The cultural capital of Russia is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Even the not very friendly climate of St. Petersburg does not prevent hundreds of thousands of tourists from coming here, and their number is constantly increasing. A rich history and extensive art collections attract connoisseurs of beauty. Museum funds, architectural objects of different years, rivers and canals passing through the entire city, field trips to nearby settlements are the main magnets for travelers. Petersburg is quite unhurried for a big city. Walking through its streets on a fine day is a great pleasure in itself. Acquaintance with local beauties and iconic places can take place in any format - there are a lot of options for all tastes and financial capabilities of vacationers.
The most interesting excursions and tours in St. Petersburg
What to do, what to see and where to go from the northern capital?
Individual sightseeing tour
It is easier for a tourist to get an idea of the city, learn interesting historical facts and see the most popular sights during a walk or car walk around the city accompanied by a guide. The latter include: Palace Square, Peter and Paul Fortress, the Hermitage, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Mikhailovsky Castle, Field of Mars and others. To view all the expositions of the museums of St. Petersburg, it is better to choose a separate day, since you cannot cover everything at once. This type of excursion is an opportunity to outline a plan for further visits to iconic places that interest you during your acquaintance with the city.
Sightseeing tour by bus
This type of walks around the city is distinguished by a special organization. The bus route leads past the main attractions. Tourists, listening to the guide, see outside the window: the Russian Museum, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Kazan Cathedral, the Bronze Horseman, the Summer Garden, squares, churches, canals, museums and bridges. Short-term stops are made near some objects, and then the guests of the cultural capital return to their places and continue the tour. Some agencies leave something special for the final part, for example, a visit to the Hermitage. Others focus specifically on briefing clients about St. Petersburg.
Excursions along the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg
Such tours are varied according to the proposed program. Some of them are standard: the ticket price includes a boat tour with short comments on the history of the main attractions. Another option is to rent a motor ship with a professional guide, which is suitable for walking along the rivers and canals of the city with your company. From the water you can see St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Admiralty, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the cruiser Aurora, the Hermitage and much more. It all depends on the specific travel route. In addition to the view overboard and the guide's narration of the unique facts of the city, guests can enjoy live music and dinner. Such services in St. Petersburg are provided by the shipping company "Navigator", where you can rent a ship for an event (birthday, wedding, corporate, graduation and others) and at the same time get a tour of the city.
On a double decker bus
Sightseeing tour, which the tourist forms at his own discretion. The route, which runs through almost the entire city, has more than ten permanent stops. The ticket allows you to get on and off any of them. It is valid for one or two days, depending on the type. After seeing the attraction of interest, for example, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the Russian Museum or the cruiser Aurora, you can return to the tour again if you take the next bus. The buses are double-decker, comfortable and with an audio guide in several languages, including Russian.
Palaces of St. Petersburg
From the moment of its foundation, St. Petersburg has always remained in the field of vision of the royal family and nobility, even when it was not the capital. Palaces were actively built here, most of which have survived to this day. The Winter Palace has been turned into a museum complex, where the main exposition of the Hermitage is now located. Yusupovsky became a palace of culture. Deputies of the city's legislative assembly sit in the Mariinsky Palace. Vorontsovsky sheltered the Suvorov School, which is located there now. A special place in the list is occupied by Petrodvorets, located in Peterhof. It is part of a museum complex that has been preserved in perfect condition among equally beautiful gardens.
On the rooftops
An unusual view of the city. Suitable for sophisticated hikers and those who like walks with a twist. The route is built depending on the preferences of the client and the knowledge of the specific area of the guide himself. Roofs are not chosen by chance: they are all suitable for visiting and safe. This excursion is accompanied by stories about the inhabitants of the houses and the peculiarities of the architecture. You cannot do without historical background and discussion of related topics. For example, the classic front doors of St. Petersburg, special courtyards and old streets.
