Saint Petersburg Part II – Top 15 Things to Do

Yesterday you read about 19 things NOT to do in Saint Petersburg. But even with all those caveats, it’s still a place that I really want to visit. Here are 15 reasons why…

The Top 15 Things To Do In Saint Petersburg:

1. First, hire a private guide. You will see more and do more. You’ll have more fun, and the guide will watch over you. (This post and the “what Not to do” post were written by Ed Ryder of Visit Saint Petersburg, a provider of private guide services in Saint Petersburg.)

2. Visit The Hermitage Museum. Even for visitors who are not into art, this is still a worthwhile excursion. The building — a former palace — is incredibly lavish inside with many different rooms awaiting your discovery. Truly one of the great art museums of the world.

3. Go to the suburb of Peterhof and see the magnificent fountains and gardens at the Summer Palace. It is a jewel of Russia. (The fountains are turned on around the middle of May.)

4. Have dinner on a riverboat restaurant, like “Volga Volga” or “The New Island Riverboat Restaurant.” It is fantastic to see beautiful old Saint Petersburg while sailing along the Neva River. Dinner could be expensive, but it will be worth it.

5. During a time other than rush-hour, go into the metro system and take the “red line.” It’s the oldest and deepest metro line in Saint Petersburg. Each station is unique. You will be amazed at how big the escalators are to the platforms below and it is absolutely fascinating to pull into each station. It’s quite an adventure and it’s a very inexpensive excursion.

6. On another night, have dinner at Terrassa near Kazanskaya Cathedral. Fantastic views. You’re going to love it.

7. Check out the Peter & Paul Fortress. It’s the very beginning of Saint Petersburg. The city spread out from there. While you’re over there at the Fortress, go for a stroll through the neighborhood of Petrogradskaya. Interesting architecture.

8. Stroll along Nevsky Prospect – the main street in the heart of the city. And visit The Church Of Our Savior Of Spilled Blood. This fantastic onion-domed church took 25 years to build. It was built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II was murdered in 1881. Inside it is quite a sight.

9. While you’re strolling along Nevsky, head over to Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. This gigantic church dominates the city’s skyline. It took 40 years to build it. Inside the sights are impressive. High-up views of the city are also possible.

10. Worthwhile: The Blockade Of Leningrad Museum. Small and little-known, this important museum connects visitors to the struggle of the 900 day siege of Leningrad.

11. We like Catherine Palace in the suburb of Pushkin, but it is covered in scaffolding right now and interior access to the palace is restricted while renovations move forward. Summer crowds are big too. But the gardens are wonderful to stroll through.

12. If you really like art, then go to The State Russian Museum. It exclusively features works by Russian artists.

13. Do a boat tour along the canals. But don’t hop on a boat that blasts non-stop Russian language explanations of what you are seeing. It detracts from the delight of seeing the old city from the calm water.

14. If you like ballet or opera, then the world class performances at the Mariinsky Theater are for you. Tickets are in strong demand, so they are expensive, and you need to reserve them in advance of your arrival to ensure you will have seats.

15. Go exploring by foot in the center of the city. Explore the neighborhoods. See what you discover!

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