Classic Saint Petersburg: A 3-Day Itinerary for the Cultured Traveller

09:00 – Start at Palace Square. Visit the State Hermitage Museum (Winter Palace). Allocate 3–4 hours for the main building. Ticket: €12 (online booking recommended).

13:00 – Lunch at Yat Restaurant (Nevsky, 60) – Russian cuisine, mains €10–€15.

15:00 – Walk along Nevsky Prospekt to the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood. Entry €5. Then visit Kazan Cathedral (free).

19:00 – Dinner at Gogol (Malaya Morskaya, 8) – cosy, classic dishes, €20–€30 for three courses.

09:00 – Take a hydrofoil from the Winter Palace pier to Peterhof Grand Palace (30 min, €15 one-way). Ticket to the palace and lower park: €20.

12:30 – Explore the fountains and gardens. Lunch at the park café (sandwich & coffee ~€10).

15:00 – Return by hydrofoil. Rest at hotel.

19:00 – Evening at the Mariinsky Theatre (ballet or opera). Tickets from €25 (balcony) to €150 (stalls). Book at least 2 weeks ahead. Dress code: smart casual.

10:00 – Visit Peter & Paul Fortress on Zayachy Island. See the cathedral and the prison. Entry €7.

12:00 – 1-hour canal cruise (depart from Moyka River). €10. See the colourful facades and bridges.

13:30 – Lunch at Teremok (blini & soup, €5–€8) – fast local chain.

15:00 – Stroll through Summer Garden (free) and along the Fontanka River. Visit the Fabergé Museum (€10) if time allows.

19:00 – Farewell dinner at Mansarda (rooftop, Nevsky 12) – panoramic view, mains €20–€35.

Accommodation (3 nights): €180–€300 (mid-range hotel near Nevsky or Admiralteyskaya).

Food (3 days): €45–€90 (mix of cafes and restaurants).

Transport: €30–€45 (hydrofoil, metro, taxis).

Entry fees & entertainment: €60–€80 (Hermitage, Peterhof, Mariinsky, etc.).

Total per person: approx. €315–€515 (excluding flights).

From the airport (LED): Take the Aeroexpress train to Baltiysky station (€5, 35 min), then metro to centre. Taxi from airport to centre: €20–€30 (30–45 min).

Public transport: Metro is efficient (€0.50 per ride). Buy a multi-ride card (Troika) from ticket machines. Buses and trams cover the centre.

Taxis: Use Yandex Go app (€3–€8 within centre). Avoid street hailing.

Walking: The central area (Nevsky, Palace Square, canals) is very walkable. Wear comfortable shoes.

Best time: Late May to early July for the White Nights (endless daylight) and the Scarlet Sails festival (mid-June). Temperatures: 15–25°C.

Good alternative: September (cooler, fewer crowds, golden foliage).

Winter (December–February): Very cold (-10°C to -20°C), but fewer tourists and lower prices. Some fountains are turned off.

Avoid: November (grey, rainy, muddy).