St. Petersburg travel guide

The former imperial capital for over 2 centuries, St. Petersburg is the cultural and historical heart of Russia. This regal and inspiring city is home to one of the largest and most stunning art museums in the world. The city is surrounded by canals and is famous for its beautiful white nights in the summertime when the sun never sets at night.

Top things to see and do in St. Petersburg

• Visit the second largest art museum in the world, Hermitage Museum, which is housed in the Winter Palace. The museum holds the most extensive collection of paintings spanning centuries from many countries in the world.
• Discover the 18th-century Peterhof Palace, best known for its Grand Cascade, which consists of 64 gorgeous fountains located on a series of terraces outside the palace’s main entrance.
• Explore one of the most attractive sights in the city, the multicoloured Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood. Constructed in 1883, the church was designed in the traditional medieval Russian style.
• Catch a show at one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in St. Petersburg, the Mariinsky Theater. This opulent theatre is a masterpiece of Neoclassical architecture with Neo-Byzantine design elements.
• Stroll along St. Petersburg’s main city square in front of the Winter Palace, where many significant events in Soviet and Russian history have occurred.
• Step into a Pyshechnaya café and try the traditional dessert, a hot Pyshki with coffee which tastes like paradise, especially during winter. Try different local cuisines influenced by the French, Swedish, German, Finnish, and other cultures, thanks to the rich and diverse history of the city.

Tips for travellers

Take a day trip to Pushkin and explore the grand imperial Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo, a royal summer residence. Marvel at the awe-inspiring architecture and check out the amber room located inside the place. Escape the chaos of the city and take a relaxing stroll along the magnificent gardens that adjoin the palace.