Saint Petersburg/Center

The Center of Saint Petersburg is the area of main interest to the traveler, home to most attractions of the metropolis. It's bound by the Neva river and the Obvodny Canal, on a set of islands formed by numerous rivers and channels.

Understand

Rivers and canals

• 🌍 Fontanka (Фонтанка, former Anonymous Creek (in Russian, Bezymyannyi Yerik, Безымянный ерик)), Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki. This river is a left branch of the river Neva. Its length is 6,700 m (22,000 ft), its width is up to 70 m (230 ft), and its depth is up to 3.5 m (11 ft). The Fontanka Embankment is lined with the former private residences of Russian nobility. - Until the mid-18th century, the Fontanka River was considered the southern boundary of St. Petersburg. Its banks were lined with the spacious messuages of Russian Imperial Family members and nobility, the most brilliant being the Summer Palace and Anichkov Palace. Here is also the Sheremetev Palace, Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace (Дворец Белосельских-Белозерских), Shuvalov Palace, and the Church of St. Panteleimon. The notable Neoclassical structures from the 18th century include the Catherine Institute (Екатерининский институт), the Anichkov Palace (Аничков дворец) and the Yusupov Palace (Юсуповский дворец). Some of the mansions contain museums. - The Fontanka is spanned by fifteen bridges, including the 18th-century Lomonosov Bridge and the extravagant Egyptian Bridge. The most famous of these, the Anichkov Bridge, carries the Nevsky Prospekt over the river. 

Moyka River and some magnificent 18th-century edifices

• 🌍 Moyka River (Мойка, former Muya, Муя), Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki. A small river which encircles the central district, effectively making it an island. 4.67 km long. - The river flows from the Fontanka River near the Summer Garden past the Field of Mars, crosses Nevsky Avenue and the Kryukov Canal before entering the Neva River. Moika river initially not connected to the Fontanka and stemmed from the swamp on the site of modern Mikhailovsky Garden. When constructing the Summer Garden (Летний сад) in 1704 and later in 1711-1719 was dug Swan Canal (Лебяжья канавка) and sink, than connected to the Fontanka. In 1711 dug a canal from the Red Neva along river Moika to the western border of the Champ de Mars. - Among the magnificent 18th-century edifices lining the Moyka quay are Stroganov Palace, Razumovsky Palace, Yusupov Palace, New Holland Arch, Circular Market, St. Michael's Castle, and the last accommodation and museum of Alexander Pushkin. There are now 15 bridges crossing the Moyka. 
• 🌍 Griboyedov Canal or Kanal Griboyedova (Канал Грибоедова), naberezhnaya Griboyedova Kanala and prospekt Rimskogo-Korsakova. Starts from the Moyka River near the Field of Mars. It flows into the Fontanka River. Its length is 5 km (3.1 mi), with a width of 32 m (105 ft) and there are 21 bridges. 
• 🌍 Obvodny Canal (Bypass Canal, Обводный канал), Naberezhnaya Obvodnogo Kanala. This is the longest canal in Saint Petersburg, which in the 19th century served as the southern limit of the city. It is 8 km (5.0 mi) long and flows from the Neva River near Alexander Nevsky Lavra to the Yekaterinhofka not far from the sea port. 
• 🌍 Kryukov Canal (Крюков канал), naberezhnaya Kryukova Kanala (To stop 'Мариинский театp' : К1, К6K, К124, К154, К169, To stop 'Площадь Труда' : К6K, К62, К124, К154, К169, К186, К306, К350, К306 To stop Nikolskaya ploshchad : К2, К19 or : 2, 3, 6, 27). This canal connecting the Fontanka and Admiralty Canal. There are 21 bridges. Sight: Vege House (Доходный дом Веге) 
• 🌍 River Pryazhka (Пряжка), naberezhnaya Reki Pryazhki (take : 16 to terminal 'Площадь Репина' and walk two block to north). 1.32 km long. Here was a correctional institution, with the St. Nicholas prison church, 1840. At Decembrists st. corner lived great Russian poet Alexander Blok. Also on the embankment was Matisov Ordnance Ilina institution (Картографическое заведение Ильина), the first local private enterprise for mapping, founded in 1859. There used to be seven bridges now there are only five here. 
• 🌍 Novo-Admiralskaya Canal (Ново-Адмиралтейский канал), naberezhnaya Novo-Admiralteyskogo Kanala (: 100 or : К154 to stop Галерная улица). Sights: Federal State Admiralty Shipyards (ФГУП «Адмиралтейские Верфи»), formerly Soviet Shipyard No. 194. is one of the oldest and largest shipyards in Russia. Former home of Y.Vive (дом Я.Вивье). Bobrinsky Palace (Дворец Бобринских). Here stood Church of Christ the Saviour, also known as the Savior on the Water (Часовня храма «Спас-на-водах» until 1932. 
• 🌍 Zimnaya Canal (Зимняя канавка, Zimnyaya kanavka, lit. Winter Canal), naberezhnaya Zimney kanavki (Between Hermitage and Hermitage Theatre). Connecting Bolshaya Neva with Moika River in the vicinity of Winter Palace. The canal was dug in 1718–1719. Its length is only 228m, which makes it one of the shortest canals in the city. The width is about 20m. The granite embankment was built in 1782–84, and railings designed by sculptor I.F.Dunker were added at the same time. The special picturesqueness to the canal is added by the arch connecting Old Hermitage and Hermitage Theater, built by architect Yury Felten next to the Hermitage Bridge. There are three bridges across Winter Canal. 
• 🌍 Lebyazhy Canal (Лебяжья канавка), naberezhnaya Lebyazhyey kanavki (: 46, 49, or : К46, К76 to stop 'Суворовская площадь'). Connecting the river Neva and Moika between Summer Garden (Summer Garden Island) and the Field of Mars (1st Admiralty Island). - Its length is only 648 m. There are two bridges. - Here was the living house of Betskovo (дом Бецкого), now is Institute of Culture. 

Get in

By train

The Moscow and Vitebsk railway stations are in the center; if you arrive by train, you can begin your sightseeing directly from the station. Baltic Railway Station is located just outside the center, but it makes sense to take the metro : Baltiiskaya or shuttle bus to the more interesting places (e.g. Palace Square). Finland Station is within walking distance from the Liteiny Bridge, to other parts of the center it's better to get into : Ploschad Lenina (Площадь Ленина) metro station. From Ladozhsky station it's better to take the subway :Ladozhskaya (Ладожская), because it is farther from the center, and the frequent traffic jams on Zanevsky Avenue.

Get around

The area is also served by autobuses, trolleybuses, trams and marshrutkas

By metro

St. Petersburg Metro

All five branches of the Saint Petersburg metro pass through the center, forming several hubs.

The most central stations are:

• Admiralteyskaya (Адмиралтейская) - a new and most central station with access to Malaya Morskaya Street (Station "Admiralteskaya-2", and their connection, are still under construction), the nearest station to the Winter Palace, St. Isaac Square, and the Admiralty.
• Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)/ Gostiny Dvor (Гостиный двор) - at the intersection of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street, next to the Kazan Cathedral, the Ostrovsky and Arts Squares, Gostiny Dvor and Apraksin Dvor. They can be particularly crowded.
• Sennaya Ploschad (Сенная площадь)/Spasskaya (Спасская) /Sadovaya (Садовая)- the only site where three subway stations meet in St. Petersburg, near the Sennaya ("Haymarket") Square. The proper place to engage in Dostoevskian literary tourism, and explore some less fashionable, but no less interesting places, such as St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Mariinsky Theater and the channels nearby;

The stations in the outer part of the Center, beyond the Fontanka:

• Ploschad Vosstanya (Площадь Восстания)/Mayakovskaya (Маяковская)- ​​Uprising Square, on the intersection of Nevsky and Ligovsky prospects, adjacent to the Moscow Station. Major transport hub in St. Petersburg.
• Vladimirskaya (Владимирская)/Dostoevskaya (Достоевская)- at the Vladimirskaya Square, where Vladimirsky and Zagorodny Prospekts converge. Close to the Five Corners and Dostoevsky Museum;
• Chernyshevskaya (Чернышевская) - located in a quiet and pleasant area near the Tauride Gardens, the closest station to Smolny (about 2 km).
• , Ploschad Aleksandra Nevskogo (Площадь Александра Невского-1) - at the end of Nevsky Prospekt near the Alexander Nevsky Monastery and the Alexander Nevsky bridge across the river;
• Pushkinskaya and Zvenigorodskaya - in the middle of Zagorodny Prospekt at Vitebsk Station;
• Ligovsky Prospekt (Лиговский проспект)- at the Ligovsky Avenue;
• , Tekhnologichesky Institut 1 and 2 (Технологический институт)- in the area of ​​Technology Institut;

Just outside the sity center to the south of the Obvodny Canal:

• Baltiyskaya (Балтийская)- at the Baltiysky Station, on the border of the city center;
• Frunzenskaya(Фрунзенская) - at the intersection of Moskovsky Prospekt and Obvodny Canal - directly adjacent to the city center;
• Obvodny Canal (Обводный канал)- at the intersection of Obvodny Canal and Ligovsky Prospekt.

By foot

Most attractions are within walking distance from each other.

See

/===Palace Square Ensemble (where the Hermitage is)===

The Hermitage Museum

Part of the General Staff building

Getting into the Hermitage The Hermitage is free for students with ISIC cards. However, you must still queue to get a free ticket. To avoid the queue one can buy a ticket online from their website and exchange it for a ticket at a box near the entrance. The box is well hidden under the columns and there is no crowd around it. Advice for foreigners visiting the Hermitage Museum: Find a tour group. This may have changed, call the museum ahead of time to find out.: Entry fee is RUB200 instead of RUB400, and includes the photography fee and a whistle-stop tour of the museum (but note the free entry for students). Don't accept a tour from the numerous touts hanging around the queue. Instead, march past the queue and in through the main entrance, or the exit opposite if the queue's blocking the entrance (don't worry, you're not queue-jumping). Have a scout around for notices with museum tour times in your native language, or in extreme circumstances, ask at the desk. If you find a good candidate, you're all set to go to the Tours Office to book yourself on it. This is where things get slightly surreal. To get to the Tours Office from the main entrance, go forward past the cashiers, and turn left down the corridor. The Tours Office is in front of you at the end, and may or may not be marked. Get yourself a place on your tour, collect the bit of paper, go to cashier No. 5 (who is not with the rest of them, instead turn left out of the Tours Office and she's in a box at the end of the corridor), pay, get your paper stamped, take it back to the Tours Office and get it checked, stamped again and muttered over and then you're ready to brave the coat dungeon.

• 🌍 State Hermitage Museum (Государственный Эрмита́ж, gosudarstvenny ermitazh,Зимний дворец, zimniy dvorets, Winter Palace), Dvortsovaya Ploschad (Dvortsovaya Square). Palace Embankment, 38 (: Admiralteyskaya «Адмиралтейская» 0.6km S). Tu-Su 10:30–18:00 (W till 21:00). The Hermitage is Saint Petersburg's prime attraction, a massive palace-museum showing the highlights of a collection of over 3 million pieces spanning the globe. Hosted in the Winter Palace, the former main residence of the Russian tsars, and several other historic buildings nearby, the Hermitage is one of the world's great museums, with an imposing setting displaying priceless works by Rembrandt, Raphael, Rubens, Velázquez, Michelangelo, van Dyck, Matisse and many more. It is possible, though not required, to get a tour guide. They can charge as much as $100 but they can tell you more about the building and the items and take you directly to the items you want to see. For many, finding their own way through the opulent interiors, huge and intricate enough to get some people lost, and exploring corners off the beaten path (and the complex is huge enough to have some) may be an attraction in itself. A popular story describes a foreign diplomat insisting to be guided, blindfolded, directly to the Rembrandts, so not to be distracted by the tremendous glittery. Sometimes the museum will limit the admission rate because of the numbers already in the museum. Large bags aren't allowed in the museum; there is a massive cloakroom downstairs for jackets and bags. RUB400 foreigners; RUB250 citizens of Russia & Belarus; free for students of all nationalities; free on the first Thu of the month (RUB200 to take photos & videos). 

You can buy tickets online, and have a confirmation emailed to you. {{US$17.95 for one day; US$25.95 for 2 days (includes right to take photos & videos) – one day price is similar to the local ticket, including photos. You just walk straight to the front of the queue. Hand your booking confirmation and passport to information desk. Your details will be checked and your tickets will be issued. The queues at the ticket office can be long, and purchasing your ticket online can help you bypass this queue first thing in the morning. The museum has a cafe and large shop near the entrance, and numerous small shops throughout the galleries. Audio guides are available in English, and most signs in the gallery are in English and Russian. Guide books are available for around RUB300.

• 🌍 The General Staff building (Здание Главного штаба, Zdanie Glavnovo Shtaba), Dvortsovaya ploshchad', 10 (: Admiralteyskaya «Адмиралтейская» 0.3km S). One of the best works of Carlo Rossi. This structure was built in the years 1819-1829, and enclosed Palace Square. The building consists of two blocks, forming a 580-meter arc. There is a triumphal arch, dedicated to the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812, decorated with a sculptural composition in the form of a chariot drawn by six horses. In the chariot is the winged goddess of Fame, holding a standard in his left hand, and a laurel branch in the right. The composition is made by sculptors Stepan Pimenov and Vasily Demuth-Malinovsky. 
• 🌍 Alexander Column (Алекса́ндровская коло́нна, Aleksandrovskaya kolonna) also known as Alexandrian Column Александри́йская коло́нна, Aleksandriyskaya kolonna), 2-y Admiralteyskiy ostrov, Dvortsovaya ploschad (2-й Адмиралтейский остров, Дворцовая площадь) (: Admiralteyskaya 0.4km S). Dedicated to the Russian victory over Napoleonic France in the Patriotic War of 1812. This work holds second place, in importance, on the biography of architect Auguste Montferrand, after the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral. The Angel sculpture was executed by talented sculptor Boris Orlovsky. The Column was inaugurated in 1834. A distinctive feature of the Alexander Column is that it's a granite monolith height 25.6 meters, standing only by gravity. The total height of the monument is 47.5 meters, taller than similar monuments: the Vendome column in Paris (in honor of the victories of Napoleon), the ancient Trajan's column in Rome and Pompaeus Magnus's one in Alexandria. Alexander Column is the tallest solid granite monument in the world, and the third highest after the Grand Army Column in Boulogne-sur-Mer and Trafalgar column (Nelson's Column) in London. 
• 🌍 The Admiralty (Зда́ние Гла́вного Адмиралте́йства), north end of Nevsky Prospekt, Dvortsovy Passage (Дворцовый проезд), 1; Admiralteyskiy Passage (Адмиралтейский проезд), 1; Admiralty Embankment (Адмиралтейская наб.), 2 (next to the Hermitage). Not open to visitors, but worth seeing from the outside. One of the oldest buildings in St. Petersburg, it was laid down November 5, 1704 and was built as a shipyard for ships of war and as a fortress to protect the nascent city. The shape of the Admiralty spread-eagled like the letter "U" facing the Neva. The central building is cut by a large arch, crowned by a monumental tower and spire, which ends with the famous ship, one of the symbols of St. Petersburg. The side wings of the building, facing the Neva, are decorated with statues of dolphins flagpoles. In its present form, it was constructed in 1806-1823 by the architect Andreyanov Zakharov, who fit perfectly, in the restructuring, the spire tower by Ivan Korobov from the former Admiralty building. Around the building there is the little Alexander Garden. The Admiralty building is an important dominant center of St. Petersburg. It is included in ensembles of three central areas of the city: the Palace, Senate and St. Isaac's. The three city-"rays" depart from the tower of the Admiralty: northern - Nevsky Prospekt, the central - Gorkhovaya Street, and south - Voznesensky Prospekt. 

