WHEN TO TRAVEL to Russia

Location

Climate

Russia, the world's largest country, offers its visitors a diversity of landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you want to explore the cultural riches of Moscow and St. Petersburg or venture into lesser-known regions, it's essential to plan your trip according to weather conditions and local events.

The climate in Russia: when to go?

The Russian climate varies considerably from region to region. So the best time to visit Russia will depend on your interests and the activities you wish to undertake.

Winter (December to February)

The Russian winter is renowned for its harsh, snowy weatherespecially in the country's northern regions. Although it's not the best time of year for sightseeing, if you're a winter sports fan, take advantage of this season to discover the ski resorts of Sochi or Krasnaya Polyana. In addition, fans of winter festivals can enjoy the charm of Russian Christmas markets and the Moscow Ice Festival.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is a pleasant time to discover Russia, with milder temperatures and fewer tourists. April and May are particularly good months to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg, when gardens are in bloom and museums are less crowded.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is the most popular time to visit Russia, not least because of the long sunny days and pleasant temperatures. It's also when many major cultural events take place, such as the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg or the Moscow Film Festival. However, it's important to note that this period also corresponds to the peak tourist season, which means that accommodation and transport fares can be higher and tourist sites more crowded.

Autumn (September to November)

In autumn, the shimmering colors of the Russian landscape offer visitors an unforgettable spectacle. What's more, temperatures are still relatively mild, especially in September and October. This makes autumn the perfect time to explore the national parks and historic cities of Russia's Golden Ring.

Major cultural events in Russia

Russia is the scene of many cultural events throughout the year, and here is a selection you won't want to miss:

• White Nights Festival (St. Petersburg - June-July): During this period, night barely falls on the city, providing an enchanting backdrop for ballet, opera and theater performances in the streets and gardens.
• Victory Day (Moscow - May 9): Every year, this commemorative day celebrates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. Military parades and fireworks are organized for the occasion.
• Moscow Film Festival (Moscow - June): Every year, this cinematic event brings together directors, actors and producers from all over the world to present their films in or out of competition.
• Maslenitsa (all Russia - March): This traditional Russian festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The program includes popular festivities with games, wrestling matches and the tasting of blinis, the famous Russian pancakes.

Public holidays in Russia

In addition to cultural events, it's important to take Russian public holidays into account when planning your trip. Here's a list of the main public holidays:

• January 1st : New Year
• January 7 Orthodox Christmas
• February 23 Defenders of the Homeland Day
• March 8 International Women's Rights Day
• May 1st Labour Day
• May 9 Victory Day
• June 12 Russia Day
• November 4 National Unity Day

Low and high season in Russia

As we mentioned earlier, the peak tourist season in Russia runs from June to August. During these months, you'll enjoy pleasant weather and numerous cultural events, but you'll also have to contend with higher prices and crowded tourist sites. The low season runs from November to April. Although the climate is less mild, this period offers several advantages:

• Lower accommodation and transport costs
• Less popular tourist sites
• The chance to enjoy winter sports and winter festivals

Statistics on immigration to Russia

Russia is a large country with a diverse population. According to data provided by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation, in 2020, the total number of foreigners residing in Russia was around 9.7 million. Among these foreigners were mainly nationals of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The main reasons for immigration to Russia

The reasons why foreigners decide to settle in Russia are varied. Among the main reasons are :

• Work: Russia offers many career opportunities, particularly in the energy and mining sectors.
• The study: Many foreign students choose to pursue their higher education in Russia to benefit from a high-quality, low-cost education.
• Family reunification: Some foreigners decide to join their families living in Russia, notably because of the strong historical and cultural ties between certain CIS countries and Russia.

Main countries of origin of immigrants

The majority of immigrants to Russia come from neighboring CIS countries. Here are the top five countries of origin of immigrants to Russia:

• Ukraine
• Kazakhstan
• Uzbekistan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Tajikistan

Most popular visas in Russia

Among the different categories of Russian visas, some are more popular than others. Here is an overview of the most popular visas in Russia:

• Tourist visa As its name suggests, this visa is intended for people wishing to visit Russia for tourism purposes. It is valid for a maximum of 30 days, and can be single or double entry.
• Business Visa This visa is intended for business travelers to Russia, such as for business meetings, training courses or conferences. It can be single-, double- or multiple-entry, and its validity ranges from 30 days to one year.
• Work visa This visa is reserved for people who have obtained a work contract in Russia. Its validity depends on the duration of the work contract, and it can be renewed.
• Student Visa For foreign students enrolled in a Russian higher education institution, this visa is valid from three months to one year, and can be renewed for as long as the student continues his or her studies.

International tourism figures for Russia

Although economic sanctions imposed by some Western countries have had an impact on the number of international tourists to Russia, the country remains a popular destination for many travelers. In 2019, Russia welcomed around 24.6 million foreign tourists, an increase of 20% on 2018.

Nationalities most represented among international tourists to Russia

Here are the top five nationalities represented among international tourists to Russia in 2019:

• Chinese (over 1.5 million tourists)
• South Africa (over 1 million tourists)
• Germans (around 900,000 tourists)
• Turks (around 800,000 tourists)
• French (around 500,000 tourists)

Russia's main tourist destinations

Russia is a country rich in tourist and cultural attractions. Among the most popular destinations for international visitors are :

• Moscow Moscow: Russia's capital is a must-see city for lovers of history, architecture and culture. With emblematic monuments such as the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil the Blessed Cathedral, Moscow attracts millions of tourists every year.
• Saint Petersburg The "Venice of the North", this historic city is famous for its canals, palaces and museums, including the world-famous Hermitage Museum.
• The Golden Ring : A group of towns around Moscow with a wealth of historical and religious monuments, mainly dating from the 12th to 17th centuries.
• The Trans-Siberian Railway This legendary train links Moscow to Vladivostok, crossing the breathtaking landscapes of Siberia and the Russian Far East.