Being Russia’s second largest city, you’ll realise that there are many amazing places to visit in Saint Petersburg. The city is without a doubt the country’s cultural capital along with Moscow (by the way, here’s a complete post with things to do in Moscow). At 300 years old, it’s still a young city by European standards. Despite that, many important historical events took place there. Just remember that the city was very important during the Communist Revolution at the beginning of the 20th Century.

Having said that, “‘Soviet” is a word few people would dare use to describe the city. As it was the capital of the Russian Empire for 200 years, the city is dotted with grand buildings and palaces, making it one of the most majestic European cities.

Some people would also ask themselves “is it worth visiting St Petersburg, Russia?” and I can’t give you a straight answer, since I’d be biased. After many visits to the city, I couldn’t help but fall for it. So in this post, I’ll share with you the top places to visit in Saint Petersburg – in no particular order.

Top Places To Visit In Saint Petersburg, Russia

1- Visit The Hermitage Museum

In my opinion, the Hermitage Museum is the greatest attraction in Saint Petersburg – so it’s no wonder I’ve put it in the first place. The Hermitage is home to one of the largest paintings collections in the world, therefore seeing even half of it in one day is absolutely impossible.

The Hermitage occupies six different buildings, out of which the Winter Palace is the most famous one. My recommendation is to check on the (free) maps available at the entrance which sections interest you most and go on a mission.

The museum is located in one of the city’s most photogenic areas, by the river Neva and near the Admiralty building, a few minutes’ walk from St Isaac’s Cathedral – also on this post.

You can buy tickets at the ticket windows and at machines at the museum. Just bear in mind lines are very long between May and early September. You can book skip-the-line tours here.

Also: Transport From St Petersburg Airport To The City Centre

2- Places To Visit In St Petersburg: Peterhof Palace

Also called “the Russian Versailles”, Peterhof was the first imperial palace to be built outside St Petersburg. The palace complex overlooks the Gulf of Finland and has several different sections, including the enormous Alexandra Park.

The Grand Palace used to be the main summer residence of the Russian Tsars. The interiors are grand, as the name suggests, in classic architecture and richly decorated.

But the main draw is the palace’s exterior, with many gilded domes and dozens of fountains, making Peterhof one of the most photogenic places in Saint Petersburg.

During summer there are huge crowds and long lines. Book a tour with skip-the-line hotel pick-up here, if you prefer.

3- The Church of the Spilt Blood

There is no doubt that this is the most “Russian” church in the whole of Saint Petersburg. It reminds us of the famous St Basil Cathedral in Moscow. The many domes – some gilded, some colourful and others in spiral – make the Church of the Spilt Blood the city’s most unique place of worship.

Located by the Griboyedov canal, it is also known as the Church of the Resurrection. It was built exactly where Tsar Alexander II, was killed in an attack. The church has one of the world’s biggest collections of mosaics and is one of the city’s most beloved attractions.

See Also: Best Hotels in St Petersburg For Every Budget

4- Watch a Ballet at Mariinsky Theatre

If when you go to Rome you must see the Pope, then when you go to Saint Petersburg, you must watch a ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre.

The city is home to many talented ballet companies, but none of them is as prestigious as the Mariinsky. It represents St Petersburg just like the Bolshoy does to Moscow. The Mariinsky, founded in the 18th century, used to be called The Imperial Ballet of Russia – so you get an idea of how important it is.

It was the very first ballet I’ve ever seen, and I loved the experience, although I only saw my second ballet recently, also in St Pete.

5- See the City From the Collonades at St Isaac Cathedral

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. The giant gilded dome can be seen from many places around central St Petersburg. Today it does not celebrate any masses, so it’s actually a museum.

The interiors of St Isaac’s Cathedral are as grand as the exterior, and it is decorated with different types of marble, lapis lazuli and other rare stones. When you visit the Cathedral you can either see the interiors or climb up the 262-step stairs and get to the colonnade. There you will have the most amazing panoramic views over Saint Petersburg – one of the highlights of a visit to the city, in my opinion.

By all means, nothing will stop you from visiting both the interior and the colonnade, if you wish to do so! Skip-the-line tickets are also available here.