Senate and St. Isaac's Squares

St. Isaac's

• 🌍 Saint Isaac's Cathedral (Isaakievskiy Sobor, Исаа́киевский Собо́р), St. Isaac's Square, 4, ☎ [phone]. Th-Tu 11:00-19:00. It was built in 1818, in the style of transition from classical to modern, and is a major attraction in the city. This is the most significant creation of Auguste Montferrand. The plan is a huge square building with a four-columned portico crowned by a large dome and four small bell towers at the corners. Three sculptures, depicting each of the 12 apostles, stand on the pediment portico. The building is interesting in technical terms too - it was the first use of a metal dome unit, and also the first time electroplating was applied to sculptures. Some scientists believe that the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral was the archetype of the dome of the White House in Washington, D.C. St. Isaac's Cathedral is a now museum-monument, open to visitors daily, except Wednesdays (ticket office closes at 18:00). For an additional fee you can visit the colonnade of the central dome (ticket office closes at 17:00). Photos and videos are charged separately. The view from the colonnade (observation deck) is one of the best views of the city, for those who are willing to climb 400 steps. Foreigners RUB300, Russians RUB120. 
• 🌍 The Bronze Horseman (Медный всадник, mednii vsadnik), Senatskaya Ploschad former Decembriststov (beside St. Isaacs Cathedral, : "Sadovaya",: "Sennaya Ploshchad", : "Nevskiy Prospekt" or : "Gostiniy Dvor", then : 5, 22, : 3, 22, 27). 24/7. Statuesque symbol of the city, homage to Peter the Great, opened in 1782, the theme and title of one of the most important poems of the Russian language, written by Alexander Pushkin. Its pedestal is reputed to be the largest stone ever moved by human effort. 
• 🌍 Former Senate and Synod Building (Здания Сената и Синода), Senate Square (Сенатская площадь) (: К252 to stop Senate Square). Built in style of the Empire, by Carl Rossi & A.E. Shtaubert, in 1829-1834. From 1925 until 2006 here was the Russian State Historical Archive. Now headquarters of the Constitutional Court of Russia. 
• 🌍 Manege, former riding academy (Конногвардейский манеж), Konnogvardeyskiy bulvar, 2 (: 70, 100 or : 5, 22 to stop 'Улица Якубовича'), ☎ [phone]. Built for the Imperial Horse Guards fronting on Saint Isaac's Square, in 1804-07 to Quarenghi's austere Neoclassical design. The Horse Guards Boulevard takes its name from the building. - The Manege is a low, rectangular block with arched openings and lunettes. Look like a 'mimics a 5th-century BC Athenian temple with a portico of eight Doric columns bearing a pediment and bas reliefs'. The marble statues of the Dioscuri standing beside their horses were patterned by sculptor Paolo Triscornia after the Fontana dei Dioscuri in Rome. Until to the late 1970s, the Saint Petersburg Manege has housed the city's main exhibition hall. 
• 🌍 Hotel Astoria (Здание гостиницы «Астория»), Bolshaya Morskaya ulitsa (Большая Морская ул.), 39 (: 3, 22, 27 to stop 'Исаакиевская площадь' opp. the bldg.). This is a five-star hotel opened in December 1912. It has 213 bedrooms, including 52 suites. Hotel Astoria, along with its neighboring sister hotel, Hotel Angleterre, is managed by The Rocco Forte Collection. The hotel underwent a complete refurbishment in 2002. - It was designed by Russo-Swedish architect Fyodor Lidval, who developed a style based on art nouveau and also influenced by neo-classicism, and was constructed by a German firm Dbl. rooms from RUB13000 to tsar suite RUB250000. 
• 🌍 Blue Bridge (Синий мост, Siniy most), ~Isaakiyevskaya ploshchad' (: 10, 70 to stop 'Исаакиевская площадь'). A 97.3m wide bridge, that spans the Moika River and this is the widest bridge in Saint Petersburg. 
• 🌍 Mariinsky Palace (Мариинский дворец), Isaakiyevskaya ploshchad'(Исаакиевская пл.), 6 (: 10, 70 to stop 'Исаакиевская площадь'). Also known as Marie Palace. Built in 1839—44, by architect Andrei Shtakenshneider. In the 18th century, the plot belonged to Zakhar Tchernyshov and contained his mansion. In 1825-39, the Tchernyshov mansion housed a military school. Emperor Nicholas I conceived as a present to his daughter Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia on the occasion of her marriage. - Although the reddish-brown facade is elaborately rusticated and features Corinthian columns arranged in a traditional Neoclassical mode, the whole design was inspired by the 17th-century French Baroque messuages. Other eclectic influences are apparent in the Renaissance details of exterior ornamentation and in the interior decoration, with each main room designed in a different historic style. Until 1917, housing the State Council of Imperial Russia, State Chancellory, and Soviet of Ministers. After the October Revolution, the palace housed various Soviet ministries and academies. Later served as a hospital. From 1945 became the residence of the Leningrad Soviet (Ленсовет), succeeded by the Saint Petersburg Legislative Assembly in 1994 

Along Nevsky Prospekt

Our Lady of Kazan cathedral

• 🌍 Our-Lady-of-Kazan Cathedral (Kazansky Sobor, Казанский собор, Каза́нский кафедра́льный собо́р, Собор Казанской иконы Божией Матери), Kazanskaya Ploschad (Казанская площадь), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 25 and Canal Griboedova (: Nevsky Prospekt), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F masses 10.00, 18.00, Su 7.00, 10.00, 18.00. Kazan Cathedral library M-Sa 11:00-16:00. One of the largest cathedrals in St. Petersburg. Impressive neoclassical exterior, richly decorated interior. The temple was built by Andrew Voronikhin in the years 1801-1811 and is the best of his creations. Paul I has set the task of the architect to build a cathedral, like the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This is what the prototype he owes his great colonnade facing the Nevsky As planned Voronikhin same Colonnade was to be on the other side, but it was never implemented. By fate just built in 1811, the cathedral became a monument of Russian victories over Napoleonic France in the Patriotic War of 1812. Includes the tomb of Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, hero of the war of 1812. And in 1837, statues of Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolly, by Boris Orlovsky, were installed on the square in front of the temple. It is also interesting to note that on the north side of the cathedral (leaving on Nevsky) there is a bronze copy of the "Gate of Paradise" by Lorenzo Ghiberti in the Florentine Baptistery. A copy was made by caster Basil Ekimov. In 1930 the cathedral was closed, and in 1932 a unique museum of the history of religion and atheism was set up here. Now the museum moved into the building on Post Office Street, and once again this is a cathedral church. Free entry. 
• 🌍 Ploshchad Ostrovskogo (Ostrovsky Square, Yekaterinskiy sad, Katkin garden, площадь Островского), Ploshchad Ostrovskogo (площадь Островского) (: Gostinyy dvor 0.4km N). On the south side of the Nevsky Prospekt. Its centerpiece is a famous monument to Catherine II, designed by the famous sculptor Michael Mikeshin. At the feet of the Empress shows nine sculptural portraits of nobles: generals Pyotr Rumyantsev, Grigory Potemkin, Alexander Suvorov, dignitaries Alexander Bezborodko, Ivan Betskoy, naval Basil Chichagov, Alexei Orlov and artists Gavriil Derzhavin and Yekaterina Dashkova. The monument is made of 600 blocks Serdobol granite, brought from the island of Valaam archipelago. The monument was dedicated in 1873. - Also here is the Alexandrinsky Theatre (Александринский театр) or Russian State Pushkin Academy Drama Theater (Российский государственный академический театр драмы им. А. С. Пушкина) 
• 🌍 The National Library of Russia (Imperial Public Library 1795-1917; Russian Public Library 1917-1925; State Public Library from 1925-1992 (since 1932 named after M.Saltykov-Shchedrin); abbr. NLR, Российская национальная библиотека), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 37/18 (on the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Universal room, Manuscripts M-F 09.00-21.00, Sa-Su 11.00-19.00. European Books(-1940), Library Science M-F 09.00-21.00, Sa 11.00-19.00, Su Closed, Exhibition of Recent Acquisitions, Manuscripts M,W-F 09.00-21.00 Sa-Su 11.00-19.00, Prints M W F 13.00-21.00, Tu Th 09.00-17.00; Sa 11.00-19.00. Rare Books M-F 09.00-17.00, Computer Center M-F 09.00-21.00; Sa-Su 11.00-19.00 Archive Tu Th 12.00-17.00; W F 10.00-15.00. Maps, Legal Information Center M,W 13.00-21.00, Tu Th F 09.00-17.00, Sa 11.00-19.00; Xerocopy Service Counter M-F 10.00-16.00 & 16.30-20.00. Sa Su 11.00-15.30. Copy Desk for External Customers (Separate entrance in Sadovaya str.) M-F 10.00-12.00, 13.00-17.00. Founded in 1795. Built by architect Yegor Sokolov specifically to be the Imperial Public Library. The library was opened in 1814 and since 1810 received a specimen copy of all domestic publications. It did not close even during the Leningrad blockade. The library is one of the largest in the world, its pool of more than 33 million books and documents. It has the largest collection of books in Russian in the world. There are such masterpieces as Ostrom Gospel 11th century (the oldest surviving book in Old English), fragments of the Codex Sinaiticus 4th century (in ancient Greek), Petersburg Code XI century (in Hebrew). Other units at Krylov House, Information Center, Bookshop M-Sa 10.00-20.00 (20, Sadovaya Street) & at New Building (165/2, Moskovsky Prospekt, hours=Newspapers M-F 09.00-21.00, Sa Su 11.00-19.00) & at The Building on the Fontanka Embankment (36, Fontanka Embankment; hours=Newspapers M-F 09.00-21.00, Computer Center M-F 13.00-21.00, Sa-Su 11.00-19.00 ) at Liteyny Prospect's Asian & African Collection (49, Liteyny Prospect, hours=M-F 12.00-20.00) at Plekhanov House (1/33, 4th Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, hours=M-F 09.00-17.00) 
• 🌍 Stroganov Palace (Строгановский дворец), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский пр.), 17, ☎ [phone]. W-Su 10:00-18:00 and M 10:00-17:00 (ticket office closes an hour earlier).. Now the palace is a branch of the Russian Museum. The palace was built to Bartolomeo Rastrelli's designs for Baron Sergei Grigoriyevich Stroganov in 1753-1754. The interiors were remodeled by Andrei Voronikhin at the turn of the 19th century. The main façade of the Stroganov palace faces Nevsky Prospect. Here, Rastrelli rejects the cour d'honneur in the French manner. By this time, Rastrelli has developed his own style based on exploring the impressive façade, which implies the presence of three risolites, the subordination to a single center, rejection of verticalization, and stretching the building horizontally. Rastrelli gives the building a single mass movement toward the center. He skillfully emphasizes this by subordinating the lateral risolites to the central, imposing group of columns of purely decorative, not architectonic, function, deliberately building up tension toward the center of the sculpted front. Rastrelli uses the giant order, the method of visual fusion of the second and third floor windows, typical for the Baroque, and the differentiated arrangement of columns closely adjacent to the wall in order to create a masterful effect and an impressive Baroque façade facing St. Petersburg's main thoroughfare. The facade carries an entrance arch supported by two Corinthian columns. The arch is crowned with a pediment bearing the Stroganov coat of arms. The spaces under the windows on the facade feature a man's profile. There are two practically anecdotal versions regarding this man's identity. According to one version, the man is the first owner of the palace, Baron Stroganov, whom Rastrelli wanted to surprise. However, many historians claim that the famous architect in fact left his own profile on the palace walls. 
• 🌍 Lutheran Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (German church, Лютеранская церковь святого апостола Петра, Петеркирхе, Lutherische Kirche der Heiligen Peter und Paul), Nevsky Prospekt,(Невский пр.), 22—24, ☎ [phone]. Massses Su 10:30; W (in German) 18:00 and (in Russian) 19:00. It is one of the oldest and largest Protestant churches in Russia. It was and still is called the German church as its members were mostly German-speaking. 
• 🌍 Catholic Church of St. Catherine (Saint Catherine of Alexandria Roman Catholic Parish, Католическая церковь Святой Екатерины, Костёл святой Екатерины), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский пр.), 32—34. This is the oldest Catholic church in Russia, and the only church in Russia with the title of minor basilica. - On October 7, 1783, the church was completed. Because the Empress at the time was Catherine II of Russia (also known as Catherine the Great), the church was named after St. Catherine of Alexandria. Under the Soviets, the activities of the church were repressed. For 30 years, the building was used only as storage space for the nearby "Museum of History of Religion and of Atheism" located in former Our Lady of Kazan Church. Since the 1980s the government used the building as offices and apartments. In 1992, city authorities decided to return the building to the Catholic Church. The restoration of the church was completed in 2008. - The building is in the shape of a Latin cross. The transept of the church is crowned by a large cupola. The temple is 44 m in length, 25 m in width, and 42 m in height. The sanctuary has room for about 2,000 people. The main facade of the church has a monumental arched portal, which rests on self-supporting columns. Above the facade is a high parapet, with the figures of four evangelists and angels on top. Above the main entrance is an inscription from the Gospel of Matthew (in Latin): "My house shall be called the house of prayer" (Matthew 21:13) and the date the church was completed. 
• 🌍 Saint Petersburg City Duma (Здание Думы), Nevsky Prospect, 31/ Ul.Dumskaya (Думская ул.), 34 (Opposite the Great Gostiny Dvor and Grand Hotel Europe). Established in 1785. The Neoclassical headquarters of the Duma were erected on the main city avenue, Nevsky Prospekt, between 1784 and 1787. The famous Italianate tower was added in 1799–1804. In 1847–52, the edifice was rebuilt in the Neo-Renaissance style. Two more floors were added to the building in 1913–14. A spacious central hall of the City Duma was frequently let to host high-profile social events. Its distinctive tower, used for fire observation, can still be seen the whole length of Nevsky Prospekt after the crossing with Fontanka River. 
• 🌍 Great Gostiny Dvor (Гостиный Двор), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский пр.),35 (At the intersection of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street,: Gostinyy dvor «Гостиный Двор»), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 10:00-23:00. This is a vast department store. This Gostiny Dvor is not only the city's oldest shopping centre, but also one of the first shopping arcades in the world. Sprawling for over one kilometer and embracing the area of 53,000m2, the indoor complex of more than 100 shops took twenty-eight years to construct. Building works commenced in 1757 to an elaborate design by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, but that subsequently was discarded in favour of a less expensive and more functional Neoclassical design submitted by Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe (1729–1800). - The next century, Gostiny Dvor was continuously augmented, resulting in ten indoor streets and as many as 178 shops by the 20th century. By that time, the Gostiny Dvor had lost its popularity to the more fashionable Passage and New Passage, situated on the Nevsky Prospekt nearby. During the post-World War II reconstructions, its inner walls were demolished and a huge shopping mall came into being. This massive 18th-century structure got a face-lift recently and entered the 21st century as one of the most fashionable shopping centres in Eastern Europe. A nearby station of Saint Petersburg Metro takes its name from Gostiny Dvor. 
• 🌍 Singer House, also known as the House of Books (Дом компании «Зингер», «Дом книги»), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский пр.), 48 (Opposite the Kazan Cathedral). It is recognized as an historical landmark, and has official status as an object of Russian cultural heritage. - The building was designed by architect Pavel Suzor for the Russian branch of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. The Saint Petersburg building code did not allow structures taller than the Winter Palace, residence of the emperor. The architect found an elegant solution to the limit of 23.5 m: the six-storey Art Nouveau building is crowned with a glass tower, which in turn is topped by a glass globe sculpture created by the Estonian artist Amandus Adamson. This tower creates the impression of a substantial elevation, but is subtle enough not to overshadow either the Kazan Cathedral or the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. - In 1919, the building was given to the Petrograd State Publishing House. It became the city's largest book store, and was subsequently named "The House of Books" in 1938. The book store remained functioning during the Siege of Leningrad until November 1942. It reopened again in 1948. The building now is home of the familiar House of Books and Café Singer. 
• 🌍 The Passage (Passazh, Универмаг «Пассаж»), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский пр.),48 (: Nevsky Prospekt «Невский проспект»; : 3, 7, 22, 27. : 1, 5, 7, 10, 22), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Sa 10:00-21:00, Su 11:00-21:00. This is an elite department store, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1998. Parenthetically, the Passage premises have long been associated with the entertainment industry and still remains home to the Komissarzhevskaya Theatre.The name came from a vast gallery between Nevsky Avenue and Italianskaya Street which provided the main passage through the mall. The gallery was covered over by an arching glass and steel roof, thus giving it a claim to being one of the world's first shopping malls. The three-storey building opened on May 9, 1848. It was one of the first structures in Russia to employ gas for lighting. Another innovation was an underground floor, where an electric station would be installed in 1900. Although the store specialized in jewellery, expensive clothes and other luxury goods, crowds of common people flocked to see the most fashionable shop of the Russian Empire. Count Essen-Stenbock-Fermor - the developer - conceived of the Passage as more than a mere shopping mall, but also as a cultural and social centre for the people of St Petersburg. The edifice contained coffee-houses, confectioneries, panorama installations, an anatomical museum, a wax museum, and even a small zoo. To draw even more consumers to the store, the Soleille, one of the largest cinemas in the Russian capital, was opened in the complex in 1908. In 1933, the municipal authorities declared the Passage a "model department store", the only one in Leningrad (former St Petersburg) and one of only three such stores in the Soviet Union. The renovated "palace of Soviet trade" (as the media touted it) opened in 1934 and offered about 30,000 types of goods, all manufactured in the USSR. The Children's World section became especially popular with the inhabitants of Leningrad. - Now privately owned by employees and shareholders. 
• 🌍 Eliseyev Emporium (Elisseevskiy Store, Елисеевский магазин, Дом торгового товарищества «Братья Елисеевы»), Nevsky Prospekt, 56/Malaya Ulitsa, 8 (Невский проспект, 56 и Малая Садовая улица, 8) (on the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and Malaya Sadovaya str, : Gostinyy dvor «Гостиный двор» 0.1 km W). Built in 1902-1903 by the architect Gabriel Baranovsky in the style of early modern to colonial goods store Eliseev Brothers. Building facades are adorned with four statues of "Industry", "Trade", "Art" and "Science" by Estonian sculptor Amandus Adamson (who also worked on the sculptural decoration of Dom Knigi and Baron Stieglitz School). No less interesting design trade halls, located on the first floor. The second floor housed Comedy Theatre. - Passage established relations with new trade and business partners, such as Escada, and other international department stores. One of the first upscale food markets in Russia, with a wide variety of international produce, opened in the basement. New restaurant opened on the upper level with the panoramic view of the Nevsky Prospect. 
• 🌍 Anichkov Palace (Аничков дворец, Санкт-Петербургский городской Дворец творчества юных), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 38 (At the intersection of Nevsky Avenue and the Fontanka, : К187), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Formerly owned by Antonio de Vieira, takes its name from the nearby Anichkov Bridge across the Fontanka. Designed for the Empress Elizabeth of Russia in a dazzling Baroque style, the palace came to be known as the most imposing private residence of the Elizabethan era. Built in 1754. There was extensive renovations and the palace got the newly-fashionable Neoclassical style, which was effected in 1778 and 1779. Simultaneously a regular park was laid out by an English garden architect, William Hould. - After 1917, this was nationalized and designated the St. Petersburg City Museum. Since 1934, when it was converted into the Young Pioneer Palace, the palace has housed over hundred after-school clubs for more than 10,000 children. While a small museum inside is open to the public at selected times, the edifice is normally not accessible to tourists. 
• 🌍 Anichkov Bridge (Аничков мост, Anichkov Most), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект) (At the Fontanka River). Built in 1841-42 and reconstructed in 1906-08, combines a simple form with some spectacular decorations. As well as its four famous horse sculptures (1849–50). The structure is mentioned in the works of Pushkin, Gogol, and Dostoevsky. - The bridge was made of stone, and had three spans closed off with gently sloping arches. This simple, concise form corresponded well with the massive cast-iron fencing bordering Anichkov Bridge and mermaid cast-iron railings, originally designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel for the Palace Bridge in Berlin. In 1906-08 the bridge had to be reconstructed and its arches reinforced. - The Horse Tamers rank among the city's most recognizable landmarks. The theme derives from the colossal Roman marbles, often identified with the Dioscuri, prominently sited on the Quirinal Hill, Rome. 
• 🌍 Belosselsky-Belozersky Palace (Дворец Белосельских-Белозерских; Palace of the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fyodorovna, Sergei Palace, Dmitry Palace), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 41/42 (At the intersection of the Fontanka River and Nevsky Prospekt. - To stop 'Литейный проспект' by : 181 or by : 1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 22). This is a Neo-Baroque palace. Built on Nevsky Prospekt in 1747 for Prince Mikhail Andreevitch Belosselsky. The original building far smaller than it is today, was designed in the French style with a large private garden and a launch onto the canal, stuccoed and painted in imitation of Parisian limestone. The present palace is said to look similar to the nearby Rastrelliesque Stroganov Palace which is further up the Nevsky Prospect, on the corner of Moika canal. After their major renovations in 1847-48, the palace — complete with piano nobile, concert hall, Van Loo paintings, and palace church — acquired a dazzling Rococo appearance. In 1883 Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich bought and gave the palace its present red exterior. -During the First World War, the palace was the base of the Anglo-Russian Hospital. In 1907 it was nationalised and went on to house a regional Soviet until 1991, when it was designated a municipal cultural centre. Now host chamber concerts for small audiences. It today also hosts a large wax work. 

