St. Petersburg like all major cities has a lot to offer its visitors, there are actually so many attractions in the city that it can be quite complicated to make a decision and choose the best and the most suitable for you to do.
1. Dive into the world of art.
Visit one of the city’s art museums. The “Hermitage” and the Russian State Museum are two of the most visited. The first is a masterpiece of the world’s best artists, the second is about Russian art from early Orthodox icons to the famous Malevich.
The Hermitage is one of the world’s largest museums and it is a must-visit place even if you only have 2-3 hours to run around it in principle. If you want to get more out of your short visit, I recommend you skip a guided tour that first lets you get into the museum quickly and secondly, you go straight to the main highlights.
2. Peterhof Palace
Peterhof, also known as “the Russian Versailles”, was the first imperial palace built outside St. Petersburg. The palace complex overlooks the Gulf of Finland and has several different parts, including the huge Alexandra Park.
The grand palace used to be the main summer residence of Russian tsars. The interiors are, as the name implies, grand in classical architecture and richly decorated.
But the main feature is the palace’s exterior, with many gilded domes and dozens of fountains, making Peterhof one of the most photogenic places in St. Petersburg.
3. The Church of the Spilt Blood.
Here, there is no doubt that this is the most “Russian” church in all of St. Petersburg. It reminds us of the famous St Basil Cathedral in Moscow. The many domes – some gilded, some colorful and others in spiral – make the church with the spilled blood the city’s most unique church
Located on the Griboyedov Canal, it is also known as the Church of the Resurrection. It was built exactly where the tsar Alexander II was killed in an attack. The church has one of the world’s largest collections of mosaics and is one of the city’s most beloved attractions.
4. The Palace Square.
Palace Square is one of the most monumental open spaces in St. Petersburg, and gets its name for its location, right in front of Winter Palace, home to the Hermitage. It is considered to be the city’s main square and it is the perfect space to see life go by and photograph some stunning grand neo-classical buildings.
In the summer, several concerts and cultural activities here attract thousands of so-called “Peterburgers” and tourists. In the middle of the square you will find Alexander Column, built to celebrate Russia’s victory over the troops in Napoleon.
5. Visit Peter & Paul Fort.
Peter and Paul Fort were built in 1703, the same year that marks the city’s foundation of Peter, The Great. The fort was built to protect “Russia’s windows to the west” from Swedish attackers. At that time, the original structure was only made of wood, but later it was built up to a robust brick and stone fortress and one of the city’s most iconic structures.
You can only take a few hours to visit the fort or even a full day. This is because there are a number of smaller museums, galleries as well as Peter and Paul’s cathedral. The golden needle of the church can be seen from several miles away and it is also possible to visit the upper part of the tower.
6. Nightlife.
The nightlife in St. Petersburg is absolutely fantastic and Petersburg was the first city in the country to start the first rock club and of course the first to accept the club culture.
Today, in Saint Petersburg, you can discover a selection of live shake shows, as well as jazz and creative clubs, where you can drink a pilsner and meet many individuals in one night. Most places seem to be economical and have a loose and accommodating aura. Another life of St. Petersburg’s nightlife is the simplicity and socialization openings that you can find in the middle of the night at discos and discos nearby.
7. St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral.
I stumbled upon this fine cathedral shortly after arriving in St. Petersburg. It was late November and I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood.
The church is known as a naval cathedral and has always had strong links to the Russian navy and there are many memorials to crews of sunken submarines inside.
8. Kazan Cathedral.
The Kazan Cathedral is opposite the church on spilled blood, it is a real giant. It’s huge. The Kazan Cathedral, which is based on St. Peter’s Church in Rome, is the “Mother Cathedral” of St. Petersburg. Inside you will find queues of believers waiting to pray at the altar and kiss the icons.
I do not often go into Orthodox churches (mostly they are deeply religious sites and I am not very religious myself) but the interior of Kazan Cathedral is jaw-dropping. The size of it is incredible. You should definitely not miss this one.
9. St Isaac’s Cathedral.
It took forty years to build St. Isaac’s Cathedral, which was completed in 1858 and was once one of Russia’s foremost cathedrals, but is now a museum. The facade is decorated with 112 solid granite columns, while the interior is fantastically decorated with sculptures, paintings, mosaics and stained glass panels.
It is possible to climb the 262 steps to the colonnade surrounding the cathedral dome to get a panoramic view of the city.
10. Russian Food.
You have to go out and eat in Russia of course & why not try Russian cuisine? It is the most widespread country in the world for food. Fish is a top seller in many parts of Russia, and soups (both hot and cold) are very much enjoyed. Then of course you have the right “Borstjt”. You have to try!
Here are some you need to try out;
- Blini.
- Borscht.
- Pelmeni.
- Pirozhki.
- Beef Stroganoff.
- Solyanka.
- Olivier Salad.
- Medovik.
