ancient greek school trips

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Book this workshop and discover the world of ancient Greece. Our atmospheric Cast Gallery is the perfect space to explore the gods and heroes from myth, and to learn about ancient Greek culture and life.

Age: 7-11 (KS2)

Curriculum links: History (Ancient Greeks); English (Storytelling)

Maximum group size: 35 (minimum 10 for a visit led by us)

Session time: 45-90 minutes

Session type: museum-led or self-led

No charges apply

KS2: Ancient Greeks

An Ancient Greeks session, facilitated by our Education and Outreach Coordinator or led by you, is specially designed to support the curriculum, to inspire your students and to enhance their studies. We can plan our session to fit your timetable, offering anything between 45 and 90 minutes – it's up to you.

For a 90-minute session facilitated by us, we suggest the following breakdown:

• Whole class session in Bay C: looking at the Temple of Zeus at Olympia , our Museum and Education Coordinator will tell the story of Pelops and Oinomaos, and will use questions and discussion to cover topics including Greek religion, myth, the Olympic Games, and even how plaster casts themselves were made. (30 mins)
• Group work in various Bays , guided by your adult leaders: this part of the session encourages students to explore the Museum using the Key Stage 2 Greeks Workpack. By splitting into groups working in different parts of the Museum, students can discover themes among the statues including ancient athletics or gods and goddesses. You choose which themes from the workpack your students should cover. (45 mins)
• Whole class session back together in Bay C: our Museum and Education Coordinator will bring you back together again before you leave to answer any questions the students may have.

You can also use the workpack to lead a session yourselves: it is designed for use in self-led sessions as well those facilitated by our Education and Outreach Coordinator.

Please note: nudity is a feature of classical sculpture and there is no avoiding it in our Cast Gallery. Our Education and Outreach Coordinator will address the nakedness on display in an age-appropriate way with your students during your session.

KS2 Ancient Greeks Workpack

• Download the  KS2 Ancient Greeks Museum Workpack (pdf)
• Download the KS2 Ancient Greeks Museum Workpack (accessible pdf)
• Download the KS2 Ancient Greeks Teacher's Answer Sheets (pdf)
• Further resources: Greeks Home Learning Resources

How to Book

To make a booking, please use our online booking request form . Please note: we ask that school trips are booked at least a week in advance of your visit.

Our Education and Outreach Coordinator will be in touch to answer any questions or discuss your options in advance of your visit.

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Tel. 01223 767044 Email  [email protected]

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Please read our teacher's pack for more information about our museum and your visit

• Download the Teachers' Pack (pdf)

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Every cast tells two stories. One ancient. One modern.

Admission is free.

Summer temperatures

We realise the summer has been something of a washout so far - but please note that if the sun is shining, our Cast Gallery (with its glass roof) can get very warm.

Opening hours

Tues-Fri: 10am-5pm Sat ( univ. term-time only ): 2pm-5pm Sun and Monday: Closed

Closed on Bank Holidays

Saturday Opening

Please note: We are open on Saturdays only during University of Cambridge term time .

We are currently closed on Saturdays until Saturday 12 October.

Museum of Classical Archaeology Faculty of Classics Sidgwick Avenue Cambridge CB3 9DA

We do not have an entrance on the road. Find us inside the Sidgwick Site.

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Complete the form below and we’ll send you your quote as soon as possible. Should you wish to discuss any part of your proposed trip, do give us a call on 01935 816920 .

Ancient Greece History & Classics School Trip

Ancient Greece is the birthplace of European civilisation and our tours visit some of the most important sites of classical antiquity in Athens and the Peloponnese including the Acropolis, Delphi, Epidaurus and Mycenae

School History and Classics Trip to Greece

Our School History Trip to Greece explores Greece, the birthplace of European civilisation from the Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations which ruled Crete and the Aegean to the great Athenian philosophers including Plato and Aristotle of the Hellenistic period. Our tours explore Athens and the Acropolis before travelling to the Peloponnese where we visit the ruins at Mycenae, Corinth and Epidaurus. We also visit the fascinating Delphi while longer tours can also include Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games. Tours can be extended to include the island of Crete and the Temple of Knossos.

Suggested Itinerary

The itinerary featured here is intended to give you inspiration and an idea of what you could do on your tour. Your trip will be created individually by one of our travel advisors to match your requirements and budget.

Fly to Athens

Flight to Athens: Today you fly to Athens where you are met on arrival by your guide and private transport. You then travel to your hotel accommodation for check in and dinner this evening is at your hotel.

City Tour: This afternoon you have a city sightseeing tour which will include the most important monuments and landmarks of the city including the Panathenaic Stadium, the Zappeion, the temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, Syntagma square and the Parliament building where soldiers perform the famous Changing of the Guard ritual on the hour.

Athens City Tour, Acropolis, Acropolis Museum & Agora

Acropolis: This morning you visit the Acropolis, the most famous of the Greek archaeological sites. Your visit will include all the main sites of the Acropolis including the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the site, the Temple of Athena Nike and of course the Parthenon itself. You also visit the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysos where plays by Sophocles were first performed.

Agora: After lunch you visit the Agora, the ancient heart of Athens and the focus of political, social and economic life. Here you can explore the remnants of the most significant buildings including the Temple of Hephaestus, the best-preserved ancient temple in Greece. It was dedicated to Hephaestus, the ancient god of fire and to Athena, goddess of wisdom, craft and war.

Plaka and Monastiraki Flea Market: Before dinner at your hotel you will visit the lively Plaka area and Monastiraki Flea Market.

Full day tour to Delphi

Delphi: Today you travel by coach outside of Athens and visit Delphi. The Sanctuary of Apollo was the seat of the oracle which was consulted on important decisions and attracted pilgrims from all over the ancient classical world. There is also a well-preserved theatre situated a little further up the hill from the temple which provides the seated audience with a spectacular view of the entire sanctuary below and the valley beyond. It was built in the fourth century BC and can accommodate around five thousand spectators who in ancient times would have enjoyed plays, poetry readings and musical events during the various festivals that took place periodically.

Corinth Canal, Mycenae and Nafplio

Corinth Canal: This morning you depart from Athens and head to the Peloponnese peninsula. Your first stop is at the famous Corinth Canal which was completed in 1893 to provide a shipping route from the Gulf of Corinth to the Aegean

Mycenae: Explore the ruins of the great city which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th centuries BC and which played a major role in the development of classical Greek culture. Mycenae was reputedly Agamemnon’s capital and is recounted in Homer’s tales. Its finest features are the Treasury of Atreus and the Lion Gate.

Nafplio: You continue to your hotel in the town of Nafplio where you can explore the picturesque old town with its cobblestone alleys and well-preserved neo-classical mansions.

Epidaurus and Ancient Corinth

Epidaurus: This morning you visit Epidaurus, famous for having the best-preserved of all Greek theatres. The site itself was named after the god of medicine, Asklepios, and pilgrims came from all over the Mediterranean seeking healing for their ailments.

Ancient Corinth: You continue to Ancient Corinth, one of the major cities of antiquity. It was made up of three parts – the acropolis on the hill, the city itself on a lower plateau, and its port of Lechaion on the coast. All this was protected by a wall which ran for over 12 miles. One of the most important structures remaining is the impressive Temple of Apollo, regarded as one of the best examples of early Doric temple building anywhere in the Greek world.

Flight Home: You then continue to the airport for your homeward flight.

Acropolis Museum

National Archaeological Museum

Ancient Corinth

Corinth Canal

The Acropolis is the most famous of the Greek archaeological sites and the universal symbol of Athens. The term Acropolis describes the hilltop citadel which includes over twenty different temples and buildings, each one with their own purpose. The most recognisable of these is the Parthenon which sits at the highest point of the hill, with its majestic Doric columns. From the site entrance, a rising diagonal path takes you past the Odeon of Pericles, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysus where plays by Sophocles were first performed. You reach and enter the Propylaea, the monumental entrance gate to the upper citadel where the Parthenon finally comes into view.

The Acropolis Museum is a stunning new museum which opened in 2009 and is situated adjacent to the main entrance to the Acropolis. The extensive use of large glass panels in the building’s structure gives the visitor wonderful views of the Acropolis while exploring the more than 3000 artefacts discovered at the site. Glass floor panels also reveal the archaeological excavations that lies below the Museum, and which are still ongoing. The chronology of the exhibits traces the history of the Acropolis from the second millennium BC to Classical Antiquity and explores what life might have been like in the citadel.

