The cultural capital of Russia, St. Petersburg, is a beautiful sight to behold. It offers an array of beautiful architecture, gorgeous Russian girls, and picturesque sceneries. Over the years, this city has welcomed thousands of tourists and housed countless residents.
But, when you visit St Petersburg for the first time, you might be confused about where to go and what to see. Due to limited time and plenty of spots to visit, finding suitable locations may seem like a hassle.
Therefore, we have composed this itinerary for a 5-day trip to St. Petersburg which covers the fun places to visit and activities to do. So keep reading to know more.
Day 1: Hermitage Museum
Empress Catherine the Great built the Hermitage Museum after acquiring some artwork, but it wasn’t until 1852 before the museum was open to the public. The Hermitage is the second-largest art museum in the world after the Louvre. It is also home to over three million collections.
The museum occupies six buildings, but the central building is in the Winter Palace. This palace used to be home to the Russian emperors up until 1917 and contains 1,500 rooms.
You can find French Neoclassical and Impressionist art, Flemish Baroque, Italian Renaissance exhibits, and various Russian art in the museum. The artworks at the Hermitage span eight centuries and there is even an Egyptian antiquity collection from the 19th century.
So, whether you are an art lover or not, the beauty of this museum will keep you glued and serve as an exciting opener into the beauty of St. Petersburg.
Day 2: Vasilyevsky Island
Vasilyevsky Island is located across the Winter Palace and the river in the center of the city. St. Petersburg is indeed the center of art and culture because you can spend the next day strolling through the island after your trip to the Hermitage Museum.
On the island, you will find many beautiful parks to relax and clear your mind. Apart from parks, you will find some remarkable landmarks. The museum of Electrical transport sits beautifully on this island.
So if you are a historian or interested in history generally, you can visit this spot to learn more about the evolution of public transport in St. Petersburg.
If you want more historical views, you will find the Kunstkamera a great place to explore. You can also go further into the Baroque Menshikov Palace to find Russian art from the 17th century.
Day 3: Nevsky Avenue
Nevsky Avenue is the heart of St. Petersburg. After spending your first two days in the city exploring museums, Nevsky avenue is a perfect place to unwind and reflect on your impressions.
It houses one of the oldest shopping arcades in the world – Great Gostiny Dvor from the 18th century. You will also find many high-end stores, classy restaurants, and luxury hotels on Nevsky Avenue.
The area is one of the ideal places to stop at and pick out a few luxury goods. Even if you don’t want to do any shopping, you can decide to have a romantic evening at any restaurant or a royal experience at any of the hotels.
Day 4: Mariinsky Theater
After exploring museums and high-end stores, restaurants, and hotels, you can cool off at the Mariinsky Theater. It is a renowned cultural institution best known for its commitment to ballet and classical music.
In there, you will likely see ballerinas like Ulyana Lopatkina and Diana Vishneva. The rich atmosphere and beautiful interiors of the theater are enough to attract anyone.
Then, the stage is adorned with state-of-the-art acoustics and stage technology. It is an ideal spot for music lovers and enthusiasts. So, an evening performance at Mariinsky Theater should be on your itinerary.
Day 5: St. Isaac’s Cathedral
To crown your trip to St. Petersburg, a tour of St. Isaac’s Cathedral is an excellent option. You will most likely spot the cathedral from a distance because the dome is made of over 100 kilos of gold.
It was built in 1858 and boasts opulent architecture. A visit to this place will help you experience Russian wealth on a different level. It will make you feel ecstatic on your way back home because it is one of the best things to have happened to St. Petersburg.
Conclusion
A vacation now and then is never a bad idea. If you have chosen St. Petersburg as your next vacation spot, this article is what you need.
We understand that you can spend only a limited time on vacations, and there is so much you can see on your tour. The cultural capital is filled with beautiful sights, but these five destinations won’t leave you indifferent.
Also read:
Things To Do In Russia: Moscow, St. Petersburg
The Ultimate Guide Of The Places To Visit In Russia (Updated 2021)
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