Saint Petersburg 7 Day Itinerary

Saint Petersburg 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & City Center Exploration

  • Arrive at Pulkovo Airport (LED) and check into your hotel in the city center (e.g., Hotel Astoria Saint Petersburg, Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, or Art Nova).
  • Visit Nevsky Prospect - the main street of Saint Petersburg with shops, cafes, and historical buildings like Kazan Cathedral.
  • Explore the Church on Spilled Blood (Sobor na Krovi Izhevskoy Bogomateri) with its intricate mosaics.
  • Dine at Restaurant Pushkinka, a traditional Russian restaurant near the Church on Spilled Blood.
  • Return to your hotel for rest.

Day 2: The Hermitage Museum & Peter and Paul Fortress

  • Start your day with a visit to The Hermitage Museum - one of the world’s largest art museums, housing works from artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo.
  • After lunch at the museum’s Cafe de l’Hermitage, continue exploring its adjacent General Staff Building and Winter Palace.
  • Head to Peter and Paul Fortress - the historical cradle of St. Petersburg with St. Peter and Paul Cathedral and the Trubetskoy Bastion Prison Museum.
  • Dine at Restaurant Anna Akhmatova, a contemporary Russian restaurant inspired by the city’s literary heritage.

Day 3: Canal Cruise & Faberge Museum

  • Embark on a canal cruise to see the city from a different perspective and visit famous landmarks like the Winter Palace, Spit of Vasilievsky Island, and Peter and Paul Fortress.
  • Visit the Fabergé Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of works by Carl Fabergé, including the famous Imperial Easter Eggs.
  • Explore Mikhailovsky Castle and the nearby Anichkov Bridge.
  • Dine at Restaurant Oblomov for Russian and European cuisine.

Day 4: Peterhof & Catherine Palace

  • Take a day trip to Peterhof, known as the “Russian Versailles.” Admire its beautiful fountains, gardens, and Grand Palace.
  • Visit the nearby Catherine Palace in Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) to see the famous Amber Room.
  • Return to Saint Petersburg for dinner at Restaurant Belmond Angleterre, offering French cuisine with a Russian twist.

Day 5: Church of the Savior on Blood & The Rostral Columns

  • Revisit the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and explore its interior in more detail.
  • Head to The Rostral Columns at the Admiralty Building, now housing a maritime museum.
  • Dine at Restaurant Kryvoklyot, offering traditional Russian dishes with a modern twist.
  • Take an evening stroll along the Neva Embankment and enjoy the city’s nightlife (e.g., visit a banya, or Russian bathhouse).

Day 6: Saint Isaac’s Cathedral & The Cruiser Aurora

  • Climb to the top of Saint Isaac’s Cathedral for panoramic views of the city.
  • Visit the nearby The Cruiser Aurora, the famous ship that signaled the start of the Bolshevik Revolution.
  • Explore the Museum of Political History of Russia.
  • Dine at Restaurant TwentyTwo, offering creative Russian cuisine with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients.

Day 7: Departure

  • Spend your last day shopping for souvenirs in the city center or visiting any unseen attractions before heading to Pulkovo Airport (LED) for departure.

Title: 7-Day Itinerary for Saint Petersburg, Russia

Day 1: Arrival & City Center Exploration

  • Arrive at Pulkovo International Airport and check into your hotel (recommended: Hotel Astoria St. Petersburg, centrally located and historic)
  • Visit Nevsky Prospekt: Start exploring the city center, take a stroll down Nevsky Prospekt, visit the Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood, and explore shops and cafes.

Day 2: Hermitage Museum & Palace Square

  • Morning visit to the Hermitage Museum: One of the world’s largest museums with a collection spanning over 3 million items, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt.
  • Afternoon at Palace Square and Alexander Column: Witness the grandeur of the Winter Palace and the monumental Alexander Column.

Day 3: Peter and Paul Fortress & Canal Cruise

  • Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress: Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, it houses the stunning Cathedral where Tsars and their families were buried.
  • Take a Canal Cruise: Discover the city from a unique perspective as you sail along its canals.

Day 4: Catherine Palace & Amber Room

  • Day trip to Catherine Palace in Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo): Admire the grandeur of this palace, and don’t miss the famous Amber Room.

Day 5: The Fabergé Museum & Mariinsky Theater

  • Visit the Fabergé Museum: Home to the world’s largest collection of works by Carl Fabergé, including the Imperial Easter Eggs.
  • In the evening, consider attending a performance at the historic Mariinsky Theater.

Day 6: Church of the Spilled Blood & Kazan Cathedral

  • Revisit the Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood for a closer look and its intricate interior.
  • Explore the Kazan Cathedral: A neoclassical orthodox cathedral with an impressive façade and beautiful interiors.

Day 7: Departure

  • Last-minute souvenir shopping on Nevsky Prospekt or in the city center.
  • Depart from Pulkovo International Airport.

Things to Know:

  • Saint Petersburg is known for its beautiful architecture, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene.
  • The city experiences long winters with temperatures dropping below freezing, so pack accordingly if visiting during the winter months.
  • Public transportation in Saint Petersburg includes trams, buses, and the metro; purchase a Troika card for easy travel.
  • English is not widely spoken, so downloading translation apps can be helpful.
  • Tips are included in most restaurant bills, but rounding up is appreciated if service was exceptional.

Tips:

  • Purchase the Saint Petersburg CityPass for access to 60+ museums and attractions.
  • Try local dishes such as borscht (beet soup), pelmeni (meat dumplings), and blini (Russian pancakes).
  • Enjoy a traditional Russian ballet or opera performance at one of the city’s historic theaters.
  • Explore lesser-known neighborhoods like Vyborgsky or Krasnoselsky for a more authentic local experience.