Choose from 78 Fun Things to Do in Russia
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Garage Museum of Contemporary Art
Housed in a spectacular glass pavilion designed by the architectural practice OMA in partnership with Rem Koolhaas 2015 on the site of a derelict restaurant, Garage is the creation of Russian girl-about-town Daria Zhukova, the longstanding girlfriend of Roman Abramovich. Originally found in the Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage (hence the name), which is now the home of the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center, the art gallery has a spectacular location on the fringe of Gorky Park. The temporary exhibitions held on the gallery’s two levels concentrate on promoting the work of international modern artists, while its permanent holdings specialize in the development of Russian contemporary art from the 1950s to present. Recent big names shown there include Louise Bourgeois and installation artist Rashid Johnson.
Creative workshops are held for kids and there’s a stylish café with views over Gorky Park, an arty bookshop and a research library in the museum too. A welcome addition to Moscow’s burgeoning cool cultural scene, Garage should be on the itinerary of all visitors spending time in the city.
Practical Info
Ulitsa Krymsky Val 9/32, 119049, Moscow. Open daily 11am 10pm. Admission adults RUB 400; students RUB 200; younger than 17 RUB 100. Metro to Oktyabrskaya. The gallery is five minutes’ walk from the main entrance to Gorky Park.
Address: Ulitsa Krymsky Val 9/32, Moscow Oblast, Moscow 119049, Russia
Hours: Daily 11am–10pm
Admission: adults RUB 400; students RUB 200; younger than 17 RUB 100
From $ 123
Dostoevsky Museum
Officially known as the F.M. Dostoevsky Literary Memorial Museum, this museum celebrates the life of Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was opened in 1971 in the apartment where he lived first in 1846 and again from 1878 until his death in 1881. Notably, it is also where he penned his last novel, the Brothers Karamazov. The interior has been reconstructed based on recollections of Dostoevsky’s wife and friends and includes memorabilia donated by his grandson. A literary exhibit focuses on Dostoevsky’s life and work, while exhibit halls occasionally display contemporary art. The museum library holds about 24,000 volumes and museum collection also includes a large collection of graphic and applied art and a collection of photographs.
Every November, the museum hosts a conference on Dostoevsky and World Culture. It also hosts bus and walking tours of St Petersburg focused on Dostoevsky’s works and the city.
Practical Info
The Dostoevsky Museum is located at 5/2 Kuznechny Pereulok. From the Vladimirskaya Metro station, exit and turn right and walk for one block, where you will find the museum on the corner of the building on your right. It is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is 160 rubles and photo and video are free. An audio guide is available for an additional 170 rubles.
Address: 5/2 Kuznechny Pereulok, St Petersburg, Russia
Admission: Adults: 160 rubles
From $ 6
Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan (Kazansky Sobor)
Completed in 1811 and standing at an impressive 203 feet tall (62 meters), St Petersburg's Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan exhibits Russian classical architecture, having replaced a wooden church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral took 10 years to construct and today encircles a small square with a double row of beautiful columns, while the interior is adorned with the works of some of the country's greatest artists and sculptors, such as I.P. Prokofyev and F.G. Gordeev, with reliefs on the facade by I.P. Martos, S.S. Pimenov and I.P. Martos.
Among some of the cathedral's other beauties are the Tsar's silver-casted gates and a golden frame decorated with precious stones, made specifically for the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan. The site has served as the setting for many of Russia’s historical events, including Tsesarevish Pavel Petrovich’s marriage and the celebration of many Russian military victories. Kazan Cathedral was originally intended to be the main church of the country and the Russian answer to the Basilica of St Peter's in Rome.
Practical Info
Located right on Kazanskaya Square, Kazan Cathedral is easily accessible by trolleybus 1, 5, 7, 10 and 22. Buses 3, 7, 22 and 27 also run nearby, as does the subway, which stops in front of the cathedral at the Metro Nevksky Prospekt stop.
