Karelia: overview
The land of forests and lakes awaits tourists all year round. Traveling to Karelia is an opportunity to combine educational trips to historical sights, visiting holy places, as well as outdoor recreation, fishing, safari, sports entertainment. Karelia will provide you with an unforgettable vacation, full of vivid emotions and positive impressions. True Karelia is a virgin forest and a transparent lake. It's a white night, fishing, blueberries, and mountain river rafting in summer. These are skis, dog sleds, snowmobiles, and snow-white open spaces in winter. Karelia is different, and this is its charm. On the territory of the republic, there are a large number of nature reserves, famous monasteries and ancient villages, sports resorts, and cultural sites. Petrozavodsk is the logistics center and the capital of the republic. The Russian north cannot be imagined without Karelia. Natural landscapes won’t leave anyone indifferent. Sheer cliffs, peaks and gorges, picturesque indented banks, stone settings and boulder piles, waterfalls, canyons, and grottoes - it is impossible to imagine Karelia without all this. Speaking about cultural peculiarities, it is worth mentioning the wonderful Karelian cuisine. Famous "Kalitki" - pies with various stuffings, fish dishes, ukha (fish soup) with cream, branded lingonberry, and cranberry liqueur - every guest of the republic should taste all this. Well, of course, Karelia is famous for its shrines. Thousands of pilgrims go to the holy convent - the Valaam monastery, visit the Kizhi churchyard, overcome the long and difficult path to the Solovetsky monastery. Karelia is one of the most amazing and beautiful corners of Russia, which attracts tourists with its pollution-free untouched nature, a wealth of attractions, and unique northern flavor.
Availability of transport hubs
Airport
Port
Railway station
Bus station
Climatic features
Winter
The weather in winter is quite frosty in Karelia, and the winter itself is long. Severe frosts occur in January and February when temperatures can drop below -35 ° C. The average temperature in winter is -10 ° С.
Air temperature:
up to -4... -13 °С
Spring
The weather in spring is unstable, the snow may not melt for a long time. For this time of the year, precipitation in the form of rain and sleet is characteristic. Average temperatures range from -4 ° C in March to + 8 ° C in May.
Air temperature:
up to -7... +14 °С
Summer
The weather in Karelia is warm in summer, but not hot. The average temperature during this period is about + 16 ° С. Summer in Karelia is usually rainy, it begins in the first half of June. But even in June, frosts are possible, especially in the northern regions. Heat in summer in Karelia can be in the southern regions only, but not every year.
Air temperature:
up to +9... +21 °С
Autumn
The weather in Karelia in autumn can be either relatively warm and clear, but frosts are possible in lowlands. Average temperatures are from + 9 ° С in September to -3 ° С in November.
Air temperature:
up to -5... +13 °С
Useful tips
1 What to pack
- Passport or another identity document in a waterproof case
- Birth certificate of a child, if you are traveling with children on vacation in Karelia (only from 6 years old)
- Repellents
- Anti-motion sickness medications: travel can be lengthy
- Specific medications if you have a chronic medical condition
- Personal hygiene products: soap, toothpaste, brush, etc
- Comfortable footwear according to the season
- Sweaters, woolen sweaters, cozy fleece, warm pants, knitted or fur hats, thermal underwear
- Down socks and warm mittens/gloves
- If you are planning an excursion to Solovki, take not only a swimsuit and a T-shirt but also a sweater with a waterproof jacket.
- Seasonal headwear, raincoat, and folding umbrella
- Rowing gloves
- Sunglasses. Protect your eyes: from both the bright sun and the blinding snow
- In some regions of Karelia, there may be a bad connection!!!!
2 Top things to do
- Get to know Petrozavodsk
- Visit the island museum of wooden architecture in Kizhi
- See the marble canyon
- Go to Valaam
- Cool off at the Kivach waterfall
- Touch the frozen lava
- Feed the bears
- Go rafting
- Climb the highest point of the West Karelian Upland
- Plunge into the history of the Karelian village
- Enjoy stunning views and take breathtaking photos and videos
- Taste the variety of Karelian cuisine
3 What to bring back home
- Schungite and raspberry quartz products
- Natural and schungite cosmetics
- Handmade wooden souvenirs from Karelian birch: boxes, dishes, watches
- Products with Zaonezh embroidery
- Red clay pottery
- Souvenirs and crafts made of marble
- Kits for creating miniatures of local attractions
- Orthodox items from Valaam
- Rye stuffed pies “Kalitki”
- Wildberry jam
- Gingerbread
- Karelian honey
- Willow-herb
- Karelian balm and Karelian herbs
- Amulet dolls