Top Things to Do in Saint Petersburg

About the City

Saint Petersburg, the crown jewel of Russia, sits perched on the Neva River, whisking onlookers away on a magical tour through history. This city dances under the spell of White Nights, when the sun barely dips below the horizon, draping the city in a twilight gleam that makes midnight feel like early evening. Imagine wandering across the drawbridges and past the regal façade of the Hermitage museum, a treasure trove of art so vast you could spend weeks and not see it all. Don't forget to wrap up warm for the winter; the city transforms into a snowy wonderland that can chill you to the bone and dazzle with ice festivals, though the cold might just have you hustling indoors for solace in a cozy cafe. Speaking of colder days, the whimsical beauty can take a turn with Mother Nature hurling storms and heavy snowfall that shuts down the streets and makes you second-guess your wardrobe choices. Traffic can be as daunting as a Russian novel, and the undulating language barrier might have you miming your way through interactions. Nonetheless, this city is a canvas of experiences painted with the opulence of tsars, the whispers of history echoing through the streets, and the ever-present allure of discovering something surreal at every turn.

Things to Do in Saint Petersburg

Nibble on Nostalgic Syrniki

Food & Drink

Syrniki are little ricotta-esque pancake treasures, fried to golden perfection. They're sweet, they're savory, and they come with a side of sour cream, fruit jam, or honey to make your taste buds danc...

Sculpt Your Own Snow Masterpiece

Outdoors

Tap into your inner Michelangelo and sculpt some snowy art! Armed with just mittens and imagination, you can turn a pile of snow into a frosty masterpiece. Think snowmen are overrated? Craft a snow-be...

Join a Russian Folk Choir for a Day

The Unexpected

Ever dreamed of belting out traditional Russian tunes with the soul of a Slavic bard? Jump into a folk choir and harmonize with the locals. Don't feel intimidated if you don't know the words; it's all...

Twist and Shout at a Swing Dance Soiree

The Unexpected

Slip on your dancing shoes and jitterbug the night away at a swingin' St. Petersburg speakeasy. With live bands belting out the beats, you'll Lindy Hop 'till you drop!

Engage in Ice Sculpting Extravaganza

The Unexpected

Who needs regular art when you can chip away at a block of ice and create a frosty marvel? Don those gloves and let your chisel dance to the rhythm of your inner ice artist. Remember — no licking your...

Master the Art of Tea Brewing at a Russian Tea Ceremony

The Unexpected

Get your pinkie finger prepped for some serious tea action at a traditional Russian tea ceremony! With an elaborate setup of samovars and the finest loose-leaf teas, you'll learn to brew like the babu...

Bike the Boulevards

Outdoors

Feel the breeze in your hair as you pedal through the picturesque paths of Saint Petersburg! Embrace your inner two-wheeled explorer and cruise by the city’s stunning architecture and river views. It'...

Treasure Hunt in the Summer Garden

Outdoors

Feelin' like an urban Indiana Jones? Then dive into the world of treasure hunting in the Summer Garden! Navigate the twists and turns, solve riddles, and find hidden gems among the statues and fountai...

Leap Like a Cossack at an Outdoor Folk Dance

Outdoors

Kick those heels high and let loose with the locals at an outdoor Russian folk dance! Step in tune with traditional music and feel the spirit of the city. It's a hopping good time for everyone, so don...

Winter Wonders on Skates

Outdoors

Get ready to twirl and whirl on ice with the locals! Whether you're nailing a pirouette or clinging to the edge for dear life, outdoor ice skating in Saint Petersburg is chillier than a polar bear's p...

Crack Open a Russian-style Craft Beer

Food & Drink

Chill out with a cold one, Russian-style! St. Petersburg's craft beer scene is hopping, and it's your chance to sip on unique brews that burst with local flavors and creativity.

Unravel the Mysteries of the Kunstkamera

Sights

Get ready to have your mind boggled at the Kunstkamera, Russia's first ever museum. Home to Peter the Great's collection of oddities, you'll encounter weird wonders and curiosities that'll make your b...

Gawk at the Gorgeous Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

Sights

Get ready for an eye-popping experience at the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, which is like a giant candied confection with its onion domes and a zillion mosaic tiles. Step inside and prepare ...

Prowl the Lavish Corridors of the Faberge Museum

Sights

Get ready to ooh and aah over the crème de la crème of Russian craftsmanship at the Faberge Museum. Home to the fanciest eggs you'll see outside of Easter, these bejeweled beauties will have you conte...

Wind Through the Whispering Galleries of the Russian Museum

Sights

Take a stroll through the Russian Museum and get up close and personal with the motherland's finest art. From iconic landscapes to avant-garde oddities, you'll whisk through centuries of creativity fa...

Conquer the Mighty Peterhof Palace and Gardens

Sights

Pack your best walking shoes and strut out to Peterhof, the Versailles of Russia. With trick fountains that might give you a surprise spray, gilded statues, and gardens that stretch further than your ...

Taste the Twists of Russian Blini

Food & Drink

Feast your eyes—and your taste buds—on Russia's version of pancakes, blini! These thin, crepe-like wonders are the perfect canvas for a smorgasbord of toppings. Slather them with creamy smetana, dollo...

Get Hooked on Smoked Omul

Food & Drink

Take a bite into the sublime smokiness of omul, Baikal's beloved fish. Whether you enjoy it as a snack on the go or as part of a fancy feast, this fish is a smokin' sensation that will reel you in wit...

Devour the Delicacy of Medovik

Food & Drink

Indulge in the layered lusciousness of Medovik, the honey cake that rules all cake battles in Russia. It's sweet, it's creamy, and it's sticky in all the right ways, packed with the buzz-worthy flavor...

Rooftop Rambling

The Unexpected

Find a high point in the city and take your sense of adventure to new heights with some rooftop wandering. From up here, the 'Venice of the North' sprawls beneath you like a sprawling, majestic kingdo...