Petrozavodsk in December

The stunningly picturesque city has found a cozy refuge on the shores of the huge freshwater Onega Lake. The port of the five seas, inimitable in its hydrotechnical wonders, has assembled a labyrinth of rivers and canals on its territory, and itself looks a little like a certain Roman amphitheater with a cascade of lake platforms.

If you choose a vacation in Petrozavodsk in December for a vacation, you can see how all this miracle will cover with an ice shell. The key settlement of the Republic of Karelia is the legal owner of hundreds of underground springs, hides its beauty in the thickets of the forest, takes pride of place on cruises in the northern lands and is close friends with good neighbor Finland.

In a few words about the settlement it is easier to say: comfortable, carefully maintained, picturesque, hospitable at any time of the year. Here you can marvel at the futuristic innovations in architecture, enjoy the inspection of ancient monuments from the era of Peter Ι, settle in a modern fashionable hotel with excellent service and at the same time not spend too much money on entertainment.

Weather

Assessing the climatic conditions in the capital of the Karelian Territory, we can say with full confidence that these are, of course, not the tropics, but not the North Pole either. Although the settlement is legally equated with the regions of the Far North, winters are long here, but almost always mild and fertile for walking.

At the beginning of winter, the average temperature reaches -7 ° С, but local residents remember such moments as a sudden thaw with a heat indicator outside the window + 9 ° С. What cannot be ignored are the visits of unpredictable cyclones.

Long-term forecasts of weather forecasters in this area are an empty matter and are correct only for the coming days. The Karelian region does not indulge the hot sun, cloudy days fall more often, prolonged rains are possible, which in December give way to less persistent snowfalls with fluffy beautiful snowflakes.

According to statistics, the average daily temperature of the first winter month is -5 ° C during the day and -11 °. At night, but the cold never seems piercing and daring, everything is somehow moderate and calm.

Is it cold in December

Winter is, of course, not a pleasant summer in all respects with white nights in June. Bright hours are short, but the twilight thickening early does not bring sharp changes in temperature. Going on an excursion, you will not have to urgently change into fur coats and felt boots.

Fans of winter entertainment will not be disappointed with the "icy breath" of the Snow Queen, but the supply of warm clothes in the luggage will definitely not be superfluous.

Vacation with children

A joint voyage with the younger generation is possible and justified. In winter, young tourists will be interested in taking part in pirate adventures in the Polar Odyssey Museum, watching a fascinating performance in the puppet theater and admiring the wonderful exhibits of the Puppet House Gallery.

Even in the snowy outfit of winter, there is something to do in the city amusement park. You can start with a promenade along wide alleys with an inevitable battle of snowballs.

End with cozy gatherings in a cafe with delicious lemonades and delicious desserts. A visit to the husky nursery, where the reindeer farm and the regional residence of Santa Claus are located, will leave an unforgettable experience for the kids.

The hotel complexes of the Karelian capital will surely take care of young guests, for them there will be children's sleeping places and a special kitchen with hearty dishes.

What to watch

The city was founded in 1703, the time of the Peter the Great era, when the Russian ruler wished a strategic arms factory to appear here. The legacy of Peter's glorious deeds Ι is the main grain of local attractions. On the shore of Lake Onega, in the very center of the city, stands a monument to the Russian Tsar, cast back in 1872.

Walking around the city, one cannot but pay attention to the necklace of religious monasteries: the Catherine Church, the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross, the Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky, the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Each of these holy cloisters is an undoubted architectural monument of different centuries with rich interior decoration. A separate emphasis is on parks, gardens, promenades and charming squares.

Onega embankment is rightfully considered here as a visiting card and a romantic pearl of the city. The collection of sculptures: "Sleeping Beauty", "Tubingen Panel", "Meeting Place", "Fishermen" was presented to Petrozavodsk on behalf of the sister cities from the USA, France, Germany and Norway.

Near the intricate rarities, there are always many who want to be photographed for memory. The PetrGu Botanical Garden is a treasure trove of samples of the rarest flora from all continents, which was not frightened by the harsh northern conditions of existence.