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens is the largest museum in Greece and houses an incredible collection of antiquities. Many of the treasures discovered at Mycenae can be seen here including the gold funeral mask of King Agamemnon, discovered by Schliemann in 1876 and described by some as the ‘Mona Lisa’ of classical antiquity. Of similar importance is the wonderful bronze sculpture The Jockey of Artemision depicting a young boy riding a horse and dated to at least 150 BC.

Ancient Epidaurus is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Set in a beautifully wooded valley with the scent of pine drifting through the air, it was named after Asklepios the god of medicine and pilgrims came from all over the Mediterranean seeking healing for their ailments. Epidaurus is famous for its perfectly preserved theatre, built around 330 BC, with its fantastic acoustics.

Situated on the Argolid Plain in the Peloponnese peninsula, Mycenae was reputedly Agamemnon’s capital and is recounted in Homer’s tales. The city dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th centuries BC and played a major role in the development of classical Greek culture. Mycenae is an extensive site, it finest features being the Treasury of Atreus and the perfectly preserved Lion Gate.

Ancient Corinth was one of the major cities of antiquity. It was made up of three parts - the acropolis on the hill, the city itself on a lower plateau, and its port of Lechaion on the coast. All this was protected by a wall which ran for over 12 miles. One of the most important structures remaining is the impressive Temple of Apollo, regarded as one of the best examples of early Doric temple building anywhere in the Greek world.

The Corinth Canal is one of those world sites that should not be missed. In fact, if you are travelling to any of the Peloponnese archaeological sites such as Epidaurus or Mycenae it cannot be missed as the road crosses it. The canal was completed in 1893 to provide a direct shipping route from the Gulf of Corinth to the Aegean and although it is now too narrow for much major commercial shipping, it is frequently used by leisure craft taking a short cut. This is the ideal place for a photo opportunity and there are adjacent cafes for a drink and bathroom facilities.

Ancient Olympia in the far west of the Peloponnese peninsula hosted the original Olympic Games in the 8th century BC. The current site is extensive, and the ruins include athletic training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus. The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC, typically at the first full moon after the summer solstice. At its peak as many as 40,000 spectators came from all over Greece to participate in and watch the Games. Eighteen separate events were contested, spread over five days and the victors won crowns of olive leaves taken from a sacred grove. The Games continued throughout the Hellenistic period but came to end in AD 393 under the Roman Empire with a decree by the Emperor Theodosios to prohibit all cult practices.

The archaeological site at Delphi formed the location for the Sanctuary of Apollo. This was the seat of the oracle which was consulted on important decisions and attracted pilgrims from all over the ancient classical world. There is also a well-preserved theatre situated a little further up the hill from the temple which provides the seated audience with a spectacular view of the entire sanctuary below and the valley beyond. It was built in the fourth century BC and can accommodate around five thousand spectators who in ancient times would have enjoyed plays, poetry readings and musical events during the various festivals that took place periodically.

Greece Gallery

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Ancient Rome History & Classics School Trip

Rome - the Eternal city - is the very embodiment of the ancient world with archaeological treasures at every turn. The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are of course the most prominent and most recognisable of these but there are many other sites to explore both within the city walls and outside.

Bay of Naples History & Classics School Trip

Our tour to the Bay of Naples in the Italian region of Campania explores some of the most famous archaeological sites known to antiquity including Pompeii and Herculaneum which were lost in the cataclysmic eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. We also discover the Etruscan city of Capua and the Greek ruins at Paestum.

Istanbul, Gallipoli & Ancient Troy History School Trip

Explore the highlights of Istanbul and the Golden Horn before travelling to the Gallipoli Peninsula to visit ANZAC Cove and many other key sites of the ill-fated Gallipoli Campaign of WW1. The tour also visits the archaeological site of Ancient Troy and can be extended to include Assos and Pergamon.

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School Trips to Greece: Top 5 Sites for Students of Greek Religion

Stephanie holmes.

• Categories: Greece , TLA Team , Trip Planning
• 7 mins read
• October 23, 2023
• (Updated July 24, 2024)

Table of Contents

A Classics school trip to Greece offers the perfect opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the ancient worlds they study. Our Classics school trip specialist, Hannah, is here to underpin the top 5 sites in Greece that showcase the wonders of Ancient Greek history – with a closer dive into Greek religion.

1. castalian spring – delphi, greece.

Delphi has been attracting visitors for thousands of years and is an ideal stop during a school trip to Greece. It was a centre of prophecy in the ancient world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Visitors cannot miss the Temple of Apollo, the stadium, and the treasuries lining the Sacred Way – all of which show the architectural importance of the site to city-states around the Greek world. Before an ancient visitor entered the temenos  (sacred space), they had to pass the Castalian Spring to perform purification.

This ritual displays the importance of  orthopraxy  – the correct behaviour towards the gods. Visitors to Delphi would wash themselves in the spring water to avoid polluting the sacred space within the sanctuary, in fear of acting disrespectfully towards Apollo. Greek myth and epic stories often include tales of humans that disrespected the gods, and none of them fared well. Ordinary Greeks would have known these stories and heeded the lessons from them of the importance of orthopraxy in their own lives. The Castalian Spring at Delphi stands as a reminder of the importance of correct religion and is a point of connection between ancient and modern visitors.

2. Abaton – Epidaurus, Greece

Just as the Castalian Spring prompts us to think of ancient religion as something lived rather than observed, the a baton  at Epidaurus reveals the reciprocal nature of Greek religion. Nestled in the heart of the Sanctuary to Asclepios (god of healing), the  abaton was a space of incubation for the ill. They would sleep in individual rooms, hoping Asclepios would appear in their dreams and reveal either a remedy or heal them himself. There are many tales from antiquity of healing in this space; for example, a blind woman dreamt that Asclepios poured a mixture into her eye sockets and she allegedly woke to be able to see! As far-fetched as the examples may sound, ancient visitors travelled to the  abaton  with the same faith as Catholic visitors to Lourdes – hoping their god would intervene and heal them. 

The  abaton exemplifies to students the reciprocal nature of Greek religion. The woman with the healed eyes, for example, was instructed to give Asklepios a silver piglet in thanks. Healing was one of the many things Greeks could expect from the gods in return for their sacrifices and offerings. Sanctuaries to Asklepios, like the one at Epidaurus, grew in popularity during the 4th century BCE. They are a testament to how ordinary people believed that the Olympian gods were present and could be relied upon to cure them of their ills. At Epidaurus we see that religion was not simply performative, but something that could yield genuine results.

3. Theatre of Dionysus – Athens, Greece

On the Acropolis’ slopes sits the Theatre of Dionysus, the home of Greek theatre and a monument to the civic importance of religious festivals. Being the god of wine and revelry makes Dionysus a popular god to worship, as Dionysia often had a party atmosphere! Beyond having a good time, the religious themes of the plays performed during the Dionysia, link this space to the very idea of Athenian citizenship. The themes of Greek Tragedy explore the worst and most anti-social parts of the human psyche. Medea, Oedipus, and Antigone all break with social normality, though some are in more extreme ways than others. Extremes and transgressions were part of Dionysus’ nature, so it is unsurprising that tragedians explored these themes.

The Theatre gave the Athenians a space to safely explore transgressions and the extremes of human emotions, all while paying respect to the wild nature of Dionysus before going back into their ordinary lives. The comedies followed these themes through exaggerated physical forms and ‘topsy-turvy’ social scenarios. Dionysus’ wild and dangerous character was worshipped through Greek drama within a space that reinforced the Athenian community. This made the Theatre of Dionysus a poignant space for Athenian religious and civic identity.

4. Temple of Poseidon – Sounion, Greece

There are few temples that can boast a more beautiful setting than the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion. Perched on the cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, this temple has been attracting visitors for centuries. Lord Byron being one, who even carved his name into the marble! While a cliff overlooking the sea is a fitting place for Poseidon’s temple, there’s more to it than aesthetics. The Olympian gods justified natural events with anthropomorphised deities whereby, the sea was an extension of Poseidon to tame or whip up as he dictated.

