St Petersburg City Breaks

A guide to St Petersburg

St Petersburg features one of Russia’s most beautiful and charming destinations: the unrivalled, romantic city at the forefront of Russia’s turbulent history since the time of the tsars. Visitors will be introduced to a city of uniquely Russian character, whose elegance rivals more any other city in Europe. Few destinations can rival St Petersburg in terms of splendour and grandeur, and the interiors of the local palaces, churches and cathedrals are simply awe-inspiring.

Known as the Venice of the North

The city boasts elegant neighbourhoods, broad avenues, magnificent squares, elegant gardens and delightful rivers, and the numerous canals crossed by ornate bridges earn St Petersburg its nickname of 'Venice of the North'. Taking pride of place is the magnificent 3-mile-long Nevsky Prospekt, one of the world’s most beautiful avenues, packed with elegant shops, cafes, hotels and nightclubs, and a delight from end to end. The city is a veritable paradise for lovers of extraordinary architecture, with wonderfully atmospheric ensemble of frequently breathtaking buildings that include the fabulous Winter Palace, the Admiralty, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Peter & Paul Fortress.

Russian culture at its finest

Fans of art, ballet, opera and classical music will find St Petersburg very satisfying, and no European destination can match the sheer splendour and size of the incredible Hermitage Museum and its fantastic art collection. June and July will experience “white nights”, when the sun barely sets and the city is alive with cultural activities, whilst spring and autumn enjoy ideal temperatures for sightseeing and a fraction of the summer crowds. Winter breaks are especially atmospheric, with frozen rivers and canals and a snowy skyline, but very cold temperatures.