Things to see & do in
St Petersburg, Russia
In 1703, Tsar Peter the Great had a vision of Russia’s greatest city, one that would drag ‘old Russia’ into the present day. He set about building a place that would outshine the beauty of the most beautiful cities in the west. The outcome was an antidote to Moscow, inspired by western thinking, politics and culture. Pushkin described St Petersburg as a ‘window into Europe’, but future revolts and bloodshed, alongside the many that died in its construction, would also lead to it being called the city built on bones.
For nearly 200 years, St Petersburg was the capital of Imperial Russia, home of Tsar Nicolas II and, later, the cradle of the Russian revolution. The government only returned to Moscow in 1918, following the fall of the tsars. However, as the home of the Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world, and over 50 theatres, it’s still considered by many to be Russia’s cultural capital. It’s a city that has stirred Russia’s greatest writers, and where the first seeds of democracy sprouted.
For nearly 200 years, St Petersburg was the capital of Imperial Russia, home of Tsar Nicolas II and, later, the cradle of the Russian revolution. The government only returned to Moscow in 1918, following the fall of the tsars. However, as the home of the Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world, and over 50 theatres, it’s still considered by many to be Russia’s cultural capital. It’s a city that has stirred Russia’s greatest writers, and where the first seeds of democracy sprouted.
Our Russia Vacations
Moscow to St Petersburg vacation in Russia
Fascinating history and architecture
From
US $1549 to US $1949
8 days
ex flights
Moscow to St Petersburg vacation
See the Winter Palace and the Red Square
From
US $1310 to US $1540
8 days
ex flights
Russia vacation, St Petersburg and Karelia
Multi-activity cultural trip to Northern Russia, tailor-made
From
€1300 to €1510
7 days
ex flights
Chukotka and Wrangel Island cruise, Russia
Authentic Arctic Festival & wildlife including Polar Bears
From
US $7700
15 days
ex flights
Moscow and St-Petersburg vacation in Russia
The best of Russia in 12 days
From
£2799 to £6430
12 days
ex flights
Trans Siberian Railway vacation, Russian Summer
Remarkable Moscow to Vladivostok train journey, Tailor-Made
From
€3800 to €4600
18 days
ex flights
Siberian Tiger & Amur Leopard tours in Russia
Track Siberian Tigers in the Russian winter wonderland
From
£2995
10 days
ex flights
Russia history and culture vacation
Explore Russian history and culture
From
£2838 to £5675
9 days
ex flights
Kamchatka vacations, small group tour
Explore Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula
From
£2255 to £2415
11 days
ex flights
Kamchatka and Chukotka wildlife cruises, Russia
Explore Kamchatka's Stunning Coast - volcanoes,fjords &more
From
US $7200
13 days
ex flights
Russia vacation, Moscow to St Petersburg
Brief but exciting insight into Russia's unique culture.
From
US $460 to US $899
7 days
ex flights
Imperial Trans Siberian tour, Russia to Japan
Russia, Mongolia & Japan on the Trans-Siberian Railway
From
£8215 to £8395
29 days
ex flights
Moscow to Warsaw vacation
Explore Russia and the Baltic's on this small group tour
From
US $1020 to US $1999
14 days
ex flights
Northern Europe tour, small group
All the charms of Northern Europe in 2 weeks!
From
£1259
14 days
ex flights
Altai Mountains vacation in Siberia
11 Day trip delving deep into the Golden Mountains of Altai
From
£3095 to £3195
11 days
ex flights
Trans Mongolian adventure vacation
An epic journey from Russia to China
From
US $2805 to US $3299
16 days
ex flights
Trans Mongolian vacation, tailor made
Ride the Iconic Trans-Mongolian Railway in all it's glory.
