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Saint Petersburg

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Saint Petersburg
The picturesque city of St. Petersburg is situated near the Neva River, at the head of the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea.  Formally it was known as Petrograd from 1914 to 1924 and later the name of the city was changed to Leningrad between 1924 to 1991. It is Russia’s second-largest city after Moscow, with a population of approximately 5.4 million inhabitants.

The city of St. Petersburg in Russia is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The roads are sparkling clean and picturesque, replete with ancient buildings, parks, monuments and other beautiful spots. The city is filled with spectacular churches, world-famous museums, amazing galleries, architectural monuments, educational and cultural institutions and other attractions that make it a wonderful place to explore.

Some of the most famous tourist attractions in the city include the State Hermitage Museum at Palace Square, Winter Palace, Peterhof, Catherine Palace situated in the town of Tsarskoye Selo, St. Isaac's Cathedral and Colonnade, The Peter and Paul Fortress, The Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood and other attractions of cultural and historical significance.

Your vacation in St. Petersburg in Russia will be a memory to cherish forever as there are innumerable interesting and thrilling activities that you can indulge in during your trip. Adventure activities that you can experience in St. Petersburg include boating, kayaking and canoeing, parasailing and paragliding, river rafting and tubing, water skiing and jet skiing, food tours, bike tours, etc. All these activities allow you to explore the city and its surroundings in a unique way.

St. Petersburg experiences a humid continental climate throughout the year. The summers are cool and the winters are quite chilly. This type of weather is the result of the city’s proximity to the Gulf of Finland. The average annual rainfall exceeds 600 mm in the months of August and September. The best months to visit the city are between mid-June to September, when the rainfall is less, and the weather is just on the verge of entering the cold winter season.
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Saint Petersburg FAQ's

What are the best places to visit in Saint Petersburg?

1. The State Hermitage Museum: The State Hermitage Museum is one of the most popular and famous museums for the arts in St. Petersburg. In fact, it is the second-largest art museum in the world.

The museum was established by Empress Catherine the Great in 1764 with her personal art items. It houses over 2.7 million pieces of art and is also home to a few very famous art pieces that you can check out when visiting the museum.

Location: 2, Dvortsovaya Ploschad (Palace Square), St Petersburg, Russia, 190000.
Timing: Monday to Sunday (10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.).
Entry Fees: 600 RUB (INR 615).

2. Church of the Saviour: 
The Church of the Saviour is a spectacular structure built in the architectural style of the 16th and 17th Century churches.  The most striking feature of this church is its pink marbled floor and the intricate mosaics that adorn the interiors.

This church is dedicated to Alexander II and was built following his assassination in 1881. The majestic domes along with the colourful history of the church make it one of the prime attractions in St. Petersburg.

Location: Griboedova Kanala Emb., 2B/A, St. Petersburg, Russia, 191186.
Timing: Monday to Sunday (10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.).
Entry Fees: RUB 781 (INR 800) per person.

3. Grand Peterhof Palace: 
The Grand Peterhof Palace was designed and built for Peter the Great. This famous park holds more than 80 original marble statues and exquisite sculptures and also includes the Summer Palace of Peter.

This two-storeyed building presently exhibits almost all the belongings and artefacts of the ruler which gives visitors a fascinating insight into the life of Peter the Great and the colourful cultural history of Russia.

Location: Razvodna Street., 2, Peterhof, Street. Petersburg, Russia, 19851.
Timing: Sunday (9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.), Tuesday to Friday (9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.), Saturday (9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.).
Entry Fees: RUB 2610 (INR 2, 676) per adult.

4. Catherine Palace and Park: 
A trip to St. Petersburg is incomplete without a tour of the beautiful Catherine Palace and Park. The palace houses some of the most exquisite 18th Century paintings and magnificently ornate rooms.

This massive gold and white palace is spread over 1,400 acres of land that is replete with spectacular fountains, bridges, the Great Pond and the Agate Pavilion bathhouse. The famous Amber Room which was stolen by the Nazi soldiers in WWII has been restored and reconstructed by the Russian craftsmen according to its original design and is one of the biggest highlights of the property.

Location: Sadovaya Street, 7 Tsarskoye Selo, Pushkin, St. Petersburg, Russia 196601.
Timing: Monday to Sunday (10:00 am - 6:00 p.m.).
Entry Fees: RUB 9,324 (INR 9,557).

5. Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Preserve: 
The Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Preserve is an architectural marvel representative of the early 18th century to 20th-century style.

There is a spectacular park and an exclusively curated garden that tells the story of the daily lives of the last of the famous Romanov rulers - Nicholas II and Alexandra Fyodorovna.

Location: 7, Pushkin, St. Petersburg, Russia, 196601.
Entry Fees: RUB 9,140 (INR 9,217).

6. The Naval Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Kronstadt: 
Built between 1903 and 1913, this Russian Orthodox Cathedral is the most important church for the Russian navy and it is dedicated to the fallen seamen. The sheer beauty of the late Neo-Byzantine architecture is the main drawing point of this church.

Location: Yakornaya Ploshchad, 1, St Petersburg, Russia, 197762.
Timing: Saturday to Thursday (9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.).

