This weekend, 24–25 October, Market Square in Vyborg fills up with stalls from Leningrad Region farmers selling cheese, smoked fish, honey, pastries and cured meats under the "Nashe, Leningradskoye" label. Entry is free, and the market doubles as a good excuse for a day trip to one of Russia's most atmospheric small towns.
What's on sale
Regional cheese, honey, freshly baked bread, fish — the usual spread from Leningrad Region farmsteads. A small stage usually hosts performances and workshops. The crowd is modest compared to St Petersburg fairs — you can browse without elbowing your way through.
Getting there
By train from Finlyandsky station: a regular suburban train takes about two hours, the Lastochka express is faster. Check the timetable before you go — weekend trains can sell out.
By car along the Scandinavia highway (E18) — 1.5 to 2 hours. Saturday mornings can be slow on the exit from St Petersburg.
If you prefer door-to-door, you can book a transfer to Vyborg and back.
What else to see
The market takes a couple of hours. Spend the rest of the day on the town: Vyborg Castle and the Olaf Tower for panoramic views, Monrepos Park for granite cliffs and pine trails along the bay, and the cobbled streets of the Old Town.
Who should skip it
Anyone unwilling to commit to a full day for a small market. If Vyborg as a town doesn't interest you, the trip may not feel worthwhile. In rain there is little shelter on Market Square.
Good to know
Go early. The most popular cheese and smoked fish often sell out by lunchtime, and the square is quietest in the first hour. Bring an insulated bag for dairy and fish if you are returning by train, plus some cash in small notes, since some stalls prefer it to cards. Wear shoes that cope with wet cobblestones and dress in layers, because the wind off the bay makes late October feel colder than the forecast. Check the last return train before you settle into a cafe.
Verified 23 October 2026
Cover photo: Nikolai Bulykin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Викисклад
