There are cities that have a special appeal and are beautiful at any time of the year. One of these is Kaliningrad. At the beginning of November, tourists almost completely leave him, and he begins to live his real, interesting life. Despite the fact that the sky often frowns in this season, the city at this time of the year becomes especially charming. We’ll tell you why to go to Kaliningrad in November, what you need to see here and what to do.
Geographical position
Kaliningrad Oblast is the westernmost region of the Russian Federation. Its capital is a Russian piece of real old Europe. The uniqueness of the region lies in the fact that it is the smallest of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and in that the region is connected to the rest of the country only by water. Therefore, the easiest way to get to Kaliningrad from other Russian regions by air. The city stands on the banks of the river Pregolya, at the place of its confluence with the Kaliningrad Gulf. The city has a lot of water, so it is often compared with such northern capitals as St. Petersburg and Amsterdam. In addition to the river, there are many lakes, streams and ponds that give the city a special charm. The relief of Kaliningrad is flat, which is suitable for walking. The distance from Kaliningrad to Moscow is just over one thousand kilometers. The area of the city is 225 square meters. km
Climate and ecology
Proximity to the Baltic Sea forms a humid temperate maritime climate in the city. The influence of the Gulf Stream affects the winter in Kaliningrad, which does not last long and is characterized by humidity and softness. The average annual temperature here is +8 degrees. Summer begins in Kaliningrad in late May and ends in early September, this season is not very hot. In July, the warmest month of the year, the thermometer on average shows 18 degrees of heat, in the afternoon the air warms up to 22-25 degrees.
The Baltic summers are cool, but in Kaliningrad this season there are enough sunny days to feel that this is really summer. Spring lasts from mid-February to mid-May, and autumn from mid-September to early December. Winter is characterized by high humidity and strong winds. Snow cover in Kaliningrad rarely lasts more than a few hours. Over 800 mm of precipitation falls annually in the city; the most rainy are August, October and November. Surprisingly, September in the city is often colder than October. Typical weather in Kaliningrad in November resembles early October in central Russia. Truly winter days in the city can hardly be counted more than 20. For Kaliningrad, autumn is the longest and most organic time of the year.
The ecology of Kaliningrad, in comparison with other regions of Russia, is quite prosperous. Although a large number of vehicles pollute the air, especially in the area of highways. There are also problems with the purity of the waters of the Pregol river, but the authorities are solving this problem, so that the residents do not have any worries.
Weather in November
When organizing a trip, the first thing that worries a tourist is the weather. What is the weather like in Kaliningrad in November? Different. At this time, the familiar variability of the Baltic climate shows itself in all its glory. On some days of November , warmth and dryness reign here, as in the early autumn, and on some, a strong wind flies, clouds gather, rain begins to rain. But changes can happen in just 15 minutes. If you are going to Kaliningrad in November, you need to carefully consider your dress code.
It is worth putting on a warm waterproof twist and the same shoes, stock up on a hat and gloves, and also provide for the possibility of quickly facilitating the wardrobe in case of heat. In November, about half of the days in the city are accompanied by rains, and almost every day the wind blows, which affects the changes in the weather.
History of the city
The city on the river Pregoli appeared in 1225, the knights of the Teutonic Order settled here . Then a castle was erected on the top of the shore, around which residential areas gradually began to grow: Altstadt, Kneiphof, Lebenicht. in the 16th century the capital of the Teutonic Order was moved here, this helped the city become a center of sciences and arts. The University of Albertina is being built here. In 1724, the official merger of all parts of the city takes place - Koenigsberg appears. The settlement was alternately part of different states: Prussia, Poland, Russia. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city became a major cultural and economic center. There appears a railway, an airport, an active residential development is underway.
After World War II, during which the city was turned into ruins, Koenigsberg became part of the USSR. And in 1946, the settlement was renamed Kaliningrad in memory of M. Kalinin, a Soviet party leader. Outstanding people were born in this city at different times: the philosopher I. Kant, the writer E. T. Hoffmann. Arriving in Kaliningrad in November, you can find many traces of the rich and interesting history of the city.
Districts of Kaliningrad
Officially, the city is divided into three areas: Leningrad, Moscow and Central. But residents of Kaliningrad out of habit name many parts of the settlement in honor of those villages that once entered the city limits. There are also local toponyms for some microdistricts, for example, Cosma, Coast, Spandin. Arriving for a vacation, in November in Kaliningrad it is better to stop in the central part of the city, in Altstadt, so as not to waste time traveling around the city, because there are often traffic jams on the roads. And in the center, almost all the sights can be reached on foot, it is just nice to walk here, there is always something to do, where to hide from the sudden rain.
Features of rest in Kaliningrad
If you decide to come to Kaliningrad in November, you should understand that this is a time of very changeable weather, you need to be prepared to change your plans. It is good to plan walks on a sunny day, and go to museums and other interesting places on a rainy day. November is wonderful because at that time the cultural life is raging in the city - almost every day you can go to some kind of concert or performance, visit many exhibitions, and take part in various entertainment events. The convenient location of Kaliningrad allows you to make various one-day trips to other cities: Svetlogorsk, Yantarnoye, and with a Schengen visa, Gdansk, Klaipeda, Kaunas are waiting for you.
What to see
Arriving in Kaliningrad in November, it is worth seeing the main attractions of the city: the cathedral, the grave of the philosopher Kant, the remains of the Konigsberg castle and the surviving parts of the city fortifications: Zakheim, Royal and Brandenburg gates. In total, 7 ancient gates have been preserved in the city, and it will take several hours to find them all. It is also worth taking a walk in the three areas in which the pre-war buildings have been preserved: Amalienau, Maraunenhof, Ratshof. Travelers enjoy visiting the Amber Museum, the new Fish Village complex, which recreates the ancient atmosphere. Several buildings of German cathedrals have been preserved in the city, not all of them are used today for their original purpose, but they have preserved their appearance, it is worth seeing the Rosenau, Juditten, Holy Family, and Kreuzkirch churches.
Things to do
In good weather, you need to walk around Kaliningrad, you should definitely go around the whole island of Kant, wander around the German regions, walk around the Old Town, consider the preserved and restored buildings. In bad weather you can have a great time in museums or concert halls of the city. Be sure to go to an organ concert, which will leave a lasting impression even for those who do not like classical music. For those who want to see the region, tours are organized in November from Kaliningrad to Svetlogorsk, to Kushskaya Spit, to the city of Amber. On such trips you can see and learn a lot of interesting things about the region. If the organized trips for tourists are not to your liking, then you can easily get to the Baltic Sea by public transport. In November, the storm season begins, and the sea looks especially spectacular, in addition, the water often carries pieces of amber ashore, and these findings will be the best souvenirs from Kaliningrad.
Tourists reviews
Tourists who visited Kaliningrad in November, whose reviews are always positive, note that at this time in the city prices for accommodation and meals are significantly reduced, so trips come out quite budget. Many also say that they were vainly afraid of the weather, since November is quite comfortable here, especially if you dress properly. Travelers also note that in November in Kaliningrad there are many interesting events, there is always something to do.