Built to showcase Russia’s imperial strength and beauty, St. Petersburg has truly pulled out all the stops. The “Venice of the North” is home to stunning architecture, winding canals, and a deep appreciation for the arts. Despite the abundance of comfort food, you may find yourself leaving a little bit lighter from the amount of walking you’ll have to do in order to soak in the best and brightest of this magical city.
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| EDITION 30 |
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4:34 read time |
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| St. Petersburg, Russia | @zefirovm |
| Built to showcase Russia’s imperial strength and beauty, St. Petersburg has truly pulled out all the stops. The “Venice of the North” is home to stunning architecture, winding canals, and a deep appreciation for the arts. Despite the abundance of comfort food, you may find yourself leaving a little bit lighter from the amount of walking you’ll have to do in order to soak in the best and brightest of this magical city. |
| St. Petersburg, Russia |
| N 59.93° / E 30.33° |
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| What's in a Name? |
| The city was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, and was originally named Petrograd, before being renamed to Leningrad, then finally St. Petersburg. |
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| @brianduhalgouet |
| May-July |
| The sun barely dips below the horizon during the “white nights” of summer, turning St. Petersburg into the city that truly never sleeps. This makes summer the best time to visit. Festivals and concerts in May and June coincide with the rebirth of the flowers and greenery. However, in the winter, lights twinkle through blankets of snow, making it a breathtaking destination for those willing to bundle up. |
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| Church of the Savior on Blood | @travelholicsouls |
| Walking in a Russian Wonderland |
| Between the onion domes of the churches and the opulent grand palaces, there’s simply too much to see in St. Petersburg. Each street holds an architectural wonder all dressed up in Baroque, Neoclassic, and modern design. We may not be able to cover every design gem in the city, but we’ll give you a taste of a few of our favorites. |
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| Churches |
Museums |
| From the gingerbread exterior of Church of the Savior on Blood to the steeples of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, to the spectacular St. Isaac’s, these churches’ glorious curb appeal is only the beginning.
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One of the largest and oldest museums in the world, the famous Hermitage offers everything from Picasso to Van Gogh. Also worth a visit is the Fabergé Museum, which houses the largest collection of Fabergé eggs. |
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| Palaces |
Rooftops |
| Transport back to the age of the Russian czars at the St. Petersburg palaces. From Catherine Palace to Peterhof Palace, tour sprawling grounds, lavish gardens, and opulent architecture fit for royalty. |
The best evening in St. Petersburg will involve a glass of something strong and a rooftop view. From cafes to clubs to private balconies, go on a quest for a quiet rooftop spot to enjoy watching the sunset. |
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| Mariinsky Theatre | @mariinsky |
| Everything is Beautiful at the Ballet |
| The best place to experience the joy of this artistic mecca is at the ballet. From the grand Mariinsky Theatre to the old and elegant Mikhailovsky Theatre, experience a night of high culture and get lost in a beautiful display of grace. If you can’t make it to one of these shows, check out the many other local opera and theatre companies for more chances to be dazzled. |
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| Fontanka River | @xensey |
| Bright Night in the Big City |
| The Nevsky Prospekt and riverwalks are fun to explore during the day but just wait until night. In the summer, with the white night sky keeping people up, you’ll find plenty of restless souls socializing on street corners and waiting for the drawbridges to open. Grab a drink and hang out, or take a nighttime boat cruise on the water. Be careful not to end up on the wrong side of the river when the drawbridges go up or you’ll have trouble getting home - though that might not be a problem if you find a good party! |
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| Tsarskoye Selo, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia | @nikitakits
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| Treasure Island |
| There’s a reason St. Petersburg is called the Venice of the North. With winding canals that break off from the Neva River, the city is populated by plenty of islands ripe for exploration. If you’re tired of the urban sprawl of the city, head to Yelagin Island where you can explore the beautiful parks and lakes for a quiet afternoon. Or stroll through New Holland Island, a romantic corner and recreational wonderland. |
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| Victor's Discovery |
| @viktor_balaguer
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| "One of my favorite things to do in Saint-Petersburg is simply to walk in the historical center of the city, near canals and the Neva river. My favorite season is summer during the white night when we have almost no nighttime - the middle of the night is just a sunset and sunrise without any darkness. I also love winter when the city is totally frozen, the canals and river are completely ice, and the city looks like a fairytale. It's a very interesting way to see the city from a different point of view." |
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| @rosarodon |
| I Donut Care About My Diet |
| You can’t escape St. Petersburg without stopping by Pyshechnaya - a popular Russian donut shop. You may not be able to pronounce it, but trust us, you can definitely eat it. Nestled down Bolshaya Konushenaya, look for the line that stretches out the door and the incredible smell and you’ll know you’ve arrived. In order to avoid "hanger" while searching for the donut shop, keep your eyes peeled for bus stops, where street vendors sell hot pastries stuffed with every delicious thing you can imagine. |
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| Hotel Astoria |
| Tucked in Tight |
| Young, adventurous travelers look no further. Whether you’re looking for a night as decadent as the czar’s palace, or an inexpensive room to bunk down, St. Petersburg is stacked. Our favorites include the Grand Hotel Astoria, which has housed many past celebrities, and Baby Lemonade Hostel, which is centrally located, reasonably priced, and a
whole lot of fun. |
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| #rooftop_spb | @dancingcarrot |
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Pace Yourself
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| The vodka there is much stronger than the water we're used to in the US. It's rough. - @earlgraeofficial
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Use the Subway
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| The subway stations are a beautiful, architectural masterpiece in my opinion. Also you can ride around with one "ticket" as much as you want. Additionally, the subway is one of the deepest so not for people who are scared about being underground. - @view_of_a_student
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Bundle Up
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| The weather in St. Petersburg is changing all the time! So take some warm clothes, clothes for rainy weather, and for a warm sunny day. - Alexis
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| Daria Sharashkina |
| @daria_sharashkina |
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| Country Count |
Favorite Discovery |
| 12 |
Indonesia |
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| "I Discover To... fill my life with new experiences, take all the opportunities that life gives and create my own story, understand myself better by seeing the world." |
| "Saint-Petersburg is a city that teaches you how to understand art and history without diving into books. I love the mix of timeless history and the business of modern life. Nothing inspires me more than making my way to the university along the Hermitage and Palace square. Under the constantly grey sky that covers Saint-Petersburg, you start wearing clothes of the same colors as the architecture around you. While you are here, the influence of Saint-Petersburg style is enormous. It motivates you to make art, to create, to be “like the city” - intelligent, classic, freezing cold on the outside, but open minded and friendly inside. Long story short,
Saint-Petersburg is an experience in itself. It does something with people that makes them fall in love with its magnificence." |
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| How did we do? |
| We would love to know what you think of this edition of The Discoverer! |
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