rick ingersoll frugal travel guy

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An afternoon chat with “The Frugal Travel Guy”!

I am sure all Rene’s Points readers know who Rick Ingersoll, aka The (original) Frugal Travel Guy.

He is a world expert when it comes to all things credit cards and points! As such, and with the Chicago “DO” on the way soon (seats are selling fast fyi), I wanted to get his thoughts on the rest of the year.

Hi Rick thanks for taking the time to chat with me today.

Good to talk with you again René

This has been an interesting year for points credit cards. Big offers coming and going. Old offers coming back and spend requirements hitting record highs. What do you think we will see the rest of this year?

I think this peak in reward card sign up bonuses is past us and we will continue to see somewhat smaller offers with tighter restrictions.

So issuers, like AMEX, have been focused almost exclusively on targeted offers. Do you think we will see more of this with them and other banks?

I don’t really anticipate that the industry will move entirely to targeted offers. At present, it is just Amex’s way of doing business.

You have given great advice in the past to never cancel a card if it has no annual fee to establish a long term credit history. Do you use those cards now and then or do they just sit and collect dust and is there an advantage to use them each year a little or a lot?

The old ones are collecting dust but there is evidence in the last month or so that maybe we should pull out those old cards and use them occasionally. To put it as clearly as I can, We are Being Watched.

Great insight and thanks for that point. Any other thoughts you would like to share that we should keep in mind in regard to points cards?

It is imperative at this point to keep an eye on the blogs and forums. The credit card game is changing as we speak and current information is essential to maximize your opportunities.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Now on to the Chicago DO ( Click URL for more info www.chicagoseminars2012.eventbrite.com ) ( EDIT: 2013 Chicago DO is HERE ). I see the seats remaining are down to 158 . How are things shaping up for the event? Anything you have changed from planning time to now and what may still change before the event?

The Chicago Seminar is in a lull at present but will heat up again shortly as we get closer to the date. With almost 400 tickets sold already we expect another sell out. There have been no changes since our original announcements and posts.

Should a rookie to the frequent flyer game be afraid they will not understand and be overwhelmed by attending the Chicago DO event. That is, is this an event only for the expert flyers?

Rookies should all show up. We have established a Beginners track of events this year to better suit their needs. In fact I’ll be doing the credit card basics session this year and leaving the more advanced stuff to others.

Great! I can see the DO is for everyone and a chance for all to learn. This is the 3rd year for the event. Do you think you will have one next year as well?

Next year??? Wow René. We aren’t even through this one yet, but I guess as long as we have people interested in attending and meeting face to face with their fellow travel crazies it will continue for years to come.

Well thanks Rick for taking the time to chat with DeltaPoints readers!

As always René. Good to catch up with you.

I hope you have enjoyed this interview with Rick, I know I sure have. The frequent flyer community is a truly unique group. They share openly and honestly all they know. They take the time to give one on one help to those at any level. If you are new to all of this, welcome! If you have been doing this for years, share what you know with the next generation please. – René

▲ Delta ▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD from American Express® Click here for more information

Mondays qualifier for nook giveaway is….. chris f, tuesdays qualifier for nook giveaway is….. bianca s #402.

René de Lambert is a contributing writer for EyeoftheFlyer.com - He is an avid Delta and SkyTeam flyer who has held Delta’s top Diamond Medallion status for many years and flown millions of miles.

Thanks for the interview … and the Nook drawing!

Great interview! Why are the events at Chicago? No love for the West Coast readers

Centrally located; One could say “no love for the east cost either,” because it’s probably as far to Miami or the south…just a thought 🙂

@Mark & @Ben – yeah and I don’t even get to fly there cuz it is just a 2 hr drive. Ah well! 😉 René

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Frugal Travel Guy, Rick Ingersoll

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When Rick Ingersoll started his website, Frugal Travel Guy , he had one goal: for every traveler to see the world at prices they can afford. For Rick, a big focus has been demystifying the often intimidating world of miles and points.  “You can do this,” Rick says, “and see the world at prices you can afford.” It’s something this retired mortgage banker knows first-hand. “I never thought it would be possible to have seen all my wife and I have seen on our budget -- 70 countries, and counting!”  Check out Frugal Travel Guy’s top tips to save big and travel far and wide.  Read, Read and Read Some More.

