Home Tours Tours by Region Saint Petersburg All Masterpieces of Saint-Petersburg + Novgorod the Great (hotel is not included)
Saint-Petersburg is a mecca for lovers of beauty. The imperial city of golden spires, golden domes, pastel palaces and picturesque canals. Its architectural heritage reconciles the very different Baroque and pure neoclassical styles, as can be seen in the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage. With its arrow-straight avenues, leafy parks and lovely architecture, Petersburg is as staggeringly impressive as New York or Paris.
Type: Private Tour
Duration: 8 days
Itinerary Hide all details
Day 1: DAY 1. Arrival
Arriving at the airport
Transfer from St. Petersburg airport to your centrally-located hotel.
Check-in at the hotel. Once you have had a chance to get settled in and store your luggage, you will have the rest of the day free to relax or explore the surroundings.
Day 2: DAY 2 in Saint-Petersburg (4hrs)
Welcome by the Comprehensive City Tour of St.Petersburg - an excellent introduction to the second largest and most beautiful city in Russia. You see all Saint-Petersburg most famous sights and make 5 -7 stops: Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospect, Kazan Cathedral, Admiralty, Palace Square, Peter and Paul Fortress, Naval Museum, St.Petersburg University, Menshikov Palace, Academy of Fine Arts, the Bronze Horseman, Alexandrinsky Theatre, Smolny Cathedral, monument to Catherine the Great, Square of Arts, State Russian Museum, Cathedral of Saviour-on-the-Spilled Blood, the numerous canals and rivers, beautiful bridges crossing them. Enjoy a walking excursion on the cobblestones of Peter & Paul's Fortress - the oldest and most historical construction of the city. Originally put up for fortification purposes but used as a political In the Fortress you visit a unique sample of Russian 18th-century architecture - The Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Day 3: DAY 3 in Peterhof (5hrs)
Come and discover Peterhof - St. Petersburg's most famous and spectacular Imperial estate on this half-day tour. Located on the sea shore The Grand Palace and park complex of Peterhof with its unique array of fountains is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
Day 4: DAY 4 in Saint-Petersburg (6hrs)
Visit the Russia's best gallery of world art - Saint-Petersburg's famed Hermitage Museum, one of the most prominent art museums in the world and definitely the main attraction of St.Petersburg. Nowadays, the Hermitage has about 2.7 million exhibits The collection is huge and very exciting. The exquisite buildings of the Hermitage with magnificent galleries and rooms make themselves an excellent work of art. Visit St.Isaac's - the main and the largest Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Now it is a Museum. During this Tour of St. Petersburg we show you the some significant sights in the city center close up, giving you some of the historical background and the stories that lie behind the facades of this most fascinating city with a knowledgeable guide.St. Isaac's Cathedral built in St. Petersburg in 1858 by the architect Montferrand, the fourth highest among the world's cathedrals under the single cupolas. The observation platform at the foot of the dome commands a fine view over St. Petersburg and its surroundings! Enjoy the relaxing Boat Trip "Rivers & Canals" sailing through the picturesque rivers and canals, viewing the city's main sights from the water.
Day 5: DAY 5 in Saint-Petersburg (4hrs)
Free time for self-exploration of the city and shopping.
The evening begins at the Nikolayevsky Palace where you discover traditional Russian dances and music during an elegant reception with Russian vodka, red and black caviar included. We offer you to enjoy this enchanting festival of Russian spirit! The magic continues with "Illuminations" tour along the spectacular floodlit monuments. Magical and magnificent by night, a drive through Saint-Petersburg and its beautiful illuminated buildings should not be missed by any visitor of the northern capital. In summer time you will have an opportunity to enjoy the romantics of the White Nights
Day 6: DAY 6 in Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo) (5hrs)
Unlock the secrets of the world wonder - the Amber Room on a half-day tour to the magnificent baroque - style Palace of Catherine the Great in the town of Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo). Feel the spirit of the eras of the powerful empresses- Elizabeth and Catherine walking though the gilded amphelade of the numerous ballrooms and imperial halls, amazing with the luxury of their decoration. The Catherine Palace enchants and delights everyone.
Day 7: DAY 7 in Novgorod-the-Great (9hrs)
Visit historic Novgorod Kremlin, amazing St. Sophia's Cathedral, the Church of the Saviour with its frescos by Theophanus the Greek, the Yuriev Monastery with St. George's Cathedral on this must-do Ancient Great Novgorod tour! This unforgettable full-day tour offers the perfect introduction to the city’s rich history. Russia's oldest city, Veliky Novgorod is a cradle of Russian democracy, medieval centre of trade and crafts. Hear tales of Russian tsars while exploring the Kremlin walls and ancient towers and enjoy wonderful dinner at a restaurant in old Russian style!
