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Most means of transportation stop functioning at night. The subway is closed from 12:00AM until 05:45AM; transfers between lines close (and open) at this time, while the departure of the last (and the first) trains from each station varies slightly. Taxis are available 24/7, but are much costlier at night. In Petersburg, however, every private vehicle is a potential taxi. Flagging down a vehicle and paying for a ride somewhere is perfectly normal in Russia and quite popular although ill-advised for tourists. Safety is of course an issue. As a rule you should never get in a private cab if it already has passengers inside. Also, refuse driver's requests to take on more fares while you haven't yet reached your destination; if he insists, ask to stop at a safe-looking place, pay and leave. If the driver stops for gas, step out of the car, along with your belongings, and get some fresh air while he is fueling it. Women traveling alone (and men, for that matter) should feel free to wave off any suspicious ride for any reason whatsoever. According to the city police, crimes involving gypsy cabs are one of the most common types of crime against Western tourists in St. Petersburg. Gypsy cabs which linger near popular bars and restaurants at night have been known to be especially dangerous, with several instances of druggings and robberies in the past year or so.
Most means of transportation stop functioning at night. The subway is closed from 12:00AM until 05:45AM; transfers between lines close (and open) at this time, while the departure of the last (and the first) trains from each station varies slightly. Taxis are available 24/7, but are much costlier at night. In Petersburg, however, every private vehicle is a potential taxi. Flagging down a vehicle and paying for a ride somewhere is perfectly normal in Russia and quite popular although ill-advised for tourists. Safety is of course an issue. As a rule you should never get in a private cab if it already has passengers inside. Also, refuse driver's requests to take on more fares while you haven't yet reached your destination; if he insists, ask to stop at a safe-looking place, pay and leave. If the driver stops for gas, step out of the car, along with your belongings, and get some fresh air while he is fueling it. Women traveling alone (and men, for that matter) should feel free to wave off any suspicious ride for any reason whatsoever. According to the city police, crimes involving gypsy cabs are one of the most common types of crime against Western tourists in St. Petersburg. Gypsy cabs which linger near popular bars and restaurants at night have been known to be especially dangerous, with several instances of druggings and robberies in the past year or so.


At night the city is divided in two by the Neva; all the main bridges are drawn up to allow for boat traffic, except during the winter, when ice makes the river impassable. Remember to make it to your side of the river in time; otherwise, you could find yourself stuck on the wrong side until early morning. One bridge - ''Volodarsky'' - closes once per night from around 3:45AM to 4:15AM to permit crossing. Most of others are up between 1:45AM and 5:15AM; see the [[Bridges in Saint Petersburg|schedule]] for details. The Big Obukhovski bridge is not drawn up, as it is an important part of Saint Petersburg Ring Highway.
At night the city is divided in two by the Neva; all the main bridges are drawn up to allow for boat traffic, except during the winter, when ice makes the river impassable. Remember to make it to your side of the river in time; otherwise, you could find yourself stuck on the wrong side until early morning. One bridge - ''Volodarsky'' - closes once per night from around 3:45AM to 4:15AM to permit crossing. Most of others are up between 1:45AM and 5:15AM; see below for details. The Big Obukhovski bridge is not drawn up, as it is an important part of Saint Petersburg Ring Highway.


The folowing table represents a drawn schedule of Saint Petersburg bridges in 2009 (actual since 15 April):
The folowing table represents a drawn schedule of Saint Petersburg bridges in 2009 (actual since 15 April):
{| style="border:1px solid #AAAAAA; border-collapse: collapse;" |
{| class="standard"
!rowspan="2" |Bridge
! style="border:1px solid #AAAAAA; background-color:#EEEEFF" rowspan="2" |Bridge
!colspan="2" |Drawn (AM)
! style="border:1px solid #AAAAAA; background-color:#EEEEFF" colspan="2" |Drawn (AM)
|-
|-
! style="border:1px solid #AAAAAA; background-color:#EEEEFF" | first
!first
! style="border:1px solid #AAAAAA; background-color:#EEEEFF" | second
!second
|-
|-
|colspan="3" |'''The bridges over Neva'''
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" colspan="3" |'''The bridges over Neva'''
|-
|-
|Volodarsky Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Volodarsky Bridge
|02:00—03:45
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 02:00—03:45
|04:15—05:45
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 04:15—05:45
|-
|-
|Finland Railway Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Finland Railway Bridge
|02:20—05:30
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 02:20—05:30
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" |  
| 
|-
|-
|Alexander Nevsky Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Alexander Nevsky Bridge
|02:20—05:10
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 02:20—05:10
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" |  
| 
|-
|-
|Piter the Great Bridge (former Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge)
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Piter the Great Bridge (former Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge)
|02:00—05:00
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 02:00—05:00
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" |  
| 
|-
|-
|Liteyny Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Liteyny Bridge
|01:50—04:40
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 01:50—04:40
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" |  
| 
|-
|-
|Trinity Bridge (former Kirov bridge)
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Trinity Bridge (former Kirov bridge)
|01:40—04:50
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 01:40—04:50
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" |  
| 
|-
|-
|colspan="3" |'''The bridges over Bolshaya Nevka'''
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" colspan="3" |'''The bridges over Bolshaya Nevka'''
|-
|-
|Sampsonievsky Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Sampsonievsky Bridge
|02:10—02:45
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 02:10—02:45
|03:20—04:25
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 03:20—04:25
|-
|-
|Grenader Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Grenader Bridge
|02:45—03:45
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 02:45—03:45
|03:20—04:50
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 03:20—04:50
|-
|-
|Kantemirovsky Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Kantemirovsky Bridge
|02:45—03:45
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 02:45—03:45
|04:20—04:50
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 04:20—04:50
|-
|-
|colspan="3" |'''The bridges over Malaya Neva'''
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" colspan="3" |'''The bridges over Malaya Neva'''
|-
|-
|Exchange Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Exchange Bridge
|02:00—04:55
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 02:00—04:55
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" |  
| 
|-
|-
|Tuchkov Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Tuchkov Bridge
|02:00—02:55
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 02:00—02:55
|03:35—04:55
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 03:35—04:55
|-
|-
|colspan="3" |'''The bridges over Bolshaya Neva'''
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" colspan="3" |'''The bridges over Bolshaya Neva'''
|-
|-
|Palace Bridge
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Palace Bridge
|01:25—04:55
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 01:25—04:55
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" |  
| 
|-
|-
|Blagoveshchensky Bridge (former Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge)
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | Blagoveshchensky Bridge (former Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge)
|01:25—02:45
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 01:25—02:45
|03:10—05:00
| style="border: 1px solid #AAAAAA" | 03:10—05:00
|-
|-
|}
|}

Revision as of 07:29, 17 May 2009

For other places with the same name, see Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg (Санкт-Петербу́рг Sankt-Peterburg; [1]) is Russia's second largest city, with a population of 4.7 million perched at the eastern tip of of the Baltic Sea and the Neva River. The city was formerly known as Petrograd (Петрогра́д), and later Leningrad (Ленингра́д).

File:800px-HermitageAcrossNeva.jpg
The Hermitage and the Winter Palace across the Neva River

Understand

File:SPB Canal.JPG
Saint Petersburg is nicknamed the 'Venice of the North'

Founded by Peter the Great, the former home of the Czars and the center of Russian culture, Saint Petersburg was known as "The Venice of the North" in its heyday. Rechristened Petrograd during the first World War, the city was renamed Leningrad in 1924 in honor of the communist revolutionary, V.I. Lenin. Bombed, blockaded and starved during World War II, the city took a back seat to Moscow during the Soviet era.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city has been rapidly making up for lost time and is by far the most cosmopolitan of Russia's cities. Renamed once more in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union, most Russians know it as Piter (Питер), a familiar diminutive of Saint Petersburg.

Events

May 9, Veterans Parade
  • During the last 10 days of June, the longest days of the year, Saint Petersburg celebrates the White Nights in a cultural extravaganza. Book early as accommodation and transport can be hard to reserve during this time.
  • In June or July the annual Message to Man [2], an international documentary, short, and animated films festival takes places here.

Get in

Russian visa requirements are complex. See the Get In section of the article on Russia for information.

By plane

Pulkovo Airport (LED  IATA | Template:ICAO) [3] serves a wide variety of destinations both international and domestic. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights, while Terminal 2 is for international connections. The airport is located approximately 17 kilometers south from the center.

Taxis at Terminal 2 have now joined a structured pricing scheme based on geographic zones, which is prominently posted on a billboard outside the arrivals hall at the taxi stand. The fixed price for a taxi to the central district (Nevsky Prospekt/Hermitage area) is 600 RUB, for example, plus luggage surcharges. Traffic is usually quite heavy in the city, so plan on about two hours minimum during the day to get to the city by car. Those who speak Russian can order a taxi by phone for a lower price than the taxis at the airport. Companies such as 068 or 600000 (which are also their respective phone numbers) charge about 500-550 RUB for a trip to the city center/Hermitage area. The operator will take the order, then call you back to tell you the license plate number and color/model of the taxi that will meet you. They will also tell you the fare in advance, so there is no need to haggle. If calling from the airport arrival hall, it will take about 15-20 minutes for the taxi to arrive.

A cheaper option is to take a bus to the nearest Metro station, Moskovskaya, which will cost you only 18 RUB (Bus 39 to/from terminal-1, bus 13 to/from terminal-2). From there you can go to any station on the Saint Petersburg Metro for a 20 RUB (.80 USD) token. Private bus companies also operate full-size buses, which often have more space for large luggage, from Pushkinskaya Metro via Moskovskaya Metro to both airport terminals for about 100 RUB per person.

