Are you seeking a unique destination for your vacation plans? How about St. Petersburg in Russia? The second-largest city of the largest country in the world is home to some amazing landmarks that seem like living postcards! As you stroll through the city, you feel like you have stepped into a museum of arts or a carnival of colourful structures. It is beautiful and a photographer’s paradise. But besides its lovely splendour, the city offers myriads of experiences for its visitors that stand apart from any other city experience. We give you seven compelling reasons to add St. Petersburg to your travel bucket list.
It is the cultural capital of Russia
One of the primary reasons to visit St. Petersburg is that it has an eye-catching architecture. The abode of Tsars had left an indelible mark on the country’s architecture and the city’s skyline. You can view breathtaking panoramas of ornate domes, towering spires, and elegant palaces. Further, the traverse of time and shift of political powers resulted in unique architectural styles and the culture of Russia that blends modern and ancient influences. The city is quite famous for its churches, cathedrals, art museums, Russian handiwork, and artefacts. Right from Matryoshka dolls to hand-painted ceramics, you will find plenty of unique souvenirs to take home from its bustling markets.
It is a city of marvellous historical architecture
With such cultural abundance, the second reason is obviously visiting the stunning architectural heritage of the city. The heady cultural heritage mix of St. Petersburg from its history can be seen in the vibrant architectural landmarks and its iconic structures of onion domes, corbel arches, and tented roofs painted in vibrant multi-coloured hues. The city is a kaleidoscope of Baroque, Byzantine, Roman, Muscovite, neo-classical and ancient styles of Tsar and Mongol-era architectural wonders. The following are the must-see landmarks in St.Petersburg:
- Peterhof Palace: Also known as ‘Russian Versailles,’ Peterhof Palace is a breathtakingly grand royal palace complex nestled on the southern shores of the Gulf of Finland. Visit and wander through the sprawling gardens dotted with terraced fountains, grottos and gold-gilded statues.
- Peter and Paul Fortress: Originally a citadel built in 1703 as a defence for a city, the Peter and Paul Fortress stood the test of time and today houses a museum and the tombs of tsars who ruled Russia long back. Right in the centre of this colossal fortress stands The Peter and Paul Cathedral, dominating the scenery.
- The Winter Palace: The first official residence of the Romanovs, the Winter Palace is an iconic landmark in St. Petersburg that houses the Hermitage Museum.
- St. Issac Cathedral: A grand architectural marvel with a beautiful colossal dome, St. Issac Cathedral was the city’s main church built by the imperial Russian era. It is the largest cathedral in Russia.
Enjoy the White Night Festival
You might have heard of the Midnight Sun in Norway. St. Petersburg also experiences a similar phenomenon known as the ‘White Nights.’ Being one of the world’s northernmost inhabited cities and situated close to the Arctic Circle, St. Petersburg experiences the natural phenomenon of twilight ambience after dark, even when it is midnight. This is why St. Petersburg is also called the ‘City of White Nights’. This natural event happens in summer from 22 April to 21st August as the sun does not completely set and looms on the horizon. The White Night Festival – one of the famous festivals in St. Petersburg, takes place from early June till the first week of July. During the festival, the city comes together in huge crowds and join in celebration with classical ballet, opera, and orchestra performances, with the ‘Stars of the White Nights’ being a central highlight. This is a unique experience that you wouldn’t want to miss.
It has amazing canal cruise experiences
Elevate your St. Petersburg experience with a canal cruise tour. The St. Petersburg attractions and the city skyline look amazing from a cruise on the water canals and rivers of the city. St. Petersburg is called the ‘Russian Venice of the North’ for its labyrinth of canals, which intersect in the centre of St. Petersburg. Take a boat ride on these canals and view the beauty of the city from a distinct point of view and various angles that aren’t possible while wandering through the city streets. Check out the drawbridge boat ride tours at night and experience the magic of St. Petersburg as the city lights up.
Join and be part of fascinating festivals
The best way to witness the best of cultural experiences in St. Petersburg is by visiting the city during a celebration. In addition to the White Nights Festival, St. Petersburg hosts several other fascinating festivals throughout the year. Palaces of St. Petersburg Music Festival is a sight to behold as you view the royal palaces in the city in its full grandeur. Millions of lights illuminate them into a dazzling spectacle as it hosts renowned music artists to perform live concerts during the festival. Scarlet Sails Festival is another impressive spectacle to view during the White Night Festival, where boats with scarlet sails glide over the water canal with fireworks in the background, marking the end of the school year and congratulating the school graduates. Other popular and not-to-miss festivals are The International Winter Festival Arts Square, Annual Christmas Fair and Victory Day.
The city has a vibrant nightlife
In the day, St. Petersburg looks like a surreal mosaic of structures and landmarks. At night, it takes on a glowy iridescence due to the illuminations, which are wonderful to view. Have a great time with friends at Russia’s lively bar and club scene. The city is beautifully spread out and has just 64 high-rise structures. Take in the view from an alfresco restaurant or enjoy an evening at a rooftop bar, which will provide you with unrivalled panoramas of this fabulous city. This is a great option to try during the St. Petersburg holidays when the city streets are swarming with locals, and you want to see it in a serene ambience. The city honours art, innovation, and creativity, so you can find a myriad of events centred around art and theatre in St. Petersburg. Don’t forget to catch a Russian ballet show at the Mariinsky Theatre.
You can celebrate Christmas in January
Yes, you read that right! Christmas comes late in St. Petersburg as it is celebrated as per the Russian Orthodox Church calendar and hence falls on 7th January, not on 25th December. So don’t fret if you have missed a White Christmas celebration. Head to St. Petersburg, and you could enjoy a snow-dusted winter Christmas ambience teeming with twinkling rice lights, choirs on the streets, grand Christmas trees and markets all over the town. It’s the best time of the year to visit the city when the festive spirit soars, everyone is in a jolly mood, and the city smells heavenly as the Christmas markets and restaurants exceed expectations with a grand food scene in the city.
Conclusion
Most globetrotters relate to the Kremlin of Moscow when Russia is mentioned, but there is something enigmatic about St. Petersburg to experience. The sights and experiences you witness here cannot be compared with any other city and will definitely leave you spellbound. The historical sights of St. Petersburg have become a symbolic identity and a reflection of its timeless era and the remainder of its history. Adding elegance and vibrance to it are the fascinating, thriving festivals, delicious cuisine and lively nightlife. So, are you ready to book that ticket to St. Petersburg?