7. Faberge Museum: F
ounded by Viktor Vekselberg and established in 2013, the Faberge Museum at St. Petersburg preserves, studies and promotes Russia’s rich cultural heritage and also develops the extensive network of museums of the city.

One of the most precious artefacts displayed in this museum is the famous works by Carl Faberge. The historically famous and exquisite work of art of the Imperial Easter Eggs is a delight for art lovers to behold. The museum also preserves the priceless applied works of the Russian Masters of late 19th and early 20th Centuries.

Location: 21, Fontanka River Embankment, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Timing: Monday to Sunday (10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.).
Entry Fees: RUB 600 (INR 615) for a guided tour and RUB 450 (INR 440) for unguided individuals.

8. Alexander Park: 
Alexander Park is one of the first public parks in St. Petersburg, located on the island of Petrogradsky. This magnificently curated park is famous for the bronze sculpture of “The Architects” by Alexander Taratynov that was installed in 2011. A large portion of this beautiful crescent-shaped park is occupied by the Leningrad Zoo. The natural beauty and tranquillity are some of the best features of this park.

Location: Dvortsovaya Street, 2 Tsarskoe Selo, Pushkin, St. Petersburg, Russia, 196601.

What are the famous things to do in Saint Petersburg?

1. Explore the city via Canal Tours: One of the most unique things you can do in St. Petersburg is exploring the city via the many canal tours that are conducted here. There are more than 800 bridges that have been built over these canals. They cover a total distance of 300 km and you can enjoy voyaging through these waterways with your loved ones.

Location: St. Petersburg, Russia.
Price: RUB 700 (INR 705) per person.

2. Go on an art tour: 
St. Petersburg is a city that is teeming with art and art history, all of which has been well-preserved in beautiful museums that you can explore. Some of the places that you must visit include The State Russian Museum and the State Hermitage Museum. You can book specialized tours that take you through the highlights of these places and show you some of the rarest pieces of art in the world.

Location: St. Petersburg, Russia.
Price: Tours starting from RUB 200 (INR 202).

3. Watch an opera performance at Mariinsky Theatre: 
Russian theatre, ballet and opera performances are renowned all over the world and when you are in a cultural city like St Petersburg, you can’t miss performances by some of the most famous artists in the world. The opera is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you can’t miss since it is a very important part of Russian culture.

Location: Theatre Square, 1, St Petersburg, Russia, 190000.
Price: Ticket prices starting from RUB 10,000 (INR 10,069).

4. Check out the cathedrals and churches of St Petersburg: 
The city of St. Petersburg is defined by the stunning buildings, monuments and architecture that can be found in every corner of the city.

The greatest specimen of these architectural marvels is the city’s churches and cathedrals. Some of the churches that you definitely must check out are Orthodox Cathedral, The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, Kazan Cathedral, Trinity Cathedral, Trinity Cathedral, etc.

Location: St. Petersburg, Russia.
Price: Most churches let you enter for free.

5. Ride on one of the oldest subway networks in the world: 
The subway network in St Petersburg is one of the oldest in the world. The stations look like they could be palaces themselves, with intricate murals on the walls, marble pillars, tiled stations and other architectural elements that will leave you stunned. Riding on a train from one of these stations is an experience that should definitely be a part of your itinerary.

Location: St. Petersburg, Russia.
Price: RUB 45 (INR 45) per ticket approximately.

6. Go on a food tour: 
St Petersburg is not only the cultural capital of Russia but also one of the best places to try the local Russian cuisine. Apart from a number of wonderful high-end restaurants with canal-view seating, you can also relax and unwind in a number of quaint cafes that serve special Russian coffee and snacks. There are also street vendors selling local delicacies such as pyshkas, which are unique Russian doughnuts.

Location: St Petersburg.
Price: RUB 130 (INR 131).

7. Unwind at a local banya (bathing house): 
Russian bathhouses are another interesting aspect of Russian culture that you can experience when you are in St. Petersburg. It is a unique spa experience where you can get specialized massages from professionals.

While bathhouses were frequented by the people of the city for several years before houses got their own bathrooms, the tradition of beautifully decorated bathing spaces have been adequately preserved, offering services such as eucalyptus massages, birch tree massage, steam rooms, etc.

Location: St. Petersburg, Russia.
Price: Starting at RUB 300 (INR 302).

What are the romantic things to do in Saint Petersburg?

1. Take a walking tour of St Petersburg: St Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities to explore on foot. Exploring the canals, the many churches, cathedrals, markets, cafes and palaces is a romantic experience that you can enjoy with your partner when you are in the city.

2. Canal cruise: 
The city is defined by its artificial canals that are picturesque and romantic. One of the romantic activities you can enjoy in these waters is going on a cruise, which is a beautiful way to explore the city and take in the sights.

3. Sign up for a spa session: 
A special couple’s spa in the local banya or bathing houses is a romantic experience that can be quite memorable. They even have special massages with birch trees and eucalyptus which is unique to Russia and its traditional bathing houses.

