Guide to Saint Petersburg, Russia

Saint Petersburg (formerly Petrograd, then Leningrad) is the second largest city in Russia, and the former capital of the Russian Empire. Since 1991, Saint Petersburg and some historical suburbs such as Peterhof have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and it is home to one of the world;s largest museums of art, the Hermitage.

Top reasons to visit Saint Petersburg

Explore one of the best sightseeing cities in the World, as Saint Petersburg’s Neoclassical streets, beautiful royal palaces, extensive museums, art galleries and cultural monuments never fail to impress

Witness the truly unique White Nights, where the days are short and no true darkness falls, only twilight.

Main areas of Saint Petersburg

City Centre

Church of the Saviour on Blood, Palace Square, Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral

Admiralteisky

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, Monument to Nicholas I, St Nicholas Cathedral

Vladimirirskya

Anichkov Bridge, Vosstaniya Square, Vladimirisky Church

Liteiny-Smolny

Smolny Convent, Moscow Triumphal Gate, Suvorov Museum

Petrograd Side

Artillery Museum, Saint Petersburg Mint, Monument to Nizami Ganjavi in Saint Petersburg

Vasilievsky Island

Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange, Tichov Bridge, Lazarev Gallery

When to go to Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg has a huge seasonal variations in days length, with days less than 6 hours long at the end of December but darkness never truly falls during the White Nights season in June. Whilst the days are short in late autumn and early winter, overcast skies can be the norm for weeks at a time. Spring is relatively dry whilst July and August have the most rain.

November to March is off-season for tourists, which is a shame as Saint Petersburg is particularly beautiful in the snow.

June is peak tourist season due to the White Nights, and the White Nights Festival is held on the last ten days of June - concerts, parties, festivals, and shows. July and August are the hottest months, so hotel prices increase as availability decreases from June to August.

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Top Attractions in Saint Petersburg

• The Hermitage Museum
• Winter Palace
• Church on the Spilled Blood
• Nevsky Prospekt
• Square of the Arts
• The Peter and Paul Fortress
• Circus Ciniselli
• Canal boat tours

Shopping in Saint Petersburg

Nevsky Prospect, Gostiny Vor mall and the street markets of Apraskin Dvor are all highly recommended

Eating in Saint Petersburg

Recommended restaurants include Singer House, Stroganoff Steak House, Terrassa, Teplo, Zoom, Gin-no-Taki, Little Italy, Mama Roma, Romeo’s, Jamie’s Italian Russia, Gloss Cafe, Buddha Bar, Killfish.

Nightlife and Entertainment in Saint Petersburg

• Bars - Killfish, Jäger Haus, Aberdeen, Bartok, Le Tour De Vin, Quarenghi, Ring O’Bells, Purga, Bulldog, Mishka DJ, Hemingway, Soul Kitchen, Liverpool, Dickens Pub, Liberty
• Cocktails - Dead Poets
• Clubs - Datcha, Morrison DJ bar, Fish Fabrique Nouvelle, Metro, Stackenscheider, Club 154, Estrada, W Club, Radiobaby, Mafia Revenge, XXXX Bar
• Coffee - Il Patio, Sever confectionery shop, Art-Cafe Sunduk
• Theatre - Mariinsky Theatre, Mikhailovskiy Theatre, Conservatory Theatre
• Music - Saint Petersburg Opera, Saint Petersburg Philharmonic (Small and Grand Halls), Ice Palace
• Museum - Russian Museum

Book a hotel today in Saint Petersburg, Russia - find your hotel deals here, as we specialise in cheap hotels in Saint Petersburg, Russia.