As a rule, tourists coming to St. Petersburg begin their acquaintance with the city with the most famous historical sites. This list, in particular, includes the Alexander Column and Palace Square, the Winter Palace and the Hermitage, the Smolny and Bronze Horseman, Nevsky Prospekt, Mikhailovsky Castle, etc. Of course, travelers strive to see all these places and monuments first. After all, such sights are a kind of calling card of the Northern capital.
In the city you can find places that deserve no less attention and at the same time are unique, inimitable and attractive, especially for young people. Such objects are not included on maps of popular tourist routes, considering them to be of secondary importance. But they are all also quite interesting. So where should young people go in St. Petersburg to get a complete picture of their impressions of the city?
The oldest rock store in St. Petersburg
Ligovsky Prospekt, 47 (metro station Ploshchad Vosstaniya)
Photo: Vasilisa Tarunova
One of the moods of St. Petersburg is Russian rock. Therefore, it will be symbolic if the route begins at the legendary Castle Rock rock paraphernalia store, which has been operating opposite the Moskovsky Station for 19 years. Informal youth gathered here until the owner promised the locals peace and tranquility. Among the clients are Yuri Shevchuk, Boris Grebenshchikov, Sergei “Chizh” Chigrakov, Oleg Garkusha and other famous musicians. In addition to goods with appropriate rock paraphernalia, real artifacts are exhibited here: handprints, autographs, personal belongings of stars. For example, the cloak of Mikhail Gorshenev from the group “King and the Clown” and the concert costume of Ilya Chert from “Pilot”.
Where to go from St. Petersburg for 2 days
Consider a trip to a region of scenic northern nature. Karelia for 2 days from St. Petersburg is one of the most popular destinations. Typically, travelers go to the Ruskeala mountain park for 1 day, and the route of the second day can be different - from tasting Karelian liqueurs to visiting the protected areas of the Northern Ladoga region. Going to Karelia for 2 days from St. Petersburg, you can enjoy nature, walk along an underground route, see picturesque canyons and ancient fortresses.
Orthodox believers will be interested in 2-day tours from St. Petersburg to Valaam . On this island in Lake Ladoga is the Valaam Monastery . Presumably, it was founded in the 14th century or earlier. The main church, the Transfiguration Cathedral, houses the relics of the holy venerable Sergius and Herman of Valaam Wonderworkers. Excursions from St. Petersburg for 2 days can combine a visit to Ruskeala and a trip to Valaam.
A 2-day excursion from St. Petersburg may also include Kizhi on Lake Onega . open-air Kizhi Museum-Reserve
Finland for 2 days from St. Petersburg - this option is suitable for Schengen visa holders. You can go to the capital of the country, Helsinki , on a sightseeing tour and visit cities where you can make profitable shopping.
Excursions from St. Petersburg to Vyborg , Shlisselburg , Pushkin , Peterhof , Pavlovsk
Apartment House Baka
Kirochnaya street, 24 (metro Chernyshevskaya)
Photo: Vasilisa Tarunova
Not far from the pavilion of the Chernyshevskaya station there is an impressive house built in 1904-1905 for the publisher of the Rech newspaper Yulian Bak. This building has an “intricate” architecture, a richly decorated facade, open balconies, labyrinths of staircases and airy galleries that connect the wings to the main building on the second and fifth floors. Apartment numbering can drive even experienced couriers crazy. For example, after apartment No. 9, No. 34 suddenly appears. This is the result of numerous redevelopments of manor apartments into communal compartments, and then again into separate apartments. Enter the entrance on one street and try to exit on another.
The music store where the movie "Brother" was filmed
Kirochnaya street, 8 (metro Chernyshevskaya)
Photo: Vasilisa Tarunova
Incredibly, the music store where Danila Bagrov wanted to buy Nautilus still exists. In St. Petersburg, several addresses are attributed to him, but the filming took place in this courtyard on Kirochnaya. Go down the stairs, go to the record counter and ask: “Do you have the Wings of Nautilus?” And if the seller is in a good mood, he will answer you: “No, they sell it out very quickly. But you come again."
Graffiti
On Alexander Nevsky Square you can see a portrait of Sergei Bodrov. It is painted on the wall of a transformer booth located not far from the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Judging by numerous reviews, the graffiti portrait of Sergei Bodrov Jr. is a stunning piece of street art. At the same time, you don’t have to come close to him. A portrait can evoke a storm of feelings even from a distance.
The authors of this graffiti are members of the art group from Belarus HoodGraff. In addition to this work, they own a portrait of Viktor Tsoi, Einstein, Dr. Dre, as well as actor R. Atkinson, who played the role of Mr. Bean.
