St. Petersburg Tour Program

St. Petersburg Tour Program
St. Petersburg Tour Program

The Venice of the North – Imperial Capital of Russia

Day 1: Historic City Center & Nevsky Prospekt

Morning

  • Nevsky Prospekt Walk – Explore St. Petersburg’s main avenue
  • Kazan Cathedral – Stunning Orthodox cathedral with colonnade
  • Singer Building (House of Books) – Iconic Art Nouveau architecture
  • Gostiny Dvor – Historic shopping arcade

Afternoon

  • State Hermitage Museum – Winter Palace and world-class art collection
    • Focus on main highlights: Jordan Staircase, Throne Rooms, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt
  • Palace Square – Admire Alexander Column and General Staff Building

Evening

  • Dinner at traditional Russian restaurant
  • Evening stroll along Palace Embankment

Day 2: Peterhof & Imperial Splendor

Morning

  • Peterhof Palace Complex (hydrofoil from city center)
  • Grand Palace – Baroque imperial residence
  • Lower Gardens – Famous fountain cascades and Grand Cascade
  • Upper Gardens – Formal French-style gardens

Afternoon

  • Monplaisir Palace – Peter the Great’s seaside retreat
  • Marly Palace – Intimate imperial residence
  • Alexandria Park (optional) – Gothic Revival cottage palace

Evening

  • Return to city center by hydrofoil
  • Dinner with views of the Neva River

Day 3: Churches & Cultural Treasures

Morning

  • Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood – Iconic mosaic masterpiece
  • Russian Museum – World’s largest collection of Russian art
  • Mikhailovsky Garden – Peaceful park in city center

Afternoon

  • St. Isaac’s Cathedral – Climb the colonnade for panoramic views
  • Mariinsky Theatre – Tour of the historic opera house (if available)
  • Yusupov Palace – Site of Rasputin’s assassination

Evening

  • Performance at Mariinsky Theatre (opera or ballet – book in advance)
  • Late dinner in historic city center

Day 4: Peter & Paul Fortress & Vasilievsky Island

Morning

  • Peter and Paul Fortress – Original citadel of St. Petersburg
  • Peter and Paul Cathedral – Burial place of Russian tsars
  • Prison of Trubetskoy Bastion – Political prison museum
  • Walk along fortress walls with Neva River views

Afternoon

  • Vasilievsky Island exploration
  • Kunstkamera – Peter the Great’s cabinet of curiosities
  • Rostral Columns – Naval monument with city views
  • Menshikov Palace – Early 18th-century aristocratic residence

Evening

  • Stroll along University Embankment
  • Dinner at restaurant with traditional Russian cuisine

Day 5: Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) & Catherine Palace

Morning

  • Train/bus to Pushkin (30km south of city)
  • Catherine Palace – Rococo masterpiece
  • Amber Room – The “Eighth Wonder of the World” (reconstruction)
  • Great Hall – Magnificent ballroom

Afternoon

  • Catherine Park – Expansive landscape garden
  • Cameron Gallery – Neoclassical pavilion
  • Grotto and other park pavilions
  • Alexander Palace (if time permits)

Evening

  • Return to St. Petersburg
  • Farewell dinner with Russian specialties

Essential Information

Transportation

  • Metro: Efficient subway system with ornate stations
  • Taxis: Uber and Yandex Taxi widely available
  • Walking: City center is very walkable
  • River boats: Seasonal service along canals and Neva

Tickets & Reservations

  • Hermitage: Book online in advance, especially in summer
  • Mariinsky Theatre: Reserve tickets well ahead for popular performances
  • Peterhof: Hydrofoil tickets can be purchased at departure
  • Church of Savior on Spilled Blood: Timed entry tickets recommended

Cultural Tips

  • White Nights (June-July): Nearly 24-hour daylight, special festival atmosphere
  • Dress codes: Conservative attire for churches and formal venues
  • Photography: Many museums charge extra for photo permits
  • Language: Basic Russian phrases helpful, but English spoken in tourist areas

Recommended Restaurants

  • Palkin – Historic fine dining since 1785
  • Teplo – Cozy atmosphere with modern Russian cuisine
  • Mansarda – Rooftop dining with city views
  • Marketplace – International cuisine in stylish setting

Budget Considerations

  • Museum passes: Consider multi-day passes for major attractions
  • Meal costs: Range from budget cafeterias to high-end restaurants
  • Shopping: Nevsky Prospekt for souvenirs, local markets for authentic crafts

Optional Day Trip Extensions

  • Novgorod – Medieval city with ancient kremlin (3-hour train)
  • Kronstadt – Naval fortress island
  • Pavlovsk – Imperial palace with extensive English-style park

St. Petersburg rewards both detailed exploration and spontaneous wandering through its magnificent streets and canals.