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20 Things to do in St Petersburg
With over 1000 cities, Russia has lots of options for tourism, and yet most people end up going to Moscow and St Petersburg. While Moscow is the current capital, St Petersburg, which was previously known as Petrograd and Leningrad, has been a capital for almost 200 years before that. The city is well-known for its history, culture, and museums. So, what could your time in this cultural capital of Russia look like? Here is the list of 20 things to do in St Petersburg, Russia, Europe.
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Visit the Hermitage
St Petersburg harbors world’s second largest art museum: The State Hermitage Museum. This museum is probably the reason why St Petersburg attracts so many art lovers. It is divided into a few buildings, out of which the most famous one is the Winter Palace, which used to be a royal residence.
Not only the museum’s art collection is tremendous, but also buildings itself deserve special attention. Architecture, decor and every little detail – it’s worth a visit, even if you are not an art fan.
2. Take a walk in the Peter and Paul Fortress
Established at the beginning of 18th century, the fortress went through different stages. Made for protection during the Northern War, it was mainly used as a prison, and later – as a museum. On the territory of Peter and Paul Fortress, you will find a cathedral as well as several exhibitions and museums. Those who prefer to spend time outside can enjoy a nice walk around the area and some ice cream from local vendors.
3. Book a ticket to a ballet/opera performance
Russia is well known for its theater, opera, and ballet, and some of the very best of them are located in St Petersburg. While to enjoy a theatre performance you’ll be needing some substantial Russian language skills, opera and ballet are quite universal. Whether you choose Mariinsky, Mikhailovsky or Bolshoi theatre, you can expect a world-class performance.
4. Check out wonderful churches of St Petersburg
Historically, religion has always played a very important role in Russian culture, and most churches are still active today. In St Petersburg, you can find a variety of styles – from small wooden chapels to massive cathedrals with onion domes.
The ones not to miss are The Church of the Savior on the Blood, Kazan Cathedral and St Isaac’s Cathedral, but you will definitely see much more than that if you ever spend more than 1 hours on the streets of St Petersburg.
5. Shop at Nevsky Avenue
One of the most famous streets in the city, Nevsky Prospekt is a home of countless shops and eateries. Spend the afternoon walking around and find out what it has to offer. It might not have all the boutiques you are looking for, but it’s very dynamic and has lots of cafes if you need to make a pit stop.
6. Dive into countless bookshops
Russians are one of the most avid readers in the world, and of course, they need to buy their books somewhere. In this beloved cultural capital, you’ll find many independent bookshops as well as bigger stores and chains. Unfortunately, most of the books are in Russian but take your time, and in each place, you’ll find something in English.
7. Climb on top of St Isaac’s Cathedral for the best views of the city
History tells that it took around 40 years to build St Isaac’s Cathedral, and when you come inside, you’ll probably think that it was worth the wait. Stunning both inside and outside, it also offers great views of St Petersburg historical center.
8. Test yourself in Kunstkamera
Peter the Great brought a lot of amazing things into Russian culture and everyday life, but he also cared a great deal about science. This is why he started this somewhat eccentric collection of organs, fetuses, and skeletons that exhibit abnormalities. It was meant to help fight superstitions in Russian society, and even today it is a popular place for school science trips and curious tourists.
9. See how bridges open at night
St Petersburg is a place where rivers and channels are a crucial part of the city. There are over 300 bridges over bigger bodies of water and over 800 bridges over small ponds and lakes. You can take a boat tour any time of the day, but I would recommend try and go for the night boat tours. Not only for beautiful lights of St Petersburg after sunset but also to witness the opening of bridges.
10. Take a trip to the attractions outside the city center
While historic center in St Petersburg is full of things to do, you might get tired of walking the same streets all the time. Head to Petergof if you want to check Russia’s answer to Versailles. Visit Tsarskoye Selo to see Catherine Palace, Amber Room and learn more about one of Russia’s most beloved poet Alexander Pushkin.