Ploschad Vosstanya

• 🌍 Ploschad Vosstanya (Площади Восстания, Uprising Square), Ploschad Vosstanya (: Ploshchad' Vosstaniya «Площадь Восстания», : Mayakovskaya 'Маяковская'). Another central area of ​​the city, formed by the intersection of Nevsky and Ligovsky prospects. Here stand the Soviet-era Hero-City of Leningrad obelisk (Обелиск «Городу-герою Ленинграду»), which hosts the Veterans Parade on every Victory Day (9 May), when the square is decorated with banners. 
• 🌍 Ploschad Vosstanya subway station (Cтанция метро «Площадь Восстания», Uprising Square station), Ploschad Vosstanya (: Ploshchad' Vosstaniya «Площадь Восстания»). Daily 05.40-00.25. This is a station on the Kirovsko-Vyborgskaya Line of Saint Petersburg Metro. It is one of the system's original stations. Made by architects Boris Zhuravlev, Ivan Fomin and VV Gankevich, built in 1955. It is a deep underground pylon station at 58m depth. The main surface vestibule is situated on Vosstaniya Square, which gives its name to the station. Another exit (opened in 1960) opens directly into the Moskovsky Rail Terminal. Ploshchad Vosstaniya is connected to the station Mayakovskaya of the Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya Line via a transfer corridor and a set of escalators. 
• 🌍 Moscow railway station (Московский вокзал, Moskovskii vokzal, former Nicholaevsky, Oktyabrsky), Ploschad Vosstanya, Nevsky av.,85 (On Nevsky Prospekt and Uprising Square, : Ploshchad' Vosstaniya «Площадь Восстания», : Mayakovskaya 'Маяковская'; : 1М, 1Мб, 3, 3М, 3Мб, 4М, 4Мб, 5М, 5Мб, 7, 15, 22, 26, 27, 54, 65, 74, 76, 91, 141, 181, 191. : 1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 22), ☎ [phone]. Erected in 1847-1851 under the project of architect Konstantin Ton, a "twin" of the Leningrad station built in Moscow. Also called Moscow station, with an easily recognizable Neo-Renaissance frontage is a terminal railway station. It is a terminus for the Moscow-Saint Petersburg Railway and other lines running from Central and South Russia, Siberia, Eastern Ukraine, and Crimea. - The oldest preserved station in the city. Although large "Venetian" windows, two floors of Corinthian columns and a two-storey clocktower at the centre explicitly reference Italian Renaissance architecture, the building incorporates other features from a variety of periods and countries. - Expanded in 1869-79 and 1912. Completely redeveloped in 1950-52 and 1967. A bronze bust of Peter the Great in the main vestibule was unveiled in 1993, replacing a bust of Lenin. The station is served by the Mayakovskaya and Vosstaniya Square stations of the Saint Petersburg Metro, with both stations linked to the station building by an underground corridor. 
• 🌍 Hotel Oktyabrskaya (Гостиница «Октябрьская»), Ligovskiy (Лиговский проспект), 10 (Opposite Moscow Railway Station), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A four star hotel in a historic building. Built in the years 1851 by the architect A.P. Gemilian, the four-storey "Znamenskaya hotel", was subsequently called the "North", "Great Northern", and after the revolution was "October." It was reconstructed several times. - The hotel consists of two buildings: “Oktiabrskiy” (Ligovskiy av., 10 - 373 rooms) and “Ligovskiy” (Ligovskiy av., 41/83 - 111 rooms). - There are no absolutely the same rooms in the hotel. All rooms are unique and differ from each other by nuances of layout and decoration. 

Square of the Arts (Ploschad Iskusstv)