By train

Saint Petersburg is a major rail hub. The 5-hour train ride from Helsinki (Finland) is one of the most comfortable ways to reach the city. Trains also connect to destinations in the Baltics and Central Europe. Alternatively, you can head inland to Moscow. It takes 4.5 hours to get from St Petersburg to Moscow on Express (day-time) train.

There are five principal stations:

Note: Varshavskii Station (Варшавский вокзал) is now closed, trains to/from Poland arrive at the Baltic or Vitebsk Stations.

Until recently, you could only buy a ticket for a Russian train at a train station, but now you can purchase an electronic train ticket.

The Finnish VR Group provides excellent information on train travel from Finland to St Petersburg [4]. There are two daily departures from Helsinki. The morning departure, on the Sibelius, is a Finnish train with Finnish crew, while the afternoon Repin departure is a Russian train with Russian crew. Tickets can be purchased through some travel agencies and at major VR [5] train stations in Finland, but cannot be purchased online. Border crossing formalities are handled on board the train, and currency exchange is available. Beginning in 2010, the high-speed Allegro rail service between Helsinki and St Petersburg will come into service, cutting the travel time from five and a half hours to three hours.

By bus

The cheapest, although by no means the most comfortable way of reaching Saint Petersburg from neighboring countries are long distance buses. Buses from Belarus, Ukraine, Germany, Finland, the Baltic states and Scandinavia stop at the main bus station (Avtovokzal).

Metro: Ligovskii Prospekt (far away from metro).

Two private bus companies also run overnight routes to and from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as well as to Belarus and the Ukraine:

  • Ecolines [6]: has daily departures to Riga with stops at Luga, Pskov, and Ostrov as well as twice-weekly service to Minsk, Belarus and Kiev, Ukraine. From Riga, one can easily find connections to Poland and from there to most countries of Western and Central Europe. Tickets can be purchased online or through their Saint Petersburg Office at Pod'ezdniy pereulok 3 near Metro Pushkinskaya from 10AM-8PM. Tel: +7 812 314 2550, +7 901 300 6170. Ecolines buses depart from Vitebskii vokzal (near Metro Pushkinskaya) and the Bus Station (Avtovokzal)
  • Eurolines [7] has multiple daily departures to Tallinn with a stop in Narva. They also maintain a daily route to Riga from which buses to most of Western and Central Europe can be found. Connections can also be made to the Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova from Riga and/or Vilnius. Tickets can be purchased online (although their website is rather difficult to navigate) or at their Petersburg office at Mitrofanjevskoe Shosse 2-1, near Metro Baltiskii. Tel: +7 (812) 438 28 39. Eurolines buses depart from Metro Baltiskii.

By boat

Summer cruises and ferry services from Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia appear and disappear at irregular intervals, often at short notice. Check with Kristina Cruises [8] if they're running this year.

Passenger boats also operate on the inland waterway "Volga-Baltic" which links Moscow, the River Volga and Lakes Onega, Ladoga and Neva.

To get out, you could try your luck for Freighter travel, although the port is very large. It would be easier if you have connections in the port. Try to find a dispatcher [9].

Nearly all the major cruise lines (Princess, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Carnival, Celebrity, etc.) offer a Scandinavia/St. Petersburg itinerary, and most stay overnight to allow shore excursions to Moscow. Azamara has itineraries that dock for three days/two nights.

Get around

Traffic

Most means of transportation stop functioning at night. The subway is closed from 12:00AM until 05:45AM; transfers between lines close (and open) at this time, while the departure of the last (and the first) trains from each station varies slightly. Taxis are available 24/7, but are much costlier at night. In Petersburg, however, every private vehicle is a potential taxi. Flagging down a vehicle and paying for a ride somewhere is perfectly normal in Russia and quite popular although ill-advised for tourists. Safety is of course an issue. As a rule you should never get in a private cab if it already has passengers inside. Also, refuse driver's requests to take on more fares while you haven't yet reached your destination; if he insists, ask to stop at a safe-looking place, pay and leave. If the driver stops for gas, step out of the car, along with your belongings, and get some fresh air while he is fueling it. Women traveling alone (and men, for that matter) should feel free to wave off any suspicious ride for any reason whatsoever. According to the city police, crimes involving gypsy cabs are one of the most common types of crime against Western tourists in St. Petersburg. Gypsy cabs which linger near popular bars and restaurants at night have been known to be especially dangerous, with several instances of druggings and robberies in the past year or so.

At night the city is divided in two by the Neva; all the main bridges are drawn up to allow for boat traffic, except during the winter, when ice makes the river impassable. Remember to make it to your side of the river in time; otherwise, you could find yourself stuck on the wrong side until early morning. One bridge - Volodarsky - closes once per night from around 3:45AM to 4:15AM to permit crossing. Most of others are up between 1:45AM and 5:15AM; see below for details. The Big Obukhovski bridge is not drawn up, as it is an important part of Saint Petersburg Ring Highway.

The folowing table represents a drawn schedule of Saint Petersburg bridges in 2009 (actual since 15 April):

Bridge Drawn (AM)
first second
The bridges over Neva
Volodarsky Bridge 02:00—03:45 04:15—05:45
Finland Railway Bridge 02:20—05:30  
Alexander Nevsky Bridge 02:20—05:10  
Piter the Great Bridge (former Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge) 02:00—05:00  
Liteyny Bridge 01:50—04:40  
Trinity Bridge (former Kirov bridge) 01:40—04:50  
The bridges over Bolshaya Nevka
Sampsonievsky Bridge 02:10—02:45 03:20—04:25
Grenader Bridge 02:45—03:45 03:20—04:50
Kantemirovsky Bridge 02:45—03:45 04:20—04:50
The bridges over Malaya Neva
Exchange Bridge 02:00—04:55  
Tuchkov Bridge 02:00—02:55 03:35—04:55
The bridges over Bolshaya Neva
Palace Bridge 01:25—04:55  
Blagoveshchensky Bridge (former Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge) 01:25—02:45 03:10—05:00

By subway

Saint Petersburg's metro is the second largest underground railway system in Russia (Moscow being the first). It is arguably the cheapest and most effective way to get around the city. The trains are fast and run frequently (during rush hours, intervals go as low as 30 seconds between trains). The metro costs 20 RUR per entry regardless of the distance. Metro maps can be found in every train car, often with station names in the Latin alphabet. Names on station walls, however, are in Cyrillic, so if you are unfamiliar with the language, it may make sense to "count the stops" to your destination or keep your ears open, the conductor will let you know what station you are on. The Saint Petersburg metro can be unbelievably crowded during rush hour. Traveling during this time is a risky kind sport and one should avoid unnecessary journeys if not used to big crowds. The subway is also a major tourist attraction in itself thanks to the beautiful decorations of the stations.

Tip for using the Metro: Be aware of your belongings and don't be afraid to push when you arrive at your stop!

By tram

A more scenic, but slower way to see Saint Petersburg is by tram. In recent years, due to traffic troubles, some tram lines were removed from the centre of the city. They cost 18 RUR.

By bus or trolleybus

Buses and trolleybuses are cheap (18 Rubles) and frequent. Tickets are sold by a conductor sitting in the bus. Every bus has its own conductor. If the conductor is absent, then tickets are sold by the driver. However, buses and trolleys on main routes are frequently overcrowded. Buses to suburbs cost 18 or 32 RUR within the territory of St. Peterburg (Zelenogorsk, Lomonosov and others). If you do not hold a valid ticket you will be fined, but only for about 125 RUR.

By route taxi

Route taxi (marshrutka) is sometimes the fastest way to get somewhere. Taxis are 14-20 seat vans, usually white or yellow, always with a letter K and route number plate (K-28). Often they are small Chinese or Turkish buses. There are no regular stops; you must tell the driver when you want to get out, or wave while on the roadside to stop one. You must pay to the driver at entry, usually from 18 to 24 RUR. If you cannot reach the driver on your own, pass the money through the other passengers and be ready to pass other's money if you sit close to the driver. The Marshrutka experience may seem exciting sometimes, especially when you see some brave driver counting change while steering with his knees at 70 mph. Many marshrutka drivers are illegal immigrants and speak Russian poorly (if any at all).

See

File:Winterpalace ru.jpg
The Hermitage Museum
  • The Hermitage Museum/The Winter Palace [10] is Saint Petersburg's prime attraction, a massive palace-cum-museum showing the highlights of a collection of over 3,000,000 pieces spanning the globe. The Hermitage is truly one of the world's great museums, with an imposing setting displaying priceless works by Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Michealangelo, Reubens and more. It is recommended, though not required!, to get a tour guide. They can charge as much as $100 but they can tell you more about the building and the items and take you directly to the items you want to see.
Ticketing is complex, but the Hermitage itself is 100 rubles for Russians and 350 rubles for foreigners. Students of all nationalities get in for free, but don't forget your student card with photo! Entrance is free on the first Thursday of every month. Bags aren't allowed in the museum (and while technically neither are cameras without the appropriate ticket, they never check the photo-permission tickets so it's not worth buying them), so stash them in the busy cloakroom.