11. Explore Russian food scene
Maybe Russian cuisine is not as notorious as French, Japanese or Mexican, but it certainly has its own interesting dishes and flavors. Soups, salads, and plenty of dessert options – you won’t leave St Petersburg with an empty stomach.
12. Stop by the New Holland Island
This artificial island was built under the rule of Peter the Great and served as a place to have warehouses, naval prison and military barracks. New Holland was re-opened to the public in 2011 and today it is a recreation area for those who enjoy spending time outside with the opportunity to dine in one of the restaurants.
13. Discover Grand Maket Rossiya
This is probably not the most famous museum in Russia, but it’s quite an unusual one. It exhibits models of different regions of the country, depicting everyday life and featuring some interactive parts.
14. Take a photo of the Bronze Horseman statue
Catherine the Great was a big fan of Peter the Great, and she ordered this statue to show her admiration to the great tsar. Named after a famous Russian poem, this statue is a must-see in St Petersburg.
15. Visit the quest room
Escape rooms have gained a great popularity all over the world and St Petersburg is no exception. While most games are happening in Russian, you can still find plenty of the English-friendly quests. Many of them are also featuring actors – how exciting could it be to be solving a puzzle with your team while running away from the “maniac”?
16. Take a metro ride
Metro in St Petersburg is one of the deepest in the world. It dates back to 1955, and the main reason why you should include it on your itinerary is because of all the artworks and Soviet designs you can find there.
17. Walk through the cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery
This cemetery is not nearly as beautiful as the ones in Milan or Buenos Aires. In fact, in comparison to the Monastery itself, the cemetery is really nothing special. But if you love Russian culture, you might be interested to pay your respects, as the remains of many famous Russian writers and musicians are buried there.
18. Visit the Museum of Russian Vodka
Drinking plenty of vodkas is probably the most known stereotype about Russian people. While it isn’t necessarily true, vodka does have its history in Russia and this museum is a place where you can learn more about it. The museum is attached to the restaurant and tasting is possible for an extra fee.
19. Meet Locals
When in a cafe, walking down the street or relaxing in the park, try to meet some local people. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stereotypes concerning Russia and its people, and I am pretty sure you’ll be able to break most of them after you meet some friendly locals and share a meal/drink with them. This is true about most countries, but people in St Petersburg are very welcoming and their English, especially in the younger generation, is sufficient enough to converse.
20. Watch football at a local bar
FIFA World Cup 2018 is over a long time ago, but that doesn’t matter. Russians love their football any time of the year! Find out if there’s a game in the evening and join local fans in a bar or a restaurant for live streaming. You probably will learn a few Russian words and share a few drinks, but it’s the atmosphere and the mood that will stay in your memory for a long time.
How to plan a trip to St.Petersburg, Russia
How to Reach St.Petersburg
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How To Book Your Stay When Visiting St Petersburg, Russia
St Petersburg hotels – If you are planning to visit St Petersburg then you must be wondering where to stay in St Petersburg or the best hotels in St Petersburg or the best accommodation in St Petersburg. Stay options to suit your budget are available at St Petersburg and can be easily booked. For best accommodation – hotels in St Petersburg we suggest checking out our favorite sites to book here. We always use these sites to book our stay. St Petersburg hotel booking can be done through HotelsCombined or Booking.com to save huge and get best deals on booking your stay in Saint Petersburg.
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Tours/Activities available in St Petersburg, Russia
St Petersburg points of interest are many and if you are wondering what to see in St Petersburg or what to do in St Petersburg, then look no further. St.Petersburg attractions pass are available for the best St Petersburg tours. You can now book tours in St. Petersburg as well as activities in St Petersburg. Plan the best places to visit in St Petersburg and experience St Petersburg.
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There is a saying in Russian: “People move to Moscow for work, but they move to St Petersburg for love”. And so, many travelers fall in love with this city of water, culture, and history, and hopefully, you will too. Let us know what your favorite things to do in St Petersburg are!
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