All citiesSaint Petersburg Things to do and walking itinerary
Russia Saint Petersburg travel guide
30 things to do in Saint Petersburg, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Saint Petersburg
- Hermitage Museum — museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Winter Palace — former imperial palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Aurora — 1900 Pallada-class cruiser (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Saint Isaac's Cathedral — Russian Orthodox cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Mariinsky Theatre — opera company in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Peter and Paul Fortress — original citadel of St. Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Russian Museum — art museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Nevsky Prospect — thoroughfare in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Church of the Savior on Blood — cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kazan Cathedral — cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Saint Petersburg Mosque — mosque in Russia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bronze Horseman — monument for Peter I. at the Senate Square in Saint Petersburg (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Kunstkamera — museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Alexander Nevsky Lavra — monastery in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Trinity Cathedral — cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Saint Michael's Castle — former royal residence in the historic centre of Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Palace Square — central city square of St Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Admiralty building in Saint Petersburg — building in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Tauride Palace — palace (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Mariinsky Palace — Palace in Russia (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Field of Mars — square in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Smolny Convent — cathedral complex in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Marble Palace — building in Saint Petersburg (visit ≈ 90 min)
- St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral, St. Petersburg — Eastern Orthodox church (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palace Bridge — bridge in Saint Petersburg (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Senate Square — square in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Yusupov Palace on Moika — palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Moskovsky railway station — Historic 1851 railway terminus on Nevsky Prospekt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Narva Triumphal Arch — arch in St. Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Anichkov Palace — Historic former imperial palace located in Saint Petersburg, Russia (visit ≈ 90 min)
2-day Saint Petersburg walking itinerary
Starting point: Nevsky Prospekt. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 7.7 km · 10,460 steps · 1 h 43 min on the way): Russian Museum → Aurora → Peter and Paul Fortress → Hermitage Museum
- Day 2 (≈ 6.6 km · 8,890 steps · 1 h 27 min on the way): Winter Palace → Nevsky Prospect → Saint Isaac's Cathedral → Mariinsky Theatre
Where to stay in Saint Petersburg
- Nevsky Prospekt: The main avenue; the Hermitage and canals are a short walk away.
- Vasilyevsky Island: A calm historic island of the university and museums.
- Petrogradsky: Art nouveau buildings near the Peter and Paul Fortress.
- Kolomna: A quiet canal-ringed area beside the Mariinsky Theatre.
- Liteyny: Cafés, bars and local life close to the centre.
Getting from the airport to Saint Petersburg
- Pulkovo (LED): Bus 39 + metro ≈ 50 min
Getting around
The metro is fast and ornate; the centre is walkable. Bridges open at night in summer, so plan island crossings.
Classic places to eat
- Pışeçnaya (Bolşaya Konyuşennaya): Hot sugared doughnuts (pyshki) since 1958.
- Singer Café: A café in the Singer building facing Kazan Cathedral.
- Literaturnoe Kafe: The historic café where Pushkin reputedly stopped for the last time.
- Stolle: Russian-style savoury and sweet pies.
Romantic views
- Palace Bridge (Night): The lit-up bridge rising at night.
- Spit of Vasilyevsky Island (Sunset): Views of the Hermitage where the Neva splits.
- Summer Garden (Daytime): An 18th-century garden full of statues.
- Bank Bridge (Evening): A small footbridge with golden-winged griffins.
Football stadiums in Saint Petersburg
- Gazprom Arena: Home of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
- Petrovsky Stadium: Home of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
Day trips
- Catherine Palace — 26 km from the centre
- Pulkovo Observatory — 20 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Saint Petersburg
- Fine: Statements about the armed forces and the state are tightly regulated, including on social media.
- Fine: Photographing military sites, borders and government buildings, or flying drones without permits, is banned.
- Fine: Drinking in streets and parks is banned.
- Warning: Many governments advise against or urge caution on travel to Russia; check current official advice.
- Warning: Foreigners must be registered within 7 working days (hotels do it); keep your migration card.
- Warning: Laws on "LGBT propaganda" and "extremism" are broadly applied; check official travel advice.
- Emergency: 112 (police 102, ambulance 103, fire 101)
- Plugs: C/F, 220V
- Tap water: Boil tap water or drink bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is usual in restaurants.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Russia, Wikivoyage — Russia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Saint Petersburg travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Saint Petersburg?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Catherine Palace and Pulkovo Observatory).
- What are the top things to do in Saint Petersburg?
- Highlights: Hermitage Museum, Winter Palace, Aurora, Saint Isaac's Cathedral and Mariinsky Theatre. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Saint Petersburg?
- Nevsky Prospekt: The main avenue; the Hermitage and canals are a short walk away. Other options: Vasilyevsky Island, Petrogradsky, Kolomna and Liteyny.
- How do you get from the airport to Saint Petersburg city centre?
- Pulkovo (LED): Bus 39 + metro ≈ 50 min
- How do you get around Saint Petersburg?
- The metro is fast and ornate; the centre is walkable. Bridges open at night in summer, so plan island crossings.
- What is the emergency number in Saint Petersburg?
- Emergency: 112 (police 102, ambulance 103, fire 101).
- Do you tip in Saint Petersburg?
- About 10% is usual in restaurants.
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