Almaty city tour: parks, mosque and mountain views

See Almaty's layers in one morning: old center, sacred architecture, and high-altitude views

A 4-hour guided city tour of Almaty covering the oldest park in the city center, the central mosque built in 1999, the Medeu ice skating rink at 1,691 meters elevation, and Kok-Tyube mountain at 1,130 meters. Hotel pickup is included; the guide speaks English, French, German, Arabic and one additional language. Minimum age is 15.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Almaty city highlights

• Visit oldest park in city center
• See central mosque of Almaty
• Tour Medeu ice skating rink
• Explore Kok-Tyube mountain

The Experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel and moves through Almaty's central neighborhoods. You'll walk through the oldest park in the city, located in the old center, then visit the central mosque—one of Kazakhstan's largest, built in 1999 on the site of an earlier mosque that has functioned since 1890. The mosque holds 7,000 worshippers and sits on grounds covering nearly a hectare, with manicured lawns, flowers and elm trees. Entry is free and the stop takes about 20 minutes.

From the city center, the route climbs to Medeu, an ice skating rink perched at 1,691 meters above sea level. Built in 1972, the rink's 10,500 square meters of ice have hosted more than 120 world records in speed skating, hockey and figure skating. The high-mountain location—with its mild climate, low atmospheric pressure and clear glacial water—gives the rink conditions rare enough that athletes travel here to compete. You'll see the facility and the gorge around it, understanding why this spot became known worldwide.

The tour ends at Kok-Tyube, a mountain 1,130 meters high and close enough to the city that you can see Almaty spread below. The guide will point out how the city sits in relation to the peaks and explain what each neighborhood represents. A live guide in your chosen language walks the stops with you, and the whole day runs about 4 hours. Public transportation options are available nearby if you want to extend your time at any stop.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• live guide in English, French, German, Arabic or another language.
• entry to the central mosque (free admission).
• views of Medeu ice skating rink and Kok-Tyube mountain.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel Kazakhstan

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a structured introduction to how Almaty's neighborhoods connect—the old center, sacred sites, and mountain views in one guided sequence rather than piecing it together yourself.

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Top questions

What is the central mosque of Almaty like when you visit it?

The central mosque is one of Kazakhstan's largest, built in 1999 on the site of an older mosque that has operated since 1890. It can hold 7,000 worshippers and sits on nearly a hectare of grounds with lawns, flowers, elm trees and benches. Entry is free and the visit takes about 20 minutes.

How high is Medeu ice skating rink, and why is it famous?

Medeu sits at 1,691 meters above sea level and was built in 1972. More than 120 world records have been set there because the high-mountain location offers a mild climate, low atmospheric pressure and clear glacial water—conditions that make it one of the world's best speed skating venues.

What languages does the guide speak on this tour?

The guide speaks English, French, German, Arabic and one additional language, so you can choose which one works for you when you book.

Is hotel pickup included, and what's the minimum age?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in the tour price. The minimum age to join is 15.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs about 4 hours and covers the oldest park, the central mosque, Medeu ice rink and Kok-Tyube mountain.