Russian winters are notoriously long and cold, meaning by the time spring comes around, St. Petersburg dwellers can be desperate for some sun. But how can you be certain that spring has well and truly arrived? Here, we present five definitive signs that spring has sprung in St. Petersburg.
1. The Ice Melts
For months, the ground is completely covered with a thick layer of snow, the pavements are icy, and the pipes are frozen solid. People walk across the rivers and canals without a care in the world and go ice-skating in the ponds of their local park. And then, all at once – it’s gone! The temperature rises, snowfall is replaced by rainfall, and over the course of a few short weeks the snow and ice are gone. Watching the icebergs float down the Neva into the Finnish Gulf is quite the sight. Just remember to watch out for falling icicles when you’re walking down the street!
2. The Drawbridges Open
By late April and early May, the Neva has well and truly thawed, meaning boats can begin to use the river again. For St. Petersburg residents, this has a lot of advantages – from scenic river cruises to taking the hydrofoil to Peterhof. However, it also means you need to be aware of the drawbridge opening schedule, particularly if you live on Valisyevsky or Petrogradsky (like me!). Every night, for a few hours, the city’s drawbridges are raised to allow boats to pass through. It’s a stunning sight, well worth walking along the embankment or going on a midnight cruise for. But it’s means no traffic can pass between the islands – meaning you need to plan your routes home accordingly.
3. The Winter Wardrobe Gets Put Away
As the temperature rises above freezing, the clothes you’ve been relying on all through the winter suddenly don’t seem so comfortable. That thick down coat becomes stifling. That large woollen scarf becomes too much. You begin to look weird wearing snow boots as you walk down the snow-less streets. Yep – it’s time to pack your thermals away and crack out a new spring collection.
4. Everyone is Happier
Walking around St. Petersburg in the springtime, you can feel the city come alive around you. There are more street musicians on the streets, more tourists exploring the city, and more people willing to go out and enjoy the longer, lighter evenings. Some days, the weather is clear and bright. Sometimes it even gets hot! And on one such day, when the thermometer hits 15 °C, you’ll visit the Peter and Paul Fortress to find a beachful of Russians playing volley ball in their speedos. Truly, it is a wonderful sight.
5. It’s Holiday Season
Spring might be a relatively short affair in Russia, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t crammed full of celebrations. There’s Orthodox Easter, Spring and Labor Day (May 1st) and Victory Day (May 9th) are public holidays, and City Day is celebrated on May 27th with parades, fireworks and other spectacles. Plus, towards the end of May, the famous fountains at Peterhof open to great fanfare, making it the ideal date for a daytrip. It might not be White Nights yet, but nonetheless the city is certainly warming up…
So there you have it: five signs it’s spring in St. Petersburg. Be sure to check out our other blog posts about exploring the city!