Weather in St Petersburg

About St Petersburg

St. Petersburg's 'White Nights' (summer daylight from 11 PM to 2 AM) create ethereal beauty as the city's 18th-century palaces and canals glow in twilight. The Hermitage Museum's collections rival the Louvre; the Winter Palace dominates Palace Square. The city feels more European than Russian, its avenues broader, its canals reminiscent of Venice.

Country

Russia

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

RUB

Language

Russian, English

Things to do in St Petersburg

Touring the Hermitage Museum's millions of artworks across 350 rooms Boating the Neva River and canals seeing palaces and bridges at water level Visiting the opulent Alexander Palace and Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo Attending ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre for classical Russian dance Walking the Nevsky Prospect main avenue for architecture and shopping Experiencing the White Nights (June-July) with daylight at midnight

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

-3C

Cold, with some rainy days.

February

-2C

Cold, with some rainy days.

March

Cold, with some rainy days.

April

Cold, with some rainy days.

May

15C

Cool, with some rainy days.

June

20C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

July

22C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

August

21C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

September

15C

Cool, with some rainy days.

October

Cold, with some rainy days.

November

Cold, with some rainy days.

December

-1C

Cold, with some rainy days.

St Petersburg feels like an entire imperial capital preserved in amber — canal-lined avenues, pastel baroque palaces, and the vast Hermitage museum housing one of the world's great art collections, all built on a scale designed to impress. Visit during the White Nights of June, when the sky barely darkens and the bridges over the Neva open on cue each night, for the city at its most theatrical.

Best areas to stay in St Petersburg

Palace Square & Hermitage

The grand baroque heart of the city, dominated by the Winter Palace and its world-class art collection.

Nevsky Prospekt

The main avenue, lined with shops, cafés, churches and grand 19th-century buildings, ideal for an evening stroll.

Vasilyevsky Island

A quieter area across the Neva with university buildings, the old Stock Exchange, and views back toward the Hermitage.

Peter and Paul Fortress

The city's founding site on its own island, with a cathedral, fortress walls and beach-like riverside areas.

Getting to St Petersburg

✈

Flights

Pulkovo Airport serves St Petersburg; check current visa and entry requirements well in advance.

⏱

From London

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

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Getting around

The Metro covers the centre well, though many sights are also reachable on foot along the canals; river boat tours offer another way to see the city.

Frequently asked questions

What are the White Nights?

A period in late May to early July when St Petersburg's high latitude means the sky never fully darkens, leading to extended festivities, late-night sightseeing, and crowded peak-season prices.

How much time do I need for the Hermitage?

At least half a day for a focused visit, though the collection is vast enough to fill several days — picking a few wings or eras in advance helps avoid museum fatigue.

What is unique about St Petersburg's bridges?

Many of the city's bridges over the Neva River and canals are raised at night during the navigation season to let ships pass, a popular spectacle especially during White Nights.

Is St Petersburg walkable?

The historic centre is very walkable and scenic along the canals, though distances between major sights like the Hermitage, Peterhof and Peter and Paul Fortress can add up.

Is Peterhof worth a day trip?

Yes — the Peterhof Palace and its elaborate fountain gardens, about an hour from the city centre, are often considered a highlight alongside the Hermitage.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Visited during White Nights and stayed out until 2am watching the bridges raise over the Neva — surreal with the sky still glowing. The Hermitage alone justifies the trip.

Anastasia P. · June 2024

★★★★★

Peterhof's fountains were even more impressive than I expected, and the canal-side architecture in the centre made every walk feel like a postcard.

Ben C. · September 2023

★★★★☆

Spent two full days in the Hermitage and still didn't see everything. Nevsky Prospekt at night, with all the buildings lit up, was a great way to end each day.

Yulia D. · May 2024