Day Tours From St Petersburg russia
Get head out of the town and
discover New Picturesque Places!

---

Our day tours from St Petersburg offer you a great opportunity to explore the untouched Russian countryside and experience some of Russia's most historic sights. See how!

Taking a break and heading out of Saint Petersburg with a day trip to the scenic countryside, or at any of the summer residence of the Russian tsars is something everyone should experience during their trip to Russia.

You should know that our beautiful cultural capital of Russia is full of lesser-known and exciting places to visit, some of which are still off the tourist radar. You can get there in a few hours by yourself on a train or bus but at your own risk, or much better, you can get there safely with us by arranging a private day trip at any time of the year.

For example, in less than sixty minutes' drive, you can reach Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo, two of St. Petersburg’s most beautiful and famous spots. Around the same time, you can get to the enchanting Pavlovsk, Gatchina, or Kronstadt, three must-see remarkable sights often off the beaten track. While, in less than three hours, you could travel to one of the oldest Russian cities, such as Veliky Novgorod, Vyborg or Staraya Ladoga, and immerse yourself in medieval Russia and Soviet time. 

As you read there are many interesting places to visit apart from the city of St. Petersburg. Undoubtedly, each of these Day Tours from St Petersburg can be a trip of a lifetime! Out of the city, millions of birch trees, charming medieval towns, old commanding forts, magnificent churches, and parks will blow your mind and surely enrich your Russian vacation.☺

best DAY TOURS FROM ST PETERSBURG

---

If you wish to get away from the city take a look below at our top list of day tours from St Petersburg. And remember, wherever you go, you'll be enjoying the natural beauty, striking old Russian architecture, intriguing history, and fresh air - plus you'll have a lot of fun. To get started just click on the links below or scroll down the page to learn more.

DAY TRIP TO TSARSKOYE SELO

---

A day tour to Tsarskoye Selo gives you the chance to walk into a majestic gem of 18th- century architecture and get a sense of the royal family's life in the imperial dynasty. From the spectacular Catherine Park filled with quirky monuments and the sparkling amber room to the quieter Alexander Palace, you'll be pretty much entertained and impressed. This is one of the most booked day tours from St Petersburg.

Itinerary: After collecting you at the hotel, we will drive to the small village of Pushkin, also known as Tsarskoye Selo. There you'll be guided through the outstanding Catherine Palace and park and walk through different luxurious dining rooms, monuments and statues while hearing thrilling stories, facts, dates, and historical events related to Catherine the Great and the Romanov family.

Sights covered on the tour: Catherine Palace and park; Grotto Pavilion; Palladian Bridge; Hermitage Pavilion; Alexander Palace and much more.

Options: You can combine this private tour with a visit to the town of Pavlovsk, or to the favorite local restaurant of Putin Podvorye.

Ideal for: Family with kids, couples, friends, small or large groups of people interested to see how and where the Romanov Tsars lived in the past centuries.

Note: The best way to get there is by car or by van with a local tour guide. But if you prefer to get there on your own, you can also rent a car or minivan with a professional driver.

DAY TRIP TO PETERHOF

---

A day tour to Peterhof, one of Russia's number one tourist attractions, is a great combination of relaxation, art, Russian architecture, history, fun, and unique beauty. When you get there, you'll be walking around dozens of trick fountains, thousands of works of art, magnificent marble sculptures and applied arts - plus you'll be enjoying a peaceful atmosphere that will touch your soul. This is one of the most popular day tours from St Petersburg.

Itinerary: After collecting you at the hotel, we will drive to Peterhof, often referred to as the "Russian Versailles". There you'll start your tour visiting the outstanding Grand Palace and the nearby gardens accompanied by one of our local guides. You'll get an introduction to the history of the most fascinating imperial summer residence of the Russian tsars and hear amazing stories.

Sights covered on the tour: The Great Palace; the great Cascade and Samson Fountains; the Trick Fountains and Whale Fountains; the Low Gardens and Upper Gardens.

Options: You can combine this private tour with a visit to the Monplaisir Palace, the Hermitage Pavilion, and the Marly Palace (the little house where Peter the Great used to organize parties for his closest friends. Please note that to add these options an extra time is required).

Ideal for: Family with kids, couples, friends, small or large groups of people interested to see where and how the Tsars and Tsarinas lived during the summer between 1709-1724.

Note: The best way to get there is by car or by van with a local tour guide. But if you prefer to get there on your own, you can also rent a car or minivan with a professional driver. For your information, this is one of a few day tours from St Petersburg that let you also get to Peterhof by taking a local ship known as Hydrofoil Express.

