Must-See Museums in St. Petersburg

Russia’s imperial capital offers cultural and historical wonders in spades, especially within the walls of its superb museums. Visitors come from far and wide to tour the Hermitage collection, but those who want to dig deeper into Russian culture should explore some of these top picks as well.

State Hermitage Museum

The largest art and cultural museum on the planet features a collection of some 3 million items, a small fraction of which are displayed throughout its 360 rooms. It’s one of the city’s star attractions and a must for any visitor.

**How to Visit:**Take a private tour of the collection led by a museum curator to gain access to the Diamond and Gold rooms.

State Russian Museum

One of the world’s largest collections of Russian art—some 400,000 pieces—lives within the walls of the State Russian Museum inside the grand Mikhailovsky Palace. The collection offers a lesson in Russian art history, with pieces dating back to the 10th century.

**How to Visit:**Book skip-the-line admission to enjoy more time exploring the collection within.

Fabergé Museum

This museum inside Shuvalov Palace celebrates the life and work of famed Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé, best known for his dazzling decorative eggs. While the eggs are the star of the show, you’ll also find jewelry, silverware, porcelain, and a collection of Russian impressionist paintings.

**How to Visit:**Combine your visit to the museum with a half-day sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg.

Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines

One of the city’s more unusual collections features 50-some vintage arcade machines dating back to the Brezhnev era of the USSR. Admission to this family-friendly museum includes a stack of kopeck coins for operating the games.

**How to Visit:**Purchase admission online ahead of time so you won’t have to wait in line.