Things to Do in Saint Petersburg

Established in  the 18th century by Empress Catherine the Great, State Hermitage Museum in Russia prides in its status as the second largest art museum in the world. One of the most sought-after places to visit in St. Petersburg, the Museum comprises 6 separate buildings, of which five are opened for public view.

Collections at the Museum include antiques sourced from ancient Egypt, Italian and Spanish fine art works, paintings from the Italian Renaissance, jewelry and decorative art, French and Russian art, and more.

A number of lectures, excursions and exhibitions are often organized at the Museum.  Although entry to State Hermitage requires a fee, entry for all visitors is free on the first Thursday of every month.

Location: 38 Palace Embankment, Dvortsovaya Municipal Okrug, Central District, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Highlights: European artwork, jewelry and decorative art, museum excursions, lectures.

Peterhof is a series of palaces and gardens located in the Petergof region of St. Petersburg. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Peterhof was initially designed by King Peterhof as a rival monument to the French Palace of Versailles. Established in the 18th century, the palace-ensemble is now one of Russia’s biggest museums.

The Palace boasts of luxe, French interiors adorned with stunning paintings dating back to the 17th century era. The facility also features a lower garden and a garden cascade, with over 150 fountains on display.

Location: Razvodnaya Ulitsa, 2, St Petersburg, Russia.

Highlights: Extensive gardens, ornate fountains.

One of the most visually stunning places to visit in St. Petersburg, the Mariinsky Theatre is one of Russia’s most revered theatre destinations. Established in 1860, the theatre premiered several works of notable artists such as Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov.

Today, the Theatre is home to some of the best ballet and operatic concerts produced in the country. A number of tours and excursions are held at the theatre. Mariinsky Theatre also hosts a music festival in honour of the Stars of the White Night festival held in St. Petersburg each summer.

Location: Theatre Square, 1, St Petersburg, Russia, 190000.

Highlights: Ballet shows, operatic concerts, Stars of the White Night Music Festival.

Home to the Royal Residence of the former Russian Royalty, Tsarskoye Selo is a complex of palaces and gardens located a short distance away from the town of St. Petersburg. The complex consists of the Alexander Palace, Catherine Palace, and the Sophia Cathedral.

One of the most visually stunning tourist places in St. Petersburg, the palace buildings here are known for their marvelous baroque designs and paintings that decorate the walls here.

The lush landscaped gardens surrounding the complex are replete with flower bushes, fountains and even a little lake. Adjoining the premises is the Alexander Park, with its decorative bridges and a cemetery for royal horses.

Location: Pushkin 196600, Russia.

Highlights: Palace gardens, decorative  bridges, ornate architecture.

One of the most sought-after places to visit in St. Petersburg, the Church of the Saviour is a former Orthodox Church that now functions as a secular museum. The ‘Spilled Blood’ in its name referred to the assassination of Alexander II, which was held at the very spot over which the Church was erected.

One of the most aesthetic tourist places in St. Petersburg, the multicolored exterior Church is decorated with precious stones such as crystals, topaz, jasper and more. Today, the Church is a museum of mosaics, showcasing elaborate mosaic work both on the interior and exterior walls.

Location: Griboyedov canal embankment, 2Б, St Petersburg, Russia, 191186.

Highlights: Mosaic work, the Holy Gates.

Housed within the Tsarskoye Selo palace complex in Pushkin, this rococo palace formerly functioned as the summer residence for the Russian tsars. Characterized by its magnificent Neoclassical architectural styles.

Catherine Palace is home to a number of artistic attractions- the stunning Amber Adorned with gold leaves and mirrors; the magnanimous Hall of Lights with its Baroque interiors; the 18th century mural on the ceiling; an ornate ballroom and much more. The adjoining Catherine Park is home to lush, landscaped gardens, several bath pavilions and crescent ponds.

Location: Griboyedov canal embankment, 2Б, St Petersburg, Russia, 191186.

Highlights: Palace excursions, palace lawns, mural work, 16th century paintings.

Dedicated to the St. Isaac of Dalmatia,  St. Isaac’s Cathedral is a former Russian Cathedral that now functions as a museum. Designed in pink and white stones, the exterior of the Church reflects a typically Neoclassical style of architecture.

The Cathedral’s mammoth bronze doors are designed after the renowned doors of Battistero di San Giovanni in Florence.  Magnificent granite columns, ornate stone work and paintings in the Church interiors offer a resplendent sight.

The Cathedral is often recognized by its gold-lead dome; the colonnade around the drum of the dome may be climbed, with the ascent offering some stunning, panoramic views of the city.

Location: St Isaac's Square, 4, St Petersburg, Russia, 190000.

Highlights: Aerial city views, ornate architecture, historic paintings, mosaic work.

