Smolensk Oblast · Russia
Smolensk travel guide
Smolensk is a city in Smolensk Oblast, Russia, home to about 310,000 people.
- Best months
- May, June and August
- Currency
- RUBRussian ruble
- Time zone
- Europe/Moscow
- Language
- Abaza, Adyghe, Aghul
About
About Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River, 360 kilometers (220 mi) west-southwest of Moscow. Population: 316,570 (2021 census).
Smolensk is one of the oldest cities in Russia. The city has been taken over by different countries more times than any other city in Russia, so has its own cultural background. Therefore there are many monuments from different epochs: huge Kremlin, many buildings dated back to the 18th to 19th centuries. There are also 3 churches that were built before the Tatar-Mongol invasion, which is rare. Due to many wars some of these buildings have been destroyed. The city leaves different feelings, but it is hard to leave the city feeling indifferent.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Smolensk
See
- Smolensk Kremlin
- Dormition Cathedral in Smolensk
- Katyń
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Smolensk
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Smolensk are May, June and August. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 24 °C; July is the wettest, with about 91 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Smolensk
Getting in
Although there are two airports, they are used by military only and civil planes are not accepted. There are discussions to revert them to civil airports, but the projects are still on hold. From Moscow several trains from Belorusskiy train station reach Smolensk in 5-6 hours. Some of them reach into Europe as far as to Paris and Nice (in summer only). The same trains can be used to reach Smolensk from Belarus. Daily express connects Smolensk with Bryansk.
Getting around
Centre of Smolensk is quite pedestrian friendly and you can access many sights on foot. Outside of it you need to mind which side of a street you are on as stretches of congested roads without crossing for a kilometer are the norm, also city is much hillier than you could expect. You can go by car nearly everywhere in Smolensk and there are plenty of free parking spaces. Road conditions are quite good for Russian standards. It is worth noting that Smolensk is quite hilly. It is common to use taxis as they are quite cheap - an average trip within the city should cost around 200 RUB.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Smolensk: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Smolensk?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Smolensk are May, June and August. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 24 °C; July is the wettest, with about 91 mm of rain.
What currency is used in Smolensk?
Russian ruble (RUB).
Nearby
Destinations near Smolensk
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.