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Things to do in St. Petersburg

Things to do in  St Petersburg

Welcome to St Petersburg

Since being founded by Tsar Peter the Great and built on a desolate swamp, St. Petersburg—the former capital of the Russian Empire—has become a national symbol of historical heritage, vibrant cultural life, and sheer beauty. The city’s canals and grand architecture, drawn with bright colors and white light, show why so many of Russia’s famous artists and poets have sprung from the so-called Venice of the North. Taking a city tour with a local guide is a sure way to best explore the city’s highlights and deeply understand their history. Tours explore the magnificent Baroque-style Winter Palace (formerly home to Empress Catherine the Great, and now part of the State Hermitage Museum), the Peter and Paul Fortress on the Neva River, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Peterhof Palace, the Fabergé Museum, and more. You could spend years admiring the State Hermitage Museum’s astounding collection of fine art, comprised of works by everyone from Raphael to Rembrandt to Renoir—tackle its 2.7 million pieces on a guided tour. For even more culture, enjoy a Russian folk show at Nikolayevsky Palace. And you can’t miss the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, which—with its dramatic name and many towers—has become an emblem of this majestic Russian city.

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Top 15 attractions in St Petersburg

#1
Russian Vodka Museum (Muzey Russkogo Natsional'nogo Napitka)

Russian Vodka Museum (Muzey Russkogo Natsional'nogo Napitka)

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Fittingly for a drink that dates right back to the 12th century, the perfect place to sample Russian vodka is located in St Petersburg’s former military stables and is part of the Museum Quarter project to protect the historic buildings of the city center. Exhibitions at the Russian Vodka Museum (Muzey Russkogo Natsional'nogo Napitka) romp through the story of the spirit’s production and its cultural importance, detailing its rise in popularity and refinement from a drink for medieval peasants to the favorite tipple of the Russian aristocracy in the 19th century. Displays include shot glasses, an enormous collection of unusual vodka bottles, posters from previous advertising campaigns and ancient equipment used in distillation. All visits to the museum terminate with a tasting of several different flavored vodkas accompanied by Russian snacks known as zakuski – ‘little bites’ of caviar, salads, pickles, smoked meats or fish normally served with flatbread as hors d’oeuvres before dinner. Conveniently, the museum shares its home with a restaurant serving up specialty vodkas.More
#2
Russian Museum of Ethnography

Russian Museum of Ethnography

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Russia’s rich cultural history and diverse heritage is the focal point of the Russian Museum of Ethnography, one of the largest of its kind in the world. With a gigantic collection spanning the 18th to 20th century, it offers fascinating insight into life in Russia through the ages.More
#3
Peter and Paul Fortress (Petropavlovskaya Krepost)

Peter and Paul Fortress (Petropavlovskaya Krepost)

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The looming yellow cathedral tower and star-shaped fortifications of the Peter and Paul Fortress dominate St. Petersburg’s riverfront, rising up from the shores of Zayachy Island. Built by Peter the Great in 1703, the fortress boasts a long history, having served as a military base, royal burial site, and political prison.More
#4
Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan (Kazansky Sobor)

Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan (Kazansky Sobor)

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Completed in 1811 after ten years of construction, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan (Kazansky Sobor stands 203 feet (62 meters tall—a stunning example of Russian neoclassical architecture. The structure encircles a small square, and the interior is adorned with the works of some of the country's greatest artists and sculptors.More
#5
Nevsky Prospekt

Nevsky Prospekt

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Russia’s most famous street—the Champs-Élysées of St. Petersburg—runs for 3 miles (5 kilometers) through the city’s historic center from the Admiralty Building to Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Some of the city’s most impressive buildings line the street, including the Kazan Cathedral, Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, and the Grand Europe Hotel.More
#6
Valaam Monastery

Valaam Monastery

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With its striking powder-blue domes and looming cathedral spires, set against a backdrop of dense woodlands and glassy blue waters, the Valaam Monastery makes a suitably arresting centerpiece to Valaam Island. Marooned on Lake Ladoga’s largest island, reaching the historic monastery is an adventure in itself, with scenic ferry cruises running from the mainland and thrilling helicopter rides linking it to St Petersburg.Dating back to the late 14th-century and rebuilt several times throughout history, the Valaam Monastery is one of Russia’s most significant religious sites, once regarded as the country’s spiritual and cultural center and completely self-sufficient. Today, the vast complex centers around the exquisite Cathedral of the Transfiguration, surrounded by monks cells, chapels, workshops and farmlands, and remains a working monastery, with resident monks hosting regular services and choir recitals.More
#7
Menshikov Palace

