a cable car out of straight into the high country.

Mountains from the doorstep

Skiing and snowboarding at Shymbulak and skating at Medeu in winter; hikes to Big Almaty Lake and over the Kok-Zhailau plateau, and trail running in the foothills, in summer — all within an hour of the centre and the wider Tien Shan.