Where to go for a weekend from St. Petersburg by car or train in 2022?
Interesting places in the Leningrad region: distances, travel time, what to see, excursions, hotel prices. Is a couple of weekends enough to travel from St. Petersburg to Veliky Novgorod and Pskov, Karelia, and Moscow itself - in the material Eurotraveler.ru. While a growing number of Russians are exploring the possibility of a tourist trip to St. Petersburg, its residents are thinking in the opposite direction. If not all year round, then at least with the advent of warmer weather and the rapid flowering of nature.
Some—there will be quite a few of them in the summer of 2022—fly abroad to countries that are gradually opening up for travel. Others chose a place for a seaside holiday in Russia. Still others are thinking about where they can go from St. Petersburg, at least for the weekend.
So to speak, get out of the concrete jungle into nature. Relax and at the same time see new places. Barbecue at the dacha, gatherings in a close circle on the shore of a bay or lake?
During the pandemic years of 2022 and 2022, such leisure time became a little boring. And then - if you like company - why not take your friends with you? It will be fun - no doubt about it!
By the way, it was even more fun before. Because before the closure of land borders with the EU, which happened in the early spring of 2022, St. Petersburg residents easily went to Finland for the weekend. How to unwind and bring home plenty of cheese and other goodies - but what, a distance of 200-400 km allows it?
Estonia has also become increasingly popular over the years. We went to Tallinn by car almost as if we were going to our own dacha!
Why, some managed to see Riga in a couple of days. And for some - even Stockholm - the ferry from Helsinki reached the Swedish capital in just 16 hours. Of course, I had to take a day at my own expense, but it was worth it.
However, what’s the point of remembering the beautiful things that were distant – today the realities are different!
Svargas
vk.com/swargas
Visit a medieval city
Svargas is a fortress of the Baltic Slavs, recreated by modern history buffs near Vyborg. Here you can forget about civilization for a while and feel the atmosphere of the early Middle Ages: visit a forge, do archery, try on a helmet, sit in a tavern. You need to sign up for the excursion in advance, details here. Ticket price is 600 rubles, children under 7 years old are free.
Russian village Shuvalovka
vk.com/shuvalovka
Look into a Russian hut
Another ethnocenter is the Russian village of Shuvalovka. Adults can eat delicious food here (be sure to try bread from the Russian oven), listen to stories about table traditions at the Vodka Theater, and attend master classes on folk crafts. Children will see wooden carved huts, a forge and a mill, run around playgrounds with characters from famous fairy tales, and take a walk around the petting zoo. The cost of the sightseeing tour is 950 rubles, details on the website and information about other programs can be found here.
Ethnopark "Bogoslovka Estate"
vk.com/bogoslovkaspb
Sit in a wooden temple
The Bogoslovka estate is called the St. Petersburg analogue of the Kizhi nature reserve. Replicas of wooden architecture monuments can be seen 5 kilometers from the city. Excursions, fairs and master classes are held here, there is an interactive ethnographic museum with a photo zone and a cafe. After visiting the estate, you can take a walk through the Nevsky Forest Park. Order excursions, directions and other information on the website.
Pskov
It is located further from St. Petersburg - almost 300 kilometers away. Therefore, you will have to spend a little more time on the road - from 3.5 hours. Equally by train or car.
The main attractions of Pskov: Krom, a fortress, according to historians, built in close to Western European traditions, and the Spaso-Mirozhsky Monastery. However, they are not alone: the Pushkin Mountains and the neighboring ancient cities of Izborsk and Pechory also attract travelers.
Including those traveling to Pskov by car from Moscow. Why not - Europe is still closed!
Both active and completely independent, and those who prefer to completely relax and just listen - pskov-i-ego-okrestnosti.
Andersengrad
vk.com/andersengrad
Remember Andersen's fairy tales
The fairytale town, stylized as the architecture of medieval Europe, was built back in 1980. For a long time it was difficult to visit, since Sosnovy Bor was on the list of closed cities. Today, to enter the city, it is enough to have a passport with you. On the territory of Andersengrad there are the town hall tower, the tower of the tin soldier, the Snow White cafe, Ole Lukoje's house, a summer theater, bastions, bridges, and an underground passage. Excursions are held here, holiday programs and other activities are provided. The schedule for the May holidays can be found on the Andersengrad website. Entrance to the territory is free.
