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Saint Petersburg is Russia's second largest city, with a population of 4.7 million perched at the eastern tip of of the Baltic Sea and the Neva River. The city was formerly known as Petrograd (Петрогр́ад), and later Leningrad (Ленингр́ад).
Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, the former home of the Czars and the center of Russian culture, Saint Petersburg was known as "The Venice of the North" in its heyday. Rechristened Petrograd during the first World War, the city was renamed Leningrad in 1924 in honor of the communist revolutionary, V.I. Lenin. Bombed, blockaded and starved during World War II, the city took a back seat to Moscow during the Soviet era.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city has been rapidly making up for lost time and is by far the most cosmopolitan of Russia's cities. Renamed once more in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union, most Russians know it as Piter (Питер), a familiar diminutive of Saint Petersburg.

Climate

April–May sees warmer temperatures, but snow is not uncommon, and the sludge resulting from the melting snow gets tiresome fast. This is also that time of year when you should be wary of giant thawing icicles overhead, which threaten the occasional impaling. 9 May is Victory Day (День победы) celebrating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. This day is marked with an opening military parade on Palace Square, directly in front of the Hermitage, visiting various war monuments, giving flowers to war veterans who are dressed in full military outfits, and an evening parade down Nevsky Proskpect which includes survivors of the Leningrad blockade.

June is peak tourist season during the famous White Nights (roughly, 11 June–2 July), when the sun sets only for a brief period of twilight, and the streets stay alive around the clock. The last ten days of June, during the White Nights Festival of all-day performances, concerts, festivals, and parties, are the busiest time of the season and it can be difficult to reserve accommodation and transport. Book early.

July–early September are usually the warmest months, albeit a bit humid. Rain showers usually come and go throughout this time, so it is always a good idea for one to have an umbrella or rain jacket at all times, even on sunny clear days.

Late September—October is a lovely time in the city. The humidity and temperatures drop to moderate with strong winds, and the tourists are all gone. Rain is still common.

While yes, the city gets cold in the winter, there are a couple advantages to a visit November–March: there are hardly any tourists—even domestic tourists, so you won't see the barest hint of the long lines of the summer at the Hermitage; Saint Petersburg's neoclassical streets are also simply gorgeous in the snow. Temperatures can range from relatively mild to very cold. All major tourist attractions are still open and some hotels offer lower prices during this time. But be prepared to dress warmly, as temperatures can easily dip -25C (-13F) with blustery winds. The biggest danger, though, is the ice. The city's lovely marble surfaces, when mixed with snow and ice, create a very real danger of slipping and seriously hurting yourself. Wear good boots, take small steps, and watch your feet!

Keep in mind that New Years is the biggest holiday of the year in Russia. Reserving a hotel room is usually not a problem during this time, but be prepared for very large crowds and noisy celebrations.