White nights are a natural phenomenon in which real darkness does not occur at night. The appearance of white nights is typical for temperate and high latitudes in the period shortly before the solstice and for some time. The darkest time of the day is twilight. St. Petersburg is especially famous for its white nights.
Time of White Nights in St. Petersburg
It is believed that visiting the northern capital is best in the middle of summer, in late June or early July. It was at this time that white nights reign in the city, which are considered the best time to visit the sights and contemplate city views. Unfortunately, the downside is that at this time the highest prices in hotels, sometimes the cost rises several times compared, for example, with the winter months. That is why it is recommended to buy a plane ticket and book a hotel in advance during the White Nights period.
On white nights, all buildings in the city look especially beautiful, so you should definitely take a walk along the canals or a night tour. Daylight hours increase to almost 20 hours, and night illumination in weak twilight makes the views of the city from the water simply unforgettable. Drawbridges add a special charm to this.
The peak of the white nights falls on June 22, the solstice, and the "official" period for them is the period from June 11 to July 2. In fact, in St. Petersburg all summer daylight hours are quite long. The difference is clearly visible even in comparison with Moscow, which is not so far removed.
There are other cities in which white nights can be even much brighter, for example, in Arkhangelsk or Murmansk there are days when the sun does not set at all. But the white nights of St. Petersburg, thanks to the unique architecture and history of the city, have gained particular popularity. The houses and palaces, which offer stunning views from the water, shaded by the silhouettes of the drawbridges, make a strong impression on people.
Visiting St. Petersburg during the White Nights
If you do not like crowds, then white nights are not the best time to visit the city, since it is on these dates that the embankments at night are densely dotted with tourists from all over the world. At the end of June, the "Scarlet Sails" holiday is held, which many people strive to visit, and this only increases the tourist excitement that occurs at this time.
When booking an excursion during the White Nights period, make sure that the travel company undertakes to take you to your hotel at the end of the tour. Usually this is implied by itself, but it is better to clarify just in case, as there are incidents. If you are walking on your own, then find out the schedule for raising bridges so that you do not have to wait for several hours when the banks of the city will reconnect and you will be able to get to your side.
At night in St. Petersburg there are buses that replace the metro routes, but if the bridges are divorced, then the bus will not help.
