It's about an 11-minute drive to the Kok Tobe cable car station, or you can walk it in under an hour if you fancy stretching your legs first.
Discover Authentic Almaty: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Almaty, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as Kok Tobe Park, Shymbulak and Big Almaty Lake, alongside our Mercure hotel.
Top 5 Things to Do in Almaty
Kok Tobe
Take the cable car up to Almaty's highest hill for the best skyline view in town, mountains included. It's a six-minute ride over old neighbourhoods and fruit gardens, and yes, there really is a bronze Beatles statue at the top, the first monument to the band anywhere in the former USSR.
Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazar)
This is where Almaty actually shops, not a market dressed up for visitors. The current hall dates from the 1970s but trading here goes back to 1875, and the spice section, run mostly by Kurdish vendors, piles saffron, cumin and dried peppers into small mountains of colour.
Medeu
The world's highest mountain skating rink sits at 1,691 metres, ringed by the Tian Shan peaks. Whether you skate or just stand at the rail, the setting alone is worth the trip up from the city.
Big Almaty Lake
A glacial lake at 2,511 metres with turquoise water that looks almost artificial. It's about an hour's drive from the city centre, so plan it as a half-day escape rather than a quick detour.
Panfilov Park & Zenkov Cathedral
A leafy park built around the Soviet WWII memorial to the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, with the bright wooden Zenkov Cathedral at its centre. It's one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world, and it's about a 25-minute walk from the Mercure.
Explore Almaty's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Almaty
We've mapped local spots around Almaty, from mountain escapes to the city's famous green bazaar.
Mountains & nature
Kok Tobe Park
A short cable car ride from the centre lifts you 1,100 metres up Kok Tobe Mountain: an amusement park, mini zoo, Ferris wheel and restaurants serving local food. Or simply watch the sun set over the peaks.
Kok Tobe, near the centre · Park and viewpoint · Perfect for families and sunsets
Shymbulak
A mountain resort in the Ile Alatau gorge. Ski every level in winter; in summer, hike alpine meadows, ride the gondola to the top or join a yoga class.
Ile Alatau · Mountain resort · Made for skiing and hiking
Big Almaty Lake
2,511 metres up, about 15 kilometres south of the city, in a bowl of rugged peaks. Hike there in summer; in September and October, glacier melt turns the water a startling turquoise.
15 km south of Almaty · Mountain lake · Great for hiking and photos
Gorilla Energy Park
Ziplines, skywalks, rope courses and rope jumping, plus green spaces for picnics – all with the Tien Shan mountains as backdrop.
Almaty · Adventure park · Perfect for thrill seekers and families
Markets & shopping
Kök Bazaar (Green Bazaar)
Kazakhstan's most famous market: fresh produce, herbs, crafts, textiles, souvenirs, antiques and jewellery. Chat with the vendors and taste as you go.
City centre · Market · Made for local food and souvenirs
Beepl-Ui
A concept store and coffee shop showcasing Kazakh brands – clothing, accessories, candles, skincare and art – with drinks and books for a slow break.
Almaty · Concept store and café · Perfect for gifts
Food & drink
Auyl
A 'neo-nomad' restaurant in the Medeu mountains, a short drive from Almaty, serving dishes rooted in Kazakh nomadic cooking in an artistic setting.
Medeu · Restaurant · Ideal for Kazakh cuisine
Sandyq
A restaurant devoted to centuries-old Kazakh cooking and hospitality, filled with objects from southern Kazakhstan.
Restaurant · Great for traditional food
Afisha
A cosy all-day spot built around open-fire cooking and original recipes with seasonal ingredients.
All-day restaurant · Perfect for comfort food
FAQ
Yes. It's roughly an hour's drive from the city centre, so a morning departure gives you plenty of time at the lake and back for dinner.
Go hungry and go slow. Wander the spice, dairy and produce sections, sample as you go, and expect it to be busiest, and most fun, in the morning.
Take the cable car from the city centre: a short ride brings you to the park, 1,100 metres up on Kok Tobe Mountain.
In September and October, glacier melt turns the lake a dazzling turquoise. Summer is ideal for hiking around it.
Kök Bazaar sells crafts, textiles and souvenirs alongside fresh produce, while the Beepl-Ui concept store focuses on local Kazakh brands.
Where to Sleep in Almaty
This Mercure hotel appears on our map:
- Mercure Almaty City Center