Getting into the Hermitage

Advice for foreigners visiting the Hermitage Museum: Find a tour group. This may have changed, call the museum ahead of time to find out.: Entry fee is 200 rubles instead of 350, and includes the photography fee and a whistle-stop tour of the museum (but note the free entry for students). Don't accept a tour from the numerous touts hanging around the queue. Instead, march past the queue and in through the main entrance, or the exit opposite if the queue's blocking the entrance (don't worry, you're not queue-jumping). Have a scout around for notices with museum tour times in your native language, or in extreme circumstances, ask at the desk. If you find a good candidate, you're all set to go to the Tours Office to book yourself on it. This is where things get slightly surreal. To get to the Tours Office from the main entrance, go forward past the cashiers, and turn left down the corridor. The Tours Office is in front of you at the end, and may or may not be marked. Get yourself a place on your tour, collect the bit of paper, go to cashier No. 5 (who is not with the rest of them, instead turn left out of the Tours Office and she's in a box at the end of the corridor), pay, get your paper stamped, take it back to the Tours Office and get it checked, stamped again and muttered over and then you're ready to brave the coat dungeon.

  • <see name="Russian Museum" alt="" address="Inzhenernaya Ul. 4" directions="Across Ploshad Isskustv from the Grand Europe Hotel" phone="595 42 48" email="" fax="" url="http://www.rusmuseum.ru/eng" hours="10AM to 6PM daily ex. Tuesday" price="Foreigners 350 RR, Russians 150 RR">An extensive collection of Russian paintings and sculpture. The main building, the Mikhailovskiy Palace houses the main exhibits, and the Russian Museum also oversees the permanent and temporary exhibits at the Stroganov Palace, Marble Palace and Mikhailovskiy Castle. Tickets to each can be purchased separately or as a universal pass.</see>
  • Peter and Paul Fortress. You can go in for free, but to enter the church and exhibitions you need tickets. You can get a combo ticket for everything, or you can just enter the church. Other than the church, which is where the all of the Romanov Czars of Russia from Peter the Great (bar two or three) are buried, the other things on the island aren't terribly impressive, so it might be worth it to just see the church.
  • <see name="The Admiralty" alt="" address="North end of Nevsky Prospekt" directions="Next to the Hermitage" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Not open to visitors, but worth seeing from the outside.</see>
Bridges by night
  • The bridges on the Neva [11]. Open 2 times per night to allow boats to pass.
  • <see name="Ethnographic Museum" alt="" address="" directions="Next to the Russian Museum Mikhailovskiy Palace" phone="" url="" hours="" price="Foreigners 350 RR, Russians 100 RR" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">An interesting and educational display of the traditions and costumes of various ethnic groups found in the lands of the former Russian Empire.</see>
  • Alexander Nevskiy Monastery. Located at the Eastern end of Nevskiy Prospekt next to the River Neva. The site also has the Tikhvin Cemetery which houses the tombs of some of the world's most famous composers; Tschaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky and Borodin, and also the author Fyodr Dostoevsky, along with many other famous Russian figures.
  • Museum of Artillery, Combat Engineers and Signal Troops. Housed in old Arsenal fortress-like building near the Peter and Paul Fortress and surrounded by moat.
  • <see name="Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood" alt="" address="Canal Griboedova, 2a" directions="Between Nevsky Prospekt and the Neva" phone="(812) 315-16-36" email="" fax="" url="" hours="10am to 8pm daily ex. Wed" price="Foreigners 300 RR, Russians 120 RR">A traditional style Russian church built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. The interior is elaborately decorated with over 6000sqm of mosaics.</see>
  • <see name="Our-Lady-of-Kazan Cathedral" alt="Казанский собор, Kazansky Sobor" address="Nevsky Prospekt and Canal Griboedova" directions="Metro: Nevsky Prospekt" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="Free entry">Impressive neoclassical exterior, richly decorated interior. Includes the tomb of Gen. Kutuzov, hero of the war of 1812.</see>
  • <see name="Saint Isaac's Cathedral" alt="" address="St. Isaac's Square, 4" directions="" phone="(812) 315-97-32" email="" fax="" url="" hours="11am to 7pm daily ex. Wed" price="Foreigners 300 RR, Russians 120 RR">Located near to the Admiralty. It was built in 1818 and is a major attraction in the city. It is the third largest cathedral in the world. There are night time visits, too, and the view from the observation deck (separate fee)is one of the best views of the city, for those who are willing to climb 400 steps.</see>
  • Peter the Great's Cabin. Peter the Great's men built the small wooden cabin in a matter of days for him when he planned the city and it has been preserved in a small brick building in the district Petrogradskaya. It is located close to the Cruiser Aurora on Petrovskaya Naberzhnaya.

Vasilievsky Island

The fountain in waters of Neva River at the spit of Vasilievsky Island
  • <see name="Andreyevsky Cathedral" alt="" address="6 line V.O., 11" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 323-34-18" email="" fax="" url="http://www.hramsp.ru/" hours="" price="">Perhaps the most beautiful religious building on te island, built in 1780. The main cupola is framed by three narrow towers, and is topped by a two-tiered belltower. The gilt, three-layered iconostasis inside is an impressive 17 meters tall.</see>
  • <see name="Church of the Assumption of Mary" alt="" address="Naberezhye Leitenanta Schmidta, 27" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">This five domed church was built in 1897. In 1935, as happened to many churches in Russia, it was converted by the Soviets into a warehouse, but in 1993 it was reopened for services. The ongoing careful renovations began in 1996.</see>
File:Exchange Building (Saint Petersburg).jpg
The Exchange Building and the south Rostral Column
  • <see name="Exchange Building" alt="Naval Museum" address="Birzhevaya Square, 4" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 328-27-01" email="museum@mail.admiral.ru" fax="+7 (812) 328-27-01" url="http://www.museum.navy.ru/" hours="11AM-6PM Tu-Su" price="Foreigners 320 rubles, Russians 90 rubles">The Exchange Building, which houses the Naval Museum, is the centerpiece of the Strelka ensemble. It was built in 1816 in the Neoclassical style. The Naval Museum, one of the largest in the world, contains historical displays of the Russian navy from its founding to the present day, including weaponry, models of ships, and even some original mastheads. Extensive World War II display, and also (not directly related to Naval history) a diorama box of the storming of the Winter Palace.</see>
  • <see name="Ivan Kruzenshtern Statue" alt="" address="Across from Naberezhye Leitenanta Schmidta, 17" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A statue of Admiral Ivan Kruzenshtern, was built in 1870 in honor of the 100-year anniversary of the renowned Admiral's death.</see>
File:Kunstkamera Saint-Petersburg.jpg
The Kunstkamera
  • <see name="Kunstkamera" alt="Room of Curiosities" address="Universitatskaya Embankment 3" directions="Close to the Palace Bridge; enter around the corner on Tamozhenny Pereulok" phone="+7 (812) 328-07-12" email="museum@kunstkamera.ru" fax="" url="http://www.kunstkamera.ru" hours="11AM-6PM Tu-Su, closed every last Tuesday of the month" price="Foreigners 200 rubles, Russians 100 rubles">This museum is primarily famous for its one-room freak show collection of 300 year-old deformed fetuses in formaldehyde (of which you are not allowed to take pictures). The rest of the museum consists of trinkets from various world cultures (over one million exhibits). It's of interest mainly as it is the oldest state museum in Russia, established by Peter the Great in 1704—consequently it has a very dated feel.</see>
File:Menshikov Palace (Saint Petersburg).jpg
The Menshikov's Palace
  • <see name="Menshikov Palace" alt="" address="Universitatskaya Embankment 15" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 323-11-12" email="" fax=""url="http://hermitagemuseum.org/html_Ru/03/hm3_9.html" hours="10:30AM-5:30PM Tu-Su" price="">Operated by the Hermitage, this museum displays some art and an exhibition on life in the early 18th century, in a palace built for the first governor of St. Petersburg, and before him Peter the Great. The Baroque palace was built in 1721, and was one of the first grand stone constructions of the city. Look especially for the grand staircase, and the Walnut, Naval, and Chinese rooms.</see>
  • <see name="Mikhail Lomonosov Statue" alt="" address="Mendeleevskaya St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A statue of the famous 18th century Russian Renaissance man himself, famous for his contributions to mathematics, literature, painting, natural science, chemistry, physics, mineralogy, history, philology, and art.</see>
  • <see name="Mining Institute Museum" alt="" address="21st line V.O., 2" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 321-40-82" email="museum@spmi.ru" fax="+7 (812) 327-73-59" url="http://www.spmi.ru/skeleton/1/64" hours="By appointment for group tours only" price="">One of the largest and oldest geological museums in the world, containing more than 230 thousand items, collected from more than 80 countries. Even if you don't make it inside on a tour, it's worth passing by to admire it's imposing 1811 Imperial-style facade.</see>
  • <see name="Narodovolets (the People's Will) Submarine D-2" alt="" address="Shkipersky protok, 10" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 356-52-66" email="info@navalmuseum.ru" fax="" url="http://www.museum.navy.ru/fills_d_2.htm" hours="W-Su 11AM-5:15PM" price="">A small museum aboard a WWII submarine, dedicated to the actions of the submarine throughout the war (run by the Naval Museum).</see>
  • <see name="Naval Institute" alt="" address="Naberezhye Leitenanta Schmidta, 17" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The oldest naval academy in Russia, founded by Peter the Great in 1701. Some of its most famous graduates include Ivan Kruzenshtern, Rimsky-Korsakov, and many others. The building was completely rebuilt in 1798.</see>
  • <see name="Rostral Columns" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The first monuments you'll immediately notice on the Strelka, the Rostral Columns are yet another symbol of the city. Constructed in 1810, the columns are each adorned with six rostra (traditionally, the prows of captured ships), symbolizing the might of the Russian Baltic Fleet. On top of the columns you'll see sculptures representing the great rivers of European Russia, the Volga, Dnieper, Neva, and Volkhov. In addition to their decorative purpose, the columns also served as lighthouses, and to this day the gas flames are lit on holidays.</see>
  • <see name="Rumyantsevsky Park and Obelisk" alt="" address="between the 1st and 2nd lines along Universitetskaya naberezhye" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The big obelisk in the center of the park was moved here from Mars Field in honor of Count Peter Rumyantsev's victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1791. On the southern end, look for two statues of the famous Russian painters Repin and Surikov.</see>
  • <see name="Russian Academy of the Arts" alt="" address="Universitetskaya naberezhye, 17" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.rah.ru/" hours="" price="">Russia's largest center for advanced study in the arts, founded by Lomonosov and Shuvalov, and was until the 20th century the only school of its kind in Russia. The impressive neoclassical building was built in 1788.</see>
  • <see name="Research Museum of the Academy of the Arts" alt="" address="" directions="Inside the Academy of the Arts" phone="+7 (812) 323-35-78" email="" fax="" url="http://www.nimrah.ru/" hours="W-Su 11AM-6PM" price="">A huge collection of drawings, prints, paintings of both Russian and Western artists, as well as casts and sculptures, all on display across three floors of the Academy. The models of great Petersburg architecture, of the Smolny Monastery, St Isaac's Cathedral, Mikhailovsky Castle, etc., are especially worth seeking out.</see>
  • <see name="Theban Sphinxes" alt="" address="" directions="across the road from the Academy of the Arts" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">You wouldn't expect it, but these two granite sphinxes are three thousand years older than the city itself! They were excavated in 1820 in the temple of Amenhotep III near Thebes. Upon seeing them, the Russian writer and diplomat Muravyev wrote to the Tsar, and convinced him to purchase the statues for display in Petersburg. They were installed in 1834. Oddly enough, sphinxes seem to be popular in the city—there are another six made by Russian sculptors lurking about.</see>
  • <see name="The Twelve Colleges" alt="" address="Universitetskaya naberezhye, 7/9" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">One of Domeniko Trezini's many neoclassical buildings in Petersburg, built in 1742. The ensemble is comprised of twelve identical, connected, three-story buildings. The main facade faces Mendeleevskaya St, rather than the Neva, because at the time of construction, there was a canal in place of the street, across from which was the main market on the island. Today the ensemble houses the Geological and Agricultural departments, as well as Admissions.</see>
  • <see name="Zoological Museum" alt="" address="Universitetskaya naberezhye, 1" directions="" phone="+1 (812) 328-01-12" email="museum@zin.ru" fax="+1 (812) 328-29-41" url="http://www.zin.ru/museum/" hours="11AM-6PM daily" price="">A wild lesson in taxidermy, the museum contains over 17 million species, stuffed, mounted, and fossilized (although due to constraints of finitude, the building "only" displays some 500 thousand). The collection began at the Kunstkammer, and grew into its enormous state under the later Imperial period. You won't have to look hard, but look for the complete blue whale skeleton, as well as the world's only stuffed mammoth.</see>