Courtyards and front doors
Such excursions are conducted both on foot and by car with stops. The goal is to look at St. Petersburg, which usually escapes the attention of tourists. Hidden behind the majestic buildings and facades are more modest, but no less important for the history of the city, courtyards and ceremonies. Guides will tell the stories of these buildings, remember entertaining stories about their inhabitants and take travelers along interesting routes that cover not only the center of the cultural capital, but also the outskirts. The duration of the walk also depends on the initial plan of the walk. It is about a couple of hours.
Balaam
An island located in the northern part of Ladoga. Religious tourism is the main destination. A monastery existed here since ancient times, which has undergone many changes. Now the center of the spiritual life of the region has been revived and is constantly developing, preserving the traditions. You can stay at the hotel "Igumenskaya" - the only one at the moment. But there is a place for camping for lovers of outdoor recreation. The choice of restaurants does not differ in delights, but the products are ecologically clean. Divers also love to stop at Valaam: there are many artifacts in the area. The local scenery is also a common reason to visit the island.
Kronstadt
A port city located on an island in the Gulf of Finland. Famous for the abundance of attractions. There are museums of different directions, preserved old forts, monuments and obelisks, functioning and non-functioning temples, picturesque parks and much more. Historical personalities important for the country were born, lived or served here. This was reflected in the streets of Kronstadt: monuments were erected in their honor and some toponymic objects were named. Part of the trip here can be a boat trip - a source of new impressions.
Museums
It is difficult to find a direction that would not have received a museum in St. Petersburg. The whole world is thundering about the collections of paintings of the Russian Museum. The extensive exposition of the Hermitage is one of the most visited on the planet. An open-air exhibition of steam locomotives and carriages was organized. Several apartment museums: from Pushkin to Brodsky. Gallery "D137" allows exhibiting contemporary authors and has a constantly scheduled schedule of events. The museum "Nienschanz" contains archaeological finds. The ship-museum cruiser "Aurora" is connected with several historical events at once. And this is only a small fraction of the overall list.
Peterhof
The palace and park ensemble, built during the reign of Peter I on the shores of the Gulf of Finland.It combines several architectural styles: baroque, neo-gothic, classicism and neo-baroque. UNESCO World Heritage Site. The central part is Petrodvorets, whose halls are open to the public. In addition to it, several more palaces of more modest size were built, but equally important from an architectural point of view. The park area is divided into the Upper and Lower Gardens. They are replete with statues and various decorative ornaments. There are about one hundred and fifty operating fountains and water canals on the territory.
Excursions for children
Classic travel destinations and excursions are not always kid-friendly. And even if you can take them with you, young guests will definitely get bored on the spot from the abundance of historical references. Experienced guides have adapted familiar routes to make storytelling and sightseeing more interesting for the younger generation. In this style, you can visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Mikhailovsky Zamoy, the Admiralty and other adult excursions, but modified taking into account the task at hand.
Plants and factories
Many enterprises of St. Petersburg are also popular tourist destinations, as they are associated with the history of the city. Baltika Breweries is known throughout Russia and neighboring countries. The brand was one of the hundred most famous trademarks in the world. The Krupskaya Factory produces confectionery products that have held the palm in the market for decades. In the district there are jewelry and porcelain factories, various food industry enterprises, representatives of world companies, for example, the Coca-Cola plant and others.
Mikhailovsky castle
The construction was completed in 1800. An architectural monument and a cultural heritage site. It is a branch of the Russian Museum. Contains samples of paintings by famous artists from different eras. There are both permanent and temporary exhibitions, depending on the events held and the time of year. The Mikhailovsky Castle is rare, but it becomes a place for lectures or for holding some events that are distracted from their immediate purpose. The building itself has been restored and is as close as possible to its original appearance. According to the architects' idea, the main building was supposed to become a castle on the water - that is, it was surrounded by a water barrier.
