Saint Petersburg
From Muslim Bookings
- For the city in Florida, see St. Petersburg (Florida)
Saint Petersburg (Санкт-Петерб́ург), known as Petrograd in 1914-1924 and Leningrad in 1924-1991, is the second largest city of Russia, with 5 million inhabitants, and the former capital of the Russian Empire. Founded in 1703, it is not ancient, but its historical cityscape is remarkably excellently maintained. The center of Saint Petersburg occupies numerous islands of the Neva River delta, divided by waterways and connected by huge drawbridges. Since 1991 it and some historical suburbs, including Peterhof, have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site . It is home to one of the world's largest museums of art and the Hermitage. Many Russians know the city as Piter (Питер), a familiar diminutive of Saint Petersburg.
Contents
Districts
Center Situated between the Neva in the north and the Obvodny Canal in the south and crossed by the Fontanka and Moika rivers, this area has hosted the center of Saint Petersburg since the 1730s. It includes the Hermitage Museum and the main avenue of the city, Nevsky Prospekt, and is full of architectural monuments of the late 18th-19th centuries. |
Vasilievsky Island Briefly contemplated as the downtown around the 1720s and hosting the seaport from the 1730s through the mid-19th century and the eastern part of the Vasilievsky Island has long been the center of the city's academic life. Many examples of the 18th century architecture as well as the famous early 19th-century ensemble of the Spit of the Vasilievsky Island are there. The more western parts have been gradually developed since 1850. |
Petrograd Side It hosts the site where the city was founded in 1703 and includes the Peter and Paul Fortress dating back to the first half of the 18th century, but the rest of the borough was mostly built over in the late 19th-early 20th century and is rich in notable architectural monuments of that period. The islands of its northwestern part have been a recreational area covered mostly by parks, villas and sports facilities. |
Northern Saint Petersburg Mostly an urban commuter area of monotonous and often ugly Soviet-era apartment blocks. There are some notable monuments scattered across it, such as the Academy of Forestry with its park, Military Medical Academy, Polytechnical University and Buddhist Datsan, particularly in the quarters closer to the central boroughs, but otherwise there is little to see there. It hosts the Finlyandsky Train Station. |
Southern Saint Petersburg Underestimated by most visitors, this area boasts gorgeous industrial architecture and magnificent Stalinist buildings. A former industrial borough, it was the place of strikes preceding the revolution of 1917, and the scene of the siege of Leningrad during WWII. Many attractions which in other cities would qualify as "must-see", such as the Narva Triumphal Arch, Chesme Church and Pulkovo Observatory, are scattered across it, particularly in the quarters closer to the central boroughs. In the 1930s the Soviet authorities planned to move the downtown to the south. |
Right Bank Very little visited, this area hosts historical gunpowder factories, a few beautiful churches and parks and the Ice Palace hockey arena and the Ladozhsky Train Station. |
Halal Travel Guide
History
Saint Petersburg was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 on the Neva river, amidst the land he had just conquered from Sweden, outside the area populated then by the Russian people. Pre-planned rather than spontaneous almost from the very beginning the city, called by Peter "my window on Europe", was designed to look European rather than Russian, and many European architects were invited to work here. As the capital of the Russian Empire from the early 18th century to the early 20th century the city grew steadily, saw many crucial events of the Russian history, and was a major cultural center. Many world-famous artists, scientists, writers and composers, such as Mendeleev, Dostoevsky and Tchaikovsky, lived and worked here.
In 1917 the Russian Revolution started. The significance of Saint Petersburg has declined somewhat after the transfer of the Russian capital to Moscow in 1918, but this allowed its cityscape to remain largely intact to this day. During World War 2 the city was besieged by the Wehrmacht for 872 days, resulting in more than a million of civilian losses, mainly from starvation.
The city has undergone several name changes since its founding. Due to the German origins of the name "Saint Petersburg", its name was changed to the more Russian-sounding "Petrograd" in 1914 in the wake of World War I. Subsequently, its name was changed to "Leningrad" in honour of the founding leader of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. It was only in 1991, after the breakup of the Soviet Union that the original name was restored, though the surrounding area remains known as the Leningrad Oblast.
Saint Petersburg has almost always been, or at least tried to be a city with strong foreign connections, and this is where its authenticity lies. Don't expect it to be overly indigenous. Matryoshkas and other such souvenirs popular among foreigners have very little to do with its authentic life.
Language
The language spoken in Saint Petersburg is Russian, as in most parts of Russia. English is usually taught in schools and universities, so younger people are supposed to understand it to some extent, but the chance of finding anybody who is fluent in English on the streets is, though better than elsewhere in Russia except Moscow, still not that great. Average people will probably be able to point out a direction, but don't expect much more. The signs and labels in most places, especially off the beaten path, are still in Russian only, with a notable exceptions of metro (subway) and street signs in the downtown. It may be a good idea to get familiar with the Russian Cyrillic alphabet before the travel, as this is easy and lets you recognize street names and so on.
Climate
The city's position at 60°N makes for huge seasonal variation in day length. Days are less than 6 hours long at the end of December, but it never gets darker than twilight during the White Nights season in June. Not only are the days very short in late autumn and early winter, but the weather may be overcast for weeks, without a hint of blue sky, which may feel depressing. The driest season with least precipitation is early spring. July and August are usually the rainiest months, though the difference is usually not big enough to worry about. But if you care about this, it is a good idea to have an umbrella or raincoat handy.
In November–March there are hardly any tourists—even domestic tourists—so you won't see the barest hint of the long lines of the summer at the Hermitage. Saint Petersburg's neoclassical streets are also simply gorgeous in the snow. Temperatures can range from relatively mild, slightly above freezing point, to bitterly cold. From time to time it may get well below the averages, to -25°C (-13F) and below, often with high humidity and wind, so be prepared to dress warmly. Most major tourist attractions (except fountains and all sorts of water transport, of course) are still open and some hotels offer lower prices during this time.
Snow cover persists on average from November till early April (late April in the nationside), with most of it falling during the first half of the winter. Snow is not always removed from streets in time and may exacerbate traffic problems. The danger of slipping may be high in winter, as the surfaces are often covered with ice. Wear good boots, take small steps, and watch your feet! Also beware of icicles falling from roofs.
The rivers and canals are frozen on average from late November till April. Usually from late April till November the Neva is navigable, and during this season most of its huge bridges are drawn up to let ships pass for several hours each night according to a published schedule. This is a spectacular sight during the White Nights, but also a major transport inconvenience.
In April and the sludge resulting from melting snow and the dust which forms when it dries up may get tiresome.
May 9 is Victory Day (День победы) celebrating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. This day is marked with an opening military parade on Palace Plaza, directly in front of the Hermitage, visiting various war monuments, giving flowers to war veterans who are dressed in full military outfits, and an evening parade down Nevsky Prospekt which includes survivors of the Siege of Leningrad.
June is peak tourist season during the famous White Nights (roughly 11 June–2 July), when the sun sets only for a brief period of twilight, and the streets stay alive around the clock. The last ten days of June, during the White Nights Festival of all-day performances, concerts, festivals, and parties, are the busiest time of the season and it can be difficult to reserve accommodation and transport. Book early.
July and August are usually the warmest months. This is a rather northern city, and it rarely gets really hot, but even more modest warmth can be hard to bear in summer because of the high humidity. Rain showers usually come and go throughout this time, so it is always a good idea for one to have an umbrella or rain jacket at all times, even on sunny clear days.
Late September—early October is a lovely time in the city. The temperatures drop to moderate, often with strong winds, and the Muslims are all gone. Rain is still common.
Fountains work from May through mid-September. Most trees are in leaf from May through October.
When deciding on the time of your visit, keep in mind the days of school holidays, when museums and other similar venues can become considerably more crowded. School holidays happen in early November and the first half of January and late March. Moreover, general holidays are held around the New Year into early January, as well as in early May.
Keep in mind that New Years is the biggest holiday of the year in Russia.
Travel to Saint Petersburg
Russian visa requirements are complex but are not hard to manage with some online research. See the Russia#Get In|Get In section of the article on Russia for information. A visa is not required for a trip of less than 72 hours if you arrive in Saint Petersburg by ferry or by cruise liner and you have a pre-arranged program of excursions by an approved local company.
By Plane
Pulkovo Airport
- Pulkovo Airport IATA Code: LED Аэропо́рт Пу́лково, Aeroport Pulkovo | Ul. Startovaya (ул. Стартовая), Northern Capital Gateway LLC 59.800278, 30.2625 ~17km south from the center ☎ +7 812 337-38-22 Pulkovo Airport Pulkovo airport serves many international and domestic destinations. A new terminal opened in 2014. There is unlimited free Wi-Fi. The airport has business lounges that are free for first and business class travelers but are available for use by all passengers upon payment of a fee. The lounges include Snacks, drinks, televisions, and showers.
