5 Must-See St. Petersburg Neighborhoods and How to Visit

This central historical neighborhood near the banks of the Neva River marks the starting point for explorations of St. Petersburg. Tour the exquisite collection at the State Hermitage Museum, and admire the architecture of the Winter Palace and Admiralty Building.

Across the Neva River from the historic city center, Vasilievsky Island is home to one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Here you’ll find St. Petersburg University, as well as the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Kunstkamera Ethnographic Museum.

Those who want to get off the beaten path should spend some time in New Holland, an up-and-coming neighborhood on an artificial island brimming with cafés, bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Make sure to stop and admire the New Holland Arch, designed by French architect Vallin de la Mothe.

St. Petersburg’s main avenue buzzes with activity throughout the day and night, and it’s one of the best spots in the city for dining. Browse the galleries near Square of the Arts, stand beneath the domes of the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood, or grab a drink at one of the neighborhood’s many bars.

This suburb of St. Petersburg served as the summer residence of the royal family during Russia’s imperial days. Visitors come to Pushkin to tour the majestic Catherine and Alexander palaces and stroll through its leafy parks.