St. Petersburg Highlights - 6 Days
Highlights
- Visit the Hermitage Museum, one of the world's largest, most famous art museums
- Enjoy the Imperial Summer residence, the Catherine Palace, with its Amber Room
- See the mosaics and icons in St. Petersburg's historic cathedrals and churches
- Explore Peter the Great's palace, Peterhof, known as the Russian Versailles
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in St. Petersburg | Saint Petersburg |
| Day 2 | St. Petersburg City Tour | Saint Petersburg |
| Day 3 | Peterhof, Peter the Great's Pleasure Palace | Saint Petersburg |
| Day 4 | Pushkin, the Tsars' Village | Saint Petersburg |
| Day 5 | Free Day in St. Petersburg | Saint Petersburg |
| Day 6 | Transfer to the Airport |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in St. Petersburg
Arrive in St. Petersburg. Your driver will transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, you'll have free time to relax.
Day 2: St. Petersburg City Tour
During today's city tour you'll get to know St. Petersburg, which cannot be compared to any other Russian city. First, you'll see the main functioning cathedral of the city, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan. Next, you'll head to St. Isaac’s Square, with its magnificent view of St. Isaac’s Cathedral. St. Isaac's Cathedral is often compared to St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and St. Paul's Cathedral in London. You'll have a marvelous view of the St. Petersburg skyline and the Neva River, the main river of St. Petersburg, from the Spit of Basil Island, the city's historic harbor. After your stop at the Spit, you will take a guided tour of the Peter and Paul Fortress, the first defensive structure Peter the Great ordered to be built in St. Petersburg. At the end of the city tour, you'll stop briefly at the Cruiser Aurora, the most famous battleship in Russia.
After lunch on your own, you'll take a guided tour of the Hermitage Museum, the largest museum in Russia, which possesses an incredible collection of paintings and art created by Western European masters, in addition to its collections of ancient art, Fabergé jewelry, coins, and palace rooms, furniture, and art from the reigns of Catherine the Great and her successors.
Day 3: Peterhof, Peter the Great's Pleasure Palace
Today you'll visit Peterhof, Emperor Peter the Great's palace complex, which is nicknamed the Russian Versailles. You'll arrive by hydrofoil, in a nod to the arrival by boat of the Imperial Family's most distinguished guests. Peterhof is world-famous for its numerous brilliant fountains (more than 140!), splendid gardens, and beautiful pavilions. The palace's ornate rooms will take you back in time to the days of the Russian Empire. The gardens are located on two levels and occupy a total area of 296 acres (120 hectares). Be sure to wear your most comfortable shoes!
Day 4: Pushkin, the Tsars' Village
This morning, you'll visit a suburb about 19 miles (30 km) from St. Petersburg. The town of Pushkin, also called the Tsars’ Village, was the official summer residence of the Imperial family. You'll visit the Catherine Palace at Tsarskoye Selo, where you will be able to admire the official reception halls and world-famous Amber Room.
After your visit to the Catherine Palace, you'll take a guided tour of the Catherine Park, a terraced garden near the Palace.
In the afternoon you'll have free time to relax, explore, or shop.
Day 5: Free Day in St. Petersburg
Today you're free to enjoy the city on your own.
Here are some suggestions to help you discover more about St. Petersburg:
The State Russian Museum is located in the heart of the city and possesses the largest collection of Russian art in the world, ranging from 13th-century icons to works of 20th-century masters. The main exposition is located in two adjacent buildings.
The Erarta Museum is the largest private museum of contemporary art in Russia. The name of the museum consists of two words, era and art. Its collection includes more than 2,800 works by Russian artists, and the museum presents approximately 40 temporary exhibitions annually. A visit to Erarta is a completely different experience from viewing the art of classical and conservative St. Petersburg.
The Cabin of Peter the Great is the smallest, oldest construction in the city. Built within the first three days of the city's existence, it was damaged by numerous floods. Peter the Great and his successors preserved the cabin by moving it and, later, building a brick pavilion around it.
St. Isaac's Cathedral, the largest cathedral in St. Petersburg, is now a museum with numerous colorful mosaics and paintings inside. Its dome is the best place in the city to enjoy a birds-eye view of the Cultural Capital.
The Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood, site of Emperor Alexander II's assassination, is also a museum containing icons, a gold-clad high altar, and mosaics that depict scenes from the Bible. Closed to the public for many years, the church-turned-museum reopened in 1997.
Day 6: Transfer to the Airport
It's time to say goodbye to Russia.
Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport.
Map
