Best St Petersburg Tours
DISCOVER Russia's Northern Capital on TOURS

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Get to know the best St Petersburg Tours with our options presented here and add value to your Russian holidays.

You are about to travel to St Petersburg, you have your hotel and airport transfer already booked, but for one reason or another, you are still searching for a great city tour to join before you come. Well, if this is the case, look no further! Below you can find a list of different tours that can give you a great introduction to our beautiful and vibrant city.

The cultural capital of Russia has so much to offer and plenty of ways to see it. You can hire a van or a car with a driver, walk around the city, and take a boat along the river and canals, or, much better, you can put all together on a one or two-day tour itinerary.☺

The most popular tours are the Grand Tour of St Petersburg where you rent a vehicle with a driver and tour the city with photo stops at the top attractions; a guided tour of the Hermitage State Museum; or a day trip to Peterhof or Tsarskoye Selo to visit the stunning residence of the Tsars with its palaces and parks.

Our list of Best St Petersburg Tours is here to give you an idea of what tour you can choose during your visit. Our tours cover all the city's best attractions and famous landmarks and help you learn more about the past and present of our beautiful city, and they also offer you a glimpse into the everyday lives of Russians.

11 BEST ST PETERSBURG TOURS you can book now

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If you're a first-time visitor to the city or you're just looking for fresh ideas, get to know the best St Petersburg Russia tours with our list below. Once you find something you like just HIT the blue link "Send us a Tour Request" and we will start from there. To get started just click on the links or scroll down the page.☺

GRAND TOUR OF ST PETERSBURG

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Start your visit to St. Petersburg with a fun and easy tour. Jump onboard a modern and comfortable private van or car and take in the sights of the imperial city in just a few hours. Enjoy an informative and entertaining general introduction to Russia's Northern Capital and see all of the city's main attractions with an expert local guide.

Itinerary: During this comprehensive city tour, you can cover all of the main highlights of St. Petersburg, hear about the history of the city and, of course, have photo stops in the most picturesque places.

Sights covered on the tour: Winter Palace; Nevsky Prospekt; Kazan Cathedral; Stroganov Palace; Admiralty; Palace Square; Peter and Paul Fortress; Naval Museum; St. Petersburg University; Menshikov Palace; Academy of Fine Arts; Senate Square; the Bronze Horseman; Isaac's Square; Mariinsky Palace; St. Isaac's Cathedral; Palace Embankment; Field of Mars; Summer Garden; Alexandrinsky Theatre; Rastrelli Square; Smolny Cathedral; Anichkov Palace; Chuch of Saviour on the Spilled Blood as well as numerous canals and rivers and prominent monuments.

Options: You can combine this tour with an inside visit to the following spots: the Peter and Paul Fortress's and Cathedral, the Hermitage Museum, St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church on the Spilled Blood, Kuznechniy Food Market, Hay Food Market, etc.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for families with kids, solo travelers, friends, couples, small or large groups of people wanting to get a general view of the city from the comfort of a vehicle in a short time.

TOUR OF PETERHOF GRAND PALACE & GARDENS

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Travel 25 kilometers away from St. Petersburg and you get to Peterhof, the greatest of all the city's suburban imperial estates. Just outside the city, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll around the remarkable array of decorative fountains, sculptures, and statues. Visit the Empress Elizabeth's Grand Palace, walk through several adorned imperial rooms and have fun running through the pouring water.

Itinerary: During this tour, you can visit the Great Palace, the Upper Gardens and Lower Gardens of the royal residence. You'll see the world’s most elaborate fountain system in action with the highest water spray rising up to 23 meters, as well as many decorative single fountains, several gilded statues and marble sculptures.

Sights covered on the tour: The Great Palace with beautiful rooms, halls and upper chambers; the large park with its dozens of fountains and thousands of works of art, including paintings, sculptures and applied arts, like the Great Cascade.

Options: You can combine this tour with a visit to the Catherine's Block (a small but exquisite palace constructed for Empress Elisabeth); the Bath House (a little pavilion near Monplaisir Palace); the Hermitage (a little entertaining pavilion designed for the guests of the Royal family to have fun); the Marly Palace (another little private palace that dates back to the time of Peter the Great); and Oranienbaum (a small patch of land on the coast of the Gulf of Finland.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for families with kids, solo travelers, friends, couples, small or large groups of people interested in the richest and most popular summer Royal Palaces in Russia where the Romanov family lived.

TOUR OF CATHERINE PALACE AND PARK IN TSARSKOYE SELO

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Plan a day trip to the most fascinating summer residence of the Tsars in Tsarskoye Selo, a little suburb of St. Petersburg. Walkthrough the picturesque park filled with quirky monuments, numerous pavilions, small bridges, and exotic plants. Enter the outstanding baroque style of the Palace of Catherine and admire its sparkling Amber Room and decorative gilded interiors.

Itinerary: During this tour, you can admire the magnificent gallery of gala rooms where many official dinners took place and admire a very interesting exhibition of furniture and pieces of applied art, which belonged to the Royal family. You'll also take a pleasant stroll through the beautiful Catherine Park and the surrounding area of Pushkin. 