DAY TRIP TO PAVLOVSK

---

If you want to walk through an enchanting park with tall trees, winding streams, benches, and endless paths and feel like you're a world away, then you really have to plan a day trip to Pavlovsk, the youngest of the great imperial estates around St. Petersburg. There you'll see a picturesque area that was once the game-rich Tsarskoye Selo hunting grounds and beautiful neoclassical architecture. Compared to all other day tours from St Petersburg, this one is ideal for people keen to go off the beaten path.

Itinerary: After collecting you at the hotel, we'll go to the small town of Pavlovsk to see the fascinating Pavlovsk Palace, which is encompassed by a huge 1500 acre park. There you'll be guided through the Grand Palace and its huge Park and learn about the imperial family who lived in the residence in the 18th-century.

Sights covered on the tour: the Pavlovsk Palace and the nearby park.

Options: You can combine this private tour with a visit to Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo.

Ideal for: Family with kids, couples, friends, small or large groups of people interested to find a great place to get away from the city for one day.

Note: The best way to get there is by car or by van with a local tour guide. But if you prefer to get there on your own, you can also rent a car or minivan with a professional driver.

DAY TRIP TO GATCHINA

---

Gatchina isn't quite as popular among tourists as Peterhof or Pushkin, but it's nonetheless another engaging place to visit. Home to the Romanov Family, Gatchina boasts beautiful architecture and natural beauty. If you go, you can enjoy various temporary and permanent exhibitions including a weaponry display hosted inside the palace. While outside you can rent a boat and row down the lake. Compared to all other day tours from St Petersburg, this one is also perfect for people interested to go off the beaten path.

Itinerary:  After collecting you at the hotel, we'll drive to Gatchina, a Russian town very popular among locals for its lovely brooks and bridges. There you'll see the Grand Palace and its Park complex and hear interesting stories about the Romanov family as well as the history of Gatchina's Palace. Nature here is at its best!

Sights covered on the tour: The residence, grand in scale and design; the park with its small historical buildings still in ruin; the Priory Palace (a remarkable Gothic construction); the underground tunnel running from the palace to the lake, and much more.

Ideal for: Family with kids, couples, friends, small or large groups of people interested to combine history, architecture, relaxation, and nature.

Note: The best way to get there is by car or by van with a local tour guide. But if you prefer to get there on your own, you can also rent a car or minivan with a professional driver.

DAY TRIP TO VELIKY NOVGOROD

---

Once a legendary cultural center, now a world heritage listed site, Veliky Novgorod (Great Novgorod) is a very good weekend escape for anyone looking to experience the real Russia. Here you can taste the old soul of Russia, its traditions and customs plus admire the unspoiled medieval architecture, impressive fortifications, and Orthodox churches.  Definitely this is one of our favorite day tours from St Petersburg. We've been there once!

Itinerary: After collecting you at the hotel, we'll go to Novgorod, an important old Russian city situated 187 kilometers from St. Petersburg. There you'll explore several interesting World Heritage Sites, such as monuments, churches, cathedrals, marketplaces, parks, and of course the city itself, which is part of UNESCO. Compared to all other day tours from St Petersburg, this one is also ideal for people keen to go off the beaten path.

Sights covered on the tour: the Kremlin; St Sophia's Cathedral; the Archbishop's Court; Yaroslav's court; the Sigtun Gates; the Church of Transfiguration; the monument to the Millennium of Rus.

Options: You can combine this tour with the Museum of Wooden Architecture (highly recommended).

Ideal for: Family with kids, couples, friends, small or large groups of people interested to see the first and oldest city to be built in Russia.

Note: The best way to get there is by car or by van with a local tour guide. But if you prefer to get there on your own, you can also rent a car or minivan with a professional driver.

DAY TRIP TO KRONSTADT

---

If you've already seen St. Petersburg’s most celebrated landmarks, then it's time to visit Saint Petersburg's old main seaport. Go for a day trip to Kronstadt on Kotlin Island in the Gulf of Finland and get to know the fascinating naval history of this Russian military base. Breathe fresh sea air and walk in and around the town and see the Byzantine style Naval Cathedral. Tour an array of sea forts and canals and have fun! Compared to all other Day Tours From St Petersburg, this one is the most interesting but still less considered by tourists.

Itinerary: After collecting you at the hotel, we'll go to the city of Kronstadt located 30 kilometers from St. Petersburg. This old town founded by Peter the Great still has a Soviet time atmosphere due to its old-style urban architecture, so it is a spot not to miss. There you'll see the large Naval Cathedral, the adjacent square, and much more.

