About St Petersburg
Best time to visit according to seasons
Summers are considered to be the best time to visit St Petersburg. Whilst this season lasts for a fairly short time in St Petersburg, it starts from the month of June. Summer in the city boasts of moderately warm weather, with cooler nights. The temperatures during this season range between 16 to 25 degrees Celsius, with some days going up to 30 degrees Celsius.
Following the warm summer days is the cool autumn season. In St Petersburg, this season lasts from September to early November, with the early months being warm. Often known as Golden Autumn, this city is also known to have inspired many poets and writers of Russian literature. The temperatures typically begin to go down from October, and you can even witness the first snow by November. The temperatures of the city during autumn range from 8.5 to 13 degrees Celsius.
Winter in St Petersburg begins from November onwards, with temperatures becoming quite low by early December. While the weather remains rather mild, it is prone to change throughout the season owing to the cold sea air and the south-westerly winds brought in by the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. At its lowest, the temperature reaches -12 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the months of January and February are the coldest in the city, while the average winter temperatures range between -8 to -10 degrees Celsius.
Spring is another one of the most beautiful times of the year in St Petersburg. The season begins from mid-March, and it is during this time when the temperature ranges between 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. The snow begins to melt during this season, with the skies remaining grey, overcast and gloomy. The spring season brings with it numerous holidays and festivals, such as Maslenitsa.
Best time to visit according to months
The month of January is the best time to visit St Petersburg, Russia, especially if you wish to witness the winter snow in the city. With an average temperature of -6 degrees Celsius, January sees an influx of tourists who come to the city to enjoy the festivities of the New Year. You can also visit the bars and restaurants in the city to enjoy different parties and events during this month.
The month of February, with an average temperature of -6 degrees Celsius, remains quite cold. During this month, you can see a lot of locals heading out for picnics and strolls in the parks of the city, such as Catherine’s Park and Pavlovsk, where they can also enjoy skiing and riding down the snow-laden hills. Ice skating, enjoying the celebration of Maslenitsa and eating pancakes in the parks, along with bonfires are some of the top activities to indulge in during February.
March marks the onset of spring season in St Petersburg, and is characterised by cold weather conditions, with an average temperature of -2 degrees Celsius. This is a rather low season in the city, which makes it one of the best times to visit St Petersburg, since the crowds here are low during this time. You can also see the attractions covered in snow, and enjoy your holiday here in a rather unique way.
It is during April when the spring season in St Petersburg is in full swing, with the city beginning to gradually get warmer, and average temperatures remaining at 5 degrees Celsius. The snow, as well as the Neva River, begins to melt, and you can even catch sights of chunks of ice floating downstream. It is also a great month to visit the many museums in the city.
The month of May is ranked as the best time to visit St Petersburg Russia, especially by Russians. Characterised by clear, and relatively better weather conditions, the month also has several public holidays, which are celebrated with spectacular parades around the city. On May 27th, you can even enjoy the celebration of the city’s birthday, which boasts of many exhibitions, shows, events and parades. The temperature during May averages at 12 degrees Celsius.
June is often known as the month of White Nights in St Petersburg, and is one of the most popular times to visit the city. The entire month is characterised by long days and warm weather conditions, with average temperatures of 16 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, it is during this month that you can witness nights here, when it is still light, making exploring St Petersburg an even more unique experience.
The month of July is definitely the best time to visit St Petersburg, with temperatures recorded at 18 degrees Celsius on an average. The days are relatively hot, which makes exploring the city more feasible, especially if heat does not bother you. There are smaller queues at the entry of the city’s attractions, thereby resulting in shorter waiting hours.
During August, the temperatures in St Petersburg is at an average of 16 degrees Celsius, and the weather remains quite hot. However, towards the end of the month, there is an increase in rainfall, with the weather gradually becoming milder. It is also the best time to explore the city’s parks and gardens, in addition to taking relaxing strolls around the city.
When looking for the best time to visit St Petersburg, Russia, you should take the month of September into consideration. This month, with an average temperature of 11 degrees Celsius, marks the onset of the autumn season in the city. The city turns a beautiful golden colour, with the trees in the park slowly shedding their leaves, leaving the entire ambience rather bittersweet, yet quite panoramic.
It is with the month of October that the winter season begins in the city of St Petersburg. While the beginning of the month is quite rainy, you can expect to witness the first snowfall by the end of the month. The temperatures go down during this month, and average at 6 degrees Celsius. The riversides get quite windy, thereby halting boat cruises. However, you can still enjoy exploring the many attractions and bars in the city during this month.
The temperatures in St Petersburg in November remain around 1 degree Celsius, with the weather remaining quite cold, wet and unpleasant. While it is not the best time to visit St Petersburg, it is still the low season in the city, with prices for a lot of things being relatively cheap and affordable. In addition to experiencing snowfall in the city, you can also enjoy shorter waiting times at the museums and other landmarks here during November.
The month of December marks the winter month in St Petersburg, and it is one of the coldest months of the year here. The weather in December remains unstable, with rains as well as snowfall. The temperatures can go down as low as -5 degrees Celsius, and you can even try different winter sports during this time, including sleigh rides and skiing.
FAQ's
How many days do you need to visit St Petersburg?
You need a minimum of 3 to 5 days to visit St Petersburg. If you are visiting the city during summers, which is the best time to visit St Petersburg, in addition to being a peak season here, you may need more than 5 days here, since a lot of the attractions, such as palaces and museums, remain quite crowded, with longer hours of waiting.
What is the warmest month in St Petersburg?
July is the warmest month in St Petersburg, with average temperatures ranging between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. While it remains quite hot throughout the day during this month, July is still considered to be the best time to visit St Petersburg Russia, owing to lesser crowds and shorter waiting times at the different attractions of the city.
Is May a good time to visit St Petersburg?
The month of May is considered to be one of the best times to visit St Petersburg. It is during this month that there are several holidays and celebrations in the city, with amazing parades. Furthermore, the month marks the low season in St Petersburg, which is great if you wish to avoid the crowds here.
Is St Petersburg Russia worth visiting?
St Petersburg is surely a city worth visiting. In addition to having a rich history associated with it, the city is also the second largest city in Russia, and is located on the banks of the Neva River. It is also a great place to visit if you wish to learn about the imperial history of the country, which is evident from the many attractions and landmarks here, from the Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace, to the Peterhof Palace, the Bronze Horseman statue and more.
What is the best time of year to visit St Petersburg?
The best time to visit St Petersburg Russia is the summer months of June to August, when the city remains warm but pleasant. You can also witness the White Nights phenomenon in St Petersburg in June, in addition to exploring the famous places in the city.
What is the peak tourist season in St Petersburg?
The months from June to August constitute the peak tourist season in St Petersburg. In addition to the white nights during the month of June, the attractions of the city also remain open till late for many days during these months, thereby giving you a chance to explore St Petersburg for longer hours.