St. Petersburg deservedly ranks first among Russian cities in terms of tourist popularity. The city is famous for its rich history, there are valuable historical and cultural monuments and attractions. Here, almost every street or courtyard-well has its own mystery and history. Today we suggest you take a walk around this most interesting city. An overview of the best excursions in St. Petersburg and its suburbs will help to draw up a correct and rich program. So, on the road for new experiences!
My Petersburg
Under such a modest name, tourists and guests of the city are familiar with a sightseeing tour that combines a trip in a respectable car. Everyone can take a walk through the memorable and iconic places of the city, learn a lot of interesting stories from the guide, who was born and raised in St. Petersburg.
You can see the contrast between the majestic palaces and ordinary courtyards, replenish your knowledge, or maybe just refresh your memory of interesting events from the life of the city. The excursion program includes a visit to the most iconic places of the city - Fontanka, Moika, Field of Mars, Nevsky Prospect and many others.
A smiling and interesting escort will invite you to plunge into the world of his youth, take you through the courtyards of childhood, show you secret manholes and secret paths connecting attractions. If you want, the guide organizes a walk to the roof of a high-rise building on the Fontanka, from where you can enjoy simply breathtaking views of the surroundings.
But the most interesting thing is that tourists will take a walk in a comfortable car, which will save them from the need to cover long distances on foot or use public transport.
Secret Petersburg: a walk with a photographer
Another option for walking around St. Petersburg in the company of a local resident. Within a few hours, tourists will be able to visit various parts of the city, look at its courtyards through the eyes of a resident of St. Petersburg, take excellent photographs, or order a professional photo session.
A rich and well-thought-out program allows you to “kill two birds with one stone at once”: to see the sights, and to capture your fascinating acquaintance with the city using a video or camera.
And the local "decorations" will make it possible to implement all these ideas with great success. You will visit the most famous and popular places of the city - Palace and Isaac Square, Mikhailovsky Castle and Summer Garden, Nevsky Prospect and Fontanka.
Among the must-see objects will be historical sights and examples of one of the modern trends in art, street art paintings.
Classic Petersburg
Are you in St. Petersburg for the first time? Then we are happy to announce that this excursion program is designed just for you! Guests of the city will be able not only to get acquainted with the history of the northern capital, to capture themselves against the background of famous sights, but also to learn interesting facts from history.
The route runs through the Griboyedov Canal, the Admiralty, Palace Square, the Neva embankment, the Peter and Paul Castle and many other historical and cultural sites.
Tourists will certainly be led to one of the most famous monuments of St. Petersburg - the Bronze Horseman, about whom there are many legends and myths. The most interesting and mysterious of them will become known during an exciting walk. You can sign up for an excursion through the website.
Tsarskoe Selo - the imperial residence in details and faces
"Let's go to Tsarskoe Selo!" - wrote Osip Mandelstam. Of course, you should visit here at the slightest opportunity. Tsarskoe Selo is a place where not only the emperors of Russia, their families and court lived. Alexander Pushkin, Anna Akhmatova, Nikolai Gumilyov wrote about Tsarskoye Selo.
The most talented young people were educated within the walls of the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum (now you can see it). A tour of the Catherine Palace, an incomparable architectural monument, has been organized.
And what a great impression the Amber Room makes on the guests. Although the original, captured by the Germans during World War II, was never found, skilled craftsmen using photographs, paintings, drawings and other documents managed to revive the interior of the Amber Room.
More than 6 tons of petrified resin were used. Amber was used in all colors and shades - from delicate golden to dark honey. Many tourists choose this excursion because of the opportunity to visit the Alexander Palace.
Atmospheric walk through the night Petersburg
Do you like walks in the evening city? Then you should definitely take part in a fascinating excursion around St. Petersburg at night. Just imagine what beauty will unfold around you! Multicolored lights, halogen lamps, raised bridges on the river, as well as the dizzy aroma of the night city - all this and much more awaits tourists during a charming and intriguing walk through the city at night.
It is not for nothing that they say that the nights in St. Petersburg are the most beautiful and romantic. Do not deny yourself and the second half stroll along the picturesque streets of the most beautiful city in Russia, take a look at how famous sights look at night, as well as enjoy the romantic white nights for which St. Petersburg is so famous.
