St. Petersburg in December 2021 – St. Petersburg in November 2021 – what to see, holidays, weather, reviews, prices
Now you are thinking about where to go to relax in December? Choose the most interesting route? Do you want to see the most beautiful city in Russia? You will find yourself in an atmosphere of majestic architecture and visibly feel the spirit of past centuries. An unforgettable experience will give you a holiday in St. Petersburg in December. The city founded by the reformer tsar as a “window to Europe” is truly European. Cobbled streets, canals, luxurious palaces – it will seem to you that you are in Holland or in Venice. A rich cultural program will bring great aesthetic pleasure.
December weather
The first winter month in St. Petersburg is notable for the inconsistency of weather phenomena. Sometimes spring, autumn and winter meet here at the same time. A strong wind can bring heavy clouds, and fluffy snowflakes will swirl in the air. Then suddenly it will rain, and then it will freeze and the bright sun will come out. And then it starts to snow again. But there are practically no severe frosts here in December. The best outfit for tourists this season is a waterproof down jacket and shoes with thick soles.
Daytime temperatures range from 0 to -5°C. At night, on some days, frost reaches -7°C. Long-term precipitation is not expected in 2020, however, even over the forecasted 3 days, there will be enough of them. You need to be prepared for the fact that the December day here is very short (6 hours). But walking around the evening St. Petersburg, colored with garlands of illumination, is even more interesting than during the day. The feeling of a fairy tale will not leave the entire period of your stay in the northern capital.
parks
Visiting parks is a special article in tourist routes around the city. They began to be created together with the foundation of St. Petersburg. Along with the ancient park areas, new islands of recreation and culture are constantly opening up here. The most famous park space – Champ de Mars – is the same age as the city. On the territory of 9 hectares, military exercises and parades, folk festivals were held.
Nearby is a monument to Suvorov, depicted as the God of War Mars. Here, where important events of the country were embodied, there is something to see at any time of the year. A walk through the Elaginsky park will give you the opportunity to see the former royal residence, visit a museum, a zoo. The most vivid impressions will give a visit to the Alexander Park, located near the Peter and Paul Fortress. In its open spaces there is a planetarium, a wax museum, a musical hall, etc.
The unsurpassed beauty of the Alexander Garden (near the Admiralty) will delight you. The famous Summer Garden, the oldest park in St. Petersburg, with elegant marble sculptures, the Summer Palace, fountains will enchant you with winter beauty. Each park zone is good in its own way.
rollers
A place of mass entertainment – open and closed skating rinks gather a huge number of people of different ages. You can try yourself as a skater or figure skater at one of the city's ice arenas. There are enough of them here: in recent years, the opening of new ice rinks has become especially fashionable in St. Petersburg. You will experience real pleasure at the Okhta-Park forest skating rink, where ice tracks stretch among the pine forest.
A tea house, a pizza bar, a bistro cafe, a restaurant – everything is at the service of visitors from 11 am to 9 pm. A charge of vivacity and a lot of positive emotions are waiting for you on the ice arena of the Kirovets stadium. In addition to sliding on ice, competitions, games, and performances will be offered here. You can combine sports skating with amusement rides at the skating rink in Gagarin Park.
The extraordinary atmosphere created at the New Holland Island ice rink will captivate the imagination and leave an unforgettable experience. A visit to the Planet of Summer amusement park will not disappoint. You will definitely like the wooden tower-snow hill, a cozy cafe with a fireplace and an ice rink. Each ice rink has its own advantages.
Museums
In terms of the number and variety of museums (over 200), the brainchild of Peter the Great can compete with well-known European capitals. The famous Hermitage – the richest repository of art objects, will introduce you to the artistic masterpieces of the world. It is impossible to see all 3 million exhibits, but you can see the pearls of the collection.
A visit to the Russian Museum, exhibiting works of Russian fine art (400 thousand exhibits), will be impressive. A visit to the ethnographic museum, which introduces the customs, traditions and culture of the Russian people and the countries of Central Asia, will be interesting. Thrill-seekers should visit the Kunstkamera.