Do

Opera and Ballet

No trip to St. Petersburg is complete without seeing an opera or ballet performance. The Mariinsky is perhaps the most well-known institution, but it is by no means the only theater in the city. Tickets are sold throughout the city at kiosks and shops called Teatralnaya Kassa, which charge a nominal (usually about 20 RR) fee for "insurance," which is theoretically optional. The theater box offices themselves sell tickets directly, too, and usually for the same price. Sometimes blocks of tickets sell out at the kiosks but tickets are still available at the theater, or vice versa, so it is worth checking both places if you have your heart set on a particular performance. It is possible to take not-so-small children into some performances if you take a private box, although you will need to ask when you buy your tickets.

  • <do name="Mariinsky Theater" alt="" address="Theater Square 1" directions="" phone="326 41 41" email="" fax="" url="http://www.mariinsky.ru" hours="" price="">The Mariinsky Theater (formerly the Kirov, which is the name the troupe still uses when touring abroad) is world-class for both opera and ballet. There are English supertitles for operas sung in Russian; operas in other languages have Russian supertitles. Performances are offered in two halls: the main theater, and the newly-built Mariinsky Concert Hall. Tickets can be purchased on the theater's website.</do>
  • <do name="Mikhailovskiy Theater" alt="" address="Ploshad Isskustv 1" directions="Between the Russian Museum and the Grand Hotel Europe" phone="595 43 05" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The exterior is not as recognizable as the Mariinsky, but the interior is nearly as grand, and the theater hosts both Russian and foreign headliners in opera and ballet.</do>
  • <do name="St. Petersburg Opera" alt="" address="Galernaya Ul. 33" directions="West of the Bronze Horseman" phone="(812) 312 3982" email="spbopera@comlink.spb.ru" fax="" url="http://www.spbopera.ru" hours="" price="">An intimate theater (half-sized stage, and only about 150-200 audience seats) which puts on the major repertory operas at a lower price than the major theaters and has a fascinating foyer - one has to see it to believe it.</do>
  • <do name="Conservatory Theater" alt="" address="Theater Square 3" directions="Across the street from the Mariinsky Theater" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">While the hall itself is not lavish - quite sterile, really - a good option for seeing Russian and repertory operas cheaply, performed by faculty and students of the conservatory where Tchaikovsky (and many other famous figures from the Russian music world) studied.</do>

Concerts

The music scene in St. Petersburg is diverse, with several classical, jazz, and pop concerts to choose from each week. Tickets are available at the same Teatralnaya Kassa locations as ballet and opera tickets, although tickets to pop concerts - especially US and European stars on tour - sometimes use exclusive distributors. For pop and rock concerts, unless you buy tickets for the dance floor (tanzpol), you are expected to sit quietly in your seat as if you were at a ballet - ushers are vigilant about keeping the audience from standing up, dancing, or cheering (polite applause is allowed, but that's about all).

Several of the ballet and opera theaters above also offer orchestral and recital performances, so those are not repeated below. Also, don't forget the many small clubs where up and coming bands play.

  • <do name="St. Petersburg Philharmonic Grand Hall" alt="" address="Mikhailovskaya Ul. 2" directions="Entrance across from the Grand Hotel Europe" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A world-class orchestra which records and tours abroad. The Small Hall (Maliy Saal) hosts excellent chamber music performances and recitals.</do>
  • <do name="St. Petersburg Philharmonic Small Hall" alt="" address="Nevsky Prospekt 30" directions="Next to the Metro station on Nevsky Prospekt" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The Small Hall (Maliy Saal) of the Philharmonic hosts excellent chamber music performances and recitals.</do>
  • <do name="Jazz Philharmonic Hall" alt="" address="Zagorodny Pr. 27" directions="South of Nevsky Prospekt, use Vladimirskaya Metro Station" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Offers a variety of jazz performances several times per week.</do>
  • <do name="Ice Palace (Ledoviy Dvorets)" alt="" address="" directions="At Prospekt Bolshevikov Metro Station" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">One of several sports arenas that also serves as a concert hall for pop and rock concerts.</do>
  • <do name="Oktyabrskiy Concert Hall" alt="" address="Ligovskiy Prospekt 6" directions="Near Ploshad Vosstaniya" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Pop and rock concerts in an auditorium close to the city center.</do>

Film

Most cinemas in St. Petersburg show Hollywood films dubbed (often quite poorly) in Russian. DVDs of American/European films are also often dubbed. There have been crackdowns on sellers of bootleg DVDs, so it may be difficult or expensive to find DVDs in English these days. There are several DVD stores in the city - often near Metro stations - and it is worth asking about films in English.

  • <do name="Dom Kino" alt="" address="12 Karavannaya Ulitsa" directions="Near Gostiniy Dvor Metro Station" phone="314 56 14" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Sometimes shows films in their original language.</do>
  • <do name="Avrora Cinema" alt="" address="Nevksy Prospekt 60" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></do>

Canal boat tours

A tour of the canals by boat is a great way to see the city in the summer. The typical tour is through the Moika, out to the Neva to see the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Cruiser Aurora, then in through the Fontanka (sometimes as far as the Mariinsky Theater). Tours start at many points along the route and return to their starting point - hawkers for different boat companies abound - and the boats may or may not have a cafe and toilet on board. Almost all tours are in Russian. 400-600 Rubles seems to be the average price.

  • <do name="Anglotourismo Boat Tours" alt="" address="Fontanka Embankment 21" directions="" phone="8 921 989 47 22" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Canal boat tours in English, departing from near the Anichkov Bridge (Nevksy Prospekt and Fontanka) in season (May 2 - Sept 30).</do>

Learn

Universities and private schools offer Russian language courses (individual and group tuition).

  • <listing name="CREF - Centre of Russian, English & French Studies" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.cref.ru/" hours="" price="">Private language school in Saint Petersburg, Moscow & Nizhni-Novgorod.</listing>
  • <listing name="Center of Russian Language and Culture" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://russian-language.org/" hours="" price="">Saint Petersburg State University, Smolniy Campus.</listing>
  • <listing name="Department of Philology/SPSU" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.russian4foreigners.spb.ru/" hours="" price="">Saint Petersburg State University on Vassilevskiy Island.</listing>
  • <listing name="EducaCentre" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.educacentre.net/" hours="" price="">Private school in Saint Petersburg</listing>
  • <listing name="Language Studio" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://eng.LanStudio.ru/" hours="" price="">Private school in Saint Petersburg.</listing>
  • <listing name="Liden & Denz" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.lidenz.ru/" hours="" price="">Private school in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.</listing>
  • <listing name="School of Russian and Asian Studies" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.sras.org/" hours="" price="">Schools in major Russian cities.</listing>

Work

Buy

There are plenty of ATMs and legit currency exchange booths. ATM and big shops accepts usually following kind of card: Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, MasterCard Electronic and Maestro. Other card (e.g. American Express) accepted rarely. Do not exchange money on the street: the rate won't be any better, and you run a high risk of encountering any of numerous scams.


