St Petersburg Russia Tourist Attractions: A Window to Europe

Saint Petersburg, which is considered the second-largest city in Russia, has tourist attractions that are no less impressive than those in the capital of Russia. It can almost be said to be recognized as the cultural capital of Russia as well.

To explore the ST Petersburg tourist attractions, one must first have a relative understanding of the city in order to visit the sights of Saint Petersburg at the right time and place.

The city of Saint Petersburg is situated along the Neva River and has relatively mild summers and very cold winters, as Russia is known for its cold climate. However, keep in mind that the snowy nights of Saint Petersburg also give the city a special charm and add unique beauty to the tourist sites.

Saint Petersburg tourism can be a unique and exclusive experience since it offers everything from luxurious palaces to peculiar museums and a magnificent river, alongside unique leisure activities that can stay in your memory for years.

It is also worth mentioning that there are so many tourist spots in Saint Petersburg that you need to plan a monthly or weekly schedule for the attractions. This is because, due to the vast extent of the city and the abundance of tourist sites, it is not possible to visit these St Petersburg Tourist attractions over just a few days.

1.Hermitage Museum: Armitage or Petrov?

The Hermitage Museum, which is considered one of the most famous ST Petersburg Russia tourist attractions, is a must-visit for those who love history. Visitors should not miss seeing the museum’s treasury and its renowned collection of ancient artifacts.

The Hermitage Museum has several sections and is recognized as one of the top five museums in the world! It houses valuable artifacts from the era of the Russian Tsars, and visitors can thoroughly study the history of the Tsarist Empire. In addition to the Tsarist period, ancient Roman and Greek artifacts are also on display, which adds to the allure of the world’s largest art gallery.

It may be hard to believe, but the museum houses over 3 million works of art. It should be noted that the impressionist and post-impressionist works of this collection have been relocated to the General Staff Building on Palace Square.

Various architectural styles have been employed in this museum, with the main style being European, which aims to create a general space at the center of regular subsidiary spaces accompanied by an entrance facade. In this style, sculpture is often used to create a visual sensation, which is related to Italy.
The Hermitage Museum includes 6 sections, 460 rooms, and more than 3 million works of art. To truly appreciate this immense palace, you will need to allocate a significant portion of your time, as it is one of the best st petersburg russia tourist attractions.

The 6 sections of the Hermitage include the Winter Palace, the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, the New Hermitage, and the Hermitage Theatre.
In the various sections of the museum, one can see antique statues, medieval art, gold and jewelry, and coins from the 18th and 19th centuries from other countries. There is also a separate section dedicated to Russian works of art.

Hermitage Museum visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 18:00 you can visit this beautiful museum.

Hermitage Museum entrance fee: To visit the Winter Palace, you have to pay 300 rubles and for the Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum, 700 rubles.

Address of the Hermitage Museum: Saint Petersburg, Palace Square

Reading Suggestion: Veliky Novgorod

2.The Peter and Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg: The passage of time, with the splendor of the fortress

The starting point of Saint Petersburg and the most dramatic ST Petersburg Russia tourist attractions which has been used for various purposes over different decades and is considered the main fortress of the city.
The Peter and Paul Fortress was built by Peter the Great and was later reconstructed with a stone facade. The fortress’s first use was to protect the city, which was built within a year, but it could not demonstrate significant resistance, and about 16 years later, it was chosen as a political prison. High-ranking political officials were transferred to this place and imprisoned.

Furthermore, it was also selected as a burial ground where individuals such as the Romanov emperors are buried. Later on, it was used by the Soviets as a laboratory for the development of missile technology, and today it is one of the most interesting ST Petersburg Russia tourist attractions.

Note that the museum currently has various sections such as a church, prison, museum, former Soviet missile technologies, and artworks that you can choose to visit according to your interests.

Visiting hours: Daily from 10:00 to 21:00
Entrance fee: Church admission is 550 rubles, prison is 250 rubles, missile technology museum is 200 rubles, ceramics museum is 200 rubles, and artworks are 250 rubles, but if you want to have access to all areas of the fortress, you should pay around 750 rubles for complete access.
Address of the Peter and Paul Fortress: Saint Petersburg, Zayachy Island

3.Sword Island in Saint Petersburg:

Another one of the tourist spots in Saint Petersburg that is highly suitable for photography is Sword Island in Saint Petersburg, which offers unparalleled views of the Neva River and other ST Petersburg Russia tourist attractions, such as the Winter Palace, Trinity Bridge, Peter and Paul Fortress, and Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. It could be one of the venues for your wedding celebration.

However, the beautiful landscapes and vistas of Sword Island in Saint Petersburg are not the only options this beautiful island offers. It also contains spire-topped columns and classic buildings, all of whose structures are from the French architecture of Thomas de Thomon.
Please note that there is no specific time set for entering this island, and entry to the island is also free.

4.Boat ride on the canals of St. Petersburg: Amazing view with the river

Boating on the rivers and canals of Saint Petersburg can be an enjoyable experience, allowing you to observe all the tourist attractions of Saint Petersburg, Russia, and utilize various routes to see the city’s highlights.

The canals of Saint Petersburg are over 300 kilometers long and are crossed by hundreds of bridges, with the Griboedov Canal and the Winter Canal being two of the city’s renowned waterways. The Griboedov Canal flows beneath 21 bridges and passes by some of the most famous tourist attractions of Saint Petersburg.

You can take pleasure in the sights of Saint Petersburg, Russia, by joining boat tours that navigate through the city’s rivers and canals, which typically include refreshments. Alternatively, if you prefer not to join guided boat tours, you can rent small boats by the hour and navigate to any desired location at your own pace.

