What makes St. Petersburg so attractive for tourists from all over the world?

Known abroad as the "City of the Tsars", St. Petersburg offers a fascinating glimpse into Russia’s historical relics. It is also one of the most ornate and beautiful cities on the outskirts of Western Russia. And not only that, but there are many of the best things to do in St. Petersburg, which are located throughout the city.

This is the kind of city that is absolutely amazing to explore on foot or with an official guide who will take you to all the incredible sites and palaces, the St.

Also, since Saint Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia, it is also known as the cultural capital of Russia. This is especially true with all the ballet and opera performances that take place in the city every month. It’s absolutely incredible and one of the best things to do in St. Petersburg if you find yourself there.

With that in mind, take a look at some of the best things to do in St. Petersburg. This is an iconic Russian city, which, moreover, is very beautiful.

1) Explore the Grand Peterhof Palace and Grand Cascade

One of the great things about the Peterhof Grand Palace is that it’s a lot of fun to get to. First, you’ll need to ride one of the city’s hydrofoils around the pond, which is as fun as it sounds. It’s a great way to cross over to the other side, and it’s completely kitsch.

Built in the 18th century (and similar in design to Versailles in France), the palace is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best things to do in St. Petersburg.

Just be sure to purchase your tickets in advance and be prepared for crowds on busy days. This is one of the most vivid impressions from getting to know the city and a place where every new visitor wants to go.

2) Visit the Hermitage

First created on the orders of Catherine the Great, the Hermitage contains an impressive 3 million exhibits. That makes Ekaterina a bit of a hoarder in my eyes, doesn’t it?????

Whether she’s a hoarder or not, this is an absolutely amazing museum that will take forever to fully explore. Inside, the rooms are filled with all kinds of samples and historical artifacts, which are several centuries old. Also, it is especially interesting if you want to learn more about Russian art and culture.

Plus, it’s one of the best things to do in St. Petersburg if you’re visiting during the winter months, as everything is inside. Pleasant and warm!

The whole complex of the Winter Palace is simply amazing.

3) Find the old Rostral Column

Once a lighthouse that drove away ships, this column still proudly towers over the city. Made in the Roman style, it is quite a spectacular sight that is literally not to be missed, especially if you love history.

Oh, and don’t forget that if you look closely, you’ll notice carvings of ancient gods on it. To be honest, this can be missed when exploring the city and any guide worth their salt can easily include this on a tour.

4) See the Bronze Horseman of the city

Created in 1782, the statue of the Bronze Horseman is known as one of the national symbols of the city, which the locals are very proud of.

The statue is made in the form of Peter the Great and is said to symbolize the strength of the city and the people who live in it. You’ll most likely only spend 5 minutes or so here, but it’s still one of the best things to do in St. Petersburg if you want to see the national symbol.

After that, head to the Mariinsky Theater and be sure to watch opera and ballet performances that are known all over the world. This is an incredible sight for which St. Petersburg is famous all over the world.

5) See Issac Cathedral

You will surely notice the Issakievsky Cathedral from afar thanks to its dome, which is made of more than 100 kilograms of gold.

Built back in 1858, it attracts with its luxury and stunning architecture, which is simply impossible not to see. He is truly gorgeous and absolutely incredible on the inside. This whole place is just wonderful.

As you can imagine, 100 kg of gold makes this place very special and one of the best things to do in St. Petersburg.

6) Wander around the Cathedral of the Peter and Paul Fortress

The last resting place of many Romanov rulers, you can now view the elaborately carved sarcophagi that line the walls of this special place.

Although it is a rather grim sight, here you can get a unique insight into the history of Russia, which is known throughout the country.

7) Ride along the canals and the Neva River

St. Petersburg is covered with canals and crossed by the Neva River.

One of the best ways to see the city (and relax at the same time) is to take a boat ride on the mighty river and marvel at the majestic architecture along the way. This is perfect at sunset and you get great views of the city.

This is one of the best things to do in Saint Petersburg if you want to see the city from a completely different perspective.

8) Visit the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

The rather disturbing name of this church is due to the fact that it stands on the spot where Alexander II was killed.

For many years the church was destroyed, but since 1997 it has been open to the public after being restored to its former splendor. Nowadays, it can be easily seen and is quite an epic place to visit while exploring all the best things to do in St. Petersburg.

9) Discover St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral

Dedicated to everything related to the Russian Navy, this is an interesting place and a quirky landmark of the city.

The interior of the cathedral will take you through the history of the Russian navy, but be warned, if you are not interested in the navy, you may find it as boring as dishes.

After that, take a walk along Nevsky Prospekt, which is one of the busiest streets in the whole city.

Elizabeth Baum