What you need to see in St. Petersburg first

In summer, St. Petersburg attracts a huge number of tourists, both from Russia and from abroad. At this time of year you can enjoy the white nights, the construction of bridges, and fountains in the suburban palace and park complexes. Warm weather encourages long walks along the streets, squares and embankments with architectural monuments.

Boat to Peterhof Photo: © Dmitry Roslik

Sights of St. Petersburg in summer

In addition to the city's most famous places, pay attention to those that are best visited during the warm season. These are quite popular options, so be prepared for crowds of tourists. However, what you see is worth it, since many of these places and entertainment are the calling cards of St. Petersburg.

Bridge layout

What to see in St. Petersburg in summer? A favorite sight for tourists is the raising of bridges . It is in summer that the weather is most suitable for night walks, because the wiring takes place after one in the morning. If you are not going to be out all night, stay on the side where your accommodation is located. Or you can take a night bus or a shuttle train connecting the Admiralteyskaya and Sportivnaya stations (operates on weekends and holidays). The night transport schedule is available on the city administration website.

Palace Bridge Photo: © Alena747Sorokina

Usually tourists come to the Palace Bridge , its spans rise to symphonic music as part of the “Singing Bridges” project at 01:10. You will take your signature photos of St. Petersburg in the summer while on the Admiralteyskaya Embankment , where you will see the Peter and Paul Fortress . After 10 min. after Dvortsovoy, the construction of the Trinity Bridge (one span rises from the side of Dvortsovaya Embankment ), after it - Blagoveshchensky . It is better not to run from one bridge to another, but to enjoy the spectacle of one in 1 night, or stand in the middle between 2 bridges. When the spans rise, watch how large ships pass, for which the bridges are raised. In the area of ​​the Smolny Cathedral, the beautiful Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge ( Peter the Great Bridge ) is being built.

You need to come to the embankment early (people start to gather an hour in advance) to get a seat with a good view. After 3 a.m., the second wiring takes place, but not for all bridges. Boat trips with observation of the wiring are also organized.

In detail: Raising bridges in St. Petersburg

Trinity Bridge Photo: © Konstantin Karpov

Boat excursions

The sights of St. Petersburg in summer are worth viewing from the water during a boat excursion . Boats and river buses depart from the embankments of various canals, go out to the Neva and return to the city canals. the Winter Canal near the Hermitage looks very picturesque - boats pass under the arched passage. During the trip, the guide tells a brief history of the places.

The views of St. Petersburg in the summer can be appreciated during evening and night walks, driving under raised bridges and observing illuminated buildings, with music and food. It is worth taking warm clothes with you, as it can be windy and cool on the water.

Details: Walking along rivers and canals in St. Petersburg

Boat trips Photo: © Maksim Starostin

Walk along Nevsky Prospekt

What to see in St. Petersburg in summer? The city has many interesting buildings that are worth seeing. To do this, it is convenient to take a walk along the central street - Nevsky Prospekt . There are temples, museums, mansions, bridges and other historical buildings here. When planning to explore the sights of Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg on foot in the summer, remember that the left side (even-numbered houses) is sunny, and the opposite is shady. The best houses of the aristocracy were located on the shadow side (you will see more palaces on it) and most organizations of public importance - libraries, the City Duma, etc.

Gostiny Dvor on Nevsky Prospekt Photo: © Irina Dementieva

Usually tourists move to the beginning of the street, which stretches for 4.5 km. At the end of the avenue there is the Alexander Nevsky Lavra with the relics of the Holy Blessed Prince A. Nevsky. The main part of the attractions begins near the Anichkov Bridge , decorated with 4 sculptures “The Taming of a Horse by Man.” In front of the bridge is the pink Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace , across the bridge is the Anichkov Palace . Next - the Alexandrinsky Theater on the square. Ostrovsky, on the contrary, is the “Eliseevsky Store” with large stained glass windows and moving figures in the window.

Eliseevsky store Photo: © Maksim Starostin

The following objects are shopping complexes: A large guest courtyard on the shady side and a Passage with a glass roof opposite. On the sunny side stands the Armenian Church of St. Catherine , then the Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria , one of the places near which artists sell paintings. After the City Duma tower across the Kazan Bridge there is the Kazan Cathedral , where M. Kutuzov is buried and the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is kept, across the road is a house , after it is the Lutheran Church of Saints Peter and Paul .