  • Gostiny Dvor (Гостинный двор) — The city's oldest and largest shopping centre, dating to the mid-18th century. The name means "Merchant Yard", as its old role was to provide both shops and housing to merchants from far away. It sells almost everything from Playstations to Saint Petersburg Vodka. The prices of goods are the highest in St.Petersburg.
  • Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект) — Saint Petersburg's Champs-Élysées, lined with department stores and fancy shops. A recommended shop for souvenir hunters is Nevsky Gifts on the corner of the road entering Palace Square.
  • Passazh (Пассаж) — The Harrods of Saint Petersburg, a smaller and very beautiful shopping center for the elite.
  • Souvenirs Market sells a huge variety of cheap souvenirs from Matroyshka (матрёшка) dolls to Soviet Memorabilia. It can be found behind the Church of the Saviour next to the Griboedova Canal. There are also some souvenir stalls in the square across from St. Isaacs Cathedral.

Eat

Budget

Nothing, absolutely nothing, tastes better than hot Russian crepes with caviar, mushrooms, caramel, berries, or what have you with a cup of tea on a cold winter street.

  • <eat name="Chainaya Lozhka (Чайная ложка)" alt="" address="Several locations" directions="Nevsky Pr. 44 is one of the most centrally located" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">These fast-food restaurants serve blini (Russian crepes) with a variety of fillings - you choose your own at the counter. They also have a wide selection of teas.</eat>
  • <eat name="Teremok (Теремок)" alt="" address="Several locations" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="40-100 rubles for a filling meal" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">This blini chain began with street-corner kiosks throughout the city (many are quite easy to find), and they have expanded to include counter-service restaurants serving not only blini, but also kasha, salads, and other quick, inexpensive fare. Some central locations are Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. 11, Nevsky Pr. 60, and Nevsky Pr. 106. The restaurants have menus in English if you ask.</eat>
  • <eat name="Samovar (Самовар)" address="Ulitsa Gorokhovaya 27" phone="314-39-45" fax="" hours="" price="20 rubles for a blin" url="">This neighborhood blini shop makes blini as good as homemade (so says a native Russian blini-maker). Choose from a wide range of fillings and have your tasty blini made fresh; also has a decent selection of tea. Better lunch than any of the chains. No English; but you can just point at the fillings on the counter if you don't want to bother translating the menu with your guide book.</eat>
  • <eat name="U Tyoshi Na Blinakh (У тёщи на блинах)" alt="" address="Several locations" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Cafeteria-style Russian and Ukrainian food for a reasonable price with faux-rustic decor, not like a Soviet-era stolovaya. Has more than blini: soups, salads, meat dishes, desserts, etc. Those who know the Mu-Mu chain in Moscow will recognize this, although on a smaller scale. One location is near Sennaya Ploshad.</eat>
Saint Michael's Castle by night

Mid-range

  • <eat name="1,001 Nights" alt="Тысяча и одна ночь" address="ул. Миллионная, 21" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="noon-23:00 daily, live music & belly dancing F-Su 20:00-23:00" price="300-500 rubles">This would be but an ordinary undistinguished Uzbek restaurant, were it not within one block of the Winter Palace. Given location, the place is spectacular in that it maintains decent service and very good food.</eat>
  • <eat name="Acquarel" alt="" address="" directions="next to the Birzhevoy bridge" phone="+7 (812) 320-8600" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Right on the water, this restaurant offers Italian food alongside a French/Asian fusion menu. Friendly people, delightful atmosphere, and a wonderful view, Acquarel is a wonderful and delicious dinner option or even a great place to relax and get a drink in their lounge chairs.</eat>
  • <eat name="Cafe Old Tbilisi" alt="Кафе Старый Тбилилси" address="В.О. 4-я линия, 5" directions="near the Vasilieostrovskaya metro station" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="11:00-23:00 daily" price="650 rubles">You'll probably be the only foreign visitor to this small unassuming place on Vasilievsky Island, but the great Georgian food is absolutely worth the short metro trip. The quality for the price here is just outstanding.</eat>
  • <eat name="Caravan-Sarai" alt="Караван-Сарай" address="ул. Некрасова, 1" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 272-7153" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="400-600 rubles">In a city with plenty of Uzbek food, this may outshine the competition. Not for the service or the decor, but for the very long menu of top-notch Uzbek cooking.</eat>
  • <eat name="Gin-no Taki" alt="Гин-но Таки" address="пр. Чернышевского, 17" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="11:00-06:00 daily" price="150-400 rubles">A very reasonably priced Japanese restaurant just across the street from the Chernyshevskaya metro station. The interior is very stylish, even if the fashion shows on the TVs are a bit much, and you can control your service with the aid of a call button. The food is good, but the sodas might be even better—free refills! It's also a very solid choice for a place to unwind late-night after a wild night.</eat>
  • <eat name="Kafe Ket" alt="" address="22 Ul. Stremyannaya" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">In a country where only 1% of the population is reported to eat out in a restaurant more than once a year, Kafe Ket is a wonderful alternative to the pushy alternatives which have no place in the city other than to cater for the culinary whims of busloads of foreign tourists. This little restaurant serves probably the nicest Georgian food, menu in English.</eat>
  • <eat name="Kafe Tbilisi" alt="" address="Sytninskaya ul, 10" directions="Metro Gorkovskaya behind the market" phone="+7 (812) 232-9391" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Georgian food. The dishes prepared in pots are excellent.</eat>
  • <eat name="The Idiot" alt="Идиот" address="82, Moika Emb" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 315-1675" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Named after the Dostoyevsky novel, and offering a wide variety of very tasty vegan and vegetarian dishes at prices higher than what you'd expect. All served in a very cozy and attractive cellar stocked with books, ex-pats, and intellectuals.</eat>
  • <eat name="Montana Saloon" alt="" address="20, Kirochnaya str. or 19, Izmailovsky pr" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">American cuisine, wonderful steaks (best in S-Petersburg), good wine and pleasant atmosphere. A bit expensive (the best steak costs 850 rubles), but it is worth it.</eat>
  • <eat name="Restaurant Harbin" alt="" address="ул. Жуковского, 34/2" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="12:30-23:30 daily" price="800 rubles">Chinese in Saint Petersburg is often better than in most parts of Europe. This restaurant is cozy and overcrowded (show up early or late if you want to ensure that you get a table), and has an extraordinarily long and complex menu. If you don't have a native speaker with you, it's a must to bring a food dictionary, since otherwise you'll have no idea what you are ordering!</eat>
  • <eat name="Traveling Sack for a Pregnant Spy" alt="Саквояж для беременной шпионки" address="ул. Б. Конюшенная, 17" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 570-06-37" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-F 11.00-02.00 Sa-Su noon-02.00" price="800 rubles">A very fun Russian restaurant, that would be worth visiting as a gallery of weird spy-kitsch, but the food is actually quite good as well.</eat>

Splurge

  • <eat name="Austeria" alt="Аустерия" address="Iohann Alley, Peter & Paul Fortress" directions="Near the entrance to the fortress" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="12:00-24:00" price="1150 rubles">This restaurant, offering a very European setting with mostly Russian food of high quality, nabs a lot of tourists visiting the fortress. But nonetheless, the service and food remain phenomenal—while tourists are trapped here, it is no tourist trap. During off season (particularly in the snow) the place can be almost magical, as you get the beautiful restaurant to yourself.</eat>
  • <eat name="Baku" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 941-37-56, +7 (812) 571-84-70" email="" fax="" url="http://www.baku-spb.ru/" hours="12:00-02:00" price="1300 rubles">One of the city's more impressive interiors, modeled after the palaces of the Shirvan Shahs (imagine eating in Sheki's Khan-Saray). Only opened in 2006, but has received rave reviews from all quarters since. A great place to try out Azeri cuisine.</eat>
  • Grand Hotel Europe Restaurant. The Sunday Jazz Brunch here is a "Not to Miss" if you are looking for a real splurge. About $90 USD per person includes a full caviar spread and sushi bar in addition to the normal brunch fare (carving station, omelette station, salads, fruit, baked goods, desserts, the options are nearly endless). There is also bottomless champagne glasses (and the champagne is quite good) and a huge frozen ice sculpture that is tapped where you can refill your glass with iced vodka as many times as you'd like. The jazz is very good and the pace is relaxed and enjoyable. The only caveat: As with most Russian eateries, there is no non-smoking section, so if you are not a smoker, ask for table away from the majority or risk having to inhale cigarette smoke while you dine.
  • <eat name="Kalinka-Malinka" alt="Калинка-Малинка" address="ул. Итальянская, 5" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="1400 rubles">Its an overdone and overpriced Russian-kitsch tourist trap for foreigners (Russians wouldn't be caught dead here). But if you're staying nearby, they'll treat you fine and you can eat some bear meat.</eat>
  • <eat name="Na Zdorovye!" alt="На здоровье!" address="П.С. пр. Большой , 13/4" directions="3 blocks up Bolshoy Prospect from the Sportivnaya metro station" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="12:00-23:00" price="900 rubles">This is the kitschiest kitchen in town, but it's no tourist trap, not by a long stretch. Its way off on the Petrograd Side north of the stadium, and is frequented mostly just by Russians, who come to enjoy the fun over-the-top decor, and the delightful "tastes just like babushka makes it" cooking. Sending the kitsch even further over that top are the performances of Russian/Gypsy folk music and singing 19:00-23:00 daily. Come here for a full meal or the vodka shots + zakuski, and you'll have a memorable night.</eat>
  • <eat name="Sunduk" alt="Сундук" address="ул. Фурштатская, 42" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-F 10:00-24:00 Sa-Su 11:00-24:00" price="850 rubles">A great, small, cozy, and very stylish brick-walled Russian restaurant, with excellent food, and good enough service. Live entertainment comes often, and is often surprisingly good—imagine sitting down and only then seeing a solo jazz guitarist sit down to play some beautiful music. It's been open for more than a decade, and there's a reason why it's a fixture of the local restaurant scene around Furshtatskaya.</eat>

Drink

Saint Petersburgers know how to party. There is a wide and excellent selection of great clubs that will satisfy all tourists looking to spend the night out. The city hosts clubs of all music. Rock, pop, jazz, hip hop/RnB, and a lot more. The most popular trend within music and clubbing in Russia at the moment is house/techno.

