What to see in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg city centre

Saint Petersburg is a major European cultural center, and Russia's second largest city (after Moscow). The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage sight. No wonder there are many"must-see" spots in St. Petersburg, Russia, which possesses so huge cultural and historical heritage. 

If it's your first time in this splendid city, don't hurry to see everything, that is almost impossible! Enjoy the atmosphere of the city. Start with a walking tour or a guided city tour by car around the historical centre.  You will fall in love with St. Petersburg beauty and majesty. Visit St. Isaac's Cathedral and its dome (if you have enough strength to walk 300 meters up) to enjoy the panoramic view. St. Isaac's Cathedral is closed on Wednesdays. Continue your walking trip to the Bronze Horseman, a monument to Peter I and a popular photo spot where you can see some just married couples. Maybe you'll be lucky enough! Then turn right to the Palace square and the Winter Palace. The Hermitage museum is known as one of the largest museums in the world. Many people are coming to St. Petersburg for visiting it. So, put it on the list when planning your time in St. Petersburg (at least 3 hours). The Hermitage museum is closed on Mondays. Just few steps from the Palace square there is Moika river. You can take a boat trip there. Find Neptun company pier at Moika emb. 26. It's the first boat company which offers audio guides in many languages. The starting times are 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00. The cost is 500 Rub per person. St. Petersburg is famous for its rivers and canals, and it's often called the Nothern Venice. The boat trip is a very pleasant pastime. After the boat trip you can walk to Spilt Blood Cathedral, or Our Savior on the Blood as it's also called. On the way to the cathderal, there is Stolle Russian pie cafe, a good spot for having some rest and a cup of tea with traditional Russian pies (Konyushenny lane 1/6). Split Blood Cathedral is famous for its magnificent mosaics,  and is known as one of the most beautiful cathedrals in St. Petersburg, Russia. Don't forget it's closed on Wednesdays. The open-air souvenir market next to the Spilt Blood Cathedral offers traditional Russian souvenirs, and the prices seem to be very reasonable comparing with other souvenir shops. Continue your way to the Arts Square. The Russian museum,which possesses the largest collection of Russian art including old Russian icons and artifucturesis, facec the square. It's definitely worth a visit if you're an art lover. 

If you take the way to the nord-east after the visit, you'll come to the Mikhailovsky Castle and park which is located nearby. Not far from Mikhailovsky castle, the Field of Mars lies, a favourite place of St. Petersburg students (there are two universities at the nothern part of of the Firld of Mars). From there you can see Neva river and Troitsky bridge. If you cross the bridge, you'll come accurately to the Peter and Paul Fortress which lies on the Hare Island (it'll be on your left hand). Beeing the place where St. Petersburg was flaid in 1703, the Peter and Paul Fortress is considered to be the most popular touristic spot in the city. The highest building in the hystorical centre, the Peter and Paul Cathedral stands in the middle of the fortress.  There is a burial vault of Romanov imperial family inside the cathedral.

 St. Petersburg suburbs

Two siecles St. Petersburg had been an imperial capital. So it is no wonder there are many residences in its suburbs. Visit Peterhof with is marvelous Fountain park; Catherine's Palace with its famous Amber room. Pavlovsk and Gatchina are not so popular, but also very beautiful and recommended for people who interested in some venues off the baten path.

It is only a small part of St. Petersburg landmarks. We reccommend you to book a guided tour around St. Petersburg and its suburbs to. A professional guide will not only give you a lot of interesting and unique information about St. Petersburg, its history, Emperors lifestyle, Russian people and Russian traditions, but also become your local friend in St. Petersburg, Russia.