One of the oldest parks in Almaty, founded in Soviet times and named after the writer Maxim Gorky. There are many green alleys, attractions, cafes and sports grounds. The park also houses the Almaty Zoo, where you can see animals from all over the world. In the summer, there is a boat station, bicycle and roller tracks. This is a great place for family recreation, walks in the fresh air and meetings with friends.

• Location: Gogol Street area, not far from the Malaya Almatinka River. View on Google Maps.
• Hours: The park is open 24 hours a day, attractions and establishments inside have their own operating hours.
• Official website: almatycentralpark.kz
• Interesting fact: The park has been reconstructed several times, but has preserved some of the old alleys and historical trees.
• Advice: Be sure to visit the zoo if you are traveling with children - there are petting zoos and a terrarium.
• Excursions: Rarely conducted in a guided format, but you can join group walks around the park.

The Almaty Metro is one of the youngest metros in the CIS (opened in 2011), but is already recognized as one of the most beautiful due to the design of its stations. Each station has its own stylistic concept, reflecting the peculiarities of Kazakh culture and history. Marble columns, national ornaments, stained glass windows and panels create the impression that you are in an underground art gallery. The metro is also fast and convenient for moving around the city.

• Location: Central districts of Almaty, lines are limited to a few stations for now, but are expanding.
• Schedule: Usually runs from 6:00 to 24:00, train intervals are about 10 minutes.
• Official website: metroalmaty.kz
• Interesting fact: At the stations "Zhibek Zholy" and "Almaly" you can see thematic mosaics and bas-reliefs on historical themes.
• Tip: Take a ride along the entire route - this way you will appreciate the different design solutions at the stations.
• Excursions: Sometimes they organize special tours "Along the beauty of the dungeon", introducing the architecture of the stations.

The Charyn Canyon is called the "younger brother" of the Grand Canyon due to the similar shapes of rock formations created by wind and water. The canyon is about 154 km long, and in some places the depth reaches 300 meters. The most famous part is the "Valley of Castles", where red-orange rocks take the shape of towers and fortress walls. The landscapes are especially spectacular at sunset, when the sunlight emphasizes the contrast of shades. At the foot of the canyon flows the Charyn River, around which relict ash forests grow.

• Location: About 200 km east of Almaty, on the territory of Charyn National Park. View on Google Maps.
• Schedule: Open all year round, but the most comfortable time to visit is spring and autumn.
• Official website: No, information is available from tour operators and at the park ticket offices.
• Interesting fact: The age of the canyon rocks is about 12 million years.
• Advice: Take comfortable shoes and a supply of water, as the descent and ascent along the canyon are quite tiring.
• Excursions: One-day excursions to the Charyn Canyon are offered.

Big Almaty Lake is a mountain reservoir located at an altitude of about 2511 m in the Zailiysky Alatau, just 15 km south of the city center. The lake impresses with its turquoise water, surrounded by high ridges covered with pine forests. It is one of the most photographed places in the vicinity of Almaty. There are trekking routes around the lake, allowing you to enjoy the scenery and breathe in the purest mountain air.

• Location: Southern outskirts of Almaty, route through the Bolshaya Almatinka River gorge. View on Google Maps.
• Schedule: Available all year round, but access road may be restricted in winter.
• Official website: No, up-to-date information is available from local guides and weather portals.
• Fun fact: The lake is a source of drinking water, so swimming is prohibited.
• Tip: Bring warm clothes - even in summer the mountains can be chilly, and the weather changes quickly.
• Excursions: Day trips to the lake, often combined with visits to observation platforms and nearby peaks.

Shymbulak is the main ski resort in Kazakhstan, located in the Zailiyskiy Alatau gorge near Medeo. The resort offers trails of varying difficulty, from green to black, and a well-developed infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, equipment rental. The cable car takes guests from Medeo to a height of over 2,200 m in a matter of minutes, opening up breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys. In summer, Shymbulak is popular for hiking and paragliding.

• Location: About 25 km from the center of Almaty, in the Shymbulak tract. View on Google Maps.
• Schedule: Winter is the ski season (December - April), summer is the time for hiking and active recreation.
• Official website: shymbulak.com
• Interesting fact: At the very top of the resort is the Talgar Pass station (3200 m), from where a 360-degree panorama opens.
• Advice: Buy a ski pass in advance on weekends to avoid queues for the cable car.
• Excursions: Sports and travel agencies in Almaty offer combined tours "Medeo - Shymbulak".

The Almaty Botanical Garden is a green oasis within the city, founded in 1932. It features thousands of plant species from around the world: from subtropical palms and cacti in greenhouses to rare species of conifers and deciduous trees in the open air. Well-kept paths, flower beds and small ponds allow you to enjoy the calm atmosphere and take a break from the bustle of the city. The garden also has scientific value, conducting research in the field of botany and biodiversity conservation.

• Location: Timiryazev-Auezov district, near the Kazakh National University. View on Google Maps.
• Hours: Open from spring to autumn, limited visiting hours are possible at other times.
• Official website: www.botsad.kz
• Interesting fact: There are scientific greenhouses on the territory, where exotic tropical plants are grown.
• Tip: The garden is especially beautiful in early spring, when alpine flowers and sakura blossom.
• Excursions: Sometimes there are ecological quests for children and walks with a botanist guide.

Terrainkur is a specially equipped walking path that runs along the picturesque slopes near the Malaya Almatinka River. It is intended for therapeutic and health walks and Nordic walking: signs indicate the distances, recommended pace and therapeutic features of the route. The road is surrounded by dense vegetation, benches and recreation areas. Terrain Cur is popular with city residents who lead a healthy lifestyle, as well as with tourists who want to enjoy the mountain air within the city.

• Location: Malaisary Gorge, near the Malaya Almatinka tract, actually inside the city. View on Google Maps.
• Schedule: Open 24/7, the best time for walks is morning or late evening.
• Official website: No, information is available from sports clubs and local enthusiasts.
• Interesting fact: The trail has special panoramic points and routes of varying difficulty (from easy to medium).
• Advice: Bring water and wear comfortable shoes - the surface is uneven in places.
• Excursions: Usually independent walks, but some fitness groups organize collective terrain cure.

Panfilov Alley, better known as "Arbat", is a pedestrian street in the heart of the city, a popular place for walks, meetings and street culture. Here you can see street musicians, artists, artisans, located along the paths and offering their works. Cafes, coffee shops and shops make "Arbat" one of the main city attractions in a modern style. In the evenings, open-air concerts and other events are often held here.

• Location: Zhibek Zholy Street, from Dostyk Avenue to Abylay Khan Street. View on Google Maps.
• Schedule: 24 hours, most active after 5:00 PM and on weekends.
• Official website: No, this is a free pedestrian zone.
• Fun fact: The name "Panfilov Alley" is adjacent to the nickname "Arbat" by analogy with the famous Moscow street.
• Tip: A great place to buy original souvenirs from local artists and artisans.
• Tours: Usually end or start here, giving tourists the opportunity to rest and have a coffee.