Saint Petersburg 5 Day Itinerary
Saint Petersburg 5-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Historical Landmarks & Hermitage Museum
Morning:
- Check-in at your hotel (Recommendations: Ambassador Palace, Hotel Astoria St. Petersburg)
- Breakfast at Cafe Pushkino or Lev Tolstoy Cafe
- Visit the Hermitage Museum (www.hermitagemuseum.org/) - one of the oldest and largest museums in the world
- Explore Winter Palace, the main building of the Hermitage Museum
Afternoon:
- Lunch at Griboyedov Cafe or Kozinaya Karta (Try Russian cuisine)
- Visit the Church on Spilled Blood (www.churchspiltblood.ru/en/) - a stunning Orthodox church built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated
Evening:
- Dinner at Twenty Seven Restaurant & Bar or Oblomov Cafe (Modern Russian cuisine)
Day 2: Peter and Paul Fortress & Canal Cruise
Morning:
- Breakfast at your hotel or local cafe
- Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress (www.peter-paul-fortress.ru/en) - Saint Petersburg’s founding place, where you can see the iconic Peter and Paul Cathedral
Afternoon:
- Lunch at Khokhloma or Sankt-Peterburgsky (Russian and Baltic cuisine)
- Take a Canal Cruise (www.canaltour.com/en/) - a great way to see the city from a different perspective
Evening:
- Dinner at Tsar Restaurant or Kryvokolennaya Svetlaya (Russian and European cuisine)
Day 3: Faberge Museum & Art Nouveau Architecture
Morning:
- Breakfast at your hotel or local cafe
- Visit the Fabergé Museum (www.fabergemuseum.ru/en) - home to the world’s largest collection of Fabergé eggs and other works by this famous jeweler
Afternoon:
- Lunch at Bakhchisarai or Ukrop (Ukrainian cuisine)
- Explore the city’s Art Nouveau Architecture (Nevsky Prospekt, Anichkov Bridge, and surrounding areas)
Evening:
- Dinner at Belmond Eurostars Saint Petersburg Hotel - Rooftop Bar with stunning views of the city
Day 4: Day Trip to Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo)
Morning:
- Breakfast at your hotel or local cafe
- Take a train from Finland Station to Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin)
- Visit Catherine Palace and its famous Amber Room (www.catherinepalace-pushkin.ru/en) - one of the most significant palaces in Russia
Afternoon:
- Lunch at a local restaurant in Pushkin or bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while exploring the grounds
- Visit Alexander Palace and learn about the life of Tsar Nicholas II (www.alexanderpalace.ru/en)
Evening:
- Return to Saint Petersburg by train
- Dinner at Khachapuri House or Dobrushinsky (Georgian cuisine)
Day 5: Peterhof & Nikolaevsky Palace
Morning:
- Breakfast at your hotel or local cafe
- Take a hydrofoil from Zayachy Island to Peterhof - the ‘Russian Versailles’ with beautiful fountains and palaces
- Visit the Grand Palace and explore the lower parks
Afternoon:
- Lunch at Bakery Peterhof or Restaurant Peterhof
- Return to Saint Petersburg by hydrofoil or bus
- Visit Nikolaevsky Palace (www.npg.ru/en/museums/np/index.htm) - a stunning palace that houses the Museum of Moscow and the Russian National Library
Evening:
- Farewell dinner at Teremok or Varenichnaya No. 1 (Russian fast food)
- Reflect on your amazing experiences in Saint Petersburg
Transportation:
- Metro: Fast, cheap, and efficient way to get around the city. Buy a rechargeable metro card (Troika Card) at any station
- Hydrofoil: Fast and fun way to travel between Saint Petersburg and Peterhof or the Gulf of Finland islands
- Tram/Trolleybus: Old-fashioned but charming way to see the city
Things to Know:
- Russian Ruble (RUB) is the official currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in larger shops and restaurants
- English is not as commonly spoken as in other European cities, so learning a few phrases can be helpful
- Dress modestly when visiting churches or religious sites (shoulders and knees covered)
Tips:
- Download an offline map app (like Maps.Me or Google Maps) for navigation
- Bring comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking a lot
- Explore local markets for souvenirs, such as Matryoshka dolls, amber jewelry, and Russian nesting dolls
- Enjoy the city’s rich history, art, and culture!