Jan

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St Petersburg Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to St Petersburg
St Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia nestled along the banks of the River Neva, was once the cultural centre of the country in the days of the tsars. Once known as the ‘Venice of the North’, the city has recovered from the destruction caused during WWII and become Russia’s trendiest city. The city’s Pulkovo Airport offers mostly regional connections, with visitors from farther afield normally arriving at Moscow and then taking a short connecting flight.

Flights to St Petersburg
Located 10 miles south of St Petersburg is the two-terminal Pulkovo Airport. Serving mostly regional connections, the airport is just a 2 hour, 30 minute flight from Moscow, where a much greater choice of international flights is available. Terminal 1 caters to domestic flights while Terminal 2 serves international connections. Many airlines operate from Pulkovo Airport, and it serves as a hub for Rossiya Airlines. Airport facilities are basic but adequate. If you are looking for a cheap flight to St. Petersburg try lastminute.com.

Local buses are available for the journey from the airport to the city, as are speedier metro-buses which take about 30 minutes to reach the centre of St Petersburg. Taxis are readily available and offer a convenient alternative. Although car hire is available at the airport, visitors who are not familiar with the city are not recommended to drive.
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Sightseeing in St Petersburg
Art lovers will not want to miss The Hermitage, housing one of the world’s greatest art collections, which includes pieces by Rembrant, Michelangelo and Reubens. Also not to be overlooked is the Russian Museum, St Petersburg’s second most visited museum.

The original citadel of the city is the Peter and Paul Fortress, built in 1703. Here you can visit the graves of dozens of Russian tsars including Peter the Great at the Peter and Paul Cathedral. Further graves of interest can be visited at the Tikhvin Cemetery, where great Russian composers and authors are interred side by side. Another highlight is the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, constructed on the site where Alexander II was assassinated in 1181.

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Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Tourists are well catered for in St Petersburg with a wide selection of eateries, with many choices lining the river and Fontanka Canal. For a quick snack, don’t miss out on a Russian crepe, sold by street vendors on most corners. St Petersburg’s party scene is fuelled by inexpensive vodka, lively nightclubs and vibrant bars. Nevskii Prospekt is active 24 hours, and you won’t need to look far here for a place to eat or drink.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Some of the city’s best shopping can be found on the south side of Nevskii Prospekt. Not far from the semi-circular Kazan Cathedral is Gostinyi Dvor, a department store that sells a range of goods.

For a daytrip out of the city, don’t miss the chance to gasp at the opulent palaces that were once inhabited by tsars. Peterhof, Catherine Palace, Pavlovsk, Oranienbaum and Gatchina are all fantastic examples of imperial grandeur.


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