• 🌍 Statue of Alexander Pushkin (памятник А. С. Пушкину), centerpiece of the square (: Nevskiy prospekt «Невский проспект» 0.3km SW; : Gostiniy Dvor «Гостиный двор»). The great poet soliloquizes eternally. Made by sculptor - Anikushin & architect - V.A. Petrov in 1957. 
• 🌍 Russian Museum (Государственный Русский музей, Mikhailovskiy Palace, Михайловский дворец, former Ру́сский Музе́й Импера́тора Алекса́ндра III), Inzhenernaya Ul. 4 (at Pushkin's back : Nevskiy prospekt «Невский проспект» 0.4km S), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. W-M 10:00-18:00. An extensive collection of Russian paintings and sculpture, works by Andrei Rublev, Dionisius, Fedot Shubin, Dmitry Levitsky, Vladimir Borovikovsky, Karl Brullov, Fidelio Bruni, Orest Kiprensky, Alexander Ivanov, Ilya Repin, Arkhip Kuindzhi, Ivan Shishkin, Valentin Serov, Mikhail Vrubel, Pavel Antokolsky, Boris Kustodiev, Kazimir Malevich, Wassily Kandinsky, Pavel Filonov, Marc Chagall, Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin and many other artists. The main building, the Mikhailovskiy Palace houses the main exhibits, and the Russian Museum also oversees the permanent and temporary exhibits at Benois Wing, 2 Griboyedov Canal (Metro - Nevsky Prospekt); Marble Palace, 5/1 Millionnaya Str. (Metro - Nevsky Prospekt, ☎ 595-4248); Mikhailovsky Palace, 4 Inzhenernaya Str. (Metro - Gostiny Dvor, Nevsky Prospekt, ☎ 595-4248); Mikhailovsky Castle, 2 Sadovaya Str. (Metro - Gostiny Dvor, Nevsky Prospekt, ☎ 595-4248); Stroganov Palace, 17 Nevsky Prospekt (Metro - Nevsky Prospekt). Tickets to each can be purchased separately or as a universal pass. Foreigners RUB350, Russians RUB150. 
• 🌍 Ethnographic Museum (Российского этнографического музея), Inzhenernaya Ulitsa (Инженерная ул.), 4/1 (Next to the Russian Museum : Gostinyy dvor 0.3km S), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Tu 10.00-21.00, W-Su 10:00-18:00, Day off M & the last Fri of the month. An interesting and educational display of the traditions and costumes of various ethnic groups found in the lands of the former Russian Empire, the vast territory between the Baltic Sea in the West and the Pacific Ocean in the East. The collection provides some marvelous insights into the history, culture and lifestyles of all those peoples, Russians, Ukrainians, Belorussians, peoples and tribes of the Caucasus, Central Asia and Siberia. Impressive collections of ancient Afghan armours and Chinese and Japanese traditional clothes and crafts. Foreigners RUB350, Russians RUB100. 
• 🌍 Mikhailovsky Theater (Михайловский театр), Ploschad Iskusstv (Площади Искусств), 1 (at Pushkin's right), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Designed by Alexander Brullov to match the existing ensemble of then Mikhailovsky Square, now Arts Square, its curtain rose on 8 November 1833 for the first time. Officially, it's The St Petersburg Mussorgsky State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre — Mikhailovsky Theatre. From RUB450. 
• 🌍 Grand Hotel Europe building (Гранд Оте́ль Евро́па until 1991 гостиница «Европейская»), Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa (Михайловская улица), 1/7 (at Pushkin's front), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Very historic and picturesque, one of great hotels of the 19th-century Europe, it opened its doors to the public on January 28, 1875. If these walls could only speak - Ivan Turgenev, Claude Debussy, H.G. Wells, Igor Stravinsky, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton and many others have already stayed here. The curious honeymoon of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a favorite theme to his biographers, also took place here. RUB10000-25000. 
• 🌍 Conservatory Theater (Санкт-Петербургская государственная консерватория имени Н. А. Римского-Корсакова), Theater Square (Театральная площадь), 3 (Across the street from the Mariinsky Theater, : Sadovaya «Садовая», : Sennaya Ploschad «Сенная площадь» then - 15-20 min walk. direction to channel Griboyedov or : 1, 67, 124; /: Nevsky Prospekt/Gostiny Dvor «Невский Проспект»/«Гостиный Двор», then - : 3, 22, 27; : 180, 169, 306), ☎ [phone] (mobil), fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. While the hall itself is not lavish - quite sterile, really - a good option for seeing Russian and repertory operas cheaply, performed by faculty and students of the conservatory where Tchaikovsky (and many other famous figures from the Russian music world) studied. RUB300-1500. 
• 🌍 Saint Petersburg Philharmonia Grand Hall (Bolshoi Zal, Санкт-Петербургская государственная филармония им. Д. Д. Шостаковича, Большой зал), Mikhailovskaya Ul.(Михайловская улица) 2 (Entrance across from the Grand Hotel Europe, : Nevskiy prospekt), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Cash desks 11.00-15.00 & 16.00-20.00. The orchestra established in 1802. The Bolshoi Zal (large hall) of this building is one of the best known music halls in Russia. The building that houses the Philharmonia was completed 1839. Architect: P. Jacot; and Facade design: C. Rossi. - A world-class orchestra which records and tours abroad. The Small Hall (Maliy Saal) hosts excellent chamber music performances and recitals. RUB600-5000. 
• 🌍 Theatre of Musical comedy (Санкт-Петербургский театр музыкальной комедии, Дом Лазаревых), Italianskaia ulitsa (Площадь Искусств, Итальянская улица), 13. (: Nevskiy prospekt «Невский проспект»), ☎ [phone]. Date of theatre birth is 17th of September of 1929, in that day two united operetta companies – Theatres of Musical comedy from Kharkov and Leningrad presented on its stage one of the first Soviet operetta.- This building has been constructed in 1799–1801, by E.Sokolov. A prominent St. Petersburg merchant I. Lazarev, gave one of numerous houses for Theatre. In 1842–1896 an Italian architect L. Vendramini the house was rebuilt. - In 1896 Grand duke Nikolay Nikolaevich, grandson of Nikolay I, had bought the house and afterwards presented it to his favourite - well-known actress of Alexandrinsky Theatre M. Pototzkaya. In all probability in this period at will of Grand duke interiors of first floor were anew trimmed, and became splendid palace apartments. In 1910 year building was passed to treasury, and then was bought by private entrepreneur I. Piltzov, the inner apartments of the building were reconstructed for presenting theatre productions. - Interiors of theatre, cozy and elegant, bear marks of very different architecture styles, that is why they are eclectic in astonishing way. Well-known in whole city three-flights stairs, reception-rooms, lobbies with quaint patterns of modelling, dissemination of painting and bronze are evidence of refinement of rococo style. In decoration of lobby placed over entrance to the theatre could be seen influence of style of Italian Renaissance. One lobby was specially rebuilt as a grotto, which was stylish tendency in the beginning of 20th century. Walls of this hall were faced with raw masonry, in which cracks were hidden electric light bulbs; and in small ponds placed in the corners of grotto water flowed. Sometimes in theatre came people who were not interested in theatre at all, they were just curious – they wanted to see the luxurious stairs and to visit grotto. - In architecture of the hall – one of the most early and few in number Petersburg interiors of public purpose of the 1900s – it’s possible to see the influence of Russian late classicism, «streamlined neoclassicism». Hall differs from vivid theatre foyers by accented monumentality, plane angles of walls and discretion of architectural details; and elements of architecture borrowed from late classicism went well together with forms corresponding with engineer possibilities of that time. - 

Along Griboedov Canal

Church of the Saviour

• 🌍 Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, Museum of Mosaics (Церковь Спаса на Крови, Tserkovʹ Spasa na Krovi, or Собор Воскресения Христова, Sobor Voskreseniya Khristova, Храм Спас-на-Крови), Canal Griboedova (набережная канала Грибоедова), 2a (Between Nevsky Prospekt and the Neva, Nevsky Prospekt «Невский проспект», Gostiny Dvor «Гостиный двор»), ☎ [phone]. Th-Tu 10:00-20:00. A traditional style Russian church built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. Built in 1883-1907, in style of Romantic Nationalism. Architecturally, the Cathedral harks back to medieval Russian architecture in the spirit of romantic nationalism. It intentionally resembles the 17th-century Yaroslavl churches and the celebrated St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. The interior is elaborately decorated with over 7000 m² of mosaics. The walls and ceilings inside the Church are completely covered in intricately detailed mosaics — the main pictures being biblical scenes or figures — but with very fine patterned borders setting off each picture. - Now is part of the State Historical Museum. It is a Museum of Mosaics Adults/students RUB250/RUB150. 
• 🌍 Mikhailovski Garden (Михайловский сад), Mikhailovsky Palace (adjacent to Church of Spilled Blood, share taxi: К100, or bus 49 to stop Inzhenernaya ulitsa (Инженерная улица)). It's more or less automatic to come here after visiting the Spilled Blood church. This garden is a combination of two landscape styles, geometric French on the edges, and naturalistic English in the center. In late spring and summer, classical music concerts are often held here. 
• 🌍 Benois Wing (Russian Museum Korpus Benua, Ко́рпус Бенуа́), Canal Griboedova (набережная канала Грибоедова), 2/2 (: Nevsky Prospekt «Невский проспект»). Part of the Russian Museum. As the collection increased in 1914–1919 the Exhibition Pavilion of the Imperial Academy of Arts was built according to the project of Leonty Benois and S. O. Ovsyannikov. It was named the Benois Wing. 
• 🌍 Field of Mars (Мемориальный парк Ма́рсово по́лe, Marsovo Polye), 1-y Admiralteyskiy ostrov (1-й Адмиралтейский остров), Naberezhnaya Lebyazhyey kanavki, ~3 (: Nevskiy prospekt 0.9km S). 24/7. Beautiful Baroque garden with several military monuments, bordering the Field of Mars to the north are the beautiful and historic Marble Palace (Mramorny Dvorets), Suvorova Square and Betskoi’s, Ficquelmont and Saltykov’s houses. To the west are the Barracks of the Pavlovsky Regiment. The Moyka River forms the boundary to the south. Free. 
• 🌍 House of the Jesuit Order (Дом ордена иезуитов), ulitsa Italyanskaya 1 and Naberezhnaya Kanala Griboedova, 8 (Итальянская улица, 1 и Набережная канала Грибоедова, 8) (: Nevsky Prospekt). An architectural monument, apartment house, built in 1801-1805 by the architect Luigi Rusca, one member of the Jesuit order. 
• 🌍 St. Michael's Castle (Mikhailovsky Castle or the Engineers' Castle, Миха́йловский за́мок, Mikhailovsky zamok, Inzhenerny zamok), Sadovaya ulitsa (Садовая улица), 2 (: Gostinyy Dvor 0.7km S). Each one of its façades is different. Surrounded by a moat with drawbridge, built by Paul I who feared for his life - in fact he was murdered here inside, in his bedroom. Nowadays a branch of the Russian Museum, its Portrait Gallery, is housed here. 
• 🌍 Small Mosaic Academy of Arts (Мозаика Малой Академии Искусств), (ул. Чайковского), 2 (Go in the yard from Fontanka & Neva cnr. - Share taxi to stop 'Улица Чайковского' К46, К76, К100). 
• 🌍 Marble Palace (Мраморный дворец, Constantine Palace), Millionnaya ulitsa, 5А (Between the Field of Mars and Palace Quay,: Nevsky Prospekt «Невский проспект», to stop 'Суворовская площадь' take Bus: 46, 49. or Share taxi: К46, К76.), ☎ [phone]. This is an architectural monument of the 1760s. There is the combination of sumptuous ornamentation with rigorously classicizing monumentality. The palace takes its name from its opulent decoration in a wide variety of polychrome marbles. A rough-grained Finnish granite on the ground floor is in subtle contrast to polished pink Karelian marble of the pilasters and white Urals marble of capitals and festoons. Panels of veined bluish gray Urals marble separate the floors, while Tallinn dolomite was employed for ornamental urns. In all, 32 disparate shades of marble were used to decorate the palace. - The plan of the edifice is trapezoidal: each of its four facades, though strictly symmetrical, has a different design. The palace court is dominated by a sturdy equestrian statue of Alexander III of Russia,- or Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov (10 Mar 1845–1 Nov 1894) who was Emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Grand Prince of Finland,- the most famous work of sculptor Paolo Troubetzkoy; formerly it graced the obelisk's spot at Vosstanya Square, before the Moscow Railway Station. In 1843, Grand Duke Constantine Nikolayevich decided to redecorate the edifice, renaming it Constantine Palace. An adjacent church and other outbuildings were completely rebuilt, while the interior of the palace was refurbished in keeping with the eclectic tastes of its new owner. Only the main staircase and the Marble Hall survived that refacing and still retain the refined stucco work and elaborate marble pattern of Rinaldi's original decor. - Former Lenin Museum, now, the palace accommodates permanent exhibitions of the Russian State Museum, notably "Foreign Artists in Russia (18th and 19th centuries)" and the "Peter Ludwig Museum at the Russian Museum", featuring canvases by Andy Warhol and other Pop Art idols. 
• 🌍 Alexandr Suvorov Monument (Памятник Александру Суворову), Suvorovskaya ploshchad (Суворовская площадь) (Opposite the Trinity Bridge.). Suvorov Square is part of the former Tsaritsyn meadows. 
• 🌍 Count Saltykov House, Saint-Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts (дом граф Салтыкова,Дом Гротена, Санкт-Петербургского государственного университета культуры и искусств, Gosudarstvennyy Universitet Kultury I Iskusstv), Dvortsovaya naberezhnaya (Дворцовая наб.), 4 (Suvorov square east side), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Trinity Bridge (Троицкий мост, Troitskiy Most) (M: Gorkovskaya 1.0km NW). This is a bascule bridge across the Neva. It connects Kamennoostrovsky Prospect with Suvorovskaya Square. It was the third permanent bridge across the Neva, built between 1897 and 1903 by the French firm Société de Construction des Batignolles. It is 582m long and 23.6m wide. - The bridge takes its name from the Old Trinity Cathedral which used to stand at its northern end. In the 20th century it was known as Equality Bridge (мост Ра́венства, 1918-1934) and Kirovsky Bridge (Ки́ровский мост, 1934-1999). 
• 🌍 Raskolnikov House (Дом Раскольникова), Grazhdanskaya Ulitsa, 19 (metro Sadovaya). Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (1821-1881) is one of Russia's most important writers. In his novel Crime and Punishment, Rodion Raskolnikov, a tormented young intellectual, walks from his home - this building is marked "Dom Raskolnikova" with a bronze plaque and a bust of the writer - hiding an axe beneath his coat, to kill and rob the elderly loathesome pawnbroker Alyona Ivanovna at her house by the Griboedov canal. This itinerary is famous, and commonly referred to as Murder Walk. The book itself is one of his most riveting works, capturing a distinctly Petersburgian atmosphere, without imperial palaces, classical architectural ensembles or promenades along aristocratic Nevsky Prospekt. Rather, Dostoevsky focused on Poor Folk, and The Insulted and the Humiliated (as two of his earlier works were titled) and on the crowded streets, dirty alleys, cheap taverns and dilapidated rooms around Sennaya Ploschad, an area where he would live for many years. (updated Jul 2018)