Address: Kazan Sq., 2 (Казанская пл., 2), St. Petersburg 191186, Russia
Admission: Free
From $ 18
Faberg e Museum
Housed in the suitably opulent Shuvalov Palace, the Fabergé Museum is a tribute to legendary Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé. The St. Petersburg highlight showcases Russia’s treasured series of Fabergé eggs alongside a dazzling collection of Russian art, jewelry, and artifacts.
The Basics
An admission ticket for the Fabergé Museum includes full access to the museum’s 12 exhibition halls, which contain over 4,000 items such as silverware, porcelain, icons, and Russian impressionist paintings. Nine Fabergé eggs are the star attraction, of course, but other notable finds include enamel pieces by Pavel Ovchinnikov, military artworks by Karl Piratskiy and Pyotr Ivanovich Balashov, and Fabergé clocks, jewelry, and diamond-encrusted trinket boxes.
You can explore the museum on a guided or self-guided tour, or combine a visit to the Fabergé Museum with a city tour of St. Petersburg. Entrance is included with a St. Petersburg CityPass.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Fabergé Museum is ideal for art lovers and first-time visitors to Saint Petersburg.
- Audio guides are available in several different languages.
- The Fabergé Museum is accessible for wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Fabergé Museum is located along the Fontanka River Embankment in downtown St. Petersburg, within walking distance of top attractions such as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Mikhailovsky Castle (St. Michael’s Castle), and the State Russian Museum. The closest metro stations are Gostiny Dvor and Mayakovskaya, both on Line 3.
When to Get There
The museum is open from 10am to 9pm daily except Friday; tours run until 6pm. To avoid the crowds, opt for an early-morning visit on a weekday.
Fabergé Eggs
Born in St. Petersburg, Peter Carl Fabergé was a talented jeweler who was appointed to serve the Russian court in 1885. In over 35 years of Tsarist patronage, Fabergé and his diamond cutters and goldsmiths created 54 gold eggs to mark significant occasions, from coronations to royal weddings. Following the assassination of the Romanovs in 1918, the Bolsheviks stole the imperial jewelry collection, and Fabergé fled to Lausanne, Switzerland, where he died two years later.
In more recent years, Russia has been quietly buying back its cultural heritage, and in 2013 opened the Fabergé Museum to house its collection of nine eggs (the largest collection in the world). Highlights of the collection include the first egg that Fabergé created in 1885—for Tsar Alexander III as a gift for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna.
Address: 21, Fontanka River Embankment, St Petersburg, Russia
Admission: Varies
From $ 10
Bolshoi Theatre
One of the best known theaters in the world, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, traces its history back to 1776. This was when Empress Catherine the Great granted Prince Pyotr Urusov the privilege of maintaining theater performances of all kinds for a period of 10 years. The current Bolshoi building opened on the coronation day of Tsar Alexander II in 1856, and featured a six-tier auditorium decorated in crimson and gold that could seat up to 2,300 people.
The Bolshoi recently re-opened in October 2011 after being closed for a six-year renovation project. The reconstruction and refurbishment of the theater’s main stage employed over 3,000 specialists at the theater each day, as well as an additional 1,000 in restoration workshops outside of the theater. The project not only restored the historical appearance of the theater, inside and out, but it also restored its legendary acoustics while adding state-of-the-art machinery and stage equipment.
Today, the theater once again offers a full repertoire of operas and ballets such as La Traviata, Carmen, Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. Those wishing to catch a performance at the Bolshoi are advised to purchase tickets several weeks in advance as most tend to sell out.
The Bolshoi recently re-opened in October 2011 after being closed for a six-year renovation project. The reconstruction and refurbishment of the theater’s main stage employed over 3,000 specialists at the theater each day, as well as an additional 1,000 in restoration workshops outside of the theater. The project not only restored the historical appearance of the theater, inside and out, but it also restored its legendary acoustics while adding state-of-the-art machinery and stage equipment.
