Oymyakon, Russia
Oymyakon isn’t really a city—it’s more like a remote village—but it grabs the spotlight as the coldest inhabited spot on Earth. Winters here are no joke. Temperatures can drop to -50°C (-58°F), and the coldest ever recorded was a brutal -67.7°C (-89.9°F). Living in Oymyakon takes grit. People bundle up in fur, eat hearty meals, and just get on with life in the deep freeze. If you visit, you’re in for a winter adventure like nowhere else.
Reykjavík, Iceland
Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, doesn’t get quite as cold as Siberia, but it’s still one of Europe’s chilliest capitals. In winter, you’ll see temperatures hovering between -1°C and -5°C (30°F to 23°F). What sets Reykjavík apart is the scenery—Northern Lights dancing overhead, steamy geothermal baths, and glacier tours that feel straight out of a storybook. The cold here feels almost gentle compared to the Russian Arctic, and visitors love exploring icy caves or warming up in cozy cafés.
Norilsk, Russia
Norilsk sits way up above the Arctic Circle, making it one of the world’s northernmost cities. Winter here means average temperatures around -30°C (-22°F), and snow blankets the city for about 250 days each year. The polar night settles in for several weeks—imagine not seeing the sun at all for days on end. Even so, Norilsk has a strong industrial pulse, famous for its nickel mines and tough residents who call this frozen place home.
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland’s capital, deserves a spot on any list of cold cities. Winter temperatures can sink to -20°C (-4°F). But Finns know how to make the most of the long, dark season. The city glows with Christmas markets, steaming mugs in cozy cafés, and plenty of chances to skate or ski. The frozen Baltic Sea stretches out in all directions, turning Helsinki into a stunning winter postcard.
Yakutsk, Russia
Yakutsk takes the crown as the world’s coldest big city. It’s in Siberia, and winters here average -40°C (-40°F). What’s wild is just how lively the place is—over 300,000 people live and work here, despite the bone-deep cold. Visitors gawk at the thick snow, frozen rivers, and the sheer toughness of locals who don’t just survive but thrive in these wild winter conditions.