Sounion would have been a useful marker and vantage point for Piraeus – the ancient port for the city of Athens. This meant that the shining marble temple would have welcomed them into the harbour as they sailed by and given a reminder to thank the god that had got them there safely. For a society dependent on the sea for travel and trade, this made Poseidon an important god to have on side. Any sailors worshipping at Sounion could look out over the stormy seas and ensure their sacrifices were extra generous before taking to the boats! The positioning of the temple places the worship of Poseidon as close to his realm as possible and speaks to the natural power the Olympians held.

5. Funerary Lekythos of Myrrhine, National Archaeological Museum – Athens, Greece

In the National Archaeological Museum of Athens sits a marble  lekythos that functioned as a grave marker in the late-fifth century BCE. It is a tall and slender oil container carved in shallow relief and is one that visitors must get close to appreciate the emotion within the scene. The relief shows a young woman named Myrrhine being led by Apollo Psychopompos,  Escorter of Souls. For students, the  lekythos  reveals a personal side to religious practice. We see the family of Myrrhine raising a hand in either farewell (if they are living) or greeting (if they are deceased) as she makes the journey to the realm of the dead. This idea would have supported the family’s remembrance of Myrrhine at festivals of the dead, such as the Anthesteria, and granted her ongoing memory. 

This  lekythos harnesses the belief that Apollo would lead the deceased to the Underworld with a chance of being reunited with loved ones. It would have comforted the family and acted as a focus for their grief. As modern viewers, we can connect to the raw human emotions displayed and understand the personal importance of ancient religion. Even in a museum gallery, removed from its funerary context, the Myrrhine Lekythos stirs sympathy in viewers and brings the study of funerary customs to life.

Discover more about the value of Classics school trips to Greece, visit our Greece school trips itinerary page  or contact  [email protected] , and one of our Classics specialists will reach out to you.

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Written by Stephanie Holmes

Educational tours specialist, related posts, teach mandarin with rap | teachers’ corner, travel news: japan e-visas for uae residents, my learning adventure: history in south korea.

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HISTORICAL LIVES

The Greek day is set in the 5th Century B.C.E  and hosted by  Archon the Athenian Hoplite.

 Areas  covered in the day:

Life in Ancient Greece : Including ; city states,women's roles, democracy, education, art, the theater   and medicine.With special  focus  on the rivalry between Sparta and Athens .  (This is interwoven throughout the day)

Introduction to the Hoplites :  Who they were, how they fought and weapons used. Archon delivers the sessions wearing Ancient Greek armour which he uses to exemplify this whilst bringing children out to demonstrate a variety of equipment. 

Greek Battle Tactics:  Up to 60 children at a time learn how to form the Phalanx with replica wooden  shields and spears. (approximately 30 minutes) 

Handling session : Time for pupils to try on armour and handle blunted weapons. ( in rotation with Battle Tactics session- teachers to supervise and facilitate)

Thermopylae Battle Reenactment :  Greece V Persia -The children take part in a re-enactment of one of the most famous battles in military history and  learn about it's influence on future events.

Greek Myths :The Odyssey -Children play the main roles in this fun          re-telling of one of the oldest stories in the West. This is followed by the true monsters which influenced the m yths.

The above details a typical day for a large school. For smaller groups Olympic sports such as the 'Shield Race' can be included. Greek days can be adapted to suit the unique needs of your school.

School trips to Athens

Need something bespoke.

School trips to Athens offer your students the chance to step back in time to discover Classical Greece!

Athens, the capital of Greece , is the cradle of both Western civilisation and democracy and so, as you’d imagine in such a historic city, there are plenty of educational visits and activities to enjoy here on your school trip.

Most popular among classical studies groups, whatever your reason for visiting Athens on a school trip, our school travel experts will work closely with you to design an itinerary to suit your learning objectives and leave your students feeling inspired.

Why visit Athens?

Cradle of western civilisation.

Ancient Greece is considered to be the cradle of Western civilisation because its culture had such a powerful influence on the culture of Ancient Rome.

A version of the Ancient Greek culture was then spread around the Mediterranean and much of Europe as the Roman Empire grew and we can still trace many elements of Western politics, philosophy, science and art to Ancient Greece.

On your school trip to Athens, your students will love the opportunity to visit some of the iconic ruins of Ancient Greece that still stand, including the iconic Acropolis and the Agorá. By visiting these historic sites, they’ll begin to gain a deeper understanding of daily life and culture in Ancient Greece.

Explore Ancient Greek art and culture

Athens is home to one of the most well-regarded museums in the world, the National Archaeological Museum.

Here, your students will have the opportunity to explore the world’s richest collections of Greek antiquity. They’ll be able to learn more about Ancient Greek art and sculpture and see the many amazing statues, pottery, jewellery and other ancient artefacts from the Neolithic, Cycladic and Mycenaean right up to the Roman conquest.

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Exploring Greece’s Legacy: Boston University’s 2024 Voyage into Greek Civilization

• August 15, 2024

Boston University’s ” Voyage into Greek Civilization 2024″ summer program concluded successfully on August 9, after an enriching five-week trip that took students to some of Greece’s most important historical and cultural landmarks. The program, which ran from July 1 to August 9, allowed participants to explore the rich heritage of ancient and modern Greece through guided tours, academic lectures, and hands-on experiences.

The program was the result of a collaborative effort between the BA Program in Archaeology, History, and Literature of Ancient Greece (BAAG) at the School of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Department of Classical Studies at Boston University (BU Philhellenes), and Study in Greece (SIG).

Students visited iconic sites such as the Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis Hill, where they immersed themselves in the heart of ancient Athens. Their journey continued to Delphi, the sanctuary once considered the center of the world in ancient Greek religion. The group also had the privilege of witnessing modern Greek governance in the Greek Parliament, before returning in time to the ancient Agora, the center of political, commercial, and social life in ancient Athens.

Other highlights included the archaeological site of Corinth and the imposing Acrocorinth, offering stunning views and a glimpse into the area’s military history. Participants also explored the Isthmus of Corinth, the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, and the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, renowned for its excellent acoustics. Visits to Nafplio, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, the Elias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre further enriched their understanding of Greece’s cultural heritage, and they had the opportunity to visit the beautiful islands of Aegina and Hydra, enjoying the beauty of the Greek landscape.

Overall, the “Voyage into Greece 2024” summer program was a remarkable success, offering students a comprehensive educational experience that combined historical exploration with cultural immersion. This trip to Greece not only deepened their understanding of ancient civilizations, but also provided insights into the country’s contemporary cultural and political landscape.

The program’s culmination was marked by a heartfelt Farewell Ceremony hosted by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at the historic Athens University History Museum. The students celebrated not only their personal growth but also the academic achievements earned during their enrollment in Modern Greek and Philosophy courses. The credits obtained from these courses will seamlessly transfer back to Boston University, underscoring the program’s commitment to providing valuable, accredited educational experiences.

This memorable ceremony marked the end of a transformative journey, leaving students with a profound appreciation for Greece’s rich heritage and a valuable academic experience to carry forward.

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Ancient Worlds: Greeks

This popular workshop delves into our archaeology collections. Transport your class to Ancient Greece. Immerse yourselves in the achievements of this civilization by coming face-to-face with surviving Ancient Greek pottery and riches. Handle real ancient artefacts, investigate mystery finds and design a myth.

ABBEY HOUSE MUSEUM

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Estate opens: 7.30am Café: 9am – 5pm, hot food finishes 45 mins before  Hall:  Open (Downstairs only) 10am-5pm Wildlife World: 10am – 5pm Estate closes: 7pm Last entry 45 mins before estate closing time

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13 Things To Do In Saint Petersburg | Russia’s Most Beautiful City

By Author Christian L.

Posted on Published: January 17, 2021  - Last updated: September 11, 2021

Categories Europe , Destinations , Russia

Once known as Leningrad and before that Petrograd, Saint Petersburg, Russia, is the country’s second-largest city. Set next to the Neva River, close to the Baltic Sea, this city is home to over 5 million people.

It’s the world’s northernmost city, founded by Peter the Great and named after Saint Peter the apostle. Once home to the Tsars of Russia, it is today known as the country’s cultural capital.

