St. Petersburg, or Piter as it is affectionately known to locals, offers a wealth of history and culture. The city has dizzyingly beautiful buildings, 60 rivers and canals, endless (but easily visited) attractions, and its tragic and triumphant history can be felt around every corner. One cannot help but be affected by the humbling rush of history and sheer beauty, yet there is a great frustration in knowing that visitors can only begin to scratch the surface. The city, though familiar with its European aesthetic, has (understandably) hard edges and touring major sights should be done with a local guide.

Note: Indagare does not recommend travel to Russia at this time, and the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for Americans considering a trip there.

  • Perfect for
    Art Lovers | Families | Intellectuals | Romantics
  • When to go
    June-August | March-May | September-November
  • Ideal length of stay
    3-5 Nights

Designing Your Journey

Work with Indagare to design the perfect itinerary for an immersive journey. Our travel experts know the destination inside and out, and they can make recommendations based on your travel needs and preferences.

  • Essential St. Petersburg-LP

    Essential St. Petersburg

    In St. Petersburg, history, architecture, art, food and sheer natural beauty all intersect. Here is just one example of what our travel specialists can create for you.

    • Day One:

      With your private guide, begin with the Winter Palace, the royal residence until the 1917 Revolution. Enjoy VIP access to The Hermitage, and explore the museum when it is closed to the public. The State Hermitage collection was founded by Catherine the Great and today encompasses nearly 3,000,000 works of art. Finish with a traditional dinner of Russian dishes like borscht and Beef Stroganoff.

    • Day Two:

      Today you will have a private, full-day VIP tour of Catherine Palace. Bypass the entry lines and enter through the main Golden Gates, where you will be met by a palace representative for your tour. The favored summer home of Catherine II (or Catherine the Great), the palace was designed in the 1750s in the Rococo style. Continue to Peterhof, the palace built by Peter the Great to rival Versailles. Return to St. Petersburg in time for your tickets to the ballet or opera at the Mariinsky Theatre.

    • Day Three:

      Today you will tour the Fabergé Museum at the Shuvalov Palace, which boasts more than 1,500 pieces. Continue to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the birthplace of St. Petersburg and the city’s original citadel, built in 1701 to defend the city from attack by Swedish forces (that never materialized). The cathedral is the final resting place of many tsars, including Nicholas II and his family. End your St. Petersburg visit with dinner at one of the city’s contemporary hot-spot restaurants.

  • Member Stories

    "Our St. Petersburg trip was the most magical visit. Our seats at the Mariinsky (both old and new) could not have been better—5th and 4th row, center."

    Michael Cox, member since 2016
Indagare's Amelia Osborne Scott
St. Petersburg’s history, featuring centuries of opulence, romance, tragedy and intrigue, has left remains of mysteries stacked like archaeological treasures. The Russian city’s soul is not fully relegated to its past, however, and any modern-day visit will quickly convince travelers of its distinctly unique nature, which continues to amaze.

What To See & Do

Ready to go and in need of expert trip planning? Contact us today.

What To Read

Everything we recommend is sourced first-hand by our well-traveled team and incredible network of insiders and resources around the world. Here are some the latest articles, interviews, and book and film recommendations not to be missed.

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