The best places for walking tour in Almaty

Almaty aims to become one of the greatest pedestrian cities in Kazakhstan. Let’s talk about the best areas free from cars.

Panfilov and Zhibek Zholy streets

People call this location - Arbat. As a cultural and shopping street, this place was popular at the end of the 19th century. Zhibek Zholy was called the Shopping street; it is the place where the first city bazaar was opened, a forerunner of The Green Bazaar. The first central department store or Tsum that’s how we call it, was opened in the Soviet Union period, and in the early years of independence, new cafes began to open massively.

Foto Visit Almaty

The massive renovation that brought a new look to Panfilov and Zhibek Zholy streets was in 2017 and 2019. The entire length of the walking zone on these crossing streets is more than 1.4 kilometers. After the renovation, various workout zones, playgrounds, craft shops, benches, and installations have appeared here. During the Panfilov Street renovation, the street was covered with granite tiles; at the same time, builders left untouched an accidentally discovered fragment of paving stones from the 30s of the 20th century.

Now, it is a place for creative people to get together, where street musicians, dancers, and artists gather. Contemporary or traditional arts festivals are held annually on the territory of Almaty’s Arbat. It’s already a city’s tradition that will be remembered by citizens. Not only amateurs, but also professionals come here for performance. After meeting on Arbat, youth groups and bands often emerge.

Tulebaev Street

Tulebayev Street is named after the first Kazakh national classical composer Mukan Tulebayev. It used to be called Sergipolski, Fonatannaya, and Abay Street, and it's one of the oldest streets in Almaty. There is an alley for walking in the middle of the street with paving stones and new benches, exercise equipment, and playgrounds. Woods, with many fir trees among them, are planted along the edges of the alley.

Monuments and appealing places are the statue of Mukan Tulebayev, the famous bath complex “Arasan,” the house-museums of the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR Dinmukhamed Kunaev, of writers Mukhtar Auezov, Sabit Mukanov and Gabit Musrepov, and the statue to the legendary rock musician Viktor Tsoi.

Foto shutterstock.com

Terrenkur

Terrenkur, in other words, “a path of health” was built along the Malaya Almatinka River in 1974. While other pedestrian zones encourage leisurely walks, here in Terrenkur, there is more emphasis on sports recreation - the path is sloped and well-suited for Nordic walking, jogging, and cycling. The highest point is 1058 meters above sea level, and the lowest is 876 meters.

Foto Almaty city goverment

At the same time, there are a lot of benches for rest, and from time to time, soft ottomans and chairs are installed in different locations where you can sit and drink coffee. At the highest part, there is a picturesque pond with ducks, several workout areas, tennis tables, and a football field, also, on the wall of one of the houses just above Al-Farabi Avenue, there is an unusual mirror, that can be used for photographs. Bridges over the river are great places for atmospheric photo shots.