12 Jaw-Dropping Places in St. Petersburg (Russia) to Visit This Year

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St. Petersburg left me absolutely speechless. The first time I walked into the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, I just stood there staring up at those incredible mosaics, trying to process how something this colorful and otherworldly could actually exist. The whole city feels like this massive open-air museum, but it’s real life! And don’t even get me started on the moment I stepped into the Hermitage’s Gold Drawing Room.

From gilded palaces to candy-colored cathedrals, these are the most beautiful places in St. Petersburg that made my jaw drop. Here are 12 spots that showed me why this Russian city is unlike anywhere else in the world. Each one is more impressive than the last, I promise!

Top Sights to See in St. Petersburg (Russia) This Year

Looking for the coolest things to do in St. Petersburg this year? Walk through the historic Alexander Nevsky Monastery, visit landmarks like Catherine Palace and Park and Church of the Savior on Blood, and explore Dostoevsky’s St. Petersburg. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or architecture, here are the top attractions to visit in St. Petersburg.

1. Alexander Nevsky Monastery

• 🏆 Best For: History buffs 📚, architecture enthusiasts 🏛️, spiritual seekers 🕯️
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Serene spiritual atmosphere, striking Russian Orthodox architecture, meticulously maintained grounds with centuries of history
• 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the graves of famous Russians in Tikhvin Cemetery, admiring the ornate iconostasis in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, attending an Orthodox service with traditional choir
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Demetra Art Hotel – Boutique accommodation with elegant rooms just a short walk from the monastery

Want to walk where Russia’s greatest minds found their final rest? Alexander Nevsky Monastery offers an escape from St. Petersburg’s tourist crowds into a world of spiritual tranquility. Founded by Peter the Great in 1710, this spiritual complex sits at the eastern end of Nevsky Prospect.

I’ve never experienced such peaceful contrast to the city’s grand palaces. The Holy Trinity Cathedral dazzles with its blue-and-white façade and golden domes. Inside, the ornate iconostasis will leave you speechless.

Tikhvin Cemetery houses graves of cultural giants like Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Dostoevsky. Come early morning to capture the golden light on the domes and experience the hauntingly beautiful choir during morning services.

2. Catherine Palace and Park

• 🏆 Best For: Luxury lovers 👑, photography enthusiasts 📷, garden wanderers 🌳
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Breathtaking Baroque architecture, the legendary Amber Room, meticulously designed formal gardens and natural landscapes
• 📸 Top Experiences: Marveling at the opulent Amber Room, strolling through the formal gardens, exploring the whimsical pavilions throughout the park
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Pushka Inn Hotel – Elegant hotel in a restored 18th-century building with period-appropriate decor

Craving royal treatment? The robin’s-egg blue Catherine Palace offers jaw-dropping opulence just 30 minutes south of St. Petersburg in Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin). This is where Russian emperors and empresses showed off their unlimited wealth and power.

The infamous Amber Room alone justifies the trip – I’ve seen countless palaces, but nothing compares to this amber mosaic masterpiece. Lost during WWII and reconstructed over 25 years, it truly lives up to its “Eighth Wonder” nickname.

The surrounding Catherine Park invites exploration with its formal gardens, picturesque ponds, and whimsical structures. Visit during summer “White Nights” for magical golden evening light or snowy winters for fairytale scenery with fewer crowds.

3. Church of the Savior on Blood

• 🏆 Best For: Art lovers 🎨, photographers 📸, Russian culture enthusiasts 🇷🇺
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Fantastical onion domes, dazzling mosaics covering over 7,500 square meters, striking contrast with surrounding classical architecture
• 📸 Top Experiences: Admiring the intricate exterior from Griboedov Canal, discovering the biblical stories told through interior mosaics, capturing the church against St. Petersburg’s changing skies
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 – Luxury hotel with views of the church from select rooms

Ready for the ultimate Instagram moment? The candy-colored Church of the Savior on Blood rises from the Griboedov Canal like a psychedelic dream amid St. Petersburg’s otherwise European-styled architecture. This flamboyant masterpiece marks the spot where Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.

The riot of multicolored onion domes, intricate stone carvings, and glazed tiles stop me in my tracks every time. Inside, over 7,500 square meters of mosaics create one of Europe’s largest collections of this art form.

Never intended as a public cathedral but as a memorial, it survived Soviet neglect and war damage to reopen as a museum in 1997. Catch it at sunrise when light hits the eastern façade or sunset when the golden domes glow crimson in the day’s last light.

