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The best things to see and do in St Petersburg
From art to architecture, St Petersburg is one of Europe’s great cultural cities
![Hermitage museum](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Europe/Russia/st-petersburg/hermitage-st-petersburg-things-to-do-guide.jpg?imwidth=680)
St Petersburg is one of Europe’s great cultural cities. Brimming with museums, galleries and theatres, it offers visitors endless opportunities to discover not just Russian traditions and treasures but also some of the finest international artworks and architecture in the world. Its romantic canals, landscaped parks and relatively compact size make strolling around a particular pleasure, although a decent public transport infrastructure means you can also conveniently hop on a metro or tram when you need to.
For further St Petersburg inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants and nightlife.
Stroll the city’s grand boulevard
The three-mile-long Nevsky Prospekt was originally hacked through dense forest. Nowadays, visitors need to hack through the crowds of locals and tourists that throng the street to see cultural monuments such as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, the National Russian Library and Stroganov Palace, and explore the street’s endless cafés, bars, restaurants and shops. Come night-time, even though the boulevard is home to various bars and nightspots, it’s generally a little less hectic.
Insider's tip: Don’t miss the flamboyant Art Nouveau Singer Building. Built for the sewing machine manufacturer, it was known as the House of Books in the Soviet era and still houses a large book store (and a pleasant literary café).
Nearest metro: Nevsky Prospekt
Prices: Free
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Wander endless art-rich rooms
The Hermitage is the second-largest art museum in the world, containing some three million works of art. It's set inside a sprawling complex of buildings that includes the Winter Palace, and there are too many highlights to list, but you can expect masterpieces by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Velázquez, Goya, Picasso, Caravaggio and Rembrandt, as well as significant primitive and ancient art collections, and rooms and items from the Romanovs.
Insider's tip: The museum is open longer on Wednesdays and Fridays (until 9pm), is free on the third Thursday of each month, and is usually quieter after 4pm.
Contact: hermitagemuseum.org,
Nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya
Prices: £
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Admire beautiful mosaic icons
The extraordinary Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (whose real name is the Church of the Resurrection) gets its gory nickname from the fact it was built on the site of the 1881 assassination of Tsar Alexander II. It took 24 years to construct and 27 years to restore after the Soviet era. As well as admiring its five flamboyant domes, step inside to view its impressive mosaic collections, based on the paintings of prominent Russian artists Vasnetsov, Nesterol, and Vrubel.
Insider's tip: Although it’s a popular attraction, the queues here are not that long thanks to a multi-counter ticket office right outside the cathedral. The church can also be visited until 10.30pm during summer.
Contact: cathedral.ru
Nearest metro: Nevsky Prospekt
Prices: £
![Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St Petersburg, Russia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Europe/Russia/st-petersburg/Church-of-the-Savior-on-Spilled-Blood-st-petersburg.jpg?imwidth=350)
Explore a historic fort
Constructed in 1703, the vast Peter and Paul Fortress was one of the first buildings to be erected in St Petersburg. There’s a lot to see here so some planning could be useful – although it’s also nice to just wander aimlessly through the cobbled grounds and be surprised. You won’t be able to miss the baroque Peter and Paul Cathedral nor the controversial statue of Peter the Great with its tiny head, but do look for the cells where Tsarist-era revolutionaries were held.
Insider's tip: Ascend the bell tower of the Peter and Paul cathedral for sweeping views over the Neva River to The Hermitage, St Isaac’s Cathedral and Palace Bridge. It's open daily in summer only (from May 1 to Sept 30), except Wednesdays. Tours to the top are in Russian; book in advance for an English tour (also available in winter). Note that group tours are at 1 p.m. and 2:30pm only.
Contact: spbmuseum.ru
Nearest metro: Gorkovskaya
Prices: Grounds, free; exhibits, £
![peter and paul fortress, st petersburg, russia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Europe/Russia/st-petersburg/peter-and-paul-fortress-st-petersburg.jpg?imwidth=350)
Gape at architectural splendour
Comprising two large 18th century palaces and a beautifully landscaped parkland peppered with follies and monuments, Tsarskoe Selo is an even more extravagant ensemble than Peterhof. The baroque Catherine Palace – built by Francesco Rastrelli, designer of the Winter Palace – hosts the exquisite Amber Room, while the immaculate English Park was laid out by the English-trained Johann Busch. The nearby Alexander Palacewas the home of Russia's last emperor Nicholas II, whose family andstate rooms have been restored.
Insider's tip: The surrounding town of Pushkin is one of St. Petersburg's most charming suburbs, and has numerous sights connected to the poet, including the Pushkin Lyceum, a museum in his former lycee.
Contact: eng.tzar.ru
Nearest metro: Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin) railway station
Prices: £
![Tsarskoye Selo, St Petersburg, Russia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Europe/Russia/st-petersburg/Tsarskoye-Selo-st-petersburg.jpg?imwidth=350)
Catch some first class opera and ballet
The Mariinsky’s reputation for ballet and opera productions is virtually unparalleled, having hosted premieres by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky and trained Nureyev and Nijinsky at its dance school. The late-19th century neoclassical main building has splendorously ornate interiors and state-of-the-art acoustics, but the newer Mariinsky II theatre and Mariinsky Concert Hall, both located nearby, also host fantastic productions.