All the water routes are part of the Fontanka and Moika rivers, and some also connect to the Neva River. Tourists in Saint Petersburg are also advised to experience watching the raising of the Palace Bridge over the Neva River from the water.

Therefore, be sure to consider boating on the rivers and canals of Saint Petersburg as part of your itinerary. It is a time-efficient way to witness many of the city’s tourist attractions and thoroughly enjoy sightseeing in Saint Petersburg.

What do you think is the best place to visit ST Petersburg Russia tourist attractions?

Reading Suggestion: Famous places in Moscow

5.Peterhof Palace and Park

Petrodvorets (Peterhof) Palace, considered one of the most beautiful palaces in Russia, reaches its peak beauty in the summer when the palace’s fountains are active. Next to the Peterhof Palace, there’s a beautiful park which has been somewhat modeled after the Palace of Versailles, taking on a special charm during the summer.

In addition to the palace, the Peterhof site includes gardens and mazes that are among the most unique st petersburg russia tourist attractions. It’s worth noting that this palace and park have international fame.

This complex was built by the order of Peter the Great and it took more than 10 years to complete this extraordinary edifice for his recreational uses. It’s interesting to note that, in addition to parts of the building that were inspired by the Palace of Versailles, the rest of the architecture was constructed according to the tastes and interests of Peter the Great. Furthermore, the park was expanded by Peter the Great’s daughter, which added to the grandeur of the palace.

Peterhof Park features a variety of diverse gardening styles in both the upper and lower areas of the park and is quite remarkable. Within its boundaries, there are numerous museums that you can visit while visiting the Peterhof Palace, and the Peterhof Park, which is a must-see, and the museums alongside are waiting for your warm presence.

Visiting hours: Every day from 10:30 to 18:00, except on Tuesdays when the palace is closed.

Entrance fee: 1500 rubles

Address: St. Petersburg, Razvodnaya Ulitsa

6. St. Isaac’s Cathedral

The magnificent St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg is one of the most impressive religious sites, designed by the French architect Auguste de Montferrand. It took 40 years to build, with construction starting in 1858. The architecture of this beautiful church features red granite from Karelia, and its columns have a European style, enhancing the beauty of the cathedral.

Visiting hours: Every day from 10:30 to 18:00

Entrance fee: 5 Dollars

Address: W8M4+HH Admiralteysky District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

7.Nevsky Prospect

Nevsky Avenue, a 4-kilometer-long street steeped in history, may be the most beautiful street you can visit in St. Petersburg. Most of the buildings on this street were built after 1917, making it a paradise for history lovers.

On Nevsky Avenue, you can find attractions such as the Anichkov Palace, the Baroque Stroganov Palace, the Kazan Cathedral, and the statue of the Bronze Horseman along the way. But the story doesn’t end there – shopping centers next to restaurants and cafes offer attractions for every taste.

Address: Saint Petersburg, Russia

8.The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

If Moscow has St. Basil’s Cathedral, then St. Petersburg has the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, which is definitely no less famous than the iconic Moscow cathedral. This church is considered one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in St. Petersburg.

The unique mosaics of this church serve as a memorial to the tragic assassination of Tsar Alexander II, and visiting this beautiful church should definitely be on your itinerary when planning a trip to St. Petersburg.

Visiting hours: Every day from 10:30 to 18:00

Entrance fee: Free

Address: Griboyedov channel embankment, 2Б, St Petersburg, Russia, 191186

Reading Suggestion: Best Churches in Moscow Russia

9.Ostrov Yelagin

The island that not many tourists visit, but is among the beautiful tourist attractions of St. Petersburg, is easily accessible by metro and only a 20-minute ride away. For those seeking pristine nature and tranquility alongside historical landmarks, a visit to this island is a must.

On this island, besides the beautiful natural landscapes, you can explore magnificent palaces like the Peterhof Palace, a lake, and the Museum of Curiosities of the Art of Glass, which are among the most fascinating sights on the island.

Address: Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197183

Which ST Petersburg Russia tourist attractions should You visit in a Day?

The most important discussion in this regard is Which ST Petersburg Russia tourist attractions should you visit?

Saint Petersburg is considered a historical city that has been home to many emperors and governors, and magnificent palaces and reputable museums have been left behind by them.

In addition to the palaces and museums, the city’s location next to the river and amazing canals can also be another part of your visit, and walking around the city can help you gain a better understanding of Russia.

Saint Petersburg is a vast city with many tourist attractions that you must have a plan to visit this great city. Based on your interests and preferences, try to choose the best places to visit because this city is a cultural city full of beautiful and historical artifacts.

Beautiful gardens, historical fortresses, magnificent palaces that represent the history of Russia and Russian architecture, boat trips, and walking around the city can also be part of your visit to the beautiful city of Saint Petersburg.

Among all of these beautiful places, The Peter and Paul Fortress, Hermitage Museum, and Sword Island are more worth to visit than others.

Conclusion

st petersburg russia tourist attractions, are very abundant, and it is the second largest city in Russia, so you must plan your trip to Saint Petersburg because it takes weeks to see all the tourist attractions up close.

Sanit Petersburg Tourism requires planning, and if you are traveling with a tour, you must have information about the places you are going to visit.

Saint Petersburg has many magnificent palaces, so if you have limited time, you should choose the best palace to visit, and boat trips are highly recommended. There are numerous museums, so if you are interested in history, be sure to visit the best museums, and the famous castles and fortresses of Saint Petersburg are also among the best places to visit.

In your opinion, where is the best ST Petersburg Russia tourist attractions? And do St Petersburg worth visiting many times?