6- Go on a Boat Tour Around the City Canals

Several rivers and canals crisscross Saint Petersburg, giving the city the “very original” title of Venice of the North. So, like the real Venice, a boat tour is one of the best ways to see the city’s magnificent architecture. Many companies operate the service and you will, for sure, pass by someone selling boat excursions on the main streets. There are different boat tours around town, offering varied views and experiences. If you prefer, you can book your St Petersburg boat tour in advance here.

7- Watch Life Go By on Palace Square

One of the most monumental open spaces in Saint Petersburg, Palace Square gets its name for its location, right in front of the Winter Palace, home to the Hermitage. It is considered the city’s main square and it’s the perfect space to watch life go by and photograph some stunningly grand neo-classic buildings.

In summer, several concerts and cultural activities take place here, attracting thousands of Peterburgans and tourists. In the centre of the square, you will find Alexander Column, built to celebrate Russia’s victory over the troops of Napoleon.

8- Peter and Paul Fort

Peter and Paul Fort was built in 1703, the very same year that marks the city’s foundation by Peter, The Great. The fort was built to protect “Russia’s window to the West” from Swedish invaders. At the time, the original structure was just made of wood, but later it was rebuilt into a sturdy brick and stone fortress and one of the city’s most iconic constructions.

You can take just a couple of hours to visit the fort or even a full day. That’s because it is home to a number of smaller museums, galleries, as well as Peter and Paul’s Cathedral. The church’s golden needle can be seen from miles away and it’s also possible to visit the upper part of the tower.

9- The Grand Choral Synagogue: One of the Hidden Gems of St Petersburg

One of the less visited St Petersburg attractions is the Grand Choral Synagogue. Despite its location, close to Mariinsky Theatre, it does not the attention it deserves. Completed in 1893 in Eastern Moresque style, it is the main religious centre for the city’s Jewish population, today estimated in 100,000 people. It is the largest synagogue in Russia and one of the biggest in Europe.

Address: 2 Lermontovskii Prospekt

10- See the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan

Just like pretty much every building in Saint Petersburg, Kazan Cathedral is grand. Located on Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), you can’t miss this church with its 96 columns in the shape of a crescent – a design inspired by the Vatican’s Saint Peter Basilica.

Our of the city’s main churches, this is one of the few that are fully working. As you visit the interior, you will be met by long queues of people heading to the altar. That is where they’ll pray for the icon of Our Lady Of Kazan. It is said that the icon is responsible for many miracles.

Whether you share their belief or not, watching men and women praying silently and kissing the icon – and other religious objects – is a very touching scene.

 

FIND TOURS IN ST PETERSBURG

 

11- Instagrammable Attraction: St Petersburg Mosque

It may come as a surprise that the city has a major mosque. In fact, St Petersburg Mosque is the largest mosque in Europe (outside Turkey). Built in 1913, its exterior is adorned with blue tiles, resembling the famous mosques from Central Asia. It is located a few hundred metres from Peter and Paul Fortress.

12- Walk Along Nevsky Prospekt

Nevsky Prospekt – or Nevsky Avenue – is Saint Peterburg’s grand catwalk. It crosses the city centre from east to west and is a reference point for visitors and locals alike. Many of the city’s most iconic buildings are located either here or just metres away. Some of the St Petersburg attractions and landmarks located right on Nevsky Prospekt include Catherine’s Garden, Cafe Singer and Moskovsky station.

St Petersburg Weather

St Petersburg weather may put many people off, but that should not be the case. Although the city has a large rain precipitation throughout the year, once the sun comes out.

The average winter temperature in St Petersburg is -7C (19F). In March, it increases to -3C (27F). In April, it becomes slightly more pleasant, with an average of 4C (39F). After that, the weather in St Petersburg gets better and May and September see an average temperature of 15C (50F), while the peak summer months, from June to August, see an average temperature of 16.5C (61.5F).

Having said that, St Petersburg weather can vary a lot. In winter, the lowest temperature I had in winter (December) was -2C (26F) and in summer I experienced many pleasant days with 23C (66F).

What about you, have you ever been to Russia’s second largest city? What are your top places to visit in St Petersburg?

Grand Choral Synagogue Photo Credit: “StPetersburg_2013 05 25_1080”by HBarrison is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0