Things to Do in St Petersburg

Choose from 38 Fun Things to Do in St Petersburg

Peterhof Palace and Garden (Petrodvorets)

It’s easy to see why Peterhof Palace (Petrodvorets), a magnificent complex of palaces and gardens stretching along the St. Petersburg seafront, is called the Russian Versailles. Fronted by the opulent Grand Palace and displaying a rich variety of architectural styles, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the city’s most visited attractions.

The Basics

Behold the lavish interiors of the Peterhof Grand Palace on a guided tour; stroll around the Upper Garden and Lower Park; and visit Monplaisir Palace, Marly Palace, the Peterhof Hermitage, and the Cottage Palace of Nicholas I in Alexandria Park. With so much to explore, the most convenient way to visit Peterhof is with a tour guide, and there is a wide selection of small-group and private tours, shore excursions, and combination tickets for the various palaces and museums. Many tours include convenient hotel pickup and drop-off.

Things to Know Before You Go

Peterhof Palace is a must-see for fans of Russian history, architecture, and all-around opulence.
Audio guides and AudioPen guides are available in four different languages.
Most parts of the palaces and gardens are accessible to wheelchair users, and free wheelchair rental is available.
There is free Wi-Fi in the Upper Garden and Lower Park.

How to Get There

Peterhof is located 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of central St. Petersburg. If you’re not visiting with a tour, hydrofoil ferries run across the Gulf of Finland, setting sail from the jetty just outside the State Hermitage Museum and docking by Peterhof’s Lower Park. Alternatively, trains run from Baltiyskiy Station to Noviy Peterhof, from where it’s a 20-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride to the Upper Garden.

When to Get There

The palace and gardens are open to visitors year-round, although the most popular time to visit is from May to October, when the garden’s famous fountains are in operation. This is also the busiest period and long lines are common, especially in July and August. Opting to visit in winter means far fewer crowds, and the palace is a magical sight when blanketed in snow—but be sure to wrap up warm!

Highlights of Peterhof Palace

Designed by Peter the Great in the 18th century, the Peterhof Grand Palace is truly spectacular. Marvel at the throne room, ballroom, ceremonial staircase, and crown room. Highlights of the formal gardens include the Fountain of Neptune in the Upper Garden, the Marine Canal and Grand Cascade at the entrance to the Grand Palace, the Pyramid Fountain, and the Trick Fountains.

Petrgof (Петергоф), Peterhof, Russia

Garden open daily.

From $ 19

Senate Square (Ploschad Dekabristov)

Originally named the Decembrists’ Square, after the December 1825 uprising, Senate Square (Ploschad Dekabristov) is one of St. Petersburg’s most famous public squares, encircled by some of the city’s top attractions. Linked to the central hub of Palace Square by the 407 meter-long Admiralty building – the one-time Russian Naval Headquarters – Senate Square is also home to the grand Senate Building and the early 19th-century Cavalry Manege, now home to the Central Exhibition Hall, and backs onto the grounds of the gold-domed St Isaac’s Cathedral.

The unforgettable centerpiece of Senate Square is its Bronze Horseman statue, one of the most iconic symbols of St. Petersburg. Commissioned by Catherine the Great in 1778, the statue is the work of French sculptor Étienne Maurice Falconet and depicts a horseback Peter the Great atop the “Thunder Stone,” an enormous cliff-like pedestal fashioned from a single piece of red granite and weighing in at around 1,500 tons.

Practical Info

Senate Square is one of the main public squares in downtown St. Petersburg, located on the banks of the Neva River and connected to the nearby Palace Square by the Admiralty building.

Ploschad Dekabristov, St. Petersburg, Russia

Daily

From $ 18

Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo)

The former residence of the imperial family Tsarskoye Selo (Ца́рское Село) or Tsar’s Village, is now one of Russia’s most significant cultural heritage sites. Comprising of the Alexander and Catherine Palaces and Parks, the site shares a historical value of over 300 years, and is widely considered one of the most beautiful sites in the region.