Museum establishments of the northern capital will satisfy a variety of tastes and interests. If you are interested in the Far North, go to the Museum of the Arctic and Antarctic. Love everything mysterious, inexplicable – visit the Museum of Dreams of Sigmund Freud or the Museum of Illusions. You will learn about the feat of the legendary submariners under the command of Marinesko at the Museum of Russian Submarine Forces.
Aesthetes will like the expositions of the institution that illustrates theatrical and musical art. It is a sacred thing in a city that has undergone heroic defense and a terrible blockade to visit the institution of the same name. The choice is huge, and not a single museum object will disappoint you.
Interesting places
In addition to traditional cultural and educational institutions, “Northern Venice” is rich in unusual interesting places. There are more than 200 of them here, according to statistics. Some of them intrigue with mystical mystery, surprise with reality on the verge of fantasy, amaze the imagination with originality of design or digital capabilities. The colorful corners of St. Petersburg are opened on excursions from local residents.
The space of a big city can be explored endlessly. In December, you can get to the exhibition “Garden of Dreams 2.0 Mystical Worlds”. On Vasilyevsky Island (Lenexpo) it will be unusually interesting to visit the interactive multimedia journey “Secrets of the Universe”. In the Museum of Lies (Sennaya Square) you can see the most amazing exhibits of the world and get acquainted with an unofficial look at many phenomena.
Incredible impressions and sensations await in the center of time travel “KOD”. On a clear, fine day, it will be a great pleasure to travel along the roofs of St. Petersburg, accompanied by a guide. The Planetarium, the Museum of Emotions, the Hyper Port art space, the Tauride Garden greenhouse and much more will not leave you indifferent.
Petersburg roofs
A breathtaking panorama will open up for you on a non-standard journey through the endless space of St. Petersburg roofs. They offer stunning views of the golden domes and spiers of cathedrals, bridges and palaces. Since 2017, the Affordable Rooftops tourism project has gained great popularity. The viewing platforms of the Peter and Paul Fortress and St. Isaac's Cathedral, where access is quite legal, enjoy special attention.
But there are also mysterious trails that can only be walked with an experienced guide. These are the roofs of residential buildings, under which many secrets are hidden. During a tour of the high-rise labyrinths, you can hear a detailed history of the evolution of roofs during the existence of the city. On some roofs, the turrets of the MPVO have been preserved – observation posts of the local air defense (there are about 165 of them).
Before traveling on the roofs, tourists are given disposable caps and helmets, bactericidal wipes, binoculars and rain capes in case of precipitation. It has become fashionable to be photographed on the roofs not only for tourists, but also for newlyweds. Tea drinking on rooftops, observation of drawbridges, spectacles of festive fireworks have already become a traditional program.
Vasilyevsky Island
Just as Paris is unthinkable without the Champs Elysees, so St. Petersburg is unthinkable without Vasilyevsky Island. This is the largest of the islands of the Neva delta, previously called Preobrazhensky. The current name of the island in honor of Vasily Selezny, the Novgorod posadnik who owns it, arose in the 16th century. Architectural development and improvement of these places began from the moment of the foundation of St. Petersburg.
When planning to establish the center of the capital in this place, Peter I attracted famous architects and sculptors (Leblon, Trezzini). A. Menshikov's palace was built here, from which a carved clearing led to the shore of the Baltic Sea. Today it is Big Avenue, there are Middle and Small Avenues. Once, channels were dug along them, later dried up and covered with earth.
Here is the St. Petersburg State University, the Academy of Arts, the Mining Institute, the House of Academicians. Each of these buildings is an architectural masterpiece. A monument to Lomonosov stands next to the building of the Twelve Collegia, and a bronze figure of Kruzenshtern rises in front of the Naval Cadet Corps. Impressive stone figures of sphinxes at the Academy of Arts. The majestic architecture of the Lutheran Church of St. Catherine admires. A walk along Vasilyevsky Island is an immersion in the Beautiful.
Aptekarsky Island
The island, located between 3 rivers, was named so because there was a pharmacy garden on it under Peter I. Later, country estates began to be built here, and the Apothecary Garden became the Imperial Botanical Garden. Today it is the main attraction of the island, amazing with the richness of the floristic collection. Almost all types of exotic trees and plants are grown in greenhouses.
