St. Petersburg is the best destination in Europe in World Travel Awards-2016

This is definitely a unique Russian city. After visiting Saint Petersburg, you cannot stay indifferent to it. And let us tell you why.

In 1712-1918 Saint Petersburg was the capital of the Russian state, and now it bears the status of the cultural capital of Russia. It’s hardly possible to name all places of interest! And it is no coincidence, that St. Petersburg was voted the best destination in Europe in this year’s World Travel Awards!

Why does Saint Petersburg impress the guests so much?

First, the city scale: wide prospects and bridges, huge squares and magnificent buildings look amazing, especially for visitors coming from small towns.

A

Palace Square

1 hour or less

The central city square of St Petersburg

St. Petersburg occupies an area of 1500 square km; it is ranked the 3rd most populated city in Europe (over 5 million citizens). Every day up to 2 million pedestrians cross the city’s main street, Nevsky Prospect and that number equals to the total population of Budapest!

Second, you will be impressed with numerous historical monuments. St. Petersburg’s historic center and related group of monuments are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is one of the main tourist centers in Russia.

Among the most significant cultural and tourist places we may name: the State Hermitage, the Kunstkamera, the Mariinsky Theatre, the State Russian Museum, the Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral.

B

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral

Saint Isaac's Cathedral is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in Saint Petersburg

The Hermitage collection alone comprises approximately 3 million items, displayed in 365 rooms in 6 buildings. It is said that if you decide to view the whole collection, spending only 1 minute for each item, it would take you almost 6 years, and you have to walk about 25 km!

Third, we cannot leave unmentioned the unique geographical location of Saint Petersburg: it is the city on water, literally crossed with a network of numerous water courses.

Saint Petersburg is located in the Gulf of Finland coast and borders Lake Ladoga from the East. Due to the numerous rivers and channels, the city is often called “Venice of the North”.

At the end of the 19th-century delta of the Neva River counted 48 rivers and channels which formed 101 islands; presently only 42 islands left.

Saint Petersburg’s territory counts about 90 rivers, streams and channels, encased in granite and decorated with beautiful iron lattices, and about 100 lakes and ponds. And just as Venice, Saint Petersburg is famous worldwide for its architectural masterpieces.

C

Summer Garden

2 hours

One of the most romantic places in St Petersburg, Summer Garden is located between Fontanka River, Moika River and the Swan Canal

Fourth, a standalone reference must be made for the bridges.

City waterways are arched over by c. 800 bridges, including 218-foot bridges and 22 moveable bridges. The longest bridge in St. Petersburg is the Bolshoi Obukhovsky Bridge across the Neva River; the widest one is the Blue Bridge that spans the Moika River.

Don’t miss the chance and take pictures of these lovely and unusual views while having a walk around the city!

D

Church of the Savior on Blood

2 hours

Church of the Savior on Blood is Russian Orthodox church and one of the main places to see in St Petersburg

And fifth, ask the local citizens – they all tell you that Saint Petersburg has its own atmosphere, some unique spirit. The same may be heard from many travelers who happened to visit the city at different times. Want some words to describe it? All you need to do is come to this wonderful city for several days and feel the unique atmosphere yourself.