I didn’t expect to fall in love with Almaty the way I did. There’s something about this city — the way it sits right at the foot of the mountains, the smell of roasted coffee mixing with pine trees, the mix of Soviet nostalgia and modern cool — that makes it feel alive.
Almaty isn’t the capital of Kazakhstan anymore, but it still feels like the country’s heart. It’s the kind of place where you can spend your morning hiking up a mountain trail and your evening sipping wine in a rooftop bar with the city lights spread out below you.
🏔 First Stop: Kok Tobe Hill
If you only have one evening in Almaty, Kok Tobe is the spot. You take this adorable cable car from downtown, floating right above the city. At the top, there’s a view that’ll make you quiet for a minute — all of Almaty stretched out below, framed by snow-capped peaks.
There’s a little amusement park, a Beatles statue (yes, seriously), and a few restaurants. Grab a drink, watch the sunset, and just let the moment soak in.
💧 Bigger Almaty Lake – The Dreamy Blue Gem
About 40 minutes outside the city, you’ll find Big Almaty Lake — and I swear it looks photoshopped. The color changes depending on the season and the light, from icy blue to deep turquoise. It’s high in the mountains, surrounded by pine forests and silence.
You can’t swim in it (it’s part of a water reserve), but standing there, breathing that crisp mountain air, you won’t even care. Just bring warm clothes — it’s cold up there even in summer!
If you have time, take a day (or two) to explore beyond the city:
- Charyn Canyon – Kazakhstan’s own mini Grand Canyon, wild and otherworldly.
- Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes – postcard-perfect alpine lakes where the trees literally grow out of the water.
- Tamgaly Petroglyphs – ancient rock carvings that make you feel tiny in time.
Almaty isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t try too hard to impress — it just is. A city with a heartbeat, framed by mountains, filled with kind people and endless stories.
