What's the Weather like in Moscow in December
Temperature
In the month of December, the average temperature in Moscow, Russia is 9°C ranging from a minimum of 4°C to a maximum of 13 °C.
December marks the city's official entry into the Winter season, and this month may experience mixed snow and rain throughout the month.
Humidity and Rain
In December, Moscow experiences 22 per cent chances of having a wet day. With the chances of rainfall occurring moves from 7 per cent to 4 per cent as December arrives, the chances of having mixed snow and rain remain at a constant 4 per cent.
An average rainfall measurement over a 31-day period in December shows a measurement of 85 mm all through the month, and total rainfall duration of 12 days.
Snow
Over a 31-day period, the average snowfall that Moscow experiences is 0.7 inches, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 inches to a maximum of 1.5 inches.
Also, the rate of snowfall increases from 10 per cent to 14 per cent in the month of December.
Sunshine Hours
With shorter days compared to all other months in Moscow, sunshine is quite a limiting factor over the course of December, and Moscow experiences around 6 hours of total sunshine.
Daylight during December gradually decreases at the rate of 42 seconds per day and by the end of the month, the total decrease in daylight time is an average of 21 minutes.
Also, the shortest day of the month is December 21st (6-7 hours of daylight) while the longest day is December 1st (6-7 hours, 28 minutes of daylight).
Wind
The biting cold weather during the month can comprise of both windy and still days.
With an average hourly speed increasing from 11.2 miles per hour to 11.9 miles per hour over the course of the month, the daily wind speed averages to about 7.7 miles per hour during December.
Also, the average wind direction is predominantly from the west.
Dress Code
With the onset of winter in December, the weather is unpredictably a mixture of harshly cold and slightly warmer days. To protect yourself during the cooler days, we recommend that you wear a heavy coat, heavy gloves and non-slippery winter/ autumn boots as customary outfits all through your stay during the winter.
We would also recommend against the consumption of spirits, since drunkenness causes great heat loss. Wearing loose clothing would help you keep your blood circulation at a normal, comfortable level.
Click here for Moscow's weather forecast for the next 14 days
Moscow Hotels in December
Below, we list down some of the highly rated hotels to stay in Moscow for the month of December. Starting from upscale to downright affordable, we've listed down reliable places to suit your needs.
Lotte Hotel Moscow
The Lotte Hotel Moscow is located at a seven-minute walking distance from the Smolenskaya Station, also located 3 km from the Moscow Zoo and 4 km from Gorky Park. This classy, upscale hotel offers you a luxurious and fabulous stay with lavish rooms, suites and 1-bedroom apartments. While upgraded rooms have sitting areas, marble bathrooms and a classy, comfortable setup, suites comes with living rooms, whirlpool tubs and club lounge access. Also, their one-bedroom apartments feature plush kitchens and designer bathrooms and toiletries. Amenities like a luxe spa, an indoor pool and gym make this a well-equipped place. Also included are regular facilities like free Wi-Fi access, free parking, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, and room service. The hotel features two bars, one rooftop terrace, Italian and Japanese restaurants to suit your taste buds. All in all, a night's stay here is an upscale experience, both in terms of service and hospitality.
St Ragis Moscow
The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya is another high-end hotel, well-known for their high standards of hospitality and service. A great location for any hotel to be in, this polished place is located at a 4-minute easy walk from the Lubyanka subway station and a 9-minute walk from the Red Square. The hotel features beautiful rooms and suites with amenities like minibars, separate sitting areas with sofas, dining rooms and kitchens. The standard rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and marble bathrooms. With additions such as a hearty, complimentary breakfast, butler service and dining options including an Italian restaurant, a grand lobby bar and a refined cognac and cigar lounge, it also features a spa, a rooftop lounge, an indoor pool, a fitness room and 9 treatment rooms for its esteemed guests.
Doubletree by Hilton
If you are looking for a place that's light on your pocket, with a touch of luxury to pamper your senses, we recommend to you the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Moscow Marina. Great service, friendly staff and comfortable rooms, this hotel has it all. Located at a distance of 2.1 km from Vodny Stadion metro station and 15 km from the Moscow Kremlin, the hotel features stylish, modern rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea and coffee-making facilities. While these were features for the standard living options, the hotel also offers upgraded and executive suites. The upgraded suites offer guests delicious breakfast services, while guests in executive suites are provided lounge access for complimentary snacks and drinks. Other amenities include a restaurant, a lobby bar, 24/7 fitness room, an indoor pool, a spa, a sauna and a beauty salon. Also included are a business centre and a free local area shuttle.
