Winter in Saint Petersburg: Enjoy a Snowy Paradise in Russia

Winter in Saint Petersburg is a different kind of magic you will never forget. The cold days in St. Petersburg are filled with snow, dark evenings, delicious warm food, Christmas lights, woolen coats, and winter adventures. Everything looks stunning and glorious when snow leaves a magical impression on the beautiful landscapes in St. Petersburg in winter.

There is so much to do, see, explore, and experience in St. Petersburg during the winter. From watching a Ballet show to exploring the inspiring museums, trying flavorful dishes, and admiring the unspoiled beauty of cathedrals, you will not be short of things to do in St. Petersburg.

If you want to learn more about the winter in Saint Petersburg, skim through this post once. It has every detail related to how your winter vacation will be in St. Petersburg.

Things to Do in St. Petersburg During Winter Season

You are wrong if you think the cold and dark winter in St. Petersburg has nothing to offer tourists during the cold months. So, here is a list of things to do in winter in Saint Petersburg:

• Get Swept by the Beauty of Winter Palace

Winter Palace is called the Winter Palace for a reason. The reason behind the name is that the royal family of Russia used to live in this Palace during the winter season. From 1732 to 1917, it was the official residence of the Russian emperors. The overall architecture and marvelous beauty of this Palace reflect the grandeur of Imperial Russia.

It is a must-see landmark in St. Petersburg in winter for its unmatched magnificence. As far as your eyes go, you will only see the eye-catching detailing inside and outside the Palace. Winter Palace is something you should not miss out on visiting during your St. Petersburg tour.

• Enjoy a Classical Russian Ballet Show

St. Petersburg is home to classical Russian Ballet. Peter the Great Introduced Ballet to Russians. After that, the Ballet became popular among the Russians and became a major part of the entertainment industry in Russia. If you want to enjoy a Ballet Show in St. Petersburg in winter, you should visit the Mariinsky Theatre.

St. Petersburg hosts various winter festivals, where Ballet events are always performed. Watching a Ballet performance is one of the best things to do in St. Petersburg.

• Immerse in the Festive Vibes

To be a part of winter’s magic in Russia, December to January is the best time to visit St. Petersburg. During this time, every street and the houses are decked up with fairy lights over the snow-covered roofs. Also, the shops are glittering with Christmas and New Year decorative items. Winter in Saint Petersburg gets more exciting when you visit here during this time.

The shops on the streets sell warm cuisines and hot drinks enough to make your stay more satisfying than ever. Moreover, there are various winter festivals and events happening around the city.

• Have a Delightful Ice Skating Experience

As you know, the weather in Saint Petersburg during cold months is about snow. Snowy weather means icy sports and icy sports include ice skating. Kirov Park is one of the perfect spots for ice skating in St. Petersburg. The ice is polished every hour to offer a clear platform for skating.

Do not worry if you know nothing about ice skating. There are professionals ready to help you learn the art of ice skating. You can skate like a pro here with soothing music playing in the background and some basic ice skating tips.

• Relish the Delicious Flavors of Russian Cuisine

One of the must-do things in St. Petersburg in winter is to try delicious warm cuisines. There are countless mouthwatering foods filled with flavors of all kinds waiting for you to devour. Start with soups like Borscht, then try Blini (Russian pancakes), move to Pelmeni, and so much more.

St. Petersburg has a variety of Russian dishes that you must try to keep you warm and hearty throughout the trip. After spending an exhausting day, only delicious food can save you from getting drained and hungry.

Know about: Russian Culture Facts

Must-See Attractions in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is brimming with attractions of all kinds, making tourists explore and see so many things. These attractions are culturally, architecturally, historically, and artistically rich. So, let’s have a look at some of the top attractions in St. Petersburg:

• State Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage Museum is one of the most prominent attractions in St. Petersburg. It is the most-visited museum in St. Petersburg. The State Hermitage Museum is one of the largest art museums in the world. You cannot go home without visiting this incredible museum in St. Petersburg.