Today, the theater once again offers a full repertoire of operas and ballets such as La Traviata, Carmen, Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. Those wishing to catch a performance at the Bolshoi are advised to purchase tickets several weeks in advance as most tend to sell out.
Practical Info
The Bolshoi Theatre is located at 1 Teatralnaya Ploshchad and is accessible from either the Teatralnaya Metro Station (Bolshoi Theatre exit) or the Okhotny Ryad Metro Station (Theatre Square exit). The main stage box office is open daily from 12pm - 8pm, with a break from 4pm - 6pm. You may also purchase tickets online.
Address: 1, Teatralny Ploshchad, Moscow, Russia
From $ 22
Gatchina Palace
Among stiff competition, the elegant Neo-classical crescent of Gatchina Palace is one of St Petersburg’s loveliest palaces, built for Count Gregory Orlov, a favorite (read: lover?) of Catherine the Great, in 1782 by the maestro Antonio Rinaldi, who was responsible for many churches and Imperial palaces around the city. After Orlov’s death, Gatchina was home to four generations of the Romanov Tsars before being requisitioned by the state in 1917. All but destroyed in World War II, the doors of the palace only reopened when refurbishment started in 1985; it is so breathtakingly huge that restoration still goes on today.
Today a visit to this most romantic of palaces encompasses a treasure trove of Romanov riches — what style these guys lived in — in a series of ever-more opulent rooms; the standout collections among the art, coins and armory being the moving black-and-white photographs charting the life of the Romanov family, more than 30,000 rare Russian books and priceless 16th-century Sèvres porcelain.
The palace is surrounded by landscaped gardens that could take all day to explore. They are ornamented by winding pathways through birch trees, bridges hopping across to islands in the lakes, fountains, orangeries, aviaries and a variety of wood and stone follies — including the Priory Palace, which was given to the Romanovs by the Maltese Knights of St John in 1799 — as well as greenhouses nurturing tropical plants and botanical gardens neatly divided into parterres.
Practical Info
1 Krasnoarmeysky prospect, Gatchina. Open Tue–Sun 10am–6pm; closed Mon and first Tue of month. Admission adults RUB 300; students RUB 150; family ticket RUB 700 (entry free with St Petersburg Card). Gatchina Palace is 28 miles (45 km) south of St Petersburg along the Kievskoe highway and there’s a train from Baltiysky railway station or a shuttle bus from Moskovskaya metro station.
Address: 1 Krasnoarmeysky prospect, Gatchina, Leningrad Oblast 188306, Russia
Hours: Tue–Sun 10am–6pm; closed Mon and first Tue of month
Admission: adults RUB 300; students RUB 150; family ticket RUB 700
From $ 9
Catherine Palace and Park
Once the summer residence of the Russian tsars and now a museum, Catherine Palace was named after Catherine I, who had it built in 1717. The structure was later rebuilt into an elaborately decorated Rococo-style palace in 1756 by Bartolomeo Rastrelli under the direction of Empress Elizabeth, meant to rival the Palace of Versailles in France. Today, the palace is famous for its baroque style and neoclassical interior that exemplifies Russian wealth and extravagance. Its main attractions are the Grand Hall, the opulent Amber Room, which is lined with gilded amber wall panels and ornate furniture, and the 1,400-acre (566-hectare) Catherine Park with its masterful landscaping.
The Basics
The blue-and-gold Catherine Palace is a highlight for visitors to St. Petersburg, from where it makes an easy half- or full-day trip destination. Many travelers combine a visit to Catherine Palace with a city sightseeing tour of Pushkin or stops at Peterhof Grand Palace and Pavlovsk Palace. It’s also possible to combine a palace tour with a tour of St. Petersburg’s most beautiful Metro stations.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Plan to spend at least three hours exploring the palace’s 18th-century decor and exhibits, plus its sprawling park, to which entry is included in general palace admission tickets.