Unusual places for shopping
"Phonotheque"
Address: Marata, 2
In the shop. Photo: @brikek
If you are an ardent record lover or want to give a gift to your friend who owns a record player, then “Fonoteka” is at your service. This place can hardly be called a store - it is a huge vinyl warehouse where you can find good releases, and also have an interesting time studying the covers of old and new records.
You can also choose the music you like, order coffee and enjoy listening in a cozy environment. Here you can also buy CDs, art-house films, books about music, record players, as well as tickets to concerts.
"Subscription publications"
Address: Liteiny Prospekt, 57
On the second floor of the store. Photo: @great_edward
One of the oldest bookstores in the city is suitable not only for buying books for every taste. Everything is great here - the opportunity to order coffee and enjoy it while reading a magazine from the nearest shelf, comfortable places to read, a homely atmosphere and helpful staff. If you want to feel the cozy atmosphere of St. Petersburg, then be sure to check out “Subscription Editions.”
"Golitsyn-Loft"
Address: Fontanka River Embankment, 20
In the loft area. Photo: @stiganorra
Golitsyn is a fairly large creative quarter. You can devote a separate day to exploring the city's creative clusters. But if you don’t have time for that, then Golitsyn is an excellent choice. It consists of five buildings, which, in addition to cozy cafes, restaurants, bars and creative spaces, are full of unusual shops. Stop buying magnets as gifts for your loved ones - find a truly worthwhile and interesting gift.
Store without packaging B12 ZERO WASTE
Address: 7th line of Vasilyevsky Island, 40B
One of the store counters. Photo: @lookbio
If you or your friends and family are interested in the environment, refuse packages, and encourage you to do the same, then it’s time to do it. In this store you will not find packaged goods - cereals, pasta and spices are sold by weight and placed in your container. What to buy here? Start with string bags or pouches or stylish bamboo toothbrushes. Your eco-activist friend will be delighted!
Hay Market
Address: Moskovsky prospect, 4
Prices at the Senny market. Photo: @yuri_k33
If you are looking for colorful places, then you must visit the Sennaya Market. This is that rare place that takes you back to childhood - sellers screaming from all sides, the smell of fresh fruits and vegetables mixed with the aromas of spicy spices. Not only grandmothers, but also young people come here. At the same time, you can buy seasonal vegetables and fruits here for dinner and breakfast - just keep your eyes open - check what they are selling you and don’t hesitate to bargain!
Pony farm
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Ride a pony
Not all country farms survived the quarantine, and for those that remained, the support of city residents is more important than ever. The pony farm in Tosno is waiting for guests. Visitors are given rides on mini-horses, given excursions around the farm (other animals live here), you can learn horse riding, and there are programs for children with physical disabilities. More information here.
Priozersky ostrich
vk.com/priozerskiistraus
Meet the ostrich
Ecopark "Priozersky Ostrich" offers different formats of country recreation. You can stop by for a couple of hours to walk around an ostrich farm (the cost of the excursion for adults is 500 rubles, for children over 3 years old - 300 rubles), or you can stay for a few days and live in a house away from the bustle of the city. For guests: forest, lakes, equipped children's playground, pony rides and other entertainment. Details here.
Sablinskie caves
Dmitry Fomin / commons.wikimedia.org
Look at stalactites and stalagmites
A great option for active recreation for parents with children over 6 years old is a walk through the Sablinsky Caves. The largest and most interesting is “Levoberezhnaya”. 5 and a half kilometers of colorful underground passages. It is easy to get lost in this labyrinth, so you can only get here with a guided tour. Wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes, sign up by phone and go on a trip.
Karelia
Another very interesting weekend destination for residents of St. Petersburg. And also Leningrad, Pskov and Novgorod regions. The train from Finlyandsky Station takes about 4 hours to reach Sortavala. And the designated city is like a door to southern Karelia - vodnaya-progulka-po-ladozhskim-shheram.