Catherine Palace (Большой Екатерининский дворец) has a fabulous façade built in Russian baroque and from the west is adjoined by the glamorous view from the front yard and the iron wrought iron fence.

Also in the area is the Hermitage Hall (Павильон Эрмитаж), which is now open after 70 years. It is studded in stucco décor, with azure walls, and beautiful white columns. You can also check out the Admiralty (Адмиралтейство) and Hall Groat (Павильон Грот).

The other major features of the converted village are the all important Alexander Palace and park. The park covers an area of over 120 hectacres, while the palace sprawls and elongate two-stories with double wings on either side, all while sporting a Corinthian colonnade through the center.

Not very far from St Petersburg, Tsarskoye Selo is located about 16 miles (26 km) away, in the town of Pushkin.

Tsarskoye Selo can be easily reached by many of St. Petersburg’s modes of transportation, including bus 187 from the Moscow metro station to Pushkin railway station, then buses 371, 382, or the minibus taxis 371,377, and 382 to Catherine Palace and Park. You can also reach Tsarskoye Selo can be easily reached by many of St. Petersburg’s modes of transportation, including bus 187 from the Moscow metro station to Pushkin railway station, then buses 371, 382, or the minibus taxis 371,377, and 382 to Catherine Palace and Park. You can also reach the village from Zvezdnaya and Kupchino metro stations, or from Vitebsky Railway terminal.

Pushkin 196601, Russia

Parks open daily. Palaces open Wednesday-Monday

From $ 80

St Petersburg Palace Square (Dvortsovaya Ploshchad)

Palace Square is the central square of St. Petersberg, which conjoins some of the city’s major landmarks and monuments, including most famously the Winter Palace. Because it is so spacious it regularly functions as the grounds for national parades, bards, and concerts. In the past, square has been transformed during the winter months to become a free ice rink.

Palace square was also the setting for some of Russia’s most significant historical events including the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and the 1905 massacre Bloody Sunday, where peaceful protesters were gunned down while trying to present Tsar Nicholas II with a petition .

Although the buildings surrounding the square were built in different eras, they were all built to scale, giving the square a beauty in symmetry.

Practical Info

The square is a single architectural ensemble, in the northern boundary is the Winter Palace, to the south the General Staff building, a two story arch mounted by the chariot of victory, and installed in the center is the 156 feet (47.5 m) high and 500 ton granite Alexander Column. It also connects key city areas such as Nevsky Prospekt and Palace bridge, which leads into Vasilievsky Island.

As Palace Square is considered one of the biggest hubs in the city, it is easily accessible by the metro to Admiralty and by other modes of transportation at Nevsky Prospekt.

Russia

From $ 18

Stroganov Palace

With a prime location on the corner of Nevksy Prospekt and the Moika River Embankment, the Stroganov Palace is one of the oldest aristocratic in St. Petersburg. Designed by renowned Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the palace is one of the best examples of late Baroque architecture in St. Petersburg. The light pink main façade faces Nevsky Prospekt and features a large entrance arch supported by two Corinthian columns that leads to an inner courtyard. Oak gates feature carvings of branches and lion’s heads, while windows are framed by cupid figures.

Today the palace houses part of the collection of the State Russian Museum and several rooms are open to the public, having been restored to their late 18th century appearance. The State Dining Room overlooks both Nevsky Prospekt and the River Moika and features large mirrors opposite the windows to create the illusion of a room much larger than it actually is. The Large Ballroom is simply grand, with glittering chandeliers, parquet floors made of exotic woods, stucco molding and patterned balcony railings, as well as a large painting by Valeriani. The Mineral Study, restored in 2005, is considered one of the masterpieces of 18th century Russian architecture.

Practical Info

In the center of St. Petersburg, the Stroganov Palace is likely walkable from many popular tourist hotels. If you are staying further out, take the Metro to Nevsky Prospekt. Visitors can buy a combined ticket for 600 rubles that provides entrance to the Stroganov Palace, Marble Palace, St. Michael’s Castle and Mikhailovksy Palace over three days. Visiting as part of an organized tour of St. Petersburg is another great option.

