Best Time to Visit the Hermitage

The best time for the Hermitage is whenever there are fewest people: that way you can actually see the masterpieces and look around in peace. The main factors are the time of day, the day of the week and the season.

Best time of day

• At opening, 11:00 — the rooms are still empty and there is no crowd at the popular works.
• An evening session (Tue, Fri, Sat after 17:00) — fewer visitors, and the ticket is cheaper.
• The midday peak runs roughly 13:00–16:00; this is the worst time for a calm visit.

Best day of the week

Weekdays are quieter than weekends. Note that Monday is the closed day (see opening hours), and that free-admission days and long public holidays are especially busy.

Best season

• Winter (outside the New Year holidays) and late autumn are the quietest period.
• Summer and the White Nights are the peak of tourism: beautiful, but crowded.
• The shoulder seasons (late autumn, early spring) are a good compromise: the weather is so-so, but the rooms are freer.

The ideal scenario

Put it all together and the calmest visit looks like this: a weekday in late autumn or winter (outside the New Year holidays), arriving at opening (11:00) or for an evening session, with an e-ticket bought in advance. In that combination you reach the rooms before the main groups and get to the key masterpieces while they are still quiet.

And what to avoid: a weekend or holiday at the height of summer, in the middle of the day — the peak on all three counts at once. Free-admission days are also packed, so for a calm visit it is better not to choose them.

How to use this

Combine a “quiet” time with the ready-made one-day itinerary so you reach the masterpieces before the groups arrive. Buy a ticket in advance and come at opening; before you set out, check how to get there.

FAQ

When is the Hermitage least crowded? At opening (11:00) and during the evening sessions; by season, in winter outside the New Year holidays.

Which day is best to go? On a weekday; remember that Monday is the closed day, and free and holiday days are very busy.

Is it worth going in summer? You can, but summer and the White Nights bring the most tourists; for a calm visit winter or the shoulder seasons are better.

When should I avoid going? On weekends and holidays at the height of summer, and on free-admission days, when it is busiest.

This is an unofficial, informational website. Hours and crowds change — plan your visit using the official museum website.