From the wind-bleached steppe that rolls toward the Tien Shan to the orchard-lined avenues of Almaty, Kazakhstan smells of warm wool, smoky tea, and sun-baked leather.

Walk a market lane and you’ll hear the plucked twang of a dombra alongside merchants wrapping hand-felted goods, while the air carries the sweet bite of kazy and the herbal perfume of mountain honey from the Ili River foothills.

In Almaty’s Zelyony Bazaar and along the Arbat pedestrian street, colors, textures, and stories pile up on stalls: shyrdak panels, silver filigree, embroidered tubeteikas, and miniature yurts carved from local wood. Here’s what to buy in Kazakhstan to bring a piece of its spirit back home; below are the 10 essentials to hunt for on your trip.

1. Shyrdak Felt Rug

Why pick this up:
Shyrdak are hand-felted rugs with bold geometric appliqué that carry nomadic motifs and the tactile warmth of sheep’s wool—a living piece of steppe heritage. They make striking wall hangings or cozy throws that instantly evoke the yurt interior.

What to look for:
Choose dense, evenly felted wool with vivid natural dyes and sharp, symmetrical patterns; the best have visible hand-stitching and small imperfections that prove they’re handmade. Ask about the village or artisan—pieces from southern Kazakhstan and Almaty-region workshops are common.

Price bracket (2025):
₸15,000–₸220,000

Where to find it:
Craft bazaars in Almaty (Zelyony Bazaar & Arbat), artisan workshops in villages outside Almaty, and weekend maker markets.

2. Miniature Dombra

Why pick this up:
The dombra is Kazakhstan’s soul instrument; a small, travel-sized dombra captures its distinct oval body and two-string sound, perfect as decor or a beginner’s instrument. It’s a tactile souvenir that plays the melodies you heard in teahouses and at festivals.

What to look for:
Look for solid wood construction (often apricot or walnut), a properly carved bridge, and hand-painted or inlaid motifs; test the tuning pegs if possible. Authentic maker signatures or a note about the luthier add value.

Price bracket (2025):
₸7,000–₸55,000

Where to find it:
Almaty Arbat street stalls, music workshops, and museum gift shops like the National Museum in Nur-Sultan.

3. Shanyrak Wall Plaque (Yurt Crown Motif)

Why pick this up:
The shanyrak—yurt’s circular crown—symbolizes home and is even on Kazakhstan’s flag; a carved or metal shanyrak plaque makes a meaningful keepsake. It’s both decorative and deeply symbolic of nomadic identity.

What to look for:
Seek well-turned wood or hand-forged metal, clear radial spokes, and a certificate or label explaining the symbol’s significance. Smaller plaques are easier to pack and often handcrafted by village artisans.

Price bracket (2025):
₸3,000–₸30,000

Where to find it:
Craft markets, souvenir shops in Almaty and Nur-Sultan, and artisan villages near the steppe.

4. Silver Filigree Jewelry & Tumar Amulets

Why pick this up:
Kazakh silverwork—often with filigree and granulation—yields ornate necklaces, rings, and traditional tumar amulets that blend Turkic and Islamic motifs. These pieces are wearable art linked to family histories and protective customs.

What to look for:
Check for sterling marks or weight, crisp filigree detail, and hand-forged links; ask whether stones are natural (turquoise or carnelian) and inspect soldering for quality. Avoid overly shiny, uniformly perfect pieces that look machine-made.

Price bracket (2025):
₸6,000–₸85,000

Where to find it:
Jewelry stalls at Zelyony Bazaar, specialist silversmiths in Almaty, and museum shops.

5. Decorative Kinjal (Ornamental Dagger)

Why pick this up:
A kinjal replica captures the bold, carved aesthetics of Kazakh metalwork and makes a dramatic display piece that nods to mounted warrior traditions. It’s a compact way to bring home a piece of steppes’ martial craftsmanship.

What to look for:
Opt for a finely carved wooden sheath, inlaid metalwork, and secure fittings; confirm whether the blade is decorative only (to avoid export issues). Handmade handles of horn or walnut and etched motifs indicate authenticity.

Price bracket (2025):
₸8,000–₸60,000

Where to find it:
Souvenir alleys, Arbat in Almaty, and specialty craft markets.

6. Kurt (Dried Cheese Balls)

Why pick this up:
Kurt is a crunchy, salty preserved dairy snack made from strained horse or cow milk—an enduring pastoral treat that’s uniquely Central Asian. It’s lightweight, long-lasting, and tastes like a travel memory.

What to look for:
Choose vacuum-sealed packs from trusted vendors at Zelyony Bazaar with clear dates and ingredients; artisanal kurt will have an irregular shape and a tangy, fermented aroma. Check customs rules before packing.

Price bracket (2025):
₸700–₸3,500 per pack

Where to find it:
Almaty’s Zelyony Bazaar, Shymkent food markets, and packaged-food stalls.

7. Tubeteika (Embroidered Skullcap)

Why pick this up:
The tubeteika (doppa) is a staple of Kazakh and Central Asian dress—colorful, embroidered, and eminently wearable. It’s an immediate way to carry local patterning with you.

