Whenever you start thinking about starting your journey through Central Asia, Kazakhstan may probably be the first country on your list! To be more precise, Almaty, the country’s biggest city, has been attracting tourists from all around the world in the last couple of years. Take a look at the best hostels in Almaty.
Before, people treated this wondrous location as a quick stop before they ventured somewhere more exciting. However, it proved to be much more than that! Today, we would like to provide more insight into the marvellous city of Almaty, including its rich history, attractions and of course – our top picks for the best hostels in Almaty!
As always, we’d like to start by providing a bit of history about the place. Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city, located in the southeastern part of the country. The modern city was first founded in 1854 when the Russian Empire established military fortifications on its grounds.
As the years passed, many merchants and Tatars started inhabiting the area, and the population started growing rapidly. Fast-forward to 1921; the city received a new name – it has been renamed from Alma-Ata to Almaty, which means “Father Of Apples”. And the name is not a coincidence!
To this day, many variations of apples grow in this area, and naturally, the city received the nickname “The City Of Apples”! Finally, Almaty was the former capital of the Kazakh Soviet Social Republic from 1929-91 and Independent Kazakhstan from 1991-97. Now, it remains a culturally rich commerce centre for the country.
Planning to visit China after Almaty? We also have a detailed guide about the best hostels in Beijing China.
Our favorite hostels in Almaty are:
- Evergreen Hostel - best for solo travelers
- ART Hostel Almaty - best for female solo travelers
- My Hostel Almaty - best for couples
- Extra: DA Hostel Almaty - best for backpackers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Evergreen Hostel
2. ART Hostel Almaty
3. My Hostel Almaty
It’s safe to say that the city’s architecture will surely pique your interest! You can still see some old Soviet buildings scattered around, which will be especially interesting to people who have never encountered this style in person. For instance, you can experience brutalism to the fullest by visiting places like Hotel Kazakhstan, the Palace of The Republic and the Kazakh State Circus.
Moreover, using the metro will be an experience in itself! Although there is only one line with only nine stops, the metro stations are definitely worth seeing, due to their astonishing decorations adorned with traditional Kazakh patterns and motives.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
Almaty is really popular for its institutions for higher education and has been attracting scientists from around the world! Quite literally, researchers come down to the city to study the many variations of apples to learn about their origin and unique structure. In addition, Almaty is filled with natural spots that are worth visiting, especially in the surrounding mountains.
While on topic, the city is known as the “Golden Triangle” in Kazakhstan because of the three major natural attractions – Altyn-Emel National Park, Kolsai Lakes and Charyn Canyon. That being said, these spots should be on your to-visit list when you come down here!
There are plenty of more reasons that make Almaty such a special place – you’ll just have to travel there and see them for yourself! Due to the increase in tourism, the rise of accommodations has been quite noteworthy. And essentially, that brings us here – to offer you the best hostels in Almaty!
What we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Almaty
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Almaty cost 7€ – 14€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 22€ up to 35€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Best time to visit Almaty: The best time to visit is between June and September when the weather is pleasant and the surrounding area can be explored with ease. If you prefer snow and winter activities, December or January are ideal months to visit Almaty, just bear in mind that some places like Big Almaty Lake may not be accessible during this time.
How to get around Almaty: Exploring Almaty is a breeze as many of the top attractions are located close together, making it easy to get to them by foot. To cover a further distance, you can use the metro, buses, Uber, or Yandex Taxi. Tickets for the bus can be purchased directly from the driver.
Safety in Almaty: Almaty is generally a secure destination to visit with some minor safety concerns. It is important to be mindful of potential petty theft, robbery, corruption, scams, and transportation issues. Stay vigilant and don’t leave your personal belongings unattended.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Almaty are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Almaty.
- Evergreen Hostel – best for solo travelers
- ART Hostel Almaty – best for female solo travelers
- My Hostel Almaty – best for couples
- Extra: DA Hostel Almaty - best for backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Almaty. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Evergreen Hostel
2. ART Hostel Almaty
3. My Hostel Almaty
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Evergreen Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | ART Hostel Almaty |
| 🎒 Backpackers | DA Hostel Almaty |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | My Hostel Almaty |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | My Hostel Almaty |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Evergreen Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | My Hostel Almaty |
1. Evergreen Hostel
The first entry on our list of the best hostels in Almaty is the industrial-styled Evergreen Hostel! It’s a pretty small-sized accommodation, meaning that you’ll have plenty of space for yourself.
Due to its size, the Evergreen Hostel offers privacy like no other accommodation! The rooms have fewer beds than other hostels, so your comfort is assured. Additionally, there are no long lines when you’re waiting to use the bathrooms!
Every room is equipped with LCD lights, power outlets and privacy curtains. Finally, the accommodation features handy appliances like hairdryers, a washing machine and a dishwasher.
There are plenty of restaurants and eateries in the surrounding area; however, the kitchen is fully functional – similar to the one in your own house! The common areas are filled with seating options where you could meet fellow travellers or get some work done!
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Previous guests have raved about the staff service – everyone is making sure that the place is spotless, and they can help with any questions you might have!
Location: The location might be tricky for some people – it’s located 2km away from the Kasteev State Museum of Arts and 20 minutes away from the mesmerising Botanical Gardens. You will be glad to know that the bus stop is a 3-minute distance and frequent buses can take you to the centre.
The best choice in Almaty for
- solo travelers
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. ART Hostel Almaty
Next, we have a cosy and affordable accommodation that you may find perfect for your journey in Almaty!
