St Petersburg itinerary: How to spend 2 days in the Russian city

St Petersburg itinerary: How to spend 2 days in the Russian city

St Petersburg itinerary

With its grandiose buildings, intricate architecture, grand boulevards and storied past, St. Petersburg, Russia is one of the world’s most historically significant cities. Made up of 47 islands connected by winding canals and 500 bridges, the city is like a mix between Paris, Amsterdam and Venice—just as Peter the Great intended when he commissioned the best architects from around Europe to design the city centuries ago.

St Petersburg itinerary

St Petersburg itinerary

For most people a visit to Russia is the trip of a lifetime, but with long flights and costly visa requirements it’s not always easy to make it happen. Fortunately, visa restrictions are waived for 48 hours for those arriving on a Baltic cruise, which is why many people end up spending two days in St Petersburg doing organized excursions. 

So, how do you make the most of a quick trip to a world class city? Here’s what to include on your short but sweet St Petersburg itinerary.

St Petersburg itinerary

What to see in St Petersburg: Day 1

Kick off your St. Petersburg itinerary in the heart of the city at St. Isaac’s Cathedral, which is famous for its Vatican-like golden cupola hoisted up by giant columns. It took 40 years to build the impressive Russian Orthodox church, which is a true masterpiece both inside and out.

2 days in St Petersburg, Russia

Admire the exterior from all angles, then head through the bronze doors to take in the beauty of the mosaics, vibrant paintings and gorgeous stained glass windows that adorn the interior. The massive complex is large enough to hold 14,000 worshipers, but today is used more as a museum than for religious services.

Globe Guide tip: Climb the nearly 300 steps up to the top of the cathedral, and be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of the city. Click to book

St. Isaac's Cathedral St Petersburg, Russia
St. Isaac’s Cathedral

St. Isaac's Cathedral St Petersburg, Russia

 

Hermitage Museum

One of the top things to see in St. Petersburg is a place where one could easily spend hours, if not days: Palace Square. The beautiful plaza is anchored by the famous Hermitage Museum, which is made up of five buildings including the Winter Palace which formerly served as a residence for Russian emperors.

2 days in St Petersburg, Russia

The Hermitage is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world, and has been open to the public since 1852. Today, it houses nearly three million priceless exhibits, including works from the likes of Da Vinci and Raphael. Click to book

St Petersburg, Russia
The Hermitage Museum. Courtesy of Shutterstock

Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood

Though it’ll be tough to tear yourself away from the masterpieces, there are still plenty of things to see in St. Petersburg—including one of Russia’s most photographed sights. Head over to the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, an exquisitely-designed, elaborate Russian Orthodox church built on the very spot where Alexander II was assassinated more than a century ago.

2 days in St Petersburg, Russia
Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood

Designed to mimic iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral found in Moscow’s Red Square, the 81-metre tall structure features five onion-shaped domes, mosaics, vibrant facades and an extravagant interior which is open to the public. For the best vantage points of the architectural masterpiece, grab a spot on the nearby footbridge, from the water during a canal tour, or walk right up to the front doors for a unique angle.

Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, St Petersburg itinerary

Peter and Paul Cathedral

After crossing the picturesque Troitskiy Bridge that stretches over the Neva River, you’ll arrive at Peter and Paul Cathedral.

2 days in St Petersburg, Russia

Built by forced labour in the early 1700s, it was initially a fortress that served as a political prison. However, it eventually grew to include the blindingly-brilliant, gold-gilded cathedral marked by a towering spire. Today, it’s a must to include on a St Petersburg itinerary, as it houses the tombs of Russia’s imperial family including Peter the Great, Nicholas II and Catherine the Great. Click to book


Russian ballet at Mariinsky Theatre

The best way to end your first day in St. Petersburg is by spending the evening at the ballet—the dance originated in Russia, after all. One iconic spot to enjoy a production is at the historical Mariinsky Theatre, which dates back to 1783 and has hosted world class performances from great Russian singers, orchestras, operas and dance companies.

If you don’t manage to snag tickets ahead of time for a concert at Mariinsky, another option is the grand Alexandrinsky Theatre which has been operating since the mid-1700s. The golden balconies are draped with thick red curtains, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house to take in classic performances like Swan Lake or The Nutcracker.

St Petersburg, Russia
Alexandrinsky Theatre

St Petersburg, Russia Alexandrinsky Theatre
During intermission, grab a glass of champagne and head out to the balcony which is the perfect place to watch the sunset over Ekaterininskiy Park.

St Petersburg, Russia

St Petersburg itinerary: Day 2

Day two in St. Petersburg means heading outside the city, as some of its most significant sites are found about a 45 minute drive from the city centre. While it’s possible to get to them by public transport, it’s much quicker to get there by car so try and hire a private driver or book a guided tour (which is mandatory if you visit St Petersburg through the visa free program).