It is also worth taking a walk along the embankment of the Griboyedov Canal, where you will see the Bank Bridge with griffins and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

House Photo: © Irina Dementieva

Closer to the beginning of the avenue is the luxurious Stroganov Palace , which is part of the Russian Museum . Then you can turn along Bolshaya Morskaya to the Triumphal Arch of the General Staff building and exit onto Palace Square with the Hermitage . Or you can walk to the beginning of the avenue towards the Admiralty and look at the Bronze Horseman .

Review materials: Guide to St. Petersburg

Sights of St. Petersburg

Palace Square Photo: © Elena Orlova

Palace Square

It’s worth starting your acquaintance with St. Petersburg from Palace Square, the main square in the city. In the center is the Alexander Column, and around the Winter Palace, the building of which is occupied by the State Hermitage, the building of the Guards Corps and the General Staff building with the famous Arc de Triomphe. The ancient architectural ensemble makes an indelible impression. From Palace Square you can reach the most famous bridge of the same name in a matter of minutes. The raised Palace Bridge is the calling card of St. Petersburg.

Beautiful places in summer in St. Petersburg

Holidays in St. Petersburg in the summer are a time to explore many impressive places. Appreciate the beauty of the parks that were created under the emperors, and also look at the city from above.

Observation platforms

Beautiful photos of St. Petersburg in summer can be taken from different observation platforms . The most popular is on the colonnade of St. Isaac's Cathedral at an altitude of 43 m. This is a circular observation deck, from which you can see the Neva and the city center. During the warm season, the colonnade is open daily until 22:30 (the ticket office closes at 22:00).

View from the colonnade of St. Isaac's Cathedral Photo: © Tatiana Dudarenko

at the belfry of the Smolny Cathedral at an altitude of about 50 m. You can go up any day, from 07:00 to 20:00. Before visiting, you should check whether the site has reopened after renovations.

View from the belfry of the Smolny Cathedral Photo: © Alena747Sorokina

There is an observation deck at the Singer house on Nevsky Prospekt. Photo sessions are often held here, as many historical sights are visible nearby. Another site is the museum-photo salon of Karl Bulla . From its balcony there is a view of Sadovaya Street, Nevsky Prospekt, pl. Ostrovsky.

When thinking about where to go in St. Petersburg in the summer, include the loft project “Etazhi” . This is a creative space in a former bread factory. Markets, festivals and other events take place here. The premises house cafes, workshops and design studios, and shops. On the roof there is an open-air observation deck with a view of Ligovsky Prospekt from a height of 27 m. Entrance to the roof is paid; in the summer it is open 24 hours a day.

View from the roof of the loft “Floors” Photo: © dualia1

Parks

It’s hard to imagine a vacation in St. Petersburg in the summer without visiting the parks. In the central part of the city there is a Summer Garden with a large number of sculptural copies of Italian works. A large park with viewing slides, ponds with islands and a greenhouse - Tauride Garden . You can look at the abundance of flowers, exotic and other plants in the Botanical Garden .

Summer Garden Photo: © Sergey Arkhipkin

The Park of the 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg has a picturesque location on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. On the vast territory you can sunbathe on the sandy beach, play sports and other entertainment. Summer in St. Petersburg with children is the time to visit Primorsky Victory Park , next to which there is the Divo-Ostrov .

Another popular place is a modern cultural park on the man-made island of New Holland . On the territory there is space for relaxing on the lawn, a herb garden, a children's playground, restaurants and cafes, and shops.

Many tourists visit St. Petersburg with children in the summer. Read detailed information on where to take your child in St. Petersburg

New Holland Photo: © Elena Yakhontova

The Gulf of Finland

The Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg in the summer is a popular holiday destination. In addition to the 300th Anniversary Park , overlooking the waters of the bay, you can visit other picturesque places. For example, the creative space “Sevkabel Port” on Vasilyevsky Island. The cluster was opened in the former workshops of a cable factory; it houses shops, cafes, studios, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, etc. The embankment here stretches along the Gulf of Finland, it is especially beautiful to watch the sunset from here.