Designed in the early 18th century, the Peter and Paul Fortress is the original citadel of St. Petersburg. The Citadel was initially established by Peter the Great, and later upgraded into a star fortress by Dominic Trezzini.

One of the most fantastic tourist places in St. Petersburg, the Fortress accommodates a number of major attractions such as St. Peter’s Cathedral, the tallest bell tower in the city and an angel-topped cupola.

The Fortress is also the final resting place of most of the major tsars in Russia. Each day, at noon, the cannon is fired from the Naryshkin Bastion at the Fortress, following the centuries-old tradition maintained here.

Location: St Petersburg, Russia, 197046.

Highlights: St. Paul’s Cathedral, cannon shot, bell tower.

Designed by Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, Palace Square is the central city square in St. Petersburg. Like the Red Square in Moscow, the Palace Square has witnessed a fair share of bloodshed, with several assassinations taking place here.

The Northern end of the Square is occupied by the Winter Palace, several larger than life statues, and a number of ornate columns. Magnificently lit up in the late evening hours, the Palace Square is one of the best places to visit in St. Petersburg at night, and is often frequented by pedestrians looking for a casual evening stroll.

Location: St Petersburg, Russia, 191186.

Highlights: Royal palaces, State Hermitage Museum, statues, ornate columns.

One of the most popular places to see in St. Petersburg, the Bronze Horseman is an equestrian statue of Peter the Great on horseback. The statue stands atop the enormous Thunder Stone, which is said to be the largest single stone ever moved by humans.

Designed by the French sculptor Etienne Maurice Falconet, the statue imagines Peter the Great as a Roman Hero, leading Russia to its glory. According to popular legend, enemy forces can never conquer St. Petersburg as long as the statue stands- true to its tale, the statue was enclosed in a wooden shelter during the Siege of World War 2, and Leningrad remained unfallen.

Location: Senate Square, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Highlights: Equestrian statue, Thunder Stone.

Formerly the Russian Museum of His Imperial Majesty Alexander III, this art museum in Russia is said to be the world’s largest depository of Russian paintings. Designed in traditional Neoclassical styles, the main building of the Museum once served as the residence of the 18th century Grand Duke, Michael Pavlovich.

The Museum exhibits artwork dating between the 10th and the 21st century, with over six thousand Russian icons. Other items on display include sculptures, decorative art, water color, folk art and contemporary photography. Mineral displays and numismatic collections are also put on display here. From time to time, the Museum puts up themed exhibitions as well.

Location: Inzhenernaya St, 4, St Petersburg, Russia, 191186.

Highlights: 10th century artwork, sculptures, decorative art, numismatic displays.

Flowing across the busy streets of the capital, the Neva River is an essential part of St. Petersburg’s charm. One of the most romantic spots in the city, a leisurely stroll along the banks of the river cannot be missed while in St. Petersburg.

The river forms the backdrop to some of the most important tourist places in St. Petersburg, such as the Winter Palace, Summer Garden, and the Split of the Vasilievsky Island. The embankment comes alive during the Stars of the White Night festival, with pop-up bands and food trucks mushrooming by the riverside. One of the best ways to explore the quiet river is to take one of the several cruises that start from here.

Location: St. Petersburg.

Highlights: River: cruises, evening stroll, sightseeing attractions.

Nestled by the Summer Palace of Peter the Great, this landscaped garden is one of the most beautiful places to see in St. Petersburg. Set against the backdrop of the stunning Neva River, the Garden is composed of lush green lawns, decorative sculptures and vibrant flower bushes.

The Garden houses the oldest collection of garden statues in Russia, featuring over 75 works by artists such as Boratta, Bozzazza, and several others. One of the most romantic places to visit in St. Petersburg, a trip to the Summer Garden should be an absolute must for couples travelling to the city.

Location: Naberezhnaya Lebyazh'yey Kanavki, St Petersburg, Russia, 191186.

Highlights: Open lawns, 17th century sculptures, ornate fountains.

Dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan, the Kazan Cathedral is one of the most revered places to visit in St. Petersburg. The Cathedral was built in imitation of the ancient Roman temples, and combines the dual forms of a Basilica and a cross-domed Church.

Richly decorated sculptures, granite columns relief works made by renowned Russian artists add to the beauty of the place. The Cathedral is flanked by open green lawns in the front.

Location: Kazan Square, 2, St Petersburg, Russia, 191186.

Highlights: Sculpture work, historic paintings, bronze doors.

Once a prominent battleship in the Russo-Japanese War, the Cruiser Aurora now stands as a museum ship in the coast of Russia.

Now considered to be a prominent symbol of the Socialist Revolution in Russia, the ship is an essential part of Russian history. The crew quarters of the protected cruiser are kept intact till date, offering tourists a valuable insight into the way of life led by the naval mutineers during the Revolution.

Location: St. Petersburg, Petrogradskaya embankment.

Highlights: Naval museum.