“All the deals are online these days,” Rick says. Sign up for newsletter alerts with all the major hotel loyalty programs (Starwood, Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group and Hyatt, to name a few), and the major airline programs (United, American, Delta and US Airways, among others). When a deal opens up, a message arrives in your inbox – sure, that translates into a lot of emails, but it may be worth it once you snag a steal of a vacation. (Tip: Open a separate email to receive these deals emails.) Rick also recommends developing a network of websites to follow. In addition to Frugal Travel Guy, check out discount travel like Priceline , BiddingforTravel.com and Kayak .  Be Willing to Invest the Time.  

Taking the time to learn deals and rewards inside out will payoff for a lifetime, Rick says. “Frequent flyer programs and hotel and bank rewards points programs [like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards ] make the world available to almost all of us – who have just a little patience to learn the game,” he says. “I snagged a last minute flight from Savannah to New York City that was priced at over $1,200 for 25,000 miles -- not real flashy but a great use of miles when I needed to go and prices were way too high.”  Travel on Actual Holiday or During Off-Season.  

“Try that early morning flight on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas,” says Rick, who’s uncovered savings as high as 20 to 30% in some cases. “And if traveling in a big group, be willing to split up,” he says. Also be open to redeeming your miles during off-season. “Being flexible can save thousands on travel expenses,” Rick says. US Airways, for example, has an off-peak award chart ; from October through May, that allows travelers to redeem economy roundtrip flights for 35,000 point miles instead of 60,000.  Sign-Up for the Right Credit Card.  

“My 2 favorites are the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the American Express Starwood Preferred card ,” Rick says. The Chase pays out double points on travel and the popular dining category. In addition, the rewards can be transferred to dozens of airline and hotel partners, such as Hyatt Hotels and United Airlines. Starwood points can be redeemed for as little as 2,000 points per night, making it easy to get a free night. Cardholders can also transfer points to airline miles and get a 5,000 mile bonus for every 20,000 points transferred. Also pay attention to credit cards with generous signup bonuses, such as the British Airways Visa Signature card ; it occasionally advertises a 100K offer, which presents a great value for domestic travel. 

Pay Attention to Category Spending.  

Make sure you’re maximizing your card’s rewards- and points-earning power by maximizing spending categories, Rick says. For example, Chase's IHG Rewards Club card and the American Express Gold card pay out 2 points per dollar on grocery store spending -- a great way to capitalize on an everyday expense. Rick has seen big payouts as a result. “Our annual trip to the Grand Hyatt in Kauai where oceanfront rooms runs $700 per night, is all taken care of with managing our credit card spending and using the right credit card,” he says. There’s one very big caveat, he adds: Pay off balances in full every month.

Volunteer Your Airline Seat.  

Volunteering your airline seat on a full flight can lead to big rewards. “I get numerous free flights for volunteering to take the next flight when the airlines are oversold,” Rick says. And don’t worry, you won’t have to crash on the airport floor. “Most hotels offer a Best Rate Guarantee where they will give you a huge discount or free night if you find a cheaper rate online than the one they are offering,” he adds. IHG, for example, will give you your first night free if you find a cheaper rate elsewhere, such as on Priceline or Kayak.

MORE: Summer Hull's Tips to Save Big on Airfare

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One to follow: The Frugal Travel Guy

Rick Ingersoll knows how to play the system. For more than a decade he’s been milking frequent flyer and hotel loyalty schemes for all they’re worth.

Take for instance what he calls his “most adventurous trip.” Rick and his wife took a long-term trip from the U.S. to Hawaii via South America, Europe, Cambodia, Thailand and Australia.

In total they paid only – emphasis on the only – $310 in taxes each for their tickets. Oh, and did we mention they flew business class on each leg of the journey?!

That’s not all. On 58 of the 61 nights they spent in hotels their stay was either free or massively discounted.