Apartment house of three Benois
Kamennoostrovsky prospect, 26—28 (metro station Petrogradskaya)
Photo: ru.wikipedia.org
One of the three most famous apartment buildings in the northern capital (together with the Tolstoy House and the Baka House), built according to the design of the Benois brothers in 1912. The gigantic building can be called a metaphor for St. Petersburg: in one wing there are elite multi-room apartments, in the other there are classic communal apartments, and the third was destroyed by looters. Walk through the labyrinth of twelve well buildings that connect all the buildings of the giant complex. At the beginning of the 20th century, this building served as a model for the improvement of apartment buildings. It was equipped to the innovative standards of the time with built-in elevators, a steam heating system, its own power plant, laundry, incinerator, snow melter and even telephones. Famous party leaders, singers, artists and composers, for example Dmitry Shostakovich, lived in the house.
Kayaking and kayaking on the Neva
What is the study of St. Petersburg without the Neva? It's time for you to recommend an excellent water excursion “Kayaking and Kayaking on the Neva”. Allocate 120 minutes of your time and 2,300 rubles from your budget for it.
A kayaking trip along the Neva is for those who value sensations.
You will be able to feel the magical power of the Second Capital of Russia, see the magical sunset from the water. On kayaks you will sail past the Peter and Paul Fortress, the embankment, and the cruiser Aurora.
Boiler house "Kamchatka" (club-museum of the "Kino" group)
Blokhina Street, 15 (Sportivnaya metro station)
Photo: Vasilisa Tarunova
In Soviet times, you were not supposed to be a parasite. Composing poetry and songs was a thankless task, especially if the musician did not have any special education. So creative individuals were often recommended to find a normal job. Thus, the cult musician Viktor Tsoi decided to load coal in one of the boiler houses on the Petrograd side. The work is not difficult for a young man, and there is still time for concerts and writing. People called the legendary boiler house “Kamchatka”. Now there is a memorial courtyard and a working bar with an interactive museum. A great place to take a break from a long route and travel back in time 30 years ago, when young people were waiting for change.
The Spirit Court That Cannot Be Talked About
4 line v.o., 5 (entrance from Bolshoy Prospekt in the first arch)
Photo: Vasilisa Tarunova
An urban legend says: you can't tell anyone where this courtyard is. Only the chosen ones can find this place of power. They say that if you look at a piece of sky in the thick walls and make a wish, it will definitely come true. Perhaps it was not for nothing that the mystical artist Nicholas Roerich lived in this house at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, through the building, which has many underground galleries and through entrances, you can walk right through the entire block. Feel free to start conversations with the residents of the first floors; they willingly play along with random tourists and tell the legends of their home.
"Gryphon Tower" and alchemist's laboratory
7th line v.o., 16 (metro Vasileostrovskaya)
Photo: Vasilisa Tarunova
Take a look at the three-hundred-year-old Wilhelm Pehl's pharmacy, which occupies building 16-18 on the 7th line vo. Inside there is a colorful pharmacy museum. And in the yard there is an unusual chimney - the hood of a chemical laboratory. The resemblance to a castle tower is fertile ground for urban legends. They say that griffins still live in the tower, who previously guarded the secrets of the old pharmacist Pel, and now occasionally fly over the city on the full moon. Although local residents are much more worried about monster hunters who sit in the yard all night long. According to legend, Wilhelm Poehl studied alchemy in the laboratory and worked on a formula for converting mercury into gold. And if you believe the rumors, he succeeded in his business. They also say that the tower changes the fate of people living nearby. There are also modern traditions. Someone is constantly drawing numbers on the bricks. They are needed so that time travelers can easily determine the coordinates of the desired world. In fact, this is an echo of the performance of the artist, who numbered each brick in the 1990s. So the pipe even received a second name - “Digital Tower”.
Suburbs
Peterhof
The most famous imperial residence is located 30 kilometers from St. Petersburg. The Great Peterhof Palace was restored after almost complete destruction during the war and brought back to its original appearance. However, most tourists come to Peterhof for the famous Grand Cascade of fountains with an outstanding sculptural composition. It will be possible to catch the fountains in action only in the warm season, but the palace and park ensemble is beautiful even in winter. In addition to the fountains in the Lower Park, it is worth going out to the bay and strolling past the neat Hermitage, Marly and Monplaisir pavilions.
In addition, buildings in the pseudo-Gothic style have been preserved in Peterhof, so if you have time, you should take a walk around the city center and look into the neighboring parks: the very quiet English Park, the half-abandoned Sergievka, or Alexandria, full of unusual buildings. A detailed guide to Peterhof is here. It is easy to get here by train, bus or by water on a high-speed meteor.
25 ideas for trips around the Leningrad region and its surroundings - where you can go for a weekend or a couple of days.
