Moscow may well be Russia’s most cosmopolitan city, but St. Petersburg is the country’s beating heart. It is the cultural and historical hub of Russia. The city has a regal feeling and is quite inspiring in many ways. So, whether you already know the important places worth visiting or perhaps still open to suggestions, here’s a small list of things to do in St. Petersburg.
State Hermitage Museum
The museum lives up to its sterling reputation and has an enormous collection of over three million items, out of which only a fraction of it is displayed to visitors. Founded way back when Empress Catherine the Great started collecting work of art in the late 1700s, the museum wasn’t open to the public until 1852. It is the second-largest museum in the world after France’s Louvre.
Peter and Paul Fortress
As the name implies, it was built to protect the state from foreign attacks. Though initially constructed back in 1703, it was later modified and extended for over four decades! It never saw any real action but has a dark story behind it, as, during the Bolshevik revolution in the early 20th Century, it served as execution quarters. While the fortress walls offer panoramic views of the place, the sandy riverside beach is the perfect spot for sunbathing.
Rivers and Canals
The canals in the city once played an important role in preventing floods, and though they still keep the rising waters at bay, the canals are now also used for beautiful cruises down the Neva. The canals stretch over 300 kilometers and have over 800 bridges for pedestrians a
d traffic. While the Griboyedov Canal flows under 21 bridges and covers most of the city’s historical landmarks, the shorter one, the Winter Canal, passes by the Hermitage Theatre and the Winter Palace.
Mariinsky Theatre
Built back in 1859, the theatre played a major role in the rise of Russian ballet and remained
one of the most respected cultural institutions. It is an absolute must-visit for all looking to set eyes on one of the world’s greatest opera stages. Since its inception, the Mariinsky has hosted some of the greatest musicians, singers, and dancers from around the globe. It
is a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture that looks opulent from every angle.
The Grand Palace
Although with just 30-something rooms, it isn’t anything like the typical tsarist palace, yet, it’s an imposing structure nonetheless. Later, the building was grossly enlarged. Catherine the Great did try to tone things down a bit, but this is not evident from the glittering halls or the art-filled galleries. That said, all the paintings, chandeliers, and furniture were removed from the palace before the Germans attacked during WWII.
Saint Isaac’s Cathedral
St. Isaac is the world’s largest Orthodox basilica, but the building has been converted into a museum. The building took about 40 years to complete and features many ancient paintings and colored stonework. While work started in 1818, it could be completed only in 1858, as Nicholas I wanted a more magnificent structure. The cathedral has lavish interiors and boasts of a 262 step climb to the dome’s drum that provides an amazing view of the city around.
Church of the Saviors on Spilled Blood
This multi-colored church was designed to represent traditional Russian architecture. It was built where Alexander II was fatally wounded and took about 20 years to be completed – partly because of budgetary constraints and partly because of the interior décor that wasn’t easy to come by. Both the interior and exterior of the church are detailed with mosaics and are now a museum of mosaics.
Vasilyevsky Island
It’s the largest island in the city, home to numerous landmarks and stunningly beautiful parks. Many branches of The Russian Academy of Sciences are situated on this island. Apart from these, the breathtaking beauty of the island attracts the attention of the tourists. During your trip to St. Petersburg, don’t miss out on exploring this island which has a rich historical past and many more interesting things to offer.
Museum of Fine Arts
Russia is a country with rich historical background. Many tourists visit the country and its amazing cities with historical interest. Even if you are not interested in history, this country will be curious to explore its heritage, culture, and past. The Museum of Fine Arts is one place to visit in St. Petersburg to take a tour of the glorious past. Located at the city’s heart, this museum showcases the masterpieces of ancient days, including Monet and Renoir. To the travelers, the museum represents itself as the city’s hidden gem. You are feeling too excited to visit this museum. Let’s go to St. Petersburg, where history is still alive.
Nevsky Avenue
Nevsky Avenue is a popular tourist destination known for its opulent architecture, churches, palaces, cathedral, and the Russian National Library. Named after the famous Alexander Nevsky Lavra monastery, it’s the home to the world’s one of the oldest shopping arcades. This Avenue also houses high-end shops for shopping lovers, fancy restaurants, and expensive hotels. If you do not feel like shopping for anything, the charming atmosphere will surely mesmerize you. Also, for art lovers, Nevsky Avenue is the ultimate destination as many artists are there whom you’ll find along the way. Let’s explore all the attractions of Nevsky Avenue during the vacation in St. Petersburg.
Cruiser Aurora
It’s a naval ship with an armored deck anchored on the famous river Neva. Cruiser Aurora is one of the most visited attractions of the Central Naval Museum. Made in the early 1900s, the Aurora served in the Russo-Japanese war. To date, the tourists can take a visit to the rooms of the ship. However, don’t forget to enjoy the awe-inspiring views of imperial buildings from the wonderfully adorned deck of Aurora.
Weedon Island Preserve
Expanded around 3,190 acres, the Weedon Island Preserve comprises aquatic and upland ecosystems. During the trip, you can experience the thrill of the hike here with the assistance of guides or walk along the boardwalks through mangrove forests and tidal flats. Along with these activities, you can enjoy kayaking, bird-watching, fishing, catching sea trout, and many activities that will cause an adrenaline rush.
Saturday Morning Market
It’s another amazing destination in St. Petersburg. The market is the perfect place for buying fresh produce and gifts. Hence, it’s a must to visit place for shopping enthusiasts. Apart from the shopping elements, the ambiance is truly amazing to roam around. You’ll find live musical performances, magic shows, balloon performances, and many more. Does it seem to be quite interesting for you? Then, enlist it on your bucket list to avoid missing out.
Explore the nightlife of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg has a vibrant nightlife to offer its tourists. If you are a party-loving person, you will find all types of entertainment options here for chilling out. Depending on your preferences and taste, you can deck up for the ballet dance, dance with your partner, or enjoy spending time at the clubs. The nightly ambiance of St. Petersburg truly attracts young people as it’s the best place to hang out with near and dear ones. Also, live musical performances are there to make you refresh your mood. The rocking ambiance of the bars, energetic locals, loud music, and cold Russian Vodka all are there for an unforgettable experience. Apart from these, you can experience live concerts and shows or visit the theatres. Lots of bars are there. Hence, it would help if you did not forget to visit St. Petersburg as life awaits here with unlimited fun.
Key takeaway
St. Petersburg is quite literally one of the fascinating cities of Russia, and hence, it’s easy to feel confused when deciding about the things to do in St. Petersburg. It pays to look outside the given set of attractions. So, if you too are looking for ideas for a visit to this wonderful city, feel free to connect with us. Our custom packages are designed to suit travelers of all kinds, whether you seek a luxurious escapade or prefer a more simplistic but wholesome one.