- Lines can get long, especially in summer; consider purchasing tickets in advance or booking a tour.
- Photography is not allowed in the Amber Room, and selfies are not allowed in Catherine Palace at all.
- Official palace tours are typically in Russian, but most tours from St. Petersburg include an English-speaking guide. Audio guides are also available in English and several other languages.
- The palace is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Catherine Palace and Park are located about 12 miles (25 km) outside of St. Petersburg in the town of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo). To visit by public transport from the city, take a suburban train from St. Petersburg’s Vitebsky railway station to Pushkin and then catch a bus or minibus to the palace. Alternatively, take the Metro to Moskovskaya or Kupchino and then take a minibus to the palace, or book a small-group or private tour that includes hotel pickup and dropoff in St. Petersburg.
When to Get There
Catherine Palace and Park are open year-round, but the park is best visited in late spring when flowers are in full bloom and in fall when the leaves change colors. The palace’s opening hours vary by season, but the site is generally open to the public Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 5pm or 7pm.
Things to See in Catherine Park
After touring Catherine Palace, travelers should definitely check out Catherine Park. More than a dozen pavilions are spread throughout the green space, including the Grotto, the Upper and Lower Bathhouses, the Cameron Gallery, the Creaking Summer House, and the Concert Hall.
Address: Sadovaya St., 7 (Садовая ул., 7), St. Petersberg 196601, Russia
Hours: Park open daily. Palace closed Tuesdays and last Monday of the month
From $ 6
Alexander Nevsky Lavra Monastery
Founded by Peter the Great in 1710 to commemorate the Russian military leader who stopped the advance of the Germans and Swedes in the 13th century, the Alexander Nevsky Monastery (Александро-Невская лавра) is not just a tribute and final resting place to one of Russia’s great leaders, but home to many of Russia’s historical icons.
Upon entrance through the main gate you will notice the Lazarev and Tikhvin Cemeteries on either side, known together as the Necropolis of Masters of Art (Некрополь мастеров искусств) where the ornate tombs of Leonhard Euler, Mikhail Lomonosov, Nikolay Karamzin, Modest Mussorgsky, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Fyodor Dostoevsky reside.
The monastery also includes 2 baroque churches, the Saint Nicholas Church (Никольская церковь), and the majestic Holy Trinity Cathedral (Троицкий собор), one of the very few churches given permission to carry out sermons during Soviet rule. Even though much of the monastery’s structures have undergone sporadic reconstruction, the baroque style that dominates much of the complex is still intact.
With the revival of the monastery and the liturgical life of the abbey, upon visiting the monastery, you can also see an active revival of handicrafts and art, which always been a trait amongst Orthodox Christians. Once there be sure to look out for Russian paintings, cabinets, jewelry, and even Christian pewter miniatures.
The Alexander Nevsky Monastery is accessible by taking the metro to Ploshchad Alexandra Nevskovo (Площадь Александра Невского).
Address: 1 Pl. Alexandra Nevskovo, St. Petersburg 191167, Russia
Hours: Closed Thursdays
Admission: Free
From $ 30
Anichkov Palace
Guarding the western end of Nevsky Prospekt, St. Petersburg’s busiest shopping boulevard, Anichkov Palace is one of the street’s oldest buildings, occupying a scenic spot on the Fontanka River waterfront, fronted by the landmark Anichkov Bridge. Commissioned by Empress Elizabeth in 1741, the royal residence was designed by architect Mikhail Zemtsov, and added to over the years by architects like Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli and Karl Rossi.
Despite changing hands many times throughout the years, Anichkov Palace remained a royal residence until 1917, when it was nationalized in the aftermath of the October Revolution and used temporarily to house the St. Petersburg City Museum. Currently, the palace is used as a center for children’s after-school activities and is closed to the public, although visitors can still explore the small onsite history museum or arrange a private tour.