To travel between the airport the city
- City buses numbers 39, 39Ex and shuttle van K39 operate service between the airport and the Moskovskaya (Московская) metro station (RUB40, 35 minutes). Buses are available 05:30-01:30. From the Moskovskaya metro station, you can take metro line 2 (blue), which operates between 05:45 and 00:20, to the downtown (20 minutes). If you arrive late at night and the metro is not operating, you can also take a night bus from the metro station to the downtown. Minibus K39 also stops at the Aeroport commuter railway station. From there, you can take a train to Saint Petersburg's Baltiysky Station (17 minutes, 06:00-23:30), next to the Baltiyskaya metro station. This is only convenient if it is near your accommodation.
- Marshrutka (shuttle van) K3 operates service from the airport with stops at the Moskovskaya (Московская) metro station and the Sennaya Ploshchad/Spasskaya (Спáсская) metro station, in the downtown.
- Uber costs RUB500-900 to the downtown.
- Taxis can be ordered from the service booth in the arrivals hall. Prices are fixed based on the zone of travel; the cost to the downtown is RUB1000-1400, including booking fees. Without traffic and the trip takes 30 minutes, but it can easily take an hour during rush hour. As an alternative, Taxi 068 has a mobile app that you can use to book a taxi to the center for RUB600, but you will need a Russian phone number to communicate. If calling from the airport arrival hall, it will take 10-20 minutes for the taxi to arrive.
- Pre-booked taxis will cost RUB1,300-1,600 to the centre, but you will be welcomed in the arrival hall by your driver carrying a sign with your name. Pre-booking through the internet is without risk, no credit card information is asked, and pre-payment is not required. Some taxi companies, such as / LingoTaxi, have English-speaking drivers and dispatchers.
By Rail
Tickets can be purchased at the train stations or online]. Long distance train tickets are generally more expensive if bought close to the date of travel. See Russia#By train for more details on travelling in Russia by train.
There are five principal train stations in Saint Petersburg:
- Baltiysky Station - Балтийский вокзал | Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala, 120 59.9071, 30.2988 : Baltiyskaya - Spb 06-2012 Baltic Railway Terminal - This is one of the busiest train stations in Russia by volume of suburban traffic. The station was modeled by architect Alexander Krakau after Gare de l'Est in Paris. Construction started in 1854. The station was opened on 21 July 1857 as the Peterhof Railway Station. The station retains a glass roof over the terminal platforms and is flanked by two-storey wings. The left one used to be reserved for members of the Russian royalty who went to their palaces in Strelna, Peterhof, Oranienbaum. A glass panel on the façade still features the original clock, designed by Pavel Bure, a celebrated watchmaker to the tsar and the ice-hockey players' ancestor. Trains operate to/from Petrodvorets (Peterhof), Lomonosov (Oranienbaum), Gatchina, Luga. Also used by trains to/from Aeroport station, with connecting buses to Pulkovo airport.
- Finlyandsky Station - Финляндский вокзал | Menin Plaza (пл. Ленина, ул. Комсомола), 5 59.955739, 30.356575 : Ploschad Lenina ("Площадь Ленина"). - Finlandsky Rail Terminal - Built by Finnish State Railways as the eastern terminus of the Riihimäki-Saint Petersburg railroad, it was designed by Swedish architects and opened in 1870 but was heavily reconstructed in the 1950s and 1970s. The station formerly contained a special pavilion for Russian royalty. Trains operate to/from Helsinki (Allegro high speed) and Vyborg.
- Ladozhsky Station - Ладожский вокзал | Zanevsky Prospekt (Заневский проспект, Площадь Карла Фаберже), 73 59.931975, 30.440717 :Ladozhskaya «Ладожская», Bus : 4М, 4МА, 5, 21, 24, 27, 30, 77, 82, 92, 123, 168, 429, 453, 462, 531, 532, 533, 860Л : 8, 10, 59, 64; Trolley :1, 22; Share taxi : К-5, К-17, К-21, К-32, К-77, К-92, К-95, К118, К-123, К-167, К-187, К-271, К-322, К-369, К-401, К-429, 430, 430А, К-462Р, 531К, К-533. - Ladoga-terminal01 - This is the newest and most modern passenger train station in Saint Petersburg, designed by architect Nikita Yavein, is one of the largest in Russia with a capacity of up to 50 commuter departures and 26 long distance departures accommodating 4,500 passengers per hour. Built at a cost of RUB9,000,000,000 (US$300 million) and the station opened in 2003 for the 300th anniversary of the city's founding. Trains operate to/from Petrozavodsk (RUB835), Arkhangelsk (RUB1,697), Tyumen (RUB3,038), Tula (RUB1,435), Krasnodar (RUB2,839), Murmansk (RUB2,030), Yekaterinburg, Cheliabinsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Astana (Kazakhstan), Helsinki (night-train Leo Tolstoi), and other cities.
- Moskovsky Station - Moskovsky station, Moskovsky vokzal, Московский вокзал | Nevsky av., 85 ? Ploshchad Vosstaniya (Площадь Восстания), 2 59.929722, 30.362222 :Ploshchad Vosstaniya (closer) (Площадь Восстания) and :Mayakovskaya (Маяковская); Bus 1М, 1Мб, 3, 3М, 3Мб, 4М, 4Мб, 5М, 5Мб, 7, 15, 22, 26, 27, 54, 65, 74, 76, 91, 141, 181, 191. Trolley 1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 22 ☎ +7 812 457-44-28 - Moskovskiy rail terminal in SPB - It has an easily recognizable Neo-Renaissance frontage on Nevsky Prospekt and Uprising Plaza, erected in 1844-51 to a design by Konstantin Thon. Although large "Venetian" windows, two floors of Corinthian columns and a two-storey clocktower at the centre explicitly reference Italian Renaissance architecture and the building incorporates other features from a variety of periods and countries. A twin train station, now known as the Leningradsky train station, was built to Thon's design at the other end of the railway, in Moscow. Trains operate to/from Moscow, Novgorod, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Volgograd, Kazan, Samara, Rostov-na-Donu, Ufa, Sochi, and other cities.
- Vitebsky Station - Витебский вокзал, Станция Санкт-Петербург-Витебский | Zagorodny av.(Загородный проспект), 52? 59.9199, 30.3289 : Pushkinskaya (Пушкинская), Spb metro line5.svg|20px: Zvenigorodskaya (Звенигородская); Bus 1М, 1Мб, 4М, 4Мб, 5М, 5Мб; : 16; Trolley : 3, 8, 15, 17; Share taxi : К-25, К-90, К-124, К-177, К-258, К-338, К-800, К-900. - Vitebsky vokzal.JPG - Formerly known as the Tsarskoe Selo Station, it was the first train station to be built in Saint Petersburg and the whole of the Russian Empire. Architecture: Construction started in 1901 and lasted for three years. Stanislaw Brzozowski gave the new two-storey station an ornate frontage in an assortment of historical styles, with decorative reliefs, floriated Jugendstil detailing, outsize semicircular windows and two regular features of 19th-century train stations: a pseudo-Renaissance cupola and a square clocktower. - However, it was Sima Minash's opulent Art Nouveau interior that established the building as the most ornate of Saint Petersburg stations. Minash was responsible for the sweeping staircases, foyer with stained glass and spacious halls boasting a series of painted panels that chronicle the history of Russia's first railway. The building's soaring arches and expanses of glass proclaimed the architect's familiarity with advanced construction techniques of the West. In 2003 the station underwent a painstaking restoration of its original interior and Jugendstil decor. Apart from the replica of the first Russian train, curiosities of the Vitebsk Station include a detached pavilion for the Tsar and his family and a marble bust of Nicholas I. Trains operate to/from Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoe Selo), Pavlovsk, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Germany, Riga (14 hours, from RUB2,200), Estonia
Ticket prices (from): Ukraine, Odessa (RUB3,813), Kiev (RUB3366); Belarus,Grodno (RUB2,999), Vitebsk (RUB1,629); Lithuania, Vilnius (RUB2921); 'Local trains': Nevel (RUB815), Novosokolniki (RUB689), Velikie Luki (RUB880), Soltsy (RUB549), and other cities.
To/from Russia
Tickets for travel originating in Russia can be purchased at the train stations or online]. Long distance train tickets are generally more expensive if bought close to the date of travel. See Russia#By train 2 for more details on travelling in Russia by train.
Sapsan high-speed trains (4-5 hours, 6 per day, RUB2,300-3,500 for 2nd class if bought several days in advance) make travel between downtown Saint Petersburg and downtown Moscow very easy. Some trains make a few stops including Tver. The crew speaks English.