From
£2445
16 days
ex flights
Helsinki, Saint Petersburg and Lapland vacation
Visit Saint Petersburg by rail from Helsinki before Lapland
From
€3057
10 days
ex flights
Tokyo to St Petersburg rail tour
Japan to Russia overland on the Trans-Siberian Railway
From
£8180 to £8525
30 days
ex flights
Beijing to Moscow overland rail tour
Explore more in Mongolia and Kazakhstan on this epic journey
From
£6885
38 days
ex flights
Arctic cruise vacations
Explore the Arctic: Greenland, Spitsbergen and Iceland
From
US $5050 to US $37995
10 days
ex flights
Trans Mongolian vcation with the Naadam Festival
Celebrate Mongolia’s most colourful festival by rail
From
£5460
24 days
ex flights
Grand Trans Siberian rail tour
From the Pacific to the Baltic on the Trans-Siberian Railway
From
£6265 to £6540
23 days
ex flights
The Great Silk Road Adventure via the Caucasus vacation
Our classic Silk Road Adventure via the Caucasus 48 day tour
From
£10895 to £11295
47 days
ex flights
St Petersburg to Ulaanbaatar on the Trans Mongolian Express
Trans Siberian railway and Mongolia adventure.
From
£3620 to £3675
17 days
ex flights
Finland wildlife vacation, whales and bears
Beluga white whales in Russia and brown bears in Finland.
From
€1570
8 days
ex flights
Kamchatka wildlife and bird watching cruise, Russia
Cruise Siberia's Coast on this Wildlife Packed Expedition
From
US $7380
14 days
ex flights
Trans Siberian railway tour
Watch this epic land glide by through the window of a comfortable train
From
US $3849
17 days
ex flights
Highlights of St Petersburg
Hermitage Museum & Winter Palace
Like an emerald city, the vast estate of the Hermitage Museum is instantly recognisable from across the Neva River. The second largest museum in the world, its vast galleries include masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt, modern treasures by Matisse, Scythian gold, ceremonial weapons and an incredible mechanical peacock clock. You could spend an entire day perusing the collection, displayed across 360 rooms and five interconnecting buildings. The most impressive and best known of these buildings is the Winter Palace, the official residence of the Russian Tsars – until the storming of the Red Army in 1917 and the dawn of Soviet Russia. The month-long looting of the palace wine cellars following the raid was known afterwards as 'the greatest hangover in history'.
Exploring the city on foot
In this ‘Venice of the North’, founded on 42 islands, every bridge and alleyway has featured on the pages of one of its resident writers, from Dostoyevsky to Tolstoy. History is immortalised on every corner. Even the apartment blocks, still existing as original Soviet communal flats, provide a unique opportunity to experience a part of St Peterburg’s living past. Along your walk, stop off at the Peter and Paul Fortress, the foundations of the city, view the intricate Easter eggs at the Fabergé Museum and visit St Isaac’s cathedral and the dazzling Church of the Saviour of the Spilled Blood.Peterhof Palace
Affectionately called his ‘Seaside Paradise’, Peterhof Palace was built by Peter the Great 32km west of St Petersburg, near his naval base at Kronshtadt. Inspired by a recent visit to the French royal court, Peter wanted something that would rival the most beautiful of all European palaces: Versailles. The centerpiece of this ostentatious palace is the Grande Cascade, where 64 jets and fountains cascade into a pool amid golden statues of lions, gods and frogs. Badly damaged during World War II, the palace has since been lovingly restored, right down to its trick fountains, hidden to surprise unsuspecting guests.
Catherine Palace
At the request of Peter the Great’s second wife, Catherine, a royal summer residence was built just south of St Petersburg, in the town of Pushkin. Catherine’s daughter, the Empress Elizabeth, perhaps encumbered by her mother’s outdated tastes, later hired Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli to appropriately redesign most of the palace. The resulting flamboyant, 325m, gilded Rococo façade hides a stupefying series of gemstone-lined rooms, the pinnacle of which is the legendary Amber Room. The priceless original amber was stripped out by German soldiers during World War II, along with much of the interior, never to be seen again. At an unimaginable expense, the entire palace has since been fully rebuilt, right down to the last amber tile. Visitors are greeted with firm instructions to wear tapochki, cloth slippers, over their shoes at all times.Russian Tea Culture
The traditional centerpiece of the Russian table is the samovar. This 300-year-old urn is an indispensible part of Russia’s culture – early miniature ones were even made as the original travel kettle. Tea is always accompanied by something to eat, often gingerbread or wafers, but most commonly baranki. A popular teatime snack since the time of Peter the Great, these doughy bread rings were typically baked and threaded together like a necklace with string. The smaller version, sushki, is dried after baking. Enjoy after a thorough dunking in your tea.Our top Russia Vacation
Moscow to St Petersburg vacation in Russia
Fascinating history and architecture
From
US $1549 to US $1949
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 4 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 16 May, 23 May, 20 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 12 Dec, 19 Dec
2021: 13 Feb, 27 Feb, 13 Mar, 20 Mar, 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct ...