ART Hostel Almaty offers comfortable dorm rooms with nightlights, a power outlet and space for all your things. A wooden wall separates every bed, so your privacy is guaranteed! However, no private rooms are available – the ART Hostel only offers dorm rooms. The bathrooms are also well-equipped, but you may have to wait your turn since there’s only one for each room.
When it comes to the common areas, there is a functional kitchenette where you can have your meals. Additionally, the hostel features an ironing service, as well as laundry – however, you have to pay a small fee.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Finally, a 24-hour reception is one of this accommodation’s facilities, and the staff will help you with anything you need. We should note that certain travellers have experienced trouble with staff not speaking English, but those occurrences are quite rare.
Location: The ART Hostel is situated in the centre of the city, 1.2 km away from the Almaty Central Stadium.
There is a metro station in the hostel’s vicinity, so it will be pretty easy to go around town! In addition, there are plenty of cafés in the area, so you can have breakfast and start exploring the city’s wonders!
A great choice for
- female solo travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. My Hostel Almaty
The closer to our list of best hostels in Almaty is the modern and sleek My Hostel Almaty!
There are two room options – both dorm and private, and each is equipped with privacy curtains, nightlights, power outlets, a private bathroom, a wardrobe, and a safety deposit box. In addition, My Hostel provides complimentary bed linen and towels providing.
Moreover, the double room ensures the utmost privacy and comfort, making them perfect for couples! They even have bathrobes for the lovebirds, so you may even get a taste of luxury.
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
The industrial common areas are also noteworthy. A full kitchen is available, equipped with all the necessary appliances; however, there aren’t many spaces where you could meet other people.
The downside – the Wi-Fi has been reported as bad, and when the hostel is overcrowded, the reception is minimal. Aside from that, you’re definitely in for a treat!
Location: Travellers love its location – it’s only 3 minutes from the Dostyk Plaza, and plenty of public transportation options exist in its area! Additionally, they loved how clean and quiet this hostel is! If you’re looking for an experience where you can truly unwind, we strongly recommend this place!
This is one of the best hostels in Almaty for
- couples
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
4. DA Hostel Almaty
DA Hostel Almaty is an exciting and stylish accommodation option for energetic travelers. Bright and cozy rooms come with desks and chairs perfect for work or studying, and large clothes cabinets come with keys for extra security.
For readers, headboards of all beds have separate lamps. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 surveillance of the premises and a guarded car park.
Interior styling and decoration of the hostel will captivate even the most experienced travelers.
The hostel has been lovingly crafted to ensure the best possible stay for our guests – from free Wi-Fi and cable TV to modern appliances and snow-white linen in the sleeping area.
Come and enjoy the homely atmosphere of DA Hostel Almaty and make your stay truly memorable.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Location: For those looking for adventure, DA Hostel Almaty is the perfect launching point! Just 27 km away, Shymbulak offers bike hire for exploring the nearby countryside.
To experience the city, the Ascension Cathedral is a mere 2.2 km away, while Almaty Central Park is only 1.2 km away. After an exciting day, the Almaty International Airport is just 12 km away.
A great choice for
- backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Almaty for Solo Travelers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Almaty for solo-travelers?
Evergreen Hostel is perfect for solo travelers because it offers a safe and welcoming atmosphere. The hostel is conveniently located in the city center, close to major attractions and shopping centers.
It features comfortable beds, a fully equipped kitchen and a range of amenities, including free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour reception.
Guests can also enjoy a variety of social activities, such as movie nights and board game evenings, as well as the opportunity to meet fellow travelers and make new friends.
The hostel also offers a range of tours and activities to explore the city and the surrounding area.
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
At the moment, we think you are all set with the hostels we just shared with you. We always try to keep our guides super fresh and up to date. We might add more hostels worth a mention soon here if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.
Backpacking Tips For Almaty
From awe-inspiring nature to culturally enriching experiences – Almaty has something for everyone! Here are some useful tips that will surely make your journey an unforgettable one!
- As we previously stated, Almaty is the birthplace of modern apples. For that reason, you should taste as many as you can! You can head to the Green Bazaar to try them out, or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can head to the wild apple forests in the vicinity of the city and pick them yourself! If you’re choosing the latter option, you should find a guide.
- You should definitely head down to Arbat street, as it’s the first pedestrian zone in the city. There, you will find the most popular store in Almaty – TsUM (Central Universal Store), where they sell original paintings. Creative types will surely adore this place! Once you’re done, you can unwind in some nearby restaurants and try traditional Kazakh food.
- The Zenkov Cathedral is a must-visit – no questions asked! It’s one of the world’s most beautiful Orthodox churches, located in the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. Did you know that it’s the second-tallest wooden building in the world, and it was built with no nails? We guarantee it’s the most astonishing place in the city!
What about the cheapest hostels in Almaty?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Almaty.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Almaty
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
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How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Almaty best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Almaty?
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Our Favorite Hostels in Almaty put on a map + sights
Let us have a look at the map. Below, we list all three best Almaty hostels on a map.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
In Almaty we absolutely enjoyed:
- Central State Museum
- Altyn-Emel National Park
- Kolsai Lakes
- Charyn Canyon
- Kok Tobe Hill
- Botanical Garden
- Soviet architecture
- Green Bazaar
- Big Almaty Lake
- Old Government House on Astana Square
- Zenkov Cathedral
- Central Mosque
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FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
Any questions about hostels in Almaty?
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Flights to Almaty?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
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- best hostels in Tel Aviv, Israel
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Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Almaty guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