17 Nevsky Prospekt, St Petersburg, Russia

Wednesday and Friday to Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Thursday 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

300 rubles palace only; 600 rubles combined ticket

From $ 17

Summer Garden And Summer Palace Of Peter I

Standing where the Fontanka River meets the Neva River in the center of St Petersburg, the Summer Garden and Summer Palace of Peter I offer a nice escape from the busy city. Founded by Peter the Great himself at the start of the 18th century, the garden is modeled after Versailles. Laid out by geometric principles, the romantic garden may be best known for the 79 sculptures lining its avenues, all by 17th and 18th century Italian sculptors.

The Summer Palace sits on the banks of the Neva River and is modest compared to other palaces of the same era. A two-story, Dutch-style building with a yellow exterior, the palace was one of the first stone palaces in St. Petersburg. The interior, with just seven rooms on each floor, has been restored to its original state and now displays a collection of 18th century artifacts, including paintings, furniture, tapestries and glassware belonging to Peter and his wife, Catherine.

Practical Info

The Summer Garden and Summer Palace are best reached on foot or by taking the Metro to Gostiniy Dvor. From Gostiniy Dvor, walk up Sadovaya Ulitsa past St. Michael’s Castle and across the canal to reach one of the two entrances to the garden. Walk north through the garden to reach the palace.

Kutuzov Embankment 2, Russia

Varies by season and day of week

300 rubles

From $ 6

Peter and Paul Fortress

No visit to St Petersburg is really complete without spending a few hours at the site where it all began – the Peter & Paul Fortress. This is the original citadel of the city, built on Hare Island near the north bank of the Neva River between 1706 and 1740. And this is where you can get a feel for St Petersburg’s more than 300 year old history, from royal tombs to prison blocks to historical museum exhibitions.

The Peter & Paul Fortress was originally built to protect Russia’s new capital from a possible Swedish attack, but it never really served that purpose. Instead, it soon became a prison for high-ranking and political prisoners, beginning with Alexey, the son of Peter the Great. In 1872, a new prison within the walls of the Trubetskoy Bastion was built and over the next forty years, it held thousands of prisoners who were considered to be enemies of the state. These political prisoners included the likes of Feodor Dostoevsky, Leon Trotsky and Maxim Gorky and then, after the Bolshevik Revolution, members of the Tsarist government. The prison was turned into a museum in 1924 and today you can walk through the corridors, visit some of the cells and view documents and photographs that tell the story of Imperial Russia’s main political prison.

The most visible landmark within the Peter & Paul Fortress is the Peter & Paul Cathedral, whose spire stands more than 400 feet tall and features an angel at the top holding a cross. Built between 1712 and 1733, the cathedral was one of the first in Russia to be decorated with paintings and icons. The iconostasis was carved by Moscow craftsmen in the 1720s and contains 43 original icons from the 18th century. The bell tower of the cathedral is the world’s largest Orthodox bell tower and at the base of the tower lay the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. Every tsar and tsarina from Peter the Great to Nicholas II is buried within the Peter & Paul Cathedral, except Peter II and Ivan VI. Connected to the main cathedral by a corridor is the Grand Ducal Mausoleum, built between 1896 and 1908 to serve as a burial place for non-reigning members of the Romanov family.

In the Commandant’s House within the fortress, you will find displays exploring the early history of St Petersburg in the 18th and 19th centuries, including paintings, maps and layouts and pieces of graphic and applied art. Another section of the house aims to provide insight into the daily life of St Petersburg citizens in the 19th century. Exhibits reflect themes such as commerce and banking, life in an apartment house, transportation and city fashion.

After visiting the main sites within the fortress, spend some time walking along the top of the fortress walls for superb views of central St Petersburg, including the massive St Isaac’s Cathedral. If you are visiting St Petersburg in the summer, save some time to relax on the sandy beaches along the shores of the Neva. Finally, keep an eye out for temporary exhibitions that often provide even greater insight into St Petersburg’s vast history.