State Hermitage Museum has a vast collection of Western art, including Rubens, Michelangelo, Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and many more. There are other collections belonging to the Russian imperial regalia, ancient gold from Eastern Europe, and an assortment of Faberge jewelry. Besides, the fun fact about the museum is that there are a bunch of cats living in the museum- they are called the Hermitage cats.

• Alexander Nevski Monastery

The Alexander Nevski Monastery is one of the most beautiful and largest Russian Orthodox monasteries in St. Petersburg. It consists of two churches, a bakery, a cathedral, and a cemetery. If you are holidaying in St. Petersburg in winter, you should visit the Alexander Nevski Monastery.

It was founded in 1710 by Peter the Great. Located on the bank of the Neva River, Alexander Nevski Monastery is one of the significant tourist attractions in the city today. It is so huge and breathtakingly beautiful that you won’t take your eyes off it. It is the richest and most significant monastery in the Russian Empire.

• Peterhof Palace

Peterhof Palace is the most spectacular attraction in Russia. The magnificent fusion of Russian and European styles in its architecture makes it more elegant and eye-catching. It is a must-visit place in St. Petersburg, irrespective of the season you visit. So, even if you visit St. Petersburg in winter, you should go to this Palace to witness its unparalleled beauty and explore its history.

The Palace looks even more beautiful and majestic when its complexes are covered with snow. Some must-see things inside the Palace are the Grand Cascade, Samson Fountain, the Lower Gardens, the Grand Palace, the Upper Gardens of Peterhof, and much more.

• Neva Bridges

Neva Bridges is one of the fascinating attractions in St. Petersburg. To see this attraction, you need to take a boat and sail through the river. Watching the opening of the Neva bridges during winter in Saint Petersburg is one of the best experiences to take home. These bridges are open every day at night from April to November.

Most tourists come here to see this unique thing and get mesmerized by the scene. If you are vacationing in St. Petersburg, you must at least once see this raising of the bridge.

• Peter and Paul Fortress

Peter and Paul Fortress is another amazing attraction in St. Petersburg. It is the primary citadel of St. Petersburg. It was established in 1703 on small Hare Island by the north bank of the Neva River. The Peter and Paul Fortress has numerous infrastructures to explore. However, you need the whole day by your side for thorough exploration. It is best to see during the winter in Saint Petersburg when the fortress is decked up with fresh snow, offering marvelous views.

Tips to Note Before Flying to St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a fantastic destination in Russia to visit. As one of the largest cities in Russia, St. Petersburg draws the attention of thousands of tourists every year. If you plan to visit St. Petersburg in winter, here are a few tips you should note before heading:

• A visa is the most important thing if you plan to fly to St. Petersburg. You will need a visa to arrive in Russia. To apply for a visa, you need passport photographs, documents of hotel accommodation, and a signed visa application form.
• While visiting religious sights, you should always dress appropriately.
• Do not drink tap water. You should not drink tap water in Russia as it is not good. It may make you fall sick and hamper your holiday.
• Always respect the local traditions and cultures in St. Petersburg. It is good to do basic research about the etiquette that is being followed by the locals while greeting someone. It lets you connect with them.
• You should carry enough cash with you. You may face money trouble if you carry only cards as cards are not acceptable everywhere.

Know More: Prominent Places for Shopping in Russia

Plan a Winter Holidays in St. Petersburg with Dook!

St. Petersburg is an ideal destination to head for a winter vacation. Snowy landscapes, Christmas festivities, New Year Celebrations, and winter festivals are everything you get to enjoy in St. Petersburg in winter. Visiting St. Petersburg in winter is no less than a dream. Dook International can make your dream come true. You can choose a St. Petersburg tour package from the website and let the travel experts at Dook do their magic.

From booking your accommodation to arranging the visa, Dook does everything to ensure you have a hassle-free holiday. So, don’t hold yourself back, and book now!

Know More about Russia:

15 Magnificent Beaches in Russia

Explore Russia Holiday Packages