Overnight rapid trains (8-9 hours, RUB800+) are slower buy usually cheaper. Price and comfort levels vary, with the luxurious private Grand-Express "hotel train" (featuring some compartments with showers!) at the high end, all the way down to budget connections in third-class platzkart cars. Second-class coupe coaches, which include a bed and sheets, are a good value.
To/from Finland
VR Group operates high-speed Allegro trains running at up to 220km/h between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg (3.5 hours, 4 per day, €59-79 for 2nd class). Tickets originating in Finland can be purchased from the /cs/vr/en/frontpage VR Group website, via some travel agencies, and at major VR train stations in Finland. Border-crossing formalities are completed on board the train immediately after departure from Helsinki. The trains are almost always on time and there are no delays in crossing the border crossing. On-board currency exchange is available.
Travel on a Bus
International buses and buses to major cities in Russia all leave from the main bus station (Avtovokzal)], near the Obvodny Kanal metro station. Some may make additional stops elsewhere in the city; see below. Buses are the preferred method of travel to/from Estonia and Latvia, but generally do not make sense for travel to Finland or within Russia.
The process of crossing the border by bus takes much longer than when travelling by train or air. Border agents only speak Russian and are sometimes not aware of visa requirements, which leads to delays.
To/from Russia
The train is much more preferred method of travel than the bus within Russia. Domestic bus schedules can be visited on AviaBus.
To/from Finland
- Lux Express operates service to/from Helsinki (€15-20, 7 hours, 3x per day). This is the best way to travel to Helsinki, although it takes twice as long as the train.
- Matkahuolto provides information on traveling by bus to/from Finland. There are direct buses between Saint Petersburg and Helsinki (7-8 hours, 4 per day, €35) and Lappeenranta (6 hours, 3 per day, €31), with further connections to other cities in Finland.
- Sovavto operates daily buses between Saint Petersburg and Turku (10 hours, €53), with stops at several cities including Helsinki (7.5 hours, €35).
To/from the Baltics and other cities in Europe
- Lux Express - Mitrofanjevskoe Shosse (Митрофаньевское шоссе), 2/1 59.90737, 30.30094 : Baltiskii ☎ +7 812 441 3757 operates service to/from Tallinn (€14-30, 7 hours, 7x per day) with a stop in Narva (€9-16, 5 hours, 7x per day), Tartu (€22-25, 7 hours, 5x per day), as well as a service to/from Riga (4x per day, 11 hours, €33-35), with continuing service to the rest of Europe. Office at Mitrofanjevskoe Shosse 2-1, near Metro Baltiskii. ☎ +7 812 441 37 57. Lux Express buses depart from Baltiskii Station and the main bus station (Avtovokzal).
- Ecolines - Amron-ecolines, Transportnaya Kompaniya | Podyezdnoy pereulok (Подъездный переулок), 3 59.91963, 30.33137 : Pushkinskaya (Пушкинская) ☎ +7 812 314 2550 | Opening Hours: 10:00-20:00 Operates daily departures to Riga (€36, 10-12 hours, 3x per day) as well as service to Minsk (€34, 15 hours, 1-2x per day) and Kiev (€68, 19 hours, 2x per day). Office at Pod'ezdniy pereulok 3 near Metro Pushkinskaya 10:00-22:00. ☎ +7 812 314 2550, +7 901 300 6170. Ecolines buses depart from Vitebsky vokzal (near Metro Pushkinskaya) and the main bus station (Avtovokzal).
By Boat
If you join a cruise tour of Saint Petersburg and then you don't need a Russian visa but you have to stay with the tour. See Russia#Visa free entry by ship.
- St. Peter Line operates visa-free cruises to Saint Petersburg from Helsinki, Tallinn, and Stockholm.
- RechFlot and Stolichnaya Sudokhodnaya Kompania (SSK) operate river cruises on the inland waterway "Volga-Baltic" which links Moscow and the River Volga, and Lakes Onega, Ladoga and Neva.
Ports
Passenger Port of Saint Petersburg “Marine Façade" is the main boat terminal in Saint Petersburg, and is where 90% of cruise ships dock. It was built on reclaimed land on the western shore of Vasilyevsky Island at the mouth of the Neva River, 8km west of the downtown. With its 7 berths and 4 terminals, Marine Façade is able to handle 7 large cruise ships and more than 15,000 passengers per day. Bus #158 operates between terminal 3 the Primorskaya (Примо́рская) metro station.
Smaller cruise ships sail up the Neva river and dock at either English Embankment (Англи́йская на́бережная; Angliyskaya Naberezhnaya) or Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment, both of which are closer to the downtown.
Get Around
Bridge draw schedule
Except during the winter the 9 low bridges in Saint Petersburg are drawn during the night to allow for the passage of boat traffic. Therefore, if you don't make it to the side of the river where you are staying before the bridges are drawn and there are no high bridges to cross, you will be stuck until the bridges are lowered. There are "breaks" when some the bridges are lowered in the middle of the night for roughly 30 minutes to briefly allow everyone to get home. The bridge schedule is particularly interesting for those staying on Vasilyevsky Island, which is unreachable at certain times of the night. Seeing the bridges drawn in the middle of the night is a must for all visitors to the city!
The Bolshoy Obukhovskiy Most, 14 kilometers south of the Alexander Nevsky Bridge (Most Aleksandra Nevskogo), is never drawn, allowing for 24-hour crossing of the Neva River. However the bridge is out of the way and will increase the cost of your taxi or Uber.
The following are the times when the bridges are drawn and will not be able to be crossed:
Bridge | Location | Drawn Time(s) |
---|---|---|
Palace Bridge (Dvortsovyy Most) | To Vasilyevsky Island | From 01:25 to 02:50 & from 03:10 to 04:55 |
Blagoveshchensky Bridge | To Vasilyevsky Island | From 01:25 to 02:45 & from 03:10 to 05:00 |
Troitsky Bridge | To Petrogradsky, near Peter & Paul Fortress | From 01:35 to 04:50 |
Liteiny Bridge | Near Lenin Plaza / Finlandsky Railway Station | From 01:40 to 04:45 |
Birzhevoy (Exchange) Bridge | Between Vasilyevsky Island & Petrogradsky, near Peter & Paul Fortress | From 02:00 to 04:55 |
Volodarsky Bridge | Near Lomonovskaya | From 02:00 to 03:45 & from 04:15 to 05:45 |
Tuchkov Bridge | Between Petrogradsky and Vasilyevsky Island | From 02:00 to 02:55 & from 03:35 to 04:55 |
Bolsheokhtinsky / Peter the Great Bridge | Just north of Alexander Nevsky Bridge | From 02:00 to 05:00 |
Alexander Nevsky Bridge (Most Aleksandra Nevskogo) | On Nevsky Prospekt | From 02:20 to 05:10 |
Finlyandsky Bridge | Just south of Alexander Nevsky Bridge | From 02:20 to 05:30 |
By metro
Saint Petersburg's metro system is the second largest in Russia, after that of Moscow. The metro is a affordable and effective way to get around the city, and also a major tourist attraction due to the beautiful decorations of the stations. Amateur photography (without a tripod, etc.) is allowed, although professional photography is prohibited.
The trains are fast and run frequently. During rush hour and there are often only 30 seconds between trains. Fares are RUB45 per entry regardless of the distance traveled. Multi-trip passes can be purchased including a 10-trip pass for RUB355 (must be used within 7 days of purchase). The system can be visited by inserting a brass token into the turnstile slot, by tapping a Sputnik smart card purchased from a machine at the station, or by tapping a Mastercard PayPass or Visa PayWave card on the white circle near the turnstile. Large baggage requires payment of 1 additional fare.
Opening and closing times vary; the subway is closed from roughly midnight to roughly 05:45, depending on the station.
Metro maps can be found in every train vehicle and always have station names in the Latin alphabet. The station names on the platforms are also in the Latin alphabet, and many other signs are in English. Station announcements on the train are only in Russian, but if you listen carefully you will hear the conductor announce the current station name the next station as the doors are closing.
Stations are deep underground, and transferring trains at transfer stations involves long walks that can take up to 10 minutes.
Trains can be extremely crowded during rush hour. Be aware of your belongings and expect to have to push your way out of the train upon arrival at your station.
By bus, trolleybus, or tram
Trolleybuses are indicated by the letter 'm' (the lower case version of the Russian letter 'т') on the stops, and diesel/gas buses by the letter 'A'. Both buses and trolleybuses may show the same route number, but the trolleybus route in this case is frequently shorter, and can vary in some minor respects.
Trams (трамвай – "tramvai") are not common in the downtown due to traffic issues but are available outside the downtown.
Tickets (RUB40, more to the suburbs) are sold by attendants on board the vehicle. They usually only speak Russian and prefer exact change.
Buses and trolleys on main routes are frequently overcrowded. If you are caught without a valid ticket, you will be fined RUB300.
