Saint Petersburg Things to Do Tips by Travelchili

This famous statue looking out towards the Neva River commemorates the city's founder, Peter the Great. It was unveiled in 1782 and built for the honor of Peter the Great by Catherine the Great.

While walking around the Senatskaya Square, I noticed that it was not only a popular spot for tourists, but also for newlyweds. They came there to have a toast and take photos. Later a colleague told me that it is one of the Russian traditions and it's very usual for most of the couples to visit this place during their wedding day. Reminds me of the Red Square in Moscow where I saw tens of newlyweds last year...

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Address: Senatskaya Ploschad
Directions: Senatskaya Ploschad, also known as Decembrist Square

Like the city of Saint Petersburg, the Admirality was also created by Peter the Great. It was founded as a shipyard and a fortress. In 1712 the first Russian warship - Poltava - was launched there into the Neva.

The Admirality building as we see it today was designed by famous architect Adrian Zakharov and was finished by year 1823. The architecture of the Admirality is based on the naval themes and the golden spire crowned by a sailing boat. It's considered one of the symbols of St.Petersburg and is visible from many different spots.

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Address: 1 Admiralteysky Proezd

St. Isaac's Cathedral is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful cathedrals. But no need to remind me - tastes differ greatly. It was originally the city's main church and the largest cathedral in Russia. It was built between 1818 and 1858 and named in honor of St.Isaac of Dalmatia.

It is open six days a week, except on Wednesdays!!

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Phone: +7 (812) 315-9732
Address: 1 Isaakievskaya Ploschad
Directions: Metro stop: Nevsky Prospekt/Gostiny Dvor

This church is also known as Savior on the Spilled Blood or just the Church on the Blood. It stands on the spot where Alexander II was fatally wounded in an assassination attempt on March 1, 1881. The church was constructed between 1748 and 1764 and has an outstanding and varied collection of mosaic icons. The only 'problem' is that they charge a fortune to get into the cathedral - something that I absolutely disagree with. Oh well...

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Address: Konyushennaya Ploschad

Kazan Cathedral is hard to miss as it's situated on Nevsky Prospekt and catches your eye right when it becomes visible. It's a different-looking cathedral, so at first I thought it was more like a colonnade in front of a museum. There is a nice little green area in front of the colonnade where people seem to enjoy sitting and hanging out. Unfortunately they seem to foget their trash there a bit too often :( When the cathedral was built between 1801 and 1811, the architect Andrei Voronikhin was strongly inspired by the Basilica of St Peter's in Rome. So, this cathedral was expected to be a Russian version of St Peter's.

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Address: Kazanskaya Ploschad, Nevsky Prospekt

Wondering along the Nevsky Prospekt is probably something that every visitor will finish up doing in any case (with or wihout tips:). It's the most famous street in St. Petersburg and perhaps in whole Russia. It starts from the Admiralty by the Neva River and runs until the the Moscow Railway Station. From there, after a little turn, it continues running until the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. Along the Nevsky Prospekt - like along many other major streets in other cities - you can find a large number of shops, restaurants and cafes. While cruising along this long avenue, you'll run into other places as well - for example, you'll come across the Kazan Cathedral, you can catch a beautiful view of the Church of Savior on the Spilled Blood, pass by several canals and much more. Make sure to spend enough time wondering around this area - it's really worth it!!

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Address: Nevsky Prospekt - city center