Day 8: DAY 8. Departure
Check-out of the hotel
Transfer from your St. Petersburg hotel to the airport.
What's included
- Transfer St.Petersburg airport - your centrally located hotel - St.Petersburg airport;
- 9 excursions (4 by car/mini-van, 1 by boat, 4 on foot);
- 3 lunches: on the 3nd, 4rd and 6th days + 1 drink reception at Nikolaevsky palace on the 5th day;
- Driver’s services as per the program (Comfortable car/minivan with A/C): 2nd day - 4 hours, 3rd day - 5 hours, 5th day - 3 hours, 6th day - 5 hours; 7th day - 9 hrs
- Professional English-speaking guide assistance. Other languages upon request (additional charge may apply);
- Entrance fee to the Hermitage museum;
- Entrance fee tо Peter and Paul’s Fortress and Cathedral;
- Entrance fee to St.Isaak’s Cathedral (+ observation platform);
- Entrance fee tо Peterhof Grand Palace;
- Entrance fee tо Catherine's Palace;
- Tickets for the Neva river boat ride;
- Tickets for Nikolaevsky Palace folk show.
- Full-day trip to Novgorod-the-Great (with private guide, driver and lunch)
Not included in the price
- Accommodation
- Meals/beverages (except mentioned)
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities to guide/driver (optional)
Additional info
Order of tour days may be changed due to days-off on particular sights
Visa
Russian visa support (Russian visa invitation letter) is included.
Sights included in program
Saint Petersburg : Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is the world culture encyclopaedia written in Russian. It is a unique museum that combines a beautiful art collection with the memory of Russian national history. This is a museum of culture, a museum of art, a museum of Russian history, and also the museum of Russian architecture. The whole Hermitage is where the heritages of different nations were collected and displayed. It is one of the largest and oldest museums in the w... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Peterhof
A symbol of St. Petersburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an absolute must-see for tourists - Peterhof, also known as "the capital of fountains", is reason enough to go to Russia and admire its unique fountains and palaces. The palace and park at Peterhof (also known as Petrodvorets) are often referred to as "the Russian Versaille", although many visitors conclude that the comparison does a disservice to the grandeur and scope of this majestic... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Catherine's Palace (Tsarskoe Selo)
The Palace-and-Park ensemble of Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) - a former country residence of Russian emperors - is a fascinating monument of the world's architectural and gardening arts of the XVIII-XX centuries, famous for the splendor of its Baroque interiors, including the stunning Gold suite of rooms and the unique Amber Room, the 8th wonder of the world. Its three parks occupy the area of 600 ha, on which over 100 architectural constructions ris... Read more
Saint Petersburg : St. Isaac Cathedral
St. Isaac's Cathedral is a colossal domed cathedral built in the nineteenth century. Its monumental and majestic image creates a unique accent in the city’s skyline and serves as much a landmark of the northern capital, as the spire of the Cathedral in the Peter and Paul Fortress and a gold ship atop of the Admiralty. It is originally the city's main church, one of the most impressive landmarks of the Russian Imperial capital. St. Isaac&rsq... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Peter and Paul Fortress
Located on the banks of the beautiful Neva River, the towering Peter and Paul Fortress dominates the skyline of St Petersburg. Built in 18th century, this amazing fortress is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the city's rich history. The oldest building in St Petersburg, the grandiose Peter and Paul Fortress is the perfect destination for culture seekers and history buffs. Planned by Peter the Great as a defense against possible atta... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Nevsky Prospect
Almost three miles (five km) long, Nevsky Prospekt is one of the best-known streets in Russia and is the main thoroughfare of St Petersburg, starting at the Admiralty whose gilded spire is a famous city landmark, to the Moscow Railway Station and then to the Alexandr Nevsky Monastery where some of the country's most celebrated artistic figures are buried. It has been the hub of the city for centuries, cutting through the most historical part, and... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Savior on Blood
The Cathedral of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood is a unique masterpiece combining the old Russian style of architecture, talent of the best Russian artists and Italian stone carvers, and the art of Roman mosaic. Mosaics cover almost all the surface of the walls and ceilings there are 7 500 square meters of mosaics all in all. It is a unique example of a Russian style cathedral in the centre of St. Petersburg. Its coloured onion domes are so famous... Read more
Saint Petersburg : The State Russian Museum (Mikhailovsky Palace)