Best way to travel in Saint Petersburg by a Taxi
Taxis are always available but are much more expensive at night. Every private vehicle is a potential taxi. Flagging down a vehicle and paying for a ride somewhere is perfectly normal in Russia and quite popular although ill-advised for tourists. Safety is, of course, an issue. As a rule, you should never get in a private cab if it already has passengers inside.
Refuse requests from the driver to take on more fares unless you reached your destination; if he insists, ask to stop at a safe-looking place, pay and leave. If the driver stops for gas, step out of the car, take your belongings, and get some fresh air while he is fuelling it. Those travelling alone (men and women) should wave off any suspicious ride for any reason whatsoever. Gypsy cabs which linger near popular restaurants at night have been known to be especially dangerous, with several instances of druggings and robberies.
Drivers do not usually speak English. Watch out for overpriced taxis outside Hermitage museum. They have meters that run at 4 times the rate of regular taxis. Negotiate a flat fare before getting on the taxi. If the driver insists on using the meter you should walk away.
By marshrutka
Share taxi Route taxi (маршрутка - marshrutka) is sometimes the quickest way to get somewhere. Vans have 14-20 seats, are usually white or yellow, always with a letter K followed by the route number plate (such as K-28). Often they are small Chinese or Turkish buses. There are no regular stops; you must tell the driver when you want to get out, or wave while on the roadside to stop one. You must pay to the driver at entry, usually RUB30-40. If you cannot reach the driver on your own, pass the money through the other passengers and be ready to pass other's money if you sit close to the driver. The Marshrutka experience may seem exciting sometimes, especially when you see some brave driver counting change while steering with his knees at 110km/h (70mph). Many marshrutka drivers are illegal immigrants and speak Russian poorly (if any at all).
By local train
Commuter trains (электричка, elektrichka) may be useful to get to the suburbs. Fares are based on travel distance. Speeds are moderate, but trains operate infrequently. Information is available in Russian online].
How to travel around Saint Petersburg on a bicycle ?
While the terrain in Saint Petersburg is flat the city is not bicycle-friendly due to limited bike lanes, bad weather, and dangerous vehicle traffic. However, you are allowed to take a bicycle onto the elektrichka trains upon payment of a small fee and go to a less crowded suburb to enjoy a ride.
What to See
Saint Petersburg is simply put one of the greatest sightseeing cities on earth. No visit can do it justice—you'll have to move here to really be able to see all the sights. Really, budgeting a month of full-time tourism would not be unrealistic. And that's after all dramatic events of the 20th century that took place here! Perhaps no other city outside Italy can compare in sheer volume of beautiful, grand things to see.
As the center of the Russian world for 200 years of the Romanov Dynasty the city reaped the rewards of Peter the Great's impossibly grandiose and tyrannical vision, and the Empire's extreme inequality. The wealth of the wealthy in Imperial Russia was almost unfathomably extreme, and led to the extreme opulence of the palaces and ecclesiastical buildings throughout the downtown, as well as the suburban palaces at Peterhof, Lomonosov, Strelna, Pushkin, and Pavlovsk. The greatest concentration of sights is found within the huge area of the center inside the Obvodny Canal, along the south embankment of Vasilievsky Island, and in the southern half of Petrogradsky Island.
Highlights
So, OK, you don't have months to explore the city—what are the highlights? It's a difficult question to answer. The most obvious destination is the Winter Palace on Palace Plaza (right by the Admiralty and the Bronze Horseman), which houses the Hermitage Museum, and which was the winter residence of the Romanov Tsars and crucially the center of the Russian Imperial government. The Hermitage Museum is easily one of the top five art museums in the world, but even if you don't care about art, wandering around the enormous palace itself is extremely rewarding. The nineteenth century, whimsical Church on the Spilled Blood nearby is another internationally recognized icon of the city, with a spectacular setting on the Griboedov Canal near the Mikhailovsky Garden, and filled—literally filled—with beautiful mosaics.
Speakings of canals, strolling the palace-lined banks of the Moika and the Fontanka, and the Griboedov Canal in the historic center is a must. During the summer months, you can also enjoy this magnificent architecture from the boat by joining any of the popular (albeit expensive) "channel tours," or opt for a budget boat trip along the Neva river on a so-called riverbus, which is a tiny boat zooming along the river on several routes that are integrated into the system of public transport.
In the same neighborhood, walk down Nevsky Prospekt, which serves as Saint Petersburg's main grand avenue for shops (especially the historic mall of Gostiny Dvor) and theaters, and another realm of palaces and cathedrals, most notably the massive Kazan Gothic Church. The Kazan Gothic Church is functioning, so its easier to visit than the other big cathedrals (no lines, entrance fees, etc.). In the same neighborhood, but off Nevsky, are the Plaza of the Arts, where you'll find the Russian Museum—an absolute can't-miss for art lovers. The Mariinsky Theater is one of the world's most beautiful performance venues, and you should check it out even if you can't see an opera or ballet performance. Mammoth Saint Isaac's Gothic Church, with its impressive balcony views, is another obvious sightseeing destination.
Across the Neva River are more can't-miss sights. The Peter and Paul Fortress on the Petrograd Side is easily one of the city's top three attractions. Aside from its sheer beauty, visit it for its immense history as the final resting place of the Romanov Tsars, as well as its role as a notorious prison for the most high-profile political prisoners under their rule. On Vasilievsky Island, you must at least take a taxi over to the Strelka for the views by the Rostral Columns, across the street from the Old Stock Exchange, home to the Naval Museum, surely one of the best of this kind on the planet. Then take another ride along University Embankment before heading back across the river. Better yet, stop along the way at the weird and wonderful Kunstkamera museum of ethnology, home to Peter the Great's bizarre collection of oddities.
Complicating the desire to see the city's highlights in a short period of time are the magnificent suburban palaces at Peterhof, Pushkin, Lomonosov, Strelna, and Pavlovsk. Any tourists who visit Saint Petersburg and don't see neither the Tsarskoye Selo palaces at Pushkin, nor the Bolshoi Palace at Peterhof, really should be a bit ashamed of themselves. It's like going to Paris and skipping Versailles. Of the three and the Pavlovsk Palace would be the least unforgivable to miss, but if you have the time—go.
Exploring more
More time? The center has a world of more sights. Mars Field with the Memorial to the Revolutionary Fighters and the Eternal Flame and the Circus, wonderfully baroque Smolny Gothic Church, Peter the Great's Cabin and the rolling parkland of the Tauride Palace and Gardens, Alexander Nevsky Monastery and the Yusupov Palace where Rasputin was killed (if you get the chance to see a performance in the theater inside, jump on it) and the neoclassical bust-filled Summer Gardens, Mikhailovsky Castle and the Marble Palace and the small but powerfully heartrending Museum of the Defense and Blockade of Leningrad. Literary buffs should seek out Dostoevsky's local haunts, including the famous "Murder Walk" from Crime and Punishment, which will take you right from Raskolnikov's apartment to the door of the very apartment where the grisly deed was done.
Head back across the river to the Petrograd Side, past the Peter and Paul Fortress, you'll find the Saint Petersburg Mosque and the really impressive Military Museum and the museum-ship of the Cruiser Aurora and the ever... interesting Museum of Political History, and the Botanical Gardens. On Vasilievsky and the whole Neva embankment is filled with great museums and grand buildings. Especially great places to visit (aside from the aforementioned Naval Museum and Kunstkamera) include the Menshikov Palace (run by the Hermitage) and the Twelve Collegia, and the Mining Museum. And don't forget to hunt down the some 3,300 year-old sphinx statues from the Theban Necropolis!
Further afield
Few tourists make it out of the downtown, south of the Obvodny Canal and north of Petrogradsky Island, but there are still huge amounts of things to see in the north and south of the city—especially in the south. Southern Saint Petersburg is home to the Narva Triumphal Arch and its sister monument—the Moscow Triumphal Gate and the huge Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad (which honestly should be one of the main attractions in this city, if not for its distance from the center), Moscow Victory Park, and one of the best examples of Stalinist architecture (more interesting than you'd think) at the House of the Soviets, fronted by a very large Lenin statue. The most wonderful sight in southern Saint Petersburg, though, may be the whimsical, Candies cane-colored Chesme Church.
The eastern part of the city (colloquially known as the Right bank) is renowned for its nineteenth century industrial architecture in the neighborhoods of Okhta and Porokhovye (former gunpowder factories).
Northern Saint Petersburg is a bit less notable, but adventurous travelers can find some things of interest, especially in the old industrial neighborhood around the Finliandskii Station, at the Forestry Academy and Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery for the fallen in the Siege of Leningrad.