For several hours, tourists will stroll not only through famous places, but also visit remote corners of the city that are not accessible to the rest of its guests, which only the indigenous people know about.
To make it easier to move around the city, tourists are provided with a comfortable car with an experienced driver, in which you can ride from one end of St. Petersburg to the other, make stops in beautiful places, and choose the best panoramas for photos.
Petersburg in a comfortable minibus
It is convenient to go on such a trip on the day of departure, if there is little time left before the train leaves. Or vice versa - start your acquaintance with the city with a sightseeing trip. So you can decide what exactly interested you and continue exploring the "Venice of the North" on your own.
First, tourists will see the most famous street in St. Petersburg - Nevsky Prospect, praised by Gogol. Here, each house has a rich past, the guide will draw your attention to the most interesting objects.
Those who belonged to the imperial court passed along Nevsky Prospekt, great poets, writers and artists walked here. The bus will stop at the Kazan Cathedral, next to it is the famous Gostiny Dvor.
The House of Books is located in the Singer house today - all this is Nevsky Prospect. It is not far from here to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (at this place they killed Emperor Alexander II), St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Bronze Horseman. You will also see the Angleterre hotel, where Sergei Yesenin committed suicide (or was killed), you will be enchanted by the shooter of Vasilievsky Island.
We recommend reading what to see in St. Petersburg:
All St. Petersburg in one day
Guests of the city will be able to combine business with pleasure. So, while walking around the most famous places and sights of the city - Palace and Senate squares, several castles and palaces (including a visit to the symbol of the revolution - the Winter Palace).
The program is designed for one day, so there is no need to plan anything, completely indulging in the pleasure of exploring the city. You simply have to postpone all business, imbued with an unusually deep and even solemn atmosphere of Peter, and he will certainly thank you for this.
Apartment buildings, well courtyards and main staircases
It will surprise even those who are already well acquainted with St. Petersburg. You have already seen the facades of famous houses, but what is hidden in the courtyards? Entering the entrances, you can contemplate amazing staircases, fireplaces, stucco decorations and much more. And how many secrets are concealed by seemingly unremarkable courtyards. You will see the most famous buildings of the city "from the inside", which is not open to many. Apartment houses, shops known throughout Russia and much more ...
You can easily imagine how ladies in magnificent dresses climbed these low steps after the ball, and here Fyodor Dostoevsky mentally "met" his heroes. Luxurious front doors, and squalid, even scary gateways - you will recognize the real face of St. Petersburg. Since you will have to walk a lot, your clothes and shoes should be comfortable. The tour lasts an hour and a half.
Live stories about St. Petersburg
According to the guides, Peter is a living organism that has its own character, dignity and its own secrets. It will take several years to learn all the secrets, try to understand the city and study it in detail. But you can start right now by signing up for a sightseeing walk. During the tour, you will travel in a comfortable minivan. Each of the guests of the city will surely discover something interesting.
Roof to roof in the city center
Do you want to have a bird's eye view of St. Petersburg? At the same time, the route will not tire anyone, and most importantly, it is absolutely safe. And at the same time, you will get a wonderful opportunity - to see the ancient city from an unusual perspective.
You will see the Trinity Bridge in all its unique beauty, you will see the famous Fontanka and its embankment. And how amazing St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood look from above. Believe me, the city day and evening, when it is illuminated by the setting sun, or the lights are already on, it is like two different cities.
And you will also hear a story about the roofers who investigate the roofs of old houses. Suitable even for those who suffer from dizziness - the roofs are equipped with bumpers. Guides will not allow only small children and those who are in the stage of severe alcoholic intoxication on the route.
The reverse side of St. Petersburg
We are all accustomed to the fact that St. Petersburg is a city of luxurious palaces, parks and museums. But what is hiding behind its front side? What secrets do city courtyards keep? An individual program with a guide by car will allow you to take a different look at the usual tourist attractions. The route passes through several districts of the city, its center, the Petrogradskaya side.
