Things to Do in Saint Petersburg in May

May Weather in Saint Petersburg

16°C (61°F) High Temp

7°C (44°F) Low Temp

48 mm (1.9 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

White Nights begin - by late May, sunset doesn't occur until 10:30pm with extended twilight until midnight, creating magical photography conditions and allowing 18+ hours of sightseeing
Peak fountain season at Peterhof - all 147 fountains operate at full capacity from May 1st through October, with the Grand Cascade at its most spectacular before summer crowds arrive
Museum shoulder season - Hermitage and other major attractions have 30-40% fewer visitors than June-August, with tickets readily available and comfortable viewing conditions
Garden bloom period - Catherine Park's tulips, lilacs, and cherry blossoms peak in mid-May, while Alexandrovsky Park's apple orchards create stunning photo opportunities

Considerations

Unpredictable weather swings - temperatures can fluctuate 10-15°C (18-27°F) within 24 hours, requiring multiple clothing layers and flexible indoor backup plans
Frequent rain showers - expect 10 rainy days with sudden downpours lasting 30-45 minutes, often disrupting outdoor palace tours and canal walks
Cool evenings despite White Nights - temperatures drop to 7°C (44°F) after 9pm, making evening canal cruises and outdoor dining uncomfortable without proper layers

Best Activities in May

Peterhof Palace and Gardens Tours

May marks the official fountain opening season when all water features operate at peak performance. The cooler temperatures make the 2 km (1.2 miles) of garden walks comfortable, while spring blooms frame the baroque architecture perfectly. Morning visits (9-11am) often feature misty fountain displays that create ethereal photography conditions.

Booking Tip: Book palace interior tours 7-10 days ahead as fountain season increases demand. Combination tickets including both palace and gardens typically cost ₽1,500-2,200 ($18-26). Choose morning slots to avoid afternoon rain showers and secure the best fountain lighting.

Hermitage and Russian Museum Art Tours

Cool May weather makes indoor cultural activities ideal, while shoulder season crowds allow comfortable viewing of masterpieces. The extended daylight hours mean you can combine morning museum visits with afternoon outdoor exploration. Rain-friendly activity perfect for unpredictable May weather patterns.

Booking Tip: Skip-the-line tickets cost ₽700-1,200 ($8-14) and should be booked 3-5 days ahead. Choose guided tours that include both Winter Palace and New Hermitage sections. Many operators offer rain-day guarantees during May's variable weather period.

Neva River and Canal Cruises

Extended daylight until 10:30pm allows for spectacular late-evening cruises when palace facades glow in golden light. May's cool temperatures make covered boat tours comfortable, while fewer tourists mean better photo angles of drawbridge openings (typically 1:25am for Palace Bridge).

Booking Tip: Evening cruises during White Nights season cost ₽800-1,500 ($10-18) and fill quickly. Book 5-7 days ahead for weekend slots. Choose heated boats due to cool evening temperatures dropping to 7°C (44°F). See current options in booking section below.

Tsarskoye Selo and Catherine Palace Tours

May offers the perfect balance of blooming palace gardens and comfortable touring weather. The famous Amber Room can be photographed without summer crowds, while the surrounding Catherine Park showcases spring tulips and flowering trees. Rain backup plans include extended palace interior exploration.

Booking Tip: Catherine Palace tickets with Amber Room access cost ₽1,000-1,800 ($12-21). Book 7-14 days ahead as May begins high season. Choose full-day tours that include both palace and extensive garden time. Licensed operators offer weather-flexible itineraries.

Mariinsky Theatre Ballet and Opera

May features the end of the main season with world-class productions before summer break. Cool evenings make elegant theater attendance comfortable, while White Nights create a magical walk to/from venues. Rain-proof cultural activity that showcases Russian artistic heritage at its finest.

Booking Tip: Main stage tickets range ₽2,000-8,000 ($24-95) depending on seating and production. Book 14-21 days ahead for popular ballets like Swan Lake. Dress warmly for evening performances as theaters maintain cool temperatures.

Pushkin and Pavlovsk Palace Gardens

May showcases these imperial estates at their most beautiful with flowering lilacs, blooming apple orchards, and perfectly maintained baroque gardens. Cooler temperatures make the extensive walking tours comfortable, while spring conditions offer ideal photography lighting without harsh summer sun.

Booking Tip: Combined palace and garden tours cost ₽900-1,600 ($11-19). Book 5-7 days ahead during fountain season. Choose tours that include both indoor palace sections and extensive garden exploration. Weather-flexible options available for May's variable conditions.

May Events & Festivals

May 1st weekend

Fountain Opening at Peterhof

The ceremonial launch of all 147 fountains marks the beginning of the summer season with traditional music, period costumes, and the spectacular Grand Cascade at full operation. This signals the start of the most photogenic period for palace visits.

May 9th

Victory Day Celebrations

Nevsky Prospekt hosts military parades and veterans' gatherings commemorating WWII victory. While crowds are significant, the patriotic atmosphere and historical significance provide insight into Russian culture and resilience.

Late May

White Nights Festival Preparation

Late May marks the beginning of extended daylight hours and cultural venue preparations for the famous White Nights season. While the main festival starts in June, May offers preview performances and the start of magical evening lighting conditions.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof walking boots - cobblestone palace courtyards become slippery during May's 10 rainy days, and garden paths can be muddy

Layered clothing system - temperature swings of 10-15°C (18-27°F) require base layer, fleece mid-layer, and waterproof outer shell

Compact umbrella - sudden 30-45 minute downpours occur frequently, often during outdoor palace tours and canal walks

Warm evening jacket - despite White Nights, temperatures drop to 7°C (44°F) after 9pm, making theater walks and evening cruises cold

Waterproof day pack - protects cameras and documents during unexpected showers while exploring outdoor attractions

Comfortable indoor shoes - many palaces require shoe covers or removal, having clean comfortable shoes makes museum visits more pleasant

Portable phone charger - extended 18+ hour sightseeing days during White Nights season drain batteries quickly

Cash in small bills - many palace vendors and small cafes prefer rubles, ATMs can be scarce in tourist areas

Sunglasses for late evening - low-angle sunlight during White Nights creates intense glare off water and palace facades until 10:30pm

Moisture-wicking base layers - 70% humidity combined with walking tours and palace visits requires breathable fabrics

Insider Knowledge

Book Hermitage tickets for Wednesday evenings when locals visit - fewer tour groups and more authentic atmosphere, plus extended hours until 9pm during May

Visit Peterhof via hydrofoil from Palace Embankment - 30-minute scenic route costs ₽800-1,200 ($10-14) and avoids crowded bus tours while providing Neva River views

Eat lunch at palace cafeterias rather than nearby restaurants - Peterhof and Catherine Palace dining halls offer authentic Russian cuisine at half the price of tourist restaurants

Use marshrutka minibuses for palace transportation - local shared taxis cost ₽50-80 ($0.60-1.00) versus tourist buses at ₽400-600 ($5-7), running every 15 minutes from metro stations

Avoid These Mistakes

Underdressing for evening activities - tourists assume May evenings are warm but temperatures drop to 7°C (44°F), making canal cruises and theater walks uncomfortable

Not bringing rain gear to outdoor palace tours - May averages 10 rainy days with sudden downpours that disrupt Peterhof and Catherine Palace garden visits

Booking accommodation too late - May begins high season with Victory Day weekend and fountain opening, causing hotel prices to jump 40-60% for last-minute bookings