Yacht Bridge Photo: © Andrey Smirnov

In the summer, many people take photos of the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg from the Yacht Bridge , built for international sporting events in 2017-2018. The bridge is equipped with paths for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as viewing platforms. It provides access to the Gazprom Arena stadium .

Among other places in the surrounding area with views of the pine shores of the Gulf of Finland: “Golden” beach in Zelenogorsk, “Laskovy” beach in Solnechny, Cape Flotsky near the village. Green Grove.

Beach in Sestroretsk Photo: © Andrey Muravyov

Dachas on Kamenny Island

On Kamenny Island, ancient estates and dachas of famous people have been preserved. They look very beautiful, although many are hidden behind fences; you can admire the architecture from the outside. During Soviet times, the dachas of aristocrats were nationalized, communal apartments and sanatoriums were set up in them; now housing in this area is considered one of the most expensive.

Most of the buildings date back to the 19th-20th centuries. Mansion of Princess Kugusheva of the late 19th century. not surrounded by a fence, it houses an art school, but the interiors have not been preserved. The Art Nouveau Hauswald dacha dacha of the Prince of Oldenburg (Prince V.V. Dolgorukov) burned down and was restored, now it looks abandoned and hidden behind the trees. Other interesting buildings on the island: Kleinmichel dacha , Vollenweider mansion , Gose house , Meltzer house , Petrova dacha , Ruadze house , etc.

What to see in St. Petersburg: in 1 day

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Kazan Cathedral

Construction of the Kazan Cathedral on Nevsky Prospekt began in 1801 and ended in 1811. Today, the Kazan Cathedral is an architectural monument that every traveler can enter to enjoy the beauty of the interior, as well as look at the military trophies of the War of 1812 and the grave of Field Marshal Kutuzov. To photograph the cathedral beautifully, it is recommended to go up to the second floor of the Singer Company House, located opposite.

Events

Holidays in St. Petersburg in the summer can coincide with major events; study the program of festivals and holidays. Concerts in St. Petersburg in the summer are usually held outdoors.

Scarlet Sails festival a celebration of school graduates at the end of June. The program includes concerts with stars, colorful fireworks and a performance on the water, when a ship with scarlet sails passes along Palace Embankment . Access to the sites (Palace Embankment and Square, Strelka V.O.) is only possible by invitation from school graduates.

“Scarlet Sails” Photo: © Larisa Kiseleva

“VK Fest” is a music festival that lasts 2 days. Popular performers, comedians and bloggers perform, and venues with different themes are organized (video games, sports, creativity, etc.).

Both domestic and world stars perform at the international music festival “White Nights of St. Petersburg” Popular music performers perform at the Stereoleto .

River carnival Photo: © Elena Yakhontova

Recently, the River Carnival - a procession of ships with theatrical performances. Entrance is free, it is convenient to watch from the Moika embankment.

Events in St. Petersburg in the summer are very diverse, at this time there are also Dostoevsky Day , the Harley Davidson motorcycle festival , Navy Day (the last Sunday in July) with a parade of warships, for which bridges are raised during the day.

Neva water area before Navy Day Photo: © nikola

Shop of the Eliseev merchants

Travelers wander into the Eliseevsky store as if into a museum, because both the external and internal appearance evoke silent admiration. Inside the store, everything is imbued with luxury, and on the shelves and counters there are delicacies, prestigious alcohol, fresh pastries and handmade chocolate. You can wander around the store for a long time, to the accompaniment of a piano that plays by itself.

Where to go from St. Petersburg in the summer: suburbs and palaces

Summer in St. Petersburg is a welcome time for trips to palace and park complexes in the surrounding area. At this time of year it is pleasant to stroll through the vast park areas. However, you should be prepared for crowds of tourists and queues at the entrance to the palaces, where you can stand for several hours. It is better to purchase tickets in advance via the Internet; keep in mind that the complexes are usually closed one day a week. By car and by public transport (from the metro), the journey to the suburbs usually takes about an hour.

Peterhof

While vacationing in St. Petersburg in the summer, plan a trip to Peterhof . Built from 1714 to 1723. on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, it is known as the luxurious summer residence of emperors. Peter I drew drawings and participated in the creation of the palace and park ensemble. When designing, the architects were guided by the best residences of European rulers; many compare Peterhof to the French Versailles .

