Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, offers a captivating blend of ancient Silk Road heritage, Soviet-era architecture, and stunning natural landscapes from the Altai Mountains to the Caspian Sea. Experience nomadic traditions in Central Asia's economic powerhouse, where futuristic capital Astana meets historic Almaty at the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Felt Shyrdak Rug
Traditional Kazakh felt carpet with geometric nomadic patterns in vibrant colors. Handmade by artisans using centuries-old techniques and wool from local sheep.
Price: $30-200
Where: Green Bazaar, Almaty or Kolkhozny Bazaar
Wooden Dombra
Kazakhstan's iconic two-stringed lute, central to nomadic musical tradition. Decorated versions make beautiful display pieces even for non-musicians.
Price: $25-150
Where: Craft shops on Zhybek Zholy pedestrian street, Almaty
Dried Fruits and Nuts
Apricots, prunes, walnuts, and pistachios from local markets. Green Bazaar has the best selection with competitive prices and free sampling.
Price: $3-15 per kg
Where: Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazaar), Almaty
Kurt (Dried Cheese Balls)
Traditional Kazakh sour dried cheese balls, a nomadic staple. Available salted or with herbs — an authentic edible souvenir with a long shelf life.
Price: $2-8
Where: Green Bazaar and food markets across Kazakhstan
Silver Kazakh Jewelry
Handcrafted silver rings, earrings, and bracelets featuring traditional Kazakh ornamental patterns. Often inlaid with semi-precious stones like carnelian.
Price: $15-100
Where: Craft shops near Panfilov Park, Almaty
Camel Wool Socks and Scarves
Ultra-warm accessories made from genuine Bactrian camel wool. Naturally insulating and much softer than regular wool, perfect for Kazakhstan's cold winters.
Price: $5-30
Where: Kolkhozny Bazaar and souvenir shops, Almaty
Nomadic Miniature Painting
Small painted scenes of steppe life, yurts, horses, and eagle hunters in traditional Kazakh artistic style. Original works and prints available.
Price: $10-80
Where: Art galleries on Dostyk Avenue, Almaty
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Green Bazaar (Zelyony Rynok)
Almaty's most famous market with an enormous covered hall packed with dried fruits, spices, meats, dairy, and fresh produce. The colors, smells, and energy are an unmissable cultural experience.
Where: Corner of Zhibek Zholy and Baiseitova Street, Almaty
Hours: 8AM-7PM daily
Kolkhozny Bazaar
A huge outdoor market popular with locals for everyday shopping. More authentic and less touristy than Green Bazaar, with excellent prices on produce, textiles, and household goods.
Where: Raiymbek Avenue, Almaty
Hours: 7AM-6PM daily
Barakholka Market
Central Asia's largest open-air market complex, a sprawling city of stalls selling everything from electronics to clothing, tools, and food. An extraordinary slice of local commerce.
Where: Microdistrict Alatau, northwest Almaty
Hours: 8AM-5PM Wednesday-Sunday
Kок-Bazaar (Blue Market)
Traditional neighborhood market with fresh produce, meat, and local foods at lower prices than tourist-facing markets. Authentic local shopping experience away from crowds.
Where: Almaty city center, Sayakhat area
Hours: 7AM-6PM daily
Astana Central Market
Astana's main market serving the capital's population with fresh food, dairy products, and household goods. Well-organized with indoor and outdoor sections.
Where: Beibitshilik Street, Astana
Hours: 8AM-7PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Arbat Pedestrian Street (Zhybek Zholy)
Almaty's main pedestrian boulevard lined with shops, cafes, and boutiques. The liveliest shopping and strolling area in the city, connecting major attractions.
Best for: Souvenirs, clothing, cafes, people-watching
Dostyk Avenue
Almaty's most prestigious shopping street with international boutiques, art galleries, and fine dining restaurants in elegant buildings. Kazakhstan's answer to a luxury high street.
Best for: Luxury brands, art, jewelry, fine dining
Al-Farabi Avenue
Almaty's modern business and shopping corridor featuring the Esentai Mall and numerous international brands. The city's contemporary commercial spine with cafes and restaurants.
Best for: International brands, Esentai Mall, modern dining
Nurjol Boulevard
Astana's stunning pedestrian boulevard connecting Bayterek Tower to Khan Shatyr, lined with shops, restaurants, and cultural landmarks. The showcase of Kazakhstan's futuristic capital.
Best for: Sightseeing combined with shopping, souvenirs, cafes
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Esentai Mall
Almaty's most prestigious luxury shopping center in the Esentai Tower complex on Al-Farabi Avenue. Houses international luxury brands, high-end restaurants, a cinema, and a Ritz-Carlton hotel. Kazakhstan's most upscale retail destination.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
MEGA Alma-Ata
One of Almaty's largest shopping centers with over 250 stores, a hypermarket, entertainment center, cinema, and food court. Extremely popular with families on weekends and a good mix of local and international brands.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center
Astana's iconic futuristic tent-shaped mall designed by Norman Foster. Houses shops, restaurants, a beach resort with real sand, a monorail, and an indoor waterpark. One of the world's most architecturally remarkable shopping centers.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily (entertainment until later)
Keruen Mall
Almaty's established family shopping center with a wide range of stores, supermarket, food court, bowling alley, and cinema. Convenient central location popular with all age groups.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is acceptable at outdoor markets (bazaars) like Green Bazaar and Barakholka, but not in malls or fixed-price shops
Start by offering 60-70% of the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle
Be friendly and smile — aggressive bargaining is considered rude in Kazakh culture
Buying multiple items gives you more leverage to negotiate a bundle discount
Walking away often brings the vendor back with a better offer
Learn basic Russian numbers (odin, dva, tri) to signal you understand prices
Morning is the best time for fresh produce and sometimes better deals at bazaars
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques and items of historical value cannot be exported without special government permission; declare all items over $10,000 value at customs
Tax Refund: Kazakhstan has no tourist VAT refund scheme currently in operation
Duty Free: Travelers can import up to 3 liters of alcohol and 200 cigarettes duty-free; currency over $10,000 must be declared
Shipping: International shipping available via Kazpost (national postal service) and DHL/FedEx offices in major cities; allow 2-4 weeks for standard international parcels