Nurseit’s guidebook

Nurseit
Nurseit’s guidebook

Food scene

This is a great place to chill over coffee and some desserts after a long day of walking. But it is also cool for breakfasts and locals love it very much. Moreover, it is located literally under the apartment you are staying at :) How cool is that? It's mainly popular among youngsters and hipster audiences thanks to its vibe and perfect location. You can also work here with the laptop.
Vanilla на Кунаева
130 Kunaev Street
This is a great place to chill over coffee and some desserts after a long day of walking. But it is also cool for breakfasts and locals love it very much. Moreover, it is located literally under the apartment you are staying at :) How cool is that? It's mainly popular among youngsters and hipster audiences thanks to its vibe and perfect location. You can also work here with the laptop.
Wanna try national cuisine? This is the place where locals normally go to to enjoy famous 'beshbarmak', 'manty', 'lagman', etc. It is 7 minutes walk from my place. There is ample parking space (paid) and lots of other restaurants nearby.
Tyubeteyka
125 Abylai Khan Avenue
Wanna try national cuisine? This is the place where locals normally go to to enjoy famous 'beshbarmak', 'manty', 'lagman', etc. It is 7 minutes walk from my place. There is ample parking space (paid) and lots of other restaurants nearby.
Quite posh and quality restaurant renowned for its steaks and other meat dishes. Service is immaculate and food is very tasty. It specializes in European cuisine with quite an extensive menu. Food is nicely decorated and totally enjoyable. Perfect for business lunch or romantic dinner.
Beefeater Almaty
43 Dostyk Avenue
Quite posh and quality restaurant renowned for its steaks and other meat dishes. Service is immaculate and food is very tasty. It specializes in European cuisine with quite an extensive menu. Food is nicely decorated and totally enjoyable. Perfect for business lunch or romantic dinner.
This coffee shop does not have a large variety of deserts, but it's one of the first coffee shops in Almaty and everybody knows it for its coffee, pretty outdoor seating, cool vibe. There is even a small bar inside and various alcoholic beverages are on offer. Very close to my place. From here you can walk further west towards the Abai Opera Theater and visit the popular Panfilov walking street with tons of restaurants, food kiosks, play areas, street musicians (in the evening), etc. It's a must visit place to experience cultural Almaty.
22 locals raden deze aan
Coffeedelia
kabanbay batyr street corner Furman over street
22 locals raden deze aan
This coffee shop does not have a large variety of deserts, but it's one of the first coffee shops in Almaty and everybody knows it for its coffee, pretty outdoor seating, cool vibe. There is even a small bar inside and various alcoholic beverages are on offer. Very close to my place. From here you can walk further west towards the Abai Opera Theater and visit the popular Panfilov walking street with tons of restaurants, food kiosks, play areas, street musicians (in the evening), etc. It's a must visit place to experience cultural Almaty.
Love Georgian food? Then pay a visit to this chain of quality Georgian restaurants. There are two of them located close to my place. Popular for its quality, Darejani is a little expensive, but offers excellent hospitality and cosy interior. Try 'khinkali' and 'hachapuri' and tell me if you liked it. If you did not, then probably Georgian cuisine is not for you :)
Darejani
85 угол Kazybek Bi St
Love Georgian food? Then pay a visit to this chain of quality Georgian restaurants. There are two of them located close to my place. Popular for its quality, Darejani is a little expensive, but offers excellent hospitality and cosy interior. Try 'khinkali' and 'hachapuri' and tell me if you liked it. If you did not, then probably Georgian cuisine is not for you :)
Quite a trendy coffee shop with artisan breakfasts and coffee based drinks plus cocktails and varieties of tea. I go here for breakfasts because they are very good here. You can have anything simple as omelette to Shakshuka and toasts with avocado and benedict eggs 😀 yummy!!!
Big Apple Coffee Shop
145 Abylai Khan Ave
Quite a trendy coffee shop with artisan breakfasts and coffee based drinks plus cocktails and varieties of tea. I go here for breakfasts because they are very good here. You can have anything simple as omelette to Shakshuka and toasts with avocado and benedict eggs 😀 yummy!!!
One of the popular pubs in the British style with lots of beer on taps and snacks. Almost every night they have live music and a typical bar atmosphere. Very busy during the weekends. Priced a little above average, but worth it.
Harat's Pub on Panfilov street
110 Panfilov Street
One of the popular pubs in the British style with lots of beer on taps and snacks. Almost every night they have live music and a typical bar atmosphere. Very busy during the weekends. Priced a little above average, but worth it.

