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St. Petersburg: 7 Things to Do for an Unforgettable Trip

Discover the palaces of Russian emperors, enjoy the world-known Russian ballet, and fascinate your eyes with the show of drawbridges.

  • Sup tour around the rivers and canals+ 3
  • The festival of "Scarlet Sails" at the end of June
  • Some views of the city
  • St. Petersburg: 7 Things to Do for an Unforgettable Trip
kobzarinka
by kobzarinka
About Me:Russian girl, passionate to speak about her own country and to learn from others about the World read more

EuropeRussia3 days / June - July 2019

Highs & Lows

All of it you can see under the White Nights

A raincoat is not be missed!

Itinerary Overview

I am so happy to present to you the city that I have been living in for 7 years. And I told that, it was not enough time to see all the museums, cultural events, palaces, and parks it has to offer. 

I will share with you the Top 7 things to do in Saint Petersburg when you have time, but you want to have an explicit perception of the city.

Top 7 things to do in Saint Petersburg 
1. Boat or Sup tour for the Neva River and Canals 
2. Russian Ballet in Mariinsky Theatre 
3. Fountains of Peterhof Palace 
4. Cathedrals of Issak, Kazan and Savior on the Spilled Blood 
5. Cultural heritage in the Hermitage Museum 
6. Roof tour to see the city from the high 
7. Visit the festival of the "Scarlet Sails"

This list gives you a full representation of the city. Going through all of them you can deeply connect with the history and life of nobel russian people of 18-19 centuries and feel part of it. 
 

  • 3 Nights: St Petersburg
    Take a Boat or Sup Tour for the Neva River and Canals
  • Day trip: Petergof
    The uniqueness of the Peterhof water-producing system is the absence of pumping stations.
St Petersburg - Take a Boat or Sup Tour for the Neva River and Canals
1

St Petersburg Take a Boat or Sup Tour for the Neva River and Canals

St Petersburg - Take a Boat or Sup Tour for the Neva River and Canals - The festival of "Scarlet Sails" at the end of June
The festival of "Scarlet Sails" at the end of June
St Petersburg - Take a Boat or Sup Tour for the Neva River and Canals - Sup tour around the rivers and canals
Sup tour around the rivers and canals
St Petersburg - Take a Boat or Sup Tour for the Neva River and Canals - Some views of the city2+
Some views of the city

Let's start our voyage by saying that Saint Petersburg is a relatively young city that was founded in 1703 by the Russian Tsar and Imperator in the future, Petr I. He found this place covered by swamps and forests and converted it into a new Vienna, Paris, and Amsterdam, all combined. 

Peter I spent many years in Europe in order to gather all the best ideas, architectural styles, and scientific achievements and bring them to life in his new city. 

As a result, we have Saint Petersburg, where the historical center has been developing for decades but always according to the well-developed plans of its founders. So let's start having a deeper look at the fascinating cultural and historical heritage of the Russian Empire from the Romanov dinasty times.

Petergof - The uniqueness of the Peterhof water-producing system is the absence of pumping stations.
2

Petergof The uniqueness of the Peterhof water-producing system is the absence of pumping stations.

Petergof - The uniqueness of the Peterhof water-producing system is the absence of pumping stations. - The Big Cascade of Peterhof
The Big Cascade of Peterhof
Petergof - The uniqueness of the Peterhof water-producing system is the absence of pumping stations. - You will find plenty of gardens and flower masterpieces
You will find plenty of gardens and flower masterpieces

Every year Peterhof with its incredible park and palaces visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists. And one of the main reasons why residents of Petersburg and guests of our city go to the attractions of the «most fountain city of Russia» - incredible fountains. Every year at the end of the season they are turned off and closed for the winter. And with the arrival of spring everyone is looking forward to the day when the sun rays will again play on sparkling streams of water from the most different sizes and forms of fountains.

Why this place is so unique ? Because the water is supplied from natural springs and collects in reservoirs in the Upper Gardens. The elevation difference creates the pressure that drives most of the fountains of the Lower Gardens, including the Grand Cascade. So in other words, there is no machine involved. And the combination of golden architecture with natural fountains is just incredible. 

If you are lucky enough you can come for the show of the season opening or closing. You will see these fountains with music and great light show. 

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    I would love to stay living in this city and get to know it even better

  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    You should think about the dates for your trip. The best time is to come around the end of June, visit the festival of "Scarlet Sails," and stay for the rest of the Night Whites. The nights are literraly white; you can see the sky gray throughout the night, so no lights are needed. However, if you come around the New Year or January, you can see the city with Christmas decorations and walk along the frozen canals. It's beautiful; just be sure to have the right clothes.

  • Restaurant recommendations?

    1) Banshiki 2) PhaliHinkali 3) Pelmenaya 4) Jungle Cafe 5) Garden

  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Give yourself a good amount of time, because there is so much to do in this city!

  • Packing tips?

    Double check the weather and be sure to take the raincoat in summer and really warm clothes in winter

  • Transportation Tips?

    The taxi around the city is pretty cheap (use Yandex Taxi)

  • Any surprises?

    If any "big boss" arrives to the city, the roads can be clossed or having big traffic jams. This does not happen often, but can be during big events.

Lodging