St. Petersburg in October 2021 – what to see, holidays, weather, reviews, prices
The city on the Neva is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is famous for its beautiful architectural ensembles, monuments of architecture and gardening art. Peter is considered the cultural capital of Russia – there are many museums, more than 70 theaters, hundreds of exhibitions and private art galleries. The city is located on 33 islands connected by 342 bridges, 13 of which are drawbridges.
Weather
In the first half of October, it is still quite warm: in the daytime + 8˚ – + 10˚С, in parks and squares you can enjoy the golden decoration of trees. In the second or third decade of the month, it gets noticeably colder, during the day the thermometer does not rise above + 4˚ – + 6˚С, negative temperatures are likely at night.
A gusty wind from the Gulf of Finland intensifies the feeling of dankness and chilliness. In general, there are no more than six sunny days in a month, and it gets dark early, around 5 p.m. twilight begins. Heavy rainfall occurs for 6-8 days in October. The rest of the days are cloudy weather, short clearings are replaced by light drizzle.
Is it cold in October
Weather forecasts for October are usually disappointing, it can get colder in the second half of the month, it can rain from time to time, but sunny days are not uncommon. No wonder they say: there is no cold weather, there is bad clothing. Think over the equipment for the trip so that the cold does not spoil your vacation.
Useful when traveling:
You need to take an umbrella strong, not arching under the gusts of wind. A raincoat will not be superfluous.
What to see
In the historical part of the city there are many architectural monuments within walking distance from each other: Palace Square, the Alexandrian Column, the Winter Palace. A little to the right is the Church of the Savior on Blood, the Field of Mars, the Summer Garden. Going to the left side, you will find the monument to Peter I the Bronze Horseman, the building of the Admiralty, St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Take a walk along Nevsky Prospekt, the main thoroughfare of the city, 4.5 km long, where almost every house is a work of art. Here are the Kazan Cathedral and Gostiny Dvor, the famous Anichkov Bridge across the Fontanka.
In inclement weather, you can devote time to visiting museums, of which there are more than a hundred in Northern Palmyra. The most famous: the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. New expositions and exhibitions are constantly opening in the city.
If you get a sunny day, it's nice to visit the country residences of Russian emperors – Tsarskoye Selo, Gatchina, Lomonosov. Get acquainted with the Bogoslovka Manor ethno-park (Sverdlov settlement) or the Andersengrad castle (Sosnovy Bor settlement).
When the sun sets, life in St. Petersburg enters the evening drive mode. The city is brightly lit with ancient lanterns, and there are many restaurants, bars and dance floors. The theater poster of St. Petersburg will satisfy connoisseurs of all kinds of arts. Walks in the evening city are wonderful: the light from the illumination is reflected in the rivers and canals, the bridges on the Neva are raised.
Vacation with children
Going on a trip with your family, go to places that are interesting for children, there are a lot of children's entertainments in the city.
Interactive Museum “Grand Layout Russia” (Tsvetochnaya st. 16). The exposition presents the whole of Russia in miniature. Lego Museum (Zagorodny pr.) — for each group there is an individual tour. Matryoshka Museum (Italianskaya st. 6) – admission is free, you can purchase tickets for a quest and a master class.
The show “Planet of the Dinosaurs” in the Alexander Garden will not leave the children indifferent. Nearby are a planetarium and a zoo. SEC “Piterland” (Primorsky prospekt, 72) is interesting with a modern water park and an observation deck overlooking the Gulf of Finland.
If possible, be sure to visit Peterhof, which is especially beautiful in autumn. This year, the opening season of the fountains has been extended until 18.10.
Excursions
When visiting the city on the Neva for the first time, a sightseeing walking or bus tour will help you get a general idea of the city, it will be easier for you to explore it on your own.
If you like a more original vacation, you can explore the city “from a bird's eye view” by taking part in the tour “Safe walks on the roofs of St. Petersburg”. Admire the architecture of the northern capital from the water, taking a walk along the rivers and canals. Passengers are provided with warm blankets and audio guide services.
Children's excursions “Peter and Paul Fortress for Children”, “Playing tour of interesting places on Vasilyevsky Island”, adapted for the age of 6-16 years. In the form of a quest, the children will be offered to solve riddles, will be introduced to the legends of historical places.
For lovers of long trips, excursions “From St. Petersburg to Vyborg” with a tour of the old Swedish fortress, “Peterhof and Kronstadt” – visiting two amazing places in one day are suitable.
The cost of travel
Flights from Moscow cost 800 – 1,200 rubles. depending on the carrier company. Flight time 1 hour. 15 minutes.
A train ticket will cost 1,300 rubles. reserved seat, 3,800 rubles. – coupe, trip duration 8 hours.
Check train ticket prices online
An inexpensive hotel 3 in the city costs from 2,300 rubles, 4 – 3,700 rubles.
In October, tour operators make profitable offers: they offer tours to St. Petersburg, including flights, accommodation, transfers, and insurance.
A 5-day tour to a 3* hotel costs from 9.5 thousand rubles. There is a unique offer with a 38% discount at the Park Inn by Pribaltiyskaya 4 hotel for the price of only 7,588 rubles. By purchasing a tour, you not only get rid of the hassle of planning a trip, but also save a lot of money.
View prices for tours to St. Petersburg
Reviews of tourists
All tourists agree that there is no need to try to get to know the whole city in one visit, it is impossible. The city should be developed gradually, each time seeing new sights, often turning away from traditional tourist routes. This is the only way to appreciate the unique aura of the Northern capital.
Tourists who visited the city of Petra in autumn note lower food prices compared to the “high season”. Many cafes offer good complexes from 250 rubles, a light snack will cost 150 rubles.
Families with children often rent a car (price per day from 1,900 rubles without mileage limit).
Conclusion
St. Petersburg is a city where you want to return again and again. A visit to the northern capital in autumn creates a kind of romantic atmosphere. It's nice to sit in a cafe or restaurant and watch the life of a beautiful city in the gathering twilight.
Peter is an open-air museum, where you can just walk around admiring the creations of the great architects of the 18th-19th centuries. And if you get lost, the extremely friendly residents of St. Petersburg, who are in love with their city, will always show you the way.