Heralded as one of the coldest settlements on the planet, anyone venturing to this remote Siberian city should pack much more than just an extra pair of socks. With temperatures plummeting as low as -58 Fahrenheit and locals describing minus 22 temperatures as ‘cold but not very cold’, this certainly is one city that’s not for those sensitive to the weather.
Yakutsk is actually the capital city of Russia’s Sakha Republic, and the Arctic Circle is just 280 miles north – what would be a short drive if it wasn’t for the winding roads blanketed in hazardous snow and ice. Things to do in the winter months are limited; with average temperatures of −37.5 °F, you simply cannot stay outside for long. However, thanks to the city’s extreme latitude, temperatures in the summer can reach as high as 60°F – perfect for exploring a few quaint attractions in the city as well as taking advantage of popular local activities such as skiing, ice-skating and building ice sculptures. There are also several interesting museums, monuments and historical buildings dotted around town too.