FAQs For Visiting Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Where is the city of Saint-Petersburg?Imperial palace, and many beautiful cathedrals
- Saint-Petersburg is located in Russia'sincluding Trinity Cathedral and Smolny Cathedral. If
Northwestern Federal District. The city rests onyou are visiting Saint-Petersburg in May, June or
the delta of the Neva River, which is on the eastJuly, chances are high you'll experience the
end of the Gulf of Finland.so-called "white nights" phenomenon, when twilight
Wasn't Saint-Petersburg called something elselasts all night long.
before?Are there any monuments to see while in
- Yes. The city of Saint-Petersburg wasSaint-Petersburg?
previously called Leningrad. Before that, the city- Absolutely! In fact, Saint-Petersburg is home to
was known as Petrograd.many famous monuments. There is the
I am visiting Saint-Petersburg in the autumn, howmonument to Catherine the Great, located in
should I dress?Ostrovsky Square. For the literature lover, the
- The season of autumn in Saint-Petersburg ismonument to Fiodor Dostoyevsky is located just
rainy and cool. It is not advisable to wear lightoff Vladimirskaya Square (and just a block away
cotton pants and short sleeve shirts, considerfrom the Dostoyevsky Museum). The city is also
bringing a light jacket and a coat for the eveninghome to the famous Moscow Gate and
hours. The autumn tends to bring rain showers,monuments to Peter the Great, Nicholas I,
so be sure to bring an umbrella as well. AutumnGoethe, and Gogol. Make sure you visit the
lasts from September to December.Rostral Columns, the Bronze Horseman and the
I am visiting Saint-Petersburg in the winter, howAlexander Column, which join the list of the most
should I dress?famous Saint-Petersburg monuments.
- Late December brings winter toI've heard about Saint-Petersburg's famous
Saint-Petersburg and lasts through the month ofbridges? Are they worth seeing?
March. The winter is extremely cold, usually- The bridges in the city are architecturally
around freezing temperatures with lots of snowstunning. The longest bridge in Saint-Petersburg is
and wind. Be sure to bring warm winter clothes,the Nevsky Bridge, measuring in at almost 906
gloves, hats, scarves, and a coat. It is alsometers. Other notable bridges include the
important to make sure that your feet stayAnichkov Bridge, the Bank Bridge, the Blue Bridge,
warm, so don't forget the wool socks and boots.and the Palace Bridge, to name a few.
I am visiting Saint-Petersburg in the spring, howHow are the parks and gardens in
should I dress?Saint-Petersburg?
- Saint-Petersburg in the spring is a beautiful time- The city is home to many gorgeous gardens
to visit. From late March to late May, the springand parks in which both locals and tourists enjoy
can be quite chilly and even bring light snow. Bespending their time. The Alexander Garden,
prepared for fair weather as well as cold nights. Itnamed for Czar Alexander II, is the centrally
is advisable to bring both a light jacket and alocated and features a musical fountain. The
winter coat.Botanical Garden features more than 12,000
I am visiting Saint-Petersburg in the summer, howspecies and varieties of plants, including the Queen
should I dress?of the Night, which blooms only once a year. Be
- Summertime in Saint-Petersburg lasts from thesure to check out the Leningrad Zoo and
beginning of June to the end of August. TheCatherine Gardens as well. Summer Garden is the
weather is mild making shorts and short-sleevesoldest and still the most attractive park in
acceptable for daywear. Always remember pantsSaint-Petersburg, the plan of which was drawn by
and a light jacket for the evenings.Peter the Great.
What airports are in or near Saint-Petersburg?I'd like to go to a museum in Saint-Petersburg.
- There are two airports in the area ofAre there any?
Saint-Petersburg. Pulkovo II International and- There is a reason that the city is often called
Pulkovo I Domestic are commonly used airports.the "Gorod Muzei", or "the city museum".
Is there a seaport in or near Saint-Petersburg?Saint-Petersburg is filled with museums
- Yes, the seaport features a passenger terminalshowcasing art and history. When in town, be
on Vasilievsky Island.sure to visit the Academy of Fine Arts Museum,
What is there to do in Saint-Petersburg?the Hermitage Museum, the Dostoyevsky
- There is plenty of history and culture to take inMemorial Museum, and the Cottage Palace before
when visiting Saint-Petersburg including, butyou go! The Russian Museum, Russian
certainly not limited to the Hermitage Museum,Ethnography Museum and the Kunstkammer also
the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Theater, theattract thousands of tourists all year round.