St Petersburg

Stunning St Petersburg makes an ideal destination for a three to four day trip in either romantic, snow-white winter or warm, blue-skied summer.  St Petersburg is becoming more popular becasue it's becoming a lot easier to get to by air.  So it pays to book in advance to ensure a bed in one of the best places to stay in St Petersburg.  

St Petersburg is more European looking and feeling than Moscow, as well as being arguably more elegant.  This was Russia’s imperial capital and it looks like a city built by Tsars.  There are fabulous Baroque and Neoclassical palaces, Italianate mansions, beautiful plazas, and grand churches, all showcasing the sophistication and wealth of the Romanovs’, and one of the world’s great collections: the treasures of the State Hermitage Museum.  Built, at much cost of life, on a swamp, St Petersburg is cut through with canals, has around 350 bridges, and plenty of opportunities to stroll along the water.  Which is why it’s often referred to as the Venice of the north.

As well as the Hermitage, St Petersburg has the almost-as-vast Russian Museum and the contemporary Erarta Museum.  Beautiful in summer with the endless hours of light, St Petersburg is also brilliant under the snow.  

For evening entertainment enjoy cultural offerings such as theatre and ballet, and if you hit the city's upscale bars, dress up: St Petersburg's inhabitants like their labels, and we're not talking H&M.

Where To Stay

• If you want to immerse yourself in the city's culture then book a room to stay in Admiralteysky or Nevsky.
• For a quiet couples retreat, close to the all the attractions but wuthout the hustle and bustle, consider basing yourselves in Smolny.
• If you're here on business then try to be in (or as near to as possible) the Tsentralny and Admiralteysky districts.
• Budget travellers will find plenty of cheap hostels in Nevsky or Liteyny.

What Not To Miss

• The iconic Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, built in the late 19th Century to memorialise Alexander II, is an architectural masterpiece. Featuring Italian pink marble floors, wonderful mosaics and opulent interiors, it's a truly breathtaking spot.
• The State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace is not only a magnificent building but also houses a stunning collection of art - put aside several hours; you could easily spend a day here and only scratch the surface of its extraordinarily rich collections.
• Catherine Palace, situated about 30km south of the city makes for a great day out. It is a lovely place to wander around, however the main attraction is the 1400 acres of parkland that surrounds it. Take a break from sightseeing and unwind with a picnic.
• The Grand Maket Russia Interactive Museum houses an 800 metre large miniature display of all the country's cities and regions. An incredible spot that's a must-see.

Be sure to book ahead as the best places to stay in St Petersburg get quickly filled up, and this is a busy year round destination.

For Value

Value is not the first word that springs to mind when looking at accommodation in Russia, but one or two properties in our selection of the best places to stay in St Petersburg definitely deserve that tag.

• St Petersburg’s Rossi Hotel & Spa overlooks one of the cancels, and has 50 rooms designed with comfort in mind, but also showcasing the hotel’s 19th century heritage. Each of the rooms is individually designed and the spa is a great place to relax. Plus rooms start from around £50 per night!
• The Pushka Inn is a real find. A stone's throw from the Hermitage and most of the major sights, it’s a riverside mansion with an elegant facade and 33 rooms - some with balconies. There’s cosy restaurant and an equally cosy bar.
• The Rachmaninov Hotel, situated just behind the Kazan Cathedral, can boast of being, not only, a former home of Rachmaninov himself, but also of its antique filled rooms. And it has an in-house art gallery which changes exhibits every month.

Small Hotels

It can be tricky trying to find a small hotel with a more intimate atmosphere. We have done the hard work and picked two from our list of the best places to stay in St Petersburg,

• Casa Leto has only five rooms and prides itself on their spaciousness plus all the extra freebies it offers as standard: breakfast (continental or cooked), tea and coffee, light refreshments, wifi and free local and international phone calls.
• Alexander House is a family run, 19th century guesthouse in the historic heart of St Petersburg, offering 20 individually designed bedrooms - each themed around a different foreign destination. There’s a Japanese spa and some great Russian food.

Grand Hotels

Five star properties are popping up all over the place, but our favourite grand hotels from our list of the best places to stay in St Petersburg are consistently top-notch.

• St Petersburg’s Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 is a restored Romanov style property. The interiors have been furnished with antiques galore, and the emphasis is on understated luxury and elegance, plus the usual high Kempinski standards when it comes to looking after its guests.
• The Astoria is Rocco Forte's Russian offering. It has been St Petersburg's grandest address for years, but with the Rocco Forte makeover you can now expect smart modern bedrooms alongside grand and glamorous public spaces.

For Location

Though not a huge city and also fairly easy to navigate, you still want to be in a great location. From our choices all the top sights are a short walk or metro ride away.

• The Corinthia on Nevsky Prospekt has recently undergone massive renovation. It now boasts ornate 19th century facades alongside tasteful public areas with an art deco feel. Great for shopping and the sights.
• Grand Hotel Europe is Belmond's five star offering in the city, located on Nevsky amongst St Petersburg's architectural treasures and great for all attractions. Here interiors are modern yet undeniably classic and excellent food is to be had in L'Europe, Russia's oldest continually serving restaurant.
• The Hotel Angleterre is a buzzing four star property situated across the road from St Isaac's Cathedral. Come here and sample the afternoon tea if you're missing home.
• Petro Palace enjoys a superbly central location and boasts simple, traditional accommodation featuring plenty of soft hues. With two restaurants, a hot tub and a pool, it's a splendid all round choice.
• The 4* Dom Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of the city, perfect for exploring the sights. Their accommodation features antique furniture and pink walls, creating an elegant effect, whilst you can enjoy delicious Italian cuisine from the restaurant.

For An Apartment

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to St Petersburg?

• You're definitely best off going to St Petersburg in the summer as it's horrendously cold in the winter (lthough it is a very romantic destination with snow on the groud)! The average temperature reaches 18°C in July, so it's never exactly scorching.
• Be sure to visit from late May to early July, as this is when St Petersburg experiences its 'White Nights' phenomenon - with practically 24 hours of daylight! This makes for a wonderfully romantic experience, especially if you take long nighttime walks along the canals.
• International visitors can fly into Pulkovo Airport, located 20km south of the city itself. British Airways fly here directly from Heathrow, a journey which takes around 3 hours.
• From the airport, hop on bus number 39, 39Ex or minibus K39 to Moskovskaya metro station before taking line 2 to the city centre. Or, an uber will cost you just £7-9 and takes around half an hour.
• For car hire prices, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.

Still Not Sure?

• Browse through our list of the best places to stay in St Petersburg.
• Search instead through our recommendations of the best places to stay in Moscow.
• Or, feel free to contact one of our friendly gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in St Petersburg