Zayachy (Hare) Island, St Petersburg, Russia

daily from 06:00 to 21:00

RUB 370 (Adults), RUB 190 (Students), RUB 160 (Seniors)

From $ 9

Pushkin Museum

Alexander Pushkin was Russia’s most celebrated poet and the Pushkin Museum and Memorial Apartment is a lasting memorial to his life and work. Located in one of the oldest stone mansions in St Petersburg, the apartment museum is just two blocks from Nevsky Prospekt on the banks of the Moika River. A fine example of a nobleman’s apartment in the 1830s, it became a museum in 1925.

The carefully preserved apartment is where Pushkin lived in 1836 and 1837 and where he died after being wounded in a duel. The centerpiece of the museum is Pushkin’s study, where objects belonging to his family, friends and contemporaries are on display. Visitors can also see Pushkin’s writing desk, a death mask, a lock of his hair and other personal items. In the basement of the building are exhibits on the history of the house, Pushkin’s life in St Petersburg in 1836, and the duel that killed him.

Practical Info

The Pushkin Museum is located at 12 Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki and is accessible from the Nevsky Prospekt, Gostiny Dvor and Admiralteyskaya Metro stations. It is open Wednesday to Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last admission at 5 p.m. It is closed the last Friday of each month. Admission to the museum is 200 rubles and a photo permit is 150 rubles. An audio guide is also available.

12 Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki, St Petersburg, Russia

Adults: 200 rubles

From $ 6

Russian Vodka Museum

Fittingly for a drink that dates right back to the 12th century, the perfect place to sample Russian vodka is located in St Petersburg’s former military stables and is part of the Museum Quarter project to protect the historic buildings of the city center. Exhibitions at the Russian Vodka Museum romp through the story of the spirit’s production and its cultural importance, detailing its rise in popularity and refinement from a drink for medieval peasants to the favorite tipple of the Russian aristocracy in the 19th century. Displays include shot glasses, an enormous collection of unusual vodka bottles, posters from previous advertising campaigns and ancient equipment used in distillation. All visits to the museum terminate with a tasting of several different flavored vodkas accompanied by Russian snacks known as zakuski – ‘little bites’ of caviar, salads, pickles, smoked meats or fish normally served with flatbread as hors d’oeuvres before dinner. Conveniently, the museum shares its home with a restaurant serving up specialty vodkas.

Practical Info

Located at 4 Konnogvardeisky Boulevard, the site is open daily from 11am to 10pm. Admission costs RUB170, with vodka tasting costing RUB300. Take the metro to Admiralteyskaya.

4 Konnogvardeisky Boulevard, St Petersburg, Russia

RUB170

From $ 32

St Nicholas Naval Cathedral

One of the few churches that survived the city's Communist years, the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral remains an impressive sight with its fairytale-esque white and ice-blue faÃƒÂ§ade capped with five glittering gold cupolas. Commissioned by Empress Elizabeth in 1753, the cathedral's fanciful Baroque design was the brainchild of architect Savva Chevinskiy and was named in honor of Saint Nicolas, the protector of the seamen.

Located at the heart of the 18th-century sailors' quarter, the church was affectionately nicknamed the "Sailor's Church" and served as an important naval center, from where pre-voyage prayers and blessings were made. Today, the two-story church remains a place of worship, as well as a popular tourist attraction, with visitors flocking to admire its magnificent paintings and gilded iconostasis, pay their respects at the memorials of lost seamen and take in the views from the belfry.

Practical Info

The St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral is located at the intersection of the Kryukov and Griboedov Canals in downtown St. Petersburg, a short walk from the Mariinsky Theatre. The cathedral is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and adult admission is R300.

Nikolskaya ploshchad', 1, St. Petersburg, Russia

Daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Adult admission is R300.