Things to Do
Events
Opera and Ballet
No trip to Saint Petersburg is complete without seeing an opera or ballet performance. The Mariinsky is perhaps the most well-known institution, but it is by no means the only theater in the city. Tickets are sold throughout the city at kiosks and retail outlets called Teatralnaya Kassa, which charge a nominal (usually about RUB20) fee for "insurance," which is theoretically optional. The theater box offices themselves sell tickets directly, too, and usually for the same price. Sometimes blocks of tickets sell out at the kiosks but tickets are still available at the theater, or vice versa, so it is worth checking both places if you have your heart set on a particular performance. It is feasible to take not-so-small children into some performances if you take a private box, although you will need to ask when you buy your tickets.
- Mariinsky Theater - Мариинский театр, Mariinskiy Teatr, Maryinsky, Mariyinsky | Theater Plaza (Театральная площадь), 1 59.925556, 30.296111 Bus : 2, 3, 6, 27, 71 & Share taxi : K1, K6K, K169, K306 to stop 'Theater Plaza' ☎ +7 812 326 4141 - Spb 06-2012 MariinskyTheatre - The Mariinsky Theater (formerly the Kirov, which is the name the troupe still uses when touring abroad) is world-class for both opera and ballet. There are English supertitles for operas sung in Russian; operas in other languages have Russian supertitles. Performances are offered in two halls: the main theater, and the newly-built Mariinsky Concert Hall. Tickets can be purchased on the theater's website. Cavos rebuilt it as an opera and ballet house with the largest stage in the world. With a seating capacity of 1,625 and a U-shaped Italian-style auditorium and the theatre opened on 2 October 1860 with a performance of A Life for the Tsar. The new theatre was named Mariinsky after its imperial patroness, Empress Maria Alexandrovna.
- Mikhailovskiy Theater - Mikhailovsky, Михайловский театр, Former: Mussorgsky Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre; Small Academic Opera Theatre of Leningrad; Small Academic Theatre; the State Academic Theatre of Comic Opera | Ploshad Isskustv 1 59.937778, 30.329444 Between the Russian Museum and the Grand Hotel Europe, : Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), Share taxi : К100 ☎ +7 812 595 4305 - Spb 06-2012 MichaelTheatre - RUB600-2700- The exterior is not as recognizable as the Mariinsky, but the interior is nearly as grand, and the theater hosts both Russian and foreign headliners in opera and ballet. It was established in 1833. It is named after Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia.
- Saint Petersburg Opera - Санкт-Петербург Опера | Galernaya Ul. (Галерная улица), 33 59.93298, 30.29277 West of the Bronze Horseman. - : Sadovaya "Садовая", : Sennaya Ploschad "Сенная площадь" further to stop "Plocshad Truda" Share taxi : 186, 124, 169. - : Admiralteyskaya "Адмиралтейская", further to stop "Plocshad Truda" Bus : 22, 3, 27; Trolley : 22, 5; Share taxi : 180, 16 ☎ +7 812 312 3982 - Teatr Sankt-Peterburg 2010 3093 - Opening Hours: 12:00-15:00 & 16:00-19:00 RUB300-3,000 - An intimate theater (half-sized stage, and only about 150-200 audience seats) which puts on the major repertory operas at a lower price than the major theaters and has a fascinating foyer - one has to see it to believe it.
- Conservatory Theater - Санкт-Петербургская государственная консерватория имени Н. А. Римского-Корсакова | theatre@ Theater Plaza (Театральная площадь), 3 59.925833, 30.298056 Across the street from the Mariinsky Theater, Spb metro line5.svg|20px: Sadovaya «Садовая», : Sennaya Ploschad «Сенная площадь» then - 15-20 min walk. direction to channel Griboyedov or Share taxi : 1, 67, 124; /: Nevsky Prospekt/Gostiny Dvor «Невский Проспект»/«Гостиный Двор» and then - Bus : 3, 22, 27; Share taxi : 180, 169, 306 ☎ +7 921 780-1123 (mobile) +7 812 570-6088 RUB300-1,500 Saint Petersburg Conservatory - While the hall itself is not lavish - quite sterile, really - an excellent option for seeing Russian and repertory operas cheaply, performed by faculty and students of the conservatory where Tchaikovsky (and many other famous figures from the Russian music world) studied.
Other Theatres
- Alexandrinsky Theatre or Russian State Pushkin Academy Drama Theater - Александринский театр, Российский государственный академический театр драмы им. А. С. Пушкина | Ostrovsky Plaza(площадь Островского), 6 59.9318, 30.3362 and : Gostinyy Dvor (Гостиный двор) ☎ +7 812 570-7794 - Alexandratheater.JPG Opening Hours: 12:00-14:00 & 15:00-19:00
- Baltic House Festival Theatre - Балтийский дом former Ленинградский Государственный театр им. Ленинского Комсомола | Alexandrovsky Park, 4 59.95569, 30.31289 Gorkovskaya (Горьковская) ☎ +7 812 232-3539 - Sady & Parky Sankt-Peterburg 2010 0081 - Opening Hours: 11:00-19:00
- Saint Petersburg Comedy Theatre - Nikolay Akimov Saint Petersburg Comedy Theatre, Санкт-Петербургский академический театр комедии им. Н. П. Акимова | Nevsky Prospect (Невский проспект), 56 59.93423, 30.33767 and : Gostinyy Dvor ☎ +7 812 312-4555 - Teatr Sankt-Peterburg 2010 3034 - Opening Hours: Cash desks 11:30-15:00 & 16:00-19:30
- Komedianty Theatre - Saint Petersburg State Dramatic Theatre 'The Comedians', Санкт-Петербургский государственный драматический театр «Комедианты» | Ligovsky Prospect (Лиговский проспект), 44 59.92608, 30.35861 : Ploshchad Vosstaniya (Площадь Восстания) ☎ +7 812 572-1004 +7 812 764-7016
- Komissarjevsky Theatre - Академический драматический театр имени В. Ф. Комиссаржевской | Italyanskaya Street, 19 59.935462, 30.334454 and : Gostinyy Dvor (Гостиный двор), and : Nevsky Prospekt "Невский проспект" ☎ +7 812 315 53 55 +7 812 571 08 53 Opening Hours: W-M 11:00-15:00 & 16:00-19:00 The drama and comedy company was founded by actress Vera Komissarzhevskaya in 1901. In The Passage (магазин "Пассаж", Passazh), Luxury department store
- Lensoviet Academic Theatre - Санкт-Петербургский академический театр имении Ленсовета | @re.spb.ru Pr. Vladimirski (Владимирский пр.), 12 59.93009, 30.34874 and : "Владимирская", and : Dostoevskaya "Достоевская", and : Mayakovskaya "Маяковская" ☎ +7 812 713-2191 - Театр-им.-Ленсовета - Opening Hours: 11:00-19:00 In the former Korssakov family mansion. The resident company was founded as the Young Theatre in 1929 and then renamed the New Theatre in 1933, and finally the Leningrad Soviet Theatre in 1939.
- Liteiny Theatre - State Dramatic Theatre on Liteinyi Prospect, Государственный драматический Театр на Литейном | Miteinyi Prospect (Литейный проспект), 51 59.93714, 30.34768 : Mayakovskaya "Маяковская" 0.8km, : Gostinyy Dvor (Гостиный двор) 0.9km; Bus : 15, Trolley : 8, 15, 3; Share taxi : К258, К177, К90 ☎ +7 812 273-5335 - Teatr Sankt-Peterburg 2010 3028 - In 1993 the Liteinyi's theatre troupe toured America with a production of George Bernard Shaw's Great Catherine in Russian.
- Na Neve Theatre - Children's Theatre "Na Neve", Детский драматический театр «На Неве» | Sovetskiy Pereulok (Советский переулок), 5 59.914167, 30.309167
- Tekhnologichesky Institut (Технологический институт) 0.6km NE ☎ +7 812 251-2006 - Theatre na neve - The theatre was opened in 1987
- Ostrov Theatre - Драматический театр «Остров» | @r.ru Kamennoostrovskiy prospekt (Каменноостровский проспект), 26-28 59.96234, 30.31420 Gorkovskaya «Горьковская». Share taxi : 46, 76, 183, 223, 30. Bus : 46, 76 ☎ +7 812 346-3810 +7 812 346-43-43 BenoisHouse - Opening Hours: Ticket office: W-Thursday 14.00-19.30, F-Su 14.00-19.00; All performances start at 19:00 In the former Benois House.
- Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theater - Большой драматический театр имени Г. А. Товстоногова | Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki (наб. реки Фонтанки), 65 59.927333, 30.330994 Spasskayav (Спасская)) Spb metro line5.svg|20px Sennaya Ploschad (Сенная площадь) 0.6km West ☎ +7 812 310-9242, +7 812 310-7687 (ticket desk) +7 812 571-4577 Palace-p1030655 - Opening Hours: Daily 11.00-15.00 & 16.00-19.00 Formerly known as Gorky Bolshoi Drama Theater (Большой Драматический Театр имени Горького) (1931–1992), often referred to as the Bolshoi Drama Theater and by the acronym BDT (БДТ), is a theater in Saint Petersburg, that is considered one of the best Russian theaters
- Zazerkalie theatre - "Looking Glass" Children's Musical Theatre, Детский музыкальный театр «Зазеркалье» | Rubinstein Street (улице Рубинштейна), 13 59.929444, 30.343056 : Vladimirskaya 'Владимирская', Dostoevskaya 'Достоевская' ☎ +7 812 712-4393 +7 812 712-4395 Зазеркалье.JPG - The theatre appeared in August 1987 and was named after the Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There". The Children’s experimental theatre “Zazerkalie” appeared in 1992.
- Youth Theatre on the Fontanka - Saint Petersburg State Youth Theatre on the Fontanka, Санкт-Петербургский государственный молодёжный театр на Фонтанке | Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki (Набережная реки Фонтанки), 114 59.918889, 30.313056 : Tekhnologichesky Institut 'Технологический институт', further by walk or Share taxi : К3, К36, К115, К124, К186, К213, К350 to stop 'Naberezhnaya Fontanki' ☎ +7 812 316-6564 - Teatr Sankt-Peterburg 2010 3012 - Opening Hours: Daily 12.00-15.00 & 15.40-20.00 RUB200-1200 It plays Russian classic plays in the winter seasons and hosts a rock concert in the summer.
Circus
- Circus Ciniselli - Цирк Чинизелли, Большой Санкт-Петербургский государственный цирк | Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki ( Набережная реки Фонтанки), 3 59.938569, 30.34117 and : Gostinyy Dvor (Гостиный двор) 0.5km ☎ +7 812 570-5198 +7 812 570-5260 Spb 06-2012 Circus - Opening Hours: Daily 11:00-15:00, 16:00-19:00 RUB600-2300 It was the first stone-built circus in Russia; it is situated beside the Fontanka.Opened on 26 December 1877, with a large stage (13m in diameter) and stables (housing 150 horses). The architect was Vasily Kenel.
Concerts
The music scene in Saint Petersburg is diverse, with several classical, jazz, and pop concerts to choose from each week. Tickets are available at the same Teatralnaya Kassa locations as ballet and opera tickets, although tickets to pop concerts - especially US and European stars on tour - sometimes use exclusive distributors. For pop and rock concerts, unless you buy tickets for the dance floor (tanzpol), you are expected to sit quietly in your seat as if you were at a ballet - ushers are vigilant about keeping the audience from standing up, dancing, or cheering (polite applause is allowed, but that's about all).
Several of the ballet and opera theaters above also offer orchestral and recital performances, so those are not repeated below. Also, don't forget the many small clubs where up and coming bands play.
- Saint Petersburg Philharmonia Grand Hall - Bolshoi Zal, Санкт-Петербургская государственная филармония им. Д. Д. Шостаковича, Большой зал | Mikhailovskaya Ul.(Михайловская улица) 2 59.936017, 30.331728 Entrance across from the Grand Hotel Europe, : Nevskiy prospekt ☎ +7 812 710-4290 +7 812 710-4085 Saint Petersburg Philharmonia - Bolshoi Zal - Opening Hours: Cash desks 11:00-15:00 & 16:00-20:00 RUB600-5,000 The orchestra established in 1802. The Bolshoi Zal (large hall) of this building is one of the best known music halls in Russia. The building that houses the Philharmonia was completed 1839. Architect: P. Jacot; and Facade design: C. Rossi. - A world-class orchestra which records and tours abroad. The Small Hall (Maliy Saal) hosts excellent chamber music performances and recitals.
- Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Small Hall - Malii Zal, Санкт-Петербургская государственная филармония им. Д. Д. Шостаковича, Малый зал | Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 30 59.93553, 30.32751 : Nevskiy prospekt ☎ +7 812 571-8333 +7 812 571-4237 Philharmonics Hall SPB - Opening Hours: Cash desks 11:00-15:00 & 16:00-19:00 The Small Hall (Maliy Saal) of the Philharmonic hosts excellent chamber music performances and recitals.
- Jazz Philharmonic Hall - Джаз-филармоник холле, Эллингтон холле | @ll.ru Zagorodnyy prospekt (Загородный пр.), 27 59.92421, 30.33698 South of Nevsky Prospekt, use : Vladimirskaya 'Владимирская' or : 16 ☎ +7 812 764-8565 +7 812 764-9843 Opening Hours: Cash desks: Daily 14:00-20:00 RUB800-1,200 Offers a variety of jazz performances several times per week.
- Ice Palace - Ledoviy Dvorets, Ледовый Дворец | e-@ prospekt Pyatiletok (Проспект Пятилеток), 1 59.921667, 30.466389 : Prospekt Bolshevikov 'Проспект Большевиков' ☎ +7 812 718-6620 | Opening Hours: Cash desks: Daily 11:00-20:00 RUB800-10,000 It was built for the 2000 Ice Hockey World Championships and opened in 2000 & cost USD 60 million. It holds 12,300 people. One of several sports arenas that also serves as a concert hall for pop and rock concerts.
- Oktyabrskiy Big Concert Hall - БКЗ Октябрьский, Большой концертный зал «Октя́брьский» | Migovskiy Prospekt (Лиговский проспект), 6 59.935556, 30.365278 : Ploshad Vosstaniya 'Площадь Восстания' ☎ +7 812 275-1300 - Oktyabrskiy Grand Concert Hall - Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11:00-20:00; Saturday Sunday 11:00-19:00 RUB600-12,000 For Pop and rock concerts and for performance of variety actors and also dancing and ballet collectives in an auditorium.
Canal boat tours
A tour of the canals by boat is a great way to see the city in the summer. The typical tour is through the Moika, out to the Neva to see the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Cruiser Aurora and then in through the Fontanka (sometimes as far as the Mariinsky Theater). Tours start at many points along the route and return to their starting point - hawkers for different boat companies abound - and the boats may or may not have a cafe and toilet on board. Almost all tours are in Russian. RUB500-650 seems to be the average price.
- Anglotourismo Boat Tours | Naberezhnaya reki Fontanki, 21 59.93480, 30.34300 : Gostinyy Dvor (Гостиный двор) ☎ +7 921 989 4722 | Opening Hours: Tours at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 00:20 RUB600-750, Students: RUB500 Canal boat tours in English, departing from near the Anichkov Bridge (Nevksy Prospekt and Fontanka) in season (May 7 - Sept 30).
Sport
Watch football: FC Zenit Saint Petersburg play in the Russian Premier League and the top tier of Russian football. Their home ground is Krestovsky Stadium, on Krestovsky island 10 kilometers north of downtown. Take Metro M3 (Green Line) west towards Begovaya and get off at Novokrestovskaya.
Study in Saint Petersburg
Russian language classes
Muslim Friendly Universities in Saint Petersburg
- Russian Language and Culture Institute Saint Petersburg State University - 4 weeks (21) 45-minutes lessons per week: RUB33,600 12-15 students per class.
- School of Russian and Asian Studies
Private language schools
- CREF - Centre of Russian, English & French Studies
- EducaCentre | 2 locations: Komendantskaya square #1, Atmosphere Shopping Mall, 6th floor and 12th line of Vasilievskiy Island ☎ +7 812 676 0075 - (20) 45-minutes group lessons per week: €180, (30) 45-minutes group lessons per week: €225; €60 administrative fee
- EDUCA Russian Language School - 3 Bolshaya Morskaya Metro: Gostiny Dvor ☎ +7 812 954 7320 - (20) 45-minutes group lessons per week: €195, (30) 45-minutes group lessons per week: €240; €65 enrollment fee - Not to be confused with the similarly-named school listed above. Central location, although teachers are younger and less experienced.
- Liden & Denz | Italyanskaya ulitsa #17 (20) 50-minutes group lessons per week: €280, 2-week minimum Highly rated, although pricier than other schools.
- ProBa Language Centre | Zagorodnyi prospekt #17 Metro: Vladimirskaya or Dostoyevskaya ☎ + 7 812 9061308 - 2 week minimum. Group classes: €450 for 2 weeks. Facilities are basic.
Shopping
There are plenty of ATMs and legit currency exchange booths. Do not exchange money on the street: the rate won't be any better, and you run a high risk of encountering any of numerous scams.
Small cornerstores are not necessarily more expensive than larger stores.
Churches often have small souvenir/religious shops with a large variety of items.
The famous place to shop is of course on Nevsky Prospekt in the Center. The streetfront shops there, Passazh, and the historic mall at Gostiny Dvor skew upscale, but there are street markets just off Nevsky, most notably Apraksin Dvor (south on Sadovaya from Gostiny Dvor) where you can get anything on the affordable (especially affordable if you speak Russian).