Sights covered on the tour: the St Nicholas Naval Cathedral; Peter the Great Canal; the towns with its sea forts and canals.

Options: Once you're there you can also take a boat tour around the sea forts of the Kotlin Island, time permitting.

Ideal for: Families with kids, couples, friends, small or large groups of people interested to see one of the most important Russian towns near Saint Petersburg.

Note: The best way to get there is by car or by van with a local tour guide. But if you prefer to get there on your own, you can also rent a car or minivan with a professional driver. For your information, this is one of a few day tours from St Petersburg that let you also get to Kronstadt by taking a local cruise ship.

DAY TRIP TO VYBORG

---

Travel to the northwest of St. Petersburg and experience unique historical scenery. Spend a day in Vyborg and explore the magnificent Vyborg Castle. Walk-in and around medieval fortifications, learn how to use a bow and arrow, and see ancient weapons and customs. Enjoy a stroll along the romantic Monrepos Park, go up to the Peter Hill, or stop for lunch in the historical restaurant, located in the ancient Round Tower. Compared to other Day Tours From St Petersburg, this one is also the most interesting but still less considered by tourists.

Itinerary: After collecting you at the hotel, we'll drive to Vyborg, a small Russian town situated 130 kilometers from St. Petersburg and 37 Kilometers from the Finnish border. There you'll walk through the historical town and see its old buildings, cobbled streets, and marketplace to the Vyborg castle and its museums. You'll also walk up to the Peter hills, from where you can enjoy a nice view of the city, and go down to the old red square, and tour around.

Sights covered on the tour: The Castle of Vyborg; the Old Town; Peter Hill; the Red Square; the Clock Tower; Park Monrepos.

Ideal for: Families with kids, couples, friends, small or large groups of people keen to visit a medieval Russian city that has preserved the spirit of the middle ages.

Note: The best way to get there is by car or by van with a local tour guide. But if you prefer to get there on your own, you can also rent a car or minivan with a professional driver.

DAY TRIP TO STARAYA LADOGA

---

Take this private tour and spend a day in Staraya Ladoga, another small and amazing Russian town to visit. It hosts beautiful 12th-century churches, monasteries, and a wonderful national park. Even if Staraya Ladoga isn't as popular among tourists as other Russian cities, it can be a really interesting addition to your trip to Russia, especially if you love archeology and nature. The town itself is a site of archeological discovery worth a day trip. This is one of the most underrated day tours from St Petersburg, so be the first to try.

Itinerary: After collecting you at the hotel, we'll go to Staraya Ladoga, a small town on the bank of the River Volkhov around 120 Km east of St. Petersburg. There you'll be guided through the old towers of the Ladoga Fortress, the white-stone churches and burial mounds left here by Russian tribes long ago. Also, you'll see all the main sights of Staraya Ladoga and hear about the history, legends, and myths of this peaceful town.

Sights covered on the tour: The Ladoga Fortress and the Church of St. George; the Church of the Dormition and John the Baptist; the St. Nicholas Monastery; the house of the Merchant Vladimir Kaliazin; the banks of the River Volkhov.

Ideal for: Families with kids, couples, friends, small or large groups of people keen to visit another interesting medieval Russian city that has preserved the spirit of the middle ages.

Note: The best way to get there is by car or by van with a local tour guide. But if you prefer to get there on your own, you can also rent a car or minivan with a professional driver.

OUR TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

---

• The most comfortable and best way to travel outside Saint Petersburg is by car or by train. If you go by car, make sure you rent a car with a professional driver. Avoid taking the risk of driving by yourself as roads are not good. If you go by train, you don't need to buy tickets in advance, just go to the train station 30 minutes before your departure.
  

• Whatever day tours from St Petersburg you choose, make sure you bring your passport with you, a bottle of water, comfortable shoes, and an umbrella in case of rain.
  

• Whether you book one of our day tours from St Petersburg or you choose to go by yourself please note that credit cards aren't always accepted in Russia, especially in small towns outside the big city. So make sure you bring enough cash and small change with you to avoid any payment problems.

• If you travel alone remember to check the museum, church, or cathedral website for additional information, service timetables, and price updates before you go.
  

• Avoid taking the local bus to get to the places we mentioned because by bus the trip takes longer, is crowded, and uncomfortable. But if you're on a low budget then this can be your best choice as the bus is very cheap after the train.
  

• If you want to book any of our Day Tours from St Petersburg presented on this page please make sure you book well in advance. Thanks!
  

---

From Day Tours From St Petersburg return to St Petersburg Russia Tours or go to the Homepage