4 Days in St. Petersburg
A Journey Through Russia’s Cultural Capital
St. Petersburg is a city where imperial splendor meets artistic soul. With its ornate palaces, elegant canals, and vibrant cultural scene, four days here can feel like a dream sequence set to classical music. Here’s how I spent four unforgettable days exploring this remarkable city.
Day 1: Arrival and Nevsky Prospekt Vibes
I arrived in the early afternoon, greeted by the soft northern light and the regal facades of the city. After checking into a boutique hotel just off Nevsky Prospekt, I took a leisurely walk down this iconic boulevard. The street is full of energy, lined with shops, restaurants, historic buildings, and some of the best people-watching in the city. I stopped for coffee at Singer Café, which has beautiful views of Kazan Cathedral, and ended the day with dinner at a cozy Georgian restaurant nearby. It was a gentle introduction, and it already felt like I had entered a different era.
Day 2: Palaces and the Hermitage
This day was devoted to the majestic. I began at the Winter Palace, which houses the Hermitage Museum—one of the largest and oldest art museums in the world. It’s overwhelming in the best way, with room after room of Rembrandts, da Vincis, and endless treasures from around the globe. I wandered through the opulent halls for hours, then strolled out to Palace Square, pausing at the Alexander Column. In the evening, I took a short walk along the Neva River and caught a glimpse of the famous drawbridges opening—an iconic St. Petersburg sight if you stay out late enough.
Day 3: Peterhof and the Gulf of Finland
A quick hydrofoil ride took me to Peterhof, often called the “Russian Versailles.” The Grand Palace and its golden fountains are almost absurdly beautiful, and the park grounds stretch to the sea. I spent most of the day exploring the Lower Gardens and enjoying the coastal breeze from the Gulf of Finland. After returning to the city, I had a late dinner at a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views over the rooftops of St. Petersburg. The white nights of summer meant it never really got dark—just a hazy, magical twilight that lingered.
Day 4: Art, Canals, and Farewell
On the final day, I visited the Fabergé Museum inside the elegant Shuvalov Palace, where I marveled at the intricate imperial eggs. From there, I took a canal boat ride through the city, St. Petersburg is often called the “Venice of the North” for a reason. Cruising past baroque buildings and under low bridges gave me a different perspective and a sense of calm. I wrapped up the trip with a visit to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood—its colorful onion domes look almost too fantastical to be real—and a final walk along the Fontanka River.
Final Thoughts
St. Petersburg lingers in the memory, not just for its grandeur but also for the way it blends melancholy beauty with resilience and creativity. Four days wasn’t nearly enough, but it was the perfect introduction. I left with a camera full of photos, a heart full of awe, and a firm promise to return.