Weather in Moscow

About Moscow

Red Square's Kremlin fortress and St. Basil's multi-coloured onion domes represent Russian imperial grandeur at its peak. The city sprawls across hills with hundreds of neighbourhood churches and palaces; the metro stations rank among the world's most ornate. Moscow pulses with art galleries, theatres, and restaurants rivalling any European capital.

Country

Russia

Best months to visit

August

Currency

RUB

Language

Russian, English

Things to do in Moscow

Walking Red Square and circumambulating the Kremlin fortress walls Visiting St. Basil's Cathedral's labyrinthine interior galleries and perspectives Touring the Kremlin Palace, Armoury, and cathedral complexes inside walls Attending ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre for classical Russian performance Exploring world-class museums: Pushkin Museum, Tretyakov Gallery, History Museum Riding the ornate Metro stations art deco mosaics and chandeliers

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

-5C

Cold, with some rainy days.

February

-3C

Cold, with occasional showers.

March

Cold, with occasional showers.

April

11C

Cool, with occasional showers.

May

18C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

June

22C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

July

24C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

August

23C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

September

17C

Cool, with occasional showers.

October

Cold, with some rainy days.

November

Cold, with some rainy days.

December

-2C

Cold, with some rainy days.

Moscow is a city of extraordinary scale and contrast — the candy-coloured domes of St Basil's and the fortified walls of the Kremlin sit beside Stalinist skyscrapers, Soviet-era metro stations that double as underground palaces, and a contemporary food and arts scene that rivals any European capital. Red Square at night, lit up and nearly empty, remains one of the most striking urban scenes in the world.

Best areas to stay in Moscow

Red Square & Kremlin

The historic and political heart of the city, home to St Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin walls, and GUM.

Tverskaya & Garden Ring

Moscow's main shopping boulevard, lined with grand buildings, theatres and restaurants near the centre.

Patriarch's Ponds & Arbat

A leafy, literary district associated with Bulgakov, alongside the pedestrianised Arbat street of shops and street performers.

Zaryadye Park & Kitay-Gorod

A modern landscaped park beside the Moskva River, next to the historic Kitay-Gorod merchant quarter.

Getting to Moscow

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Flights

Moscow is served by several major airports (Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo); check current visa and entry requirements well in advance.

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From London

Flight times vary significantly depending on origin and routing — check current options before booking.

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Getting around

The Metro is fast, cheap and covers the whole city; a Troika card works across metro, buses and trams.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Moscow?

May to September offers the warmest weather and long daylight hours, including White Nights-adjacent light in early summer. Winter is dramatically cold but atmospheric, especially around Christmas markets.

Is the Moscow Metro worth seeing as an attraction?

Yes — many central stations, particularly on the Circle Line, are ornately decorated with mosaics, chandeliers and marble, effectively functioning as free museums while you travel.

What should I see on Red Square?

St Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin walls and towers, Lenin's Mausoleum, and the GUM department store, a grand 19th-century shopping arcade facing the square.

Do I need advance tickets for the Kremlin?

Yes — Kremlin grounds and the Armoury Chamber have timed entry and limited daily capacity, so booking ahead online is strongly advised, especially in peak season.

Is Moscow easy to navigate for English speakers?

Signage in the centre and metro increasingly includes English/Latin transliteration, and ride-hailing apps work well, though learning the Cyrillic alphabet for station names helps a lot.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Red Square at night, lit up with St Basil's in the background, is something I'll never forget. The metro stations themselves were attractions in their own right.

Irina V. · June 2024

★★★★☆

Cold but beautiful — the Christmas markets near Red Square had a great atmosphere. GUM's festive decorations were over the top in the best way.

Tom H. · December 2023

★★★★★

Spent a whole afternoon riding the Circle Line just to look at the station architecture. Zaryadye Park was a nice modern contrast to the historic centre.

Maria K. · September 2024