Exercise Normal Precautions
“Exercise normal precautionin Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is generally a safe destination for travelers.”
Updated Tue, 18 Aug 2026
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Is Almaty safe? 🇰🇿
Kazakhstan · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Almaty scores 68/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Almaty is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime and normal security precautions advised. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Almaty 🇰🇿
Kazakhstan · Assessed 19 October 2026
68
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime58/100FairCrime index 52.8 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment79/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability65Fair
Health80Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-13T14:04:04Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Kazakhstan: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-15T04:33:35.8173395-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
2.0M residents
60
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Kazakhstan2.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
82
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in poorly lit areas or near nightlife venues after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in crowded markets, public transport, and major pedestrian zones like Zhibek Zholy Arbat
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
79/100
Reported feel64Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
About 64% of residents report feeling safe walking alone after dark, indicating moderate to high visitor confidence in daytime and well-lit areas
Yes. Almaty is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime and normal security precautions advised.
Almaty scores 73/100 on the IsMyTripSafe index as of October 2026, reflecting moderate overall safety with declining crime rates. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon, but pickpocketing and scams occur in crowded areas. Visitors report feeling safe walking alone after dark in well-lit and busy zones.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Korean scam ring busted in Almaty in joint operation with Kazakhstan— The Korea Times
- Aug 2026Korean scam group relocated to Kazakhstan from Cambodia, 19 arrested— 조선일보
- May 2026Almaty expands safety, transport and resort infrastructure ahead of summer tourism season— The Astana Times
Common scams
- Fake police officers demanding cash for alleged violations
- Found wallet scam involving distraction and extortion
Full briefing
Almaty is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime and normal security precautions advised. The city benefits from strong institutional safety scores and no active disaster alerts, though governance indicators show moderate weaknesses in rule of law and corruption control. Visitors report feeling safe walking alone after dark in well-lit and busy zones, with about 64% of residents expressing confidence in nighttime safety.
Pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded areas such as the Green Bazaar, public transport, and pedestrian zones like Zhibek Zholy Arbat, particularly during peak hours. Scams targeting tourists include fake police officers demanding cash for alleged violations and the found wallet distraction scheme near Panfilov Park and Republic Square. Travelers should insist on going to an official police station if approached by plain-clothes officers and carry copies of documents rather than originals.
Recent operations have disrupted foreign scam rings, including a Korean group busted in August 2026 after relocating from Cambodia, indicating active law enforcement response to visitor-targeted crime. Infrastructure improvements completed ahead of the 2026 tourism season have enhanced safety in key areas. Standard precautions — safeguarding valuables, avoiding poorly lit areas at night, and using licensed taxis — remain effective for a secure visit.
Was this Almaty, Kazakhstan report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Almaty districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Almaty safety map.
Turksib DistrictavoidIndustrial area with higher reports of petty crime and scams; less frequented by tourists, avoid at night.
Almaly DistrictcautionCentral area with hotels and attractions; pickpocketing reported in crowded zones like Zhibek Zholy Arbat.
Auezov DistrictcautionBusy market district (Green Bazaar); pickpocketing and overcharging of tourists can occur.
Jetysu DistrictcautionNightlife venues present; mugging and armed robbery uncommon but possible in poorly lit areas after dark.
Alatau DistrictsaferUpscale residential area near mountains with good infrastructure and low crime.
Zhetysu DistrictsaferTourist-friendly area around Kok Tobe hill and cable car; safe during day and evening with regular foot traffic.
Nauryzbai DistrictsaferDeveloping residential area on western outskirts; good safety but limited tourist amenities.
Bostandyk DistrictsaferWell-lit, high foot traffic area near Panfilov Park and Republic Square; regular police presence.
07 · After Dark
Is Almaty safe at night?
64% of people in Kazakhstan say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in poorly lit areas or near nightlife venues after dark
After dark, be most careful around Turksib District, Almaly District, Auezov District, Jetysu District. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Almaty safety FAQ (2026)
Is Almaty safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Almaty is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime and normal security precautions advised. Almaty scores 73/100 on the IsMyTripSafe index as of October 2026, reflecting moderate overall safety with declining crime rates. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon, but pickpocketing and scams occur in crowded areas. Visitors report feeling safe walking alone after dark in well-lit and busy zones. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Almaty safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Almaty report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Almaty should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Turksib District as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Almaty (2026)?
- Fake police officers demanding cash for alleged violations
- Found wallet scam involving distraction and extortion
How does Almaty compare with other places in Kazakhstan (2026)?
Almaty ranks #5 of 5 Kazakhstan destinations we've assessed, scoring 68/100. See the Kazakhstan safety overview for the full list.
How is this almaty safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: almaty.json (CC BY 4.0).