Pubs

  • <drink name="Dickens Pub" alt="" address="108 Fontanka Canal" directions="Near Sadovaya & Technologichesky Institute metro stations, just off Moskovsky-Fontanka bridge" phone="+7-812-380-7888" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Dickens Pub offers good service, great food, and a wide range of English and other international beers, with over 15 on tap. There are also many superior whiskeys too! A good place to eat and then mingle with the fun-loving locals. Be prepared for a party - especially on Fridays & Saturdays!</drink>
  • <drink name="Gordon & MacPhail's Whisky Bar" alt="" address="Nekrasova St 9" directions="" phone="+7 812 579 4059" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Lovely place where you can have a couple of whiskeys and a pint in the evening. Lots of brands and a cosy atmosphere.</drink>
  • <drink name="Hemingway Bar" alt="Хемингуэй-бар" address="ул. Ломоносова, 3" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 310-7007" email="" fax="" url="http://www.hembar.ru/" hours="12:00-05:00" price="~1400 rubles to eat">A comfortable, big bar with upscale drinks and cooking. The biggest draw is the cool clientele and live performances: blues, jazz, R&B. One tip though, if you open the door to a DJ blaring Russkaya popsa—leave because you won't be able to hear yourself think.</drink>
  • <drink name="Tsinik" alt="" address="Per. Antonenko 4" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.cynic.spb.ru" hours="Open between 12PM and 3AM" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Popular hangout good for standard pub fare and cheap drinks.HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS!</drink>
  • <drink name="The Other Side Gastro Bar & Refuge" alt="" address="1 Bolshaya Konyushennaya St" directions="Metro: Nevsky Prospect; a 2-minute walk from The Church of Our Saviour on The Spilled Blood" phone="+7-812-312-9554" url="http://www.theotherside.ru" hours="Open 12PM-?; kitchen closed at 11pm on weekdays" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Rapidly emerging as a favored spot among foreign visitors and long-term residents alike, The Other Side offers what too many bars in St. Petersburg do not: gourmet bar food, a solid selection of drinks, fabulous background and live music, friendly, relaxed service and a cool, classy atmosphere. Former Management from Red Lion! Great Eclectic Bands!</drink>

Nightclubs

  • BubbleBar, Konushenaya sq. 2 (Metro: Nevski Prospect), [12]. call: +7-911-251-90-99. Athmospheric night club in the St.Petersburg center, next to Church of the Savior on Blood. There is a big concert hall where bands and djs performs, one more smaller room for dancing and lounge bar upstairs. Most interested culture program: Evening concerts of russian bands from disco to funk, from sinth pop to indie. Starts at 21:00. Best electronic performances and djs residents and guests from all over the world. Menus on English, English-speaking bartenders. The entry is 300 RUR on Fridays and Saturdays, with free entry all other days.'
  • Mod Club (Мод), Konushenaya sq. 2 (Metro: Nevski Prospect), [13]. Cult club in the St.Petersburg center, next to Church of the Savior on Blood. Two rooms - one where bands / DJ`s are playing, the second with a jukebox and comfortable sofas + cosy balcony. Very diverse music program: from raggae to punk/metal, but mostly rock. Friendly atmosphere. The crowd is combined of students, musicians, artists and expats. Design of the club is worth cheking out as well. Menus on English, English-speaking bartenders (looks like the owner only hires sexy girls for this position, not counting famous French barman Oliver). Great on Tuesday Nights when DJ Atomiq hosts famous Indie Disco. The entry is 150 RUR on Fridays and Saturdays, with free entry all other days.
  • Trinity Club (ex club two, club one, club zero) (Троица), Ul Lomonosova 5 (Metro: Gostiny Dvor), [14]. Highly advised on Saturday nights for the insane nu-rave/indie parties. The venue is situated in the very heart of the city in the building of XVIII century market. Club is packed with mostly young & crazy girls (during the first half hour of the eveing, girls can enter the club for free) dancing to DJ's mixing dance rock with electro. Two dancefloors, cheap alcohol, and control preventing stupid people from entering. Most of the crowd speaks at least a little English and are friendly. Entry 50-300 rubles, cheaper with guestlist thru their site ($7).
  • Underground (ex-Tunnel) (Undergeound), Zverinskaya Ul (Metro: Sportivnaya), [15]. Reputedly Russia's first techno club and certainly its most legendary, Tunnel is back after an extended shutdown. This unused bomb shelter isn't exactly pretty and the crush and "face control" at the entrance when the doors open at 12 midnight sharp are legendary, but the crowd and the DJs are worth it. Entry 250-350 rubles depending on who's playing.
  • Griboedov (Грибоедов), Voronezskaya Ul. 2 (Metro: Ligovsky), [16]. A suitably spaced out place for a club whose name can also be interpreted as "the mushroom eater" or a famous Russian's poet surname, the acts here are famously offbeat, especially on weekdays when you're as likely to find a poetry reading as live reggae or a DJ spinning psychedelic trance. Also hidden in an underground bomb shelter, open daily except Tuesday.
  • Metro Club (Метроклуб), 174 Ligovsky Pr (Metro: Ligovsky), [17]. Saint Petersburgs biggest club. Mostly for people from age 16 to 30. Entry prices vary from 180 RUR to 400 RUR depending on the time of arrival. The club is open between 10 PM and 6 AM every day. The club boosts 3 floors and 6 bars. The preferred music is techno, trance and house.

Gay & lesbian

  • Central Station [18]. The sole gay club in Saint Petersburg. It is considered one of the best gay clubs in the world and features three floors, dungeon decor, two dancefloors with house and disco music, performances of drag queens, a dark room, a public shower and more. Be aware that gays are not very accepted among the locals and are even targeted once in a while. It is not uncommon for people to wait outside to beat up clubgoers.

Sleep

  • <sleep name="St. Petersburg apartments" alt="" address="60 Moika embankment" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 973-37-16" url="http://www.dailyexpress.ru" checkin="12 AM" checkout="11 AM" price="60 EUR" lat="" long="">Budget stay in holiday apartments for rent. American owned and operated.4 apartments to choose - from basic to luxery.Downtown location. Dial up Internet access. Airport transfers.Credit cards and Pay Pal accepted on-line.</sleep>


Budget

  • <sleep name="Cubahostel" alt="" address="Kazanskaya 5, 4th floor" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 921 71 15" url="http://www.cubahostel.ru" checkin="" checkout="" price="650 RUB" lat="59.933254" long="30.322073" email="info@hihostel.ru" fax="">A Nice hostel, with modern and inventive decoration, just off Nevsky Prospekt, near the Church of Our Lady of Kazan. Although it's advertised as a party hostel and situated over a nice English pub, noise isn't a problem.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="mini-hotel Krupskiy" alt="" address="ul. Marata, 33" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 928-08-12" email="info@krupskiy.ru" url="http://www.krupskiy.ru/" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Located in the very center of the city</sleep>
  • <sleep name="RedMedved Hostel" alt="From 12 eur. per night" address="57 Zhukovskogo str." directions="" phone="+7 (812) 272 21 82" email="booking@redmedved.com" fax="" url="http://www.redmedved.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="12 EUR per night">REDMEDVED is a fun and party style hostel in St.Petersburg. Its located only 5 min from the main train station. Free towels and bedlinen. Light and spacious rooms.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Nordhostel" alt="" address="10 Bolshaya Morskaya street" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 571-03-42" email="info@nordhostel.com" fax="" url="http://www.nordhostel.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="24 EUR (888 rubles) per night">Located in the very center of the city — a stone's throw from the Hermitage. Free internet access and continental breakfast. A grungy place, but it has an excellent location and is relatively cheap.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Sleep Cheap" alt="" address="Mohovaya Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="700 rubles per night">Very hard to find (go to number 18, and through the dark tunnel), no internet Access or hot water (for a couple of weeks during the summer).</sleep>