In them you will see flowering or already fruiting mangoes, feijoa, all kinds of citrus fruits. In fact, the Pharmaceutical Garden is a beautiful area with many architectural monuments and bridges. Here, in addition to residential buildings and summer cottages, there are government institutions, the convent of St. John, etc. The magnificent architecture of the Youth Palace, the Electrotechnical University, and the Druzhba Hotel attracts attention.
Undoubted masterpieces of architecture and historical monuments are the Gauswald dacha “Gingerbread House”, the Beloselsky-Belozersky dacha, etc. Traditionally, tourists visit local museums: toys, gramophones and phonographs, dreams, etc. How not to look closely at the legendary cruiser “Aurora”, do not admire the 7 bridges across the river. Karpovka.
New Holland
Photo: zaburdaev.ru
A visit to New Holland – the territory of 2 man-made islands in the Neva delta will be an interesting excursion into the past and present of a beautiful city. The greatness of Peter's reforms and the scale of modern transformations were embodied in this unique area. In the time of Peter the Great, Holland was called the area with timber warehouses around the Admiralty: Dutch shipbuilders worked there. Later, the timber warehouses were moved to an island formed by 2 dug channels and the Moika.
Peter gave it the name “New Holland”. In the following centuries, active industrial construction took place here under the guidance of the best foreign engineers and architects. Nowadays, they strive to breathe new active life into the old walls. This monument area today is the center of industrial architecture in the spirit of early classicism.
Many buildings have lost their former purpose due to the cessation of production. Some objects were badly damaged by a fire in 2004. Among the rare buildings, 11 of them are monuments of federal significance. New Holland Island has been open to the public since 2011.
The area has become a large cultural center with many cafes, restaurants, shops, entertainment venues. Every year it gains great popularity. Concerts, exhibitions, sports competitions are held here at any time of the year. The spacious skating rink is open from November to March.
Saint Isaac's Cathedral
The place of tourist pilgrimage – the majestic Orthodox church makes an amazing impression. The main Cathedral of St. Petersburg, built for 40 years, embodied in its appearance the grandiose work of thousands of builders, architects, sculptors and artists. The chief architect, Auguste Montferrand, died shortly after construction was completed. Dozens of legends keep the walls of Isaac, his beauty makes you freeze with admiration.
Lined with Olonets marble, decorated with hundreds of bas-reliefs and monuments, the cathedral is a unique example of Russian religious architecture. St. Isaac's Cathedral is now not just an object of religious worship, but a repository of unsurpassed artistic masterpieces. Its interiors are decorated with 150 paintings by Bruni, Bryullov, Shebuev. 300 unique monuments and bas-reliefs by Ivan Vitali also deserve to be called classics.
100 kg of gold was spent on gilding the cathedral domes. There is evidence that the process was carried out using mercury, which led to the death of the gilding masters. All the statistics on the cost of building a cathedral are amazing. After examining it, there is a feeling of gratitude and admiration for those who put their lives on the architectural miracle.
Peter-Pavel's Fortress
One of the main symbols of the city is the first building of the emerging city. No wonder the day when the 1st stone was laid in the foundation of St. Petersburg (as the fortress was first called) is considered the day of the founding of Northern Palmyra (May 16, 1703). The defensive fort from the Swedes was built on the bones of thousands of peasants driven from the surrounding villages. But the fortress did not have to test its military impregnability.
Its gloomy casemates and ravelins later became a prison for political prisoners for 200 years. The fortress lost this purpose under Emperor Alexander I, when it was opened for public visits. The main object of the fortress – the Peter and Paul Cathedral – a kind of emblem of the city is familiar to many from photos and postcards. Today, this architectural monument houses a museum. The high spire of the cathedral with a cross and a figure of an angel is decorated with gilding (8 kg of pure gold).
Your attention will be attracted by a monumental building – Peter's Gate – the main entrance, decorated with bas-reliefs, including the image of St. Peter. Military objects reflecting the history of Russian fortification are also interesting: curtains, ramparts, bastions. Traditional objects of inspection are the Mint, Prison, local museums. A host of legends and myths associated with the former inhabitants of the ravelins will touch the soul strings.
