Kazakhstan's Almaty Tops CNN Travel 2025 List as Central Asia’s “Capital of Cool”

Kazakhstan's Almaty has been ranked number one on CNN Travel’s 2025 best places to visit list, earning the title of Central Asia’s “capital of cool”.

“Central Asia’s dramatic landscapes and unique urban centers are proving to be particularly alluring,” wrote Karla Cripps, The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

She praised Almaty as “one of those rare cities that truly has it all,” highlighting its vibrant culinary scene, lively nightlife, and expanding arts and culture sector.

Cripps pointed to Almaty’s metro stations as ‘works of art,’ comparing them to the city’s museums. Notable cultural spots include the Abilkhan Kasteev State Art Museum and the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture.

Almaty is celebrated as the birthplace of “Neo Nomad” gastronomy, a modern twist on traditional Kazakh cuisine, combining heritage with contemporary flavors.

“Getting to Almaty is surprisingly easy, too. It can be reached via direct flights from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, while Kazakhstan offers visa-free entry to citizens of a long list of countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom,” Cripps added.

CNN’s list also features Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India), Bequia (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Chemnitz (Germany), Eswatini and Mpumalanga Province (South Africa), and Gdańsk (Poland).

Earlier, Almaty was honored with an award for tourism innovation at the Global Tourism Forum 2025, reinforcing its growing reputation as a must-visit destination.