Kazakhya
Information GuideWhat you need to know in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is one of the countries drawing Arab attention in recent years, whether for study, work or tourism. This is a complete guide that meets visitors' needs and serves as a trusted source.
The essential apps for every foreigner
With visitor and expat numbers rising steadily, accurate and detailed information has become essential to help them adapt to daily life there. This information goes beyond culture and traditions to cover practical services such as smart apps, banks, markets and restaurants.
Transport and taxi apps
Yandex Go
The most popular taxi app in Kazakhstan and the local alternative to apps like Uber, known for reasonable prices and ease of use.
2GIS
An extremely useful app for getting around cities, offering accurate maps and information on restaurants, shops and other services. It is the local alternative to Google Maps in other countries.
Onay
A dedicated tool for public transport users in Kazakhstan, helping track bus and train lines within cities such as Almaty and beyond. It goes beyond live data on routes and stop locations to offer extra services such as issuing electronic transport cards and managing the card account with ease. Through it, users can top up their cards, pay directly by phone using a QR code, or even enter transport codes manually. In this way Onay is one of the smart solutions that simplify daily commuting for residents and tourists, making public transport more efficient and comfortable.
Other apps
Krisha.kz
A website dedicated to finding property to rent or buy, with other commercial sections available on the site.
OLX.kz
A famous classifieds platform where you can find everything from used cars to clothes and home appliances.
Glovo
For food delivery from local and international restaurants, available in the major cities.
Mobile networks and the internet
KcellOne of the largest operators, offering mobile services (2G, 3G, 4G) and internet, with wide coverage in major cities such as Almaty and Astana. Costs: a SIM card for $1-2.
Internet bundles: $2 - $8 per month
BeelineOffers 4G services and 5G trials in select areas, with competitive prices and good coverage in urban and rural areas.
Internet bundles: $1.8 - $7.2
Tele2Known for affordable mobile internet.
Internet bundles: $1.6 - $6
AltelA 4G pioneer focused on high-speed internet, with excellent speeds in the big cities.
Internet bundles: $2 - $9
Kazakhtelecom (home internet)The main provider of fixed internet (fibre and DSL), ideal for homes with speeds up to 500 Mbps, and free installation.
$8 - $16 per month depending on speedWhich is best?
Kcell and Beeline, for coverage and service quality.
Altel and Tele2, for speed and prices.
Kazakhtelecom, for stability and high speeds.
The best banks by services
Kaspi Bank
The most popular bank thanks to its all-in-one app for paying bills, transferring money and even shopping online. It provides free Visa and Mastercard cards with the account, and ATMs almost everywhere.
Halyk Bank
The largest national bank, offering comprehensive services such as current accounts, loans (at 10-15% annual interest) and corporate services. Suitable for foreigners needing to open a business or investment account, and the app is available in English.
ForteBank
Focuses on digital services, with low fees and fast customer support by phone or chat. It issues credit cards easily to resident foreigners.
Eurasian Bank
A good option for savings (interest up to 7-8% on deposits), with flexible loan services. The app is easy to use, but branches are less widespread than Kaspi or Halyk.
Jusan Bank
A modern bank focused on young people and digital services. Banking fees are often low compared with other countries, with free options for opening accounts.
The most famous shopping centres in Almaty
The major malls
Esentai Mall
Luxury shoppingConsidered one of the most luxurious shopping centres in Almaty, located in the city centre, making it a favourite destination for locals and tourists. It houses more than 100 stores, including luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada. It also contains the Ritz-Carlton hotel, pairing the shopping experience with luxury accommodation, along with a spa and leisure areas such as the Esentai Gallery art spaces showing contemporary European and Kazakhstani works. It is easy to reach by public transport or taxi and has 14 restaurants such as Korean House Restaurant and PAUL Café, making it suitable for families and individuals.
Mega Center
More than 180 storesOne of the largest shopping centres in Almaty, with more than 180 stores offering a wide range of products, from global fashion brands such as Zara and Mango to electronics and home appliances. The centre includes a Galmart supermarket for daily shopping needs, alongside a variety of restaurants in the food court. With sports stores and entertainment areas, Mega is a favourite for middle and upper class shoppers, providing a complete shopping experience.
Dostyk Plaza
One of the most beautifully designedA modern shopping centre in central Almaty, distinguished by its contemporary design and high level of service. It hosts a variety of stores including global brands such as Adidas and Pandora, plus a cinema, a food hall and a children's play area, making it an ideal shopping and leisure destination for families. It also offers parking and facilities for people with special needs, and is considered one of Almaty's most beautiful malls architecturally.
