- Visit Peterhof – Grand Palace,Lower Garden and Upper Garden
- Explore Saint Petersburg Top Attractions
- Visit Kremlin – Annunciation Cathedral, Archangel Cathedral and more
- Moscow Attractions – Red Square, Saint Basils cathedral
- Saint Petersburg Attractions – State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace
Not all those who wander are lost.J.R.R. Tolkien
Visit Peterhof – Grand Palace,Lower Garden and Upper Garden
Arriving in Saint Petersburg (Read More) after a long flight gives you a quick whiff that the city is a true mixture of Russia and Europe. This city build by Peter the Great sits just across the Baltic Sea and a stone’s throw from Finland.
The airport is a 40 mins drive from the City centre and would recommend booking a reliable taxi beforehand. Usually the driver needs to be paid in Cash on arrival and no advance payment is needed.
Click here for tips on using the Metro in Saint Petersburg.
Our Hotel was on the Nevsky Prospekt –This is the Main road of St. Petersburg similar to Champs-Élysées,Paris. Can go for a walk here in the evening – lot of shopping and Restaurant choices.
We were stretched for time and two thirds of Day1 was dedicated for the Grand Palace Peterhof. Laid out on the orders of Peter the Great it is actually a part of palaces and gardens. These Palaces and gardens are sometimes referred as the “Russian Versailles”.
Getting to Peterhof is something of a challenge not because of lack of transportation but because of the lack of information and the minimal use of English on websites and face to face conversations. Please read the below tip for more details about getting to Peterhof and what tickets to buy-
Click here for tips on getting to Peterhof
There are mainly 3 parts to your visit to Peterhof – The Palace itself, Lower Garden and the Upper Garden. If you are time bound restrict yourself to the Palace and the Lower gardens as the upper gardens are not that magnificent compared to the lower gardens and its fountains.
Read and explore more of Saint Petersburg – Click here.
These are one of the most impressive gardens I’ve been to with its memorable collection of fountains and fine views over the Baltic Sea. The cascade fountain stands out among the numerous ones, and what stands out is the fact that all these fountains operate without using a pump and has to do with the difference in elevation which creates the required pressure.
Visit the Saint Petersburg State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace with us – Read More.
Visit the Grand palace first as there will be quite a long queue and takes quite some time to navigate midst the rush of visitors and also the narrow alleys. Once done with the Grand palace spend time strolling the lower gardens –everything is well marked.
Important Info:
- First Hydrofoil to Peterhof – 10AM;Journey Time : 45 Minutes ;Address: Razvodnaya ulitsa, 2, St Petersburg, Russia
- Lower Gardens:Open: Daily, 9 am to 8 pm. Fountains – 10.00 to 18.00; Admission: Summer: RUB 500.00.
- Upper Gardens:Open: Daily, 9 am to 8 pm; Admission: Free
- Grand Palace: Open Daily (except Mondays) 10:30 am to 7 pm; Admission: RUB 600.00.(Photo and video not allowed)
- Snacks/Drinks are readily available in the small shacks in the lower gardens but very expensive.
Read our full Russian Journey here – Click here
If you need any additional info please leave a comment on this post and I will get back to at the earliest. This way it can help others as well.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.
I am from St. Petersburg, and yes. That is one of the best things there. I have been there many times.
Your city is truly beautiful Alexander. Loved every bit of it
So last year this time we were in Moscow and we were tortured by our friends for not visiting St. Petersburg instead. Well this grand Palace looks majestic and I can totally understand how and why it cost you 2/3rd of your day. I would love to read more about your travel adventures in Petersburg because it looks so beautiful. Though we were highly content with Moscow’s beauty we still can’t wait to see Petersburg some day.
I agree with your friends. You should visit Saint Petersburg – Its a beautiful city with the right Asians and European influence. You can find more about my travels to this beautiful city here – http://earthspilgrim.com/category/my-escapades/europe/russia/saintpetersburg/
Such a beautiful place! St. Petersburg is not so far from my home country, but because of difficult visa policies for travellers without groups or cruises, I’ve never been there. Really on my visit list!
The Visa policies are much relaxed now. We visited as Individual travelers and not as group/cruise. I hope you get to visit soon
This is so interesting. I have been wanting to visit Saint Petersburg for a while now, as I have heard a lot about it. You are right, this looks exactly like Versailles… The opulence of these types of buildings alwayst gets to me. I really like your pics. Gives the reader a pretty good idea on what to expect, but also lets by a bit of mistery 😁 safe travels!
Thanks a lot Iulia…. I am happy you liked it…
That place looks absolutely beautiful, definitely worth to visit 😀 Thanks for sharing, love the photos!
Sending good vibes only,
xx
Patricia & Miguel
https://freeoversea.com/blog/our-first-workaway-experience
Thanks Patricia and Miguel -Happy you liked the pics.. 🙂
I’ve never been to Russia, let alone St.Petersburg. However, it is a city with si much history, and I think it is quite appropriate that you started with the palace. The fountains look awesome.
You Should visit once Denny… its a beautiful city