4. Dostoevsky’s St. Petersburg

• 🏆 Best For: Literary pilgrims 📖, urban explorers 🏙️, history enthusiasts 🕰️
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Atmospheric 19th-century neighborhoods, authentic Russian urban character, literary connections that bring famous novels to life
• 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Dostoevsky’s final apartment (now a museum), walking the routes of Raskolnikov from “Crime and Punishment,” exploring the atmospheric Haymarket Square
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Helvetia Hotel – Charming hotel in a restored building from Dostoevsky’s era with literary-themed touches

Missing the authentic Russia beyond palace walls? Dive into the gritty world of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s St. Petersburg, where literary history comes alive in atmospheric neighborhoods just steps from glossy tourist sites. The fascinating Haymarket (Sennaya Ploshchad) district transports you directly into the pages of “Crime and Punishment.”

Walking these streets, I can almost see Raskolnikov wrestling with his conscience in cramped courtyards and brooding stairwells. The Dostoevsky Memorial Museum on Kuznechny Lane preserves the author’s final home, including the desk where he completed “The Brothers Karamazov.”

Visit at dusk when long shadows create the moody atmosphere so vividly described in his works. Stop at a traditional Russian tavern afterward to contemplate life’s big questions – just like Dostoevsky’s tormented characters.

5. Kronstadt Naval Cathedral

• 🏆 Best For: Naval history enthusiasts ⚓, architecture admirers 🏛️, day-trippers 🚢
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Majestic Byzantine-inspired architecture, gleaming golden dome visible for miles, stunning maritime setting on Kotlin Island
• 📸 Top Experiences: Climbing to the observation deck for Baltic Sea views, admiring the cathedral’s remarkable acoustics during services, exploring the naval exhibits surrounding the cathedral
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Boutique Hotel Ekaterina – Elegant accommodations with harbor views and easy access to the cathedral

Need a break from city crowds? The breathtaking Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas sits on Kotlin Island in Kronstadt, just an hour from central St. Petersburg. This gleaming beacon has guided sailors home since 1913, with its massive golden dome visible miles into the Baltic Sea.

My favorite memory is standing beneath the soaring dome as choir music filled the space with perfect acoustics. Designed to resemble Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, this Neo-Byzantine masterpiece can hold 5,000 worshippers beneath intricate frescoes of saints and naval victories.

After decades as a Soviet cinema and concert hall, it underwent extensive restoration and reconsecration in 2013. Black marble plaques memorialize Russian sailors lost at sea. Time your visit for Russia’s Navy Day in late July for impressive maritime parades and ceremonies.

6. Neva River

• 🏆 Best For: Romantic couples 💑, night owls 🌙, urban photographers 📸
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Spectacular bridges that open at night, elegant embankments lined with historic buildings, magical reflections of the city’s golden spires and domes
• 📸 Top Experiences: Taking a midnight boat cruise during White Nights, watching the bridges open to allow ships through, strolling the embankments at sunset
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 – Elegant riverside hotel with spectacular views of the Hermitage and Winter Palace

Looking for that perfect romantic moment? The Neva River offers pure magic when its drawbridges rise at midnight during summer’s famous White Nights. This powerful waterway forms the liquid heart of St. Petersburg, with the city’s most spectacular architecture lining its granite embankments.

I’ve never seen anything as mesmerizing as these illuminated bridges performing their nightly ballet to allow ships through. From May to July, twilight bathes the water in silvery light as midnight resembles dusk.

Take a midnight boat cruise for the ultimate perspective – the golden spire of Peter and Paul Fortress, the mint-green Winter Palace, and countless other treasures create reflections that shimmer like molten metal on the water’s surface.

7. Nevsky Prospekt

• 🏆 Best For: Architecture enthusiasts 🏛️, shopping aficionados 🛍️, history buffs 📚
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Elegant historical facades, grand cathedrals, vibrant city energy with a perfect blend of imperial grandeur and modern life
• 📸 Top Experiences: Shopping at Gostiny Dvor, admiring Kazan Cathedral, walking along the Moyka River embankment, visiting the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 – Luxurious hotel in a prime location with stunning views of the city center

Want the perfect Instagram backdrop with a side of retail therapy? Nevsky Prospekt has the ultimate urban adventure for style-conscious travelers. This magnificent 4.5km boulevard stretches from the Admiralty to the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in central St. Petersburg.

The street buzzes with fashionable locals browsing upscale boutiques and elegant cafés. I’ve never seen such a stunning mixture of Baroque, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau buildings in one place. Don’t miss the ornate Singer House with its distinctive glass dome.

During summer, experience the famous White Nights when darkness never fully settles. The golden spires catch the evening light while the city celebrates with an enchanting glow. For the best experience, start at the river end and work your way east, ducking into side streets for hidden gems.

