5 ideas for guided tours in Saint Petersburg

• Peterhof Palace

  Just 25 kilometers from Saint Petersburg, along the shores of the Baltic Sea, you will find the town of Peterhof. Peter the Great had a monumental palace built here between 1714 and 1723.

  He aimed to rival the Palace of Versailles, and some even consider it more beautiful than the Sun King’s château. This imperial estate stretches over 270 meters in length and features numerous rooms adorned with splendid decorations and paintings.

  The grand magnificence of the site is found in its French-style gardens, characterized by lush green alleys, sculptures, and, most notably, its fantastic fountains, such as the Grand Cascade and the Samson Fountain. It is worth noting that Peterhof was reconstructed in 1964, as the Nazis burned and blew it up during World War II.

• Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

  This Orthodox cathedral is located along the Griboedov Canal. Its name refers to the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in March 1881 at the very spot where the church was built.

  Its construction was completed in 1907 under the reign of the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II. Over time, it was abandoned and later used as a storage facility during World War II. Fortunately, after meticulous restoration, which was only completed in 1997, the monument reopened and regained its former glory. The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, also known as the “Resurrection of Christ Church,” boasts dazzling decorations and colors, making it one of Saint Petersburg’s most iconic landmarks.

  With five domes, two prominent cupolas—one blue and one golden—and more than 7,500 m² of mosaics covering nearly all its walls, the church is a must-visit for any traveler. Consider hiring a tourist guide in Saint Petersburg to learn more about its rich history.

• Nevsky Prospect

  To start your visit to Saint Petersburg and immediately get the best impression, head to the city’s main avenue, known as “Nevsky Prospect” (Nevsky Prospekt).

  This avenue, spanning over four kilometers, begins at the Admiralty Building and ends near the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. It represents the heart of the city, home to numerous monuments and buildings featuring neoclassical, baroque, and Art Nouveau styles.

  Most of the buildings, stretching up to the Moika River and its Green Bridge, were constructed between the late 18th and early 20th centuries and have remained largely unchanged since.

  Notable landmarks include the former Singer Company building, now a grand bookstore; the Eliseyev Emporium, an incredibly refined store and a paradise for gourmets; and the Stroganov Palace, a beautiful example of Russian baroque architecture.

  This lively avenue is lined with luxury boutiques, renowned restaurants, bars, and the city’s largest shopping gallery, Gostiny Dvor.

• The Hermitage Museum

  The world’s largest collection of artworks is housed in Saint Petersburg. The museum complex consists of five buildings, including the imposing Winter Palace, with its stunning façade overlooking the Neva River.

  The Hermitage Museum spans three levels and 400 rooms, making it impossible to explore in just one day. It is best to plan your visit carefully or return multiple times.

  Here’s a brief selection of must-see exhibitions:

  – Antiquities: Located on the ground floor, this section covers various artistic periods, starting from Prehistory, passing through the art of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations, and leading up to the Middle Ages.

  – The Jewelry Gallery: Also on the ground floor, this section features an extensive collection of precious stones, necklaces, bracelets, crowns, as well as emerald sculptures and intricately decorated weapons.

  – Italian Art: The first floor houses masterpieces from the era of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and other great masters.

  – Flemish Art: On the first floor, visitors can admire masterpieces by Flemish painters from the 17th and 18th centuries, including an extensive collection of works by Rubens.

  – French Art: Also on the first floor of the Winter Palace, this section holds the largest collection of French paintings outside the Louvre, featuring works by Le Nain, Poussin, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Gauguin.

  – Modern Art: On the second floor, you will find a vast collection of Western and American paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Vasilievsky Island

  Saint Petersburg was built on marshy land, resulting in numerous islands forming around the Neva River.

  Today, only 42 islands remain, as many canals were filled in. Among them, you can explore Vasilievsky Island, also known as “Basil Island,” the largest in the delta.

  Crossing the Dvortsovy Most (Palace Bridge), you can admire the perspective of the left bank and the Peter and Paul Fortress. Head to the eastern tip, the “Strelka,” where you will find the Rostral Columns, former lighthouses decorated in tribute to the Russian Navy.

  The island is home to mansions and buildings dating back to the 18th century, such as the beautiful Menshikov Palace, renowned for its impressive collection of furniture and objects belonging to the aristocracy of the time. End your visit at the island’s tip, on the Palace Quay, where you will enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of the former Russian capital.