Moscow Weather in November

November weather

November in Moscow feels cold, damp and dim. The average high is 1°C and the low is -4°C, with rain on 12 days. It can feel raw around Red Square, and wet paths make long walks through Gorky Park less appealing. Daylight lasts just under eight hours, with little sunshine, so outdoor sightseeing can feel short.

The season suits indoor stops: spend time at the Tretyakov Gallery or explore the Kremlin's museums. Keep Red Square and the riverfront for a clear spell, rather than planning a full day outside.

Events and crowds

November 4 is National Unity Day, a public holiday in Russia. Moscow may host public events, and some sights or streets can have changed access. The November 7 anniversary of the 1941 military parade is also marked in the city, though events vary from year to year.

If you hate crowds, November is generally quieter than the summer high season and the popular early-autumn months. With fewer visitors, hotel prices can be lower than in June or September, but holiday events may bring local crowds into central Moscow.

Make the most of it

Travelling with kids? Mix outdoor stops with warm indoor breaks; the long, grey stretches can wear everyone down.

A useful local trick is to treat the Moscow Metro as part of your sightseeing. Stations such as Mayakovskaya and Komsomolskaya are known for their grand interiors, and the underground lets you escape the weather between visits. For a hearty meal after a cold walk, look for borscht, a beet soup often served hot with sour cream. Don't count on a relaxed park day: November's damp ground and early darkness make central museums and the Metro a better fit.