Saint Petersburg Must Drive

Hotel Pick-up

Our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. The tour is conducted by car or minivan, with licensed drivers operating vehicles for up to 3 people (cars) or 4–7 people (minivans). All vehicles are equipped with climate control for year-round comfort. 

St Nicholas Naval Cathedral

This is one of the finest examples of the Baroque architectural style in Russia. The cathedral was built between 1753 and 1762 by the architect Savva Chevakinsky on the site of a former wooden church and can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers.

The cathedral is called "Naval" because it was built on the territory of the naval regiment's courtyard, and Russian naval victories were solemnly celebrated here. The exterior of the cathedral was influenced by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, who personally patronized its construction. The separate four-tier bell tower, crowned with a tall spire, was added in 1755–1758. The cathedral housed a particularly venerated 17th-century icon of St. Nicholas with a relic of his remains.

Major landmarks in Russian naval history include the victories at the Battle of Gangut (1714), the Battle of Chesma (1770), the Battle of Sinop (1853), and the defense of Sevastopol during the Crimean War. The cathedral survived the October Revolution and continued to function as an active church, serving as the main cathedral of the city from 1941 to 1999.

Mariinsky Theatre

This is one of the most famous opera and ballet theatres in the world, tracing its history back to 1783, when Catherine the Great founded its predecessor. The current building was constructed in 1859 by architect Alberto Cavos and was named in honor of Empress Maria Alexandrovna.

The theatre's interior is decorated in blue and gold tones — precisely the colors preferred by Empress Maria. The hall features a magnificent bronze chandelier weighing 2.5 tons, with 210 lamps and nearly 2,500 crystal pendants. Emperor Nicholas II rarely stayed in the Imperial Box because he preferred to watch performances from more modest seats to remain unnoticed by the public.

The acoustics of the orchestra pit were improved in an unusual way: beneath it lies a layer of broken crystal, which gives the orchestra's sound its famous "silvery" quality. The ceiling painting depicts dancing nymphs and portraits of 12 Russian playwrights.

Quay with Sphinxes

These unique monuments are approximately 3,500 years old and were delivered to St. Petersburg from Egypt in 1832. They are carved from Aswan granite and originally stood at the temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III in Thebes.

The sphinxes were originally destined for France — they had already been sold there, but the deal fell through due to the French Revolution. During sunset, the sun's rays dramatically illuminate the faces of the sphinxes, which are actually portrait images of the pharaoh. Among St. Petersburg residents, there is a legend that the sphinxes guard the entrance to an underground city and come to life during full moons.

The Spit of Vasilievsky Island

This legendary architectural complex serves as the famous postcard-view of the city. This location became the first port and sea gate of St. Petersburg due to its advantageous position where the Neva River splits into two branches.

It is always colder here than in any other part of the city because of constant winds blowing from the Gulf of Finland. The Rostral Columns, built in 1810 to a design by architect Thomas de Thomon, served as lighthouses for ships — in the 19th century, they were lit at night and in foggy weather. Citizens avoided the columns because they stored gunpowder and flammable materials, which made them potentially dangerous.

Peter and Paul Fortress

The first fortress of the city gave birth to St. Petersburg and the Russian Empire as a whole. The well-known Russian gesture meaning "drinking alcohol" — holding two fingers together like a glass — is connected to the fortress through the tradition of celebrating state holidays here.

Winter swimmers (known as "walruses") can indeed be found on the beach near the fortress, and in summer they come to sunbathe there. A watch worth $200,000 can be seen in the collection of the Museum of the History of the Peter and Paul Fortress.

"Aurora" Russian Cruiser

The legendary cruiser, a symbol of the Socialist Revolution of 1917, participated in both World Wars.

In 1917, the Aurora played a key role: on orders from the Military Revolutionary Committee, it fired a blank shot that served as the signal for the assault on the Winter Palace. The cruiser suffered its heaviest losses during the Battle of Tsushima in the Russo-Japanese War. In the 1990s, a scandalous party organized by a Russian oligarch took place on board the cruiser.

Summer Garden (Closed on Tuesdays)

This is the oldest park in the city, founded by Peter the Great in 1704, just one year after the city's foundation. Peter wanted to surpass famous European parks, particularly Versailles, and make the Summer Garden the finest in Europe.

Vegetables and fruits were grown here for the first time in Russia, including potatoes, artichokes, and melons. Major celebrations were held in the garden, including assemblies and fireworks displays in honor of Russian military victories. Until the end of the 18th century, the garden was accessible only to the nobility, with commoners not permitted inside.

Chizhik-Pyzhik

The Chizhik-Pyzhik is one of the smallest monuments in the world, yet it has become a symbol of the city. The monument was installed in 1994 on the Fontanka River embankment near the 1st Engineer Bridge, opposite house No. 6, which housed the Imperial School of Jurisprudence from 1835. The students wore yellow-green uniforms resembling the plumage of a siskin, earning them the nickname "chizhik-pyzhik" (siskin-finches).

The monument stands only 11 cm tall and weighs about 5 kg. It has been stolen several times over the years but always returned to its place. A popular belief holds that if you make a wish and manage to hit the little bird with a coin, your wish will certainly come true.

Saint Michael's Castle

The story of the castle, where Russian Emperor Paul I lived for only a few days before his assassination, remains shrouded in mystery. The exact age of Paul I at the time of his death — 46 years — can be seen in inscriptions on the castle walls.

The building is called a "castle" rather than a "palace," unlike other imperial residences, because Paul I wanted to create an impregnable fortress for his family. Legends say that the ghost of the murdered emperor can be seen wandering the corridors at night, and if you encounter him, you should say, "Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty."

Hotel drop-off

At the end of the tour, we will take you back to your hotel or any other place you would prefer.