St Petersburg Things To Do

The Winter Palace and Palace Square

St Petersburg’s most famous palace has a superb riverside location, and is simply unforgettable: a fabulous Baroque creation in green and white, that was once the residence of the tsars and Catherine the Great. The stupendous interior is astonishingly opulent. The Palace Square was where the Russian Revolution all began, and this vast square is lined with fantastic buildings, affords superb views and is bustling with life. Browse the markets, stop for a coffee or simply marvel at the sheer grandeur and beauty. This is undoubtedly one of the world’s great squares.

Nevsky Prospekt

Nevsky Prospekt is an endlessly fascinating microcosm of society in Russia. This legendary avenue is overflowing with atmosphere, and home to many of the city’s finest buildings, museums, shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs. There is enough to see along the 3 miles of St Petersburg’s most famous street to occupy an entire weekend. Sights include the Admiralty spire, the Alexandr Nevsky Monastery and the immense Kazan Cathedral. Canals, rivers and beautiful bridges make for delightful walking and provide superb views of iconic St Petersburg buildings like the multi-coloured domes of the Church of Our Saviour on the Spilled Blood.

Cathedral and churches

The city has many incredible churches, but two are essential stops on any St Petersburg tour. St Isaac's Cathedral is yet another breathtaking building conceived on a grand scale. The vast interior features stunning architecture, beautiful ceilings, superb stained glass and wonderful mosaics. The Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood will also astonish, with huge areas covered with outstanding mosaics.

Museums

The Hermitage Museum is the largest in the world and contains one of the world’s greatest collections of art, with truly outstanding sections dedicated to modern European and Russian art. Perhaps even more impressive than the exhibits, are the buildings themselves, featuring part of the Winter Palace with its overwhelmingly ornate interiors, ceilings, mosaics and chandeliers. The State rooms and the crown jewels are awe-inspiring.

The Summer Gardens

The beautiful Summer Gardens were built for Peter the Great. This is a lovely place to relax and recover from all those dizzying palaces and churches. Wander among the fountains and statues, visit the 18th century Summer Palace museum, and take a seat in the delightful 19th century tea and coffee rooms.