St. Petersburg

Top things to do & see in St. Petersburg

The Hermitage

After the Louvre, The Hermitage is the second largest art museum in the world and is a treasure trove with whole rooms of works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, El Greco, Goya, the Impressionists and many more. It’s also the former winter palace of the tsars, so the rooms themselves are sights to behold. Among them is the Malachite Room, with its personal items from the Romanov family.

St. Issac's Cathedral

The huge gold dome of the immense 19th-century St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the largest in the city, is a landmark that took over 40 years to build. Inside, you’ll see magnificent mosaics and splendid city views form the top of the colonnade.

Church of the Resurrection of the Christ

Church of the Resurrection of the Christ was modeled after St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and is a marvel of onion-shaped domes, mosaics and an altar studded with semi-precious gems.

Peter and Paul Fortress

Many of the Russian czars are buried in the Peter and Paul Fortress, built in 1703 by Peter the Great to protect the city against Sweden and other Western powers. It served as a prison up until 1917, with inmates that included Peter the Great’s son, Alexei, who was charged with treason. The complex includes the Baroque-style Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

Russian Museum

Great artworks, religious icons and other artifacts pertaining to the history of Russia from the 12th century onward are displayed in the Russian Museum. It is housed in a former palace with lovely adjacent gardens to stroll around in.

Peterhof and Pushkin Palaces

Both of the Peterhof and Pushkin Palaces are located outside of the city and can be toured together or separately. Peterhof, built by Peter the Great, is often called the Russian Versailles because of its magnificent interiors, including the tsar’s original Oak Study Room and gardens. Catherine the Great’s palace in Pushkin is equally sumptuous, especially notable for its Amber Room, which took 20 years to recreate after it was plundered by the Nazis during World War II.

Shopping

Brightly colored nesting dolls, which come in designs from traditional to contemporary, and lacquer boxes are among the most popular local souvenirs. St. Petersburg is also a good place to find amber jewelry and religious icons. The Hermitage gift shop is an especially good place to browse for quality items. The many street vendors throughout the city, most prevalent along Nevsky Prospekt, the main commercial thoroughfare, are good sources for inexpensive souvenirs. The Galeria is the city’s main shopping mall, offering 290 shops as well as cafes and restaurants.

Nightlife

Fans of the opera or ballet will not want to miss the chance to see a performance of the Opera or Kirov Ballet companies at the famous Mariinsky Theater, a green and white confection dating back to the 19th century. Many cruises also offer excursions to see Russian folkloric dance and music performances.

Don’t miss

The Imperial Porcelain Manufactory is not only the best place to shop for the hand-painted cobalt blue china sold throughout the city, but it offers a museum filled with porcelain treasures that are part of the Hermitage collection.

Best bets for dining

• Casual lunch: For a quick bite, try Russian blini, crepes with various fillings, sold at stands throughout the city. Café Singer, located on the second floor of the Dom Knigi (House of Books) bookstores, is a good place for people watching and for Russian specialties like pelemi (meat dumplings) and borscht. The Idiot Café, named for the Dostoyevsky novel, serves vegetarian fare in a cozy, Bohemian setting.
• Fine dining: For an elegant Russian evening with caviar and cognac, Taleon, an opulent mansion connected to the Taleon Imperial Hotel, is the place to go. With art nouveau details and private balconies, another splendid choice is L’Europe at the Grand Hotel.

Best time to go

High season: June to August

Shoulder seasons: April to May; September to October

Low season: November to March

Fun facts

• St. Petersburg, including the suburban areas, has more bridges (about 800) than any other city in Europe.
• The city was commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great (1672–1725) as "a window looking into Europe."
• St. Petersburg, which has about 4.88 million people, is the world’s northernmost city with the largest population.
• St. Petersburg hosts more than 100 arts-related festivals each year.

When you arrive

Docking information

Cruise ships dock at the Sea Façade located at the mouth of the Nevis River, about a 15-minute taxi ride to the city center. The terminal offers an information center, café, ATMs and other services.

Getting around

Taxis are available at the major hotels and attractions; it’s a good idea to negotiate the fare beforehand, and do not close the door until it's agreed. Drivers may not speak English, so it’s wise to have the name of the ship’s berth location written down in Russian. You can also sometimes negotiate with a taxi driver at the pier to give you a city tour. St. Petersburg also has an efficient metro system, worth checking out to see the elegant stations with chandeliers and Soviet-era artwork.

Need to know

Documents: U.S. citizens will need a valid passport. If you are visiting St. Petersburg on a shore excursion through a licensed operator, you will not need a visa. If you are visiting on your own, you will need to apply to a Russian consulate or a visa service for a visa.

Language: Russian is the official language. English is not widely spoken.

Currency: The ruble, but many shops and street vendors accept dollars or euros.

Safety: It is not recommended that you drink the tap water in St. Petersburg; however, bottled water can be purchased cheaply from any store, and there are vending machines with mineral water, but you need to supply your own cup.

Your take

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