Explore Almaty, Kazakhstan: A Muslim-Friendly Destination for All Seasons

Since implementing a visa-free policy for tourists from various Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other Asian nations, Kazakhstan has become a prime destination for enjoying a four-season holiday. The beauty of this Central Asian country is even said to resemble European nations, with classic architecture, stunning natural attractions, and modern infrastructure.

Also read : Turkmenistan: The World’s Most Mysterious Country

Many cities are worth visiting, but Almaty is particularly popular among Indonesian tourists. With increasing flights to Almaty, you'll be spoiled by the city's beauty, natural landscapes, rich culture, and delicious cuisine.

Almaty is even home to world-class ski resorts and is a fantastic winter destination, freely accessible for Indonesian tourists. If you're planning a trip to Almaty, Kazakhstan, read this article to discover the interesting tourist spots you should visit.

1. Medeu: A Paradise for Skiing and Ice Skating

Image credit: Visit Almaty | Pexels

If you're looking for a winter holiday and want to experience the thrill of gliding on snow, then come to Medeu. This attraction is the world's largest high-mountain sports complex for winter sports, located at an altitude of 1,691 meters above sea level.

Here, you can enjoy ice skating and even ice hockey on the largest artificial ice rink, covering an area of 10,500 square meters. The surrounding mountain views make your time playing even more exciting and enjoyable.

Address: Gornaya St 465, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM (midnight)

2. Panfilov Park: A Historic City Park

Image credit: VISITALMATY. DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM OF ALMATY CITY Official Website

Panfilov Park is a historic city park that's interesting to visit. It's also named 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park, created to honor the 28 Panfilov soldiers who died during World War II in the Battle of Moscow. Here, you can take a leisurely stroll, enjoy the fresh air, and visit other nearby attractions like Ascension Cathedral.

Address: Baizakov St. 303, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Opening Hours: Daily, 24 hours

3. Ascension Cathedral: A Wooden Church Built Without Nails

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Still around Panfilov Park, stop by Ascension Cathedral, which is one of the tallest wooden Orthodox churches in the world. The fascinating fact is that this church uses no nails in its wooden structure, thanks to proven building technology. This church is still active today, and its appearance is truly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale, especially when snow falls.

Address: Gogol St 40в, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Monday-Friday), 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Saturday), 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Sunday)

4. Kok Tobe: Almaty's Stunning City Icon

Image credit: Aleksey Mikhalchuk | Pexels (left), Alapx | Pixabay (right)

You can't go home without visiting the iconic attraction in Almaty, Kazakhstan: Kok Tobe. This attraction is a hill at an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level, serving as a symbol of Almaty. To reach the top of Kok Tobe, you can take a cable car and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city from above.

Besides enjoying the views, savor your time by dining on typical Kazakh dishes at restaurants located at the top of Kok Tobe. There's also an amusement park with a Ferris wheel that will also give you a high-altitude view of the city.

5. Almaty Central Mosque: One of Kazakhstan's Largest Mosques

Image credit: Visit Almaty | Pexels

With a Muslim majority population, Kazakhstan has many mosques with beautiful architecture, and one of them is the Almaty Central Mosque. This mosque with its golden dome is one of the largest in Kazakhstan, capable of accommodating up to 7,000 worshippers. In the mosque's courtyard, there's a spacious area with trees, perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Address: Pushkin St 16, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Opening Hours: Daily, 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

6. Zhibek Zholy: A Favorite Spot for a Relaxing Stroll in the City Center

Image credit: Visit Almaty | Pexels

You can experience the lively atmosphere of Almaty by visiting the Zhibek Zholy area. This area is a bustling pedestrian zone and an important part of the city. Rows of green trees on both sides in summer and orange in autumn will make your walk even more enjoyable.

Rows of cafes, shops, and even malls also liven up this area, making it a favorite spot to spend leisure time. Enjoy culinary tourism and shop for clothes and souvenirs accompanied by local musicians performing popular songs.

7. Green Bazaar: A Traditional Market for Shopping

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Located in the Zhibek Zholy area, you'll find a traditional market that's always busy with locals. This market is called Green Bazaar, inaugurated in 1875, and has become an important trade point in Almaty.