Beyond the Fontanka

The Smolny Convent

• 🌍 Smolny Complex (Смольный комплекс), ploshchad' Rastrelli (площадь Растрелли, 1), 1 (Share taxi: К15, К46). There is the Smolny Convent and the Smolny Institute, a yellow low building that was Russia's first educational establishment for women, created by decree under the personal patronage of Empress Catherine II, and continued to function until just before the 1917 revolution. A nice garden and iron-work grille around the institute date from the early 19th century. In 1917, the building was chosen by Vladimir Lenin as Bolshevik headquarters during the October Revolution. It was Lenin's residence for several months, until the national government was moved to the Moscow Kremlin. After 1991, the Smolny was used as the seat of the city mayor (governor after 1996) and city administration. Vladimir Putin worked there from 1991 to 1997. 
• 🌍 Smolny Convent (Smolny Convent of the Resurrection, Voskresensky, Воскресенский девичий Смольный монастырь). Smolny Cathedral of the Resurrection (Smolny Cathedral), what is a gorgeous blue and white main church, considered to be one of the architectural masterpieces of architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. The Cathedral is the centerpiece of the convent, built by Rastrelli between 1748 and 1764. The projected bell-tower was to become the tallest building in St. Petersburg and, at the time, all of Russia. Elizabeth's death in 1762 prevented Rastrelli from completing this grand design. The new Empress strongly disapproved of the baroque style, and funding that had supported the construction of the convent rapidly ran out. Rastrelli was unable to build the huge bell-tower he had planned and unable to finish the interior of the cathedral. - In 1835 by Vasily Stasov with the addition of a neo-classical interior to suit the changed architectural tastes at the time. - The main altar was dedicated to the Resurrection and the two side altars were dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene and Righteous Elizabeth. Today, Smolny Cathedral is used primarily as a concert hall and the surrounding convent buildings house various offices and government institutions. 
• 🌍 Tauride Palace (Tavrichesky dvorets, Таврический дворец), Ul. Shpalernaya (Шпалерная ул.), 47 (M Чернышевская), ☎ [phone]. M-F from 10.00 to 16.00 Only by prior arrangement (2-3 days earlier). Firstly commissioned by Prince Grigory Potemkin of Tauridia to his favourite architect, Ivan Starov. Empress Catherine the Great gave Potemkin the land and the title of Prince of Tauridia for his services in conquering ancient Tauridia (now the Crimean Peninsula). Catherine II later bought the Palace, to be used as her summer townhouse. Much later yet (1906), it was transformed into the seat of the first Russian parliament, the Imperial State Duma. Immediately after the February Revolution of 1917, Tauride Palace housed the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet. The abortive Russian Constituent Assembly held its meetings there in 1918. Since the 1990s, Tauride Palace has been home to the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS). - Take a Parliament tour in Tauride Palace: During the tour, guests will make a walk in three state rooms and other spaces of the Tauride Palace, learn the history of its inhabitants, visit the magnificent Duma Hall - the place of the State Duma of the Russian Empire, to see an exhibition on the history of Russian parliamentarism. - Duration: 60min. - Only possible by prior arrangement with a passport. - RUB3000/group; for locals RUB2000/group max 20 person. 
• 🌍 Tauride Garden (Таврический сад, парк культуры и отдыха имени Первой пятилетки, Городской детский парк), Potemkinskaya ulitsa (Потемкинская улица), 4, ☎ [phone]. This was laid out in 1783-1789 on the estate of the Palace from which it took its name. The Tauride Garden was landscaped in English Romantic style, with landscape, ponds and canals designed to imitate nature. Trees and shrubs were brought in especially from England. In 1866 the Tauride Garden was opened to the public, and has remained a favorite spot with city dwellers for walks ever since. 
• 🌍 Suvorov Museum (Музей Суворова), ul. Kirochnaya, 43 (metro Chernyshevskaya), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Th-Tu 10.00-18.00, closes Wed. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1730-1800) was one of Russia's most outstanding generals, a military strategist and army commander during the reign of Empress Catherine the Great and Emperor Paul I. The museum features military memorabilia from Suvorov's times: weapons, banners, uniforms, models and large graphic recreations of historic battlefields. Two large mosaics decorate its façade. Both are based on historical events; the left-hand one features "Suvorov Crossing the Alps" and the right-hand one illustrates "Suvorov leaving home for the campaign of 1799". 
• 🌍 Cathedral of the Lord's Transfiguration of all the Guards (собор Преображения Господня всей гвардии), off Liteiny Prospekt, Preobrazhenskaya Sq. (Преображенская пл.), 1 (metro Chernyshevskaya), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Ordered to be built by empress Elizabeth. Construction lasted from 1743 to 1754; designed by architect Mikhail Zemtsov. After the death of Mikhail Zemtsov, Pietro Antonio Trezzini headed construction. Trezzini slightly changed the project, changing the style to Baroque. Façades and the interior were restored between 1946 and 1948. From 1832-1833, a fence, formed by the barrels of Turkish cannons taken from Turkish fortresses, was built around the cathedral, commemorating the victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829. Preserved on the barrels is the engraved coat of arms of the Ottoman Empire, and on some of the barrels can be seen the names given to the cannons. 
• 🌍 Alexander Nevsky Monastery (Lavra Aleksandra Nevskogo), 1 Monastyrka River Embankment (metro Ploschad Aleksandra Nevskogo), ☎ [phone], [phone]. Located at the Eastern end of Nevskiy Prospekt, next to the River Neva; Peter I founded it in 1710, supposing that that was the site of the Neva Battle in 1240, where Prince Alexander Nevsky defeated the Swedes (however, the battle actually took place about 12 miles away from that site). The purpose of the foundation was to house the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky, patron of the newly-founded Russian capital; however, the massive silver sarcophagus of St. Alexander was relocated during Soviet times to the Hermitage, where it remains (without the relics) today. In 1797, the monastery was raised to the rank of lavra, making it only the third lavra in the Russian Church, along with Kiev Monastery of the Caves and the Trinity Monastery of Sergeyev Posad. - Here is also the site of the 'Tikhvin Cemetery' which houses the tombs of some very famous Russians: Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Suvorov, Nikolay Karamzin, Modest Mussorgsky, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Mikhail Glinka, Natalia Goncharova and Alexander Borodin, along with others not so famous. 
• 🌍 Contemporary sculpture park (Парк современной скульптуры), Ul. Pravdy (ул. Правды ), 10-20 (M: Звенигородская). 
• 🌍 Egyptian House (Египетский дом), Zakharyevskaya ulitsa (ул. Захарьевская), 23 (M Chernyshevskaya 'Чернышевская'). Apartment building, a magnificent example of Russian Art Nouveau. At the entrance - sculpture sun god Ra, above the columns - bas Egyptian scenes, decorated archway into the yard. 

Museums

• 🌍 Leningrad WW2 Museum former Defense Museum (Музей обороны и блокады Ленинграда, музей обороны Ленинграда), Solyanoy Pereulok (Соляной пер.), 9 (: Chernyshevskaya «Чернышевская»)), ☎ [phone]. M-Th 11:00-17:00 (cash desk - 16:00), Sa 11:00-16:00 (cash desk - 15:00). price=RUB150. The museum is located in a former Handicraft Museum (1901-1903, architect PP Trifanov), what is part of the museum buildings Solyanka quarter. Museum dedicated to the events of the Leningrad blockade. This has a branch museum: 'the national museum Road of Life' in Kokkorevo village. The collection include: samples of weapons and household items, campaign posters, documents, maps, newspapers period battle, documentary evidence of the conditions of life in the besieged Leningrad, paintings and sculptures participants battle. - Guided tours: ☎ [phone] 
• 🌍 Russian State Arctic and Antarctic Museum (Музей Арктики и Антарктики), Ul. Marata (ул. Марата), 24 (: 'Площадь Восстания' /: 'Маяковская', : 'Владимирская'/: 'Достоевская', : 16, 25, 49 to stop 'Улица Марата'), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu–Sa 10:00–18:00, Ticket office -17:30; Su 10:00–17:00- Tickets -16:30. It was established in November 1930 as part of the Soviet Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, but was not opened until six years later.- The museum is located in Avraam Melnikov's Neoclassical church from the 1820s and remains the largest museum dedicated to polar exploration in the world. RUB200. 
• 🌍 Medical Military Academy Museum (При Военно-медицинской академии имеется музей), Lazaretny lane (Лазаретный переулок), 2 (m. «Пушкинская» or : 16), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Painting, Photo, Models, Costume, numismatics Sculpture collections. 

Bridges on the Neva

Bridges by night

• The bridges. Open 2 times per night to allow boats to pass. 

Do

• Walk. Allow yourself the pleasure of enjoying unhurried the neoclassical and baroque wonders of architecture, landscaping and gardening of the Imperial Capital, of rare beauty at any time of any season. Read or reread the works of the great Russian writers - "White Nights" by Dostoevsky first, "The Overcoat" by Gogol in second, then Tolstoy, Chekhov, Brodsky, Pushkin, Mayakovsky, Nabokov and several others - they found so much inspiration in this pavement. In winter, use non-slip boots with thick socks to protect your ankles, and avoid the ice. 

Events

Opera and ballet

No trip to St. Petersburg is complete without seeing an opera or ballet performance. The Mariinsky is perhaps the most well-known institution, but it is by no means the only theater in the city. Tickets are sold throughout the city at kiosks and shops called Teatralnaya Kassa, which charge a nominal (usually about 20 RR) fee for "insurance," which is theoretically optional. The theater box offices themselves sell tickets directly, too, and usually for the same price. Sometimes blocks of tickets sell out at the kiosks but tickets are still available at the theater, or vice versa, so it is worth checking both places if you have your heart set on a particular performance. It is possible to take not-so-small children into some performances if you take a private box, although you will need to ask when you buy your tickets.

• 🌍 Mariinsky Theater, Theater Square 1 (: 2, 3, 6, 27, 71 & : K1, K6K, K169, K306 to stop 'Theater Square'), ☎ [phone]. The Mariinsky Theater (formerly the Kirov, which is the name the troupe still uses when touring abroad) is world-class for both opera and ballet. There are English supertitles for operas sung in Russian; operas in other languages have Russian supertitles. Performances are offered in two halls: the main theater, and the newly-built Mariinsky Concert Hall. Tickets can be purchased on the theater's website. 
• 🌍 Mikhailovskiy Theater, Ploshad Isskustv 1 (Between the Russian Museum and the Grand Hotel Europe, : Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), : К100), ☎ [phone]. The exterior is not as recognizable as the Mariinsky, but the interior is nearly as grand, and the theater hosts both Russian and foreign headliners in opera and ballet. RUB600-2700. 
• 🌍 St. Petersburg Opera, Galernaya Ul. 33 (West of the Bronze Horseman. - From : Sadovaya "Садовая", : Sennaya Ploschad "Сенная площадь" further to stop "Plocshad Truda" : 186, 124, 169. - From : Admiralteyskaya "Адмиралтейская", further to stop "Plocshad Truda" : 22, 3, 27; : 22, 5; : 180, 16), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. An intimate theater (half-sized stage, and only about 150-200 audience seats) which puts on the major repertory operas at a lower price than the major theaters and has a fascinating foyer - one has to see it to believe it. RUB300-3000. 
• 🌍 Conservatory Theater, Theater Square 3 (Across the street from the Mariinsky Theater, : Sadovaya «Садовая», : Sennaya Ploschad «Сенная площадь» then - 15-20 min walk. direction to channel Griboyedov or : 1, 67, 124; /: Nevsky Prospekt/Gostiny Dvor «Невский Проспект»/«Гостиный Двор», then - : 3, 22, 27; : 180, 169, 306), ☎ [phone] (mobil), fax: [phone]. While the hall itself is not lavish - quite sterile, really - a good option for seeing Russian and repertory operas cheaply, performed by faculty and students of the conservatory where Tchaikovsky (and many other famous figures from the Russian music world) studied. RUB300-1500. 

Concerts

The music scene in St. Petersburg is diverse, with several classical, jazz, and pop concerts to choose from each week. Tickets are available at the same Teatralnaya Kassa locations as ballet and opera tickets, although tickets to pop concerts - especially US and European stars on tour - sometimes use exclusive distributors. For pop and rock concerts, unless you buy tickets for the dance floor (tanzpol), you are expected to sit quietly in your seat as if you were at a ballet - ushers are vigilant about keeping the audience from standing up, dancing, or cheering (polite applause is allowed, but that's about all).

Several of the ballet and opera theaters above also offer orchestral and recital performances, so those are not repeated below. Also, don't forget the many small clubs where up and coming bands play.

• 🌍 St. Petersburg Philharmonic Grand Hall, Mikhailovskaya Ul. 2 (Entrance across from the Grand Hotel Europe, : Nevskiy prospekt), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Cash desks 11.00-15.00 & 16.00-20.00. A world-class orchestra which records and tours abroad. The Small Hall (Maliy Saal) hosts excellent chamber music performances and recitals. RUB600-5000. 
• 🌍 St. Petersburg Philharmonic Small Hall (Malii Zal, Санкт-Петербургская государственная филармония им. Д. Д. Шостаковича, Малый зал), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 30 (: Nevskiy prospekt), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Cash desks 11.00-15.00 & 16.00-19.00. The Small Hall (Maliy Saal) of the Philharmonic hosts excellent chamber music performances and recitals. 
• 🌍 Jazz Philharmonic Hall (Джаз-филармоник холле, Эллингтон холле), Zagorodnyy prospekt (Загородный пр.), 27 (South of Nevsky Prospekt, use : Vladimirskaya 'Владимирская' or : 16), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Cash desks: Daily 14.00-20.00. Offers a variety of jazz performances several times per week. RUB800-1200. 
• 🌍 Oktyabrskiy Concert Hall (БКЗ Октябрьский, Большой концертный зал «Октя́брьский»), Ligovskiy Prospekt (Лиговский проспект), 6 (: Ploshad Vosstaniya 'Площадь Восстания'), ☎ [phone]. M-F 11.00-20.00; Sa, Su 11.00-19.00. Pop and rock concerts in an auditorium close to the city center. RUB600-12000. 

Film

A tour boat in the Winter Canal going towards Neva

Most cinemas in St. Petersburg show Hollywood films dubbed in Russian. Art cinemas like Dom Kino often show independent American or British movies subtitled in Russian. DVDs of American/European films are also often dubbed. There have been crackdowns on sellers of bootleg DVDs, so it may be difficult or expensive to find DVDs in English these days. There are several DVD stores in the city - often near Metro stations - and it is worth asking about films in English.

Annual Message to Man international documentary, short, and animated films festival takes place in June or July, screening many films in English.

• 🌍 Dom Kino (Киноцентр Дом Кино), Karavannaya Ulitsa (Караванная улица), 12 (: Gostinyy Dvor (Гостиный двор)), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Sometimes shows films in their original language. RUB100-250. 
• 🌍 Avrora Cinema, Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 60 (: Nevskiy prospekt), ☎ [phone]. Daily 11.00-20.00. RUB250-700. 

Canal boat tours

A tour of the canals by boat is a great way to see the city in the summer. The typical tour is through the Moika, out to the Neva to see the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Cruiser Aurora, then in through the Fontanka (sometimes as far as the Mariinsky Theater). Tours start at many points along the route and return to their starting point - hawkers for different boat companies abound - and the boats may or may not have a cafe and toilet on board. Almost all tours are in Russian. RUB400-600 seems to be the average price.

• Anglotourismo Boat Tours, Fontanka Embankment 21, ☎ [phone]. Canal boat tours in English, departing from near the Anichkov Bridge (Nevksy Prospekt and Fontanka) in season (May 2 - Sept 30). RUB1000. 

Walking around with locals

The alternative way to explore St Petersburg is to know it from inside walking and talking with locals and trying local activities. Those people who have lived here for years would like to tell you a plenty of stories, open some secret places (as roofs or courtyards etc.) and treat you as a friend. Most of tours are for 1 to 5 people. As some tours are free you are welcome to try it. The other ones are pretty cheap (about USD $12-$35).

You can book their such unusual tours like roof tours, or Russian food cooking classes or Russian language tours etc. Check sptn!k.

Other

• 🌍 Loft Project ETAGI, Ligovsky prospekt, 74 (Ligovsky Prospekt (Лиговский проспект); 16, 25, 49; 3, 26, 54, 65, 74, 76, 91, 141.). Culture centre located in five-storey former bakery building with several exhibition spaces (combined surface around 0.5ha). Contemporary art exhibitions, concerts, events (flea markets). Parts of Etagi loft are two art galleries, four exhibitions spaces, a cafe (with great interior and outside terrace), a hostel and a bookshop. 