Sights covered on the tour: the Catherine Palace with its various dining rooms and halls; the Amber Room; the Palace Church; Catherine Park with its various gardens, buildings, statues, lakes, etc.

Options: You can combine this tour with a visit to Pavlovsk Palace (a former residence of Emperor Paul I); Alexander's Palace (a palace which was used by the last Russian Tsar Nickolas II and his family as their private home); the Monument to the Defenders of Leningrad (a monument which is devoted to the siege of Leningrad during the WWII).

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for families with kids, solo travelers, friends, couples, small or large groups of people interested in the richest and most popular royal palaces in Russia, where the Russian Tsars lived.

 CITY SHORE EXCURSION WITH HERMITAGE MUSEUM & PETERHOF

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Get a feel of the wealth of the Russian Tsars with this intensive full-day shore excursion. Explore the Hermitage, the largest museum in the world, and visit Peterhof, one of the richest and most interesting Summer Royal Palaces in Russia. If you're coming by ship to St Petersburg, and you have only a very limited time and want to avoid large groups, then this is one of the best St Petersburg tours to go for.

Itinerary: After being picked up at the port terminal, we drive to and around the city with a stop at the Winter Palace for a visit to the Hermitage Museum. At the end of your visit to the Hermitage, you'll have lunch at a local cafe or restaurant, and then we'll take you to Peterhof. There you'll be guided through the Great Palace and the beautiful Lower Park. At the end of the tour, we'll bring you back to the ship.

Sights covered on the tour: Nevsky Prospekt and some of the key sights situated in the city; the Winter Palace; Palace Square; the Hermitage Museum; the Great Palace with is upper chambers, art galleries and various hall rooms; Peterhof Park with its dozens of fountains, thousands of works of art, including paintings, sculptures and applied arts.

Options: You can customize this tour as you like. For example, rather than go to Peterhof, you can go to Tsarskoye Selo or visit another suburb of St Petersburg.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for families with kids, solo travelers, friends, couples, small or large groups of people traveling on a cruise ship or ferry.

MIDNIGHT BOAT TOUR on THE NEVA RIVER

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There is nothing more romantic and pleasant than taking a midnight boat tour along the Neva River and then watching the famous draw bridges rise up. Take this tour, especially during the White Nights, and enjoy the city's rivers and canals illuminated. Watch out for top city sights like Mikhailovsky Castle, Peter and Paul Fortress, Vasilyevsky Island and learn all about St. Petersburg from the onboard guide.

Itinerary: During this night tour, you can cruise on the Neva River under several drawbridges and admire the city's most prominent sights illuminated. You'll stop for a few minutes to watch the spectacular show of the drawbridges rising late at night, a very popular summer event among locals.

Sights covered on the tour: This is the only tour among all the best St Petersburg tours presented here that will let you cruise at night along the most important bridges of the city.

Options: If you want, we can arrange a pick up transfer from/to your hotel or any other location in the city.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for couples, friends, solo travelers, families with kids and small groups of people interested in seeing the city at night and from the boat.

RIVERS AND CANALS SIGHTSEEING CRUISE TOUR

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Enjoy a daily boat tour along the famous rivers and canals of the city and get a better feel of the nature and character of old St. Petersburg. Cruise down to the large Neva River, Fontanka River, Moyka River or Griboedov Canal and admire the countless bridges and 18th- and 19th-century buildings that line the vestured granite banks. This is one of the best St Petersburg tours to go for if you love romantic boat cruises.

Itinerary: During this riverboat tour, you can enjoy a cruise along the Neva River and get through the historical city center of St. Petersburg. You'll pass by several of the city's old rivers and canals and admire historical palaces and cathedrals, as well as small and large bridges, and mansions decorating the embankments.

Sights covered on the tour: The Church on Spilled Blood; Mariinsky Theater; Peter and Paul Fortress; Winter Palace; Palace Bridge; Stroganoff Palace; Yusopov Palace; the Spit of Vasilievsky Island and more (You'll see them from the boat).

Options: You can combine this tour with a bus city tour or a walking tour or even rent a private boat with a local guide who speaks one of the following languages: English, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Greek, Chinese, Bulgarian, Russian.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for couples, friends, solo travelers, families with kids and small groups of people interested to get a general overview of the city from the boat.

ST PETERSBURG DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR

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Discover the majesty of St. Petersburg and its secrets, famous characters, art, and history by going on a cultural walking tour with an expert local guide. Have photo stops in the most picturesque places, see famous landmarks close up, and experience the city in an intimate way. Definitely one of the best St Petersburg tours!

Itinerary: During this tour, you can take a long walk in and around the center of St. Petersburg to see palaces, cathedrals, monuments, and canals and rivers. You'll learn about the history of St. Petersburg and hear interesting stories from an expert local guide and, of course, have photo stops in the most picturesque places. Upon request, it is also possible to stop along the way for some shopping or for a bite to eat at a local cafeteria (own expense).

Sights covered on the tour: Nevsky Prospekt; the Winter Palace Square; Peter and Paul Fortress; the Trinity Bridge; the Field of Mars; Spilled Blood Cathedral; St. Isaac's Cathedral; Admiralty; The Bronze Horsemen and others.