Sightseeing

This is the landmark sightseeing place in Almaty. You can enter the hotel and grab coffee inside to enjoy the Soviet interior. Nice thing is that hotel management kept everything original, which is very rare in Kazakhstan. It's only 7 minutes walk from my place and the walk itself is very nice thanks to romantic alleys, fir trees, coffee shops and historical monuments.
Hotel Kazakhstan
This is the landmark sightseeing place in Almaty. You can enter the hotel and grab coffee inside to enjoy the Soviet interior. Nice thing is that hotel management kept everything original, which is very rare in Kazakhstan. It's only 7 minutes walk from my place and the walk itself is very nice thanks to romantic alleys, fir trees, coffee shops and historical monuments.
Major tourist attraction located 15 minutes walk from my place. It is open during the working hours and you can visit the inside of the cathedral. Outside you can feed pigeons that are natural to the area surround the cathedral. The 28 Panfilovs' Park where the cathedral is located is popular for its natural environment, squirrels, numerous benches, the Eternal Flame WWII memorial, and beautiful flowers.
25 locals raden deze aan
Zenkovkathedraal
40в Gogol St
25 locals raden deze aan
Major tourist attraction located 15 minutes walk from my place. It is open during the working hours and you can visit the inside of the cathedral. Outside you can feed pigeons that are natural to the area surround the cathedral. The 28 Panfilovs' Park where the cathedral is located is popular for its natural environment, squirrels, numerous benches, the Eternal Flame WWII memorial, and beautiful flowers.
Kazakh opera and ballet scenes were born here. The building itself is worth seeing for its typical Soviet architecture. You can buy tickets online on theater's official website. I advise booking in advance as it sells out quickly. There are nice restaurants and coffee shops opposite theatre for aperitif and full dinner.
24 locals raden deze aan
Abay Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater
110 Kabanbay Batyr St
24 locals raden deze aan
Kazakh opera and ballet scenes were born here. The building itself is worth seeing for its typical Soviet architecture. You can buy tickets online on theater's official website. I advise booking in advance as it sells out quickly. There are nice restaurants and coffee shops opposite theatre for aperitif and full dinner.
One of the most loved shopping malls in Almaty. Don't expect low prices here because there are mainly global brands represented here. Mall is popular for its food court, Costa coffee, Mado Turkish restaurant, Multiplex cinema and premium Galmart supermarket.
50 locals raden deze aan
Dostyk Plaza
111 Mikrorayon Samal-2
50 locals raden deze aan
One of the most loved shopping malls in Almaty. Don't expect low prices here because there are mainly global brands represented here. Mall is popular for its food court, Costa coffee, Mado Turkish restaurant, Multiplex cinema and premium Galmart supermarket.
Medeu is another top attraction in Almaty. You can get here on taxi or bus (No 29 from Dostyk Avenue). It used to be the highest ice skating rink in the Soviet Union. Still functioning, it attracts thousands of Almaty dwellers and guests thanks to its location in the heart of Ile Alatau national park. From Medeu you can climb up signature granite stairs with over 800 steps on top of the dam for a gorgeous view of the ice covered mountain peaks. Medeu has affordable restaurant and coffee kiosks.
70 locals raden deze aan
Medeo
465 Gornaya St
70 locals raden deze aan
Medeu is another top attraction in Almaty. You can get here on taxi or bus (No 29 from Dostyk Avenue). It used to be the highest ice skating rink in the Soviet Union. Still functioning, it attracts thousands of Almaty dwellers and guests thanks to its location in the heart of Ile Alatau national park. From Medeu you can climb up signature granite stairs with over 800 steps on top of the dam for a gorgeous view of the ice covered mountain peaks. Medeu has affordable restaurant and coffee kiosks.
This is a must visit place for Almaty and probably the only bazaar in the city center. Good for groceries, dry foods, fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, etc. Tourists go here for a vibe mainly. Remember though that this is not just an attraction, but rather a fully functioning bazaar. Beware of pickpockets.
28 locals raden deze aan
Zelenyy Bazar
53 Жибек Жолы
28 locals raden deze aan
This is a must visit place for Almaty and probably the only bazaar in the city center. Good for groceries, dry foods, fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, etc. Tourists go here for a vibe mainly. Remember though that this is not just an attraction, but rather a fully functioning bazaar. Beware of pickpockets.
Go here to witness a lovely sunset and a great view of the city. You can get there via a cable car or taxi. It is also possible to walk there from a bus stop but be prepared for an hour long walk up the road. The hill has a Soviet built TV broadcasting antenna and a little park with mini zoo, couple of National restaurants and some attractions for kids.
9 locals raden deze aan
Koktobe
9 locals raden deze aan
Go here to witness a lovely sunset and a great view of the city. You can get there via a cable car or taxi. It is also possible to walk there from a bus stop but be prepared for an hour long walk up the road. The hill has a Soviet built TV broadcasting antenna and a little park with mini zoo, couple of National restaurants and some attractions for kids.
These are four lakes that are no less beautiful than virgin Swiss lakes in the Alps. You can easily see the first two lakes, but to see the other two you must hike for almost a whole day and camp at the spot. Remember the farthest lakes are located on Kazakh-Kyrgyz border and there may be random security checks. Lots of guest houses and glamming spots in the area, but booking in advance is recommended. You can get there by mini bus or drive. It’s cheaper to arrange a trip via travel agency. Reserve a whole day for this tour as the road takes approx 3 hours. You will definitely enjoy the view 😀
Kolsaiskie Lakes National Park
2 ул. Кабдолова
These are four lakes that are no less beautiful than virgin Swiss lakes in the Alps. You can easily see the first two lakes, but to see the other two you must hike for almost a whole day and camp at the spot. Remember the farthest lakes are located on Kazakh-Kyrgyz border and there may be random security checks. Lots of guest houses and glamming spots in the area, but booking in advance is recommended. You can get there by mini bus or drive. It’s cheaper to arrange a trip via travel agency. Reserve a whole day for this tour as the road takes approx 3 hours. You will definitely enjoy the view 😀