Church of the Savior on Blood
In the historical center, the towering domes of the temple, admiring with bright colors, attract attention. They contrast with the classical architecture of neighboring buildings and seem out of place. A good reason for the construction of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in this place was the regicide of Alexander II the Liberator.
The amazing beauty of the building was laid in 1883, and the consecration took place in 1907. For more than 10 years, the decoration was in progress, in which the best architects took part. Outwardly, the architectural masterpiece resembles St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square. You can endlessly admire the facades, decorated with many tiles, platbands, kokoshniks and other elements. In interior decoration, the masters used Ural gems, marble of different shades, rock crystal, jasper.
It is impossible not to admire the mosaic panels above the entrances, created according to the sketches of Nesterov, Vasnetsov, Bruni and others. You will be impressed by the design of the place of the sacred murder – a piece of cobblestone pavement covered with thick glass. And above it, on columns of jasper, a tent made of rock crystal, strewn from the inside with topaz stars. You will definitely be imbued with a sense of pride in front of the talent of Russian masters.
Kazan Cathedral
If it seems to you that nothing can shake your imagination, then you will be mistaken when you find yourself at the majestic colonnade of the Kazan Cathedral. The largest church in St. Petersburg – the Kazan Cathedral was opened on Nevsky Prospekt in 1811. The monumental building, erected on the site of the former Kazan church, should have corresponded in its grandeur to the Roman Cathedral of St. Peter. The architect Voronikhin, who led the project, was awarded the Order of Anna.
Kazan Cathedral is the embodiment of the most significant events in Russian history. Under its dome, a prayer service was held before Kutuzov's departure to the battlefield. Here, in the crypt of the cathedral, the ashes of the great commander are buried, his statue is installed and military trophies are located. A commemorative sculpture crowns the memory of Barclay de Tolly. The main shrine of the temple is the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, returned to its original place after perestroika.
A stunning sight is the majestic semicircular colonnade of 96 columns 13 meters high in the central part of the building. In front of the temple there are monumental sculptures of legendary figures: A. Nevsky, Andrew the First-Called, Prince Vladimir and John the Baptist. The interiors delight with the beauty of the luxurious decoration, the artistic perfection of the icons painted by famous Russian painters.
Field of Mars
Photo: Sergey Kichigin
Another main symbol – the Field of Mars is located in the city center. The park complex is a favorite leisure place for citizens at any time of the year. Here in December it is as beautiful as in the warm season. And here the dramatic events of Russian history were also embodied. The central memorial-necropolis “Heroes-fighters for the freedom of Russia” is dedicated to them.
Several dozen people are buried in its space. On the Field of Mars, named after the god of war Mars, the Eternal Flame was lit for the first time in the USSR. In the era of Catherine I, the square was called the Tsaritsyn Meadow, since her palace was located nearby. By decree of the Empress, the territory was ennobled, beautiful lawns were designed, alleys and fountains were equipped. Later, military exercises and parades were held here.
In pre-Petrine times, there was a swamp in this place, which was drained during his time, a breakthrough of 2 channels. One of them has survived to this day as the Swan Canal. People come here to take a walk, go in for sports, jog, pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the February Revolution and the Civil War.
Annenkirche
A religious object atypical for Russian reality – the Church of St. Anna will interest you with its originality. The elongated building with end facades with Ionic columns and an elegant dome was built in 1775-79 instead of the former adobe church. German Lutherans held meetings and services here.
After the revolution, the building changed its purpose: the Spartak cinema theater was placed in it. The institution, in which world film masterpieces were shown, was in great demand among the youth of the 80s. In the 1990s, Sunday services began to be held in the church, and films were shown on the rest of the days.
An attempt by the Erato company to organize a night club in the church was suppressed by the city government.
And soon after that, a fire broke out inside, spoiling the interiors of the church. In 2002, the Annenkirche was given the status of a historical monument of federal significance. Today, divine services and Bible classes for Lutherans are held here (Sunday-Wednesday). In the following days, anyone can come here and see unusual interiors.
Nevsky Prospect
Staying in the northern capital is not conceivable without walking along the most important street, where each building is a historical monument, a legend. Described dozens of times by Russian classics, Nevsky Prospekt has managed to preserve its original architectural appearance. And if Gogol had been resurrected, he would have been able to see the Literary Cafe.