The palace buildings and park were badly damaged during the Great Patriotic War. Now you can see the restored Peterhof Palace with a facade of almost 300 m long and exquisite interiors. The “Grand Cascade” fountain forms a single complex with the palace . To the question “what to see in St. Petersburg in the summer?” many give the answer: fountains in Peterhof , there are about 150 of them here - from exquisite to amusing. The Meteor water transport runs from the Palace Embankment pier to Peterhof (about 40 minutes on the road).

Details: Peterhof Meteors in Peterhof

Peterhof Photo: © Sergey Arkhipkin

Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin)

The palace and park ensemble in Tsarskoe Selo appeared on the territory of ancient Russian lands, which were occupied by Sweden for some time. The main building is Baroque Catherine Palace The Alexander Palace , where Nicholas II stayed before going into exile, will partially open in 2022 after restoration.

The total area of ​​the Catherine and Alexander parks is about 300 hectares with pavilions, bridges, and buildings in different styles. In Pushkin there is also a museum-lyceum where A. S. Pushkin studied.

More details: Tsarskoe Selo

Tsarskoe Selo Photo: © Dmitry Roslik

Pavlovsk

The museum-reserve in Pavlovsk is located on lands donated by Catherine II to her heir, the future Emperor Paul and his wife. The Pavlovsk Palace is crowned with a flat dome, the galleries have a rounded shape. Inside are preserved works of art acquired by Paul I and his wife during their trip to Europe.

Pavlovsk Park was laid out on the site of the royal hunting grounds. Gradually it turned into a beautiful landscape park with a Triple Linden Alley, sculptures, radial roads, amphitheaters, and valleys.

Details: Pavlovsk

Pavlovsk Photo: © Nomad

Gatchina

On the territory of the Gatchina Museum-Reserve there are:

• The Great Gatchina Palace , created for G. Orlov. After the death of the prince, Catherine II bought and transferred the territory to Paul, who created a fortress from the residence.
• The palace park is decorated with gardens, ponds, bridges, lakes with grottoes. You can take a boat ride on White Lake.
• The Priory Palace was built in 1799 for the Knights of the Order of Malta. It is located on the shores of Black Lake and is a unique monument of earthen construction of the 18th century.

Details: Gatchina

Gatchina Photo: © dualia1

Oranienbaum

Oranienbaum is the ceremonial residence of Peter I’s associate A. Menshikov, which then came into the possession of members of the imperial family. The Grand (Menshikov) Palace has been preserved here , where guests used to arrive via the sea canal. The park area consists of the Lower Garden and the Upper Park . There are also several pavilions, museums and palaces here.

More details: Oranienbaum

Oranienbaum Photo: © Sergey Arkhipkin

Strelna

In 1617, Strelna passed to Sweden and became known as Ingria. At the beginning of the 18th century. During the Northern War, Russia returned the lands. For some time the estate was in decline, as the attention of Peter I was drawn to Peterhof . Reorganization and reconstruction begin when Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich becomes the owner of Strelna. In addition to the Konstantinovsky Palace , here you can see the palace of Peter I and other objects.

In 2001, by presidential decree, the “Palace of Congresses” . Now it is a state residence and also a museum. You can visit the territory on a guided tour.

Details: Strelna

Strelna Photo: © Nina Nina

Seaside Park Victory

Primorsky Victory Park is located on Krestovsky Island. Huge and picturesque, it is ideal for comfortable relaxation in the fresh air. Here you can sit on a bench with a book or headphones, stroll along the paths, feed the ducks and swans in the lakes, and have a picnic.

On the territory of the Primorsky Victory Park there is also an amusement park “Divo-Ostrov”, where you can have a fun and noisy time on your day off.

Stories, routes and tourist tips

A trip to St. Petersburg in the summer is the desire of many tourists. In order not to miss the main attractions and plan your vacation wisely, read the stories of travelers. Tourists share their observations, advice and impressions. Based on them, you can create a route suitable for you, visiting the most interesting places.

