This plan pairs the city’s grand landmarks with atmospheric neighbourhoods, keeping each day’s stops close together. Costs are rough per-person estimates in Russian rubles (₽); check current opening hours and access before you go.
Budget
About ₽10,000–₽18,000 per person for listed admissions, local transport, and meals, excluding accommodation and international travel.
Best time to visit
Late May to early September for long daylight and pleasant walks; June is especially atmospheric during the White Nights.
Palace Square and the historic centre
Take in the city’s imperial heart, then stroll the nearby canals and finish with dinner in the same central area.
Morning
Explore the State Hermitage Museum
Allow several hours for the Winter Palace’s grand rooms and collections. Arrive early; is right outside, so there is no travel between the two.
About ₽500Morning
See
Admire the Alexander Column and the sweeping façades, just a 2-minute walk from the Hermitage’s main entrance.
FreeAfternoon
Visit the
See its vivid mosaics and distinctive onion domes; it is about a 15-minute walk from .
About ₽450Afternoon
Stroll along
Browse the city’s famous central avenue and pause for coffee. It is around a 10-minute walk from the church.
FreeEvening
Dinner at
Settle in for Russian and European classics in an elegant historic restaurant, about a 10-minute walk along from the central sights.
About ₽2,500–₽5,000
Vasilyevsky Island and Peter and Paul Fortress
Discover the city’s maritime and founding history, with a river crossing connecting the island’s museum quarter to the fortress.
Morning
Explore the
Visit Russia’s first museum in a landmark building on the island; give yourself time for its history and ethnography collections.
About ₽400Morning
Walk the
Enjoy the Rostral Columns and broad views across the Neva, about a 10-minute walk from the .
FreeAfternoon
Visit
Cross the Blagoveshchensky Bridge and walk around 25 minutes from the Spit to reach the city’s original fortress, with its cathedral and riverside ramparts.
FreeAfternoon
See
Explore the fortress’s tall, gilded-spired cathedral and imperial burial place; it is a 5-minute walk within the fortress.
About ₽550Evening
Have dinner at
Enjoy Russian dishes and Neva views on Hare Island, about a 10-minute walk from the cathedral. Reserve ahead for a riverside table.
About ₽2,000–₽4,000
Tsarskoye Selo and Pushkin
Spend the day in Pushkin exploring the and its landscaped grounds, then dine back in town.
Morning
Travel to Pushkin
Take a suburban train from to Tsarskoye Selo, then a local bus or taxi to the palace area; allow about 60–75 minutes door to door.
About ₽100–₽300Morning
Tour
Visit the richly decorated palace, including the Amber Room when access is available. The entrance is about a 10-minute walk from the local bus or taxi drop-off.
About ₽1,500–₽2,000Afternoon
Walk
Explore the ponds, pavilions, and tree-lined paths around the palace; the park begins right beside the palace.
About ₽300–₽500Evening
Dinner at
Return to central Saint Petersburg by train and taxi or local transit, about 60–75 minutes, then enjoy a relaxed Russian-style meal. Check the restaurant’s current location and reservation options before setting out.
About ₽2,000–₽4,000
Good to know
Tickets
Book major museums and palace visits in advance where possible, and confirm seasonal schedules—especially for and its park.
Getting around
Central sights are easy to reach on foot, but allow extra time for bridges and traffic. For Pushkin, check current suburban train and local transit schedules.
Practicalities
Carry a payment method that works locally and some rubles for smaller purchases; international payment options can be limited.