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Shopping in Kazakhstan can be quite interesting. Getting your hands on the souvenirs that narrate the rich history of the country is a must.
Kazakhstan’s present is extremely shaped by its nomadic past, its role on the Silk Route, and its link to the Caspian Sea. Oh, and the climate has made a huge difference too! As a tourist today, you can purchase souvenirs/things related to these legacies.
This guide will let you know about famous things to buy and where to purchase them, including in Almaty and Astana.
Stay till the end to uncover souvenirs like traditional clothing, affordable mementos, popular spirits, premium caviars and more!
What to Buy in Kazakhstan?
From iconic Kazakh Rakhat chocolates and traditional handicrafts to regional teas, dried fruits, and premium specialities like caviar, the best purchases here are both meaningful and easy to pack.
1. Kazak Rakhat Chocolates
Any Kazakhstan shopping list feels incomplete without Rakhat chocolates, the country’s most widely loved confectionery brand.
Rakhat chocolates are the ones with the iconic blue and gold paper wrapping. The wrappers are replicas of the official flag of Kazakhstan.
It includes the flag symbols, like the sun, golden eagle, and the ‘Koshar Muiz’ (common design resembling strength and prosperity), and ornamental details on the left side.
Made in the Rakhat Factory in Almaty, Kazakhstan, these chocolates are classic souvenirs from Kazakhstan. It is also one of the cheapest things to buy in Kazakhstan.
Most people who buy these chocolates are likely to keep the wrapper as a souvenir after eating the chocolates.
- Milk chocolate has 45% cocoa.
- Dark Chocolates has different cocoa variations of 65%, 70% & 80%
These chocolates are easy to find and can be bought at Rhakat’s factory outlets, Kazakhstan supermarkets like Galmart, and duty-free shops at the Kazakhstan airport.
- Cost: Starts from 91.53 INR (approx.)
2. Clothing from Kazakhstan
Kazakh traditional clothes are one of the most meaningful souvenirs, as they are inspired by nature, nomadic lifestyles, common beliefs and iconic ornamental motifs such as Koshkar Muiz (ram’s horn design). The details are colourful and intricately designed.
Some of the traditional clothing that you can buy are:
- Tymac – Tymac is a traditional men’s winter hat made from fur.
- Shapan – Long, flowy robe worn by both men and women.
These tend to make it warm and cozy, as Kazakhstan’s winters are extremely cold.
However, if you are searching for something traditional with a modern twist, there are the perfect places and brands for that!
- Arbat Shopping Street, Almaty
- Kazakhstan-based clothing brand Moonshauq.
3. Souvenirs
These are the favourites among travellers and visitors to take back home or gift to their loved ones. Here’s the list of souvenirs that can be bought in Kazakhstan!
| Dombras (Musical instrument) | Paintings on leather |
| Magnets | Hand-painted stones |
| Hand-painted/calligraphy ceramic plates | Pottery |
| Textile art | Jewish Harp |
You’ll find these handicraft items at souvenir shops across popular locations such as Kok Tobe, Arbat Street, Astana, and the Almaty Art Centre.
4. Caviar
Known as fish roe, caviar is made exclusively from sturgeon fish in the Caspian Sea region, which produces the best quality caviar.
Kazakhstan’s link to the Caspian Sea has shaped a strong sturgeon and caviar tradition. Today, caviar comes from both the Caspian region and regulated aquaculture farms.
Two main types of caviar are collected: red and black.
- Black caviar – the most premium variety, produced from sturgeons & beluga sturgeons.
- Red caviar – typically salmon, pike, or trout, a popular gourmet delicacy across the region.
Caviar is a luxury, healthy product, rich in omega-3, amino acids and various vitamins like A, E & D.
The ‘Kazakhstan Caviar House’ is the top producer of caviar in the country. They have online stores and walk-in stores in Almaty, Astana and Atyrau.
Kazakhstan’s caviar history runs so deep that Astana even has a bridge shaped like a sturgeon fish! It is the ‘Atyrau Bridge’, also known as the ‘Fish Bridge’.
- Cost: 2,197 INR- 18,306 INR for 120g/250g
5. Alcohol
Vodka, cognac, and beer are among the most popular alcoholic drinks in Kazakhstan, each reflecting a drinking culture influenced by both tradition and climate.
Kazakhstan Cognac
In Kazakhstan, brandy is commonly referred to as ‘cognac’. These spirits are aged for several years in oak barrels to develop the alcohol strength, aroma and flavour. The ageing period can be anywhere from 3 to 10 years!
Different types of cognacs have layers of taste profiles, such as sweet, tart, spicy and rich.
Recommended Brand: Bacchus
Kazakhstan Vodka
Vodka is one of the most widely consumed drinks in Kazakhstan, typically enjoyed as a chilled booze or even mixed with a chilled beer.
Most Kazakh vodkas are made from organic wheat, giving them a smooth texture with a clean, warming finish. Perfect for those -15°C nights.
Recommended Brands: Snow Queen Vodka & Xaoma
Beers
The line Brew Bottlers is Kazakhstan’s prominent brewing company, producing a wide range of beers of pale lager, wheat beer, and brune (dark brown beer). You also get a chance to try out exotic flavours like raspberries and wild strawberries.
Line Brews Beers can be enjoyed fresh at their official chain restaurants, Line Brew Restaurants. At their multiple dine-in locations in cities like Almaty, Astana, Karaganda and Kaskelen.
