St. Petersburg - Russia

This is where most cruise ships dock when making St. Petersburg their port of call. This large cruise terminal offers great facilities to start of your day in this incredible cruise destination. There are a few requirements when it comes to your visa though. Make sure to read the full St. Petersburg cruise port guide for all the information.

You can buy all kind of local fruit, vegetables and chocolat here, but the editors favourite would be the honey here. Honey comes from all over Russia and there are many different kinds. Go for a tasting an bring yourself some honey. See map above for its location.

The State Hermitage Museum is simply something you have to see on a visit to St. Petersburg. It is a collection that was started by Catherine the Great in 1764. It started with 300 pieces she received from Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky and nowadays the collection counts over 3 million pieces. That means that in 2,5 century 3 million pieces of art from all over the world have been collected and are now so proudly on display in the museum. Not to worry, not every piece is on display in the Winter Palace, but take into account you need several hours to explore the museum.

This is something you simply have to experience. St. Petersburg’s metro opened in 1955 and it is considered to be the most attractive, elegant and deepest (105 meter below ground) in the world. Almost all of the station are a complete piece of art. Some say it is the palace of the people. It is unique to experience its escalators going deep into the ground and to witness the art all around you. Take the metro from Primorskaya to Nevsky Prospekt to get from the port area to the city centre.

There is a tourist information in the city centre. You can find it right next to the Winter Palace.

This is the main city square of St. Petersburg and of the former Russian Empire. In the middle you will find the Alexander Column. This monument commemorates the Russian victory in the war against Napoleon.

When tsar Alexander II of Russia was assassinated at this sight his son Alexander III decided he would build something magnificent so his father would remembered. The Church on Spilled Blood was made on the donations by the Imperial family and by private individuals. The project was completed in 1907. The result is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. The exterior is build in classic Russian style and the interior is completely covered with golden mosaics.

This is one of the most famous landmarks of St. Petersburg. When Peter the Great started to build St. Petersburg in 1703 this is the first structure he build. Thousands died in building it, but the result is still standing tall today. A golden tower watching over the city of St. Petersburg. When you visit the fort make sure to go into the cathedral as this is the burial place of many of Russians tsars.

One of the largest cathedrals in Russia has a gigantic golden dome that can be spotted from all over the city. St. Isaac’s cathedral was originally the city’s main church that was build in the early 19th century. Make sure to go inside. It has an interesting museum about its construction and development and the interior is striking.

There are hundreds of palaces in St. Petersburg. Since you have limited time you have to choose. Catherine’s palace and Peterhof are without doubt the most elaborate of all. Peterhof has a spectacular interior, but it is the gardens and fountains that make this one unique. From port it is 40 km south west. You can take a taxi or take the hydrofoil from the Winter Palace in the city centre.

It is one of the oldest churches in St. Petersburg and it was one of the very few cathedrals in the city that was not closed in Soviet times. Inside you will find a memorial plaque that honors the 42 sailors who lost their lives off the coast of Norway.