With iconic sights such as Hermitage Museum, Nevsky Prospect, Peterhof Palace, and so much more, it has a fascinating heritage ripe for exploration. Without further ado, let’s dive into the 13 best things to do in St. Petersburg. 

Top Things to do in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg, Europe, has grown into one of the top tourist destinations on the continent. Although it might get very cold in winter, there are still plenty of things to do – and the summers are absolutely perfect! Saint Petersburg is one of the prettiest cities in all of Europe .

Keep reading for some of my favorite choices. 

1. Visit The World Famous Hermitage Museum

One of the city’s most popular attractions (with over 3 million items in its esteemed collection), State Hermitage Museum showcases everything from fine art to ancient artifacts. 

Even if you don’t plan on entering inside, the exterior is an architectural gem in itself. The columns are all in white with green/gold facades that can be viewed from the river or Palace Square.

If you’re visiting St. Petersburg, Russia, your trip would not be complete without stopping past this world-famous landmark. It’s also a great activity to do no matter what time of year you are visiting – and a perfect way to escape those cold Russian winter days. 

There are six buildings in the museum complex in total. Five of which – Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Hermitage, and Hermitage Theatre – can be accessed by the public.

Within, you’ll be treated to Egyptian collections, artifacts dating from ancient Mesopotamia, and classical Greek jewelry, pottery, and sculptures. This is any historical culture lover’s dream. 

Keep exploring, and you will find collections of prehistoric relics from the Palaeolithic era to the Iron Ages, European fine arts, Impressionist works, Catherine the Great’s personal collections, and so much more.

In fact, you’ll need an entire day or possibly longer to explore this incredible museum complex. If you only have limited time in St. Petersburg, be sure to add this museum to your itinerary! There are also guided tours available if you want a more educational experience. 

Did you know? The Hermitage Museum is the world’s second-largest art museum.

2. Take in a Performance at Mariinsky Theatre

The Neoclassical Mariinsky Theatre is home to Russia’s revered opera and ballet companies.

The theatre – named after the wife of Tsar Alexandra II, Empress Maria Alexandrovna – has been here since 1860 when it was known as the Kirov Theatre.

This magnificent building, since it opened, has hosted stage performances and premieres from Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky and famous ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. 

Today, in addition to hosting live performances, the theatre has its own record label, which focuses on releasing music by Russian composers Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninov.

If you enjoy the arts and are going to be in St. Petersburg for several days, book tickets to see a world-class performance – you won’t be disappointed.

3. See Jewelled Eggs at the Faberge Museum

The House of Faberge was founded in St. Petersburg in 1842 by Gustav Faberge. Originally a jeweler, he became famous for designing jewel-encrusted eggs for the Tsars of Russia and is arguably the most famous goldsmith of the modern era. 

Today, you can view these iconic collection pieces in the Faberge Museum. It showcases 4,000 items in total, including Faberge Easter eggs, jewelry, silverware, home decor, and fantasy-themed objects.

The incredible jeweled eggs are famous all over the world, and there are several museums dedicated to them. But if you want to learn about Gustav Faberge, his family, and how it all began, this is the museum to visit. You can purchase a ticket in person or online. 

4. Spend an Hour Canal Cruising

St. Petersburg is built on 42 islands, and once upon a time (before bridges were constructed), cruising was the only way to navigate the city.

On a Golden Ring boat tour, you’ll see some of St. Petersburg’s iconic sights along the Kryukov Canal, including St. Nicholas Cathedral, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, and the Mariinsky theatre.

You’ll dip beneath the famous colored bridges on Neva River whilst enjoying views of Peter and Paul Fortress, Vasilyevsky Island, and the Summer Garden. This is truly one of the most breathtaking ways to take in all the beauty that St. Petersburg has to offer. 

This tour also only takes around an hour, so you’ll have plenty of time to revisit your favorite spots throughout the day!

5. Discover Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

One of St. Petersburg’s architectural masterpieces is the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood.

This former Russian Orthodox Church was completed in 1907 and is built in Baroque, Neoclassical, and Russian Revival design. It is one of the city’s main attractions, with ornate domes, intricate frescoes, and 7,500 square meters of mosaics inside. 

If you don’t wish to enter, you can gain incredible views from Griboedov Canal. But if you do venture inside, you’ll be rewarded with interior frescoes and mosaic works depicting biblical scenes and figures created by celebrated Russian artists of the time.

The Church of the Saviour of Blood is built on the spot where Emperor Alexander 2 was assassinated in 1881 – hence the name. So, not only will you be able to appreciate the fine architectural designs, but also explore an important part of Russian history. 

6. Take a Rooftop Walk-in St. Petersburg

If you have viewed the city from canals and rivers, try it from the rooftops! You can take a guided rooftop walk in the city, seeing streets and skylines from an elevated perspective.

One particular tour to highlight is the Official Rooftops Excursion of St. Petersburg. Just a few minutes from Nevsky Prospect, these sites offer vistas of Fontanka River and Trinity Cathedral – and that’s just the first roof.

The second roof boasts views of St. Petersburg’s old center, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, and the Church on Spilled Blood.

This is a truly incredible way to see the city in all its glory, plus the tour provides you with binoculars so you can see everything in great detail.

7. Admire Nevsky Prospect’s Magnificent Architecture

The main street of St. Petersburg is Nevsky Prospect. Begin at the intersection at Stroganov Palace before venturing to Kazan Cathedral. While you walk, take in the monuments dedicated to Catherine the Great and browse goods at The Passage – Nevsky Avenue’s premier department store.

This store was quite the trailblazer. It opened its doors in the late 1840s and was one of the first buildings in Russia to use gas for lighting. Then, in 1900, an electric station was installed on an underground floor.

Once you’ve finished shopping and enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee, continue to the Russian National Library – the oldest public library in Russia – and Alexandrinsky Theatre (which was built for the Imperial troupe of Petersburg).

8. Visit the Island of Peter and Paul Fortress

Set on an island connected by bridges, Peter and Paul Fortress is instantly recognizable from its needle spire, which dominates the skyline. The fortress was originally built to defend the maritime city from Swedish invaders.

However, Peter the Great defeated the opposition before it was even completed! It has since served as a military center and prison for political dissenters and, latterly, as a museum.

Inside the vast complex, you can see Peter and Paul Cathedral, visit the resting place of the Romanovs, and watch military processions or the firing of the noon-day gun.

It’s a great day trip for anyone interested in Russian, maritime or military history. There are also plenty of group walking tours available. 

9. Sample Russian Vodka in a Ryumochnye

A visit to Russia wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local drink – vodka, and the best place to do this is in a Ryumochnye. This is a specific style of 19th-century Russian drinking house that not only offers some of Russia’s best vodka but also a short history lesson.

You could call it a bar, but it’s more than that – most mainstream Ryumochnye have a definite Soviet vibe and are places for working men to kick back and enjoy vodka with their buddies.

Beverages come in bottles or shot form, and some places offer self-service and snacks.

If that sounds too hardcore for your taste, there are updated versions of Ryumochnye in the city, like Mayak in St. Petersburg, where you can gain a similar experience. 

10. Enjoy local Saint Petersburg Craft Beer

Although most people think of vodka when visiting Russia, you can also enjoy some of the best craft beer in Saint Petersburg . Russia’s second-largest city has an exciting, rapidly growing craft beer scene, in part due to its history and geography.

Historically, the Russian empire was influenced by Northern Europe, and the Dutch & English beer-drinking culture eventually made its way here. Today, Saint Petersburg is home to a growing number of modern microbreweries, cool taprooms, and stylish bars.

Saint Petersburg is also home to Stepan Razin Brewery, the oldest brewery in Russia (now, of course, owned by Heiniken). It opened in 1795, but today the building is known as the Saint Petersburg Beer Museum, showcasing the history of beer in Russia and the Soviet Union.

Russia’s largest and most popular brewery, Baltika, is also located in Saint Petersburg, and it’s possible to take a tour of their huge brewery.

11. See the Majestic Catherine Palace

A stately palace of blue and gold, Catherine’s Palace is located 26 kilometers south of St. Petersburg. Named after the wife of Peter the Great, this place was originally a two-story modest building commissioned in 1717.