Buy

There are plenty of ATMs and legit currency exchange booths. ATM and big shops accepts usually following kind of card: Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, MasterCard Electronic and Maestro. Other card (e.g. American Express) accepted rarely. Do not exchange money on the street: the rate won't be any better, and you run a high risk of encountering any of numerous scams.

• 🌍 Apraksin Dvor (Апраксин двор), Sadovaya St.(ул. Садовая), 28-30 (Sennaya Ploschad (Сенная площадь) 0.4km SW), ☎ [phone]. The Apraksin Market (Apraksin Dvor) is perfect for people watching, but keep your purse and camera close since it is a favorite of both shoppers and pickpockets. You can find almost anything here. 

The House of Books

• 🌍 Dom Knigi («Дом книги», House of Books), Nevsky Prospekt 48 (At corner with Griboedov Canal, Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект) 0.6km S). A six-story building, built in 1902-1904 on the project of Paul Suzor to be the Russian headquarters of Singer sewing machines American company. Art Nouveau is not typical of the Nevsky Prospect, however it blended well into the face of St. Petersburg. It is believed that the company wanted to build a multi-story building, like its skyscraper in New York City. However, the height regulations prohibit building structures up more than 23.5 meters. The architect thus decided to build a graceful tower, crowned with a glass globe, which creates the illusion of elevation, while not overshadowing either the Kazan Cathedral or the Savior on Spilled Blood church. The sculptural decoration of the tower and the facade were created by Estonian sculptor Amandus Adamson, also worked on the design of the shop and school Eliseevsky Baron Stieglitz. Today it is the city's biggest and most important bookstore, a tourist attraction on its own right. A cafe operates on the second floor. 
• 🌍 Gostiny Dvor (Гостиный двор) (Gostiny Dvor (Гостиный двор)). — The city's oldest and largest shopping centre, dating to the mid-18th century. The name means "Merchant Yard", as its old role was to provide both shops and housing to merchants from far away. It sells almost everything from PlayStations to Saint Petersburg Vodka. On the north side is a decent store for second-hand photo equipment selling cameras and lenses (Nikon, Canon, Sigma etc.). The prices of goods are the highest in St.Petersburg. More see above at Saint Petersburg/Center#Along Nevsky Prospekt 
• Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект). Saint Petersburg's Champs-Élysées, lined with department stores and fancy shops. A recommended shop for souvenir hunters is Nevsky Gifts on the corner of the road entering Palace Square. 
• Passazh (Пассаж). The Harrods of Saint Petersburg, a smaller and very beautiful shopping center for the elite. More see above at Saint Petersburg/Center#Along Nevsky Prospekt 

The Souvenir market

• 🌍 Souvenirs Market (Behind the Church of the Saviour next to the Griboedova Canal). This market appears to have closed in Spring 2014, though there are still some souvenir stalls around the Church of the Spilt Blood 

Eat

Budget

• 🌍 Chainaya Lozhka (Чайная ложка), Has around 50 restaurants all over city (Nevsky Pr. 44 is one of the most centrally located). These fast-food restaurants serve blini (Russian crepes) with a variety of fillings - you choose your own at the counter. They also have a wide selection of teas. Some restaurants have wifi. From RUB29 for a blin, soup, salad or drink. 
• 🌍 Yolki-Palki Traktir (Ёлки-Палки Трактир), Nevsky Pr. 88 ( Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)). Some open until late, some open 24h. Has 6 restaurants in the city, mainly in the centre. Decent food with very affordable prices, smoking and non-smoking sections. Staff in some restaurants may actually serve you in English. 
• Kroshka Kartoshka (Крошка Картошка), Has over 25 restaurants all over city. It a big chain of fast food restaurants that offers baked potatoes with your choice of topping but also has salads, soups and deserts. RUB99 for a meal. From RUB29 for a salad or soup. 
• 🌍 Teremok (Теремок), Nevsky Pr. 60, Nevsky Pr. 60. This blini chain began with street-corner kiosks throughout the city (many are quite easy to find), and they have expanded to include counter-service restaurants serving not only blini, but also kasha, salads, and other quick, inexpensive fare. Some central locations are Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. 11, and Nevsky Pr. 106. The restaurants have menus in English if you ask. RUB100-300 for a filling meal. 
• 🌍 Samovar (Самовар), Ulitsa Gorokhovaya 27, ☎ [phone]. This neighborhood blini shop makes blini as good as homemade (so says a native Russian blini-maker). Choose from a wide range of fillings and have your tasty blini made fresh; also has a decent selection of tea. Better lunch than any of the chains. No English; but you can just point at the fillings on the counter if you don't want to bother translating the menu with your guide book. RUB20 for a blin. 
• 🌍 U Tyoshi Na Blinakh (У тёщи на блинах), Gorokhovaya ulitsa (Гороховая улица), 41 (One location is near Sennaya Ploshad. (Сенная площадь)), ☎ [phone]. Cafeteria-style Russian and Ukrainian food for a reasonable price with faux-rustic decor, not like a Soviet-era stolovaya. Has more than blini: soups, salads, meat dishes, desserts, etc. Those who know the Mu-Mu chain in Moscow will recognize this, although on a smaller scale. More units: - Цветочная улица д.16. Тел. [phone] , .- - Рижский проспект д.12. Тел. [phone] 
• 🌍 St. Petersburg, kan. Griboyedova 7 or 9 (next to Church of Spilled Blood). Good and cheap food in the very centre . Pay attention, there are two restaurants called St. Petersburg next to each other and the second one is more expensive. RUB45 for a Borsch soup, RUB140-200 for a main dish, side dishes RUB35. 
• 🌍 Pirogi (ПирО.Г.И.), Nab. reki Fontanki, 40 (наб. реки Фонтанки, 40). Open 24/7. cafe-restaurant ambience during the day, turning into bar in the evening as well as music venue at night. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Good and moderately priced food served 24 hours a day. The menu comes in both English and Russian. Friendly and helpful English-speaking staff. Free Wi-Fi. Separated smoking/non-smoking sections. traditional Russian pies filled with meat, chicken, fish, mushrooms or cabbage served with three different salads (big enough to be a main course), RUB130. Beef Stroganoff with mashed potatoes: RUB240 Soups: RUB130. Average bill per person: RUB450 (two courses + beer or wine).. 
• 🌍 McDonald's (Makdonalds, Макдоналдс), Ul. Bolchaya Morskaya (Большая Морская улица), 11/6 (: Akademicheskaya (Академическа)), ☎ [phone]. Several units. Ulitsa Efimova, 1/14 Zagorodnyy prospekt, 45 а 
• 🌍 Pizza Hut (Пицца Хат), Gorokhovaya ul.,16 ( Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)), ☎ [phone]. Mon-Sun: 11.00-23.00. Several units. 

Mid-range

• 🌍 La Baguette, Grazhdanskaya ul 27. Very nice, cosy little tea and cake shop near Griboedova canal with a sweet faux-French atmosphere. You can also have tasty meals there. Mains approx. RUB300. 
• 🌍 Kavaleria, Kavalergardskaya ul 20 ( Chernyshevskaya (Чернышевская)), e-mail: [e-mail]. A great family-run place just a block away from the spectacular must-see Smolniy Monastery and Tavricheskiy garden. Fresh local and foreign beers, great cuisine (huge portions), English menus and English-speaking staff. Great for watching sport events too. Mains approx. RUB300-400. 
• 🌍 1,001 Nights (Тысяча и одна ночь), Millionnaya ulitsa (ул. Миллионная), 21. noon-23:00 daily, live music & belly dancing F-Su 20:00-23:00. This would be but an ordinary undistinguished Uzbek restaurant, were it not within one block of the Winter Palace. Given location, the place is spectacular in that it maintains decent service and very good food. RUB300-500. 
• Acquarel (next to the Birzhevoy bridge), ☎ [phone]. Right on the water, this restaurant offers Italian food alongside a French/Asian fusion menu. Friendly people, delightful atmosphere, and a wonderful view, Acquarel is a wonderful and delicious dinner option or even a great place to relax and get a drink in their lounge chairs. 
• 🌍 Caravan-Sarai (Караван-Сарай), ulitsa Nekrasova (ул. Некрасова), 1 ( Mayakovskaya (Маяковская)), ☎ [phone]. In a city with plenty of Uzbek food, this may outshine the competition. Not for the service or the decor, but for the very long menu of top-notch Uzbek cooking. RUB400-600. 
• 🌍 Clean Plate Society (Общество чистых тарелок), Gorokhovaya ulitsa (Гороховая ул.),13, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. After the enormous success of opening bar "Mishka", avant-garde musician/heartthrob Kirill Ivanov and budding chef-mogul Alexander Berkovksy have ventured into the restaurant, or more precisely "cafe-club," business. "Obschestvo Chistykh Tarelok", or "Clean Plates Society" in English, is named after a children's fairy tale alleging that Lenin told children that those who finish all the food on their plate would become members of the Clean Plates Society. Quality burgers, cream soups and vegetarian dishes with worldwide influences. Almost everything is under RUB300. Recommended for hipster-watching in St. Petersburg. 
• 🌍 Gin-no Taki (Гин-но Таки), prospekt Chernyshevskogo (пр. Чернышевского), 17 ( Chernyshevskaya (Чернышевская)). 11:00-06:00 daily. A very reasonably priced Japanese chain restaurant just across the street from the Chernyshevskaya metro station. The interior is very stylish, even if the fashion shows on the TVs are a bit much, and you can control your service with the aid of a call button. The food is good, but the sodas might be even better—free refills! It's also a very solid choice for a place to unwind late-night after a wild night. RUB150-400. 
• 🌍 Gastronom (ресторан Гастроном), naberezhnaya Reki Moyki (наб. реки Мойки)), 7 (close to Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood; вход с Марсового поля), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Su-Th: 12:00-24:00; F, Sa: 12:00-03:00. Excellent desserts (tiramisù is really great); good reviews for dinner. Wide selection of international fare: Thai, Italian, Russian, steaks. Rare place with 5 varieties of Caesar salad. Outdoor terrace is comfortable for a baby stroller, but closes before late Sept. Simple salads RUB200, sophisticated salads RUB300-400. soups RUB200. Pasta RUB300-400. Mains average at RUB350-400.. 
• 🌍 Jean Jacques (Жан-Жак Руссо), Ulitsa Marata (Ул. Марата), 10 (very close to Moskovsky vokzal, Ploschad Vosstanya (Площадь Восстания)/ Mayakovskaya (Маяковская)), ☎ [phone]. Decent lower-end French cuisine. Nothing-special breakfasts: either omlet or croissant or porridge. 
• 🌍 Kafe Ket, 22 Ul. Stremyannaya ( Mayakovskaya (Маяковская)). Kafe Kat is a tucked into a rather unassuming location, just off Nevsky. This little restaurant serves what might be the best Georgian food in St. Petersburg. There is an English menu and the staff is friendly. RUB1500 for 2, 3 courses + beer 
• 🌍 Kafe Tbilisi, Sytninskaya ul, 10 ( Gorkovskaya (Горьковская) behind the market), ☎ [phone]. Georgian food. The dishes prepared in pots are excellent. 
• 🌍 The Idiot (Идиот), naberezhnaya Reki Moyki, 82 ( Sadovaya (Садовая)), ☎ [phone]. Named after the Dostoevsky novel, and offering a wide variety of very tasty vegan, vegetarian, and seafood dishes at prices higher than what you'd expect. All served in a very cozy and attractive cellar stocked with books, expats, and intellectuals. 
• 🌍 Montana Saloon, Kirochnaya ulitsa, 20 or 19, Izmailovsky pr ( Chernyshevskaya (Чернышевская)), ☎ [phone]. American cuisine, steaks, good wine and pleasant atmosphere. A bit expensive (the best steak costs RUB850), but it is worth it. 
• 🌍 Fasol na Gorokhovoy (Фасоль на Гороховой), Gorokhovaya St, 17 ( Admiralteyskaya (Адмиралтейская)), ☎ [phone]. Until 1:00; kitchen closes at 23:30. Artictic minimalism interior; creative fusion cuisine. Avg bill: RUB1000 per person (3 courses). 
• 🌍 Harbin, ulitsa Zhukovskogo (ул. Жуковского), 34/2 ( Ploschad Vosstanya (Площадь Восстания) 0.6km SW, Chernyshevskaya (Чернышевская) 0.9km N). 12:30-23:30 daily. Chinese in Saint Petersburg is often better than in most parts of Europe. This restaurant is cozy and overcrowded (show up early or late if you want to ensure that you get a table), and has an extraordinarily long and complex menu. If you have no native speaker with you, bring a food dictionary, or you will have no idea what you are ordering. RUB800. 
• 🌍 Giuseppe Park (Парк Джузеппе), 2B Canal Griboyedova (just next to Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood and Russian Museum, Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)), ☎ [phone], [phone]. 11:00-01:00. Excellent Italian food in a white nearly-luxury setting. In peak hours, choose easier-to-cook dishes to minimize risk of mistake. Great gaspacho, "quatro formagio" pizza. Good for a late breakfast as well (although no breakfast-time menu: only omlets, RUB170). Heated outdoor terrace open until at least end of Sep. No wifi, for a reason: it's a place to eat. Average bill per person: RUB1500 (3 courses, no alcohol). 
• 🌍 Mama Roma, Malaya Konyushennaya, 4/2 ( Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)). A chain of Italian restaurants; free wifi. Outdoor terrace is open heated until at least end of Sep; terrace perfect with toddler: spacious enough for baby strollers; has children-safe wide couches. 
• 🌍 Oliva (Олива), Bolshaya Morskaya ulitsa, 31 ( Admiralteyskaya (Адмиралтейская)). Kitchen closes at 23:30. Greek restaurant with a genuine Greek chef; popular with expats. 
• 🌍 Oriental Express (restaurant/buffet) (Восточный Экспресс), Ul. Marata 21 (close to Moskovsky train station, Ploschad Vosstanya (Площадь Восстания)). Tourists-oriented and doesn't hide it, the place has a good selection of traditional Russian dishes. Buffet and restaurant share the same building and kitchen and have few common dishes, but are otherwise very distant from each other (at least in prices). Free wifi (ask waiter for instructions). Restaurant: salads RUB220-310; soups RUB210-340; mains: RUB310-540. Buffet: salads RUB80, soups RUB80-130, mains RUB130-190. 
• 🌍 Tepló (Тепло), B. Morskaya, 45 (close to Isaakiyevsky cathedral), ☎ [phone]. M-Th, Su 9:00-24:00, F-Sa 13:00-01:00. It is losing its charm and excellent service. Still, quite charming good value for money, although drinks are quite expensive. Fireplace in winter and courtyard with umbrellas and flowers in summer. Most staff speak English, those who don't are still helpful at navigating the English menu. Lunch set menu from 13:00. Equally good for breakfast (M-F from 09:00 ) with omelettes, pancakes, a weekly rotation of porridges and fritters. Free wifi (ask waiter for instructions); children's playroom; separate non/smokers; outdoor terrace open until at least 5ths of Oct (but no gas heaters). Same owners as a nearby Zoom Cafe. Dinner: average bill per person: RUBRUB1000 (three courses, no alcohol). Breakfasts: omlet RUB110, porridges RUB80, tea RUB90. 
• 🌍 Traveling Sack for a Pregnant Spy (Саквояж для беременной шпионки), Bolshaya Konyushennaya ulitsa (ул. Б. Конюшенная), 17 (close to Kazansky cathedral), ☎ [phone]. M-F 11:00-01:00, kitchen closes at 23:30; Sa-Su 12:00-02:00. A very fun Russian restaurant, that would be worth visiting as a gallery of weird spy-kitsch, but the food is also decent. No wifi. Average bill per person, no alcohol: RUB800. 
• 🌍 Vostochny Ugolok (Восточный уголок), Gorohovaya (Гороховая ул.), 52 (close to Isaakievsky cathedral, Sennaya Ploschad (Сенная площадь)), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 24 hours. Good-quality Caucasian cuisine in a vivid interior. Excellent shashlyki and manty. 3 courses: RUB1000. 
• 🌍 Zoom, Ul. Gorohovaya. 22 (close to Isaakiyevsky cathedral), ☎ [phone]. Until 24; last order until 22:30. Same owners as Tepló, but much more intimate;not a victim of top TripAdvisor positions. RUB1000 (three courses, no alcohol). 