After all, from here you can go on a meteor to Valaam. Or, after spending the night, go by train to Ruskeala, or by car to Petrozavodsk and Kondopoga. Visit the mystical Vepsian hill Vottovaaru or even get to the Paanajärvi National Park.
In the latter case, however, it is better not to stop overnight in Sortavala - you simply won’t have time to turn around over the weekend.
What you need to see in Karelia
Note that despite the well-known popularization of the region recently - the pandemic has especially tried in this sense - inexpensive, but high-quality hotels in Sortavala have not yet become class. From 2,500 - 3,000 per night for two - Karelskaya Shveitsariya.
With Petrozavodsk it is more difficult - the train journey one way only will take from 5.5 to 6 hours. And by car even more - from 6 hours. Obviously, upon arrival you will only have the energy to check in and then explore Petrozavodsk a little.
It is better to plan a trip to Kizhi or to the Karelian waterfalls, for example Kivach, for the next day.
Fort Krasnaya Gorka
Alex Doorsen / commons.wikimedia.org
Take a walk through the casemates
This place will impress adult military history buffs and all children. You should start your visit with a trip to the museum, where samples of ammunition and weapons, communications equipment, an exhibition of underwater science and other exhibits are collected. Then you can wander through various buildings that have been preserved since the war. Children happily climb onto military equipment, while adults wander around the casemates. At the end of the day, you can go to the shore of the Gulf of Finland and admire the views. Directions and information about the museum's work are here.
Eco-trail “Komarovsky Coast”
oopt.spb.ru
Walk along the seashore
Eco trails have become especially popular during the pandemic. To walk through protected areas you do not need masks and gloves, pre-registration and visit fees. You need to know the entry point and follow the signs. There are several eco-trails around the city; for families with children, we recommend “Komarovsky Bereg” - a relatively short route (about 3 km), equipped for walking. You can find out how to get there and what to look for during your walk here.
Moscow
Too big and therefore not quite suitable for a weekend trip. Especially from St. Petersburg, from which even on the M11 toll highway you have to travel at least 7 hours. That, however, does not stop the suffering, hungry for impressions, citizens.
And in principle they are right. After all, if you calculate the time correctly, you will be able to move away from the main stream of motorists leaving the city. Or in general - towards him.
A trip to Moscow by train does not promise any problems at all! After all, “Peregrine Falcons” clearly fly faster than birds, and cover the 700 km distance between capitals in 3 hours and 40 minutes.
What can you see in Moscow in a couple of days? Not so little - the main thing is to create a good route. By settling not too far from the center and by a strong-willed decision limiting the intention to see everything at once.
© dik, Eurotraveler.ru
Koshkino Park
vk.com/koshkinopark
Overcome the rope course
Rope parks are another type of active leisure time with children. One of the best in the vicinity of St. Petersburg is Koshkino Park. There are more than 160 structures here, making up 9 trails of varying difficulty and length, where you can relax with the whole family. Cost: on weekdays 1290 rubles for adults, 990 rubles for children (on weekends - 1690 and 1290 rubles). Contact information on the website.
Kronstadt
We went to Kronstadt on a February day - it was unbearably chilly and so gray that it seemed that the sky was about to crush this island city. Therefore, the first thing we did was rush to a coffee shop, where we ate an eclair and sat for a long time, trying to warm up after the minibus.
From the whole trip I remember the black silhouettes of warships, the windswept pier, the austere white lighthouse, the Makarovsky Bridge, the embankment and the impressive St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral, reminiscent of the Istanbul Hagia Sophia with its rich interior decoration and chandeliers. Take a good look at the dome of the cathedral.
Kronstadt is located not far from St. Petersburg - go for one day, but not in winter (it’s very cold!). In summer the city looks much more cheerful, and you can also take a boat to the forts. You can leave from the Chernaya Rechka metro station by minibus K405, from the Staraya Derevnya by bus 101 and from the Prospekt Prosveshcheniya station by minibus K407.
St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt reminded me of Istanbul's Hagia Sophia. Photo: Ninara / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0.