Mid-range

  • <sleep name="Acme on Malaya Morskaya Str" alt="" address="Saint-Petersburg Malaya Morskaya str, 7-8" directions="" email="info@acme-hotel.com" phone="+7 (812)600 20 80, cell +(911)127 09 99, fax +7 (812)312 95 42" url="http://www.acme-hotel.com" checkin="14.00" checkout="12.00" price="from 1500 rubles " lat="" long="">Stylish, modern design. Rooms come with a fridge, TV-set, tea/coffee makers, and WiFi. Non-smoking.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Acme on Rubinsteina str" alt="" address="Saint-Petersburg, Rubinsteina str 23-81" directions="" phone="+7(812)575 82 33, cell: 8(911)008 00 99, fax: +7(812)575 86 53" url="www.acme-hotel.com, info@acme-hotel.com" checkin="14.00" checkout="12.00" price="from 1500 rubles per night" lat="" long="">An elegant, small, luxury hotel in a nice neighborhood off the main drag. Rooms come with LCD TV-sets with satellite channels, tea/coffee makers, WiFi, DVD players. Non-smoking.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Northern Lights" alt="" address="Bolshaya Morskaya st.50/6" directions="" phone="+7(812)571-91-99" url="http://www.nlightsrussia.com/" checkin="13:00" checkout="12:00" price="" lat="" long="" email="info@nlightsrussia.com" fax="+7(812)570-64-09">A small, beautifully designed hotel located in the historical center of St. Petersburg. The hotel is Western owned and managed, ensuring that services are up to the highest international standard. Continental breakfast, free internet access, visa support, airport transfers and more, they have created a comfortable, home like atmosphere for their guests.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Bed & Breakfast Sabrina" alt="" address="Bolshaya Morskaya st.21" directions="" phone="+7(812)314-76-02" email="reception@sabrina-hotel.ru" fax="+7(812)314-76-02" url="http://www.sabrina-hotel.ru/" price="Prices are from 40 to 100">A family-run bed & breakfast perfectly located 1 block from Nevsky Prospect and the Hermitage. Basic, but very clean and comfortable. A bit difficult to find as it is on the fourth floor of an apartment building. Code for building entrance: 2230#.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Ermitage Hotel" alt="" address="Millionnaya st.11" directions="" phone="+7(812)571-54-97" email="info@ermitage.spb.ru" fax="" url="http://www.ermitage-hotel.ru/" checkin="14:00" checkout="12:00" price="The price is from 4300 roubles">A small hotel with genuine St. Petersburg spirit. Located in the historical center, close to the Hermitage and the Marble Palace. Offers 4 double rooms that allow usage of a fully equipped study and a magnificent hall with fire-place - and with the whole staff of the hotel at your disposal.</sleep>


  • <sleep name="Herzen House" alt="" address="Bolshaya Morskaya st.25" directions="" phone="+7(812)315-55-50" url="http://www.herzen-hotel.com/index.php?language_id=2" checkin="14:00" checkout="12:00" price="Room price - from 3100 roubles" lat="" long="" email="info@herzen-hotel.com" fax="">A newly opened hotel right at the historical center. An ideal place for business or tourist trip. 20 rooms of different types, TV, bathroom,phone, wi-fi, air-condition in each room. 24-hours English speaking reception. Excellent breakfast (buffet) is included in the price, free internet access for guests.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Comfort Hotel" alt="" address="25 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul." directions="2 blocks off Nevsky Prospekt between the Moika and Admiralty" phone="+7 (812) 570 67 00" email="info@comfort-hotel.org" fax="" url="http://www.comfort-hotel.org/" checkin="" checkout="" price="3200 to 7500 Rubles, depending on room and season">Small hotel (18 rooms) with attentive service. Central to public transportation and walking distance to St. Isaacs Square and Palace Square. Rate includes breakfast buffet and free internet. They have English-speaking staff, above-average security and credit cards are accepted.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Nevsky Forum Hotel" alt="" address="Nevsky pr., 69" directions="800 m from Moscow Railway Station" phone="+7(812)333-0-222" email="office@forumhotel.com" fax="+7(812)571-64-43" url="http://www.nevskyforum.com/" checkin="14:00" checkout="12:00" price="The Price is from 5000 roubles per night">Nevsky Forum Hotel is situated in the business city center just in 5 minutes walk from Moscow railway station. The hotel offers 29 rooms different categories. All rooms are equipped with: bathroom with bathtub or shower, Satellite TV, Telephone, Air conditioning, mini-bar, Internet (LAN/Wi-Fi), electronic safe-box, hair-drier. 24-hours receptions & Room-Service, Business & Conference facilities, Transport & Excursion service, Visa Support & Registration sevice, Laundry.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Alexander House, Old City" alt="" address="27 Kryukov Embankment" directions="" phone="+7(812)575-38-77" email="" fax="" url="http://www.a-house.ru/" checkin="" checkout="" price="">16-room hotel in a quiet neighborhood, southwest of the city center.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Matisov Domik" alt="" address="Matisov Island" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.matisov.spb.ru/" checkin="" checkout="" price="">A small, cosy hotel located a short walk away from the Mariinsky Theatre. The hotel has excellent service with large, clean rooms and satellite television (all but one News Channel, Russia Today, are in Russian). The hotel is a jewel in an otherwise poorer area of the city, however this should not put potential visitors off as it is the perfect way to see both perspectives of the city.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Moskva Hotel" alt="" address="2 Alexander Nevsky pl" directions="Metro Ploschad' Alexandra Nevskogo" phone="+7(812)274-4001" email="" fax="" url="http://www.hotel-moscow.ru/english/home.htm" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Incredibly gargantuan concrete monolith that continues to carry forward the Soviet traditions of former monopoly operator Intourist. Ugly and user-hostile, but the location right above a subway station is excellent and the price can be right, especially if booked in a package.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Nevsky Grand Hotel" alt="" address="10 Bolshaya Konyushennaya St" directions="" phone="+7(812)703-38-60" url="http://www.nevskygrandhotel.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="From €80 for double; frequent special offers" lat="" long="" email="" fax="+7(812)703-38-60">Just around the corner from Nevsky Prospect, 5 minutes from the subway and a 10 minute walk from the Hermitage Museum. Ideally located for city tours and excursions to the city's surroundings. Free and very reliable wi-fi access in all rooms (very speedy: 5Mbps), and air conditioning in every room. Rooms are very small, but functional. Staff speak English well, and breakfast is included in the room rate (available from 7AM til 11AM).</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Petro Palace" alt="" address="14 Malaya Morskaya" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.petropalacehotel.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="">A clean, very efficient, and ideally located hotel. It has a spa, swimming pool and gym (but only free for guests before 11AM) and the rooms maids are very efficient - appearing to clean rooms several times a day. It is within a few seconds of several excellent restaurants, coffee bars and a small shop.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Hotel Vera" alt="" address="Suvorovsky prosp. 25/16, 5th floor (close to Grand Hotel Emerald)" directions="" phone="+7(812)702-72-06" email="" fax="+7(812)271-28-93" url="http://hotelvera.ru" checkin="2pm" checkout="" price="">Up-to-date and cozy rooms; 4th to 6th floors of an old building. Staff speak English by default, not Russian--which is quite rare. 6th floor features mansard windows. Some rooms have poor sound isolation from the corridor (eg. 514, 604). Free internet over wire, cable supplied. Breakfast: No-frills; no hot plates but fresh fruits; no espresso, only American coffee.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Old Vienna, mini hotel" alt="" address="Malaya Morskaya13/ Gorohovaya 8" directions="" phone="+7 (812) 314 35 14" url="http://www.vena.old-spb.ru" checkin="13" checkout="12" price="" lat="" long="" email="vena@old-spb.ru">A both stylish and "home-cozy" mini-hotel of buisiness class level, located just in the centre of St. Petersburg. 400 m. to Hermitage, 300 m. to St. Isaac's Cathedral.All 14 rooms of the hotel are equipped with: Air conditioning, Internet (Wi-Fi),bathroom, Satellite TV, Telephone, mini-bar, hair-drier, DVD. Breakfast(buffet)and Internet are included in the price.

</sleep>

Splurge

  • <sleep name="Grand Hotel Europe" alt="" address="1/7 Mikhailovskaya st." directions="" phone="+7(812)329-60-00" email="res@grandhoteleurope.com" fax="+7(812)329-60-01" url="http://www.grand-hotel-europe.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="">A five-star hotel in the centre of town on Nevsky Prospekt. Hosts Ballet, and several restaurants. Many rooms have great views over the city. Well worth a visit.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Radisson SAS" alt="" address="49/2 Nevskiy pr." directions="" phone="+7(812)322-50-00" email="reservations.led@RadissonSAS.com" fax="+7(812)322-50-01" url="http://www.stpetersburg.radissonsas.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="">A five-star hotel located on Nevskiy Prospekt. The hotel boasts a fitness centre, sauna and massage parlour. Conveniently located.</sleep>

Contact

There are four GSM 900/1800 networks (MTS/Beeline/Megafon/Tele2) and a CDMA 2000 network (SkyLink) and the coverage is quite sufficient (every built-up area and most of the country roads). If you stay for a few days or more and need to make local calls it is advised that you buy a pre-paid SIM card (you may be asked for a passport) and a cell-phone if you don't have one matching local standards (possibly a used one) which is going to be much cheaper than roaming in most cases. A SIM card with a balance will cost you less then $10. Cell outlets are plentiful around the city (numerous at every subway station and shopping center). You can pay for your talks at most supermarkets, cell-phone shops and ATMs. The emergency service number is 112.

For international calls, consider buying a calling card which allows very cheap calls (a few rubles for a minute to Europe or the US). Calling from a hotel room may result in rather painful bill. There are a lot of internet cafes around the city, although it is not so easy to find one when you need (you'd better ask locals). Also there are so-called computer clubs with dozens of computers for network gaming (usually crowded by kids playing CounterStrike) which also offer internet access in separate rooms for a little charge.