Insider's tip: If you can’t get tickets to the Mariinsky – or they’re too expensive – try the smaller but elegant Hermitage Theatre, located in the complex of the Winter Palace, or the Mikhailovsky or Aleksandrinsky theatres.
Contact: mariinsky.ru
Nearest metro: Sadovaya
Admission: ££-£££
![Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Russia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Europe/Russia/st-petersburg/mariinsky-theatre-st-petersburg-ballet-2.jpg?imwidth=350)
Enjoy a day trip out to elegant Peterhof
Set around 20 miles from St Petersburg, this elegant ensemble of palaces and gardens were largely influenced by Versailles as well as Peter The Great’s own tastes, and those of his daughter, Elizabeth, who expanded the estate. As well as exploring the handsome baroque buildings at Peterhof, be sure to stroll through the several diverse gardens and witness the collection of fountains (summer only).
Insider's tip: The trip out here takes around 45 minutes to an hour, so it’s best to save half a day at least to make the most of it. Bring a picnic too; Lower Park is a great spot for summer lounging.
Contact: en.peterhofmuseum.ru
Nearest railway: Noviy Peterhof
Prices: £
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Browse an impressive collection of home-grown art
The fantastic collection of home-grown art at the Russian Museum was started by Nicholas II, who bought the Carlo Rossi–designed Mikhailovskiy Palace to house it all. It offers everything from religious icons to works by avant-garde giants such as Kandinsky. The second floor offers 19th-century works by the likes of Alexei Venetsianov and Pavel Fedotov. The Benois Wing—constructed just before the Revolution to hold temporary art exhibitions, and located adjacent to the Mikhailovsky Palace—has avant-garde art by Goncharova, Larionov, Malevich, and others, and also hosts temporary exhibitions along with the Marble Palace, the Mikhailovsky Castle, and the Stroganov Palace.
Insider's tip: One of the most famous paintings in the collection is Malevich's Black Square, which actually includes almost all known basic colors except black, and is also not exactly a square.
Contact: rusmuseum.ru
Nearest metro: Nevsky Prospekt
Price: £
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Climb the golden dome of St Isaac’s Cathedral
One of St Petersburg’s most iconic landmarks, the golden-domed St Isaac’s was built between 1818 and 1858 by French-born architect Auguste Montferrand. Beyond its vast doors, you can find detailed mosaic icons, grand columns made of malachite and lapis lazuli, and paintings such Karl Bryullov’s The Virgin in Majesty on the ceiling. The dome is lavishly decorated with statues of angels and apostles and offers excellent views over the city.
Insider's tip: The only way to access the top of the St Isaac's and get a panoramic view is via a separately organised roof tour of the city.
Contact: eng.cathedral.ru
Nearest metro: Admiralteiskaya
Price: £
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Admire the neighbourhood charms of Vasilevskiy Island
This central and charming island neighbourhood is strewn with 19th-century apartment buildings as well as eye-catching buildings such as the State University and the neoclassical Stock Exchange. The famous Rostral Columns are impressive up close, while the eccentric and eerie collection of the baroque Kunstkamera showcases everything from Peruvian watercolour paintings to the skeleton of Peter the Great’s gigantic man-servant.
Insider's tip: Come night-time, the Petersburg bridges are drawn up, a ritual that attracts crowds along the embankments as well as special evening cruises organised just for viewings. Be sure you’re on the right side of the river beforehand, otherwise you will be stranded.
Nearest metro: Vasileostrovskaya
Prices: Free
![Vasilevskiy Island, St Petersburg, Russia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Europe/Russia/st-petersburg/vasilievsky-island-st-petersburg-things-to-do.jpg?imwidth=350)
Escape to Yelagin Island
This charming, car-less island lies around 20 minutes from the centre by metro, and makes for a pleasant afternoon escape from the city. Formerly inhabited by royals, Yelagin Island was transformed into the Kirov Central Park of Culture and Leisure (a name it still goes by) in 1934. Nowadays it offers an elegant palace designed by Carlo Rossi, several lakes for boating in summer, an ice skating rink for winter at the Big Square, and path-lined parkland suitable for mellow strolls.
Insider's tip: The park has a fairly active calendar of cultural events in the warmer months, including a tulip festival in May, sports events and street theatre. Its western tip is also great for watching sun sets over the Gulf of Finland. Note that the Ylaginostrovsky Palace Museum has been closed for restoration since August 1, 2016.
Contact: elaginpark.org
Nearest metro: Krestovsky Ostrov
Prices: Free on weekdays; RUB 100 (£1) on the weekend and on public holidays
![yelagin island, st petersburg, russia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Europe/Russia/st-petersburg/yelagin-island-palace-st-petersburg-things-to-do-guide.jpg?imwidth=350)
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