You will see the famous "well courtyards". You will walk through the places that inspired Dostoevsky and Gogol, in the footsteps of the “last heroes” and “new romantics”, and learn the secrets of the tenement houses of St. Petersburg. Offers:
- Legends and secrets of the famous city streets and courtyards
- The most extraordinary courtyards, whimsical fountains, amazing architectural solutions
- Contemporary art: graffiti, sculpture, their combination with tradition in the design of city streets
- The whole history of the city - from the time of Peter to the present day, reflected in the Petersburg courtyards
Guided tours are available all year round. A comfortable car is at your service, and no vagaries of the St. Petersburg weather will prevent you from feeling the romance of this city. The tour is designed for 1–6 people and lasts 2 hours.
Peterhof - the residence of Peter the Great
Peterhof is a living history. It seems that there is a different countdown, and you are still in the 18-19th centuries. The guide will tell you about how the famous palace and park ensemble was formed, which architects had a hand in the birth of its masterpieces. Tourists will visit the Great Imperial Palace, which can outshine Versailles with its splendor. And its walls conceal secrets no less than the walls of its French “brother”.
Then you will find the Lower Park, its fountains and palaces, each of which is worthy of a separate story. It is not for nothing that Peterhof is included in the list of the “seven wonders of Russia”. You will admire the view of the Gulf of Finland, walk along the paths along which the emperors walked, and hear previously unknown facts from their lives.
The guide will also pay attention to the "firecrackers" of the times of Peter the Great. In Peterhof, you can always go horseback riding, take pictures with artists dressed in historical costumes, buy souvenirs, and have a snack.
Around Five Corners: Tenement Houses Tour
Very often, standard routes show the city one-sided - only its front side. And this route will allow you to see the northern capital without the usual ceremonial splendor. Quiet courtyards, old residential buildings, St. Petersburg communal apartments still retain the extraordinary charm of the past. You can feel it, catch and remember this elusive world for a moment on this sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg. The route starts from the Vladimirskaya metro station.
You will learn the history of this area, get to know the life of its inhabitants in the past centuries and now. You will see and be able to closely examine the richly preserved decoration of the facades of the tenement houses; you will look into the front ones, usually hidden from prying eyes, with heavy oak doors, copper details, carved bars, wide staircases and old cages-lifts.
A journey awaits you in our recent Soviet past - still a residential communal apartment in which Sergei Dovlatov once lived. In all these houses, the original interiors are still preserved: real metlakh tiles, stucco moldings on the facades, walls and ceilings of the front ones, paintings on the walls. This era is rapidly passing away, and we have less and less chance of touching the past.
To Kronstadt by business class car
The trip will last 4 hours. Previously, those who were going to visit Kronstadt required a special pass. Today you can drive here freely. Everything here is permeated with a marine theme.
You will see:
- Naval Nikolsky Cathedral
- Petrovsky dock
- Anchor area
- Admiralty
- Blue bridge
- Officers' Assembly Buildings
- Italian palace
Many will think that Kronstadt resembles St. Petersburg in miniature. There is even a Gostiny Dvor here. And, of course, everyone knows the name of Saint Righteous John of Kronstadt, to whom people from all over Mother Russia were traveling. Tourists will be given free time for a closer acquaintance with Kronstadt, buying souvenirs.
Petersburg from the roof
Many modern hotels and restaurants now offer their guests the opportunity to look at the splendor of the city from panoramic windows or specially organized viewing platforms. You can look at the center from a bird's eye view.
However, for those who are not enough, for those who love romance and real adventures, we offer excursions on the roofs of St. Petersburg, accompanied by professional guides. You will get legal access to the roofs of several houses in the city center.
From the roof of one house it will be possible to move to another, literally rise above the hustle and bustle and see the Admiralty, the Neva and the opening of bridges from above. Along the way, you will learn about how the city was built, why all the buildings in the center have the same height, what secrets are kept by the roofs of the city, you will see a district of the city that has completely survived after the war, and the guides will tell you why this happened.
Due to bad weather, previously booked excursions are postponed to more favorable days. When going for a walk on the rooftops, put on comfortable non-slip shoes (sneakers or sneakers), try to free your hands. The duration of the excursion is 1 hour, group (up to 10 people) or individual walks are possible.
