Activities in Almaty

The Almaty Metro is Central Asia's first underground metro system, opened in 2011 after decades of construction. Its nine stations are decorated in a lavish style reminiscent of Moscow and St Petersburg metro stations, making it an attraction in its own right.

Medeu is the world's highest outdoor speed-skating rink, located 1,691 metres above sea level in a mountain valley 15 km south of Almaty. The 10,500-seat venue has hosted over 200 world records and serves as a starting point for the Shymbulak gondola.

Shymbulak (Chimbulak) is Almaty's premier ski resort, sitting between 2,260 and 3,163 metres in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains. A modern gondola connects it to the Medeu skating rink below, offering year-round mountain access.

Soviet-era permanent circus tent hosting acrobatic shows, equestrian acts, and Kazakh eagle performances..

The Arasan Bathhouse is a grand public bathing complex in central Almaty, offering Russian steam baths, Finnish saunas, and Eastern-style hammams under one ornamental roof. It's a cherished local institution and one of the finest bathhouses in Central Asia.

Budget-friendly ski resort 30 minutes from Almaty with snowboarding, tubing, and mountain restaurants..

Eagle-hunting demonstration centre in the foothills showing traditional Kazakh berkutchi hunting with golden eagles..

Popular hiking trail from Medeu to a mountain waterfall through alpine meadows, accessible as a half-day trip..