Must See Sights

30 of the most visited tourist attractions in St. Petersburg

What places should I definitely visit in Saint Petersburg? What are the top 10 sights in St Petersburg Russia? What attractions are must see there?

These and many other questions of a kind are very popular on forums, travel blogs or general search history. So to make your life way easier and to save your time on searching quality advice on attractions to visit in the Northern capital of Russia, I have prepared a list of places you need to see.

Theatres, cathedrals and churches, famous palaces, museums and squares are among them. Of course, there are many more exciting historical and current sightseeing that can be visited during a guided tour or a casual walk.

Hermitage Raphael Gallery

The 250th jubilee of the State Hermitage Museum was celebrated in 2014. 1764 is considered to be the year of the museum’s creation, in particular because an extensive collection of paintings purchased by Catherine the Great from the Prussian merchant – Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky –…

hermitage flag of russia

Currently, St Petersburg Winter Palace constitutes a part of the architectural complex of one of the largest museums in the world – the State Hermitage museum. The Palace is situated in the heart of Saints Petersburg. Its southern facade, that incorporates the gates, which serve…

Palace Square in St Petersburg Russia

Situated in the heart of St Petersburg, Palace square is the main square of the city, adored by its residents and guests. It’s one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles of the world. Best Russian architects worked on its creation. The name of the square…

arch of the general staff building st petersburg

General Staff Building is an outstanding architectural monument of Saint Petersburg, designed by Carlo Rossi in 1820-1830s. The magnificent classical building, placed opposite to the Imperial residence Winter Palace, finalized the ensemble of Palace Square, giving it a special administrative status. The building was split…

Peter and Paul fortress top view

Today, the inhabitants and guests of our noisy cosmopolitan city will find it hard to believe that approximately 300 years ago the Banks of the Neva River were covered with impassable swampy forests. 300 years is a moment for a city - St Petersburg is…

The elegant golden silhouette of Peter and Paul Cathedral is a symbol of St Petersburg that is easy to recognize. Lots of city legends and historical facts are linked to this place. The Cathedral occupies the main place in the whole ensemble of Peter and…

THE SPILLED BLOOD CHURCH inside

The Cathedral of Resurrection of Christ is a monument of the Russian architecture in the spirit of romantic nationalism that dates back to the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. It was built on the site at which on March…

St Isaac's Cathedral top view

Isaac's cathedral is named after reverend Isaac the Dalmatian, a Byzantium monk that lived in the 4th century. This Saint is not really widely known in Russia. It was dedicated to Isaac because on May 30th (by the 12-day slower Julian calendar) the remembrance day…

Monument to Peter the Great

Bronze Horseman is probably the most famous monument to the founder of St Petersburg, Peter the Great. It is located at the Senate Square, and this placement was chosen for a reason. The monument is situated next to the Admiralty founded by the Emperor and…

Summer Garden in St Petersburg Russia

The famous garden of St Petersburg is one of the symbols of the city, located in the place where Fontanka river flows out of Neva. It’s a monumental park founded in 1704 by the order of Peter the Great. Historical overview The tsar dreamt of…