The Park of Culture and Leisure is proud of its rare Ferris wheel, from the booth of which, the whole city is in full view.

The National Museum, the "house on the square" with a high collection of art canvases, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Polar Odyssey institution, the museum institution of the industrial history of the settlement, the National Library, better known as the exclusive book depository of the region, will help replenish the cognitive collection of impressions.

Tours

As in other popular tourist regions, the settlement has a great variety of excursion offices with a galaxy of fascinating offers. If the trip is short, it is best to choose the option of a sightseeing trip around the city with a visit to the most significant sights.

Nature lovers will be delighted with visiting the Kivach waterfall, Marcial Waters, Ruskeala marble canyon, Devil's chair tract, Ladoga skerries, nicknamed by the natives Karelian fjords. The format of excursions is group and individual according to the wishes of tourists.

Transport option - bus or car. But Onega embankment is better left for an independent walk. It is so stunningly beautiful that you do not want to rush anywhere, even the winter appearance of the city does not spoil, but on the contrary makes the picturesque coastline fabulously magical.

The cost of travel

It is better to divide the travel expenses into fragments of a certain tourist puzzle: travel, hotel, food, leisure. Moscow and the capital of Karelia are connected by a direct rail link, including the Arktika branded train. The regime is daily.

The travel time of the fast train is 16 hours. 18 minutes, the passenger train reaches the final destination in 21 hours. 12 minutes Ticket prices range from 1,900 rubles. (reserved seat), up to RUB 4,800 (compartment) and 10,500 rubles. (SV carriage).

Airline "Pobeda" offers travelers a much more budget direct flight at a price of 1,500 rubles. for one. Travel time is 1 hour. 40 minutes, it is always better to check the current schedule before the trip, but for now, the air harbor sends planes in the right direction every day.

Hotels 3 * will cost 4,800-6,000 rubles. per day for two, this price already includes a fairly hearty breakfast. Without regalia in the arsenal, a more modest place to stay can be found here at a price of 1,200 rubles. up to 3,000 rubles. for a family room.

Luxury hotel complexes and apartments with a cascade of additional amenities in the winter season can be booked for about 8-10 thousand rubles. for 1 day of stay.

Local authentic cuisine is based on Karelian and Vepsian traditions.The most delicious highlight - potato pies "gate", open fishmongers "kalakukku", fresh fish dishes from lake and river fish, creamy fish soup "lohikeitto".

Complex lunch, snack on the go with delicious pastry in a snack bar or a democratic cafe - 200-500 rubles. per person. Dinner in a restaurant with a national treat or the usual dishes of Russian cuisine from 1,000 rubles. for 1 gourmet.

Tours at the local tourist market are sold within a wide range of prices: 1,200 - 2,500 rubles. (group tour), 5,000 - 10,000 rubles. (individual exotic).

In general, an amazing trip to Karelia for 5 happy days, depending on the wishes and material capabilities of travelers, can cost from 40,000 rubles. with round trip flights, hotel, food and entertainment to the numbers that depend on the ideas of discerning tourists with great imagination. Everyone will have to calculate their own budget on their own.

Find out what awaits you in Petrozavodsk in November.

Reviews of tourists

Not such a big Finnish-Karelian town in the very heart of Karelia, amazing by its nature, turned out to be a favorite of the tourist public.

Travelers express the most frequent admiration for the village as follows: "clean, well-groomed, with fresh sweet air", "a delightful embankment and Lake Onega itself with a piercing glass surface", "funny old wooden buildings", "fabulous snow-covered streets", "stunning the opportunity to travel around nature reserves in the area "," returned from a trip filled with the mystical splendor of winter. "

The average rating of the city in the tourist certificate is excellent, without any complaints or doubts.

Conclusion

The answer to the question: is it worth going to Petrozavodsk in winter? Of course, yes, if tourists are ready to plunge headlong into the world of natural and man-made wonders. The main thing is not to forget to take a good mood and a positive attitude on the road, and Karelia will definitely not disappoint.