How did this retired mortgage banker secure such incredible discounts?

Well, effectively through dedicated, diligent travel hacking. Travel hacking is the practice of chasing discounts and upgrades for things like flights, hotel accommodations and car rentals.

Eager to share some nuggets of his wisdom, he set up the blog Frugal Travel Guy .

His site is full of unbiased, sensible advice on topics like credit card churning *, capturing mistake fares , securing a ‘bump’  and  collecting reward points through financial services and banking .

*Credit card churning is the travel hacker’s number one tool  ( see our blog on credit card churning ). It would be fair to say Rick is one of the world’s leading authorities on the practice.

Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…

(Image: visualpanic )

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Frugal Travel Guy Handbook Paperback – Import, 2 July 2010

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• Print length 101 pages
• Language English
• Publication date 2 July 2010
• Dimensions 12.7 x 0.58 x 20.32 cm
• ISBN-10 1453661530
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Createspace Independent Pub (2 July 2010)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 101 pages
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• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1453661536
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 109 g
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.7 x 0.58 x 20.32 cm

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Rick Ingersoll Is Back on Frugal Travel Guy

Hi, My name is Rick Ingersoll. I have been playing the game since 2001, I founded this blog in October of 2007 and sold it to its current owners in January 2012. With the tricks of the trade others have taught and shared with me, I hope to share with you our travel story and how this hobby has been so significant in making this so affordable, My wife, Katy and I have visited over 70 countries, been to each of our 50 states and filled our scrapbooks with a lifetime of memories.

Retirement is hard for Type A personalities. After selling the blog I continued to play golf til my skillset became embarrassing to me. I walked the beach, went to the coffee shop and yes continued to travel. Maybe not the wild weeks on end adventures of days gone by, but we kept  “Seeing the World at Prices We Could Afford”

I’ve missed the opportunity to share my story with so many of you, I got to know over the years, and am thrilled to make a small contribution again to the blog I started 12 years ago. I have been invited back to speak at the Chicago Seminars this year in October. I can’t believe we started that 10 years ago and hope to see some old familiar faces again.

I’m still asked all the time what my favorite credit card is. My answer is always the same.  That depends on where I’m using the card and if it is a new card that I’m working on meeting my required minimum spend.

I have a favorite card for paying my phone bill, internet and cable TV bill, and shopping at an office supply store. Another favorite for the grocery store and restaurants. And two, maybe just recently three more favorites for non-bonused category spending. And as always, the latest card I’ve gotten and am meeting the minimum spend on is the most important spending I can be doing at the time. We’ll cover all these “favorite credit cards” in the weeks to come.

And as far as what card is best for you as a new player, that depends on so many factors, like what your travel goals are, what airlines service your local airports and if you like to fly coach or are a premium cabin flyer.

I’ll be 70 years old by this time next year. Three times a Grandfather or Pop Pop. I’m still applying and being approved for travel credit cards ( I’m also mixing in cashback cards as well). My Equifax credit report is over 200 pages and long I can still say two very important things about my travel successes and philosophy.

“I have never been late on a payment”

and I still believe

“Your credit is one of your most important assets”

A special thanks to Jeremy for giving me another chance and Nathan Weber, Steve Belkin and Randy Petersen for getting me started on this life long obsession.

Next Post   One of my most looked forward to vacations ever. The Dolphin Experience with my grandkids at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. And how we’ll pull it off with Hilton cards and status.

Source: frugal travel guy

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Frugal Travel Guy Handbook

Ingersoll, Rick

Published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2010

ISBN 10: 1453661530 / ISBN 13: 9781453661536

Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas , Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

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Used - Softcover Condition: Very Good

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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.3.

Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2010

Seller: SecondSale , Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.

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Condition: Sehr gut. Zustand: Sehr gut - gepflegter, sauberer Zustand | Seiten: 104 | Sprache: Englisch | Produktart: B�cher.

