Why Go to St. Petersburg
YOUR DESTINATION AT A GLANCE
St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, who wanted a European-style capital for Russia, it's a city of grand boulevards, canals and palaces, home to the Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace, the golden-domed St. Isaac's Cathedral, the colorful Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and the fountains of Peterhof. It was the home of literary and musical greats like Dostoyevsky and Tchaikovsky.
Important for U.S. travelers: the U.S. State Department currently advises Americans not to travel to Russia, citing serious safety risks, the potential for wrongful detention and limited ability to help U.S. citizens. Cruise lines have also removed St. Petersburg from Baltic itineraries.
For now, I don't recommend booking travel to St. Petersburg. If you love imperial palaces, art and Baltic history, I'd be happy to suggest beautiful alternatives such as Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen on a Baltic cruise, and I'll watch for changes in the guidance.
BEST FOR
Art lovers, history buffs and travelers studying Russia's imperial capital
BEST MONTHS
May to September, especially June's White Nights
EXPLORE
- Historic Center & Nevsky Prospekt: The city's grand main avenue, lined with palaces, churches and cafés.
- Palace Square & the Admiralty: The Winter Palace, the Hermitage and St. Isaac's Cathedral.
- Vasilyevsky Island: Historic university buildings, museums and views back across the Neva.
- Petrogradsky District: The Peter and Paul Fortress, where the city was founded in 1703.
- Imperial suburbs: Peterhof and Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo), home to the famous palaces and fountains.
SIX18 SIGNATURE DESTINATION GUIDE
St. Petersburg, Russia
Europe › Eastern Europe › Russia › Saint Petersburg
Imperial palaces, grand canals and world-class art on the banks of the Neva.
Historical & Heritage
Museums
Art
Architecture
SIX18 INSIDER TIP
U.S. State Department: Level 4 Do Not Travel to Russia; check official guidance and consular limitations before considering a visit.
Experiences Worth Exploring
THINGS TO DO
Treat this as background cultural information; U.S. citizens are advised not to travel to Russia.
State Hermitage Museum
The vast art museum occupies historic buildings including the Winter Palace beside Palace Square.
Check official travel warnings rather than planning an immediate visit.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
An elaborate church renowned for colorful onion domes and detailed mosaics along a central canal.
The complex covers a large area with uneven historic surfaces.
Peter and Paul Fortress
An early fortress complex on Hare Island contains the Peter and Paul Cathedral and historical museums.
Observation access and museum arrangements can change.
St. Isaac’s Cathedral
A monumental domed cathedral stands near the Admiralty and central squares.
Large crowds and traffic require normal urban care.
Nevsky Prospekt
The principal central avenue passes shops, bridges and landmark historic buildings.
The city's oldest grand hotel, open since 1875, set between Nevsky Prospekt and Arts Square with restored Art Nouveau interiors.
Grand Hotel Europe
Nevsky Prospekt / Arts Square
Hotel Tags
A landmark hotel dating from 1912, overlooking St. Isaac's Cathedral and within walking distance of the Hermitage.
Hotel Astoria
St. Isaac's Square
Hotel Tags
The Astoria's historic sister hotel, one of the city's oldest, with a quieter, more understated style.
Hotel Angleterre
St. Isaac's Square
Hotel Tags
A restored 1820 palace near St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Admiralty, known for its palatial public spaces.
Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg
Admiralteysky Prospekt
Hotel Tags
A contemporary luxury hotel in a historic mansion near St. Isaac's Square, with a spa and modern rooms.
Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg
St. Isaac's Square
Hotel Tags
Curated Accommodations
WHERE TO STAY
November in St. Petersburg, Russia
High 34°F · Low 27°F · Rain 2.2 in
Winter returns with shorter days and cold weather.
Late spring and summer offer long daylight hours; winters are cold and dark. Travel is not advisable under the current U.S. advisory.
Best Times to Visit St. Petersburg
WHEN TO GO
06
Travel Advisory and Consular Limits
The U.S. State Department advises Do Not Travel to Russia. Review official guidance, security concerns and limited consular assistance instead of planning routine tourism.
05
Licensed Ground Transport
Use authorized transportation only, verify local payment ability and avoid relying on U.S.-issued cards in Russia.
04
Walking Historic Center
Major central sights cluster along Nevsky Prospekt and waterways but include long distances and icy winter surfaces.
03
Rail Stations
Separate rail terminals serve routes to Moscow and other destinations. International and domestic services can change without notice.
02
Metro Network
The city has a metro serving major urban areas. Route and payment access must be verified directly if travel is legally and safely possible.
01
Pulkovo Airport
Pulkovo Airport serves St. Petersburg, Russia. U.S. travelers are advised not to travel to Russia; air and financial logistics may be restricted.
Pulkovo Airport serves the city. The historic center is walkable along Nevsky Prospekt and the embankments, and the metro covers longer distances. Under the current U.S. advisory, flights, payments and consular support are severely limited.
Getting Around St. Petersburg