population: 1.9 million

extension: 682.02 square kilometers

Museums

Great choice! Almaty has some wonderful museums you can explore:

1. Central State Museum of Kazakhstan - It's the largest and oldest museum in the country that showcases the history, culture, and biodiversity of Kazakhstan.

2. Almaty Museum of Folk Musical Instruments - This unique museum exhibits a vast collection of traditional Kazakh musical instruments.

3. Kasteev State Museum of Arts - It's the largest art museum in Kazakhstan that has an extensive collection of artworks from different periods and cultures.

If you're interested in visiting more museums of similar type near Almaty, you may also consider:

- National Museum of Kazakhstan (Nur-Sultan)
- Auezov House Museum (Almaty)
- Zenkov Cathedral Historical Museum (Almaty)

Food

Sure, Kazakh cuisine is diverse and flavorful, with influences from Central Asia, Russia, and China. Here are some of the most recommended, popular, and typical dishes to eat according to local people in Almaty:

1. Beshbarmak - It's the national dish of Kazakhstan that consists of boiled meat (usually lamb or beef) served on a bed of flat noodles and topped with onion sauce.

2. Plov - A rice dish cooked with meat (usually lamb or beef), carrots, onions, and spices. It's a staple food in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries.

3. Lagman - A noodle soup made with hand-pulled noodles, vegetables, meat (usually beef or mutton), and spices. It's a popular street food in Almaty.

4. Manty - Steamed dumplings filled with minced meat (usually lamb or beef) and onions. They're often served with sour cream or tomato sauce.

5. Samsa - Baked pastries filled with meat, potatoes, or pumpkin. They're a popular snack in Almaty and can be found in many bakeries and cafes.

6. Kazy - A type of sausage made from horsemeat, traditionally served as a delicacy on special occasions.

7. Shashlik - Grilled skewers of marinated meat (usually lamb or beef) served with pickles and bread.

If you want to try some more local dishes in Almaty, you can also check out restaurants serving borscht (beetroot soup), shubat (fermented camel milk), kumis (fermented mare's milk), and baursak (deep-fried dough).

Activities

Sure, here are some fun activities that locals in Almaty enjoy:

1. Hiking in the nearby mountains - Almaty is surrounded by beautiful mountains and nature reserves such as Medeo, Shymbulak, and Kok Tobe, where you can enjoy breathtaking views and fresh air.

2. Visiting the Green Bazaar - It's an indoor market that offers a variety of local products including food, clothing, souvenirs, and more. You can shop, taste local delicacies, and interact with friendly vendors.

3. Watching traditional Kazakh performances - You can enjoy watching cultural shows such as ballet, opera, and traditional Kazakh music and dance performances at the Abay Opera House or the Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall.

4. Relaxing at the Arasan Baths - It's a popular public bathhouse that has been operating since the Soviet era, offering various types of hot baths, massages, and beauty treatments.

5. Exploring the city on foot - Almaty has many parks, museums, historical landmarks, and interesting neighborhoods to discover on foot, such as Panfilov Park, the Ascension Cathedral, and the Zelyony Bazaar area.