Almaty tourist information | Holidays to Almaty

Flight & airport info

See what people from around the world are saying about cities we fly to and from

Useynov: @districtoflucky dude, get back to almaty, there is less cottage cheese in here :)
about 11 hours ago
iDrRKbajiya: bizzare weather in almaty,yesterday was 13 but today -4 http://tweetphoto.com/15088590
1 day ago
zinapetrovna: This craft fair seams 2 be nice. Almaty, do not miss it, if want some traditional hand craft at home: http://www.ayala.kz/nauryz2010_eng.php
1 day ago

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Obscure, exotic and staggeringly beautiful, a decade-long oil boom has transformed Kazakhstan's former capital into a thriving metropolis. Find Soviet memorabilia in its heaving bazaars, see the city lights from a cable car, or relax in one of its many bathhouses.

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Currency

Tenge (KZT)

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Visa Requirements

Visas are essential for all US, EU and Commonwealth citizens and must be purchased before travel.

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Language

Kazakh, Russian

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Timezone

Kazakh, Russian

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Weather

Summer temperatures can reach 30°C or above, and can drop to -10°C in January. Moderate temperatures in May and June make this the best time to visit

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Dialling Code

00 7 (followed by the city code 727)

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Electricity

220V. European two-pin plugs are standard

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Health and Safety

Ambulance and emergency services are free but very basic, making comprehensive travel and medical insurance cover essential

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Useful Links

Ambulance and emergency services are free but very basic, making comprehensive travel and medical insurance cover essential

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Flights to Almaty arrive at the recently refurbished Almaty International Airport, situated 11 miles north of the city. Buses will get you into the centre cheaply - and the upmarket hotels operate their own shuttles - but with a half hour taxi journey costing around 6,900KZT (40 Euro), you might prefer to travel in (relative) style.

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The Arasan Baths

The Arasan Baths (Tulebayeva St 78, 007 327 272 4671): Set in a five-storey domed building, this traditional bath house has Russian (steam), Finnish (dry) and Turkish baths - complete with heated stone platforms at differing heights. There's also a domed plunge-pool for cooling down, and private banya for the decadent or the shy.

Address: 78 Tulebaeva St. corner Aiteke Bi
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Tel No:007 327 272 4671

The Kok Tobe Cable Car

The Kok Tobe Cable Car (Prospect Dostyk 104A, 007 327 320 1201): Take in the full city panorama from the Palace of the Republic up to the 372m telecoms tower by cable car, which operates until midnight (and into the early hours at weekends). Do what the locals do and stop for beer and shashlik at the open-air viewing platform.

Address: Prospect Dostyk 104A, Kok Tobe
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The Green Bazaar

The Green Bazaar (Zhibek Zholy St 53): This colourful market offers exotic sun-ripened fruit and vegetables from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as souvenirs, bric-a-brac and a staggering array of household goods. If the bustle and chaos here doesn't faze you, you're probably ready for the Barakholka Chinese market on the outskirts of town.

Address: Zhibek Zholy St 53
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Quick Lunch - Dastarkhan

Renowned for the city's best Kazakh and Russian cuisine, Dastarkhan (Shevchenko St, 75, 007 372 272 1317) offers a dedicated high-speed service lunchtime menu.

Address: Shevchenko St
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Tel No:75, 007 372 272 1317

Top Table - Bellagio

Head out towards the Medeu ski resort for world class Italian cooking at the city's most exclusive restaurant, Bellagio (Gronaya St 197, 007 327 250 2500). You'll be in good company: previous guests have included Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Vladimir Putin and Bill Clinton.

Address: Gronaya St 197
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Tel No:007 327 250 2500

Cheap Eat - Le Jardin

Le Jardin (Saptayev St 10, 007 327 262 7683) Great value classic French cooking means you'll find budget travellers amidst the business clientele here.

Address: Saptayev St 10
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Tel No:007 327 262 7683

On Business - Holiday Inn

The new Holiday Inn, situated in the main business district, offers a well-known brand of western creature comforts, a gym and Wi-Fi.

Book now

Address: Timiryazeva Street No 10
Post Code:480000
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Lap Of Luxury - InterContinental

The InterContinental has all the five-star opulence you'd expect, but it's the details (exotic dried fruit in your room on arrival) that make this hotel stand out. Spend at least one afternoon wallowing in its Ankara Spa.

Book now

Address: 181 Zheltoksan Street
Post Code:480013
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Cheap Sleep - Ambassador Hotel

It gets pretty lively at times, but the Ambassador Hotel is a well-priced Turkish-run venue with Internet access and room service, ideally situated in the centre of town.

Book now

Address: 121 Zheltoksan Str
Post Code:480091
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Coffee And Chat - John's Coffee

John's Coffee, located in the main business district (Saptayev St 11a, 007 727 292 5076), keeps the workers in coffee and pastries from 8am.

Address: Saptayev St 11a
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Tel No:007 727 292 5076

Formal Presentation - Belvedere Grill Room

Host a private meeting over lunch with stunning views from the InterContinental's rooftop Belvedere Grill Room (Zheltoksan Street 181, 007 727 250 5000).

Address: Zheltoksan Street 181
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Tel No:007 727 250 5000

Evening Drinks - Line Brew

The after-work crowd gathers for Belgian beer at Line Brew (Furmanov St, 187, 007 327 250 7985). It's one of the most popular watering holes in the city.

Address: Furmanov St
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Tel No:187, 007 327 250 7985