Splurge

• 🌍 Baku (Баку), Sadovaya ulitsa (Садовая ул.), 12/23; Ital'yanskaya ulitsa cnr (на углу Садовой и Итальянской улиц) ( Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 12:00-02:00. One of the city's more impressive interiors, modeled after the palaces of the Shirvan Shahs (imagine eating in Sheki's Khan-Saray). Opened in 2006, has received rave reviews from all quarters since,offering some of the best dishes you can taste in Saint Petersburg. A great place to try out Azeri cuisine with great meat dishes. From RUB1300. 
• 🌍 Grand Hotel Europe Restaurant, Mikhaylovskaya ulitsa, 1/7, ☎ [phone]. About this price includes a full caviar spread and sushi bar in addition to the normal brunch fare (carving station, omelette station, salads, fruit, baked goods, desserts, the options are nearly endless). There is also bottomless champagne glasses (and the champagne is quite good) and a huge frozen ice sculpture that is tapped where you can refill your glass with iced vodka as many times as you'd like. The jazz is very good and the pace is relaxed and enjoyable. The only caveat: As with most Russian eateries, there is no non-smoking section, so if you are not a smoker, ask for table away from the majority or risk having to inhale cigarette smoke while you dine. brunch USD90. 
• 🌍 Kalinka-Malinka (Калинка-Малинка), Ital'yanskaya ulitsa, 5 ( Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)), ☎ [phone]. Overdone and overpriced Russian-kitsch tourist trap for foreigners (Russians wouldn't be caught dead here). But if you're staying nearby, they'll treat you fine and you can eat some bear meat. RUB1400. 
• 🌍 Art-Cafe Sunduk (Сундук), Furshtatskaya ulitsa (ул. Фурштатская), 42 ( Chernyshevskaya (Чернышевская)). M-F 10:00-24:00 Sa-Su 11:00-24:00. A great, small, cozy, and very stylish brick-walled Russian restaurant, with excellent food, and good enough service. Live entertainment comes often, and is often surprisingly good—imagine sitting down and only then seeing a solo jazz guitarist sit down to play some beautiful music. It's been open for more than a decade, and there's a reason why it's a fixture of the local restaurant scene around Furshtatskaya. RUB850. 
• 🌍 Terrassa (Терасса), Kazanskaya ploshchad', 3 (Highest floor of shopping center behind Kazansky cathedral, Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)). Offers magnificent view to Kazansky cathedral from terrace. Pastries are well worth the price. Averages: soups RUB330-380; salads RUB400-700; pizza RUB500; mains RUB1000; tiramisù RUB320. 
• 🌍 miX in St. Petersburg (miX in St. Petersburg), Voznesensky prospekt 6 (Located at W St. Petersburg Hotel, Admiralteyskaya (Адмиралтейская)), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 07:00-10:30; 12:00-18:00; 19:00-24:00. The only restaurant of Michelin starred chef alain Ducasse in Russia. Offers dishes prepared by local product with French know how as well as Alain Ducasse classics. 

Drink

Dumskaya ulitsa ( Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)) has several small crowded and rowdy venues including Datscha, BarBarA, Fidel, Belgrad. These bars have cheap beer, crazy dances, Balkan, ska, punk, disco or whatever the DJ has on his mind.

Bars

• 🌍 Bristol Pub, ul. Marata (Улица Марата), 36/38 (Tram 16, 25, 49 to stop Улица Марата). Very home-atmosphere and friendly. 
• Dead Poets, Zhukovskogo 12, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Su-Th: 2PM-2AM; F-Sa: 2PM-8AM. A quiet cocktail bar. Cocktails: RUB350-600; Bottle of wine: RUB1600-9500. 
• 🌍 Dickens Pub, Fontanka Canal, 108 (Near Sadovaya (Садовая) & , Tekhnologichesky Institut 1 and 2 (Технологический институт) metro stations, just off Moskovsky-Fontanka bridge), ☎ [phone]. Dickens Pub offers good service, great food, and a wide range of English and other international beers, with over 15 on tap. There are also many superior whiskeys too! Dickens Pub is a good place to eat. Be prepared for a party - especially on Fridays & Saturdays! 
• Hat Bar, ul. Belinskogo 9 (Metro: Gostiny Dvor), ☎ [phone]. 7PM-3AM. Crowded bar with live jazz music. 
• 🌍 Hemingway Bar (Хемингуэй-бар), Ulitsa Lomonosova (ул. Ломоносова), 3 (Bus 49, 181 to stop ул. Ломоносова), ☎ [phone]. 12:00-05:00. A comfortable, big bar with upscale drinks and cooking. The biggest draw is the cool clientele and live performances: blues, jazz, R&B. One tip though, if you open the door to a DJ blaring Russkaya popsa—leave because you won't be able to hear yourself think. ~RUB1400 to eat. 
• Stirka 40°, Kazanskaya 26, ☎ [phone]. Combination bar and laundromat. Have a beer while washing your clothes! Operated by a famous local designer that also operates the Produkty Fontanka 17 club. 
• 🌍 Tower Pub, Nevsky Prospekt 22 (Very close to the metro station Nevsky Prospekt), ☎ [phone]. 24 hours. The Tower Pub is a great place to rest, have a quick drink or stay for the whole evening. The bartenders are really nice, do speak English and are in for a chat (on a quiet night). It's located in the basement of a large building but the atmosphere is really nice. No live music. 
• Vinny Shkaf, Rubinshteina St. 9/3 (Just off Nevsky Prospekt). 2PM-11PM. A classy wine bar. Wine bottle: RUB1500-6000; 330 ml (12 imp fl oz; 11 US fl oz) beer: RUB290. 
• Xander Bar @ Four Seasons Hotel, Voznesenskiy prospekt 1 (Metro: Admiralteyskaya), ☎ [phone]. Old-world luxury atmosphere. Smart casual attire. Cocktails: RUB550-650. 

Nightclubs

• 🌍 Griboedov (Грибоедов), Voronezhskaya ulitsa 2 ( Ligovsky Prospekt (Лиговский проспект)), ☎ [phone]. Open daily except Tuesday; 12PM-6AM. A suitably spaced out place for a club whose name can also be interpreted as "the mushroom eater" or a famous Russian's poet surname, the acts here are famously offbeat, especially on weekdays when you're as likely to find a poetry reading as live reggae or a DJ spinning psychedelic trance. This club is hidden in an underground bomb shelter with a new performance space/bar/restaurant atop the bunker's hill. 
• 🌍 Metro Club (Метроклуб), 174 Ligovsky Pr ( Ligovsky Prospekt (Лиговский проспект)). 10PM-6AM. Saint Petersburg's biggest club, with 3 floors. Mostly for people aged 16-30. Eurodisco music such as techno, trance and house. Entry: RUB200-400 depending on time and date. 
• 🌍 Mishka DJ bar/cafe, Fontanka 40 ( Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект); Ploschad Vosstanya (Площадь Восстания)/ Mayakovskaya (Маяковская)). A popular DJ bar/cafe for local scenesters, as well as 20-something tourists and ex-pats, located on the most central intersection (Nevsky prospekt and Fontanka). Due to strict dress code don't try to enter with a backpack and be ready to hear that the party tonight is "invitation only". It means the security did not like your look. The place was opened by St. Petersburg avant-garde musician and heartthrob Kirill Ivanov and friends in the beginning of 2011, at the end of 2011 Mishka has already achieved the title of St. Petersburg's Best Bar according to TimeOut magazine. During daytime, Mishka more of a cafe (with free WiFi), where you can relax, read and/or chat and enjoy a selection of sandwiches and fresh salads. In fact, it's one of the few places that serves in line with the Western understanding of "salad" - a huge bowl of fresh greens with a choice of other fresh ingredients to add, rather than the traditional Russian understanding of salad which is usually a lot of mayonnaise with other ingredients and often without any greens at all. There are two spaces - the entrance space is the "club" side, generally the rowdier side and the place to get boozed up and drunkenly dance the night away, and the second space is more relaxed, more brightly lit, non-smoking, and a comfortable place to grab a bite to eat (even at 4am!) and sit and chat with your friends without shouting over the music from the entrance space. At night there is usually a DJ playing (even on weeknights!) whatever hipsters are listening to these days (rather than typical Russian clubs that only play worn-out house and 90s pop) and the bar can get very crowded on weekend nights. Try one of the dozens of specialty shots to get your night started in the right spirit... or to end your night, if you're on a bender. 
• 🌍 Mod Club (Мод), Kanal Griboedova 7 (in the courtyard) (Next to Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood; Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)), ☎ [phone]. 6:00PM-6:00AM. Cavernous live music hall with old brick walls and loft outdoor bar, separate room with wrap-around bar and small DJ stand, chill-out room with small concerts and a terrace bar for dancing under the White Nights skies. Pizza is sold in the back. Very diverse music program: from reggae to punk/metal, but mostly rock. Friendly atmosphere. The crowd is made up of students, musicians, artists and expats. The space also includes MOD Gallery with local art on display. Design of the club is worth checking out as well. Menus in English, English-speaking bartenders, inexpensive beer. Entry: RUB150 on weekends. 
• 🌍 Cafe-bar "Produkty", Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki 17 ( Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект); Ploschad Vosstanya (Площадь Восстания)/ Mayakovskaya (Маяковская)). Literally, 'Groceries'. Opened in the fall of 2011 by designer Lisa Izvozchikova, owner of Stirka bar. The space is modest in size, but being one of the rare cafe-bars in St. Petersburg located above basement-level, boasts views of the Fontanka and features local DJs as well as more "amateur" music lovers spinning their favorite tunes, sipping cocktails and occasionally dancing and even singing along if the mood strikes them. Produkty features a carefully thought-out range of alcohol - all the makings of any classic cocktail as well as a delicious and dry cider "St. Anton", grog, milkshakes with berries, a homemade hot ginger tea, as well as freshly squeezed orange juice. The food is mainly vegetarian, and the offerings include couscous and sandwiches. All the furniture was brought from Berlin: the leatherette-upholstered bar, massive leather armchairs, round bar stools from the 1970s, chairs taken from GDR kindergartens and schools, typewriters and a Wurlitzer jukebox that only accepts Deutschmark (don't worry! you can buy the necessary Deutschmark tokens at the bar). The classic hipster-reference to East Germany is not completely lost when it comes to describing the style and clientele of Produkty.. 

Sleep

With the exception of some high-end hotels, all hotels and hostels offer free WiFi and many have computer terminals. Almost all accept credit cards.

Budget

Hostels

• Apple Hostel, Sadovaya st. 8, gate code 3B, Door code #2468, 2nd floor, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Dorm bed: RUB500-800. 
• Baby Lemonade, Inzhenernaya str. 7. Colorful and cozy hostel with 1960s style. Dorm bed: RUB650-800. 
• BroadSky Hostel, Rubinshteyna str. 15/17, ☎ [phone]. Dorm bed: RUB600-700. 
• 🌍 Cubahostel, Kazanskaya 5, 4th floor (just off Nevsky Prospekt, near the Church of Our Lady of Kazan), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A nice hostel, with modern and inventive decoration. Although it's advertised as a party hostel and situated over an English pub, noise isn't a problem. Dorm bed: From RUB699; Visa invitation: RUB1400. 
• Friends Hostels (8 locations + scattered apartments), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Named after the famous TV show, the hostel chain “Friends” was reviewed by Lonely planet city guide and considered to have spotless dorms, great location and extremely helpful staff. Visa invitation: RUB415; Registration: RUB250.. 
  • 🌍 Friends Hostel, Griboedov Channel (Друзья на Грибоедова), Griboedov channel (наб. канала Грибоедова, 20 entry from yard ( Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Dorm bed: From RUB400; Private room: RUB1600-1800. 
  • 🌍 Friends Hostel, on Bankovsky (Друзья на Банковском), Bankovsky pereulok (Банковский пер.), 3 (Minibuses K-3 and K-213, M: Sadovaya), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. phone daily 09:00-21:00. Bike renting. Walking and Bike Tours. Dorm bed: RUB400-600; Private room: RUB1200-1500. 
  • 🌍 Friends Hostel, Nevsky (Friends on Nevsky, Друзья на Невском), (Невский пр.), 106, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
  • 🌍 Friends Hostel, Vosstania (Друзья на Восстания), Vosstaniya street (ул. Восстания), 11 (M: Plosch. Vosstaniya), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Dorm bed: RUB400-500; Private room: RUB1300-1500. 
• 🌍 Gamak Hostel, Nevsky Prospect 103, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Dorm bed: RUB450; Double/Twin: RUB2000. 
• 🌍 Ligovskiy 74 (ЛОКЕЙШН ХОСТЕЛ на Лиговском пр.,74), Ligovskiy #74. 3rd floor of cultural centre Loft Project ETAGI, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 1PM. Dorm bed: From RUB500. 
• 🌍 Location Hostel (ЛОКЕЙШН ХОСТЕЛ на Адмиралтейском пр.,8), Admiralteyskiy prospekt (Адмиралтейский просп.), 8. Entrance shared with restaurant 'Olivie', top floor, another location at Etagi: Ligovskiy #74 (Metro: Admiralteyskiy, across from the Hermitage), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Great staff and good and clean rooms. Free towel. The showers are ok, worked all the time, but the ceiling in showers is low! Microwave, fridge and washing machine available but no cooking plate available. 24-hour reception. Dorm bed: €15-20; Visa support: RUB1000. 
• MIR Hostel, Nevsky Prospekt #16. Free walking tours. Dorm bed: RUB690-740. 
• Red House Hostel, Belinskogo street 11, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Colorful dorm rooms. Bike rental. Dorm bed: RUB349-449. 
• Simple Hostel, 2 central locations: Gorokhovaya 4 and Nevksy Prospekt 78 (Metro Sennaya ploshchad' 0.7km S), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Clean and comfortable, large common rooms, full kitchen, and friendly girls on staff. Dorm bed: From RUB700. 
• 🌍 Soul Kitchen, naberezhnaya Reki Moyki, 62/2 app 9 (Metro Sennaya ploshchad' 0.7km S), e-mail: [e-mail]. Free laundry and full kitchen facilities. Breakfast included. Dorm bed: RUB980-1450; Double: RUB2800-3000; Visa Support RUB1000. 
• Sweet Village Hostel, Ligovskiy prospekt, 87, ☎ [phone]. Dorm bed: RUB400-850; Double:RUB2500. 