Velikiy Novgorod
A popular excursion from St. Petersburg. The Novgorod Kremlin is considered the oldest surviving fortress in the country. Nearby are the St. Sophia Cathedral, the fortress walls and the Kremlin park, which has in many ways already been ennobled in a modern style. On the right bank of the river is the Trade Side - an old economic region. Here and now there are shops and cafes. There are many religious buildings in the vicinity of the city: from very small churches to multi-domed temples. One of the leisure activities is a boat trip along the river.
Karelia
The tour from St. Petersburg takes about two days. Ruskeala marble canyon is considered the main natural attraction of the Karelian region. Here you can see the adits, partly abandoned, partly set aside for tourist purposes. There are several attractions for extreme lovers. For example, a descent on a cable from one end to another, or a bungee jump. A stop at a husky kennel is a combination of business and pleasure: learn more about the breed and play with the puppies. You cannot ignore the Kivach reserve, as well as Lake Onega, Akhvenkoski waterfalls and the Korela fortress.
Vyborg
It is located on the shores of the bay, practically on the border with Finland. The castle, preserved in the city since the Middle Ages, is the only example of European military architecture in the country. Its tower offers a beautiful view of the whole Vyborg. The old town looks authentic: narrow streets, appropriate decoration and measured rhythm of life. Mon Repos Nature Reserve is a museum and a park in one. The movement takes place by bus with stops at interesting and significant places. During the trip, the guide tells about the history of these places: the founding, filming here of films, the modern period.
Cathedrals and temples
Since St. Petersburg was conceived as the center of Orthodoxy, it is not surprising that there are so many religious sites here. St. Isaac's Cathedral is currently only partially owned by the Russian Orthodox Church and is mostly a museum, and a popular one. Kazan Cathedral has become a cathedral since 2000. The Naval Cathedral has a unique shrine - the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, painted in the 17th century. A particle of the saint's relics is kept nearby. Smolny is part of the monastery of the same name, built in the Baroque style. The chapel of Saint Blessed Xenia of Petersburg was built in honor of one of the most revered women in Orthodoxy in Russia. Each temple is a page in the history of the city.
Hermitage
Museum of arts and crafts. His collection is one of the most extensive and culturally significant in the world. The main exposition is located in the building of the Winter Palace on the banks of the Neva. The architecture of the halls is also a landmark, which distinguishes the Hermitage from many of its colleagues. The collection of the museum is divided into styles, eras and trends. The funds are many times larger than the current exposition. Rembrandt, Titian, Raphael, Picasso, da Vinci and other masters are presented here. Also on display are unique examples of numismatics, art objects of the ancient world and other artifacts.
Gatchina
During its existence (since 1500) the city has changed several names, but in the end it returned the historical one. Its center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Great Gatchina Palace with several parks around the perimeter is the main attraction. It was built in the second half of the 18th century and is an example of the architectural talent of Antonio Rinaldi. Tourists are also traditionally interested in: Priory Palace, Round Riga, Venus Pavilion, Birch House, Orphan Institute, several cathedrals and churches (not only Orthodox), as well as old cemeteries.
Pavlovsk
Located on the Slavyanka River on the south side of St. Petersburg. The main attraction is the palace and park complex, protected by UNESCO. A park of this kind is unique in Europe and is one of the longest in the old world. Several architects worked independently of each other to create the final appearance of the complex, adding something, changing something, and completely removing something. The Three Graces pavilion, Bip Castle, Gonzago Gallery, Musical Station and much more - this is what Pavlovsk is famous for. The route is suitable for history lovers and those who like leisurely walks among partly natural, partly man-made beauty.
Peter-Pavel's Fortress
Founded in 1703. According to legend, the building is based on drawings made personally by Peter I. At the moment, it is part of the Museum of the History of St. Petersburg. On the territory there is a mint building, built a century later. There is also the Peter and Paul Cathedral, where the Romanovs were buried, the bastion prison, the Alekseevsky ravelin, the Neva gate. Tourists can witness the tradition of a signal cannon shot at noon. On the beach nearby, all kinds of entertainment are often organized.
