Being the second largest city in Russia, Saint – Petersburg boasts a great cultural and historical heritage. Saint-Petersburg, or how locals call it Piter, can break the stereotypes you had about Russia. Instead of all-year-round snow and ice or bears strolling on the city streets you encounter an immensly beautiful European capital with stunning architecture, rich culture and vibrant nightlife. So what are the most important things to do in Saint-Peterburg, apart from the obvious tourist places?
1. Take a stroll to the New Holland island.
New Holland is the new it-place in the heart of the city. Formers docks and warehouses that were bulit more than 200 years ago are being rennovated and restructured into a new cultural centre with numerous art galleries and theatre spaces. While the project is not yet finished, its spacious yard with a cafe, art spaces, sunbeds, occasional gigs and weekly markets, is opened for public and already attracted hispters from all over the city.
2. Have lunch in a French patisserie Garcon.
Saint-Petersburg has its own little Paris with a French chef who know the secrets of his motherland’s cuisine. In Garcon, you can have a delicious sandwich, salad or a quiche. If you feel like something less healthy, treat yourself with mouth-watering macarons, tarts or gateaux.
3. See the city from a boat
The city was dubbed the Venice of the North for a reason. It has hundreds of small rivers and canals that are sometimes used for travelling and tourism. To enjoy the beauty of the city from a different perspective you can jump on a boat and even learn something new froma tour guide that accompanies the travellers.
4. The museum quarter
The museum quarter is a chain of relatively small museums not far from the main tourist attractions of the city centre. In the area, you enjoy a museum of the history of religions, an old post-office, a vodka museum (you can even try the famous spirit over there), Nabokov museum and more. If you feel like a bit of non-mainstream education, that’s the right place to be.
5. Travel underground
Underground train stations of Saint-Petersburg are not only one of the deepest in the world, but also boast beautiful decorations and architecture. No matter what central station you choose as your destination, almost all them can seem like an underground palace that can tell something from the history of the city. Some stations have the marks of communists with busts of Lenin, red stars other attributes of the USSR glory. Others look further back in the city’s timeline with lovely mosaics and ancient-Greek-like sculptures that were popular at times when Saint-Petersburg was still the capital of Russia.
Leave a Reply