From $ 32

St Petersburg Cruise Port

The Port of St. Petersburg is the largest port in northwest Russia, serving as one of the world's most popular cruise destinations and the primary gateway between the Baltic Sea and Russia. Ships docking in St. Petersburg do so in the heart of the city, at Vasilevsky Island.

The Basics

Cruisers docking at the St. Petersburg cruise port who book a guided shore excursion tour can enjoy up to 72 hours of visa-free travel in Russia, while those who want to travel independently must secure a Russian tourist visa in advance. Tours usually take travelers out to explore the city and the region's numerous historical and cultural highlights, including the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Hermitage Museum, Peter and Paul Fortress, Catherine Palace, and Peterhof. Many cruise ships spend at least one night at the port, allowing visitors to explore further afield, perhaps even hopping on a plane for a quick day trip to Moscow.

Book a shore excursion to avoid the hassle of securing a Russian tourist visa in advance of your trip.
Most St. Petersburg shore excursion tours include pickup and drop-off at the St. Petersburg port.
Tours to the royal palaces outside the city center can take upwards of 8 hours given the travel time involved.
Private guided tours of St. Petersburg ensure you won't miss any of your must-see sights.

How to Get to St. Petersburg from the St. Petersburg Cruise Port

Large cruise ships dock at the Marine Facade passenger port on Vasilyevsky Island, a 15-minute taxi ride from the historic city center. Shore excursions generally include port pickup and drop-off, but there's also a local bus (#158) that departs the port to the nearest metro station, Primorskaya, every half an hour.

Port Information

The local currency is the ruble, and the local language is Russian. English is not widely spoken, so if you venture away from the port on your own, try to get the location written for you in Russian to give to a taxi driver when returning. ATMs can be found at the cruise terminal and will likely provide the best exchange rate. The port also boasts a tourist information booth, WiFi, vending machines, and souvenir shops.

St Petersburg, Russia

From $ 30

Smolny Cathedral

Smolny Cathedral is a cathedral and convent located on the banks of the River Neva in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was built in the mid 1700s in a Baroque style, and it is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city due to its striking blue color. It was originally built to house Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great. Since being denied the throne, she intended to become a nun. However, once her predecessor was overthrown, she was able to take her place as the Empress of Russia instead. Work on the cathedral was stopped when Catherine II came to power, and it wasn't until around 1835 when work started again. Due to this, the interior was done in a neo-classical style.

The cathedral is laid out in the shape of a cross with four smaller churches in the corners. Visitors can also see the detailed church spires and the clock tower which stands at 308 feet tall. Today the cathedral is used primarily as a concert hall. The surrounding convent buildings are used as governmental offices as well as faculty buildings for St. Petersburg State University.

Practical Info

Smolny Cathedral is located at 3 Rastrelli Square and the closest metro station is Chernishevskaya. Admission prices are as follows: Exhibition hall: RUB 150. Bell tower: RUB 100. Joint ticket: RUB 200. Panorama of St Petersburg audio tour: RUB 100. Opening hours are Thursday through Tuesday 11am to 7pm.

3 Rastrelli Square, St Petersburg 191060, Russia

Thurs-Tues 11am-7pm

From $ 18

Peter and Paul Cathedral

The Peter and Paul Cathedral is an orthodox cathedral and burial place of Russian emperors dating as far back as Peter the Great.

As the oldest cathedral in St. Petersberg, it is considered one the tallest orthodox cathedrals in the world and also one of the most remarkable achievements of the baroque era, with a rectangular base, and containing an enormous bell-tower and landmark needle, all resembling western European architecture.

The bell-tower is the tallest in the world and contains a carillon composed of 51 bells totaling a weight of 33,422 pounds (15,160 kg) and ranges in such of variety of notes that it is not outside of the range of any piece of music.

Atop the cathedral also is one of St. Petersburg’s most important symbols, its golden spire, sitting 404 feet (123 m) above ground level.

Located at Petropavlovskiy Sobor and near to the reka Neva, the Peter and Paul Cathedral sits in what is called the Peter and Paul Fortress, which also houses a the recommended museum.

