Green Bazaar Almaty Tour: Market Walk with Tastings
A half-day walk through Almaty's most famous market with a local guide: dried fruits and nuts, kurt and kumis, honey, spices and the meat hall, followed by Panfilov Park and the wooden Zenkov Cathedral next door. Hotel pickup included.
- Duration: 3–4 hours
- Start: 10:00 from your hotel in Almaty
- Season: all year round, indoor market
- Group tour: daily, minimum 2 people
- Private tour: any day, any group size
- Walking: about 2 km at an easy pace
- Guide languages: English · Russian · Turkish
- Good for: food lovers, families, first day in Almaty
- Rated 5.0 on Google (38 reviews)
- Hotel pickup and market tastings included
- Change or cancel up to 72 hours before departure
- Reply within 24 hours, usually much faster
Green Bazaar tour itinerary
- 10:00 Pickup at your hotel or apartment in Almaty and short transfer to the Green Bazaar on Zhibek Zholy street.
- 10:20 Ground floor: fruit and vegetable rows, the dried fruit and nut sellers from Uzbekistan and the south of Kazakhstan, honey and spice stalls. Tastings along the way.
- 11:00 Dairy and meat halls: kurt (dried cheese balls), kumis and shubat (fermented mare's and camel's milk), kazy horse sausage, and the story behind each product.
- 11:45 Upper level and the Korean salad counters, a legacy of Almaty's Korean community; tea break with baursak and jam.
- 12:30 Short walk to Panfilov Park: the wooden Zenkov Cathedral, the war memorial and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments (outside view).
- 13:15 Optional lunch at a local restaurant near the park (own expense), or drop-off at your hotel.
Times are approximate. On a private tour we can extend the walk to the Arbat pedestrian street and Republic Square, or continue with the Almaty city tour in the afternoon.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Almaty
- Local guide (English, Russian or Turkish)
- Small tastings at the market: dried fruits, nuts, kurt, honey, tea with baursak
- Transfer in a comfortable vehicle
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch and your own purchases at the market
- Tips for the guide (optional)
Group or private
Shared group tour
Runs daily with a minimum of 2 travellers. A relaxed way to meet other visitors and taste your way through the market.
- Fixed 10:00 departure
- Small groups, easy walking pace
- No deposit required in most cases
Private tour
Your own guide, any day. Ideal if you want to focus on food, shop for souvenirs and spices, or combine the market with a city tour.
- Flexible start time
- Extend to the Arbat, Republic Square or Kok Tobe
- Vegetarian and halal-focused tastings on request
Prices depend on the date and group size. Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we will reply with a quote the same day.
Green Bazaar in photos
Why the Green Bazaar is the best introduction to Almaty
The Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazar, or Kök Bazar in Kazakh) has been the city's main market since the 19th century, and the current hall dates from 1975. Under one roof you find everything that makes Central Asian food culture: apricots and raisins from the Fergana valley, walnuts and almonds from the south, mountain honey, fresh herbs, Kazakh dairy such as kurt and kumis, and the meat hall with horse-meat specialities that surprise most visitors.
With a guide, the market turns from a busy hall into a story: which nomadic foods are still eaten daily, why Korean salads are sold at a Kazakh market, how to bargain politely and what a fair price looks like. You also leave with the best edible souvenirs of your trip, chosen and weighed with someone who speaks the language.
Best time to visit and practical tips
The market is open every day from around 08:00 to 19:00, with a shorter day on Monday in some sections. Mornings on weekdays are the calmest and the freshest; weekends are lively but crowded. September and October bring the biggest fruit harvest; in winter the dried fruit, nut and dairy stalls are the highlight.
Good to know
- Cash in tenge works best; many stalls also take Kaspi QR payments
- Ask before close-up photos of vendors; general photos are fine
- Prices are per kilogram; tastings before buying are normal
- Most sweets, nuts and produce are vegetarian and halal-friendly
- Comfortable shoes; the halls and the park walk are about 2 km
Frequently asked questions
What are the Green Bazaar opening hours?
The market is open daily, roughly from 08:00 to 19:00. Mornings between 09:00 and 11:00 are the best time: stalls are freshly stocked and vendors have time to talk and offer tastings.
Is it safe to take photos inside the market?
Yes, photography is welcome. Ask vendors politely before close-up portraits and keep out of the busy walkways when you stop to shoot.
Can I pay by card at the Green Bazaar?
Some vendors accept cards or Kaspi QR, but cash in tenge is fastest and best for bargaining. Bring small notes; ATMs are near the entrances.
Are there vegetarian or halal options?
Yes. Most produce, sweets, nuts, breads and many hot snacks are vegetarian and halal-friendly. Your guide points out which products contain meat or alcohol.
Is the tour suitable for families and seniors?
Yes. The market is covered, flat and easy to walk, with benches and shaded areas. Weekdays are better for a relaxed visit with children or older travellers.
What souvenirs should I buy?
Dried apricots and melon, walnuts and almonds, mountain honey, kurt, Kazakh chocolate, spices and tea blends all travel well. Your guide helps you choose and check the weight.
How do I book and pay?
Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp or through the contact form. We confirm within 24 hours. Group tours usually need no deposit; private tours are confirmed with a deposit, and the balance is paid on the day.
Combine the Green Bazaar with these tours
- Almaty city tourThe full city in one day
- Kok Tobe tourCable car and city views
- Central State Museum tourKazakh history and culture
- Medeo tourThe high-altitude ice rink
Book your Green Bazaar tour
Tell us your date and number of travellers. We reply with availability and a price the same day.
WhatsApp +7 707 717 71 01 info@almatytourkz.comAlmaty Tour KZ · 22 Zenkov Street, Medeu District, Almaty · Local tour operator
Green Bazaar · Almaty's oldest market See the market before you book
Filmed on one of our own visits — the aisles, the traders, the horse meat counter and the dried fruit you will be offered to taste. No stock footage.
Get your price for this tour today
Tell us your dates and group size. We come back with availability and an exact price — usually within a couple of hours.
- Rated 5.0 on Google
- Answer within 24 hours
- Free cancellation up to 72 hours
- English · Russian · Turkish