Forum Mall Almaty
A city within a cityA modern shopping and entertainment centre, considered a unique project developed around the concept of a "city within a city", offering visitors a complete experience beyond traditional shopping. It spans five floors and hosts more than 300 stores with a variety of global and local brands, plus more than 20 restaurants and cafés. It also contains modern cinemas showing the latest films, children's entertainment centres and sports facilities, with a 24-hour car park holding 1,200 vehicles. The mall is open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Aport Mall
Budget-friendly options for familiesA modern shopping centre on the Bishkek highway, considered one of the largest malls in Almaty, with a wide range of stores covering local and international brands. It features a cinema and a large food court, plus an indoor ice rink, making it an ideal destination for families. It offers a varied shopping experience with budget-friendly options, well suited to daily shopping and entertainment.
Store chains
Magnum
The largest retail chain in Kazakhstan, with a strong presence across the country including Almaty. It offers a wide range of food and non-food products, serving both individual consumers and businesses.
Small
Another famous retail chain in Kazakhstan with many branches in Almaty, known for reasonable prices and everyday product ranges.
Galmart
A well-known regional supermarket chain in Almaty, offering a selection of high-quality products, including imported goods and specialty items.
Sulpak
One of the largest electronics and home appliance retailers in Kazakhstan, specialising in a wide range of products such as electronics, computers, mobile and tablet devices and home appliances.
The main popular markets (bazaars)
A historic market known for its green dome, a main hub for fresh produce such as vegetables, fruit, meat and Kazakh spices, with sections for ready foods such as shashlik and traditional bread.
Daily 8 am - 6 pm (closed Mondays for cleaning)
A popular market dedicated mainly to meat, foodstuffs and vegetables, considered one of the essential markets residents rely on for daily shopping. Known for fair prices and fresh produce, it is a practical choice for students and families seeking groceries at low cost.
Usually 9 am - 6 pm
One of the largest markets in the region, focused on clothing and furnishings, plus some household goods and accessories. It carries a wide range of local and imported goods and is considered a regional trading hub attracting merchants from nearby cities, ideal for bulk shopping or hunting for deals on clothes and furnishings at competitive prices.
Daily 9 am - 5 or 6 pm, busy at weekends
The largest open market in the city, stretching across a vast area with thousands of stalls. Known as the "everything market", it sells used and new clothes, shoes, electronics, car parts, household tools and even furniture. Famous for very low prices, it is a great choice for cheap deals, but it can get crowded and chaotic, so an early morning visit is recommended.
Daily 9 or 10 am - 5 pm
A trading complex housing many small shops selling mobile phones (new and used) and accessories such as chargers and cases, plus electronics repair services. It has a basement known as the "legendary floor" where products sell at near-wholesale prices. The building used to be a bus terminal (Aerovokzal means "air terminal" in Russian) and has since become a trading complex, ideal for students hunting cheap electronics deals.
Usually 10 am - 8 pm
A specialised trading centre in Almaty offering practical solutions for construction and finishing needs, with a wide range from budget products to high-quality options. It hosts more than 90 stores across three floors, focused on building materials such as sanitary ware, doors, paints, flooring and electrical accessories, plus interior decor products.
Monday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm, Saturday until 5 pmThe most famous Kazakh dishes
Traditional Kazakhstani cuisine is rooted in the nomadic heritage of the Kazakh people, relying heavily on meat and dairy products, with influences from neighbouring cultures such as Russian and Uzbek.
The best-known traditional dishes
Why it matters: A symbol of hospitality, served at occasions such as weddings and traditionally eaten by hand, which explains its name "five fingers".
Why it matters: Expresses generosity and esteem for guests, and is often served on special occasions.
Why it matters: A symbol of hospitality, served at family gatherings and religious celebrations.
Why it matters: A popular dish across Central Asia, loved by families.
Why it matters: An Uzbek influence, but common as an everyday and festive dish.
The best-known traditional drinks
Why it matters: A traditional nomad drink, known for health benefits such as aiding digestion.
Why it matters: Common in the south and west, considered a health tonic.
Why it matters: An essential part of Kazakh hospitality, served on every occasion.
The Kazakhya team, from the heart of Almaty
+7 771 185 9790We put this guide together from our daily life here. Almaty, Kazakhstan.