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St Petersburg City Breaks

St Petersburg offers insight into an extraordinary history epitomised by its glittering spires and palaces.

Insider Tip

Twin your trip to this iconic city with a visit to Moscow. Rail transfers are available between the two cities in each direction. The fast 'Sapsan' train takes 4.5 hours with several departures throughout the day.

St Petersburg city map

Your Accommodation

 



Map Ref. Hotel Rating Price
1 Dostoevsky *** Book from £42 per night
2 Angelterre **** Book from £109 per night
3 Sokos Hotel Palace Bridge ***** Book from £87 per night
4 Grand Hotel Europe ***** Book from £170 per night

 



 

Must See

 

must see in st petersburg

State Hermitage Museum Including the famous Winter Palace, this impressive St Petersburg museum is one of the oldest anywhere and has the largest collection of art in the world. 

St Isaac's Cathedral This 19th century gold-domed cathedral is the largest in St Petersburg and although classical on the outside, is extraordinarily colourful and rich on the inside.

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Church on the Spilled Blood Constructed on the site of the assassination of Tsar Alexander II, this remarkable building in St Petersburg is elaborately decorated with onion domeds on the outside and stunning mosaics on the inside.



 

Must Do

must do in st petersburg

Walk around the historic centre of St Petersburg which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and be inspired by the largely preserved Baroque and neoclassial buildings of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Visit St Petersburg's Peter and Paul Fortress built on an island by the north bank of the Neva River. Home to the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place for Rusiian Tsars, the fortress is also surrounded by sandy beaches which are popular with locals during the summer months.


 

 

 

 

Food & Drink

food and drink in st petersburg

You'll find no shortage of places to eat in St Petersburg serving both European and local dishes, from restaurants serving local specialities such as Stroganov to hip international cafes. A speciality of this Russian city is the blini, or pancakes, served with red or black caviar and borscht (beetroot soup).

 

 

Shopping

shopping in st petersburg

The majority of St Petersburg's shopping, from designer to souvenirs can be found on or just off the Nevsky Prospekt. Traditional souvenirs include lacquered boxes, engraved amber and, of course, Matryoshka dolls.




 

 

Excursions

excursions in st petersburg

St Petersburg City Tour
A private tour including all the main sights with brief stops at Peter and Paul fortress, St Isaac's Cathedral, Palace Square with the Winter Palace, Kazan Cathedral, Nevsky Prospekt and the Church on the Spilled Blood.

Departs: daily. Duration: 3 hours.
Adults from £48 based on 2 adults sharing.

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Hermitage Winter Palace
Tour the Hermitage Museum with a private guide including the Winter Palace state rooms and the main fine arts and archaeological exhibits. Entrance included.

Departs: Tue-Sun. Duration: 3 hours.
Adults from £66 based on 2 adults sharing. Can be combined with City Tour.

Yusupov Palace with Rasputin Exhibition
The former noble Yusupov family used to live in this intriguing palace in the centre of St Petersburg. Second only in wealth to the royal family the Yusupovs were extremely powerful in the city and known for their philanthropy and art collection. Notorious as the scene of the murder of the monk Rasputin, there is now an exhibition within the palace detailing his life and death.

Departs: daily. Duration: 3 hours
Adults from £78, based on 2 adults sharing.

Catherine Palace
Location 29km out of St Petersburg in Pushkin, this former summer residence of the Russian Tsars is a glorious blue Rococo building set in a grand French style park. This guided tour will take you through the incredible Great Hall and other impressive rooms extraordinarily decorated in the styles of the late 18th and early 19th century.

Departs: Wed-Mon. Duration: 4-5 hours
Adults from £76, based on 2 adults sharing.

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