Almaty

Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, is known for its scenic mountain backdrop and Soviet-era charm. Key sights include the Medeu ice rink, Shymbulak ski resort, Kok-Tobe hill, and the colorful Zenkov Cathedral. The currency is the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT), and overall prices are reasonable, though slightly higher than in other parts of the country. Summers are warm with occasional rain, while winters can be cold with snowfall, especially in the mountains. Public transport is affordable, and while English is spoken in some tourist areas, Russian is more commonly used.