Islam and Mosques
Among the city's landmarks are its mosques, which reflect the historical presence and contributions of the Muslim community in this vibrant metropolis. Let’s explore two prominent masjids in St. Petersburg: Sankt-Peterburgskaya Sobornaya Mechet' and Kolomyazhskaya Mechet.
Sankt-Peterburgskaya Sobornaya Mechet' (Saint Petersburg Mosque)
Rating: 4.7 (4,034 reviews)
Address: Kronverkskiy Prospekt, 7
Capacity: Accommodates over 5,000 worshippers
Opening Hours: opens at 10:00 AM
The Sankt-Peterburgskaya Sobornaya Mechet', also known as the Saint Petersburg Mosque, is the largest and oldest mosque in the city. Opened in 1913, it was one of the largest mosques in Europe at the time and remains an iconic religious and cultural center.
The mosque’s architecture is breathtaking, featuring a turquoise-tiled dome and intricate oriental ornamentation inspired by the Mausoleum of Tamerlane in Samarkand. The façade and minarets are adorned with traditional Islamic geometric patterns, creating a majestic and serene atmosphere. The prayer hall is equally stunning, with a richly decorated mihrab (prayer niche) and chandeliers that lend a sacred ambiance.
The mosque not only serves the city’s Muslim community but also attracts tourists from around the world, drawn by its historical significance and architectural splendor.
Kolomyazhskaya Mechet (Kolomyazhskaya Mosque)
Rating: 4.6 (1,248 reviews)
Address: Repishcheva Ulitsa, 1
The Kolomyazhskaya Mechet, located in the northern part of St. Petersburg, is another key mosque serving the Muslim population of the city. This mosque provides a welcoming and peaceful space for worshippers, fostering a sense of community and spirituality.
Although smaller and less historically prominent than the Saint Petersburg Mosque, Kolomyazhskaya Mechet is a vital center for Islamic education and community events. Its simpler architectural style contrasts with the grandeur of Sankt-Peterburgskaya Sobornaya Mechet', but it is equally cherished by locals for its role in providing a spiritual haven for Muslims in the area.
Halal Food & Restaurants
St. Petersburg is not only rich in culture and history but also offers a variety of Halal dining options for residents and visitors. Below is a curated list of Halal restaurants in the city with at least 50 reviews, ensuring a high level of popularity and customer satisfaction.
Oh! Mumbai
Rating: 4.4 (1,663 reviews)
Cuisine: Indian
Location: Pereulok Grivtsova, 2
A relaxed eatery showcasing authentic Indian dishes. Known for its flavorful food, the restaurant guarantees Halal options.
Highly recommended for its vibrant atmosphere and tasty curries.
Kashmir
Rating: 4.6 (1,004 reviews)
Cuisine: Indian
Location: Bol'shaya Moskovskaya Ulitsa, 7
A popular spot for Indian cuisine with Halal-certified meat and an array of dishes.
Great for those craving traditional Indian spices and freshly baked naan.
Kazan Mangal
Rating: 4.5 (1,774 reviews)
Cuisine: Caucasian
Location: Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa, 13
Specializes in Caucasian dishes, featuring Halal meats and rich flavors.
Perfect for grilled meats and hearty stews.
Галата (Galata)
Rating: 4.5 (1,147 reviews)
Cuisine: Turkish
Location: Ligovsky Ave, 162
A Turkish restaurant offering a variety of Halal dishes, from kebabs to traditional desserts.
Popular for its authentic taste and cozy ambiance.
Great Punjab
Rating: 4.8 (1,005 reviews)
Cuisine: Indian
Location: Pushkinskaya Ulitsa, 6
Offers a delightful array of Indian dishes with certified Halal meat.
Celebrated for its tandoori dishes and impeccable service.
Restoran Baku
Rating: 4.3 (899 reviews)
Cuisine: Azerbaijani
Location: Sadovaya St, 12
Known for its traditional Azerbaijani cuisine, including Halal options.
Ideal for exploring new flavors in a welcoming setting.
Beirut
Rating: 4.3 (599 reviews)
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Location: Stremyannaya Ulitsa, 11
Specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine with Halal-certified dishes.
Renowned for its authentic mezze and shawarma.
Na Parakh
Rating: 4.6 (1,636 reviews)
Cuisine: European/Asian Fusion
Location: Ul. Marata, 16
A fusion restaurant offering diverse Halal-friendly options.
Unique dishes and an elegant atmosphere.
Master Kebab
Rating: 4.1 (1,494 reviews)
Cuisine: Fast Food
Location: Gorokhovaya St, 43
A go-to spot for quick Halal kebabs and wraps.
Ideal for late-night cravings or quick bites.
Türk O'Clock
Rating: 4.6 (224 reviews) Cuisine: Turkish Location: Fontanka River Embankment, 60 Offers a selection of Turkish Halal dishes with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Hours: Opens at 11 AM Known for its flavorful döner kebabs and friendly service.
Eastern Cuisine
Rating: 4.6 (213 reviews)
Cuisine: Uzbeki
Location: 16-Ya Liniya B.o., 73
Features Halal-certified Uzbek dishes in a comfortable setting.
Plov and samsa are crowd favorites.
Ganesha Indian Restaurant
Rating: 4.7 (318 reviews)
Cuisine: Indian
Location: Sadovaya St, 42
A vibrant restaurant offering a mix of vegetarian and Halal-certified non-vegetarian dishes.
A must-visit for its authentic spices and excellent hospitality.
Muslim Friendly Hotels
- Agni Hotel St. Petersburg
- Andersen Hotel St. Petersburg
- Angleterre Hotel St. Petersburg
- Apartments on Nevsky 66 St. Petersburg
- Arbat Nord Hotel St. Petersburg
- Astoria Hotel Rocco Forte St. Petersburg
- Atrium Hotel St Petersburg
- Baltic Star Hotel St Petersburg
- City Realty Nevsky 84
- Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg
- Demidov Bridge Hotel St.Petersburg
- Dostoevsky Hotel St. Petersburg
- Golden Triangle Hotel St.Petersburg
- Grand Europe Hotel St. Petersburg
- Guyot Hotel St. Petersburg
- Happy Pushkin Hotel St.Petersburg
- Holiday Inn St.Petersburg-Moskovskye Vorota
- Hotel Pio St. Petersburg
- Ibis St.Petersburg Centre Hotel
- Lancaster Court Hotel St.Petersburg
- Marco Polo Saint-Petersburg Hotel
- Moscow Hotel St. Petersburg
- Nas Hotel St Petersburg
- Neptun Hotel St. Petersburg
- Nevsky 91 Hotel St. Petersburg
- Nevsky Aster Hotel St Petersburg
- Nevsky Inn St. Petersburg
- Park Inn Pulkovskaya St. Petersburg
- Petro Palace Hotel St. Petersburg
- Petro Sport Hotel St Petersburg
- Rossi Hotel St. Petersburg
- Sokos Hotel Olympic Garden St. Petersburg
- Sokos Hotel Palace Bridge St. Petersburg
- Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky St.Petersburg
- Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg Hotel
- TOP Helvetia Hotel St. Petersburg
Consulates in Saint Petersburg
Angola - Honorary, Почётное консульство Анголы | Shpalernaya ulitsa (Шпалерная улица, ), 36, office 324 59.949044, 30.359 Chernyshevskaya 0.5 kilometers S, entrance from Chernyshevskogo Prospekt ☎ +7 812 272-0994 +7 812 272-0994 Konsulstvo Sankt-Peterburg 3636 - Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:30
Armenia - Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Saint Petersburg, Генеральное консульство Армении, ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ԳԼԽԱՎՈՐ ՀՅՈՒՊԱՏՈՍՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ | Ulitsa Dekabristov (Улица Декабристов), 22, ap. 13 59.927831, 30.302575 Sennaya Ploschad 'Сенная площадь' ☎ +7 812 571-7236 +7 812 710-6620 Konsulstvo Sankt-Peterburg 3606 - Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00-18:00
Azerbaijan - Генеральное консульство Азербайджана, Azərbaycan Respublikasının Sankt-Peterburq şəhərindəki Baş konsulluğu | 2-ya Sovetskaya ulitsa, 27A 59.930147, 30.372228 Ploshchad Vosstaniya 'Площадь Восстания' 0.6 kilometers West ☎ +7 812 717-3991 +7 812 717-3986 Konsulstva SPb 2012 4470 - Opening Hours: Monday Wednesday to Friday 10:00-14:00
Bangladesh - Почётное консульство Бангладеш, বাংলাদেশের অনারারি কনস্যুলেট | Ulitsa 3-ya liniya (3 линия), 8 59.94155, 30.286678 Vasilievsky Island (Васильевского острова), Vasileostrovskaya 'Василеостровская' ☎ +7 812 328-5538, +7 812 323-9233, +7 812 328-5516 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00