Practical Info
Anichkov Palace is located at the intersection of the Fontanka River and Nevsky Prospekt in downtown St. Petersburg. The palace is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and adult admission to the museum costs R150.
Address: Nevsky Prospect, 39, St. Petersburg, Russia
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Adult admission to the museum costs R150.
From $ 18
Gorky Park
Named after Russian author Maxim Gorky, Gorky Park is Moscow’s most famous park, covering 300 acres along the Moskva River near the center of the city. Opened in 1928, it was the first park of its kind in Russia and served as a model for other parks throughout the country. During Soviet times, it was a center of activity for Moscow residents, featuring roller-coasters, a Ferris wheel and other western-style carnival rides, as well as more formal gardens and woodlands.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the park fell into disrepair, but has been completely reconstructed in recent years. Old amusement park rides have been cleared away to make room for a more eco-friendly recreational area. Today, the park features contemporary art displays, new cafes and an open air cinema. Lounge chairs and pillow-shaped bean bags welcome those looking for a little relaxation and free wi-fi is available throughout. Visitors can participate in activities such as aerobics, yoga or salsa dancing classes. In the winter months, a 15,000 square-meter ice rink opens with separate areas for children, dancing, hockey and ice skating.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the park fell into disrepair, but has been completely reconstructed in recent years. Old amusement park rides have been cleared away to make room for a more eco-friendly recreational area. Today, the park features contemporary art displays, new cafes and an open air cinema. Lounge chairs and pillow-shaped bean bags welcome those looking for a little relaxation and free wi-fi is available throughout. Visitors can participate in activities such as aerobics, yoga or salsa dancing classes. In the winter months, a 15,000 square-meter ice rink opens with separate areas for children, dancing, hockey and ice skating.
Practical Info
The best way to reach Gorky Park is to take the Metro to the Park Kultury station. From there, cross the Moskva River on Krymsky bridge and the entrance will be on the right.
Address: 9, Krymskiy Val, Moscow 117049, Russia
Hours: Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
From $ 174
Christ the Savior Cathedral
The Christ the Savior Cathedral was originally commissioned by Tsar Alexander I after Russia’s defeat of Napoleon, but work did not begin on it until 1839. Designed by a famed St Petersburg architect, it was modeled on the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
The cathedral was eventually consecrated in 1883, but its tenure was short-lived as the Soviets destroyed it in 1931 to make way for what would have been a Grand Palace of Soviets. However, the palace was never built and instead a swimming pool stood in its place for several decades. In the mid-1990s, Moscow’s mayor joined with the Russian Orthodox Church to rebuild the cathedral and construction began in 1994.
With donations from more than a million Moscow residents, the new church followed the original design, but with modern day improvements. At 103 meters tall, it is the tallest Orthodox church in the world and can accommodate nearly 10,000 church-goers. A highlight for visitors is undoubtedly the panoramic view from a 40-meter-high observation platform inside the bell tower.
Practical Info
The Christ the Savior Cathedral is located at Volkhonka ulitsa 15, on the north bank of the Moscow River and just a short walk from the Kropotkinskaya Metro station. It is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Address: ulitsa Volkhonka, 15, Moscow, Russia
Hours: Mondays 1pm-5pm; Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
From $ 27
Assumption Cathedral (Uspensky Sobor)
One of several churches in Cathedral Square inside of Moscow’s Kremlin, the Assumption Cathedral is arguably the most important. Constructed between 1475 and 1479 at the request of Grand Duke Ivan III of Moscow, it is regarded as the mother church of Muscovite Russia.
It was long the place of coronation for the Romanov tsars, and it was the burial place for Moscow metropolitans and patriarchs of the Orthodox Church. Designed by an Italian architect, the cathedral was built with five domes and became a model for other churches throughout Russia with its colorful frescoes that dominate the interior and its impressive iconostasis that dates back to 1547. The tsars often added icons to the iconostasis from the cities they conquered, and the oldest of those, from the 12th century, was brought to Moscow from Veliky Novgorod after it was captured in 1561. Near the south entrance to the cathedral, you can see the throne of Tsar Ivan IV.
