Almaty is more than just a city —it’s a feeling. It’s where crisp mountain air meets morning coffee, where ancient orchards grow beside glass coworking hubs, and where street musicians perform under historical mosaics. Once the capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty remains the country’s cultural, creative, and lifestyle heart. Here are some lesser-known facts and lifestyle insights that might just change how you see Almaty — and inspire you to explore its wider region, too.
City’s symbolism
Almaty is the birthplace of the apple. The city’s name comes from “alma,” meaning apple. But this isn’t just poetic: Almaty is home to the wild apple species, which you can find them in the nearby Tien Shan foothills, especially in the Ile-Alatau National Park.
Each autumn, locals celebrate the Almaty Apple Festival, where traditional music, apple-based treats, and farmers from the region gather in the heart of the city. It’s a symbol of the city's link to nature, heritage, and biodiversity.
Unique location
City life at 800 meters above sea level — and mountains at your doorstep. Almaty is located at the base of the Zailiyskiy Alatau range, part of the northern Tien Shan Mountains. That means you can finish your workday and be in the mountains in 15-30 minutes. Here is the list of places to see Almaty from above.
Locals routinely hike to Butakovka Waterfall, ski at Shymbulak , or ride the cable car up to Kok-Tobe for panoramic views of the city.
Fun fact: you can see both historical residential blocks with and wild mountain goats in a single afternoon hike.
Creative side
The city’s creative identity is rapidly evolving. Almaty is now home to:
Tselinny Center for Contemporary Culture — a reimagined Soviet cinema turned modern art space
Qara Studio — a fashion and photography collective focused on Central Asian aesthetics
SmArt.Point — a coworking and innovation hub where startups, NGOs, and creatives meet
And don’t miss local theater initiatives like Artishok, which offer experimental performances in intimate settings.
Café culture as a lifestyle
With dozens of independent coffee shops and bakeries, Almaty has one of the most active coffee cultures in Central Asia. Locals use cafés as social clubs, workspaces, and idea incubators.
Must-visits include:
Bowler Coffee Roasters — minimalist design, maximum flavor
Korean House Café— a favorite among creatives and expats
Fika Almaty — cozy, elegant, and always buzzing
Auyl Almaty— national treasure near the mountains
If you are a food lover you can read about several gastronomy places in the city here.
Diverse region
The wider Almaty Region is full of natural wonders that feel like they belong on a different planet:
Charyn Canyon—Kazakhstan’s mini Grand Canyon
Lake Alakol and Lake Balkhash — one salty, one freshwater —in the same body
Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy — alpine water so clear it reflects the clouds.
Why Almaty feels like home
In Almaty, people don’t just live in the city — they live with it. Nature, culture, and community intertwine here in rare and inspiring ways. Whether you're working remotely from a mountainside café, hiking at sunrise, or discovering the next great Kazakh designer at a pop-up gallery, you’ll feel something familiar but fresh.