The State Russian Museum, a unique depository of artistic treasures, is home to the world’s largest collection of Russian fine art. It is one of Russia's most precious objects of cultural heritage. While the State Hermitage displays fine art from all over the world, the Russian Museum concentrates on home-grown masterpieces. Founded in 1898 by Emperor Nicholas II in memory of his father Alexander III, it became the first state museum of Rus... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Admiralty
The One of St. Petersburg most oldest and, arguably, most historically important buildings, the Admiralty building serves as the focal point of Nevsky Prospekt, Gorokhovaya Ulitsa, and Voznesenskiy Prospekt. While its location at the convergence of some of St. Petersburg's most epochal streets embodied Peter's emphasis and, some would say, obsession with the importance of northern capital's maritime might, it served a far more important and reali... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Academy of Arts
The Russian Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, informally known as the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, was founded in 1757 by Ivan Shuvalov under the name Academy of the Three Noblest Arts. Catherine the Great renamed it the Imperial Academy of Arts and commissioned a new building, completed 25 years later in 1789 by the Neva River. The academy promoted the neoclassical style and technique, and sent ... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Alexandrinsky Imperial Ballet Theatre
One of the main St. Petersburg's Ballet stages. In Russia, Alexandrinsky Ballet is within 3 top Ballet companies: Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Alexandrinsky Ballet.The Hall is the hall of the Imperial theatre, beautifully decorated. In 2007 this historical 18th century building was restored and looks like in 1756. Alexandrinsky Theatre was the main Ballet and Opera stage of the Russian Empire before Mariinsky (Kirov) theatre. Alexand... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Amber room
The Amber Room is one of the most famous, mysterious, and majestic rooms of Catherine's Palace in St. Petersburg. Often hailed as "the eighth wonder of the world," it is an opulent room adorned with gold and precious amber. When Peter the Great met Frederick William I in November 1716 to mark the conclusion of an alliance between Russia and Prussia, the King gave the Emperor gifts that included the Amber Study. Peter wrote at the time to Empress ... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Arts Square
A small but elegant square in the center of the city, this single architectural ensemble was planned by the great Carlo Rossi. The square fis faced by many cultural and artistic institutions - the Grand Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonia, the Mikhailovsky Theater, the State Russian Museum, and others - resulted in it being called Ploshchad Iskusstv (Arts Square). In the center of the square, directly in front of the State Russian Museum... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Bronze Horseman (Senate square)
The most famous statue of Peter the Great was immortalised as the Bronze Horseman in the epic poem by Alexander Pushkin. With his horse (representing Russia) rearing above the snake of treason, Peter's enormous statue was sculpted over 12 years for Catherine the Great by Frenchman Etienne Falconet. Its inscription reads 'To Peter I from Catherine II – 1782'. The Bronze Horseman, an impressive monument to the founder of St Petersburg, Peter ... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Central Naval Museum
Russia's main naval museum tells the fascinating story of the development, growth and achievements of the Russian navy. With a collection of over 800 thousand exhibits, the museum displays some fascinating naval memorabilia, armaments, authentic maritime equipment, quality models of historically significant vessels and numerous paintings by marine artists. Read more
Saint Petersburg : Kazansky Cathedral
Whilst taking a stroll along Nevsky Prospekt you cannot fail to notice the impressive Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan. Kazan Cathedral, constructed between 1801 and 1811 by the architect Andrei Voronikhin, was built to an enormous scale and boasts an impressive stone colonnade, encircling a small garden and central fountain. The cathedral was inspired by the Basilica of St. Peter’s in Rome and was intended to be the country’s... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Menshikov Palace
The palace of Prince Menshikov was the first large stone building erected in St. Petersburg, and is also the only private city structure to have survived from the beginning of the 18th century. As part of the State Hermitage, it is now used to display some of the museum's vast collection of European and Russian applied art from the early 18th century, as well as contemporaneous sculptures and paintings, all of which blend harmoniou... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Monument to Catherine the Great
This monument to Catherine the Great was unveiled in 1873. The Empress was adored by the people of St. Petersburg for all her efforts to improve the life and education provided by the city and her reign has long seen been known as the "golden age" of Russia. Read more
Saint Petersburg : Nikolayevsky Palace