The exterior, which stretches for one kilometer in circumference, is surrounded by woodlands, lawns, gilded balconies, and reliefs. However, the interiors are even more impressive.

With great halls, a white dining room, an amber room, and more. It’s the perfect place to step back into history and discover what life was like as a Russian aristocracy.

12. Explore Peterhof Palace

If you’re going to visit Catherine Palace, you should tour Peterhof too. It’s a 40-minute drive away, but you can even take a hydrofoil speed boat from right behind the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg center.

Sitting close to the Baltic Sea, Peterhof Palace was constructed by Peter the Great to be Russia’s version of Versailles. The opulent residence surrounded by sculptures, fountains, and tiered staircases leading to the grand entrance evokes mystery and the history of a bygone era.

Inside it is lavishly decorated with dazzling chandeliers, one-of-a-kind artworks and beautiful ceiling frescoes.

On a guided tour, you can learn more about the palace’s history. Discover the Throne Room, Portrait Hall and Peter the Great’s Oak Study. You’ll see dining rooms set for dinner, grand ballrooms where dancing and gatherings would take place, and décor which defies time.

The palace offers great insight into his life and legacy, and if you are interested in history, art and interior design, you’ll love it.

Want to know more about Peterhof?

13. Spend a Day by the Finnish Border at Vyborg

Just over an hour from central Saint Petersburg by train is the city of Vyborg. It sits on the Gulf of Finland and was first settled back in the 12th century. The city has been occupied by Finnish and German forces and suffered extensive damage during the Second World War. However, it has since been rebuilt. 

It’s a charming center to wander around, with narrow cobbled streets, a medieval castle, and Finnish art nouveau structures sprinkled throughout. An easy day trip from St. Petersburg, it can also serve as a stop-off point if you’re crossing into Finland to continue your adventure.

Want to know more about Saint Petersburg?

Where is St. Petersburg | Is St. Petersburg in Europe?

If you want to know “Where is Saint Petersburg?”, you’ve come to the right place. Beautiful St. Petersburg is located in northern Russia. Russia is a massive country, so it is no surprise that many people want to know “Is Saint Petersburg in Europe?”. The answer is yes. 

How to Get to Saint Petersburg

The maritime city is well linked to Europe by air, sea, rail and road. Depending on where you’re traveling from and the rest of your itinerary, you can use one of the following ways to arrive at St. Petersburg.

You can fly into Saint Petersburg through Pulkovo International Airport. There are around 1,100 international flights a week and 1,200 domestic flights operating in and out of the local airport.

Although many flights from European cities to Saint Petersburg are direct, you may have to change flights if flying from further afield.

It’s also possible to travel to St. Petersburg by train. The most popular (and most frequent) routes operate from Moscow, Helsinki, and Tallinn. However, there are options to travel from other areas in central Europe, central Asia, and eastern Europe by rail.

There is a central bus station in Saint Petersburg, with services to and from Moscow, Pskov, Novgorod, Vilnius, Riga , Tallinn and Helsinki. Some of these journeys can be long and arduous.

Therefore, thorough research and choosing the right bus company is important.

Baltic Sea Cruises also operate to St. Petersburg as part of a larger itinerary, and St. Peter Line Ferry sails from Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia.

Exploring Saint Petersburg, Russia

Saint Petersburg is the 5th most populous city in Europe and also a leading tourist destination. Although people sometimes forget about Russia, this city is breathtakingly beautiful and provides plenty of cultural and historical attractions.

Now that you know where to go, I hope you have an amazing time in Russia’s most beautiful city.

Friday 19th of January 2018

Thank you! So great review about our St. Petersburg!

What to do in St. Petersburg in 1 day - Probe around the Globe

Thursday 11th of May 2017

[…] more about the beauty of St. Petersburg from the Unusual […]

Friday 17th of June 2016

Which hostel did you stay at? I am potentially thinking of going to Russia for World Cup 2018 after my World Cup trip to Brazil two years ago. Saint Petersburg is one of the host cities, and so I am very interested in learning more about this city and recommendations from fellow travellers who have been.

Christian L.

I stayed at Soul Kitchen Junior, and I will go so far and say its by far the best hostel I have ever stayed at!! Anywhere in the world, no other hostels even get close to it:)

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3 Days in Saint Petersburg: What to Do and See in Saint Petersburg

by Trip.com

May 15, 2024

• Saint Petersburg 3-Days Itinerary: Cheap Flights to Saint Petersburg

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Day 1 | Morning

Winter palace.

Opening Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 10:30-18:00, Wednesday, Friday 10:30-21:00

Ticket Price: 300 RUB

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 Hours

Location: Palace Embankment, 32, St Petersburg, 190000

The gorgeous Winter Palace was once the private museum of Empress Catherine II, and now it is one of the four largest museums in the world along with the British Museum in London, the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. There are more than 3 million collections in the museum, all of which are works of art from home and abroad, such as oil paintings, statues, carpets, furniture and handicrafts. There are 400 exhibition halls and showrooms, including ancient Greek bottle painting art, ancient Roman art The three-part collection of sculpture art and Western European art is well-known in the world collection circle. The Winter Palace was built in 1754, covering an area of 90,000 square meters and a total of 1,057 rooms. It is a very distinctive Russian Baroque building in St. Petersburg. Here, the gorgeous grand palace with green walls and white columns decorated with golden reliefs unfolds in a row, magnificent yet calm. The exhibition is divided into 7 parts: primitive cultural history, ancient Greek and Roman culture and art, oriental national culture and art, Russian culture, Western European art history, coins, and crafts. It is 30 kilometers long, so it is known as the longest art gallery in the world. Not to be missed: The Mummy of Egypt (Room 100), The Peacock Clock (Room 204), Leonardo da Vinci's "Portrait of the Virgin" (Room 214), Rembrandt's "The Return of the Prodigal Son" (Room 254), Rubens' Perseus and Andromeda (Hall 246), Raphael Promenade (Hall 227). Halls 333-350 on the second floor contain many art treasures from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including masterpieces by Matisse and Picasso, which are worth a visit.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: Outstanding beautiflly looked after with massive number of historical interesting and superb collections. To do the Hermitage and all the associated buildings properly you need two days. Tour guides will falsly claim you get in quicker you do not as everyone goes on tour and no one goes without tour.....quicker without tour.Also book via internet and you have even quicker entrance with no queues . This magnificient Palace is a reason to visit St Petersburg alone and nothing else.Do not use taxi unless Russian local books and aranges fare. Eat before you go in.

Trip.com User: The main Imperial residence and the second-largest art museum in the world! Impossible to imagine the quantity of unique art objects there. We were lucky and the queue wasn’t huge. We spent at around 1 hour in a line. Its possible to buy electronic tickets by the entrance (700 rub) and go inside directly. But if you want to go on excurcion with the guide - you need to wait and buy tickets in the ticket office. General excursion price - 250 rub + 700 rub for entrance. Its hard to dectribe all that beauty!! Must see place!!

Day 1 | Afternoon

After finishing the tour at Winter Palace, you can head to Peterhof Palace, the most worth visiting place around the corner.