Mid-range

• 🌍 5th Corner Hotel (Отель Пятый Угол), Zagorodniy avenue 13 (metro: Vladimirskaya or Dostoevskaya, trainterminal: Moskovskiy Vokzal), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Business hotel in a restored building from the 19th century. Al the rooms are decorated in warm autumn tones and equipped with AC, TV, and mini-bar. From US$66. 
• 🌍 Acme on Malaya Morskaya Str ("Акме" отель на Малой Морской, 7), Malaya Morskaya ulitsa (Малой Морской), 7 (M Адмиралтейская), ☎ [phone], [phone] (cell), fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 12.00. Stylish, modern design. Rooms come with a fridge, TV-set, tea/coffee makers, and WiFi. Non-smoking. RUB2500-10000. 
• 🌍 Acme on Rubinsteina str ("Элегия" отель на Рубинштейна, 18), Rubinsteina str(улица Рубинштейна) 23-81 (M Достоевская, M Маяковская), ☎ [phone], [phone] (cell), fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 12.00. An elegant, small luxury hotel in a nice neighborhood off the main drag. Rooms come with LCD TV-sets with satellite channels, tea/coffee makers, WiFi, DVD players. Non-smoking. RUB2300-10000. 
• 🌍 Comfort Hotel herzen-hotel, Bolshaya Morskaya Ul.25 (M Адмиралтейская, - 2 blocks off Nevsky Prospekt between the Moika and Admiralty), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Small expensive hotel (18 rooms) with attentive service. Breakfast buffet included. English-speaking staff. RUB3200-10000. 
• 🌍 Dom Dostoevskogo (Отель "Дом Достоевского"), naberezhnaya Griboyedova Kanala (набережная канала Грибоедова), 61/1 (M: within 2 minutes walk: Sennaya, Sadovaya, and Spasskaya.), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 12.00. A small and comfortable mini-hotel in the centre, in the same building where the famous Russian writer Dostoevsky used to live. 10 cozy rooms with plasma TVs. RUB2900-4500. 
• 🌍 Ermitage Hotel (Мини-отель Ermitage ****, Отель Эрмитаж), Millionnaya st.11 (метро Невский проспект 1km S), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A small four star hotel with genuine St. Petersburg spirit. Located in the historical centre. Offers 4 double rooms that allow usage of a fully equipped study and a magnificent hall with fireplace - and with the whole staff of the hotel at your disposal. RUB4600-10800. 
• Herzen House, Bolshaya Morskaya ulitsa, 25, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. 20 rooms of different types, TV, bathroom, phone, air-conditioning in each room. 24-hours English speaking reception. Excellent breakfast (buffet) included. From RUB3100. 
• 🌍 Kamerdiner Hotel (Камердинер-отель), Ozernoi Pereulok (Озерной переулок), 6 (Metro: Ploschad Vosstaniya, from the Moscow Railway Station: Walk along Ulitsa Vosstaniya from Nevsky and take first right after small park.), ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Small cosy hotel- Seven rooms in lavishly restored former mansion looking onto monastery, very friendly service and attentive staff. Continental breakfast, satellite TV, fridge, safe, air-conditioning, 24-hour security, visa support, theatre bookings, guided tours, airport transfer. RUB5200-6500. 
• 🌍 Matisov Domik (Мини-отель «Матисов Домик»), Matisov Island, Priazhka river emb. (наб. Реки Пряжки), 3/1 (метро «Сенная площадь» — minibus #К1 or from метро «Гостиный двор» — bus #22 or from метро «Приморская» — bus #6, #6К from метро «Нарвская» — #2; near the Mariinsky Theatre), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A small, cosy hotel. Excellent service. Large, clean rooms and sat tv. RUB3800-6800. 
• 🌍 Hotel Moscow (Гостиница «Москва»), Alexander Nevsky pl.(Площадь Александра Невского) , 2 (Metro Ploschad' Alexandra Nevskogo Площадь Александра Невского,), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Incredibly gargantuan concrete monolith that continues to carry forward the Soviet traditions of former monopoly operator, Intourist. Ugly and soviet in style, but the location right above a metro station is excellent and the price can be right, especially if booked in a package. Single: RUB4300; Double: RUB4500-6000. 
• 🌍 Nevsky Express Hotel (Невский Экспресс Отель), Goncharnaya ulitsa, (Гончарная ул. 6), Nevsky pr.93 (Moscow Railway Station 0.2km West; Metro: Ploschad Vosstania), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 3 star hotel. RUB3000-3600. 
• 🌍 Nevsky Forum Hotel, Nevsky pr., 69 (0.8km East Moscow Railway Station, M Маяковская 0.1km), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 24-hours receptions. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. 29 rooms different categories. All with bathroom with bathtub or shower, sat TV, telephone, air conditioning, mini-bar, electronic safe-box, hair-dryer. Room-service, business & conference facilities, transport & excursion service, visa support & registration service, laundry. From RUB5000. 
• 🌍 Nevsky Grand Hotel, Bolshaya Konyushennaya ulitsa, 10 (M метро Невский проспект 0.6km SW; Just around the corner from Nevsky Prospect, 5 minutes from the subway and a 10 minute walk from the Hermitage Museum.), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Air conditioning in every room. Rooms are very small, but functional. Staff speak English well, and breakfast is included (available 7AM-11AM). Shortcomings: no fridges in rooms; steep staircase at the entrance is difficult for a stroller. From €80. 
• 🌍 Nevsky Hotel Moyka 5, naberezhnaya Reki Moyki (наб. Реки Мойки), 5 (метро Невский проспект 1.0km S, near to the Hermitage Museum and Palace Square), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 3 star hotel. Buffet breakfast. While the cheapest rooms are a bargain, you get what you pay for. Get a room with a jacuzzi and sauna. 
• 🌍 Northern Lights (Гостиница Северный Свет), Bolshaya Morskaya ulitsa, 50/6 (M Адмиралтейская), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. A small, beautifully designed hotel. Services are up to the highest international standard. Continental breakfast, visa support, airport transfers. RUB3200-6300. 
• 🌍 Old Vienna, Malaya Morskaya ulitsa, 13/ Gorohovaya 8 ( Малая Морская ул., д. 13 / Гороховая ул., д. 8) (Metro: Адмиралтейская), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 13.00, check-out: 12.00. A both stylish and "home-cozy" mini-hotel of business class level, located in the centre. All 14 rooms with: air con, bathroom, sat TV, telephone, mini-bar, hair-dryer, DVD. Breakfast (buffet) included in the price. 
• Rachmaninov, Kazanskaya 5 (Next to the Kazan Cathedral, in the city centre), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Art-hotel. 24h reception Single RUB4300-6300; Double: RUB5000-9600. 
• 🌍 Rent Room, 5-ya Sovetskaya ulitsa, 21 (M Площадь Восстания 0.4km, Маяковская 0.7km), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 12.00, check-out: 12.00. A cozy Swiss-managed bed & breakfast in a nice neighborhood off the main drag. Rooms come including breakfast, with TV sets with satellite channels, tea/coffee free, WiFi. Non-smoking. €45-65; Double: €65-85; Triple: €80-95; Quad: €95-110. 
• 🌍 Sabrina (гостинице "Сабрина B&B"), Bolshaya Morskaya ulitsa, 21 (M Адмиралтейская), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 09:00-20:00 (phone). A family-run bed & breakfast 1 block from Nevsky Prospect and the Hermitage. Basic, but very clean and comfortable. A bit difficult to find as it is on the fourth floor of an apartment building. Code for building entrance: 2230#. - Bdget hotel chain. Other units: Sabrina Apart Hotel, Bolshaya Morskaya str. 53/8; RUB2000-3300. 
• 🌍 Safari (гостиницы Сафари, мини-отель), Uliza Babushkaya (ул. Бабушкина), 47к3 (15km South to stop 'Улица Дудко' by Bus 95; M Елизаровская 1.6km N). Check-in: 13.00, check-out: 12.00. Good service and you might be able to negotiate a better price. Looks bad from outside, but from the inside is fairly new and clean. RUB2200-2500. 
• 🌍 Swiss Star B&B, Fontanka Embankment 93-26 ap.26, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 11.00. A Swiss managed bed & breakfast in the historical centre of the city. Stylish, safe and very clean. 8 rooms (5 with attached bath) and a big, fully equipped kitchen. Free breakfast and tea/coffee. Non-smoking. English speaking staff. Single: €40-90; Double: €50-110; Russian invitation: €35-45. 
• 🌍 Vera, Suvorovsky prosp. (Суворовский проспект ) 25/16 (close to Grand Hotel Emerald) (M Площадь Восстания 1.1km S), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14.00. Up-to-date and cozy rooms; 4th to 6th floors of an old building. Staff speak English by default, not Russian, which is quite rare. 6th floor features mansard windows. Some rooms have poor sound isolation from the corridor (eg. 514, 604). Free internet over wire, cable supplied. Breakfast: no frills; no hot plates but fresh fruits; no espresso, only American coffee. €90-180. 

Splurge

• 🌍 Alexander House (Александр Хаус - частный гостевой дом), naberezhnaya Kryukova Kanala, 27 («Сенная площадь» и «Садовая», close to the Mariinsky (Kirov) Theatre), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A 4-star hotel. Designer interiors and a homey atmosphere, 19 rooms, individually furnished and designed. From €116. 
• Angleterre, Morskaya 24 (adjacent to St Isaac’s Cathedral), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. From RUB8000. 
• 🌍 Astoria, Bolshaya Morskaya ulitsa, 39 (m Адмиралтейская, on Saint Isaac's Square, next to Saint Isaac's Cathedral and across from the historic Imperial German Embassy), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A 5-star hotel. RUB16600-24000. 
• Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace, Вознесенский пр-кт, 1 (Admiralty), ☎ [phone]. A 5-star hotel. Built within a 19th century royal palace guarded by 2 lion statues. From RUB14800. 
• 🌍 Grand Hotel Emerald, Suvorovsky pr. (Суворовский проспект), 18 (few-minute walk from Moskovsky Railway Station and Nevsky Prospekt), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A 5-star hotel. Hosts several restaurants, SPA, Top Gym fitness centre and conference facilities. 
• 🌍 Grand Hotel Europe (Гранд Отель Европа), Mikhailovskaya st.(Михайловская улица), 1/7 (M метро Невский проспект 0.1km, in the centre of town on Nevsky Prospekt), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A 5-star hotel. One of the most famous icons of the city. Hosts functions and has several restaurants. Many rooms have great views over the city. From RUB17500. 
• 🌍 Petro Palace, Malaya Morskaya ulitsa, 14 (M Адмиралтейская). Has a spa, swimming pool and gym (but only free for guests before 11AM) and the rooms maids are very efficient - appearing to clean rooms several times a day. It is next to several excellent restaurants, coffee bars and a small shop. RUB11000-15000. 
• 🌍 Radisson Royal, 49/2 Nevskiy Prospekt (M Маяковская), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A 5-star hotel. The hotel boasts a fitness centre, sauna and massage parlour. 
• 🌍 Radisson Sonya (Radisson Sonya Отель, Санкт-Петербург), Liteynyy prospekt (Литейный пр.), 5/19 (At Mikhailovsky Military Academy, m Чернышевская), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Difficult to find a place to eat nearby if you arrive after midnight on weekday. RUB17000-57000. 
• Taleon Imperial Hotel, Nevsky Prospect 15 (Admiralty), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A 5-star hotel in a former palace. Includes a spa and sauna. From RUB10000. 
• 🌍 W St. Petersburg, Voznesensky Prospect (Вознесенский проспект), 6 (m Адмиралтейская, next to St. Isaac's Cathedral), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Ultramodern and chic hotel. Hosts Bliss Spa and mix restaurant by Alain Ducasse. 

Connect

The following internet cafes offer computers with internet, gaming, and WiFi as noted.

• 🌍 CafeMax, Nevsky Prospekt 90 (M Маяковская). 24 hours. Large, well-lighted, and clean. Also offers copying, scanning and faxing services. RUB120/hour for internet computer. Free WiFi with food purchase.. 
• 🌍 Shangri La, Nevsky Prospekt 98 (M Маяковская). 24 hours. RUB90/hour for internet computer. RUB100/hour for WiFi.. 
• 🌍 Players, Kazanskaya ulitsa 26 (A few blocks behind Kazan Cathedral in the direction of Sennaya Ploshad M: Садовая, Сенная Площадь. К169, К187, К190, К209 or trolley 17 to stop 'Гороховая улица'). 24 hours. No WiFi service. RUB60/hour for internet computer.. 
• 🌍 Tvoyo (TBOE), Liteynyy prospekt (Литейный проспект), 63 (Northeast corner of Nevsky Pr. and Liteyniy Pr., entry off Liteyniy, M Маяковская, to stop 'Литейный проспект' by Bus: 181 or Trolley: 1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 22). 24 hours. Also serves drinks & snacks for only a few rubles. This cybercafe used to be known as "Quo Vadis." RUB70/hour for internet and WiFi..