8. Peterhof Grand Palace

• 🏆 Best For: Garden lovers 🌷, fountain enthusiasts 💦, royal history admirers 👑
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Spectacular fountain system, meticulously manicured gardens, opulent golden statues, breathtaking Gulf of Finland views
• 📸 Top Experiences: Witnessing the Grand Cascade fountain display, exploring the lavish palace interiors, wandering through Lower Gardens
• 🏨 Where to Stay: New Peterhof Hotel – Elegant accommodation with views of the palace gardens and the Gulf of Finland

Seeking the ultimate flex for your social feed? Peterhof Grand Palace, just 30km west of St. Petersburg, makes Versailles look like an amateur attempt at luxury. This UNESCO site dazzles with its imperial splendor and engineering brilliance.

The crown jewel is the Grand Cascade with 64 fountains and 255 sculptures. What’s mind-blowing is that the entire system works without pumps – only natural water pressure! The palace interior matches this exterior grandeur with gilded carvings and priceless art.

I couldn’t believe the hidden joke fountains designed to surprise unsuspecting visitors. For the most magical experience, visit during fountain season (April-October) when they spring to life with music. Take the hydrofoil boat from St. Petersburg for spectacular views approaching from the water.

9. St. Isaac’s Cathedral

• 🏆 Best For: Religious art enthusiasts 🎨, architecture admirers 🏛️, panoramic view seekers 🌇
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Massive golden dome, richly decorated interior with malachite and lapis lazuli columns, breathtaking mosaics and paintings
• 📸 Top Experiences: Climbing to the colonnade for 360° city views, marveling at the intricate iconostasis, admiring the stunning stained glass
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg – Luxury hotel with rooftop terrace offering views of St. Isaac’s golden dome

Need the perfect cityscape shot for your travel collection? St. Isaac’s Cathedral in central St. Petersburg offers the ultimate panoramic backdrop. This architectural marvel dominates the skyline with its massive golden dome visible throughout the city.

The cathedral took 40 years to build and features 112 red granite columns weighing 114 tons each. Inside, prepare to be overwhelmed by malachite and lapis lazuli columns alongside 400+ works of art. My neck hurt from staring up at the incredible ceiling frescoes!

For the most rewarding experience, climb the 262 steps to the colonnade. The views stretch from the golden spire of the Admiralty to the meandering Neva River and Peter and Paul Fortress. Visit at sunset when the city’s golden domes catch fire in the fading light.

10. The Hermitage (The Winter Palace)

• 🏆 Best For: Art connoisseurs 🖼️, history enthusiasts 📜, architecture lovers 🏰
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Mint-green facade with white columns, opulent state rooms, one of the world’s greatest art collections spanning millennia
• 📸 Top Experiences: Admiring da Vinci’s masterpieces, exploring the Gold Drawing Room, wandering through the magnificent Jordan Staircase
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace – Restored 19th-century royal palace adjacent to St. Isaac’s Cathedral

Art-loving millennials, your bucket list isn’t complete without The Hermitage. Located on Palace Square in central St. Petersburg, this mint-green and white baroque masterpiece houses three million treasures that will break your IG feed.

Inside the former Winter Palace, you’ll find rooms adorned with silk, gold, and precious stones. The collection includes works by da Vinci, Raphael, and Rembrandt. Walking through the glittering Armorial Hall, I felt like I’d stepped into a time machine.

Pro tip: With 24km of exhibition space, strategy is key. Download the museum app to plan your route. Visit on Wednesday or Friday for evening hours with smaller crowds. For a truly magical experience, attend one of the classical concerts occasionally held in the ornate palace halls.

11. The Peter and Paul Fortress

• 🏆 Best For: History buffs 📜, military architecture enthusiasts 🏰, royal tomb visitors 👑
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Striking 404-foot golden spire, dramatic riverside setting, fascinating blend of military engineering and royal history
• 📸 Top Experiences: Watching the daily cannon firing at noon, visiting the tombs of Russian emperors, exploring former prison cells
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Petrovskiy Hotel – Elegant boutique accommodations with riverside views and walking distance to the fortress

History nerds and true crime podcast fans, this one’s for you. Peter and Paul Fortress on Zayachy Island marks the birthplace of St. Petersburg and doubles as a former prison for Russia’s most famous dissidents.

Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, its star-shaped bastion design showcases cutting-edge 18th-century military engineering. The fortress’s highlight is the Peter and Paul Cathedral with its soaring golden spire topped with an angel holding a cross.

