Almaty, Kazakhstan: Modern Vibes & Epic Nature 17–23 June 2024
Almaty (often still called by its old name Alma-Ata) is a pleasant surprise in Central Asia. It’s a relatively large but not overwhelming city with a great balance between Soviet-era roots, traditional culture, and modern development.
City Impressions
Almaty offers a nice mix of old and new. You’ll find beautiful tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and at the same time impressive modern infrastructure, including a huge, high-quality shopping center that could easily compete with those in bigger cities.
Having my Russian-speaking girlfriend with me was a big advantage — almost everyone in Almaty speaks Russian, which made communication smooth and interactions much more enjoyable.
Food Scene
The cuisine here is very meat-heavy, similar to Mongolian and Russian styles. Horse meat is common and featured in many traditional dishes. The food is hearty, filling, and gives you plenty of energy — perfect after long days exploring.
Nature Highlights
The real highlight of my stay was a full-day nature tour outside the city:
- The famous mountain lake (with stunning turquoise water and dramatic alpine scenery)
- A dramatic rocky landscape that felt like a Grand Canyon-style area
The drive was quite long, but it was absolutely worth it. The nature in the surroundings of Almaty is huge, wild, and breathtaking (see pictures below).
Final Thoughts
Almaty feels like one of the most livable and pleasant cities in Central Asia. It has enough urban energy and modern comforts while still being surrounded by incredible nature. Six days gave me a very good impression of the city and its surroundings.
Would I recommend Almaty? Yes — definitely! It’s a great destination for those who enjoy a mix of city life and epic nature. The people are friendly, the food is unique, and the mountain landscapes are world-class. I will come back to Kazakhstan — next time I want to visit Astana (the capital) as well.
A strong recommendation for anyone exploring the region.
See below for pictures and videos from the lake, canyon-like mountains, and city life.