Mystical Petersburg
Like any city, during its three-hundred-year history, St. Petersburg has kept many mystical secrets, mysteries and rumors.The very foundation of the city, contrary to the opinion of the majority of local residents and the Moscow nobility, on the site of the old temple and swamps was accompanied by legends and ominous predictions, which the progressive monarch simply ignored.
The city grew and acquired new mystical secrets and wonders. Get to know them better, try to solve the mysteries of the city, learn a lot of scary and funny stories associated with them, you can on this excursion.
Program:
- The Mystery of the Field of Mars
- Temple of the Aztec god of death in the heart of the city
- Smolensk cemetery and associated mysterious stories from the life of the St. Petersburg nobility, a visit to the grave of A. Blok - one of the most mystical Russian poets and the chapel of Xenia of Petersburg - the most revered city saint
- Mikhailovsky Castle and the ghost of Emperor Paul appearing in the evenings
- The mystery of the 1000th chamber of the famous "Crosses"
- Silent witnesses of history - sphinxes on the University Embankment
- Rotunda on Gorokhovaya, where initiations into Masons took place, and in the 80s rock musicians gave concerts
In addition, you will learn about the pagan stone Atakan, about where you can see the ghosts of the White Lady and Sophia Perovskaya, the house of Rasputin and the mysterious stories associated with it. This sightseeing bus tour is 3 hours long. It is possible to pass it in a group or individually.
Singer House - Interiors and Roof Rises
The famous Singer House is one of the adornments of Nevsky Prospekt - a building that cannot be overlooked, despite the close proximity of other architectural gems.
The rich Art Nouveau facade of the building is decorated with bronze floral ornaments, huge windows and glass roofs of courtyards, as well as drain pipes hidden inside - all this made this building different from all others already at the beginning of the 20th century.
The facade of the building is decorated with sculptures of Valkyries, symbolizing technological progress, and the roof is crowned with a tall glass tower. The interior of the Singer House is no less interesting. Participants will not only be able to learn the history of the famous building, inspect it from all sides, but also go inside and appreciate the artistic solutions of the architects of the beginning of the last century, and then go up to the roof to look at the city from above.
Apartment buildings - visit the rooftops and inside
In the 19th century, tenement houses began to be built in St. Petersburg. Residents of such houses were often educated, intelligent, wealthy people with excellent taste and the ability to translate it into interior design of their own apartments and front doors.
All the tenement houses of that time were built in the Art Nouveau or Neo-Renaissance style, great importance was attached to the decoration of facades and interiors, and not only stairs, walls, doors and windows, but also small details were executed with invariable grace.
On the tour, you will learn the history of several St. Petersburg houses, about who lived in them, what events took place here and what legends are associated with the houses and some of their residents. You can look into the usually closed front doors and see all the details of the interiors of the apartment buildings. Go through the courtyards and try to find secret passages connecting several houses.
And at the end of the excursion, go up to the roof of one of the houses to take a closer look at the decorative details in the high mansards and admire the view of St. Petersburg from above. In winter, there may be changes in the program, including it is not always possible to climb to the roof.
The walk is designed for 2 hours and can be held either individually or for a group of no more than 15 people. Be prepared to walk a lot and climb stairs. The route may be changed due to rain.
Peterhof and Kronstadt in one day
The former imperial residence and city of military naval glory can be seen in one day. The excursion program starts from your accommodation in the city and takes you to the largest fountain complex. On the way, you can see the country estates, find out to whom they belonged.
In Peterhof, you will see the fountains launch at 11 am, learn the history of the construction of Peterhof, its tragic pages associated with the Great Patriotic War, how museum values were evacuated, how they were restored after the war.
And then go to the city founded by Peter - a symbol of the sea glory of the Baltic Fleet: look at the famous architectural monuments of the fortress, its hydraulic engineering and defensive structures, see the Naval Cathedral and learn its history.
The program is conducted individually or for a small group (up to 7 people). It starts and ends at the hotel or any other place convenient for you.