Belarus - Отделение посольства Белоруссии | Bonch-Bruevicha street (ул.Бонч-Бруевича), 3а 59.943894, 30.391489 Chernyshevskaya 1.7km W, further Bus : 22, 22а, 136. or Share taxi : К15 to stop Tulskaya (Тульская улица) ☎ +7 812 274-7212, +7 812 275-8130 +7 812 273-4164 Konsulstvo Sankt-Peterburg 2011 1002 - Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–12:00 & 14:00-15:00
Brazil - Honorary Consulate, Почётное консульство Бразилии | Naberezhnaya Reki Moiki, 75 Старо-Петергофский проспект, 19? 59.912056, 30.276489 Nevskiy prospekt, tram 41 to stop Rizhskiy prospekt ☎ +7 812 703-7458 +7 812 326-6677 Konsulstvo Sankt-Peterburg 3595 - Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00
China - Генеральное консульство Китая | Naberezhnaya Kanala Griboedova (Набережная канала Грибоедова), 134 59.9211, 30.291944 Sennaya ploshchad' 1.5 kilometers NE; : 16 to stop 'Садовая улица/ Лермонтовский проспект', Share taxi : К7, К154, К195, К212 to stop 'Лермонтовский проспект' ☎ +7 812 714-7670, +7 812 713-7605 +7 812 714-7958 Konsulstvo Sankt-Peterburg 3600.jpg
India - Ulitsa Ryleeva(), 35 59.942222, 30.361958 Chernyshevskaya ☎ +7 812 6407222, +7 911 7776948 (emergency contact number) +7 812 6407221 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:30-18:00
Indonesia - Honourary Consulate, Почётное консульство Индонезии | Kamennoostrovsky prospekt, 15 59.960281, 30.317503 Gorkovskaya 'Горьковская' 0.6km South or Petrogradskaya 'Петроградская' 0.7km Northwest ☎ +7 812 237-0883 +7 812 237-0883 Mira12 - Opening Hours: Monday Tuesday Wednesday to Friday 10:00-16:00
Ireland - Honourary Consulate, Почётное консульство Ирландии | Ul. Kuznetsovskaya (Кузнецовская улица), 30А. 59.871797, 30.315592 Park Pobedy 'Парк Победы' 0.7 kilometers South or Elektrosila 'Электросила' 0.8 kilometers North ☎ +7 812 326-9057, +7 812 937-0233 +7 812 326-9050
Kazakhstan - Honourary Consulate, Генеральное консульство Казахстана | Vilenskiy pereulok (Виленский переулок), 15? or Galernaya street?, 11 59.939897, 30.366233 Chernyshevskaya 0.5km Northwest ☎ +7 812 312-0987
Kyrgyzstan - Honourary Consulate, Почётное консульство Киргизии | Suvorovsky pr., 40 office 18 ? Невский проспект,.132 ? 59.930281, 30.367522 Ploshchad' Vosstaniya ☎ +7 812 400-2280
Pakistan - Honourary Consulate, Почётное консульство Пакистан | Vyborgskaya naberezhnaya (Выборгская набережная), ~27 59.967861, 30.338114 Vyborgskaya 'Выборгская' 0.7km NE ☎ +7 812 336-9239 +7 812 336-9240 Sankt-Peterburg avgust2013 PetrogradskStoronal 228.JPG Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00-17:00
Peru - Почётное консульство Перу | Smolnyy prospekt,( Смольный проспект), 6 59.945047, 30.394428 Chernyshevskaya 1.9km W, further Bus : 22, 22а, 136. or Share taxi : К15 to stop Tulskaya (Тульская улица). Or from anywhere to stop 'Тульская улица/Улица Бонч-Бруевича' by Trolley : 5, 11, 15
Philippines - Honourary Consulate, Почётное генеральное консульство Филиппин | Bolshoy Prospekt, 103; Vasilievsky Island, (Большой проспект, Васильевского острова) 59.928256, 30.235983 Primorskaya 'Приморская' 2km ☎ +7 812 326-1355 +7 812 326-1357
{flag|Senegal}} Senegal - Honourary Consulate, Почётное консульство Сенегала | Prospekt Energitikov (проспект Энергетиков), 6 59.936106, 30.434458 Ladozhskaya 0.3km South ☎ +7 812 528-0770 +7 812 528-0770
Tajikistan - Honourary Consulate, Почётное консульство Таджикистана | Fonarnyy pereulok (Фонарный переулок), 3 59.928822, 30.304553 Sennaya ploshchad' 0.7km
Thailand - Honourary Consulate | Bolshoy Prospekt, 9 59.940928, 30.287336 Vasilievsky Island, Vasileostrovskaya 'Василеостровская' ☎ +7 812 325-6271 +7 812 325-6313 Konsulstva SPb 2012 4477 - Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11:00-13:00 +7 812 325-6371, 213-2538
News & References
Travel Next
Day trips
Day trips can be done on your own or via an organized excursion offered by many tour operators. Even though it is a lot to see in one day, Peterhof, Kronshtadt, and Lomonosov are all in the same general direction west of Saint Petersburg and are all accessible by hydrofoil, so it is popular to see all three sites in one day.
- Gatchina — Big palace and park in a beautiful village 50km south of Saint Petersburg.
- Kronstadt — Old seaport town on Kotlin island, 20 kilometers directly north of Lomonosov. Main Russian naval base from early 18th century. You may take a hydrofoil back to the Hermitage for RUB 400 one-way.
- Lomonosov (Oranienbaum) — Park with museum honoring Michael Lomonosov. 9km west of Peterhof via the A121 highway. Train station name is Oranienbaum ('Orange tree' in German). TIP - You may also visit Kronstadt and take a hydrofoil back to the Hermitage for RUB 400 one-way, an affordable alternative to the more expensive ones leaving from Peterhof.
- Oreshek Fortess — a medieval russian fortess at Orekhovy Island in the mouth of Neva, 50 kilometers east of Saint Petersburg.
- Pavlovsk — Lusicous green park where you could feed the squirrels from your hands. Can be reached by train from Vitebskiy station (not the main hall, but the smaller hall for local trains, which is on the right side as you face the station). Pavlovsk train station is close to the northwestern gate to the park, and from there it is a long (but pleasant) walk though the park to the palace.
- Peterhof — Home of the sumptuous "Russian Versailles" and to the "Petrodvorets Watch Factory - Raketa" (tours available), 30 kilometers southwest of Saint Petersburg.
- Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) — 25 kilometers south of Saint Petersburg, with beautiful parks and palaces, most notably the Catherine Palace built for Tsarina Catherine I.
- Repino — House-museum of the artist Ilya Repin, just off the Gulf of Finland, where he lived and worked. To get there: Elektrichka train from the Finlandsky Station (45 minutes, round trip fare RUB 120, eleventh stop on the westbound line — check in advance to make sure the train you board stops in Repino — then from the station cross the primary street and walk down the path to the left of the supermarket through a resort complex to the next major road. Turn left and walk about 1.5 kilometers to the gate marked Penaty. The walk takes about 45 minutes. The museum and grounds close at 15:00, or earlier if there are no visitors.
- Staraya Ladoga — the first capital of Russia is a pleasant little village four hours away with an incredible wealth of historical sights, including its own stone kremlin and church frescoes by the hand of none other than Andrei Rublev.
- Vyborg — town situated on the Karelian Isthmus near the head of the Bay of Vyborg, 130 kilometers to the northwest of Saint Petersburg, 38 kilometers south from Russia's border with Finland, where the Saimaa Canal enters the Gulf of Finland. Swedish built castle, started in the 13th century and extensively reconstructed by Russians in 1891–1894. Monday Repos, one of the most spacious English parks in Eastern Europe, laid out in the 19 century. Fortifications of the Mannerheim Line (built by Finland against the Soviet Union) are close by. Now available for day trips with high-speed rail.
Overnight trips
If you leave Russia and plan to return, make sure you have a multiple entry visa.
- Novgorod — Ancient town with churches and museums, 180 kilometers from Saint Petersburg, can be visited by high-speed trains.
- Vologda — this city is considered the heart of Russian North, a popular local travel destination. Reachable by overnight train, from there you can go to Moscow or further north to Arkhangelsk.
- Petrozavodsk and the rest of Karelia — popular Russian travel destination for its exquisite nature and access to White Sea islands. Reachable by overnight or high-speed train.
- Moscow — the Russian capital is reachable by overnight train or in the daytime by the high-speed Sapsan train (about 4 hr) or by plane. As much to see as in Saint Petersburg, so plan on several days here.
Copyright 2015 - 2025. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit.