Best things to do in St Petersburg
Find out more about those top places in St Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Russia: Where Tsars Twirled and Revolutionaries Rocked (Think Palatial Panoramas, Canal Cruises, and Maybe a Vodka-Fueled History Lesson!) - Your Hilariously Honest Travel Guide to This Imperial Rockstar!
Privet (that's "hello" in Russian!) and welcome to St. Petersburg, a city that's had more name changes than a pop star on a comeback tour! Historically known as St. Petersburg, then Petrograd, then Leningrad, and now gloriously back to St. Petersburg, this former Russian imperial capital is like a time-traveling portal into Russia’s utterly fascinating and often turbulent history. Founded by the ambitious Peter the Great way back in the early 18th century, this visionary city was designed to be the "Venice of northern Europe," and boy, did they nail it!
Built on the rather damp shoreline where the mighty Neva River gracefully spills into the Gulf of Finland, St. Petersburg's elegant canals today exude an intoxicating sense of faded grandeur. Picture this: stunning waterways reflecting ornate palaces and grand buildings – it's the kind of sightseeing that will make your jaw drop and your camera work overtime. And while St. Petersburg often feels like Russia's most "western" city with its European-inspired architecture and cosmopolitan vibe, it was also the cradle of the Russian Revolution. Many of its star attractions, like the opulent Winter Palace (home to the Hermitage Museum!) and the imposing Peter and Paul Fortress, played central roles in this epochal event that shook the world.
So, whether you're yearning to experience the regal history of the mighty Romanov dynasty, delve into the revolutionary heroics of the Bolsheviks (minus the actual revolution, thankfully!), or dive headfirst into the city’s cutting-edge 21st-century art and gastronomy scene, St. Petersburg has it all! This city is a glorious mashup of imperial splendor and modern cool, offering a dizzying array of places to visit and things to do.
What are some of these top attractions and unmissable experiences? Well, cruising along St. Petersburg's canals is an absolute must-do, offering a unique perspective on the city's stunning architecture. Exploring the vast Hermitage Museum within the Winter Palace is like stepping into a treasure chest of art and history (wear comfy shoes, it's HUGE!). Visiting the Peter and Paul Fortress, the city's original citadel and the final resting place of the Tsars, provides a fascinating glimpse into its origins. And for a taste of modern St. Petersburg, check out the vibrant art galleries and trendy restaurants that are popping up throughout the city.
Our hilarious (and incredibly helpful!) travel guide is here to navigate you through the best places to visit and the most exciting things to do in this imperial rockstar of a city. Get ready for some truly unforgettable sightseeing, from exploring opulent palaces and historic fortresses to cruising along elegant canals and indulging in world-class art and cuisine, all while uncovering the top attractions that make St. Petersburg a truly special and hilariously captivating destination. Just be prepared for a city that's as grand as its history and as vibrant as its future – and maybe brush up on your Russian toasts for those inevitable vodka moments! Za vas! (To you!)
Top Attractions: Palaces, Canals, and Revolutionary History!
St. Petersburg offers a breathtaking blend of imperial grandeur and revolutionary significance:
The Hermitage Museum (Winter Palace): Artful Opulence
Explore the vast collections of art and history within the stunning Hermitage Museum, housed in the former Winter Palace. A must-see attraction for incredible sightseeing.
Canal Cruises: Venetian Vibes
Enjoy a scenic cruise along St. Petersburg's elegant canals, offering a unique perspective on the city's architecture. A top thing to do for relaxed sightseeing.
Peter and Paul Fortress (Petropavlovskaya Krepost): Imperial Resting Place
Visit the historic Peter and Paul Fortress, the city's original citadel and the final resting place of the Russian Tsars. A key place to visit for historical sightseeing.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood: Ornate Beauty
Marvel at the incredibly ornate Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, a stunning example of Russian Revival architecture. A key place to visit for its visual splendor.
Nevsky Prospekt: Grand Avenue
Stroll down Nevsky Prospekt, St. Petersburg's main avenue, lined with grand buildings, shops, and cafes. A must-do thing to do for soaking in the city's vibrant atmosphere.
Things to Do Beyond the Iconic Landmarks (and within this imperial rockstar!):
Our travel guide wouldn't be complete without suggesting some other fantastic things to do to truly experience the St. Petersburg vibe:
- Visit the Faberge Museum: Admire the exquisite Faberge eggs and other imperial treasures.
- Explore the Catherine Palace in Pushkin: Take a day trip to this opulent former imperial residence.
- Attend a Ballet Performance at the Mariinsky Theatre: Experience world-class Russian ballet.
- Discover the City's Modern Art Scene: Explore contemporary art galleries and spaces.
- Indulge in Russian Cuisine: Sample traditional dishes like borscht and pelmeni.
So, if you're looking for places to visit that offer a rich tapestry of imperial history, stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and a touch of revolutionary spirit, St. Petersburg, Russia, is calling your name! Our travel guide promises an unforgettable adventure filled with incredible sightseeing and exciting things to do. Just be prepared to be wowed by its grandeur and charmed by its resilience – and maybe learn a few Russian phrases to impress the locals (especially when ordering vodka!). Do svidaniya (goodbye) and happy travels!
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Hermitage Museum
Housed in the former imperial Winter Palace, which was immortalized in Sergei Eisenstein’s October, the Hermitage Museum is the world’s second largest museum. Founded by Catherine the Great in the 18th century, the museum’s collection of fine art ballooned in size during the Russian Revolution as the Bolshevik’s seized the art of the country’s aristocracy and placed it on public display. As a result, the Hermitage today has a near unrivaled selection of European art. Due to its vast size forward planning or guided tours are highly recommended.
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Savior on the Spilled Blood
Clearly modeled after Moscow’s iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Church of the Savior of the Spilled Blood is one of Russia’s most lavish churches. Bedecked in a psychedelic array colored tiles and gold leaf it is one of St. Petersburg’s most recognizable landmarks. Contrasting its dazzling exterior, the church holds a dark history as the place where Tsar Alexander II was nearly assassinated in 1881.
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Winter Palace
While much of the palace today houses the Hermitage Museum, the vast pastel hued building remains an iconic relic of the Tsarist era. Although art fills most of the palace’s rooms, guided tours offer visitors a unique insight into the lives of the Russian emperors and empresses who lived in the baroque masterpiece between from 1732 and the 1917 revolution.
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Peterhof
Hugging the icy coast of the Gulf of Finland just west of St. Petersburg, Peterhof, known as the Russian Versailles, is every bit as extravagant as its French counterpart. Peter the Great initially built a wooden cabin in the area to oversee construction of the Kronstadt naval base but liked the setting so much he and his successors ordered the building of a vast series of gilded palaces, ornate gravity powered fountains and landscaped gardens.
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Peter and Paul Fortress
The Peter and Paul Fortress, located on an island in the Gulf of Finland, is the historic core of St. Petersburg. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and remodeled extensively throughout that century, the fortress today houses a cathedral that is the final resting place for members of the Romanov dynasty, multiple museums and a former prison that was used until the 1920s. Beyond these attractions, the island setting offers breathtaking views of the mainland city and has a number of unspoiled beaches for sunbathing.
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St. Isaac's Cathedral
Towering above the St. Petersburg skyline is the shimmering dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, which is coated in upwards of 100 kilograms of gold leaf. While many visitors bypass the cathedral itself for the jaw-dropping rooftop views, the cathedral interior is one of the city’s richest with a wealth of neoclassical marble work and notable Russian art.
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Kazan Cathedral
Modeled after the Vatican, the neoclassical Kazan Cathedral was commissioned by Tsar Paul shortly before his assassination. The cathedral’s most notable feature is the 100 meters long colonnaded arms that encircle a garden peppered with marble sculptures. For the best experience, a guided tour will unlock the little known agenda of Tsar Paul who hoped to re-unite Orthodoxy and Catholicism.
Church of the Savior on Blood, St. Isaac and Kazan Cathedral Tour
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Russian Museum
Housed in the grand Mikhailovsky Palace, the Russian Museum showcases the best of Russian art from medieval icon painting to the realism 19th century itinerant painters and the revolutionary works of social realist and constructivist artists.
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Mariinsky Theater
Opening its doors in 1860, the Mariinsky Theater is St. Petersburg’s premier theater for ballet, opera and classical music. Known for staging works by Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov, the theater has been reinvigorated by Valery Gergiev, the new general director. What is more, across the Kryukov Canal from the neoclassical theater is the newly opened and cutting-edge Mariinsky II.
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Swan Lake Ballet
No trip to St. Petersburg would be complete without a trip to the ballet, especially one to see an iconic performance of Swan Lake. Written by Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake is one of the most dramatic and moving performances in ballet and it can be seen at various historic venues across St. Petersburg: the Mariinsky Theater; the Hermitage Theater; the Alexander Theater; the Aurora Ballet Hall; and the Mikhailovsky Theater.
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Vodka Museum
The best place to learn about Russia’s national drink and most famous export is the Vodka Museum where exhibits take visitors through the firewater’s long history. Tour guides are recommended as most of the exhibitions and displays are in Russian only.
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Faberge Museum
The meticulously restored Shuvalovsky Palace is home to the world’s largest collection of pieces crafted by the world-renowned jeweler Peter Carl Faberge. Most notably, the museum’s collection includes nine original Faberge eggs that belonged to the Romanov family.
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Catherine and Pavlovsk Palaces
In the boreal woodlands south of St. Petersburg lies the grandiose royal estate of Tsarskoe Selo. While the estate contains a treasure trove of gilded palaces, the two most impressive are undoubtedly the pastel blue 18th century Catherine Palace and the Italianesque Pavlovsk Palace built by the short-lived and thoroughly disliked Tsar Paul I.
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Shooting Experience
Besides vodka, Russia’s most well-known export is likely the Kalashnikov. At this shooting experience you can get to grips with firing this well-known weapon alongside a variety of other military grade guns.
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Grigori Rasputin
Learn about Rasputin, one of Russian history’s best known but most mysterious characters, on this guided tour. Visitors will uncover his enigmatic origins in the depths of Siberia, his rise to infamy amongst the elite of St. Petersburg and his close relationship with the last Romanov monarchs and will see a thrilling recreation of his eventual demise subservient to assassins.