Options: You can combine this tour with a visit inside one of these sights or other museums and cathedrals.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for couples, friends, solo travelers, families with kids and small groups of people who love exploring on foot.

TOUR OF PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS WITH THE MUSEUM OF POLITICAL HISTORY OF RUSSIA

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Find out where Peter the Great first constructed Saint Petersburg and hear thrilling stories about the Romanov family with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress. Then, go to the Museum of Political History of Russia and dive into the Bolshevick Revolution and other crucial moments in the history of Russia. Learn about Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev; see the tombs of the Russian Tsars and enjoy great views.

Itinerary: During this tour, you can visit the Cathedral of the Saint Apostles Peter and Paul and take a stroll around the territory of the Fortress. You'll see numerous museums and enjoy spectacular river views. You'll also hear stories about historical events and the Romanov family. After your visit to Peter and Paul fortress, you'll see the State Museum of Political History of Russia where you'll get a chance to learn everything about the Soviet Past of Russia.

Sights covered on the tour: The St Peter Gate; the Former Prison for Political Convicts; the Fortress with its artillery; the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul; the Grand Tsars Mausoleum; the Boat House; the Mint; the Monument to Peter the Great; the Neva Gates; the interesting Museum of Political History.

Options: You can combine this tour with a visit to the Log Cabin of Peter the Great, the first house in St Petersburg.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for couples, friends, families with kids, solo travelers, and small groups of people interested in seeing St Petersburg's first settlement and learning about the evolution of the political system in Russia.

TOUR OF ST. ISAAC’S CATHEDRAL & YUSUPOV PALACE

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During your visit to Saint Petersburg don't miss a visit to St. Isaac's Cathedral, one of the largest, richest and most famous cathedrals in Russia, and make sure you step into the magnificent Yusupov Palace, one of the most elegant residences in Europe in the 19th-century. Admire the decorative interiors, hear cool stories and enjoy breathtaking views. Complete this tour with a visit to the small Vodka Museum, and get a taste of Russian food and vodka.

Itinerary: During this tour, you can visit St Isaac's Cathedral and learn about the details of its construction and historical events. Then you'll be taken to the famous Yusupov Palace where you can see the spot where Grigoriy Rasputin was killed and how the richest and most famous noble family, the Yusopovs, lived in Russia in the 19th-century. After visiting the Yusupov Palace we'll take you back to your hotel.

Sights covered on the tour: the St. Isaac's Cathedral; St Isaac Square; the Yusupov Palace; the Russian Vodka Museum.

Options: If you're ready to climb up 226 steps you can combine this tour with a visit to the Colonnade of the Cathedral (223 meters height) and take amazing photos of the city from the top.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for couples, friends, solo travelers, families with kids and small groups of people.

TOUR OF THE CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD & THE RUSSIAN MUSEUM

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Visit the most picturesque and impressive church in the city and learn about Russian art and culture all at once. Take this tour and step into the famous Church of the Spilled Blood and the Russian Museum. Find out where Tsar Alexander II was murdered, admire decorative interiors made of 7500 square meters of mosaics and enjoy a unique collection of Russian art.

Itinerary: During this tour, you can see the Church of the Spilled Blood and learn about the history of the construction of the building and the dramatic events that this Russian church has been through since its construction. Afterward, you'll take a nice stroll through the Michael Garden and then move to the Russian Museum where you can admire an incredible Art Gallery on display with a collection of Russian art that includes paintings, sculpture, applied art as well as folk arts and crafts.

Sights covered on the tour: the Church of the Saviour on the Spilt Blood; the Russian Museum; Michael Garden.

Options: You can combine this tour with a visit to the Summer Garden.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for couples, friends, solo travelers, families with kids and small groups of people interested to visit one of the symbols of the city, and learn more about the art and culture of Russia.

SIEGE OF LENINGRAD TOUR

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Go beyond the standard tours and visit the battlefields of the Second World War and the memorial sites. Step back in time to the period between 1941 and 1944 with an expert local guide and learn everything about the Siege of Leningrad. Re-live the images of that terrible and heroic period of war by exploring the Diorama and Road of Life Museum or by visiting the moving Memorial Siege Cemetery and Museum. Definitely one of the best St Petersburg tours!

Itinerary: During this tour, you can see the Road of Life and visit the Museum of Road of Life which displays wartime relics. On the way back to St. Petersburg you'll stop for a visit at the Diorama Museum near the Neva River, at the Nevsky Bridgehead (one of the bloodiest battlefields in the world) and later at the Leningrad Defense Museum.

Sights covered on the tour: the Road of Life; the Road of Life Museum; Nevsky Bridgehead; Leningrad Defense Museum and Siege State Memorial Museum.

Options: You can combine this tour with a visit to the coast of Ladoga Lake in Morozova and see the island fortress of Oreshek, or go to Psikarevskoye Memorial Cemetery.

Ideal for: This is one of the best St Petersburg tours ideal for couples, friends, solo travelers, families with kids and small groups of people interested in learning about the most destructive siege in the history of human warfare.

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