Living history will stand before your eyes throughout the walk. There are practically no remakes among the buildings, and this is wonderful. Palace Square will open in all its glory, the Stroganov Palace will delight with its beauty. Do not pass by the famous “Passage”. You will see the Literary Cafe, where A. S. Pushkin used to visit, and feel the living breath of history.
Be impressed by the Singer House, crowned with a glass dome with a globe. It is impossible not to stop at the Kazan Cathedral, with its majestic colonnade. You will go to Gostiny Dvor, the famous Eliseevsky shop. Admire the winter view of the Catherine Square, the grandeur of the Alexandria Theater and the famous Klodt sculptures on the Anichkov Bridge.
Theaters
Your trip will undoubtedly be decorated with a visit to local theaters. And there are more than 100 of them here, and each theater group has its own unique specifics. You will find the most suitable production option for you, from drama to vaudeville or buffoonery. It all depends on your taste.
Love classic drama or comedy – the famous BDT them. Tovstonogov at your service. And how not to attend a performance in the oldest Alexandrinsky Theater, where Meyerhold and Kozintsev, luminaries of dramatic art, served as priests? Seeing the magnificent hall of the Mariinsky Theater, watching a ballet or an opera is a great success!
A visit to the Mikhailovsky Theater on Sq. Arts, with a rich artistic history. The renowned theater of the Lensoviet will also not disappoint with its repertoire and performance art. The Youth Theater, which grew up under the wing of the Lensovet, is very popular today. A visit to the Musical Comedy Theater will be a real holiday, admiring the skill and talent of artists.
Vacation with children
A trip with children will turn into a fairy tale for them. Especially if it's New Year's Eve. In addition to their acquaintance with the beautiful monuments of architecture, children are waiting for enchanting performances in theaters. Many of them will host musical performances based on famous fairy tales. The fantastic spectacle “The Ball of Fairy Tales”, which will be held in the Oktyabrsky Grand Concert Hall, will become unforgettable. The ballet performance combines fragments from the best productions.
Your children will be delighted with visiting the Museum of the Arctic and Antarctic. There they will see the northern lights, penetrate the secrets of eternal ice, get acquainted with the history of their research. At the Christmas Market (December 20th to 31st), surprises await the kids. Many interesting things will open up for them in the Museum of Toys, Dolls, in the Museum Complex “Universe” and in many others. Your children will enjoy visiting one of the skating rinks. This trip will be remembered by them for the rest of their lives.
Excursions
It is impossible to see all the beauties of Northern Venice on your own, so tourists are offered more than 200 types of various excursions: group, individual, walking, bus, sightseeing. The whole tourism industry strives to make the leisure of tourists rich, vibrant and interesting. As a first acquaintance with the city, you can choose, for example, a sightseeing bus tour. There are many options for such voyages, from 1.5 to 24 hours. You can walk along the Nevsky and its environs on your own.
All the most significant objects, famous sights, legendary places are included in the excursion programs. Trips to the suburbs of St. Petersburg are offered: Gatchina, Pavlovsk, Vyborg, Kronstadt, etc. There are also intimate walks through the authentic corners of the most European city in Russia. It all depends on your desire, choice and financial capabilities.
The cost of travel
We present you a calculation of the approximate cost of a tourist trip from Moscow to St. Petersburg in December. If you decide to fly by plane (flight time is 1 hour 15), a one-way ticket will cost an average of a little less than 2,000 rubles. depending on the carrier. An 8-hour train journey in a reserved seat will cost 1,300 rubles, in a compartment – 3,800 rubles. Tickets can be ordered online. It is worth looking for profitable tours offered by full-service travel agencies.
Among a solid number of hotels of various categories, you can choose the most suitable accommodation option. On average, a budget hotel 3 costs from 3,500 rubles, for 4 you will pay from 4,000 rubles. per day. The closer to the city center, the more expensive the accommodation. But there will be no public transport costs. The total cost of a trip for 3-5 days will be approximately from 30 to 50 thousand rubles. The impressions received in the museum city will pay off your expenses.