Brace Yourself for a Rundown of the World’s Chilliest Capitals

Article by Jon Simpson

If you thought the UK was a bit chilly right now, imagine living in one of the coldest capital cities on earth.You may feel like Britain is the coldest place on earth right now with temperatures plunging as low as -22C in some parts of Scotland last week, but with cheap flights carriers opening up new routes to the East, here’s a look at some even colder destinations including capital cities around the world where the lowest temperatures have been recorded.

Not everyone is a heat lover. With low temperatures scaring away those who only want sun and sand, cold cities are the place to get away from the summer tourist masses. They might be slightly more obscure destinations but you can still be sure to find cheap flights from London to most of these wintry locations. Remember if you’re going to visit during the winter, be sure to pack your thermal undies and a hot water bottle.

1. Astana (Kazakhstan) -52C*

Kazakhstan’s capital (which took the title from Almaty in 1997) is renowned for its futuristic architecture; a tour of the ‘Palace of Peace,’ the Ak Orda Presidential Palace, or the Nur-Astana Mosque should be on the itinerary of any visitor. Bayterek, a 105m monument and observation tower is a symbol of the city and is said to embody a folk story about a tree of life, a magic bird of happiness and an egg. The Borat-style mankini is not recommended attire during the winter months.

2. Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) -49C*

Located on the bank of the Tuul River, Mongolia’s capital is surrounded by four sacred mountains with dense pine forests on the northern slopes and grassy steppes on the south. Summers bring warm weather to the city, but winters are harsh so don some camel hair clothing like the locals do, which renowned for its wonderful warmth.

3. Minsk (Belarus) -40C*

Renowned for friendly locals, clean streets and leafy parks, Minsk benefits from a lack of tourists clogging the streets, yet there is plenty on offer for cultured visitors. The Minsk Circus is well worth a visit and is especially good for children. Adults can catch an opera or ballet, a ticket for which will cost far less than in most other cities in Europe. And the Belarusians like to boogie, so be sure to visit a nightclub or two and bring your dancing shoes.

4. Ottawa (Canada) -37C

Canadians are used to the cold, making the most of the frozen weather to play their national sport: ice hockey. Catch a game at Scotiabank Place, home of the Ottawa Senators – Ottawa’s professional ice hockey team. If you’re really keen, take to the ice yourself on the Rideau Canal, Ontario’s first UNESO World Heritage Site, which winds its way through the city and is the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink come winter.

5. Helsinki (Finland) -33C

Finland’s cool capital is surrounded by sea and a vast archipelago, creating a city that blends Nordic urban chic with outstanding natural beauty. The Baltic gets so Baltic that it freezes over during mid-winter, and you can even go ice skating on it. If you prefer snow to ice, pick up a pair of cross country skis and take to the city’s Central Park ski trails. And if you’re really feeling brave, join the winter swimming teams at Rastila campsite for a very refreshing dip indeed.

6. Bucharest (Romania) -32C

Bucharest may be pretty chilly in winter, but come spring, the city has thawed making it a popular destination with city-breakers. Known as “The Little Paris”, you’ll certainly find that prices are much smaller than in the French capital, yet Bucharest offers an intriguing mix of neoclassic architecture, old town romance and imposing communist-era buildings that mark Romania’s time under communist control.

7. Vilnius (Lithuania) -30C

The Lithuanian capital has seen a welcome publicity boost following its reign as the 2009 Capital of Culture, and the city is well geared up for winter weekends. A short drive outside of the capital you can take a high-speed snowmobile ride across snowy fields and forest paths. Stop at the frozen lake to go ice fishing for your supper, which can be cooked by your hotel chef, and then explore the nightlife and meet the locals at one of the old town’s many nightclubs.

8. Tallinn (Estonia) -30 C

Tallinn welcomes winter visitors with its medieval old town becoming a magical white wonderland at this time of year. Grab your skates and glide around the outdoor ice rink before warming up with a hot spiced wine at one of Tallinn’s cosy cafes. Visit Tallinn in winter and you’ll avoid the stag groups which are drawn to the city for its cheap beer during the summer months.

9. Nuuk (Greenland) -29.5C*

With fantastic ice scenery on its doorstep, Nuuk is one of the world’s most unique capitals. Visitors can take a helicopter ride over Greenland’s vast ice sheet, visit Norse ruins or take a wildlife boat safari to see whales cavorting around the coastline. The National Museum, situated in the Nuuk’s old quarter near the fjord, is the place to learn more about Greenland’s frozen past and its fascinating present.

10. Warsaw (Poland) -29C

A favourite of Europe’s culture vultures, Warsaw has all the class at half the cost, when compared to other European cities. With several budget airlines flying to the city cheap flights to Warsaw are easy to come across. Praised for its compact size, Warsaw has an excellent selection of museums, galleries and heritage sites; cultural highlights including the Palace of Culture and Science – Poland’s tallest building and imposing example of Stalinist architecture – and the Polish National Opera.

Question by Rux H: How many cases of beer does the average restaurant sell per month in the Toronto or Ottawa (Ontario Canada)?
How many cases of beer does the average restaurant sell per month of the most popular beer verses the least popular beer? Example: Coors Light 30 cases per month vs Brand X at 5 cases per month.
Just thinking of the larger Ontario area restaurants.

Best answer:

Answer by David H
Being a former chef and hvaing had to stumble over the emptys all the time at the back doors of places, and as for an exact amount it depends on the establishment, sports bars and non-food types which is rare, would sell more than a regular restaurant, as for brands there is no real way of saying, it is all dependant on the clientele.

For there to be an accurate record the system would be monitored, but in Toronto I saw an even split, as for Ottawa I am not sure, never worked there for a long period, but Quebec is a Molson’s province so there is a slight answer, in Toronto to you have several micro brewerys, Steam Whisle, Mill St, Brick from KW and Sleemans, I prefer a nice ale and am into an old Molson product known as Molson Stock Ale, hard to find in a regular place, but an old style tavern will have it.

Add your own answer in the comments!