Saint Petersburg
The cultural capital of Russia, the city of palaces, museums, bridges, and white nights
St Petersburg has been inspiring many artists: musicians, writers, and painters. Every building in the city holds a piece of history, whether it’s a majestic imperial palace or a typical residential courtyard.
UNESCO has included the historical centre of St Petersburg, the Neva River with its picturesque embankments, as well as the palace and park ensembles surrounding the city, such as Pushkin, Pavlovsk, Gatchina, Petrodvorets, Strelna, Lomonosov, the historical part of Kronstadt, the Oreshek Fortress, the Pulkovo Observatory ensemble, and many more (over 4,000 sites in total) on its World Heritage List.
Interesting facts about the city
St Petersburg is the northernmost metropolis in the world and is sometimes called the "City of White Nights" because in June the sun barely dips below the horizon (even at night).
Famous residents of the city include poets Alexander Pushkin and Anna Akhmatova; writers Vladimir Nabokov and Fedor Dostoevsky; composers Dmitry Shostakovich and Petr Tchaikovsky, and many more.
St Petersburg has many parks, palaces and fountains. September is St Petersburg’s 'Golden Autumn' and the perfect time for walking.
St Petersburg has many rivers, canals and waterways, with around 800 bridges. The drawbridges are particularly famous, and every night during the shipping season thousands of locals and visitors gather on the banks of the Neva to watch them open.
The Hermitage is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it is also guarded by an army of cats. The cats first appeared in the Winter Palace during the reign of its founder, Catherine II, and they even have their own professional holiday: 'Hermitage Cat Day'.
The smelt is a true symbol of Saint Petersburg, the city’s most famous fish. A curious fact: the St Petersburg smelt has a specific smell. It smells like fresh cucumber, which is caused by the fish’s habitat changing from saltwater to freshwater.
Travel tips
What you need to know before travelling to Russia:
Check the weatherThe weather in St Petersburg is highly unpredictable: downpours and gusty winds can suddenly give way to bright sunshine and a light river breeze. Be prepared for both +25°C and +15°C (even in the same day).
Bring suitable clothingWaterproof shoes, an umbrella, a raincoat and layers of warm clothing are a must-have in autumn in Russia. Be sure to bring warm clothes, especially if you plan to take evening walks in the city.
Bring cashDue to the SWIFT ban, you will not be able to use bank cards issued outside of Russia (Visa and Mastercard). We strongly recommend that you bring cash.
Check if you need a plug adapterIf you’re coming from a country with a different socket standard to Russia (other than 220V), don’t forget to bring an adapter.
Download mapsWe recommend downloading the Yandex Maps app in advance. To use the app without an internet connection, download the map of Saint Petersburg. You can find the app on Google Play or the App Store. By the way, you can also use this app to book a taxi.
Remember to pack your good moodDon't forget to bring a positive attitude! A good mood will help you appreciate the beauty of Saint Petersburg and enjoy your interactions.
Recommended places to visit
Major Attractions
Cafés and restaurants
St Petersburg Attractions
Winter PalaceA famous museum where you can see collections of art
Dvortsovaya Emb., 38
Kazan CathedralAn Orthodox Cathedral
Kazanskaya Square, 2
St. Isaac's CathedralAn Orthodox church and landmark
Isaakievskaya Square, 4
Church of the Saviour on Spilled BloodAn Orthodox church and landmark
Griboedov Canal Emb., 2Б litA
Russian Museum, Mikhailovsky CastleA historical landmark and museum
Sadovaya Str., 2
Birzhevaya SquareOne of the few architectural forms that have survived from the 19th century
Birzhevaya Square, 1
The Twelve CollegiaAn historical building in the Petrine Baroque style
Mendeleevskaya Line, 2
KunstkameraThe first museum in Russia, established by Peter the Great in 1714
Universitetskaya Emb., 3
AdmiraltyOne of the symbols of the city, the very first building on the left bank of the Neva
Admiralteyskiy Passage, 1
Bronze HorsemanMonumental equestrian statue of the first Russian Emperor Peter the Great
Senatskaya Square
Peter the Great Botanical GardenA museum where you can see plants from all over the world
Professora Popova Str., 2П
Dmitri Mendeleev's Museum ArchiveMemorial museum dedicated to the chemist Dmitry Mendeleev
Mendeleevskaya Line, 2
Cafés and Restaurants
Mediterranean Restaurants
Food Court
Halal
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2024
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