Peterhof Palace

Opening Hours: Open on Mon-Thu,Sun,9:00am-7:00pm;Open on Fri,9:00am-10:00pm

Ticket Price: 1000 RUB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: Razvodnaya Ulitsa, 2, St Petersburg

The magnificent summer palace is located in the quiet forest on the southern bank of the Gulf of Finland. It was built by order of Peter the Great in 1714, so it is also called Peterhof. Because of its luxurious and magnificent architectural style, the Summer Palace is also known as the "Russian Versailles". The Summer Palace is an early building in St. Petersburg. In the early 18th century, many large-scale balls, court celebrations and other activities were held here. Peter the Great would come here every summer before his death. The best way to visit the Summer Palace is to take a bus to the entrance of the Upper Garden, visit the Upper Garden, then visit the Lower Garden, and then leave by boat, while enjoying the beauty of the Gulf of Finland along the way. The Summer Palace consists of a French-style upper garden, a lower garden with more than 200 fountains, and many ingeniously designed fountains in the garden, with the Grand Palace in between. There is no need to buy a ticket to enter the upper garden, so tourists who come from land can enjoy the upper garden and buy a ticket to enter the lower garden. There are large grass gardens and sculptures in the upper garden. There are some small fountains here are sculptures depicting fairy tales. When the weather is good, you can see many locals strolling here, children playing, and newcomers shooting wedding dresses here. According to. At the end of the upper garden, you can see the great palace of Peter the Great. In front of the palace is the more striking golden waterfall fountain of the Summer Palace. Although the fountain is only open from May to October every year, no matter what Season, the exterior of these gilded sculptures looks so glorious and beautiful. The famous main fountain is called "Samson Fighting the Lion". In this golden sculpture with a height of 5 meters and a weight of 3 tons, Samson forcibly opened the mouth of a male lion, and its forceful gesture can be described as lifelike. . Behind the waterfall fountain is the grand palace of the Summer Palace. The interior and exterior are very ornately decorated, with gilded domes on both wings. The palace has a celebration hall, a banquet hall and a palace room. At that time, Peter the Great lived on the first floor, and Empress Catherine lived on the second floor. The second floor was luxuriously decorated. The upstairs was very ornately decorated. The columns of the ballroom were decorated with Venetian mirrors. Photography is not allowed in the palace. The overall size is much smaller than that of the Ekaterina Palace and the Winter Palace, and the decoration style is very similar. In addition, additional fees are charged, so many group tourists do not enter the inside to visit, but spend more time. in the lower garden. After coming out of the Grand Palace, we entered the Lower Garden, which spreads out in a fan shape towards the Gulf of Finland by the Grand Palace. Going down from the Grand Palace is a square. The lawn on the ground of the square is trimmed like a fine carpet. Gold-plated sculpture, glittering and lifelike. In the middle of the square is a river, and on both sides of the river are forests with towering trees. About one kilometer down the river is the vast Gulf of Finland. There are men and women in medieval costumes posing in many of the attractions in the lower garden, and you can choose to pay some money to take pictures with them as a souvenir. In addition, there is also the Marry Palace by the seaside of the lower garden, which is the private living place of the tsar.

Trip.com User: We choose to go there by boat. In advance we booked tickets online. Everything is quick and easy. Its better to buy round trip tickets at once: cheaper and more comfortable, a lot of people go outside in the evening, so its better to have tickets in advance to avoid the queue. 10:00 - first boat, go back at 17:30. Enough time to see everything. 11:00 - Fontain ceremony. 12:00- ticket office starts to sell tickets inside the palace. Number of entrance tickets is limited. Highly recommend to go inside.

Trip.com User: Like the name, the summer palace. Beautiful gardens, macroscopic palaces, and fountains like decorations. Very suitable for visiting and taking pictures. The sun was shining on the day and the blue sky and white clouds. The photos taken are also very good

Day 1 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Peterhof Palace, Hotel Samson nearby is the best place to stay.

Hotel Samson

Located in the centre of Peterhof and opposite the entrance to Peterhof Park is this 3-star hotel that offers travellers comfortable accommodation in a beautiful location. Rooms at Samson Hotel are air-conditioned, comfortably furnished and most have separate seating areas. Staff at Samson Hotel provides airport shuttle, 24 hour desk front service, ironing, shoe shine, room service as well as assistance with visa procedures. Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the hotel. For explorations, hiking, tours and excursions to Saint Petersburg can be arranged for guests. The hotel is close to several well known fountains, palaces and parks such as The Grand Cascade, Lower Gardens, and Samson Fountain. After a busy day exploring, you can return to Samson Hotel and enjoy warm Russian and European cuisine while enjoying live jazz and classical music.

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Day 2 | Morning

Savior on the spilled blood.

Opening Hours: 10:30-18:00 (not working on Wednesday)

Ticket Price: 350 RUB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Griboyedov Canal Embankment, 2b, letter A

The Cathedral of Spilled Blood is located by the Griboyedov Canal, adjacent to the Mikhailovsky Garden and the Russian Museum. It is a rare authentic Russian architecture in St. Petersburg. In 1811, Tsar Alexander II was killed by members of the "will of the people" due to the failure of the revolution. Between 1883 and 1907, the Cathedral on Spilled Blood was built on the site of the Tsar's death, hence the name. The design of the Cathedral on Spilled Blood draws on the style of the Cathedral of St. Basil's Ascension. The colorful "onion head" roof is very eye-catching. The height of the chapel is about 81 meters high, which is quite majestic. The chapel is also elegant in outline and richly decorated, inlaid with intricate and vividly coloured image patterns, accompanied by richly coloured patterned tiles and enamel bronze panels. Among them, the gilded onion heads are famous all over the world. The whole church can be photographed from the other side of the Riboyetov Canal. The interior of the Cathedral of Spilled Blood is decorated with more than 7,000 square meters of exquisite mosaics, mainly depicting scenes and characters from the stories of the Bible. These mosaics are exquisitely processed from Italian-made marbles of different colors and Russian-made gems. Nearly 30 artists participated in the production, which can be regarded as artistic masterpieces. A marble bust of Shatrov stands where the Tsar was killed, as a memorial to Alexander II. There is a small market next to the Cathedral of Spilled Blood, where there are many souvenirs about the Cathedral and Russian characteristics. Near the church is the entrance to the Mikhailovsky Garden, which also leads to the Russian State Museum. If you have enough time, you can visit.

Trip.com User: This Church is in centre of St Petersburg and easy access via netro and bus. An entrance fee of 350 rub and no waiting to enter and short wait fir ticket isue.Historical site where Nicholas 11 was attacked and survived in Church itself hence the now name of Silled Blood. Wonderful icons and Church is annactual working church . A must to visit .

Trip.com User: One of the best location around saints petersburg center it's the center of the city very busy and have alot of places to visit.

Day 2 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Savior on the Spilled Blood, don’t forget pay a visit to Catherine Palace.

Catherine Palace

Opening Hours: Open on Mon-Fri,Sun,10:00am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 700 RUB

Location: Garden St, 7, Pushkin, Sankt-Peterburg

Catherine Palace, also known as Catherine Palace, is located about 25 kilometers south of St. Petersburg. It was the wife of Peter I in 1717, and his daughters Queen Elizabeth, Catherine II, Alexander I and Nicholas. The second favorite suburban palace. In order to show its identity, the area where the palace is located (including the Alexander Palace and the White Tower viewing platform, etc.) was called Tsar Village or Imperial Village after it was built. In 1937, it was renamed "Pushkin Village" to commemorate Pushkin's childhood. "Blonde" Appearance Ekaterina Palace is a two-story palace with a facade of more than 300 meters. It is mainly composed of blue, white and yellow. It is said that these represent the blue eyes of the hostess, White skin and blond hair. The architects added the palace church and the wing for administration, and the top was covered with five splendid and characteristic onion-shaped domes. The radiant interior is different from the fresh temperament outside the palace. The interior of the palace can be described as radiant and shrouded in golden light. From the entrance, go through the promenade on the first floor of the Yekaterina Palace to the main staircase leading to the second floor. The main staircase is more distinctive, with two-way lighting, and the decoration is a bit Rococo style. Marble sculptures "Sleeping Eros" and "Awakening Eros". There are also two exhibition halls at the entrance on the right side of the second floor, where various cultural exhibitions are often held. The magnificent reception hall is in the palace, and the splendid halls are one after another, forming a "golden corridor". Each room is named "Red Column Hall" and "Green Column Hall" according to different colors. The grandiose room in the palace was this spacious reception hall on the right hand side of the main staircase, where Elizabeth received her guests. There are large double-row windows on both sides of the hall, giant mirrors are set between the windows and on the walls on both sides of the hall, all decorations in the hall are gilded, and oil paintings are painted on the huge dome. Such designs are meant to confuse people's senses to cement Elizabeth's godlike status. This is not only her reception hall, but also her game room.

Trip.com User: A must on any visit to St Petersburg. A superbly maintained historical beautiful Palace that is visited by umpteen thousands each day . Be prepared for some hours in queues even on a tour . Tour guides will tell you you get in quicker with them .... you don’t .The Amber room ( no photos under any circumstances ) is worth the visit alone.Get local transport cards for bus trolly bus and metro ( 5 days 431rub=46cny) and save a fortune.Do both of the Palace but one tour is still great.

Trip.com User: Must see place in Saint Petersburg. 5 hours in a queue, but it is worth every second. Real monument of Imperial glory. Famous amber room is the eighth wonder of the world!!!