Practical Info
To visit the Assumption Cathedral, you must buy a ticket to visit Cathedral Square inside the Kremlin. This includes admission to all museum-cathedrals inside the square and costs 350 rubles. Tickets can be purchased from a booth near the Kutafiya Tower in the Alexander Garden outside of the Kremlin. The Kremlin grounds are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, except for Thursday. The nearest Metro station is Biblioteka imeni Lenina or Borovitskaya. Photography is not permitted inside the cathedral.
Address: Moscow, Russia
Hours: Friday-Wednesday 10am-5pm
Admission: 350 rubles
From $ 71
Admiralty Building
The Admiralty Building is one of St. Petersburg's oldest structures. It was built by Peter the Great and originally served as a dockyard. It once housed the Admiralty Board, which was in charge of ship building and eventually became part of the ministry of the navy. Some sections were built in the 1700s while other additions were constructed in the 1800s.
Unfortunately visitors today won't be able to see the building in its original state. Many of the statues were destroyed in 1860 when the Orthodox church declared them to be pagan. The building was also damaged during the blockade of Leningrad and was attacked by the Germans in World War II. The Admiralty Building does still have lots of sculptures and reliefs to admire. There is also a 240 foot golden spire with its weather vane, a little ship, that sits on top of it and is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The original is in the Naval Museum, so the one you see here today is a replica. The building now houses the naval college.
Practical Info
The Admiralty Building is located at 1, Admiralteyskiy Prospekt. The nearest metro station is Admiralteyskaya.
Address: 1, Admiralteyskiy Prospekt, St Petersburg 191186, Russia
From $ 18
Cathedral of the Archangel (Arkhangelsky Sobor)
One of several churches standing on Cathedral Square inside Moscow’s Kremlin, the Cathedral of the Archangel was the main burial place for Russian tsars for centuries until the capital was temporarily moved to St. Petersburg. Built in the early 16th century, it represented the culmination of a grand building project initiated by Ivan the Great. Built in a style unique from the other Kremlin cathedrals, the Cathedral of the Archangel features Italian Renaissance design elements, as well as five domes representing Jesus and the four evangelists.
While many of the cathedral’s treasures are now displayed in the Kremlin Armory Museum, the 17th century iconostasis remains, as do many 16th and 17th century wall frescoes, painted by more than 100 different artists. The oldest icon in the cathedral, which depicts Archangel Michael in full armor, dates back to the 14th century. Visitors can see more than 40 tombs inside the cathedral, with those of the Grand Dukes and their families lining the southern wall and the vaults of the Romanovs standing in the center of the building.
Practical Info
To visit the cathedral, visitors must buy a ticket to the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square as a whole. The ticket office is in front of Kutafya Tower and is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is best reached by taking the Metro to Alexandrovskiy Sad or Biblioteka imeni Lenina. The cathedral and the Kremlin are also included in most tours of Moscow’s highlights.
Address: Kremlin, Russia
Hours: Friday to Wednesday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission: 500 rubles entrance to Cathedral Square, including the Cathedral of the Archangel
From $ 54
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
St. Petersburg’s most iconic site after the Hermitage Museum, the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood is known for its elaborate façade and brightly colored onion domes. Officially the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, the magnificent church was built on the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.
The Basics
No city tour of St. Petersburg is complete without a visit to the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood; most sightseeing tours and shore excursions include at least a photo stop at the famous landmark. Many tours combine a visit to the church with St. Petersburg attractions like the Hermitage Museum, the Winter Palace, and the Peterhof Palace Gardens; a cathedral tour, which often includes the St Isaac's Cathedral and Kazan Cathedral, will also stop here.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Lines can be long, especially in peak season, so pre-book a skip-the-line ticket.