Free wi fi is available in the airport, most major hotels, business and shopping centers, restaurants and other public places.

Stay safe

Saint Petersburg has a somewhat undeserved dangerous reputation. Things have calmed down since the Wild West days immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but some common sense is still required, as pickpocketing and other petty scams are fairly common in tourist areas and the metro.

As with most major cities, avoid traveling alone at night, and do not get into altercations with drunks. If traveling at night, it is recommended to stay on the main sidewalks and not go into any dark alleys or yards. Gypsy cabs are not recommended in any circumstance, and those which linger near bars where expats and tourists congregate have been known to be especially dangerous.

The Downtown, western and south central parts of the city are the most safe. Suburbs like Kupchino, Kolpino are struggling with criminality and poverty.

As a general rule remember - the further you are from the city center, the more dangerous it is.

Gangs are a problem, although mafia gang wars are unlikely to affect tourists. Some gangs, however, such as neo-Nazis or angry hooligans, are out looking for trouble and committing crimes that can affect tourists. After the war with Chechnya and terrorist attacks in some Russian cities, local hatred is growing toward people with darker complexions, and neo-Nazism is a concern. As of 2007, St. Petersburg and Russia in general can be regarded as a seriously dangerous destination for tourists of darker complexions. Travelling in groups is highly advised.

Also, Saint Petersburg's football club, Zenit Saint Petersburg, is one of the biggest clubs in the country, and has its own band of hooligans. If you decide to visit the football stadium to watch the club play, you should buy tickets to center sectors. If you do not do this, and a fight starts, you are likely to get dragged into it by either the hooligans or the police since both will think you are part of the brawl.

Take care of money, documents, cameras, mobile phones, and anything of value because of pickpocketing. Especially watch out on the Metro during busy times, as people start pushing and pickpockets are frequent. In 2007, several expats and tourists have been pickpocketed at the Gostinyy Dvor Metro Station by the same scheme: a group of men will block the train door while their "mark" is trying to enter or exit, and they will lift items in the frenzy to get in or out of the car before the doors close. When riding the Metro, keep in mind that robbery is a real threat; you should constantly watch what is going on around you and who is standing very close to you. Cameras must be kept in bags slung across the body at all times, with your hands keeping a firm grip on them, and no watches or jewelry should be visible at all. Quite obviously, do not show in public that you have a lot of money. Robberies are not uncommon and many foreigners have been threatened at gun and knife point. However, foreigners are not targeted, and robbers attack both foreigners and tourists that openly show that they are wealthy. In the 90's, Moscow and Saint Petersburg experienced horrific times where rich people were hunted and murdered, many of whom were Westerners. These times are thankfully over.

Take special care on Nevsky Prospekt, particularly the area with the city tour buses, a favorite spot of pickpockets and particularly of those after photo equipment. A recent (November 2008) article in a local newspaper cites rampant theft of cameras and camera gear in this area with an open letter to the city's mayor asking for help since the police do not show an interest in reporting, much less putting an end to, these crimes. On the bright side "Nevsky Prospekt" is the safest concerning physical abuse.

Russian driving is wild. Drivers attack their art with an equal mix of aggressiveness and incompetence. Guidelines are lax and rarely followed. As a pedestrian, take great care when crossing the roads, as pedestrian crossings are in 99% of cases ignored (even by police). If you are thinking of driving yourself, bear in mind that the Russian traffic police is the most notoriously corrupt institution in the country.

Saint Petersburg has a relatively big problem with street children who make their living out of stealing. They could be a hassle and can beg you aggresively. Act like any other Russian would. Say no then just ignore them and go away.

Homosexuals must practice extreme caution while staying in Saint Petersburg as attacks often occur. Russian people really hate public demonstrations of homosexuality.

Bar fights do occur. In the center of the city and around Nevsky Prospekt they are unlikely to happen. However, in the suburbs and local pubs, fights occur almost daily. If you are staying with locals living in these areas, it might be a good idea avoid these bars. Police are unlikely to show up as they consider fights as small, unimportant, regular and a waste of time, and they will probably laugh at you for calling.

Overall, be warned that if you are used to living in the US and/or western Europe, Saint Petersburg, as well as the rest of Eastern Europe, will seem different, and, at times, a bit intimidating. Russian people are extremely friendly and welcoming towards foreigners and nothing should happen to you unless you really want it yourself. If you don't care about them, they don't care about you and nothing should be in your way of having a great holiday!

Stay healthy

The city's water-system is not ideal because of a number of old pipes and as a result does not provide 100% clean water. Consult locals you trust; otherwise buy bottled water or filter tap water.

In Saint Petersburg cold water is cleaner than hot, also there isn't hot water for 3 weeks every summer.

There are numerous public toilets, most of which are attended by a person who will charge about 15 rubles for entry. It is a good idea to take your own toilet paper, as it is not often provided. The toilets are typically extremely dirty by Western standards. If you are a Westerner, you can get away with wandering into the Western hotels, which have lovely bathrooms— the Grand Hotel Europe in particular. Just don't ever push your luck with suit-clad men guarding the hotel entrances, they are tough as nails if provoked.

Cope

File:St Petersburg Suburb.JPG
Not away from city center, 2001

The first 24 hours in Saint Petersburg may be a shock to the system. The welcome from immigration officials seems like a hang-over from Communist times- don't expect to be spoken to or even looked at by officials. Flying into Saint Petersburg may seem unusual, with the sight of old concrete tower blocks and factory chimneys. The suburbs of the city are a contrast to those with which you may be familiar. Nevsky Prospekt is the most 'Westernized' street in the city and would be more familiar to Westerners traveling to Saint Petersburg. If you are from a Western country, you will find this either shocking or amusing.

Saint Petersburg is plagued by a number of mosquitoes during the summer, as the swampy surroundings of the city give the mosquitoes excellent living conditions. In budget accommodation with few counter measures against the mosquitoes, this can be a problem at night, putting your well deserved sleep at risk.


Get out

One-day excursions are popular with travellers to Saint Petersburg. Taxicabs and buses are the most common forms of transport and trips can often be organised either with the holiday operator e.g. Intourist, before traveling to Russia, or from your hotel. Several tour bus companies have kiosks in front of Gostinyy Dvor, with some tours (but not all) offered in English. Some of the most popular excursions include:

Oreshek fortess, a view from the right bank of Newa River
  • Gatchina — Big park and museum. Can be reached by train from Saint Petersburg Baltiskiy station to the Gatchina's Baltiskiy railway station, which is situated fairly close to the palace. One can also take a bus from near the former Warsaw station (next to Baltiskiy station) in St. Petersburg.
  • Kronshtadt — Old seaport town on the Kotlin island. Main Russian naval base from early 18 century.
  • Lomonosov (AKA Oranienbaum) — Park with museum honoring Michael Lomonosov. Not far from Peterhof (15 minutes by car). Station name is Oranienbaum.
  • Novgorod — Ancient town with churches and museums. About 150 km. from St. Petersburg.
  • Oreshek fortess — a medieval russian fortess at Orekhovy Island in the mouth of Newa.
  • Pavlovsk — Lusicous green park where you could feed the squirrels from your hands. Can be reached by train from Vitebskiy station (not the main hall, but the smaller hall for local trains, which is on the right side as you face the station). Pavlovsk train station is close to the northwestern gate to the park, and from there it is a long (but pleasant) walk though the park to the palace.
  • Peterhof — Home of the sumptuous "Russian Versailles". Fountains, parks, museums. Can be reached by train from Baltiskiy station, although figuring out which station you want to arrive at can be tricky if you can't read Cyrillic. Station's name is Noviy Peterhof.
  • Pushkin (A.K.A. Tsarskoye Selo) — City 25 km south of Saint Petersburg, with beautiful parks and palaces, most notably the Catherine Palace built for Tsarina Catherine I. Can be reached by train from Vitebskiy station (not the main hall, but the smaller hall for local trains, which is on the right side as you face the station). Take the train to Detskoe Selo station, but be advised that the palaces are still about a 20-minute walk through town from the station.
  • Repino — House-museum of the artist Ilya Repin, located just off the Gulf of Finland, where he lived and worked. To get there: Elektrichka train from the Finland Station (round trip fare 120 RR, eleventh stop on the westbound line - check in advance to make sure the train you board stops in Repino - then from the station cross the main road and walk down the path to the left of the supermarket through a resort complex to the next major road. Turn left and walk about 1.5km to the gate marked Penaty. The walk takes about 45 minutes. The museum and grounds close at 3PM, or earlier if there are no visitors.
  • Ivangorod and Narva - Two towns on the Narva river (border between Russia and Estonia). Twin castles (Russian, established Grand Duke Ivan III, and Danish/Swedish). Clarify your visa status before crossing to Estonia, as you may not be able to come back on single-entry Russian visa.
  • Vyborg - town situated on the Karelian Isthmus near the head of the Bay of Vyborg, 130 km to the northwest of St. Petersburg, 38 km south from Russia's border with Finland, where the Saimaa Canal enters the Gulf of Finland. Swedish built castle, started in the 13th century and extensively reconstructed by Russians in 1891–1894. Mon Repos, one of the most spacious English parks in Eastern Europe, laid out in the 19 century. Fortifications of the Mannerheim Line (built by Finland against the Soviet Union) are close by.
This city travel guide to Saint Petersburg is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.

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