Across the eastern bridge you can take bus 46 to Troitskaya ploshchad and across the west bridge you can take the 6 and 40 trams to nearby Zoologicheskiy pereulok.

Petropavlovskiy Sobor, St. Petersburg, Russia

Closed Wednesdays

From $ 30

Valaam Monastery

With its striking powder-blue domes and looming cathedral spires, set against a backdrop of dense woodlands and glassy blue waters, the Valaam Monastery makes a suitably arresting centerpiece to Valaam Island. Marooned on Lake Ladoga’s largest island, reaching the historic monastery is an adventure in itself, with scenic ferry cruises running from the mainland and thrilling helicopter rides linking it to St Petersburg.

Dating back to the late 14th-century and rebuilt several times throughout history, the Valaam Monastery is one of Russia’s most significant religious sites, once regarded as the country’s spiritual and cultural center and completely self-sufficient. Today, the vast complex centers around the exquisite Cathedral of the Transfiguration, surrounded by monks cells, chapels, workshops and farmlands, and remains a working monastery, with resident monks hosting regular services and choir recitals.

Practical Info

The Valaam Monastery is located on Valaam Island, Lake Ladoga, north of St Petersburg and can be reached only by boat or helicopter.

Valaam Island, Russia

From $ 1,299

St Isaac's Cathedral

With its gigantic golden dome coated with over 220 pounds of gold and an impressive red granite portico, St Isaac’s Cathedral looks more like a palace than a cathedral, and it’s no surprise that the eye-catching masterpiece is among St. Petersburg’s most visited attractions. Commissioned by Tsar Alexander I in 1818 to mark the defeat of Napoleon, the magnificent cathedral took over 40 years to build and still ranks among the largest domed cathedrals in the world, with a capacity for up to 14,000 worshippers.

Set on the banks of the Neva River, the cathedral’s extravagant design was the work of French architect Auguste de Montferrand, blending Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical elements, and sparing no expenses. The cathedral interiors are equally lavish, featuring painstakingly sculpted reliefs, grand bronze doors and a colonnaded iconostasis adorned with semiprecious gems.

Today, the cathedral is only occasionally used for worship, instead serving as a museum and housing an impressive collection of 19th-century fine art and mosaics. For many visitors, the highlight is climbing the 300 steps to the cathedral's colonnade, from where the views expand over the city.

Practical Info

St Isaac’s Cathedral is located on Isaakievskaya pl in central St. Petersburg and can be reached on foot from the Neva River waterfront. The cathedral is open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. (except for the last Monday of the month), with last entry at 6 p.m. Admission to the colonnade and museum costs R300 for adults. The colonnade is also open until 11 p.m. during the summer months.

Исаакиевская пл., 4, St. Petersburg, Russia

Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. (except for the last Monday of the month), with last entry at 6 p.m. The colonnade is also open until 11 p.m. during the summer months.

Admission to the colonnade and museum costs R300 for adults

From $ 7

State Russian Museum

Art enthusiasts visiting St. Petersburg will already have the State Russian Museum at the top of their itinerary and the prestigious gallery doesn’t disappoint, with an incredible 400,000 exhibits dating back as early as the 10th century. This is the world’s largest and finest museum of Russian Art, as well as Russia’s first state-owned art museum, and walking its halls is like taking a journey through the country’s art history.

The museum was opened in 1898 inside the grand Mikhailovsky Palace and its collection has steadily grown, amassing a large number of private art collections and religious art confiscated during the Russian Revolution. Today, the extensive exhibitions are housed in a complex of palatial buildings including the Benois Wing, the Stroganov Palace, St Michael's Castle, the Marble Palace and the Mikhailovsky Gardens. Highlights of the permanent collection include iconic paintings like Bruillov's “The Last Day of Pompeii” and Repin's “The Barge Haulers,” as well as works by 20th-century Avant-garde artists like Ravel Filonov, Kazimir Malevich and Vasily Kandinsky.

