Essential St Petersburg Travel Guide: What to See & Do

St. Petersburg is a city of grand ambitions, artistic brilliance and dramatic political change. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703 on the Neva River, the former imperial capital was designed as a gateway to Europe. Its elegant avenues, waterways and ornate façades have earned it the nickname “Venice of the North,” while locals affectionately call it Piter.

For travelers looking for things to do in St. Petersburg, the city offers a striking combination of imperial architecture, world-class art, literary heritage and revolutionary history.

Explore St. Petersburg’s Historic Center

The historic center of St. Petersburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bringing together imperial palaces, Orthodox cathedrals and monumental public squares.

Palace Square and the Winter Palace

Palace Square and the Winter Palace form the heart of the city. The Winter Palace now houses part of the State Hermitage Museum, whose galleries extend through lavish former royal interiors and contain one of the world’s great art collections.

St. Isaac’s Cathedral

Nearby, St. Isaac’s Cathedral is known for its remarkable architecture and panoramic views across the city’s rooftops.

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is famous for its richly colored mosaics and stands among the city’s most distinctive religious landmarks.

Walk Along Nevsky Prospekt

Nevsky Prospekt remains St. Petersburg’s lively central artery. Historic landmarks, cafés and shops line the avenue, making it an important part of the city’s urban and cultural life.

St. Petersburg’s literary history is also woven into its streets. The city is associated with writers including Pushkin, Dostoevsky and Nabokov. At the Fabergé Museum, visitors can see exquisite jeweled creations made for the Romanov court.

Discover St. Petersburg’s Revolutionary History

The city offers powerful reminders of the 1917 Revolution at the Aurora cruiser, Finland Station, Smolny Institute and the Winter Palace.

Across the Neva, Peter and Paul Fortress recalls St. Petersburg’s earliest foundations. Vasilyevsky Island adds museums and imperial-era architecture to the city’s rich collection of historic sights.

What to See in St. Petersburg

Whether you are deciding what to see in St. Petersburg or exploring its history and culture, expect a destination where Russian tradition, European design, literature and turbulent political change remain vividly intertwined.