Day 2 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Catherine Palace, Tsar Palace Luxury Hotel & Spa nearby is the best place to stay.

Tsar Palace Luxury Hotel & Spa

Property Location With a stay at Tsar Palace in Pushkin, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Catherine Palace and Park in Tsarskoye Selo and Feodorovsky Cathedral. This hotel is 1.3 mi (2.2 km) from Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Preserve and 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Alexander Palace. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 95 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have bathtubs or showers and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily. Amenities Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet access and concierge services. Dining Enjoy a meal at the restaurant or snacks in the coffee shop/café. The hotel also offers room service (during limited hours). Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are available for a fee. Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. Guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge, and self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.

Swimming pool

Pets allowed

Day 3 | Morning

St. isaac's cathedral.

Opening Hours: Open on Mon-Fri,Sun,10:30am-6:00pm

Location: St Isaac's Square, 4, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia, 190000

St. Isaac's Cathedral, also known as Isaac's Cathedral, is the largest church in northern Russia. The entire church has a magnificent architectural shape and is regarded as an outstanding work of late Russian classical architecture. It is one of the four cathedrals in the world. The church's altitude of about 100 meters is equivalent to the height of a 30-story building, and its golden "onion head" dome can be seen even in the distance. The entire church space can accommodate nearly 12,000 people at the same time. The majestic and grand architectural style is vividly interpreted. There are more than 10 huge stone pillars on each of the four sides of the church, each stone pillar weighing 120 tons, supporting the carved gables in double rows. The exterior wall of the church is veneered with gray marble, and the interior is decorated with precious minerals such as colored marble, malachite, and lapis lazuli. The gold used for decoration alone amounts to 410 kilograms, including about 100 kilograms used for gilding the outside of the dome. Since its completion in 1858, the church has not been re-gilded, but the dazzling posture of the dome is still enough to amaze visitors. The church was severely damaged in World War II, and it took more than 20 years to restore it to its present appearance after the war. On the polished granite pillars, bullet-riddled imprints can still be seen, which were not repaired during the restoration project, in order to warn future generations not to forget the past.

Day 3 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming St. Isaac's Cathedral, Cruiser Aurora next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Cruiser Aurora

Opening Hours: Open on Mon-Thu,Sun,10:30am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 400 RUB

Location: Petrogradskaya Embankment, St Petersburg, Russia, 197046

The Aurora cruiser is located at the branch of the Neva River and the Greater Neva River. This gray-white ship was built in 1900. The captain is 124 meters long, 16.8 meters wide, has 44 cannons, has a displacement of about 7,000 tons, and has a maximum speed of 19 meters per hour. nautical miles per hour. "Averel" means "dawn" or "dawn". The Aurora cruiser has survived four wars and is famous for her participation in the Russian October Socialist Revolution. It was this cruiser that sounded the cannon of Lenin's October Revolution, and the significance of the revolutionary commemoration can be described as pivotal. At present, it has been moored on the Neva River for a long time as a commemorative ship of the "October Revolution" and has become a naval museum for tourists to visit. In addition to the warship itself, the museum has more than 500 documents and objects related to the glorious history of the ship.

• Saint Petersburg 3-Days Itinerary: Cheap Flights from Saint Petersburg

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.

Table of Content

• Day 1: Winter Palace, Peterhof Palace
• Day 2: Savior on the Spilled Blood, Catherine Palace
• Day 3: St. Isaac's Cathedral, Cruiser Aurora

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• The Most Beautiful Sculptures And...

The Most Beautiful Sculptures and Monuments in St Petersburg

The former capital of the Russian Empire, St Petersburg , called as “Paris of the East” or “Venice of the North”, attracts tourists with its impressive architecture, art museums and beautiful and mighty river Neva. The grandiose architectural creations in St Petersburg serve as a memory of the most significant events in Russian history, and are worthy ornaments giving the city a special charm. Join us in discovering the most beautiful monuments in St. Petersburg.

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Mozaichny Dvorik

Among the gloomy courtyards of St Petersburg, a small mosaic courtyard is hidden from passers-by on Tchaikovsky Street. Mozaichny Dvorik is a monumental painting of the Malaya Academy of Arts. It is not included on the standard guides of Russia’s northern capital, and perhaps that is why the courtyard is so loved by locals for its unusual, iridescent vibe. Mosaichny Dvorik is the creative laboratory of Vladimir Lubenko, and it is decorated with a mosaic of colored glass – benches, curbs and small sculptures sparkle with new colors. The objects that fill the courtyard have different stories, but most are made in human shapes or as angels and lions. The works have a clear humanistic orientation and were made not only to be looked at, but to produce some thoughts.

The Bronze Horseman

Bronze Horseman on Senatskaya Ploschad is the most famous monument to Peter the Great in St Petersburg, the city that he founded and named. Built in the 18th century, by the beginning of the 19th century the Bronze Horseman was notoriously mentioned in the works of poets and writers of that time. Contrary to its name, the monument is made of copper. The sculpture was commissioned by Catherine II, and according to her plans Peter had to appear as a Roman emperor and a winner with a rod and sceptre in his hand. However, the French sculptor Etienne Falconet, who was invited to work on the monument, dared to argue with the crowned head and showed the world another Peter, without compromising his strategic talents as a wise ruler.

Mayor Kovalev’s Nose

Mayor Kovalev’s Nose is probably the most unusual monument in St Petersburg. The sculpture is based on the character of a story by Nikolay Gogol and was immortalized in October 1995 on the façade of a house in Voznesensky Prospect. If one remembers the story, the nose of Mayor Kovalev had a habit of leaving its owner and strolling around the city by itself. The monument is made from a gray limestone measuring 60 by 35cm, at the bottom of which is an image of a nose made from pink Ukrainian marble, imported directly from the home-country of Gogol.

The Rostral Column

Today it is impossible to imagine the ensemble of the Arrow on Vasilevsky Island without these columns. Throughout the imperial period, the Rostral Column functioned as a beacon. Oil was poured in the bowls on top of the column and ignited at night. Now the beacons are lit only on special occasions, during the city’s major celebrations. The Rostral Column is featured on the 50 ruble banknote, alongside the image of the Neva river. At the base of the column there are statues of two old ladies. The name of the column comes from the metal image of rostrum, or the bows of ships featured on the sides of the column.

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Chizhik-Pyzhik

The monument of Chizhik-Pyzhik is an extremely popular monument among tourists of all ages. It was installed on the Fontanka Embankment near the water. Local residents immediately fell in love with the little hero, and soon the belief emerged that if you throw small coins onto a small platform near the bird’s legs their wish will come true. Chizhik-Pyzhik is the smallest monument in St. Petersbourg: with a height of only 11 centimeters and a weight of five kilograms. Due to its small size, the little monument has been stolen more than seven times.

Sphinxes on Universitetskaya Embankment

St Petersburg is heavily decorated with many sculptures of various animals, birds and mythological creatures. There are 14 sphinxes in Petersburg, but the most noteworthy sphinxes are located on the Universitetskaya Embankment, opposite the entrance of the Academy of Arts. Only these sculptures were imported directly from Egypt. Scientists believe that their age is approximately 3.5 thousand years. The Russian traveller and diplomat Muravyov saw one of the sphinxes in Alexandria, and was so impressed by what he saw that he appealed to the Russian ambassador and expressed the need to purchase these sculptures for Russia. In the end, his appeal went to Nicholas I, who decided to purchase these unusual sculptures.

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Art & Culture Travel Blog

Visiting hermitage museum in saint petersburg (complete guide).

• Tea Gudek Šnajdar
• Museum Reviews , Russia

Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg is one of the best museums I’ve ever visited. Situated in a beautiful Winter Palace and being home to one of the biggest art collections in the world, it’s definitely a treat for any art enthusiast. Being the second-largest museum in the world, it could definitely feel a bit overwhelming planning a visit to it. That’s why I’ve created this blog post with some info and tips on how to best visit the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.

Visiting Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg

First things first, let’s start with the history of this beautiful place. Russian Empress Catherine the Great was a true art patron who started to gain an art collection for her Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. She purchased a big art collection from Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzowsky. He originally created it for the Prussian king Frederick II. But, after he refused it, he’s sold it to the Russian Empress. Catherine dedicated a part of the palace to her new art collection. During her time, it still wasn’t available to the public, but only a few could see it.

