St. Petersburg is a Baltic Sea port city in Russia. It served as the imperial capital for two centuries, established in 1703 by Peter the Great, the subject of the city’s famed “Bronze Horseman” statue. It is still Russia’s cultural center, with institutions like the Mariinsky Theatre producing opera and ballet and the State Russian Museum displaying Russian art ranging from Orthodox icon paintings to Kandinsky works.
Moscow may be Russia’s most contemporary and cosmopolitan city, but St. Petersburg is the country’s cultural and historical center. St. Petersburg is royal and inspiring. The Hermitage is one of the world’s largest and most gorgeous art museums, surrounded by canals and beautiful white evenings (when the sun never sets in summer).
First-time visitors should start with the Hermitage Museum—a museum so huge that seeing it all in one day is nearly impossible—. The magnificent Nevsky Avenue, flanked by luxurious restaurants, cathedrals, and palaces, is terrific for people to watch.
Here is a list of 10 St Petersburg attractions and sightseeing that will satisfy your inner explorer like never before. Examine it out!
1. State Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum, which is spread across six massive buildings, is one of the world’s largest and oldest museums of art and culture. The museum houses a massive art collection with at least 3 million objects. So you can imagine how much pleasure and knowledge you may gain there. If you wish to learn about the city and its history, you should go to this museum, especially with your family. The museum is one of the top things to do in St. Petersburg.
Palace Square, 2 Sankt-Petersburg, Russia, 190000
2. St Isaac’s Cathedral
St Isaac’s Cathedral was formerly Russia’s largest cathedral, and its architecture will astound you. The church’s dome, which is over 180 years old, dominates the St Petersburg skyline! The church’s facades are adorned with various sculptures. The interior is adorned with paintings and mosaic icons that will captivate you! The church is one of the most popular attractions in St. Petersburg, Russia.
St. Isaac’s Square, 4, Sankt-Petersburg, Russia, 190000
3. Peter and Paul Fortress
Originally, the Peter and Paul Fortress was a fortified territory built to safeguard the state from foreign attacks. It was built in 1703 and then enlarged and remodeled during the next four decades. While the castle was never used in actual warfare, it did serve as a prison and execution quarters during the Bolshevik revolution in the early twentieth century. It is now a component of the St. Petersburg State Museum of History.
4. State Russian Museum
This museum, built to compete with Moscow’s famed Tretyakov gallery of art, exhibits the work of Russian artists. Alexandrovskiy Museum was the initial name of the museum. The museum’s collection includes 4 lakh historical pieces by Russian artists from the 11th century to the present. It is one of the most popular St Petersburg attractions and sightseeing spots.
Inzhenernaya Street 4, Sankt-Petersburg, Russia, 191186
5. Palace Square
The main city plaza in St. Petersburg is a vast open public space directly in front of the Winter Palace. The Alexander Column, built of a single block of red granite in the 1830s, stands 47 meters tall in the center of the square. Alexander, I commissioned it to celebrate the victory against Napoleon.
Many key events in Soviet/Russian history have occurred on the square—Tsar Alexander II was assassinated here in 1879. Bolshevik troops launched the Revolution here in 1917 by storming the Winter Palace, where the royalty resided. Since then, the square has seen marches and protests ranging from military parades to commemorate Victory Day to New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Place: Palace Square, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 198324
Also Read, Best Places to Visit in Moscow to make it Memorable
6. Neva River
If you’re seeking peace and tranquillity, the Neva River is a wonderful place to visit. The river is extremely important to the residents of St. Petersburg. Locals and tourists alike wander along the river in the evening. The river also provides beautiful views of the city. If you’re visiting St. Petersburg with your family, you should go to the river.
St. Petersburg, Russia, is the location.
7. Church of savior on the spilled blood
This church, also known as the Church of the Resurrection, is one of the best places to see in St Petersburg, Russia. The church is built on the site where Alexander II was killed. A bomb was thrown into his carriage while he was going by, and he perished as a result. In his honor, the church was built. If you ask or search for information about St. Petersburg, you will learn about this church. It is unquestionably one of the most unusual tourist attractions, as it is not your typical church!
Griboyedov canal embankment, 2, Sankt-Petersburg, Russia, 191186
8. Peterhof Palace
Peterhof Palace in St Petersburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the embodiment of the city’s splendor. The castle has magnificent gardens, incredible fountains, and much more that will leave you speechless. Peter the Great erected the palace, which is frequently referred to as “Russian Versailles.” The palace is one of the top locations to see in St Petersburg and should not be missed!
Razvodnaya Ulitsa 2, Sankt-Petersburg, Russia 191186
9. Mariinsky Theatre
Mariinsky Theatre, a very historic theatre in the city, is significant in St Petersburg’s history and culture. It is an opera and ballet theatre that provides a glimpse into St Petersburg’s illustrious history. The theatre is well-known not only in the city but also throughout the world for its opera. The Stars of the White Nights festival is one of the most well-known operas that it presents. If you are a culture vulture, you must go to this theatre.
Theatre Square, 1, Sankt-Petersburg, Russia, 190000
10. Kazan Cathedral
Suppose you are interested in cathedrals and want to learn more about the city’s architecture and culture. In that case, this is the place to be. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan is another name for this cathedral! The cathedral, built by the ‘Nevsky Prospekt,’ stands as a symbol of Russian victory against the French. Its structure is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and is a sight to behold!
Kazan Square 2, Sankt-Petersburg, Russia, 190000