Petersburg through the eyes of local residents
Coming to St. Petersburg, we always go along the famous tourist routes, where we often meet mostly the same tourists. And what do the residents of the city like? How do they live? What exhibitions do they attend? Where do local artists and poets get their inspiration?
Where do they like to relax and what do they think about the most iconic places of their city? An individual program with a guide who knows and loves his city, will show you the city through the eyes of its native. What awaits you on the excursion:
- The most interesting facts about the Summer Garden
- Student signs and rituals associated with the city and its monuments, which will certainly help to successfully pass the session
- A copy of the Palazzo del Capitanio on St. Petersburg street
- Magic attic of artists
- Coffee shops where the most delicious coffee is brewed and places where you can listen to jazz
The tour lasts 3 hours and is designed for an individual walk with a guide or a small company of 4 people.
Peter and Paul Fortress for children
A program for children, which in a relaxed manner will acquaint children with one of the main symbols of the city. The fortress, which witnessed great events in the history of the city, keeps many secrets and legends.
The city originates from here and everything in its history is connected with it. Children are invited to learn more about her past through riddles, legends, interesting facts and games.
It is held in the courtyards of the fortress with a visit to free premises. If desired, for an additional fee for entrance, it is possible to visit the Nevskaya panorama, you can look into the prisons of the Trubetskoy bastion. The walk is designed for children between the ages of 5 and 16. For different age groups, there is a different presentation of the material and its content. A family excursion is also possible.
Legends and tales of St. Petersburg
Each city has its own legends and entertaining stories. The city in which history was made, where great emperors, generals, poets and writers lived, cannot but keep all this. You will walk through the most interesting places - you will reach the place where there was the most swampy swamp, perform the traditional student ritual at the Mikhailovsky Castle, try to get into the famous Chizhik-Pyzhik with a coin, admire the grating of the Summer Garden, see the legendary pub "Stray Dog", whose regulars there were artists, poets and writers of the beginning of the last century.
Along the way, you will hear many mysterious and funny stories associated with these places. The walk is designed for a group of up to 10 people, it can be carried out individually. If desired, a photographer can take part in it, then wonderful photos will remain as a keepsake. The walk lasts 1.5 hours.
Secret places of Vasilievsky Island
The most mysterious area of St. Petersburg - Vasilievsky Island is inundated with legends and mystical secrets. Sphinxes and idols guarding the island, stories about ghosts, corridors between worlds and good spirits that live here and grant wishes - all this has become the usual content of this mysterious island.
The path starts from the Spit of the island, and then along the embankment you will pass and see not only its front side, but also the most secret corners.You will reach the old Pel pharmacy and find out what secrets are connected with it. In addition, at the end of the tour, you will receive great photos as a souvenir. Designed for small groups of up to 10 people or for an individual tour.
Sightseeing tour with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress
The walk will allow you to get acquainted with the main sights and walk along one of its most interesting objects - the Peter and Paul Fortress. You will see Nevsky Prospect, and the guide will tell you about the famous houses that stretch on both sides of it. Gostiny Dvor, Singer House, Eliseevsky Store, Kazan Cathedral - all this will appear to your eyes.
The group will proceed to St. Isaac's Square and the world famous St. Isaac's Cathedral. Inside it can simultaneously gather up to 14 thousand people, and on the walls you can still see traces of shells - the notches of the Great Patriotic War. The guide will acquaint you with interesting facts about the objects that the bus will follow.
Mariinsky Palace, Senate Square, monuments, bridges, canals ... Visitors to the city are greatly impressed by a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress.
Halls of the Hermitage
A walk will be an excellent option to start exploring the city. Having seen the most famous historical and cultural sites, you decide which of them you want to get to know in more detail during your stay in the "Northern Capital".
You will see:
- Nevsky Prospect
- Kazan Cathedral
- Saint Isaac's Cathedral
- Spit of Vasilievsky Island
- Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
- Bronze Horseman
- Palace Square
As well as famous monuments, palaces and houses where writers, poets and artists lived.
The peculiarity of this excursion is that during your visit to the Hermitage, the guides will show you the most interesting rooms, and the story will be quite detailed. Thus, within one excursion, you will receive two. In addition, you will get acquainted with the interiors of the Winter Palace.