Not only the collection was impressive to me, but the building in which the museum is located is a piece of art itself. It’s composed of six buildings, but its central part is the Winter Palace with its recognizable green façade. Interestingly enough, I read how they repainted it a few times during history, with different colours. So, sometimes it was red, yellow etc. Until it was painted back in its original light green colour after World War II.

It was used as a palace and a home to the Romanov family. Catharine the Great organized numerous events there, from masquerades for nobility, to grand receptions and different ceremonies. Its original purpose could still be felt in its interior with the large halls and historical furniture.

Some rooms really stand out with its wall decoration and furnishing. The gallery is known as the ‘Raphael Loggias’ is especially remarkable. It was created in the 1780s as a replica of the room Raphael painted in Apostolic Palace in Rome.

With over 3 million objects, Hermitage is the second largest museum in the world. It’s said that if you spent only a minute by observing each exhibit, you would need to spend 11 years in a museum. Eleven years! The best part of the collection is the selection of Western European art. Works of Italian Renaissance painters like Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, or by Dutch masters like Rembrandt are among the most famous one. Besides these, collections of ancient Egypt, Antique art, Baroque painting and Classical sculpture are among the most interesting one.

My visit to Hermitage Museum

I visited Hermitage Museums during my recent trip to Saint Petersburg . My friend Lilia who lives there was so sweet to offer to take care of Karlo, so Marijan and I could enjoy our visit child-free. While two of them were having fun on their own, we’ve joined one of the organized small group tours in the Hermitage Museum . There were only four of us in a group, so we really had a chance to learn about the fascinating history of this place. From the moment we’ve entered the museum and have seen some of its decoration and wall paintings. Until the collection of Dutch masters I especially liked, I’ve enjoyed every single second of my visit to Hermitage Museum and am really hoping to revisit it.

Things to know before visiting Hermitage Museum

# Museum cats – Around 60 cats live in the museum. They’re here from the 18th Century when empress Elizabeth ordered them in order to control the mice.

# Museum tickets – To avoid queueing for hours, I would definitely advise you to buy your tickets in advance. You can order them on the museum’s official website , where you can choose a type of the ticket you need.

# Free entrance – Entrance to the museum is free of charge on the first Thursday every month. However, be prepared that many people would like to take advantage of that, as well. And the museum could be more crowded than usual.

# Guided tours – I visited Hermitage Museum with a small guided group tour. It was a 3 hours long tour, and there were only 4 of us in the group. Since the museum is huge, I’m definitely recommending visiting it with one of these guided tours. I’ve booked the tour on the link here and am absolutely recommending it!

Well, I believe I have visited the majority of the most famous European museums. And without any doubt, the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg is the best museum I’ve ever seen. I hope this complete guide for visiting the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg is going to help anyone planning their visit.

Have you visited this museum? Do you have any other tips for a great visit to the Hermitage Museum?

*This post contains some affiliate links.

Hermitage Museum , Museums , Russia , Saint Petersburg

• HISTORY & CULTURE

Honey enemas and healing dreams: Inside the world of ancient medical tourism

Known as asklepieia, this network of ancient Greek and Roman sanctuaries blended spirituality and medicine—and their influence persists today.

Would you fly to Turkey for a hair transplant or trek to a natural thermal spring for a therapeutic dip? Medical tourism may seem like a modern trend, but people have been traveling long distances to receive health care for thousands of years. In the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, ailing people made pilgrimages to special sanctuaries called asklepieia dedicated to the physician-demigod Asklepios (or Asclepius), in the hopes of finding healing.  

The first asklepieion appeared in ancient Greece as early as 500 B.C. Over the next several centuries, hundreds of them began operating throughout ancient Greece and the Italian peninsula. Pilgrims sought treatment at asklepieia for a wide range of issues, including headaches, blindness, and pregnancy complications.

( Pilgrimages aren't just spiritual anymore. They're a workout .)

The treatments they received blended spirituality and medicine—and might seem more than a little unorthodox today. But the central part of each pilgrim’s treatment was sleeping at the sacred site with the hope they would dream of Asklepios, whom pilgrims believed could cure them or at the very least advise them on how to treat their illnesses.

To sleep, perchance to dream (of Asklepios)

One of the most famous asklepieion pilgrims is Aelius Aristides, a Greek orator from the second century A.D. When he became too ill to give speeches, Aristides traveled to the Asklepieion of Pergamon.

“He talks about feeling that his teeth are going to fall out, that his intestines are going to come out,” says Alexia Petsalis-Diomidis , a lecturer in classics at the University of St. Andrews and author of Truly Beyond Wonders: Aelius Aristides and the Cult of Asklepios . “He often says he can’t breathe.”

( These ancient Greek weapons were literally toxic .)

As with many historical accounts of illness, it’s not really possible for modern scholars to diagnose what Aristides was suffering from. But we do know that he stayed at Pergamon for two years—an unusually long amount of time—and received multiple treatments, some based on interpretations of his dreams.

One of Aristides’ dreams at the sanctuary led him to receive an enema of honey. “He sees a statuette of the goddess Athena, goddess of wisdom,” Petsalis-Diomidis says. Athena was also the patron goddess of Athens in Attica, a region famous for its honey. To Aristides, the dream’s meaning was obvious: “it immediately occurred to me,” he wrote , “to have an enema of Attic honey.” (Of course!)

Aristides’ other dream-based treatments included exercising, bathing in cold water, and eating and avoiding certain foods. Pilgrims might also receive herbs or medicine, bathe in thermal springs, and participate in spiritually significant rituals. Aristides found it therapeutic to compose speeches during his stay at the asklepieion, even if he was too ill to deliver them.

Today, we might describe this kind of care as “holistic,” says Helena C. Maltezou, director of research, studies, and documentation at Greece’s National Public Health Organization, and coauthor of a paper about asklepieia as forerunners of medical tourism.

To be fair to Aristides, recent studies have investigated whether honey enemas can treat acute pouchitis in humans and ulcerative colitis in rats (the human study never posted results, but the rat study found honey reduced colonic inflammation). However, there are many parts of the historical asklepieion experience that we can’t easily explain through a modern scientific lens.

Cures that strain credulity

Some of the events ancient sources describe taking place at asklepieia defy modern medical explanations.

At the Asklepieion of Epidaurus (now a UNESCO World Heritage site ), ancient inscriptions detail the cures people received there. These include an unusual story about a woman named Cleo, whom the inscription says had been pregnant for five years . After sleeping at the sanctuary, Cleo reportedly woke up and gave birth to a son who was able to walk and wash himself.

( Armpit tweezers? These were the grooming habits of ancient Rome .)

There are also inscriptions at Epidaurus about people who were blind or had some visual impairment. In their dreams, Asklepios poured drugs into their eyes; and when they woke, they could see.

Other inscriptions report that snakes or dogs healed people at the sanctuary by licking the afflicted parts of their bodies. Why snakes, you might ask? The animal has long been associated with Asklepios, and ancient depictions of the god show him holding a staff with a snake curled around it.

Many other pilgrims reported dreams in which Asklepios performed surgery on them. There is some scholarly debate, however, as to whether surgery actually took place at asklepieia. Although archaeologists have discovered surgical tools at these sanctuaries, this may be because physicians dedicated their tools there, says Bronwen L. Wickkiser , ancient history professor at Hunter College, CUNY, and author of Asklepios, Medicine, and the Politics of Healing in Fifth-Century Greece: Between Craft and Cult .

It’s not clear how we should interpret these miraculous tales from a modern viewpoint—yet as Wickkiser likes to ask her students, “Do we have to?”

Regardless of what was actually going on at asklepieia, people believed in and sought out their services, and the network of healing sanctuaries lasted for hundreds of years. Their decline may have been linked to the spread of Christianity; however, as Wickkiser points out, there is one notable way in which their influence has continued.

“Here we are, 2,500 and more years later, and the staff and serpent of Asklepios is still the symbol of medicine to this day.”

Related Topics

• ANCIENT GREECE
• ANCIENT ROME
• SPIRITUALITY
• PILGRIMAGES

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