Inside lie the tombs of almost all Russian emperors from Peter the Great to Nicholas II. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard the cannon firing at exactly noon – a tradition that continues to startle visitors daily. Cross the Neva River via the Trinity Bridge for the most dramatic approach.

12. Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin)

• 🏆 Best For: Palace admirers 🏰, amber artwork enthusiasts 🧡, landscape garden lovers 🌳
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Breathtaking baroque Catherine Palace with its famous Amber Room, elegant landscaped gardens, serene lakes and pavilions
• 📸 Top Experiences: Marveling at the reconstructed Amber Room, strolling the formal gardens, visiting the elegant Alexander Palace
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Ekaterina Hotel – Boutique accommodation in Pushkin offering imperial style lodging near the palace complex

Looking for that jaw-dropping “they did WHAT with amber?!” moment? Head 25km south of St. Petersburg to Tsarskoye Selo (now Pushkin) where the spectacular Catherine Palace awaits with its robin’s-egg blue facade stretching nearly 1,000 feet.

The legendary Amber Room will blow your mind – a chamber decorated with six tons of golden resin, reconstructed after the original was stolen during WWII. The surrounding English-style park offers perfect chill-out spaces among classical pavilions and marble bridges.

I could spend hours wandering between the serene Great Pond and neighboring Alexander Palace, the more intimate neoclassical residence that was Nicholas II’s favorite home. Take the suburban train from Vitebsky Station in St. Petersburg for an authentic local experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Visiting the Beautiful Places in St. Petersburg                 

Want to discover more about the most captivating spots in St. Petersburg? Below are some questions that I commonly receive about the region’s must-visit attractions.

Is St. Petersburg Russia worth visiting?

Absolutely, St. Petersburg is a treasure trove of cultural, historical, and architectural wonders. From the awe-inspiring Hermitage Museum to the intricate Church of the Savior on Blood, the city offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to all types of travelers. Whether you’re an art aficionado, a history buff, or someone simply looking to explore a city that blends European charm with Russian grandeur, St. Petersburg is a must-visit.

What is St. Petersburg famous for?

St. Petersburg is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, which includes world-class museums, palaces, and theaters. The Hermitage, one of the largest and oldest museums in the world, is perhaps the most iconic of these. The city is also famous for its classical architecture, beautiful canals, and vibrant arts scene, including ballet, opera, and classical music. It’s a city where history and modernity coexist in a fascinating dance.

What is the best view of St. Petersburg?

The best view of St. Petersburg can be enjoyed from the colonnade of St. Isaac’s Cathedral. The panoramic vista from this vantage point offers a 360-degree view of the city, including the Winter Palace, the Admiralty building, and the Neva River. It’s a breathtaking sight, especially during the White Nights when the city is bathed in a surreal twilight.

Which is prettier, Moscow or St. Petersburg?

Both cities have their own unique charm, but many travelers find St. Petersburg to be prettier due to its intricate architecture, scenic canals, and abundance of art and culture. Moscow is more about grandiosity with its massive squares and imposing Soviet architecture. St. Petersburg offers a more European vibe, with a focus on elegance and beauty.

What is the prettiest place in Russia?

While beauty is subjective, many consider St. Petersburg to be the prettiest place in Russia, thanks to its stunning architecture, beautiful canals, and rich cultural heritage. Other contenders could be Lake Baikal, the deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world, and the Kamchatka Peninsula, known for its extraordinary natural landscapes.

What’s the nicest part of Russia?

The “nicest” part of Russia would depend on what you’re looking to experience. For cultural and historical richness, St. Petersburg is hard to beat. If you’re into natural beauty, places like Lake Baikal or the Altai Mountains are unparalleled. For a mix of both, the Golden Ring, a series of ancient cities surrounding Moscow, offers a glimpse into Russia’s soul.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Beautiful Places in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is more than just a city; it’s a tapestry of art, history, and culture, woven together by the Neva River and adorned with architectural gems. From the regal atmosphere of Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) to the historic significance of The Peter and Paul Fortress, each destination offers a unique slice of what makes St. Petersburg a must-visit. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or someone who simply appreciates beautiful places in St. Petersburg, this city has something for everyone.

As you wander through its cobblestone streets, take a moment to appreciate the city’s intricate ballet of the old and the new. It’s a place where imperial Russia meets modern-day vibrancy, where every corner has a story to tell, and where the beauty is not just in its palaces and cathedrals, but in the very soul of the city itself.

So pack your bags, grab your camera, and set off on an adventure that promises not just sights to behold, but experiences to be etched in your memory. After all, St. Petersburg isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience that defines the very essence of travel.