Top 10 Best Things to do in Saint Petersburg, Russia

The city of Sankt-Peterburg is one of the most visited in Russia and has a large cultural setting. A talented city with a lot of history, founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and for over two centuries will remain the capital of Russia. Top 10 Activities at Sergiev Posad Top 10 Picks for a Saint Petersburg Trip

1. Visit the Taurine Palace and Porcelain Museum

Along the Neva River lies the bulky Hermitage Museum one of the largest and oldest museums with millions of items, including artwork from different cultures and periods. Roam the stately corridors and chambers of the open-air baroque Winter Palace, which was once the primary home of the Russian tsars. Gaze at Rembrandts, Matisses, and other pieces of art from the Italian Renaissance period. This unique and special site is the Peacock Clock.

2. Stroll along Nevsky Prospekt

This is one of the largest boulevards in St. Petersburg which stretches through the center of the city. This vibrant street has commercial and business activities, eateries, religious institutions, and stately architectural structures dating back to the 18th century. There are always some shops for shopping, the beautiful Kazan Cathedral, or just sit down in one of the cafés and watch the world passing by. I feel that this street is rather active, especially in the evening.

3. This is a great opportunity to sail along the rivers and canals.

Indeed, there are as many rivers, canals, and bridges, and therefore, a water cruise, presenting the city from the water perspective is a must. Enjoy the picturesque views of the architectural masterpieces of St. Petersburg such as the Peter and Paul Fortress, Summer Garden, Russia Museum, and the most magnificent palaces to sight as the vessel gently cruises on deck. Or for an interesting experience, one can rent a kayak or a paddle boat and go cruising in the canals or rivers.

4. Visit the Christ the Savior Cathedral, also known as the Church of the Resurrection on Blood

Overwhelming with different hues of onion domes and an elegant Russian revival style of architecture, the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood indeed looks gorgeous. The large church was constructed at the site where Alexander the Second was attacked and killed in 1881, by a bomb that had been thrown by the radicals. Take time to admire the exterior of this basilica as it is filled with excellent mosaics that are almost unbelievable.

5. Stroll through the park at the Peterhof Palace

Take a road trip outside of the city to marvel at the magnificent Peterhof Palace and extensive park area, a direct copy of Versailles built by Peter the Great with majestic fountains boasting water shows. Tour the entirety of the Lower Park, which has 150 fountains and other water installations, including trees designed to produce water sprouts. Marvel at the beautiful Grand Cascade and Samson Fountain which represent Samson, a biblical figure who opened a lion’s jaw. After that, visit the Grand Palace where one can stroll through the rooms with gilded ceilings and other marvelous rooms.

6. Historical treasures in Imperial Russia can be seen in The Russian Museum

The Museum of Russian Art is Russia’s first museum dedicated to the art of the Russian people which consists of more than 400,000 pieces of art from the century. Walk through majestic staterooms seeing works of some of Russia’s greatest painters, including Repin, religious paintings and icons, naïve art, Soviet realism, the treasures that Napoleon brought for Alexander I, temporary exhibitions, and much more. You should be ready that only an expansive list of the collected items can leave you in delight.

7. Take a look at St. Isaac’s Cathedral with breathtaking views of the city.

It is the enormous cupola of St. Isaac’s Cathedral that would be most prominent among the unique skyline of Saint Petersburg. Tour its opulent interior including the 101.5-meter high cupola for the murals depicting malachite, lapis lazuli, and marble columns. You may ascend to the outdoor colonnade walkway to overlook breathtaking views of the city, the river, other buildings, and ships passing through.

8. Visit the Mariinsky Theater and look into the operas or ballets currently in the repertoire.

Regardless of your interest in ballet and opera, it’s fascinating to recreate oneself as a spectator of a classical performance at the Mariinsky Theatre. Watch a ballet such as the Swan Lake or the Nutcracker Ballet, especially during the holiday season. Or if you wish to see the Moscow operas such as Boris Godunov or Eugene Onegin you can see the grandeur of this imperial theatre.

9. Stroll through the alleys and walkways

Tourists get to explore Saint Petersburg on foot with its streets, canals, and bridges. Find trendy cafes and wine bars in the courtyards, bright architecture, which can be found in the less expected locations, various food markets, numerous shops, singers performing in steps by the river, and impressive metro stations that resemble palaces in the underground. I believe that this guide is the perfect way to understand the soul of Saint Petersburg – one just has to walk through this city’s spirit-filled streets.

10. Tour Soviet history at the KGB Espionage Museum

There are a lot of interesting things to learn about the KGB security agency and spies of the Cold War at this museum. Visit spy cameras, secret passages for conveying messages through tunnels, secret radio amplifiers, concealed hatches, and other devices. Examining strategies employed by spies on either side as existed in the Soviet period.

Saint Petersburg has gilded palaces, museums that are famous for housing some of the best artwork, sprawling parks, unique restaurants, canals with an aura of romanticism, a history that is Soviet-inspired, and a rich cultural background that most tourists are not aware of. Here is a list of things that everyone should consider doing when they are visiting one of Europe’s beautiful cities.

Read More:

Top 10 Tourist Attractions to Visit in Chennai

Must-See Tourist Places of Jaipur Pink City!

13 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Moscow

Top 15 Places to Visit in Johannesburg

Top 10 Jakarta, Indonesia Tourist Attractions to Visit