Catherine Palace

The first stop should be magnificent Catherine Palace, found in the town of Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s Village). The opulent palace was designed in the rococo style, and highlights include the gilded Great Staircase surrounded by baroque staterooms, and the dazzling Great Hall which is lined with mirrors and chandeliers.

Give yourself plenty to time to wander through the interior, before heading out to explore the sprawling grounds which include 1,400 acres of manicured gardens and a lake. Click to book

St Petersburg, Russia
Catherine’s Palace. Courtesy of Shutterstock

Visit Peterhof Palace and Gardens

The final stop of your grand St. Petersburg tour should be Peterhof Palace and Gardens, which is one of Peter the Great’s crowning achievements and is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gargantuan estate is found in the town of Petergof, which is about a 45 minute drive from Catherine Palace or the city.

Tour Peterhof Palace and Gardens in Russia

Nicknamed the “Russian Versailles,” the extravagant summer residence was built in the 1700s, and features a lavish, sunshine-yellow Grand Palace perched high on a hill overlooking the grounds. Visitors are welcome to tour the interior, where rooms are decorated with silk tapestries, frescos and sculptures.

The dramatic ballroom where golden facades drip off the walls is a highlight, as is the White Dining Room which is lined with exquisite chandeliers.

READ MORE: A tour through Russia’s opulent Peterhof Palace and Gardens

Tour Peterhof Palace and Gardens in Russia

 

As impressive as the palace is, the grounds steal the show thanks to the numerous fountains, lush gardens, canal and statues surrounding the estate. Visitors love the daily turning-on of the Grand Cascade fountain, which sees water shoot out of a golden sculpture and pour down the hillside in time to classical music.

Once your visit to Peterhof is all wrapped up, you can drive back to the city or meet your ship by taking a hydrofoil across the Gulf of Finland—the perfect way to cap off your whirlwind St Petersburg 2 day itinerary.

Quick guide to St Petersburg

Timing is everything: The customs lines can be loooong, especially if you’re arriving on a mega cruise ship. With that in mind, be sure to account for at least an hour just to get through passport patrol.

St Petersburg tours: If you’re arriving by boat and didn’t arrange for a special tourist visa prior to arrival, the only way you’ll be allowed to see St Petersburg is with an accredited tour operator. There are plenty of options, including those organized through your ship, group tours based out of St. Petersburg and even private drivers.

Lucky enough to be free to roam on your own? It still might be worth booking a private driver or paying for a hop on/off bus and canal tour, which will take you directly to the main sites so you don’t need to try navigating the public transportation.

 

2 days in St Petersburg, Russia

Where to stay in St Petersburg, Russia

  • Pushka Inn Hotel: With a pretty location along the waterfront, the Pushka Inn blends modern comforts with historic touches like a stone staircase from 1810. Rooms are large and well-appointed, and well priced. Click to book
  • Hotel Helvetia: This elegant hotel in the heart of the city dates back to the early 1900s. Guests rave about the service and cozy, homey vibe. Click to book
  • Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg: Spring for a night of luxury at this opulent property, located just a couple blocks away fromtwo blocks from the Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum. The former palace as been beautifully restored, and features a grand granite staircase, spacious rooms, a spa and pool under a glass dome. Click to book

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This article was originally published in April 2017 and updated in May 2020

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22 thoughts on “St Petersburg itinerary: How to spend 2 days in the Russian city”

  1. Pingback: Do you need a visa to travel to Russia during a cruise?

  2. Pingback: A tour through Russia's opulent Peterhof Palace and Gardens

  3. St Petersburg is high up on my bucket list and you just did all my planning for me! I sorta love you right now — pinned 🙂

  4. The significance of this place is amazing….I have heard as well as read soo much about st. Petersburg, Russia. Visiting the whole historical place in 2 days is pretty difficult!! But then too the places can be covered…Your itinerary is great for people pressed on time and needing to cover the important places in a couple of days.

  5. Ah, St Petersburg! One of my favourite cities in the world, you managed to squeeze in quite a lot in those 2 days – great itinerary, indeed!

  6. I live in St. Petersburg and while day 1 is possible, you’d only get a very short amount of time in each place, most museums don’t open until 10am and close about 6pm. So check the days and times. Day 2 would really only be possible with a driver, and a VERY fast walker, both of those locations are HUGE and again don’t open early in the day. St. P is a late night city, most things don’t open until 10am including most shops, and stay open late, at least 11pm, many 24 hours. And lots of things are open late during White Nights.

    That said, whatever you do see is amazing it’s a gorgeous city, stunning from the water too!

  7. Arnab Sensarma

    Hey Tamara, i got all the sites to visit, from this post…Thanks…I will be visiting late September with mah wife…Can you please suggest how can we avail public transport….metro/tram/ taxi etc.

  8. Pingback: 25 photos of Tallinn, Estonia that will make you want to visit

  9. Pingback: A tour through Russia’s opulent Peterhof Palace and Gardens

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