City/town information

Charyn Canyon is the top tourist attraction in Almaty district. It is located about 300 km to the east of Almaty. Tours are available in most tourist agencies in Almaty. You can go there in groups or hire a private tour. Usually trip to Charyn is included in the tour package because other tourist destinations (Kolsay and Kaindy lakes) are also located in that area. Camping in the canyon is possible and there is a small camping area with bungalows.
Charyn
Charyn Canyon is the top tourist attraction in Almaty district. It is located about 300 km to the east of Almaty. Tours are available in most tourist agencies in Almaty. You can go there in groups or hire a private tour. Usually trip to Charyn is included in the tour package because other tourist destinations (Kolsay and Kaindy lakes) are also located in that area. Camping in the canyon is possible and there is a small camping area with bungalows.
During the hot summer days a lot of Almaty dwellers choose to cool down in the Kapchagay water reservoir, one hour drive away from Almaty to the north. The road can be very busy during weekends, but the reservoir is very accommodating thanks to its beaches, lots of resorts, and sunsets. Highly recommend to stay there overnight and grill some meat on the open fire or just picnic. By the way, fishing is also possible there.
Kapchagay
During the hot summer days a lot of Almaty dwellers choose to cool down in the Kapchagay water reservoir, one hour drive away from Almaty to the north. The road can be very busy during weekends, but the reservoir is very accommodating thanks to its beaches, lots of resorts, and sunsets. Highly recommend to stay there overnight and grill some meat on the open fire or just picnic. By the way, fishing is also possible there.

Neighborhoods

This is the local walking street that is very busy in the evening with teens, couples, children and musicians. The area has cool vibe and plenty of eateries for all budgets. There is Starbucks and other famous restaurants. A couple of pubs are also on the street with live music. Adjacent to the street are a couple of very nice parks with a pond and fountains. I suggest you start walking from Abai Opera Theater further north. Just follow the crowd ;)
Panfilov Street
Panfilov Street
This is the local walking street that is very busy in the evening with teens, couples, children and musicians. The area has cool vibe and plenty of eateries for all budgets. There is Starbucks and other famous restaurants. A couple of pubs are also on the street with live music. Adjacent to the street are a couple of very nice parks with a pond and fountains. I suggest you start walking from Abai Opera Theater further north. Just follow the crowd ;)

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Vervoersmogelijkheden

Taxis

Taxis are cheap. Back in the old days people used to hail taxis, but it is not common anymore due to online taxis orderable via apps. Download the app and pay with your credit card. Morning and evening orders are the most expensive. As reference, prices are from 400 KzT to 2500 KzT. If you need to get to airport in the middle of the night, then it is better to book a taxi in advance. Using taxi from the app at 3AM maybe very slow or simply be not available.
Vervoersmogelijkheden

Going to Medeo and Shymbulak

A must see spot for Almaty visitors has always been its beautiful mountains. Best place to enjoy the view is the Medeu ice skating ring. To get there you can hop on the #29 bus from a bus stop on Dostyk avenue opposite “Kazakhstan” hotel. The fare is 200 KzT one way. Alternatively you can go there by taxi from the city center for around 2000-3000 KzT one way.