- The church now serves as a museum and no longer holds services.
- Most areas of the church are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Located along the Griboedov Canal just off Nevsky Prospekt, the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood is hard to miss. The closest subway stations, both a short walk away, are Nevsky Prospekt and Gostiniy Dvor.
When to Get There
The church is open to visitors daily except Wednesdays, year round, with extended evening hours between May and September. The busiest time to visit is during the peak summer months (July and August ), when it’s best to plan an early-morning visit to avoid the crowds.
Architecture of the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood
Completed in 1907, the church’s design was inspired by traditional Russian architecture, as well as St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and the Vladimir Cathedral in Kiev. The interior, designed by some of the most popular Russian artists at the time, features more than 7,500 square feet (697 square meters) of mosaic tiles on the walls and ceilings. Additional highlights include a large icon of St. Alexander Nevsky, the mosaics’ intricate biblical scenes, and an ornate shrine located on the exact spot where Tsar Alexander II was killed.
The church endured significant damage over the years, first in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution and later during the Siege of Leningrad during World War II, when it was used as a morgue. Restoration began in 1970; the church reopened to the public as a museum in 1997, but it was never reconsecrated.
Address: St Petersburg, Russia
From $ 7
Alexandrinsky Theatre
Also known as Russian State Pushkin Academy Drama Theater, the Alexandrinsky Theater opened in 1832 and is the home of the oldest theater company in Russia. It is one of the most famous theaters in St. Petersburg, second only to the historic Mariinsky Theater. The theater building is also considered to be one of the finest works of architect Carlo Rossi. However, inside the theater, only carvings on the Tsar’s Box and a few other boxes remain from Rossi’s original design.
Named after Empress consort Alexandra Feodorovna, the theater was one of the largest in Europe when it opened, with space for an audience of nearly 1400. It has been the site of the premieres of many of the top Russian dramas, including the works of Alexander Griboedov, Alexander Ostrovsky and Anton Chekhov.
Practical Info
The Alexandrinsky Theater is located on Nevsky Prospekt between the National Library of Russia and Anichkov Palace. The nearest Metro station is at Gostiny Dvor. To reach to theater from the Metro, turn right from the main exit along Nevsky Prospekt and cross Sadovaya Ulitsa using the pedestrian underpass. Turn right on Ostrovsky Square and the theater is at the end of the square.
Address: 2 Ostrovsky Square, St. Petersburg, Russia
Hours: Most evening performances begin at 7 or 7:30 p.m. Matinees may begin at 11:30, 1:30 or 3:00.
Admission: tickets as low as 200-300 rubles
From $ 32
Constantine Palace
Located in the seaside town of Strelna, the Constantine Palace today forms part of the National Congress Palace complex of St. Petersburg. Strelna was originally chosen by Peter the Great to be the site of his summer residence in 1714, but the palace stood unfinished until the early 19th century. It served as a residence for the Romanov grand dukes until falling into decay after the Russian Revolution. Later, all interior decorations were stripped during the German occupation of St. Petersburg.
In 2001, Vladimir Putin ordered the palace to be renovated and converted into a presidential residence. It hosted more than 50 heads of state during St. Petersburg’s tercentenary celebration in 2003 and recently held the qualifying draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Visitors to the palace today can see exhibitions of Russian painting, decorative and applied arts and the history of Russian glass production from the 1700s. The palace also boasts a thousand masterpieces of Russian art from the 17th to 20th centuries, based on collection of Russian musicians Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya.
Practical Info
Constantine Palace is located in Strelna, about halfway between St Petersburg and Peterhof and can be reached by hydrofoil from St Petersburg in about 25 minutes. It is also possible to get there by tram 36 or 60 from the Avtovo Metro station or marshrutka T-300, T-103 or T-424. The palace is open daily except Wednesdays, from noon until 6:00 p.m. and can be visited only by guided tour.