What to look for:
Look for hand-embroidery, natural fabric like cotton or silk, and regional motifs (southern styles often have denser, floral embroidery). Beware of cheap printed caps—authentic ones show stitch variation.

Price bracket (2025):
₸2,000–₸12,000

Where to find it:
Textile stalls at Zelyony Bazaar, Arbat street vendors, and ethnic craft fairs.

8. Tien Shan Mountain Honey

Why pick this up:
Honey from the Tien Shan foothills is prized for its floral complexity and is a sweet, shelf-stable reminder of Kazakhstan’s high pastures. It’s great for gifts and pairs well with tea.

What to look for:
Prefer raw, jarred honey with a clear source (Ili or Almaty region), a label indicating floral origin, and airtight sealing. Darker, crystallized honey can indicate minimal processing and real floral variety.

Price bracket (2025):
₸2,500–₸12,000 per 250–500g jar

Where to find it:
Food stalls at Zelyony Bazaar, regional food fairs, and some museum or airport shops.

9. Kazy (Vacuum-Packed Horse Sausage)

Why pick this up:
Kazy is a prized cured horsemeat sausage with a rich, gamey flavor central to Kazakh celebratory feasts; vacuum-packed kazy travels reasonably well and makes a memorable culinary souvenir. It’s a taste of festival tables and steppe hospitality.

What to look for:
Select vacuum-sealed, properly labeled packages from reputable vendors at food markets; check for proper curing and manufacturer details. Be sure to verify import rules for meat products in your destination country.

Price bracket (2025):
₸4,000–₸18,000 per pack

Where to find it:
Zelyony Bazaar in Almaty, Shymkent bazaars, and specialty food stalls.

10. Camel or Sheepskin Leather Bag

Why pick this up:
Durable, beautifully patinated leather goods harness local tanning traditions and practical nomadic design—perfect for everyday use and long-lasting travel memories. A leather bag recalls caravan routes and steppe trade.

What to look for:
Look for full-grain leather, hand-stitched seams, and traditional tooling or embossed motifs; test zips and straps for sturdiness. Genuine camel leather has a distinct grain and weight compared to synthetic options.

Price bracket (2025):
₸10,000–₸75,000

Where to find it:
Leather sections of large bazaars, artisan workshops in Almaty, and select market stalls.

Tip: Wrap fragile ceramics or instruments in clothing, request vacuum-sealed packaging for foods, and declare any meat/dairy at customs to avoid fines 🧳

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Kazakh shopping culture blends nomadic practicality with urban bazaars; historically, goods moved along caravan routes and artisans specialized by village, a tradition that survives in regional workshops. Markets like Almaty’s Zelyony Bazaar are alive with haggling, sampling, and storytelling—merchants often share the provenance of wool, honey, or smoked meats while you shop.

Major bazaars and weekend craft fairs serve as community hubs during Nauryz and other holidays, when folk embroiderers, felters, and silversmiths display seasonal work. Bargaining is common in open-air markets but less so in museum shops or established galleries; artisan villages outside city centers still produce many of the traditional goods sold in urban markets.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Genuine Kazakh crafts show telltale signs: felt items (shyrdak, kіiiz) have uneven thickness, visible hand-stitching, and natural wool scents; authentic dombra and woodwork reveal hand tools marks and tight, accurate joints. For silver, inspect for hallmarks and hand-filigree irregularities—perfect symmetry often signals machine-made imports.

Ask about materials and origin: look for labels stating sheep or camel wool, Tien Shan honey source, or village names; seasoned sellers will name provinces or artisan families. For foods, choose vacuum-sealed packaging with production dates and producer contact info, and always check customs allowances before buying meats or dairy.

Where to Shop in Kazakhstan

• Zelyony Bazaar (Green Bazaar), Almaty — the most famous open-air market for foods, textiles, and crafts.
• Arbat pedestrian street, Almaty — artisan stalls and musician performances.
• Barakholka flea market, Almaty — for vintage finds and secondhand treasures.
• National Museum gift shop, Nur-Sultan — quality museum-made souvenirs.
• Shymkent bazaars and regional marketplaces — strong southern embroidery traditions.
• Nursultan International Airport gift shops — convenient last-minute purchases.
• Weekend craft fairs and village workshops outside Almaty — for directly sourced handcrafts.

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Kazakhstan expensive?
A: Prices vary widely; markets offer affordable handcrafts, while museum shops and bespoke workshops command higher, fairer prices for certified artisanal work.

Q: Is bargaining common in Kazakhstan?
A: Yes—haggling is expected at open-air bazaars like Zelyony Bazaar, but it’s inappropriate in many museum shops and established boutiques.

Q: How do I know if food items can be taken home?
A: Buy vacuum-sealed, labeled products and check your home country’s customs rules for meat and dairy before packing; vendors can often advise on exportability.

Explore Kazakhstan’s markets and makers for a deeper sense of the steppe; Kazakh souvenirs will carry the stories and textures of your journey home.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!