4. Tour the rooftops of St Petersburg: 
A panoramic view of the city from one of the towering rooftops during sunset is possibly one of the most romantic memories you can come away with from your holiday. The minarets, towers and canals make for a beautiful aerial view.

5. Watch drawbridges close at night: 
St Petersburg is a city with over 800 old and new bridges that often open and close from the middle to let steamers and boats pass from under them on the canals. Watching these bridges close after sundown is an incredibly romantic activity you can enjoy with your partner when you are here.

How to reach Saint Petersburg?

- By Air: Pulkovo airport is the main international airport of Saint Petersburg and is well connected to many countries. The airport handles numerous flights every day through many famous airlines like Air France, Oman  Air, Air India and many other international aeroplane servers.

- By Road: The city is connected to other parts of the country through numerous highways and roads. Daily ply of buses and hired can be found here, making it easy for you to reach Saint Petersburg.

There are quite a few international airlines operating from the major International airports in India like Aeroflot, Lufthansa, Air France, Uzbekistan Airlines, Finnair operate between India and St Petersburg. You can book your ticket from places such as Delhi and Mumbai.

What is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg?

The best time to visit St. Petersburg is between mid-June to September, which consists of the summer and early fall season. You can avoid the biting cold of the winter season when you visit during this time. The weather is cool and pleasant during the day and chilly during the night.

What is Saint Petersburg famous for?

Founded by Tsar Peter, St. Petersburg is known as the mecca of culture in the world. This city boasts of some of the finest conglomerations of theatres, art galleries, architectural monuments, world-famous museums, educational and cultural institutions. Due to its ancient heritage and historical value, the centre of the city is protected by UNESCO.

How much is a visa to St Petersburg?

For European citizens, the processing fee of a standard tourist visa to St Petersburg costs 35 euros or 60 euros in case of using the visa application centre. For Indian citizens, you will have to pay around INR 3,092 to INR 5,300 in order to travel to St Petersburg.

How much does a Russian visa cost?

- For a single person tourist visa up to 30 days, processed on the same day, it costs around INR 3,666.
- You will have to pay INR 4,938 for a double entry tourist visa up to 30 days, processed on the same day.

Is it safe to go to St Petersburg Russia?

Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel through St Petersburg, Russia, both during the day and night. However, it is always advisable to be careful about your possessions and to avoid venturing out alone after sundown, especially if you don’t know the local language.

What was St Petersburg previously called?

St. Petersburg was previously known as Petrograd. However, it is presently officially known as St Petersburg.

How many days are enough in St Petersburg?

A minimum of 3-4 days is required if you want to thoroughly explore St. Petersburg. On the first day, you can spend your time settling into the city and exploring the streets on foot. The second and third day can be reserved for the churches, museums and monuments and on the last day, you can take a tour of the canals via boat.

What is the best currency to use in Russia?

Both the dollars and euros can be considered as the best currency to use in Russia. However, the official currency of Russia is Roubles.

Which are the best architectural monuments in St Petersburg?

1. The Winter Palace: The Winter Palace is home to the world-famous Hermitage. It was built by Peter the Great for his daughter Elizabeth. The palace has many stunning rooms and architectural elements that are unparalleled in any other building in the world.

2. Mariinsky Theatre: 
Even though this is one of the most sought-after entertainment centres in St Petersburg, it is also an architectural marvel, with marble pillars, golden furnishings, expensive wood and intricate inlays.

3. Kunstkamera: 
Located on the banks of the canals of St Petersburg is the stunning Kunstkamera palace. It is the first museum ever to be built in Russia and is now the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography.

4. Peterhof: 
Inspired by the Palace of Versailles, Peterhof was built by Peter the Great and includes 4 hectares of manicured lawns, stunning statues, pillars, artwork and other architectural elements.

5. Tsarskoye Selo: 
Located in Alexander Parks is this magnificent palace which you can explore. It is famous for its many rooms such as the amber room, gardens and ballrooms.

Which are the best museums to visit in St Petersburg?

1. State Hermitage Museum: Considered one of the best museums in the world is the State Hermitage Museum which is home to some of the most precious art pieces ever made in history. Apart from the art displayed here, it is also worth visiting for the breathtaking architecture.

2. State Russian Museum: 
The State Russian Museum is one of the top authorities in the world for Russian art and history that you can witness when you are exploring the many passages and rooms in this stunning museum. The buildings in which all this is displayed is also worth exploring for the sheer intricacy of architecture.

3. Peter & Paul Fortress and Museum of the History of St Petersburg: 
This beautiful museum is the first official building in the city. It is over 300 years old and has served many purposes through three centuries of its colourful existence. What used to be a political prison followed by the Tsar’s burial chamber is now one of the most beautiful museums in the country.

4. St Isaac’s Cathedral: 
This is the largest church in the city of St Petersburg which is not only an important place of worship but also a fascinating museum where you can learn about the cultural and spiritual history of the city of St Petersburg. You can also check out a wonderful view of the city from the top of the church.

5. Erarta Museum: 
The Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art is a relatively new museum but fits right into the cultural atmosphere of the city. You can check out work from some of the greatest modern artists of our time, as well as indulge in some local shopping from the streets that are nearby.

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