When is the best time to visit Russia

If you have not yet decided when to travel to Russia, you should know that its reputation for cold weather is justified. However, despite the low temperatures, it is a country worth visiting, at least once in a lifetime.

Best time to travel to Russia

The north and east of Russia are the coldest areas of this immense country, which becomes muddy during the spring. Avoid the months between March and May to visit Russia as much as possible, if you do not want to find mud everywhere. Autumn, on the other hand, is perfect for enjoying the landscapes and visiting it without being too cold.

Now, if what you want are more pleasant temperatures, undoubtedly July and August are the ideal months. Keep in mind however that, precisely for this reason, this is when more tourists visit the country. If you want to travel with fewer crowds, ideally choose from September to November.

As for the climate, being such an extensive country, it has a climate ranging from arid to polar, depending on the region in question. In the most populated part of Russia, between Moscow and St. Petersburg, the temperature in winter is usually -6ºC, and in summer 19ºC.

On the other hand, temperature contrasts are also common in this country, a clear example of which is the city of Khabarovsk, with 21ºC in July, and -20ºC in January. For its part, Sevastopol in Crimea reaches 35ºC in July, the hottest month in Russia.

Let’s see next what the best time to travel to Russia is according to the region we want to visit.

When to travel to St Petersburg

To visit St Petersburg, located in the northwest of the country, take advantage of the good temperatures of summer and autumn. On the other hand, between May and September would be the best months to visit the city. If you want to see the famous white nights, you must travel in June, but keep in mind that there will be more tourists.

At the end of May, the temperature is 15ºC on average, and that is when the shows and concerts begin in the city. It is a good month to travel, since there is still no mass of visitors.

To visit the great museums and the opera in peace and without queues, it is best to travel in October and November. The average temperatures are between 2ºC and 11ºC, and the prices are much more affordable; besides, there are hardly any tourists.

When to travel to Moscow

If the idea is to visit Moscow too, you should know that it has a humid continental climate. The winter, from December to January, records an average temperature ranging from -10ºC to 0ºC. In February the thermometer can go down to -25ºC, so if you don’t like the cold, do not choose this month.

During summer, the average temperature is between 18ºC and 30ºC, with August being the coolest month. In spring, the temperatures are quite pleasant, an average of 20ºC, and in autumn they range between -2ºC and 12ºC.

The best time to visit Moscow is during the summer, although it coincides with the tourist high season. Remember that during the spring the melting occurs; there will be mud everywhere. And if you are not chilly, you can take advantage of the good prices and the tranquility of autumn to visit this city.

When to travel to Lake Baikal

If you are going to include the magnificent Lake Baikal on your trip to Russia, you should know that the best time is between June and August. You will have an average temperature of 18ºC throughout the summer. September can also be an appropriate month to travel to this part of Russia, because the temperature is 12ºC, so it is still favourable.

Between October and April, temperatures are much colder. The thermometer can go down to -17ºC in February, although the winter average is -8ºC. If you want to enjoy all the beauty of this lake in southern Siberia, it is better to travel during the summer.

When to travel to Vladivostok

Known as the last stop of the famous Trans-Siberian Railway, Vladivostok is a coastal city with a large number of theatres, museums and auditoriums. To enjoy all the culture and views of the bay of Vladivostok, it is best to travel during the summer, between June and September.

Temperatures can reach up to 30ºC during the summer. The coldest months, on the other hand, are from November to March. During this time the minimum temperatures are -25ºC and there will be a lot of snow. In April, May and October you will have cool days, but not as cold as in winter.

To visit other Russian cities such as Sochi, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Kazan or Veliky Novgorod, choose the summer months, when the temperatures are the most pleasant.