Terrors From Beyond: Nightmares Unraveled in Six Scenarios (Call of Cthulhu Horror Roleplaying) (Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying)

Gary Sumpter; John Almack; Glyn White; Brian Courtemanche; Brian Sammons; David Conyers

Published by Chaosium Inc., 2009

ISBN 10: 1568822871 / ISBN 13: 9781568822877

Seller: Bear Notch Books , Bartlett, NH, U.S.A.

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Rick Sardinha; David Lee Ingersoll; David Grilla (illustrator). Interior pages are in very good condition with no noted writing or highlighting and only minor signs of use. Minor cover wear.

Terrors From Beyond (Call of Cthulhu - Adventures & Modules (Chaosium 5.6-6th Editions))

Published by Chaosium, 1999

Seller: Noble Knight Games , Fitchburg, WI, U.S.A.

Softcover. Condition: Very Good. Rick Sardinha; David Lee Ingersoll; David Grilla (illustrator). Chaosium Call of Cthulhu - Adventures & Modules (Chaosium 5.6-6th Editions) Terrors From Beyond (VG+)Manufacturer: ChaosiumProduct Line: Call of Cthulhu - Adventures & Modules (Chaosium 5.6-6th Editions)Type: SoftcoverCode: CHA23113Copyright Date: 2009Page Count: 206Please review the condition and any condition notes for the exact condition of this item. All pictures are stock photos. The condition of the item you will receive is VG+. Our grading system is explained in the terms of sale section of our bookseller page. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Product Description:TERRORS FROM BEYOND is a collection of 1920's and 30�s adventures for Call of Cthulhu, designed for play with pre-generated characters. The book provides fine opportunities for an impromptu game or tournament play and �" because the characters are intimately connected with the plot �" roleplaying challenges not normally available in most published material. An excellent adventure collection for new and veteran Call of Cthulhu players alike. GHOST LIGHT: The keepers of a remote Scottish lighthouse have vanished. What fate awaits those who come to investigate the disappearances? GRAVE SECRETS: The people of Stafford, Rhode Island, live much the same as their colonial forbears, making only gradual concessions to the encroaching tread of progress. Now, a fate both formless and awful has befallen a family in town. One by one, the children succumb to a newly arrived, yet ancient, menace. THE DIG: Miskatonic University students on an excavation at nearby Dunlow Woods uncover ancient secrets, murder and horrors from the past. A METHOD TO MADNESS: The investigators have been committed to a private asylum. Are they really insane? Is their impending cure now worse than their derangements? DEATH BY MISADVENTURE: Evidence suggests that Charles Stanhope was killed by the accidental discharge of a faulty shotgun at his home in the Lincolnshire Fens. The Coroner's verdict is death by misadventure - but is there a suggestion of something far more sinister? THE BURNING STARS: The investigators recover in a US Military hospital in Haiti suffering from on-going and prolonged blackouts. The last seven days of their lives have vanished from their minds �" is it amnesia, or a fear of remembering?.

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One to follow – the Frugal Travel Guy

Rick Ingersoll knows how to play the system. For well over a decade he’s been milking frequent-flyer and hotel-loyalty schemes for all they’re worth.

Take for instance what he calls his “most adventurous trip”. Rick and his wife took a long-term trip from the US to Hawaii via South America, Europe, Cambodia, Thailand and Australia.

In total they paid only – emphasis on the only – $310 in taxes each for their tickets. Oh, and did we mention they flew Business Class on each leg of the journey!

That’s not all. On 58 of the 61 nights they spent in hotels their stay was either free or massively discounted.

How did this retired mortgage banker secure such incredible discounts?

Well, effectively through dedicated, diligent travel hacking. Travel hacking is the practice of chasing discounts and upgrades for things like flights, hotel accommodation and car rental.

Eager to share some nuggets of his wisdom, he set up the blog Frugal Travel Guy .

His site is full of unbiased, sensible advice on topics such as credit card churning *, capturing mistake fares , securing a “bump” collecting reward points through financial services and banking .

* Credit-card churning is the travel hacker’s number one tool (see our blog on credit-card churning ). It would be fair to say Rick’s one of the world’s leading authorities on the practice. Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…

(Featured image by visualpanic )

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Home » Europe » St. Petersburg

11 BEST Places to Visit in St. Petersburg (2024)

Moscow may be the capital of Russia, but if you’re a culture vulture, then St. Petersburg is the city for you. A port city on the Baltic Sea, it offers everything you could want from a city break and more.

Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, it is home to some of the most impressive architecture and art in the whole of Russia. There’s so much to do here, it can be hard putting together your Saint Petersburg itinerary. That’s where I come in!

The city is chock full of palaces, parks, cathedrals, and theatres, and there are far too many to fit into one visit, so only my favourites have made the list of the best places to visit in St. Petersburg.

I’ve also thrown in a few off the beaten track and unusual places to make sure you get to see all the best attractions in Saint Petersburg, as well as some hidden gems that only the locals know about!

So, when you’re ready, let’s take a look at the best places to visit in St. Petersburg.

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighbourhood in St. Petersburg:

These are the best places to visit in st. petersburg, faq on the best places to visit in st petersburg, final thoughts on places to visit in saint petersburg.

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The Tsentralny District is the beating heart of St Petersburg. It sits at the centre of the action and is home to some of the cities most famous and fascinating landmarks, including the Winter Palace and St Isaac’s Cathedral.

• Browse the State Rooms of the Stroganov Palace.
• Climb to the top of St Isaac’s Cathedral and enjoy the views.
• Delve deep into the history of Russia’s royal family at the spectacular Winter Palace.

Visiting the BEST places in any city should be accompanied by the BEST accommodation, but that requires knowledge of the BEST areas of the city and where to find it.

I’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out where to stay in St. Petersburg and then you may enter the palace below!

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#1 – State Hermitage Museum – Possibly one of the most important places to visit in St. Petersburg

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• One of the world’s greatest treasuries of art and antiquities
• See the intricate and beautiful peacock clock – it’s amazing
• The hermitage museum is spread out across several sites

Why it’s awesome: No St. Petersburg itinerary is complete without a visit to the State Hermitage Museum. Not only is it one of the most astounding hermitage museums in Russia, but the entire world!

I’d recommend setting aside a whole day for visiting St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. Incredibly, there are over 3 million works from around the world here! If you are short of time, you can marvel at the incredible outside facade from the palace square, as the building itself is just as beautiful as the exhibits inside.

The main building is the Winter Palace, which houses Greek and Roman antiquities, centuries of European art, and the staterooms of the Russian Imperial family from the 18th and 19th centuries! The whole palace is full of russian art and historic pieces that are truly special to this museum.

If you liked the Winter Palace, Catherine Palace is another marble palace worth checking out. It’s the summer residence of the Russian tsars and is a World Heritage Site. The building itself is stunning as the stucco details are drowned in gold. The north-side carriage courtyard is particularly stunning. But, it is a bit of a distance out of the city center so if you are running low on time and can only see one, go to the State Hermitage Museum.

What to do there: If you aren’t blessed with a lot of time for the museum, take a guided tour to see the highlights. One of the most curious things you won’t want to miss is the peacock clock.

The mechanical 18th century automated clock still sings today. It’s the largest example of 18th-century robotics that has survived to the present day without any alterations!

Some housekeeping – since the museum is so big it’s a great idea to get a map which covers the 6 buildings. That way, you can choose the things you’re most interested in.

It’s absolutely impossible to see everything! Also, the museum can get very popular in summer, so consider purchasing skip the line tickets!

#2 – Mariinsky Theatre

• See a ballet performance from the “Imperial Ballet of Russia”
• A world-class concert hall
• One of the most renowned cultural attractions in St. Petersburg

Why it’s awesome: This huge theatre is one of the most famous in the world. Built-in the 19th century, for over 150 years it has hosted some of the best actors, performers, and dancers in the world.

Although you can see operas and plays at the Mariinsky, it’s best known for ballet. In fact, this used to be known as the Imperial Ballet of Russia, so that should give you some idea of how revered it was (and still is)! Recently, the theatre has expanded.

In 2006, it added the concert hall and a second stage for opera and ballet in 2013!

What to do there: If you’re limited on a budget or time, you may not be able to extend to a show at the Mariisnky Theatre.