Pushkin
Pushkin and Tsarskoe Selo are famous for the Catherine Palace and the Amber Room. The interiors of the palace amaze with their richness, and Alexandrovsky and Ekaterininsky are some of the best examples of landscape art, transporting you to the atmosphere of imperial Russia. Pushkin is also located thirty kilometers away; you can get here by car, bus or train in forty minutes.
Vyborg
Vyborg is located in the north of the Leningrad region, an hour and a half drive away. It experienced the most Scandinavian influence and was part of Finland for a long time, which is why it is least similar to other Russian cities. You can come here for a day or stay overnight. Of particular interest are the medieval Vyborg Castle and outstanding examples of northern modernism. And Mon Repos Park will allow you to enjoy real northern nature.
Kronstadt
Kronstadt was founded almost simultaneously with St. Petersburg to protect the city from external attacks from the water. For a long time, the island was a closed military city, so many unique and mysterious points have been preserved on it. For example, the buildings where the Admiralty was to be moved, the neo-Byzantine large-scale St. Nicholas Cathedral, ancient docks and a modern theme park.
A detailed guide to Kronstadt and ways to get to the city.
Vaska's Dragon Court
Between Bolshoy Prospekt, 7th and 8th lines east.
Photo: Vasilisa Tarunova
St. Petersburg residents sincerely love this concrete dragon and affectionately call him Vaska. Previously, there was a through passage inside the sculpture: the entrance was through the head, and the exit was on the other side of the animal. And today it was closed because some citizens left garbage and dirt inside. The dragon Vaska was created by a sculptor who lived in this house.
Courtyard of the Faculty of Philology of St. Petersburg State University
Universitetskaya embankment, 11 (metro Vasileostrovskaya)
Photo: Vasilisa Tarunova
This courtyard hides a modern sculpture park that you can’t just get into. Entry is only possible with a student or pass, which will be issued to you if you show your passport at the entrance. A fabulous “small country” is hidden on the territory of the university. Writers, literary characters and simply mythical and magical creatures live here: a unicorn, the Little Prince, Gulliver, a hippopotamus and dozens of other, sometimes abstract figures. And the student's sign for good luck is to touch the print of three palms.
Major Kovalev's nose
Photo: AVShumm / wikimapia.org
Voznesensky Prospekt, 36 (metro station Sadovaya)
The fact that a nose in St. Petersburg can begin to live a separate life is a well-known story. So much so that Gogol’s character has his own monument on the wall of a house on Voznesensky Prospekt. According to tradition, the Nose was stolen a couple of times for scrap metal. And local residents said that they met him at that time walking along Nevsky Prospekt.
Eat, drink, have a snack
Cafe "Brother"
Address: Bolshaya Morskaya, 10
Inside the cafe. Photo: @cafe_brat
Do you like a calm atmosphere and delicious coffee? The small cafe "Brother", which is located near Palace Square, has all this in abundance. They serve delicious breakfasts, pasta and desserts for lunch, and a variety of coffee and healthy cocktails made from arugula and spinach.
If you want to take a comfortable place and enjoy aromatic coffee, we recommend booking your seat in advance.
Clock face
Address: Stachek, 72
Lecture in Dial. Photo: @tvoyziferblat
If you are away from the center, but also want to feel the cozy atmosphere of St. Petersburg, then we invite you to visit the free space “Tsiferblat”. Here they pay not for coffee, but for time. You can come here to work or attend one of the events, meet interesting people and get access to unlimited tea and coffee with cookies.
More coffee
Address: Alexandrovsky Park, 3G
On the summer veranda of a coffee shop. Photo: @olia__is
There is another interesting place in the Alexander Garden - a coffee shop in an ancient grotto. During the cold season, you can sit inside the grotto and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of childhood, looking at all sorts of old posters and other interesting design elements. And in the summer we invite you to take your coffee with you and sit on the cozy summer veranda near the grotto.
Well, if you want to get to know the local gastronomic diversity better, then go on a real gastronomic tour of the city.
As you can see, besides walking along Nevsky, there is something to do in St. Petersburg. We hope that you will find a place that you will happily tell all your friends and family about.
Rubinshteina Street and the Bar Triangle
Where do St. Petersburg residents spend Saturday evenings? Of course, on Rubinstein or in one of the bars of the Bar Triangle. The best drinking establishments in the city have accumulated here: the Bachelor bar, Blue Pushkin, Chronicles, Zaliv, Barslona... You can get confused by their number. If you're afraid of missing out on something, go on a bar tour in St. Petersburg or a gastro tour along Rubinshteina Street. Yes, St. Petersburg guides offer these too!
