Kazakhstan in May

Green hills, wild tulips, good hiking at lower levels.

No other month rates higher than May for Kazakhstan in this guide.

• Almaty and the south-east mountains · Almaty, Medeu, Kolsai, Charynbest weather

  Continental with mountain weather: snow in the city Dec–Feb, smog on still winter days, hot dry summers in the valleys and cool nights at the lakes.

• Northern steppe and Astana · Astana, Burabay, Karagandabest weather

  One of the coldest capitals: −30 °C (−22 °F) cold snaps and blizzards in winter, short warm summers.One of the coldest capitals: −22 °F (−30 °C) cold snaps and blizzards in winter, short warm summers.

• South (Silk Road) · Shymkent, Turkistan, Tarazbest weather

  Early spring and long, very hot summers; mild winters compared with the north.

• West and the Caspian · Aktau, Mangystau, Atyraubest weather

  Desert: 40 °C (104 °F)+ summers, strong winds, freezing winter nights; Mangystau trips need a 4×4.Desert: 104 °F (40 °C)+ summers, strong winds, freezing winter nights; Mangystau trips need a 4×4.

• Almaty Province: Almaty and the foothills · Province centre and Tian Shan slopesbest weather

  Continental: hot, dry summers and cold winters. May–June and September–October are the walking months; July–August is hot in the city but fine higher up.

• Almaty Province: Canyon and steppe east · Charyn, Kolsai, border countrybest weather

  Drier and windier than the city; summer afternoons are hot and exposed, spring and autumn are the comfortable windows.

• Altai: Ust-Kamenogorsk · Irtysh valleybest weather

  Continental: −20 °C (−4 °F) or lower in January, 30 °C (86 °F)+ in July; rain falls mostly in summer.Continental: −4 °F (−20 °C) or lower in January, 86 °F (30 °C)+ in July; rain falls mostly in summer.

• Altai: Mountain valleys · Altai foothillsbest weather

  Snow lingers into May at altitude; nights stay cold even in July.

• Caspian Basin: Caspian lowlands (Atyrau, Aktau) · Sea shore and desert plainbest weather

  Continental and dry: hot summers, cold winters. Wind off the Caspian is constant; spring and early autumn are the comfortable windows.

• Caspian Basin: Northern Ural River (Oral) · Steppe north of the Caspianbest weather

  Colder than the coast; winter ice and snow are normal.

• Central Highlands: Steppe and highland · Karaganda, Karkaraly, Balkhash, Semeybest weather

  Late May to September is the window: steppe greens up, highland lakes melt, days average 25–30 °C (77–86 °F). Winter is brutal, dry and windy, below −30 °C (−22 °F).Late May to September is the window: steppe greens up, highland lakes melt, days average 77–86 °F (25–30 °C). Winter is brutal, dry and windy, below −22 °F (−30 °C).

• Kazakh Desert: Southern plains (Shymkent, Turkistan, Taraz) · Qyzylqum and foothillsbest weather

  Continental: hot dry summers, cold winters. April–May and September–October are the working months.

• Kazakh Desert: Aral Sea and Kyzylorda · Aral Karakumbest weather

  Same pattern, more wind and dust; spring and early autumn are the sane windows.

• Kazakhstani North: Astana and Akmola · Central steppebest weather

  Short summer, long winter. −20 °C (−4 °F) or lower in January; 30 °C (86 °F) days in July. Wind year-round.Short summer, long winter. −4 °F (−20 °C) or lower in January; 86 °F (30 °C) days in July. Wind year-round.

• Kazakhstani North: Kostanay and North Kazakhstan · Northern wheat beltbest weather

  Colder and wetter than Astana; the same short June–August window.

• Kazakhstani North: Pavlodar · Irtysh valley, northeastbest weather

  Siberian edge; smoke and haze from steppe fires are possible in late summer.

• Almaty22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 13 rain days
• Aktau25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 3 rain days
• Aktobe23 °C (73 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 7 rain days
• Aral25 °C (77 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 2 rain days
• Atyrau25 °C (77 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 5 rain days
• Baikonur18 °C (64 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 2 rain days
• Balkhash28 °C (82 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Beyneu20 °C (68 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 5 rain days
• Chimbulak18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
• Karaganda20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
• Kentau27 °C (81 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 6 rain days
• Kokshetau18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 10 rain days
• Kostanay21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 6 rain days
• Kyzylorda24 °C (75 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 5 rain days
• Oral18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
• Pavlodar20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
• Semey20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 8 rain days
• Taraz22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 8 rain days
• Turkestan25 °C (77 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 5 rain days
• Ust‑Kamenogorsk18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 9 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Unity Day

  1 May

  Public holiday.

• Defender's Day and Victory Day

  7 and 9 May

  Parades and memorial events.

• Kurban Ait (Eid al-Adha)

  About 16 May 2027 (lunar — check)

  Public holiday; families travel.

• May holidays

  1 and 9 May · Almaty

  Green and warm; 1 and 9 May holidays bring crowds to parks and memorials.

• Unity of the Peoples of Kazakhstan Day

  1 May · Almaty

  Public holiday; some closures.

• Victory Day

  9 May · Almaty

  Public holiday; parades and events around Panfilov Park, the war memorial.

Crowds · Kazakhstan

Medium

Prices · Kazakhstan

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kazakhstan, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Almaty and the south-east mountains

  Best weather of the year (Almaty, Medeu, Kolsai, Charyn)

• Northern steppe and Astana

  Best weather of the year (Astana, Burabay, Karaganda)

• South (Silk Road)

  Best weather of the year (Shymkent, Turkistan, Taraz)

• West and the Caspian

  Best weather of the year (Aktau, Mangystau, Atyrau)

• Almaty

  Green and warm; holidays on 1 and 9 May.

• Aktau

  Best months: May–Oct

• Aktobe

  Best months: May–Jun, Sep

• Aral

  Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

• Atyrau

  Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

• Balkhash

  Best months: May–Sep

• Beyneu

  Best months: May–Sep

• Karaganda

  Best months: May–Sep