November in St Petersburg means grey skies, wet pavements and darkness by four in the afternoon. It also means the Hermitage without crowds, affordable hotels and a theatre season in full swing. If you pack right and time your trip well, three days here will cost noticeably less than a summer weekend.
Weather and what to pack
Temperatures hover around freezing, with frequent drizzle and occasional wet snow. Wind from the Gulf of Finland makes it feel colder. Bring waterproof boots, a warm jacket and a scarf — leave the umbrella, it won't survive the wind.
Where to stay
November is low season, so hotel and apartment prices drop well below summer rates. Weekdays are cheapest; avoid the public holiday around 4 November when prices spike. Central, Admiralteysky and Vasileostrovsky districts all put you within walking distance of the main sights.
To compare accommodation options in St Petersburg, you can browse stays.
Day 1: The Hermitage without the queues
In summer you queue for over an hour. In November, ten minutes at most — and the halls are quiet enough to actually look at the paintings. Buy tickets online in advance to skip even that.
After the museum, walk along the Moyka to the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood. If it starts raining, duck into a café on Konyushennaya.
