Cosmopolitan Culture in St. Petersburg, Russia

Formerly known as Leningrad,  St. Petersburg is often called the “window to the west”. Unlike Moscow, St. Petersburg has a far more European feel, with Italian-influence neoclassical architecture and a network of canals (that have also earned it the name “the Venice of the North”) criss-crossing the streets. With a vibrant art scene, hopping nightlife and sophisticated dining options, the feels as cosmopolitan as any other in Europe.

To get a dose of Russian history, check out one of the city’s many museums. The Hermitage Museum is the most famous in St. Petersburg. With over 300,000 pieces from around the world, it can be a bit overwhelming. Admission is only a few dollars, but for the full experience, it may be worth it to hire a private tour guide.  The Russian Museum houses exclusively Russian art and the Ethnographic Museum showcases traditional Russian dress through the years. The Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral and Saint Isaac’s Cathedral are two notable churches, the latter offering an observation deck with stunning views of the city. Visit the tomb of Peter the Great at the Peter and Paul Fortress or pay your respects to famous Russians like Tchaikovsky and Fyodor Dostoevsky at the Tikhvin Cemetery.

Russian opera and ballet are renowned around the world and it’s worth the money to take in a performance at one of the city’s many theatres like the Mariinsky Theater or the St. Petersburg Opera. See musical and theatre performances at the Conservatory Theater, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Grand Hall, or the Ice Palace. For designer shopping, or maybe just browsing, wander down the Nevsky Prospekt, often called St. Petersburg’s Champs-Élysées or head to Passazh, a large department store that can be compared to the Harrod’s of London.

You can’t escape the presence of water in St. Petersburg. At nearly every turn, you’ll find another canal and bridge. This makes a boat tour one of the greatest ways to see the city in warmer months. It also allows for the beautiful late night site of seeing all the bridges in the city raised to allow the passage of boats through the rivers. If you can, schedule your visit in late June to early July for St. Petersburg’s famous White Nights. The sun barely sets and the city goes wild with revelry that lasts until morning.

Dining in St. Petersburg can be expensive, especially at trendier places. The cosmopolitan city offers everything from Italian to Thai, though for a budget meal, traditional Russian is often your best bet. Meals are hearty and will warm you up in winter months. For a light snack, try a crepe or blini, often tipped with mushrooms, caviar or berries, which will only set you back a few dollars. Tea is also a tradition in St. Petersburg and settling in for an afternoon tea service is a great way to pass a little time.

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