Located on Ploshchad Truda ("Labour Square"), not far from St. Isaac's Cathedral in the centre of St. Petersburg, the Nikolaevskiy Palace was one of the last palaces to be built for the Imperial family in the city. An enormous late neoclassical edifice designed by the architect Andrey Stackensneider, who also designed the Mariinsky and Beloselsky-Belozersky Palaces, the Nikolaevskiy Palace was commissioned by Emperor Nicholas I for... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Palace Square
Palace Square, one of the most famous squares in the world, serves as an excellent example of how different architectural styles can be combined in a most elaborate and aesthetically pleasing way. This amazing Square, connecting Nevsky Prospekt with Palace Bridge leading to Vasilievsky Island, is the central city square of St Petersburg and of the former Russian Empire. It was the setting of many events of worldwide significance. The architectura... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Peterhof Fountains & Grounds
The fountains of Peterhof are one of Russia's most famous tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors every year. Fountains were intrinsic to Peter the Great's original plans for Peterhof - it was the impossibility of engineering sufficiently powerful jets of water that prompted him to move his attentions from the Strelna site to Peterhof - and subsequent generations competed with their predecessors to add grander and ever more ingenious wa... Read more
Saint Petersburg : Smolny Cathedral
Smolny Cathedral was originally intended to be the central church of a monastery, built to house the daughter of Peter the Great, Elizabeth, after she was disallowed to take the throne and opted instead to become a nun. However, as soon as her Imperial predecessor was overthrown during a coup, carried out by the royal guards, Elizabeth decided to forget the whole idea of a stern monastic life and happily accepted the offer of the Russian throne. Read more
Saint Petersburg : St. Petersburg State University
The beginning of the University dates back to 1724 and almost three centuries thereafter, it successfully combines traditions and innovations, research and learning, experience and youth. Today Saint-Petersburg University is one of the leading international centres of science, education and culture. Read more
Saint Petersburg : Winter Palace
St. Petersburg's most famous building, the Winter Palace not only physically dominates Palace Square and the south embankment of the Neva River, but also plays a central political, symbolic, and cultural role in the three-century history of the city. Read more
1/7th of the World : Veliky Novgorod (Novgorod-the-Great)
Veliky Novgorod is one of the oldest Russian cities, first mentioned in chronicles of 859. It is one of the centers of the formation of the Russian state, a city with ancient history, and the "father of Russian cities". It was a medieval trading republic, and a transit centre between Western Europe and Russia. Novgorod is notable not only for its historical value, and the remaining monuments from the times of old, but also for its unique culture.... Read more
Explore : Saint Petersburg
The city of Saint Petersburg is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on earth, and virtually any building in the large historic center, threaded with canals dotted with baroque bridges, can be considered an attraction—and indeed, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a magical city, with a long list of major attractions. Its Hermitage Museum, housed in the Winter Palace of the Romanov Dynasty, is both one of the world's gr... Read more
Veliky Novgorod (Novgorod-the-Great) : Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Ilin Street
The Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Ilin Street is one of the oldest and most respected churches in the city of Veliky Novgorod. It was founded very long ago. According to legend, the holy Novgorod icon of Our Lady of the Sign, which protected Suzdal citizens in 1169, was kept in this Church. Read more
Veliky Novgorod (Novgorod-the-Great) : Novgorod Kremlin
Novgorod Kremlin (also Detinets) stands on the left bank of the Volkhov River in Veliky Novgorod about two miles north of where it empties out of Lake Ilmen. Read more
Veliky Novgorod (Novgorod-the-Great) : St. George's (Yuriev) Monastery
The St. George's (Yuriev) Monastery was the main monastery of medieval Novgorod the Great. It stands south of the city on the left bank of the Volkhov River near where it flows out of Lake Ilmen. According to legend, the monastery was founded in the eleventh century by Yaroslav the Wise, but the first historicall-reliable reference to it is from the early twelfth century when the main church the Church of St. George (Georgieveskii Church) was fou... Read more
Veliky Novgorod (Novgorod-the-Great) : St. Sophia Cathedral
The St Sophia's Cathedral was built between 1045- 1050 inside the Detinets. It is one of the earliest stone structures of northern Russia, a senior contemporary of Notre Dame in Paris, and the cathedrals of Rheims, Amiens, Bamberg and Naumburg. Its height is 38 m. Originally it was taller, for during the past nine centuries the lower part of the building became concealed by the two-metre thick cultural layer. Read more
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