Practical Info

The State Russian Museum is housed in Mikhailovsky Palace in central St. Petersburg and can be reached on foot from the Neva waterfront or the nearby Hermitage Museum. The museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and adult admission costs R300.

Inzhenernaya St, 4, St. Petersburg, Russia

Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Adult admission costs R300

From $ 13

Yusupov Palace

The elegant, canary-yellow façade of Yusupov Palace is somewhat understated in comparison to St. Petersburg’s typically ostentatious architecture, but don’t be fooled by its demure frontage. Step inside the palace and you’ll find a series of ballrooms, banquet halls and bedrooms richly decorated with colorful frescos, sumptuous furnishings and gilded chandeliers. The exquisitely preserved interiors date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries and provide a fascinating glimpse into the aristocratic life of the era, with highlights including the Rococo style private theatre, the Moorish Drawing Room and the grand Ballroom.

Built by French architect Vallin de la Mothein the 1760s, Yusupov Palace was inhabited by the noble Yusupov family until they were exiled during the 1917 Revolution and became notorious as the location of the December 1916 murder of Rasputin. Today, the cell where Rasputin met his grisly and untimely end is a popular visitor attraction, with an exhibit chronicling the evening’s events as Felix Yusupov and his followers attempted (and finally succeeded) to poison, shoot and drown the “mad monk.”

Practical Info

The Yusupov Palace is located on the banks of the Moyka River in central St. Petersburg, a short walk from Senate Square (Ploschad Dekabristov). The palace is open daily from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., and adult admission is R500 for the State Rooms and an additional R300 for the Rasputin exhibit.

Moika River embankment, St. Petersburg, Russia

Daily from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Adult admission is R500 for the State Rooms and an additional R300 for the Rasputin exhibit.

From $ 14

State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace

The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is the largest art and cultural museum in the world, with more than 3 million items in its collection—only a fraction of which are on display in its 360 rooms. The main museum complex comprises six historic buildings on the Palace Embankment and includes exhibitions of works of art from the 13th to 20th centuries, as well as Egyptian and classical antiquities and prehistoric art.

The Basics

Experiencing the spectacular Hermitage complex and collection could consume days, so plan ahead to tailor your visit. Given its massive size, taking a guided tour or renting an audio guide may be the most efficient way to see as much as possible. For a unique experience, book a private tour that includes visits to both the Diamond and Gold rooms. If you're short on time, consider visiting as part of a small-group walking tour around St. Petersburg, or as part of a full-day city tour that also includes attractions like Peterhof, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, and Peter and Paul Fortress.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Hermitage is a must for art lovers visiting St. Petersburg.
Lines at the main museum complex can get extremely long, with waits well over an hour. Save some time by purchasing entrance tickets in advance.
Admission is free on the first Thursday of every month and on December 7.
Visits to the Diamond Room and Gold Room in the Treasure Gallery are by guided tour only.
Cat lovers should keep an eye out for the many cats that live on the Hermitage grounds.
The Hermitage Museum is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchair rentals are available.

How to Get There

The main museum complex, set in what was once the winter residence of the Tsars and royal court, is within walking distance of Nevsky Prospekt and can be reached by virtually all forms of public transportation. The nearest metro stations are at Admiralteyskaya, Nevsky Prospekt, and Gostiny Dvor.

When to Get There

The Hermitage is open from 10:30am to 6pm, and until 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays; it is closed on Mondays. Try to arrive as early as possible, both to beat the crowds and to allow yourself enough time to see what you want to see.

Branches of the Hermitage

The Hermitage is composed of several branches in addition to the main museum complex. The General Staff Building has a display tracing the history of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as several other collections of art from various eras. The Winter Palace of Peter the Great displays items that once belonged to the popular tsar. Menshikov Palace focuses on Russian culture in the early 18th century. The Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory is home to more than 30,000 objects, including porcelain, glass, photographs, and rare drawings.

Palace Embankment, 34, St. Petersburg 190000, Russia

Closed Mondays

From $ 20