Although that’s a shame, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out completely. We’d definitely recommend taking a tour around the grand auditorium, one of the most beautiful and richly decorated in the world.

If your budget does cover it, don’t miss a show at this incredible place off your St. Petersburg itinerary. It’s also a great place to admire from the outside. Make sure you get pictures of the colourful buildings from Theatre Square!

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#3 – Saviour on the Spilled Blood – One of the best religious places to see in St. Petersburg

• The most unique places of worship in the city
• Home to one of the world’s biggest collections of mosaics
• One of the most recognizable landmarks in St. Petersburg

Why it’s awesome: This incredible church known as Savior on Spilled Blood, was built on the site where Tsar Alexander II was killed in an attack, which explains its macabre and graphic name of “spilled blood”.

Although St. Petersburg is filled with churches, this is arguably the most beautiful, and the reason it’s made it onto our list! The colourful church is just as bright and gaudy on the inside, where you’ll find one of the world’s biggest collection of mosaics.

Most people compare this to St Basil’s Cathedral in Russia, another of the country’s most famous landmarks!

What to do there: Any guided tour of the city will take you past the Saviour of the Spilled Blood Cathedral. Probably more than once! That’s because it’s right by the State Russian Museum, and plenty of other attractions are nearby. Also, Alexander II was a very important figure in Russian history.

If you have time, it’s definitely worth getting an hour-long audio tour of the church. It’ll tell you about the church’s history and construction.

Another religious building well worth your time when you travel to St. Petersburg is St Isaac’s Cathedral and Colonnade. It’s easily recognizable by its golden dome!

#4 – Peterhof Palace – A beautiful and scenic place to check out in St. Petersburg

• Once the main summer residence of the Russian Tsars
• Excellent location overlooking the Gulf of Finland
• Have a picnic in the Lower Park

Why it’s awesome: Since it’s located 45 minutes from the city, you’ll need to dedicate at least half a day to visiting Peterhof Palace. However, it’s well worth it!

Situated on the Gulf of Finland, this opulent palace is also known as the “Russian Versailles”. It’s not hard to see why, whether that’s down to the gilded domes, or the fountains throughout the extensive landscaped gardens.

Unbelievably, there are more than 60 fountains and 200 sculptures throughout the gardens at Peterhof. The most famous, The Grand Cascade, is one of the must-see St. Petersburg attractions!

What to do there: Don’t miss going inside the stunning Peterhof Palace. Classic staterooms, the ornate Ceremonial Staircase, and the Grand Ballroom are just some of the highlights of the interior.

Outside, there’s more to the gardens than just the incredible selection of fountains! The Lower Park has a canal that empties straight out into the Gulf of Finland and is a great spot to have a picnic.

Like many other St Petersburg attractions on this list, Peterhof gets very busy in summer. It’s definitely worth booking your ticket in advance, especially if they enable you to skip the queues!

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#5 – Tsarskoye Selo and the Amber Room

• Experience the lavish wealth of the Romanov Imperial Family
• See a recreation of the Amber Room, thought to be lost in World War II
• One of the most famous attractions in St. Petersburg

Why it’s awesome: By now, you’ve probably realized that the palaces in St. Petersburg are pretty extravagant. It’s possible that the 18th century Tsarskoye Selo is the most opulent and lavish of them all, built for Empress Elizabeth by the architect responsible for the Winter Palace, Bartolomeo Rastrelli.

It’s a day trip out of the city, to the town of Pushkin, widely regarded as one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in St. Petersburg. The Amber Room is undoubtedly a highlight. Thought to be lost forever in the Second World War, the painstaking reconstruction of the room is impressive nonetheless!

What to do there: As well as visiting Tsarskoye Selo, while you’re in Pushkin there are a few other cool places to check out.

One of the top attractions in St. Petersburg is Catherine Palace, where you’ll find the Amber Room. Attached to that is also the Catherine garden, which is landscaped with a variety of English, French, and Italian techniques.

If you want to find somewhere a little quieter to escape to, check out Alexander Park. They’re a little more overgrown and spread out, but there are some interesting buildings hidden away in there!