Palmira Business Club
Another comfortable place to spend your nights in peace, at very affordable rates is the Palmira Business Club. Immaculately clean and maintained to a very high standard, this neat hotel is tucked in a comfortable locality not far away from Moscow city's centre- the Red Square. With this hotel rated highly for the taste, extensiveness and quality of food provided, this place would make an enjoyable stay for anyone looking for a stay within a budget. The rooms are truly neat and gorgeous, with friendly and highly professional housekeeping services. The spacious rooms have a small living room with sofa, coffee table and a dining table; a bedroom area and a working table. This 4-star hotel also includes a free spa service, a gym and free shuttle service which can be availed if needed.
Bars and Restaurants
Blackberry Cafe
The Blackberry cafe is a pretty, warm and cosy little café best visited on a chilly December evening. Located right next to the famous Arbat House Hotel, this café offers you a great selection of Russian and Italian dishes at wonderfully affordable prices. With food that tastes as beautiful as it looks, this stylish little restaurant has a fuzzy atmosphere with attentive, friendly staff members that speak English, and great value overall for a central restaurant. A pleasant ambience includes soft music playing in the backdrop and authentic, traditional, diverse food with attention to detail.
Illy Cafe
Another cute place to drop into with family and friends would be the Illy Café. Known best for the wide selection of delicious coffee and desserts they bring to the table, this place is located on the second floor of the Gum shopping mall in Red Square. We highly recommend having breakfast here, for the freshness and taste is something you will remember for a very long time. They are known to make the best sundaes and their strawberry recipes are to die for. A feather on its cap, this café has an excellent team of honest, friendly staff to make you feel welcome at any time of the day.
Stolovaya 57
If you are looking for a cheap place to satisfy your hunger pangs, Stolovaya 57 should be a must-go-to place on your list. Located on the top floor of GUM, this place serves authentic Russian food in a retro environment. This wonderful, traditionally cosy place offers canteen style self-service and is hugely popular among the locals. You can walk along the endless display of mains, desserts, entrees and drinks, each with an English description, and choose whatever appeals to you. Fresh, super-delicious food, this restaurant offers a quick, fun-way for an introduction to traditional Russian cuisine.
Matryoshka
A slightly-expensive yet, recommended place to try would be the restaurant Matryoshka. At a close proximity to Radisson Royal, it is located on the embankment of the Moscow River. An exquisite, lovely ambiance with beautiful and stylish interiors, vibrant atmosphere, medium sized portions and fun, friendly staff- all add to the richness of experience one has here. Easily one of the best restaurants in Moscow for traditional Russian cuisine, this place is a must-go if you love Russian food. This restaurant is open seven days a week from 08.00 to 00.00.
Things to do in Moscow in December
While December paves the way for a long, harsh winter in Moscow, it is still a good time to avoid the throng of tourists and high prices of the peak summer season. Also, a great place to be in for Christmas, celebrations begin in mid-December and last until the end of January.
Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in the estate Kolomenskoe.
A wonderful place to visit at the outset of winter in Moscow would definitely be the extremely beautiful restored palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in the estate Kolomenskoe. This wooden palace is a reconstruction of the 17th-century Tsar's palace and is a great treat to history and architecture lovers. The place lets you have a glimpse of royal interiors, furniture, books and other exhibitions in the palace, offering you a peek into the royal life of the 17th century. Another interesting thing to do here is a costume photo shoot in the unique interiors of the Wooden Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. This palace turned museum is located at the far end of Kolomenskiy park (closest metro station is Kashirskaya), and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00. With free entrance to children below 7 years of age and everyone else on the third Sunday of every month, this is a must visit if you want to experience the essence of Moscow.
Alexander Garden
A beautiful place to visit in the Manezh Square during the winter months would definitely be the Alexander Garden. Impressively scenic during the winter, this 200-year old perfectly manicured garden has adequate seating space, and is tucked away as a peaceful, attractive refuge to escape the noise of the traffic hurtling across the Moscow streets. This frozen beauty has charming wintry gardens, an excellent landscape design, several poignant memorials, with the snow imparting a majestic vibe to the place. When in Moscow for the winter, do not miss out on the tranquil Alexander Gardens.
Winter Grotto
TheWinter Grotto pavilion in the famous Kuskovo Estateis yet another marvel you must see while in Russia. This estate located towards the east of Moscow in the Vishnyaki District, falls nearest to the Ryazansky Prospect metro station. Buying a combined ticket gives you access to all pavilions in the country estate. The Grotto, built in baroque style, is the only pavilion in Russia that has preserved its initial Grotto interior decoration. The interior rooms are decorated with glass and tufa, recreating a real grotto feeling. The estate also features a pond with fish and Manageries behind the Grotto. With the Kuskovo Country Estate being one of Moscow's main attractions, this poetic, picturesque place gives you a feeling of being taken back to the past on a time machine.