Menshikov Palace

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The most luxurious house of its time in St Petersburg, the Menshikov Palace was also the first large stone building to be constructed in the city. Standing on Vasilievsky Island, it is the only surviving private structure from the early 18th century. Designed by Italian architects, the exterior combines a western Baroque style with traditional Russian architectures that has been dubbed “Petrine Baroque.” Inside, the rooms that hosted some of the first balls in the city have been restored to their original state, with parquet floors, Dutch tiles and marble accents. The exhibits likewise take visitors back to the 18th century, with collections of European and Russian applied art from the era, as well as sculptures, paintings, engravings and furniture.The palace has functioned as a branch of the State Hermitage Museum since 1967.More
#8
Peterhof State Museum-Reserve (Muzeya-Zapovednika Peterhof)

Peterhof State Museum-Reserve (Muzeya-Zapovednika Peterhof)

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It’s easy to see why Peterhof Palace, a magnificent complex of palaces and gardens stretching along the St. Petersburg seafront, is called the Russian Versailles. Fronted by the opulent Grand Palace and displaying a rich variety of architectural styles, this UNESCO World Heritage Site—known officially as the Peterhof State Museum-Reserve (Muzeya-Zapovednika Peterhof)—is one of the city’s most visited attractions.More
#9
Dostoevsky Museum

Dostoevsky Museum

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Officially known as the F.M. Dostoevsky Literary Memorial Museum, this museum celebrates the life of Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was opened in 1971 in the apartment where he lived first in 1846 and again from 1878 until his death in 1881. Notably, it is also where he penned his last novel, the Brothers Karamazov. The interior has been reconstructed based on recollections of Dostoevsky’s wife and friends and includes memorabilia donated by his grandson. A literary exhibit focuses on Dostoevsky’s life and work, while exhibit halls occasionally display contemporary art. The museum library holds about 24,000 volumes and museum collection also includes a large collection of graphic and applied art and a collection of photographs.Every November, the museum hosts a conference on Dostoevsky and World Culture. It also hosts bus and walking tours of St Petersburg focused on Dostoevsky’s works and the city.More
#10
State Memorial Museum of Leningrad Defense and Siege

State Memorial Museum of Leningrad Defense and Siege

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The Siege of Leningrad was one of the most significant events of WWII to take place on Russian soil. This museum tells the story of the epic battle from the perspective of both the military and the civilians who lived and died in the besieged city, giving visitors a fascinating—and harrowing—look at the tragic events that unfolded here.More
#11
The Menshikov Palace

The Menshikov Palace

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With an elegant Baroque façade that stretches along the Neva riverfront, the 18th-century Menshikov Palace is a striking sight. The building—which is one of the oldest in St. Petersburg and was once home to Prince Menshikov—houses part of the world-renowned State Hermitage Museum art collection.More
#12
State Hermitage Museum

State Hermitage Museum

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The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is the largest art and cultural museum in the world, with more than 3 million items in its collection—only a fraction of which are on display in its 360 rooms. The main museum complex comprises six historic buildings on the Palace Embankment and includes exhibitions of works of art from the 13th to 20th centuries, as well as Egyptian and classical antiquities and prehistoric art.More
#13
St. Petersburg Palace Square (Dvortsovaya Ploshchad)

St. Petersburg Palace Square (Dvortsovaya Ploshchad)

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Royalty, revolutions, and reformers have swept through Palace Square in St Petersburg, a grand plaza at the foot of the magnificent Winter Palace. Alexander Column dominates the center of Palace Square, which is wrapped by government buildings and remains a favorite gathering place for city-wide celebrations and holidays.More
#14
C-189 Submarine Museum

C-189 Submarine Museum

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A diesel-electric attack submarine from the early Cold War era, the C-189 was built in 1954 and used in the Soviet navy until 1990. Nowadays, visitors can get onboard and explore the docked submarine-turned-museum.More
#15
The State Museum of the Political History of Russia

The State Museum of the Political History of Russia

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The State Museum of the Political History of Russia covers a lot of ground, with exhibitions featuring everything from the Russian Revolution to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the evolution of modern-day Russia. Each gallery offers a wealth of information, and multimedia and interactive displays bring history to life.More
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Trip ideas

Top Parks and Gardens in St. Petersburg

Top Parks and Gardens in St. Petersburg

You’re never far from nature in St. Petersburg, one of Russia’s greenest cities. From the landscaped gardens of Peterhof to the urban greenery of Maritime Victory Park, these are our favorites.
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Itineraries for your St Petersburg trip

All about St Petersburg

When to visit

St. Petersburg fires on all cylinders winter and spring, when its weather hits the sweet spot of comfortably hot and dry. Outdoor events come thick and fast December through June, from holiday-season boat parades and the Firestone Grand Prix in March, to April’s Mainsail Art Festival, and Pride in June. Crowds thin when late summer brings muggy heat and a hurricane risk.

St Petersburg information

Number of Attractions

59

Number of Tours

0

Currency

RUB
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