Palaces and museums
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Hermitage | One of the world's largest museums in the Winter Palace, with millions of works of art and antiquities. | Closed on Mondays |
| Peterhof Palace and its fountains | Golden cascading fountains and gardens on the sea, called the Russian Versailles. | Fountains late April to early October |
| Catherine Palace and the Amber Room | A grand palace with the famous Amber Room and vast gardens. | Pushkin, south of the city |
| The Fabergé Museum | Fabergé's jewelled imperial eggs in the Shuvalov Palace. | On the Fontanka |
The city
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Nevsky Prospekt | The main avenue of palaces, shops and cafés. | City centre |
| St Isaac's Cathedral | A giant golden dome, with city views from its upper colonnade. | City centre |
| The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood | A church of colourful domes whose inner walls are covered in mosaics. | Near Nevsky Prospekt |
| Kazan Cathedral | A semicircular colonnade of giant columns on Nevsky Prospekt. | Nevsky Prospekt |
| The Peter and Paul Fortress | The city's first building, on an island in the Neva. | Hare Island |
The river and canals
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Canal tours and the drawbridges | Boats among canals and palaces, and bridges that rise at night for ships in the navigation season. | White nights from late May to mid-July |
Tips before you go
- Saudi passport holders enter Russia visa-free since 11 May 2026, registering on the Gosuslugi RuID app 72 hours before arrival.
- International bank cards don't work in Russia, so bring enough cash.
- The high-speed train from Moscow takes about 4 hours.
Hotels in Saint Petersburg
More places nearby
Visa
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Saint Petersburg?
The Hermitage, the Peterhof fountains, Catherine Palace, St Isaac's Cathedral, the Church on Spilled Blood, Nevsky Prospekt and a canal tour.
When do the Peterhof fountains run?
From late April to early October, roughly, every year.
What are the white nights?
Weeks from late May to mid-July when it never gets fully dark.
Planning your trip to Russia? Read Travel to Russia from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.