5 things you MUST do in St.Petersburg, Russia

The Hermitage Museum; St.Petersburg, Russia

St.Petersburg pleasantly surprised me in so many ways. Even though I went to Russia with no expectations, I still had a negative one in the back of my mind. Before going to St.Petersburg, I thought everything would be "out-of-date". I'm not exactly sure where this notion came about, but that is what I thought. I am so glad I was proven wrong. St.Petersburg is actually a very vibrant and lively city. It's actually known as the city of palaces, and you'll see a ton of them! When you stroll around the city you are also bound to see beautiful historical buildings everywhere. 

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The Russian Ballet

Although ballet didn't originate in Russia, it is still a huge part of the Russian culture. Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty are a few of Russia's most popular classical ballet productions. In St.Petersburg, the first Ballet school, opened in 1738! Mariinsky Theatre is called Russia's best ballet theatre. Often tickets get sold out months in advance, especially for Swan Lake!
Cost: from 2000RUB

Read: A Quick Guide to St.Petersburg

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Hermitage Museum

Art and culture, is what the Hermitage Museum is known for. The Hermitage Museum also has another name, The Winter Palace. This museum is the main attraction for most visitors but does not feel overcrowded because the museum is enormous. The Hermitage museum was one of the official residences of the Romanov Tsars. Exploring the museum can take you a few hours, so it's best to get the two day ticket so you don't overexert yourself in one day.
Cost: 700RUB

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Peterhof Palace

Referred to as "The Russian Versailles",  Peterhof is a uniquely detailed palace and park complex. It is of course also a UNESCO site. It was built in 1703 by Peter the Great. The palace has a luxurious fountain with gold statues everywhere! Make sure to buy tickets online so you don't need to wait in line. Also, individual visitors get to skip the queue, which is mainly tour groups!
Cost: 1350RUB

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The Catherine Palace

Named after Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great, Catherine Palace is another luxurious palace that need not be missed. This palace was another main residence of the Romanov Tsars. All the rooms in this palace are spectacular, however the Amber room is most magical. Unfortunately, you cannot take pictures in there. The original Amber room was dismantled and was said to be stolen by Nazis during WWII. Since then, it has been reconstructed with gold leaf and amber panels estimated worth around $390 million (cad).
Cost: 700RUB

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A Canal Cruise

Exploring St.Petersburg is an experience you should not miss. The best part is, you don't even need to book in advance. Many people on the street are often selling tours along the rivers and canals. On the boat ride, you can cruise along the historic rivers and canals that were once used for trade and military vessels.
Cost: from 600RUB

You might also like:

A Quick Guide to St.Petersburg

Moscow & St.Petersburg Itinerary