#6 – Museum of Hygiene – Quite the quirky place to visit in St. Petersburg

• Educate yourself on the dangers of germs and disease
• See one of Pavlov’s dogs!
• One of the more unusual points of interest in Saint Petersburg

Why it’s awesome: Yes, St. Petersburg is fascinating. However, if you’re just visiting palaces and cathedrals, it’s definitely not out of the question that you’ll get palace fatigue. You can only take so much of walking around all those long hallways and being astounded by art after all!

For a perfect tonic, head to the unusual Museum of Hygiene. It was established in the early 20th century to educate the city’s locals on good health practices. It’s especially worth a visit if you want to learn about the gruesome medical practices from the turn of the last century!

What to do there: There’s plenty to see in the display cabinets here that you won’t find anywhere else in St. Petersburg! Check out both female and male models with movable internal organs, wax anatomy models, and even some displays explaining the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Perhaps don’t eat before you visit here! One of the coolest displays you’ll see is Pavlov’s taxidermy dog. This may not be one of the most famous places in St. Petersburg, but it’s certainly worth a visit. Especially if you’re into science!

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#7 – Grand Maket Rossiya (Grand Model of Russia) – One of the more unique places to visit in St. Petersburg

• Rent binoculars to see the whole scale of this cool recreation of Russia
• The second biggest model in the world
• See all of Russia’s most important cultural and geographical attractions in just one day!

Why it’s awesome: If you don’t have time to cover all 17 million kilometres of Russia (and let’s face it, who does?), then this is your next best opportunity! The Grand Model of Russia is the second biggest model in the world after Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg.

It’s not entirely to scale, but it does mean you can visit Moscow, the Ural Mountains, and Vladivostok all on the same day! There is 2.5km of train tracks which miniature trains run on, and over half a million LED lights, which you’re guaranteed to see as a day only lasts 15 minutes!

What to do there: Russia is so big that it may not even be possible to get around the whole model of it one day! If that’s the case, rent a pair of binoculars so you can take in the whole of this amazing model. If you do have a bit more time, fantastic.

You can have a go at controlling some parts of the model yourself! There are buttons on the side where you can control the speeds of the cars and trains in the model. Sometimes it’s just enough to watch what’s going on though.

Old women feeding their chickens, a tiny UFO, and escaping prisoners are all part of one of the most unusual attractions in St. Petersburg!

#8 – Nevsky Prospekt

• 5km street dissecting the city from east to west
• Great for shopping – high end boutiques and designer shops here
• Check out some of the best places to eat in Saint Petersburg

Why it’s awesome: One of the most bustling streets you’ll find anywhere, the central avenue Nevsky Prospekt is considered one of the greatest streets in the world.

As well as the Hermitage and the Mariinsky theatre, you’ll find some places that didn’t make our list of the best places to visit in St. Petersburg but are still worth your time!

These include Kazan Cathedral, the House of Books, and the Eliseyev Emporium. Just be careful when you’re crossing – much of the street is 4 lanes on each side!

What to do there: If you’re visiting St. Petersburg, you’re bound to end up on this thoroughfare at some point. It was originally planned as one of the roads to Moscow but is now one of the central points of restaurants for tourists!

If you want to walk the whole length of Nevsky Prospekt, you’ll need at least two hours, and possibly a little more if you’re to take in its major sights.

As well as historical and cultural sites, make sure to stop off to window shop at some of the city’s most exclusive boutiques, or sample Russian delicacies at the best places to eat in St. Petersburg.

#9 – St. Petersburg Metro – A great place to see in St. Petersburg if you love architecture

• How to see Saint Petersburg in more ways than one
• Marvel at the Grand columns of Avtovo Station
• Some of the coolest architecture in the city

Why it’s awesome: St. Petersburg’s rapid transit system is about more than just getting from A to B. The stations here are opulent and rival the palaces and cathedrals above ground for their intricate architecture.

Although walking is often the best way to see a city, don’t miss out on taking the metro – even if it’s just to be astounded by the beauty of the stations!