Petersburg at night
A sightseeing tour that allows you to see familiar objects and sights from the other side. Unlike many cities, this kind of recreation in St. Petersburg takes on a completely different meaning. Usually night walks add romance and color, and in the northern capital a lot changes. Firstly, during the white nights season, it is difficult to remain indifferent and not go outside after midnight. Secondly, the opening of bridges makes the landscapes as close as possible to the postcard views.You can travel along the canals by boat, walk, and also go around the city by car or sightseeing bus.
Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo)
The main sights of the city belong to the time period from the 18th to the beginning of the 20th century. This place was one of the residences of the royal family, so the buildings and decoration corresponded to the high class of the inhabitants. The Catherine Landscape Park is spread over an area of more than one hundred hectares. There is also a palace of the same name. The Alexander Park is almost twice as large and also has its own palace. Many household (at one time) and decorative buildings give a special flavor. It is impossible to ignore the Amber Room, as well as the guide's story about the historical events concerning Tsarskoye Selo.
Orienbaum
The current name of the city is Lomonosov. It was founded in 1710 and served as the estate of Prince Menshikov, later received the status of a royal residence. The palace and park ensemble stretches along the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. Several architectural monuments in different styles are combined into one harmonious "set". Around them is a majestic park, an authentic time when the first stone was laid here. Among other things, an impressive collection of art is collected inside the palaces. And a story about historical events, one way or another connected with Orienbaum, will complement a walk through such picturesque places.
Staraya Ladoga
The small village has a rich history. In ancient times it was almost the most important settlement among the Russian lands. The current status is much more modest, but the heritage and traditions have not been forgotten. Among the burial mounds located nearby, Olegova's Grave stands out, which has become part of the heritage of the Russian Federation. Nearby, a monument to Rurik and Oleg is unveiled. The archaeological museum-reserve is responsible for the historical component. Other sights of a religious nature: several churches, the Assumption Cathedral and two monasteries.
Photo excursion
Guides who know the city well suggest going for a walk together. The goal is to take away from St. Petersburg not only vivid memories, but also pictures that will correspond to them. Depending on the agreement, you can take pictures with your own equipment, or order a professional photo session. A short journey in pursuit of the best views can smoothly flow into a sightseeing tour. The main sights, landscapes, architectural objects and much more will definitely appear in the frame. Sometimes, unknown corners of the city are able to give more emotions than replicated places, so you need to look everywhere.
Sablinskie caves
A natural monument located in the Tosno region. Quartz sand was once mined here. By the beginning of the Second World War, they were already partially abandoned, although the work continued periodically. When a person completely left here, spontaneous collapses and floods began to occur. In the already complex coordinate system of the caves, new additional tunnels and passages have formed, and some of the old ones are no longer suitable for movement. The route through the Sablinsky caves can only be conquered by professionals with good training. Several species of bats live inside.
Monasteries
The rich history linking St. Petersburg and its environs with Orthodoxy could not but affect the construction of a large number of monasteries in the district. Some function practically without interruption, others have been revived from scratch. Holy Trinity Monastery was founded in 1564. Its founder rests here, and the complex of buildings is fenced off by an imposing wall. Svirsky is also a male monastery, even older. The bishop's choir was created in it. The special value of the Tikhvin Monastery is the icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria, which left the monastery, but eventually returned to its rightful place. And this is only a small fraction of the total number of monasteries in the region.
By helicopter
Some agencies offer an unusual excursion - a helicopter flight over the city. The basic package usually does not include a photo shoot and landing in a non-trivial place, for example, near the Bronze Horseman. However, the client may pay extra for such wishes. Helicopters differ in capacity, but the level of comfort and flight duration are about the same. For the most part, a guide is not provided for such excursions, but impressions should be enough even without a story about the beauties below.