Address: Berezovaya alleya, 3, Strelna, Russia
From $ 109
Bronze Horseman
The Bronze Horseman is a statue of Peter the Great on a horse. Catherine the Great had the statue built in the late 1700s to honor Peter the Great as the founder of the city of St. Petersburg. She commissioned the French sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet who had spent a long time studying the movements of horsemen on reared mounts. The horse stands on a rock meant to represent a cliff. This huge block of granite weighs more than 1,600 tons and took more than nine months to transport from the Gulf of Finland.
Visitors can still see an inscription on the stone that says "to Peter the First from Catherine the Second” in Latin on one side and in Russian on the other side. The statue faces west to represent Peter “leading Russia forward” because he drew inspiration from countries in the west. Legend has it that St Petersburg can never be taken by enemy forces as long as the statue remains standing in Senatskaya Square. You will often see newlyweds having their wedding photos taken in front of the statue.
Practical Info
The Bronze Horseman is located in Senatskaya Square. The closest metro station is Sadovaya.
Address: Senatskaya Square, St Petersburg 190000, Russia
From $ 18
Alexander Garden
Just west of the Kremlin, the Alexander Garden was laid out between 1819 and 1823 in an effort by Tsar Alexander I to rebuild Moscow after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. One of the first urban public parks in Moscow, it was built on the site of the riverbed of the Neglinnaya River, which was channeled underground.
The garden actually includes three separate gardens, which stretch all along the western wall of the Kremlin, but the Upper Garden is of most interest to visitors. It includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which contains the remains of a soldier killed in World War II. A faux ruined grotto was built underneath the Middle Arsenal Tower in 1841, and a large granite obelisk was erected in 1914 to celebrate the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty. While it was originally engraved with the names of the Romanov tsars, the Bolsheviks re-carved it with names of socialist and communist philosophers and political leaders.
In the Middle Garden stands the Kutafiya Tower, the most prominent feature of the garden. This is also where you will find ticket booths for the Kremlin. The Lower Garden was the last to be laid out and stretches to the road to the Borovitskaya Tower, one of two entrances to the Kremlin.
Practical Info
The Alexander Garden is walkable from hotels in the center of Moscow or is accessible from the Alexandrovksy Sad or Biblioteka imeni Lenina Metro stations. The garden is open year-round and is free of charge.
Address: Alexander's Garden, Moscow, Russia
From $ 36
Diamond Fund (Almazny Fond)
A highlight of a visit to the Kremlin, the Diamond Fund shows off the most ostentatious of the Russian imperial jewels. Originally housed in a small room in the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, the collection of jewels begun by Peter the Great grew quickly, especially after a large contribution by Peter’s granddaughter, Empress Elizabeth I. The collection moved to Moscow in 1914 to protect it from the Germans and was kept in a vault underneath the Kremlin.
When it was reopened in 1926, two-thirds of the collection were auctioned off (contrary to Peter’s instructions) to support the government. What remained was put on display for high ranking officials and dignitaries in 1967 and was only opened to public after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The impressive collection features Catherine the Great’s coronation crown from 1762, the world’s largest sapphire, the famous 190-karat Orlov Diamond, one of the world’s largest gold nuggets weighing 3.6 kilograms and numerous Faberge eggs.
Practical Info
The Diamond Fund is located in the Armoury Fund inside the Kremlin and is accessible from the Borovitskaya or Alexandrovsky Sad metro stations. Admission is separate from the Kremlin and Armoury Fund and costs 500 rubles for adults. While other Kremlin tickets are sold near Kutafiya Tower, tickets to the Diamond Fund must be purchased in the foyer of the Armoury Fund. Visitors must join an excursion, which leave at 20 minute intervals between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and between 2 and 5 p.m. The Diamond Fund is open daily, except for Thursdays.
Address: Moscow, Russia
Hours: Friday-Wednesday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults 500 rubles
From $ 69