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Summer is short in St. Petersburg. No arguments there! As soon as the mercury hits 20, St. Petersburgers waste no time donning their summer outfits and almost sprinting outside. Here is our list of some of the best spots around town to have fun in the sun.

The Beach at Peter and Paul Fortress – This sandy, rocky beach on the banks of the Neva is also the site of numerous events, like beach parties, evening music and ballet concerts. There is a great view across the river to the Hermitage and the Strelna of Vasilevsky Island, and a little kiosk to buy beer and snacks from as well. Near the Ioannovsky Bridge, you can see many sunbathing Russians standing on the grass trying to improve their suntans. They look like they are in an open-air standup solarium. There are also people leaning against the stone walls of the Fortress having chats and basking in the sun’s rays. As for actual swimming, you may see some people taking a dip in the Neva but it is not recommended!

For a more authentic beach experience, head to the Finnish Gulf on the coastal shore of Vasikevsky Island, near the Pribaltiskaya Hotel. To get here, take the metro to Primorskaya station and then after a 10-15min walk, you will arrive at the beachfront. Admittedly it is a stone beach, so it’s not the most comfortable place to work on your suntan, but the air is fresh, and the view magnificent.

St. Petersburg’s parks are also some of the best places to sprawl on the grass, enjoying a picnic and a beer. Park Pobedy (Victory Park), near Metro station Park Pobedy is the city’s largest park and home to a network of around five ponds. There’s beer kiosks and icecream stands, a wax museum and tennis courts and on a hot day, hordes of people lounging by the pond side. If you decide to do a bit of spontaneous pond-dipping, you won’t be alone. It is not uncommon to see people taking a dip in their underwear!

Tavrichesky Gardens are very relaxing and home to lots of scantily clad humans. Styled more like an English park where you can freely roam over the grass before plopping down for a picnic, it also has a raised terrace, a lake and a café, all of which makes it a perfect place for some summer fun. Yusopovsky Gardens, to the south of Sennaya Ploshchad are also one of the city’s best spots for sunbathing and for checking out summertime activities Russian style. Pick up a beer and some beer snacks of fistashki (pistachios) or orekhi (nuts) from the little kiosk to the right of the entrance. Dodge the flying footballs and don’t forget your towel or rug and sunlotion. A little further afield, the park area of Krestovsky Island also offers great sunbathing opportunities amongst the majestic trees and ponds.