Sightseeing in Almaty - what to see. Complete travel guide

Alma Ata was the capital of Kazakhstan until 1997. This is wonderfully beautiful, hospitable and interesting city. It is also a large scientific and political center. Within latest years the city has become a popular destination among tourists who want to dive into Asian culture. Alma Ata has won the right to be called the cultural capital of the country as here are opened 14 theatres, 2 philharmonics, 7 concert halls, 32 museums, 13 historical ensembles and countless monuments, architectural complexes, cinemas and other cultural places.

Kok-Tube hill is, without a doubt, one of the most famous places in Alma Ata. The hill’s height estimates 1130 meters. You can reach the peak by car or use a cable railroad. On the top you will find Kazakhstan’s TV tower, several nature reserves and overwhelmingly beautiful groves and forests. The Republic Palace is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the country. Many concerts and festivals take place here. This place has changed its name not so long ago. Earlier the palace has been called V.I. Lenin Palace of Culture.

Among many modern sights we want to pay your attention to the Beatles monument that has been installed on the one city’s streets in 2007. This is the first monument devoted to the famous Liverpool band on the territory of ex-USSR. 28 guardsmen-panfilovets Park is known as the most picturesque region of the city. The territory of the park reaches 18 hectare. Here you will find different trees – marbles, aspens, oaks, birches and spruces. In the park are located Voznesensky Cathedral, Officer House, the Memorial of Glory, and I.V. Panfilov memorial. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The city is amazingly beautiful and its each region is decorated with parks and beautiful fountains. By the way, in Alma Ata there are over 150 fountains! The choice of cultural programs is also very wide, so you can make your rest truly unforgettable and breathtaking.

The town is perfect for outdoor activities, "Medeu" - the highest mountain-based sports complex in the world is located here. It offers visitors one of the world's largest skating rinks suitable for hockey competitions, figure skating and speed skating. This sports complex is open to public every year in the period from 1st of October to 1st of April, and there are excellent conditions for families. 

Among the prominent religious sites, of special note is the central mosque, one of the largest in Kazakhstan. The primary building material used in the construction of the mosque is white marble and its dome is lined with beautiful azure tiles. This mosque has no further luxurious décor, however, it still surprises with its size and restrained harmonious view. The mosque is able to accommodate up 7000 believers at once, and in its courtyard lies an incredibly beautiful park with lots of green spaces and benches. 

In Almaty there is a beautiful zoo, which is loved not only by families with children, but also by adult. It was opened in 1937, and today the zoo is home to over 400 species of animals brought in from different parts of the world. One of the main features of the zoo are predator birds living in it. For them, the conditions created are so favourable, that for many years the birds have breed successfully. This is not something that any zoo’s in Europe have achieved. 

The most visited cultural centre of the city is the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, in its seven huge halls there are more than 300 000 exhibits. It contains a significant part of the artefacts related to the times of the Great Patriotic War, and in the museum there is even a large collection of national costumes, musical instruments and household items. One of the most unusual exhibits is considered a Kazakh yurt, in which the conditions of classical houses of local residents has been recreated as accurately as possible. The archaeological hall is considered among the those of most interest; it has a fine collection of finds, including antique gold jewellery.