St. Petersburg Travel Guide

Imperial St. Petersburg, elegant, energetic, bursting with history and culture, has an atmosphere uniquely its own. One of Europe's most beautiful cities, Russia's second capital is often nicknamed 'The Venice of the Northi because of its rivers, canals, bridges and breathtaking vistas.

Inspired by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg is Russia's window on the westi, and remains the most European of all Russia's cities, preserving its 18th and 19th century architectural masterpieces along all of its central streets and boulevards. Revel in the lively street life full of cafes, open air markets and street entertainment. St. Petersburg is an open city, and its inhabitants feel most comfortable strolling its main streets and meeting in its trendy restaurants and clubs.

No trip to St. Petersburg is complete without a visit to The State Hermitage Museum, one of the world's leading museums, housed in the dazzeling Winter Palace; containing masterpieces of world art, including a priceless collection of 19th and 20th century French Impressionists.

Experience St. Petersburg Browse through the elegant antique shops and galleries on stately Nevsky Prospekt and marvel at impressive St. Issac's Cathedral. Stroll through the magnificent Summer Gardens, have your portrait drawn by a street artist, or simply relax in one of the delightful cafes and watch the world go by. St. Petersburg offers a wealth of cultural options, including the renowned Marinsky Theater for Ballet and Opera. Trips outside St. Petersburg offer an intimate look into Russia's opulent past. Meticulously preserved Peterhof, with its magnificent fountains, stands at the shores of the Gulf of Finland. The stately Catherine Palace in the Tsar's Villagei and neighboring Alexander Palace were the final homes of the last Tsar, Nicholar II. Nearby, classical Pavlovsk is set in a charming english park.

Whether you come in the summer to experience St. Petersburg's legendary White Nightsi or choose to visit in the winter, to take advantage of the height of the cultural season, St. Petersburg is sure to dazzle you.