What to do there: Moscow’s subway was the first built in Russia and St. Petersburg’s system was designed to mimic its beautiful architecture.

All 8 lines on the first line built-in 1955 are considered places of cultural significance. Check out the grand marble and glass columns of Avtovo Station and the sport-themed Sportivnaya. Spending a day on the metro may seem boring, but not here in St. Petersburg!

#10 – Slam City – A great place to visit in St. Petersburg at night!

• A great example of alternative St. Petersburg nightlife
• See live performances from local musicians
• A club run by cassette-focused Russian record label

Why it’s awesome: Saint-Brooklynsburg is a cassette-focused Russian record label, but what on earth is that? Well, it’s responsible for one of the coolest additions to the city’s nightlife scene.

The music mixes American-style garage rock with old-school cassettes to give a very distinctive sound. The club has super cool décor, and it’s the perfect place to spend a party at night after a day visiting the museums and palaces of the city!

What to do there: Don’t miss a live performance from one of the coolest bands on the city’s music scene! The dress code is pretty extravagant, so make sure you pick out your brightest colours to fit in!

Slam City is at its most vibrant and raucous on a weekend, so go then if you can. It’s a St. Petersburg must-do if you want to experience the city’s alternative music scene!

#11 – Peter and Paul Fortress – The city’s historic citadel

• A great example of historic Russian empire defences
• A quick attraction to visit on a stop-over
• Intricate Baroque detailing throughout

Why it’s awesome: The Peter and Paul fortress is the original citadel of the city found on a small island facing the Neva River. It was built in 1703 by Peter the Great when the Russian empire was the strongest empire in Eastern Europe. For a long time, it served as a prison for political criminals, from the early 1700s until the early 1920s.

It was designed by Domenico Trezzini, Peter’s court architect and the pioneer of the Petrine Baroque style that was introduced by the Russian Empire. The complex has six bastions (each named after close associates of Peter) with intertwining stone curtain walls. The structures have been adapted and embellished over the years, and while it is beautiful, whether it was actually a good defensive structure has been up for debate.

Within the fortress is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which was one of the first buildings to have been made. Originally it was made of wood and consecrated on 1 April 1704, but it was eventually replaced with stone a decade or so later.

What to do here: You can wander around the entirety of the Peter and Paul Fortress and visit the cathedral inside. The whole complex isn’t huge, it’s like a village inside a high wall, but it has a lot of intricate detailing that you might like to stop and marvel at.

It’s located right in the heart of the city center so it’s one of the best Saint Petersburg attractions to visit for a short stop-over. Across the river you will find the Palace Bridge, leading to Palace Square and the State Russian Museum.

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Find out what people want to know about the best places to visit in Saint Petersburg

What is a free place to visit in St Petersburg?

Nevsky Prospekt is a free place to visit, but as it’s famous for its shopping, you might want to bring your wallet with you. Otherwise, it’s a great free place to visit to admire the architecture.

Is St Petersburg Russia worth visiting?

Yes, St Petersburg is worth visiting if you’re a fan of architecture and art.

What is St Petersburg Russia famous for?

St Petersburg is the cultural capital of Russia and is famous for its Baroque and neoclassical architecture, cathedrals and palaces.

Is St Petersburg in Russia a safe place to visit?

St Petersburg is generally a safe place to visit for tourists. Most crimes are not directed at tourists but you should always keep an eye out for pick pockets.

So, that concludes my list of the best places to visit in St. Petersburg. I hope that you’ve found it useful and helpful in planning your trip!

I think the 11 places we’ve chosen are just enough places to visit in Saint Petersburg in 3 days. However, if you’re planning on staying longer, you’ll certainly find that there’s more to do.

I hope that my list has not only showed you how to visit Saint Petersburg, but how to live like a local too. As well as seeing all the most famous attractions the city has to offer, you’ll get off the beaten track too. Who knows, you may even make Russian friends and practice your language skills?!

Just make sure that whatever you do on your trip, you’re armed with our list of the best places to visit in Saint Petersburg. It’ll help you plan out your holiday and really help you to make the most of your vacation!

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