Bar Chronicles. Photo: @xronikibar
House-iron
Embankment of the river Fontanka, 199 and Sadovaya street, 128 (metro station Sadovaya)
Photo: Evgeny Prokofyev / Shutterstock.com
Iron houses are not uncommon in St. Petersburg. However, this one is interesting for its location. If you stand strictly opposite the end part, the width of which is no more than one window, it will seem that the house is completely flat. It's an illusion. The building was built in 1912 for Mrs. V.G. Kudryavtseva. Initially, the architect conceived a rich façade, but the customer reduced the estimates, demanding strict economy. After all, it’s a profitable house; she didn’t build it for herself.
Ring house and yard of desires
Embankment of the river Fontanka, 92 (metro station Pushkinskaya)
Photo: Andrey Orekhov / Shutterstock.com
Petersburgers love to dream. How else can you explain that there are so many mystical sources of power in the city? There is a sign in this courtyard: stand in the middle, look into the circle of heaven through the gap and make your cherished wish. It is interesting that sunlight enters all the windows not only of this house, but also of neighboring buildings. Thanks to its round shape, it does not cast shadows or obscure other facades. Today the house, built in 1820, is occupied, which is not surprising - all the rooms in it are walk-through, and this is not very convenient. Although such cramped conditions did not interfere with A.S.’s mother and older sister. Pushkin lived here for seven whole years.
Rotunda - a portal to other worlds
Gorokhovaya street, 57a and Embankment r. Fontanka, 81 (metro station Sadovaya)
Photo: Myskina6 / Shutterstock.com
Perhaps this is the most mystical place in St. Petersburg. Inside a building typical of the Northern capital of the 18th century in the style of classicism, there is suddenly a gazebo with high columns and stairs curving around it. For decades, such a strange structure has been surrounded by legends. Someone calls the Rotunda the center of the universe, since the diagonals of the city converge under it. Others say that Freemasons gathered here, Rasputin visited, and at midnight you can accidentally meet Satan. There are rumors that in the basement under the Rotunda there is an entrance to a parallel world. Even here in the last decades of the 20th century, noisy concerts of punks and rockers were held. It’s interesting that the communal apartments on the floors are still residential. And the tenants even agreed to organize a museum of the same name in the front door. Tourists leave voluntary donations, which are used to repair the entrance.
Summer garden
Many young tourists strive to get to the park created by the tireless Peter the Great. Just from the description of the Summer Garden in St. Petersburg, it becomes clear that you definitely need to set aside time to visit it.
The most accessible entertainment here is walking along the paths of the park and visiting the Petrovsky Palace. Tourists also like to take pictures against the backdrop of beautiful sculptures and fountains, relaxing in the Coffee House with a cup of aromatic invigorating drink.
The landscape of this place corresponds to the style of the French Park. These are symmetrical alleys, which, together with carefully trimmed plantings, represent entire labyrinths of paths. Walking along the paths, park guests can admire the elegant sculptures standing along them. Peter the Great himself brought them from Italy especially for the Summer Garden. These elegant sculptures are nothing more than restored copies of ancient compositions. In addition to the statues, park guests can admire the tall trees growing here.
There are several beautifully designed fountains on the territory of the Summer Garden. There are also figured lawns here, they are decorated with intricate flowerpots. Judging by the reviews of tourists, benches, gazebos and a picturesque pond leave a pleasant impression of the park. Guests of the garden examine with interest the greenhouse and poultry house located on the territory.
The rectangular two-story building with a high roof also attracts the attention of travelers. This is a small Summer Palace that belonged to Peter the Great. Today the building is presented in its original form. Its facade is decorated with decorative stucco and 29 images in the form of bas-reliefs.
Huge courtyard with characters from the Emerald City
Pravdy Street, 6a (metro station Vladimirskaya)
Photo: Vasilisa Tarunova
This is one of the largest through courtyards in St. Petersburg, in which the Emerald City is hidden. Walk through it for a few blocks. Be careful, because despite the fact that there is a yellow brick road, it is easy to get lost in this maze. But on the way you will meet the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion and Toto. The fairy-tale world appeared here in 2007 as part of a program for improving city courtyards.
Quests
Modern megacities offer their guests and city residents a wide variety of entertainment. Quests occupy a special place among them. There are quite a lot of them offered for young people in St. Petersburg. And judging by the reviews, these games are very popular. In them you need to solve puzzles, find a way out of proposed situations, complete team tasks and act logically. The organizers create conditions under which a person has to experience indescribable emotions.
In St. Petersburg you can become a participant in a wide variety of quests. The most popular of them, judging by the reviews of many visitors to such clubs, is “Brain”. In this quest, participants must give correct answers to 85 tasks, while demonstrating intelligence and logical thinking.
There is also a game in St. Petersburg for those who love thrills. By choosing the Ripper quest for themselves, people become participants in incredible horrific events. The plot of this game is based on the story of a world-famous maniac nicknamed “Jack the Ripper”. Within 60 minutes, a team of players must do everything to escape the hands of a killer who is looking for a new victim.
