The names that people in Russia call St Petersburg often give visitors the wrong impression. “Venice of the North” makes it sound dainty, when around its elegant streets and mesmerizing art is a chaotic city of five million people. “Window to Europe” doesn’t fit either, as its days of looking at Europe from the outside are long gone. Russians have another name for their city of beauty and commotion, history and innovation: simply “Piter”. Here’s how to best experience Piter in a couple of days.
Saturday Morning
Wake up to a Russian breakfast of blinchiki (pancakes) with sour cream or caviar at Yat restaurant, situated beside the beautiful River Moyka. From there, it’s a short walk to St Petersburg’s heart – the State Hermitage Museum. You could spend a lifetime exploring the Hermitage’s five buildings and still not see all of its art and treasures. If you only have a couple of hours but want to see something unforgettable, find the rooms that house masterpieces by Da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Rubens.
After visiting the Hermitage, take a stroll through the sumptuous Palace Square. Consider stopping by Yusupov Palace – where Grigory Rasputin was murdered in 1916 – and venture to Peter and Paul Fortress, where Tsar Nicholas II and the Romanov family are laid to rest.
Saturday Afternoon
After a morning filled with Piter’s classicism, spend the afternoon exploring some of its more eccentric attractions. Begin with a European lunch infused with a modern Russian twist at Schengen restaurant. Then, brace yourself for a visit to Кunstkamera, famously known as the Museum of Oddities, which showcases peculiar exhibits like centuries-old two-headed embryos in jars. Kunstkamera is conveniently located opposite the Hermitage and Winter Palace, across the River Neva.
As the afternoon wanes, enjoy some leisure time at the entertainment park on New Holland island. This location is popular among young couples and families; here, you may come across concerts, modern art installations, and unique dining experiences.
Saturday Evening
After dinner, consider attending a performance at the Mariinsky Theatre, which provides a decadent yet affordable night out. Alternatively, enjoy a bar crawl in the streets around Sennaya Ploshchad. Piter is renowned for its popular Baltika lager and Tsarskaya vodka, and it’s also the epicenter of Russia’s evolving craft beer and cocktail scenes.
Sunday Morning
Start your day with breakfast on the vibrant Nevsky Prospekt. Ring the buzzer at number 81, and Ziferblat will introduce you to the unique Russian concept of an anticafe. Here, tea, coffee, and cake are complimentary; you pay for the time you spend in this cozy space engaging in chess or board games, and often making new acquaintances.
Nearby, visit the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood. Its breathtaking domes rank among the most iconic sights in Russia, as they mark the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. Finish your morning by exploring the Russian Museum, showcasing paintings by renowned Russian artists like Repin and Shishkin. Alternatively, you can climb to the top of St Isaac’s Cathedral for a panoramic view that highlights the scale of Europe’s fourth-largest city.
Sunday Afternoon
For lunch, indulge in St Petersburg’s rich culinary diversity, perhaps enjoying sushi or Georgian khachapuri (cheese bread) somewhere along Nevsky. Then, stock up on delectable Russian treats at Kupetz Eliseevs, the city’s fanciest department store, adorned with exquisite decor.
If your visit coincides with the White Nights festival between May and July, consider spending a leisurely summer afternoon at Peterhof, the former palace and gardens of Peter the Great. Located about 30km from central St Petersburg, Peterhof is accessible via train, metro, or boat along the Neva from outside the Hermitage. A highlight includes the stunning Lower Park, home to the impressive Grand Cascade, a series of elaborate fountains designed by Peter himself. In winter, venture to Udelnaya Fair, a massive flea market in northern St Petersburg, filled with stalls showcasing nostalgic Tsarist and Soviet-era items.
Sunday Evening
For your final dinner in St Petersburg, transport yourself back in time with an old-fashioned Russian supper at Severyanin restaurant.
