Russia: When to Go

July and August are the warmest months and the main holiday season. If you want to avoid the crowds, try May-June or September-early-October. In early autumn the leaves are turning and you can pick mushrooms and berries. Although winter is bitter, theatres open, the vodka comes out, buildings are warm and the snow is beautiful. Spring is slushy, muddy and generally horrible. Definitely try to avoid late Feb, March and early April.

Weather

Russia's extremes range from the frosts of the Siberian north to the heat of the European south. With no discernable spring or autumn, Russia has a dry continental climate. Siberian summers are surprisingly warm; it's the winters that make regions distinct. So while daytime summer temperatures over the nation may only vary from 20 to 30°C (68-86°F), in winter it is more like 10 to -50°C (51 to -58°F). Major towns like Moscow and St Petersburg share similar pleasant summer temperatures, both averaging around 24°C (75°F). Spring in both cities brings the great thaw, the reappearance of vehicles on the road and a general sense of mayhem.