Stories from tourists about what to see in St. Petersburg in the summer:

• Maria Shcherbakova - Weekend in St. Petersburg. June 2018
• Andrey Smirnov - 50 places and events to visit in St. Petersburg. Summer: part 1 and part 2
• Sergey Arkhipkin – Suburban palaces
• Andrey Smirnov — Raising bridges

Reviews of tourists about trips to St. Petersburg

Rostral columns are lit on special holidays Photo: © Dmitry Roslik

Main museums

Hermitage

It is unlikely that the Hermitage needs a special introduction, since it is one of the main museums in Russia with a unique collection of world art. If your visit time is limited, it is better to choose your favorite era in art or follow a special route that covers the most famous art pieces in the collection. All of them are marked on the map at the entrance to the museum. In any case, before going on a trip, you should immediately accept that you won’t be able to see everything, and just enjoy the interiors of the palace and the most interesting exhibits. Free day is the third Thursday of the month.

Russian Museum

The Russian Museum has an excellent exhibition of Russian art from different eras. Walking through the halls, it’s as if you’re observing the development of painting over time, every now and then bumping into well-known masterpieces by Aivazovsky, Bryullov, Repin and Kustodiev.

Where to stay in St. Petersburg

Needless to say, St. Petersburg is the most popular city in Russia, and the guests have not been forgotten here. Tourists have a huge choice available: from a bed in a hostel to luxurious suites in premium hotels. Even in the city center, options can be selected to suit any budget, not counting the variety of its types and comfort. However, the closer you are to Nevsky, the faster options at an excellent price and quality are sorted out.

In addition to views of the main avenue, interesting offers include panoramic views of the Neva and bridges, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Savior on Spilled Blood, the Admiralty and other postcard sites of the city. Among the wide range of housing, you can find not only standard apartments with parking, pets, a balcony or a kitchen in the apartment, but also palace, capsule, and two-level apartments. A convenient criterion for location and accessibility is the availability of the metro and direct routes of other transport.

• Hotels in St. Petersburg
• Hostels for Budget Travelers
• Flats and apartments

River carnival Photo: © Elena Yakhontova

Interesting and useful selections are in the Tourister reviews. RU:

• Cheap hotels in the center of St. Petersburg
• Cheap hostels in the center of St. Petersburg
• SPA hotels in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region
• Recreation centers and hotels on the lakes of the Leningrad region
• Hotels near Pulkovo Airport

Cashback has become a part of our lives: you can use it to book accommodation on Booking.com: Cashback promotion on Tourist. RU

Bookstore “Subscription Editions”

St. Petersburg is a city of reading people. The Subscription Editions store opened in 1926 and is still in existence. This amazingly atmospheric and pleasant place is popular among locals and city guests. There you can find intellectual literature, company stationery, badges, souvenirs and shoppers. There is also a small cozy coffee shop in “Subscription Editions”.

Tourist buses and CityPass cards

Navigating around the city on the first day is greatly simplified by a sightseeing tour on hop-on hop-off buses with an audio guide: you can see the main places in an express format and without setting records for walking distances, but plan walks for the remaining days.

Cruise and hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets Buy at

Created for tourists, CityPass is another way to save time: it is valid for 2, 3 or 5 days and gives access to 28 paid attractions, as well as city tours:

CityPass tourist card for 2–5 days Buy at

Loft Project Floors"

The art space “Etazhi” is a territory of creative and active people. The walls are decorated with graffiti, modern music plays from the speakers, a relaxed, friendly atmosphere reigns everywhere, and you can dress, put on shoes, add to your collection of unusual accessories, pick up souvenirs, and also eat delicious food. The main feature of “Floors” is the roof, which offers a beautiful view of St. Petersburg.

Excursions

In summer, you want to relax as much as possible to enjoy walking around the city. To avoid worrying about time and logistics, you can purchase guided tours who will provide you with complete information about the attractions. Excursions in summer in St. Petersburg can be organized on foot, by car, or by bus. Pay attention to water, themed and night excursions. Outbound tours to Peterhof and other suburbs, Kronstadt , Karelia , and Finland .

Excursions around St. Petersburg

Peter-Pavel's Fortress

The city of St. Petersburg began with the Peter and Paul Fortress. The foundation was laid in 1703 on Hare Island. In the past, the fortress was used to hold dangerous state criminals; today the cathedral houses the tomb of the Romanov house and many Russian tsars are buried there.