Late may is basically moscow's sweet spot if you're allergic to 5am wake-up calls and tourist stampedes. Consistent 15-20c temps, crystal clear skies, and the winter mud has finally dried up but summer's tourist invasion hasn't started yet. You can actually sleep until 9am and still have a full day.

June through august hits brutal 30c+ heat and everywhere becomes a human sardine can. September's nice but you're gambling with random downpours that'll ruin your outdoor plans. May gives you those glorious white nights (18+ hours of daylight) without needing to set an alarm for sunrise to beat the crowds because... There basically aren't any crowds yet.

Bonus perks: outdoor festival season kicks off in may with gorky park hosting free concerts almost daily, street art installations pop up around chistye prudy and solyanka districts, and hotel prices haven't hit summer robbery levels yet. You can actually get those clean instagram shots at red square without 500 people photobombing your selfie.

The lighting in may is honestly chef's kiss for photography - soft, even natural light that makes even the grittiest soviet architecture look magical. Plus cafe terraces open up but aren't packed yet, so you can actually snag a good table without planning your life around restaurant reservations.