2020: 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 4 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 16 May, 23 May, 20 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 12 Dec, 19 Dec
2021: 13 Feb, 27 Feb, 13 Mar, 20 Mar, 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Russia or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Practicalities
To really see how St Petersburg differs to other Russian cities, it’s best explored alongside Moscow and Novgorod. Our small group tours of western Russia allow you to spend two or three days in the city, as part of an eight or nine day vacation. Alternatively, you can discover St Petersburg as part of a Trans Siberian or Trans Mongolian Express tour, which can be tailor made to meet your requirements and usually lasts 18-19 days.
Unlike eastern Russia, notorious for its long and very cold winters, western Russia enjoys a less extreme, continental climate. St Petersburg is milder than Moscow, although prone to unpredictable weather throughout spring and summer. Trips usually run from March to October, while the best time to go to Peterhof Palace is from late May until October, when the spectacular palace fountains are in action. Winter clings to St Petersburg until March, when temperatures finally rise above freezing and Neva Bay begins to thaw. You’ll be in for a treat if you visit St Petersburg over the Christmas vacations, when gleaming palaces are dusted with snow and frozen rivers transform into al fresco ice rinks.
Unlike eastern Russia, notorious for its long and very cold winters, western Russia enjoys a less extreme, continental climate. St Petersburg is milder than Moscow, although prone to unpredictable weather throughout spring and summer. Trips usually run from March to October, while the best time to go to Peterhof Palace is from late May until October, when the spectacular palace fountains are in action. Winter clings to St Petersburg until March, when temperatures finally rise above freezing and Neva Bay begins to thaw. You’ll be in for a treat if you visit St Petersburg over the Christmas vacations, when gleaming palaces are dusted with snow and frozen rivers transform into al fresco ice rinks.
More about Russia
From Moscow to Kamchatka, St Petersburg to Siberia, our month-by-month weather guide details the sizzling highs and freezing lows, so you can discover the best time to go to Russia.
Our Russia travel guide grapples with this vast nation, exploring its history, explaining its customs, currency and cuisine and whetting your appetite for an exciting vacation to the world’s biggest country.
Our Russia map and highlights page picks out 13 of the most interesting and exciting destinations in the country, plus we have included some travel times and possible itineraries, to help you make the most of your time here.
Soaking up the art and architecture in Russia’s two most famous cities, Moscow and St Petersburg, is a great introduction to this enormous country, but we have a few suggestions for other things to do in Russia.
Once the political powerhouse of the Soviet Union, Moscow is home to fantastical monuments, brutalist architecture and extraordinary art, from its world-famous ballet to the intricate Fabergé eggs in the Royal Treasure House.
From Moscow in the west to Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, the world’s longest railway takes you to interesting towns, wonderful natural sights and remote regions, as Europe gives way to Asia.
The little-known region of Kamchatka is an isolated peninsula on Russia’s far eastern coast, best known for its untouched landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Big cat safaris in Russia are a truly spectacular experience, and a fantastic opportunity for those with the patience to wait on the appearance of Siberian tigers and Amur leopards, venturing out in search of prey.
For some invaluable advice, we have talked to our expert local suppliers who know Russia well and pulled together their most useful Russia travel tips.
You may not approve of Russia’s actions on the global stage, but it pays to know a little more about its approach to the domestic life of its citizens before you visit.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Panther] [Intro: Florstein]
[Hermitage Museum & Winter Palace: Richard Mortel]
[Peterhof Palace: Florstein]
[Practicalities: Ninara]
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