For tourists, this market is often visited to hunt for affordable souvenirs, textiles, and even antiques. Not only that, since this market also sells dairy products, meat, vegetables, and various spices, you can also taste unique culinary delights such as horse meat sausage and fermented camel milk.

Address: 53 Zhibek Zholy, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

8. Central Park: The Best Place to Have Fun

Image credit: Visit Almaty | Pexels

One of the best ways to have fun in Almaty is by visiting Central Park, a cultural and recreational park that's a favorite among locals and international tourists. From playing various rides to taking leisurely strolls in flower gardens and by the lake, this park is a perfect destination for you.

In the play area, you'll be invited to see city views from above by riding the Ferris wheel and spinning on a swing ride. Bicycle paths, running tracks, and fields for playing volleyball and basketball can also be enjoyed for exercising with other visitors.

Address: Gogol St 1, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Almaty, formerly the capital of Kazakhstan, is truly fascinating with its diverse natural, historical, and cultural attractions. Make sure to add these recommended attractions to your next holiday list in Kazakhstan.

Must-Try Halal Traditional Foods in Almaty

Central Asia, home to halal-friendly destinations, is where history comes alive. And Almaty is one of the best halal-friendly destinations in Central Asia, offers a growing number of halal-certified restaurants serving both Kazakh and international dishes. Your visit to Kazakhstan won't be complete unless you try the country's unique traditional dishes.

1. Shelpek

Image credit : Tasteatlas Official Website

Shelpek is essentially a traditional flatbread made from a mix of flour, sugar, salt, milk, and vegetable oil. Once combined, the dough is flattened and cooked in a tandoor oven. To make it even more delicious, shelpek is served with cream, jam, or sliced cheese. Shelpek is usually served on Fridays, which is the holiest day in Islam, or during tea ceremonies.

2. Beshbarmak

Image credit : Tasteatlas Official Website

In the Kazakh language, Beshbarmak means "five fingers." This is because, instead of using spoons, Kazakh people eat beshbarmak with their hands. Beshbarmak is finely chopped meat, boiled for a long time. The types of meat used vary widely, from beef, lamb, fish, and camel, to even horse meat. Besides dumplings, a plate of beshbarmak wouldn't be complete without shurpa (a broth soup) and noodles. Beshbarmak is usually served during special occasions like parties or when hosting guests.

3. Baursak

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You could say Baursak is Kazakhstan's version of odading (a fried dough snack from Indonesia). Unlike odading in Indonesia, which is often filled with chocolate and sold on the streets, baursak is a special food for the people of Kazakhstan, only found during big events like celebrations or weddings.

A mixture of flour, yeast, sugar, salt, eggs, and water is formed into dough, then stuffed with lamb before being deep-fried. Besides big events, people also make baursak in autumn and enjoy it with a traditional Kazakh soup called shurpa.

4. Kazy

Image credit : Tasteatlas Official Website

Sausages are usually made from beef, pork, or chicken. In Kazakhstan, people prefer to eat horse meat sausage, called Kazy. Kazy is a sausage made from a mixture of horse meat, horse fat, and seasonings like garlic, pepper, and salt. After everything is mixed, the ingredients are put into horse intestines. Well, for us, horse meat sausage might sound extreme. But in Kazakhstan and some neighboring countries, this food is quite common and can be found everywhere.

5. Kuurdak

Image credit : Tasteatlas Official Website

Kuurdak is one of the oldest dishes in Kazakhstan. In Kazakh, kuurdak means "roasted." In reality, kuurdak is a dish made from roasted lamb kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs. The ingredients prepared are usually fresh, from a lamb that has just been slaughtered. In the past, kuurdak was believed to give strength to pregnant women about to give birth. Today, everyone can easily try it. If you don't like lamb offal, you can substitute it with lamb ribs.

Also read : I Ate Halal Food From Vending Machines Around The World

Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country with a Muslim majority, so Muslim travelers visiting here don't need to worry about finding halal food or other prayer facilities. The local people are also very welcoming to tourists. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and grab your passport for your mid-year vacation in Almaty, Kazakhstan!