You can also purchase line-brewed beers to go at alcohol shops or duty-free stores across the country.
Travel Tip: Always check customs allowances before flying, as many countries limit the quantity of alcohol you can take with you in the check-in luggage and the carry-on luggage.
6. Kazakh Snacks
Some of the sweet dishes/snacks that belong to Kazakhstan are Baursaks, Chak-Chak and Zhent. Bakeries of Almaty, Astana and Shymkent bake fresh loads of these Kazakh desserts everyday!
- Baursaks: Fried dough pieces made up of flour, yeast and butter. They come in various shapes of spheres, triangles and squares. Typically, it is used as a substitute for bread and paired with tea.
- Chak Chak: Fried fluffy rice moulded into a ball or a heap of cake. The rice puffs are bound together with honey syrup, which makes them sweet and crunchy.
- Zhent: Sugar and millets are ground down to dust. After which, the dust is hardened together with the help of full-fat butter. And that’s Zhent.
7. Kazakh Tea
Tea culture in Kazakhstan goes a long way back to when nomads used to live in yurts in the deserted steppes.
Locals traditionally serve black tea in a small bowl called a ‘piyala’. It is often served with milk, Tashkent lemon, sugar or honey, mint, and spices like cardamom and fennel. When prepared this way, it is known as Tashkent Tea, a refreshing drink.
Recommended Brand: TeaHouse & Akman
8. Nuts & Dry Fruits
As Kazakhstan is part of the ancient ‘Silk Road’, dried fruits became one of its most traded goods. Also, for nomads, dry fruits were easy to carry, lasted for months and provided quick energy while migrating.
For these reasons, dried fruits have been popular in Central Asia for centuries, including in today’s Kazakhstan. So, buying dry fruits in Kazakhstan is not just about a souvenir or a snack but about understanding the historic trades.
Apricots, raisins, figs, and pecans are among the popular nuts and dry fruits, while dried melons, apples, cherries, and berries are also traditional in Kazakhstan. For affordable nuts and dry fruits, Green Bazaar is a must-visit in Kazakhstan.
- Cost: 5 kgs of dry fruits will be around 3,662 – 5,492 INR (approx.)
Places to Shop in Kazakhstan
Now we know what famous things to buy in Kazakhstan. Let’s move on to explore the places to buy them from.
1. Arbat Street
A no-vehicle, pedestrian-friendly walking street in Almaty is Arbat Street.
The street is lined with souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and pubs in the buildings. Also, street stores like fast food, snacks, paintings, and sketches are on the street.
You’ll find traditional Kazakh items such as shapans, woollen accessories, handcrafted gifts, and even musical instruments like the dombra, making it a great spot for meaningful shopping.
Bonus: Arbat Street will have random music, dance and singing performances by locals.
- Timings: 24/7
2. Green Bazaar
Also known as ‘Zelyony Bazar’, Green Bazaar is a popular market to find vegetables, fruits, meat, candies and souvenirs.
For a tourist, the highlight of this market is the meat section filled with chicken, cow, goat, sheep, pig and even horse.
However, souvenirs like traditional Kazakh garments, pottery and embroidered items are worth checking out as well.
- Timings: 9 am to 7 pm (Closed on Mondays)
3. Kok Tobe
Kok Tobe is one of Almaty’s most popular recreational landmarks, offering a mix of entertainment, scenic viewpoints, and souvenir shopping in a single visit.
Reached by a cable car ride, the hilltop park is a favourite among both locals and tourists!
A bunch of tiny Kazakhstan souvenir shops provide affordable jewellery, handmade artefacts, dry fruits and cute items like keychains and miniature souvenirs.
Kok Tobe Timings:
- Mondays, Wednesdays & Sundays: 11 am – 9 pm
- Tuesdays: 1 pm – 9 pm
- Thursdays: 11 am – 11 pm
- Saturdays: 11 am – 10 pm
4. Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre
The iconic tent-like structure in the capital city of Astana is not just an architectural marvel but a massive shopping mall.
Shopping is one of the major highlights of Khan Shatyr. However, it doesn’t come cheap. The mall houses several luxury brands, such as Chanel and Armani, alongside popular homegrown labels like Qazaq Republic.
- Timings: 10 am to 10 pm
Conclusion
Shopping in Kazakhstan is a fantastic way to dive into the country’s culture and history. Every product has deep roots, tracing back to the everyday lives of Central Asian nomads.
Momentos that you take back home with you will also remind you of the moments you spent in that country. It is both a memory and a reminder to explore other countries and their cultures.
FAQs on Kazakhstan Famous Things to Buy
1. What should I buy from Almaty?
Almaty is the best place to buy souvenirs in Kazakhstan. You get everything from fridge magnets to Kazakh carpets. However, some of the notable things to buy from Almaty are dry fruits from Green Bazaar, Kazakhstan chocolate from Rhakat and handmade souvenirs from Kok Tobe.
2. What to buy in Kazakhstan supetourrmarkets as a tourist?
As a tourist in Kazakhstan, you definitely need to check out the Rakhat Kazakhstan chocolates, dry fruits, local tea, sweets and even canned horsemeat (however, not all countries will let you carry it through customs).
3. What are some unique things to get from Kazakhstan?
Usual souvenirs like magnets and keychains are bought by everyone. As something unique, you can get Snow Queen Vodka, Bacchus Cognac and Kazakhstan Caviar.
