We answer the age-old question: where to stay in St. Petersburg? It can be noisy and expensive along Nevsky Prospekt, but the Hermitage and the Russian Museum are close by, and in Kolomna you can see a real non-fancy city, although there is no metro there. Petrogradka and Vasilyevsky Island have their advantages — the Peter and Paul Fortress, museums of modern art — but you will have to go to the other side of the Neva by metro or bus.
We are figuring out where it is better to stay in the Northern capital and how to choose a hotel from 15,000+ options on Ostrovok.ru .
Content
- How St. Petersburg works
- Palace District
- Vladimir and Foundry districts
- Admiralty District
- Kolomna
- Vasilievsky Island
- Petrograd side
How St. Petersburg works
The starting point in St. Petersburg is the Neva River, and the districts on both sides of the river — Admiralteysky, Tsentralny, Vasileostrovsky and Petrogradsky — are considered the historical center. The main street of St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt, stretches on the right bank, and the most famous museums and temples are located here. To the north are the islands of Vasilevsky, Petrogradsky, Krestovsky and Elagin.
“And I would be glad to go home, but the bridges have been built”
Bridges across the Neva River are built at night from April to November. To get to the other side, you will have to wait for hours or pay decently for a trip across the Cable-stayed Bridge, the only non-navigable one on the Neva. If you’re going to admire the bridges, make sure you’re on the same shore as your hotel. This also applies to night excursions — check the pick-up and drop-off point. Well, take a look at the selection of hotels during the white nights.
Briefly about the districts
- Palace District — historical sights, temples and museums.
- Vladimirsky and Liteiny districts — bars, restaurants and shopping malls.
- Admiralty District — expensive hotels near St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
- Kolomna is the spirit of the real St. Petersburg.
- Vasilievsky Island — modern art and fashionable spaces.
- Petrogradskaya side is a quiet area with cozy parks.
Palace District
- On the map
It seems that the most obvious solution is to choose a hotel in the center of St. Petersburg near Nevsky Prospekt. The area from the Neva embankment to the Fontanka River is called the Palace District — the main sights of the city are concentrated here.
What needs to be done in this area:
- plunge headlong into art in the Hermitage and the Russian Museum;
- visit the Kazan Cathedral and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood;
- walk along and across the Mikhailovsky and Summer Gardens;
- make a wish and get a coin into the “Chizhika-Pyzhika”.
Infrastructure. This is the most touristic area of the city. Look for expensive hotels along Nevsky Prospekt, and more budget options are hidden in the neighboring streets. There will be no problems with cafes, restaurants and canteens, but the most famous gastronomic clusters are located in neighboring districts.
The most obvious solution is to choose a hotel in the center of St. Petersburg near Nevsky Prospekt. Photo: FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock.com
Transportation. Three metro stations of different lines are laid through the center — Nevsky Prospekt, Gostiny Dvor and Admiralteyskaya. You can take the blue line to Moskovskaya metro station, from where buses leave for Pulkovo Airport. In the center, it is most convenient to move on foot or by land transport.
Bottom line. If you are in St. Petersburg for the first time and plan to cover the main attractions from the tourist guide, book a hotel in the Palace District.
Hotels in the Palace District
- “Talion Imperial” 5* — from 13,000 rubles;
- WYNWOOD 4* — from 8,900 rubles;
- Kempf Nevsky 4* — from 5,537 rubles;
- “Chapel Yards” 3* — from 6004 rubles;
- “Friends” at the “House of Books” — from 1810 rubles.
WYNWOOD 4*.
Unusual museums and historical hotels
When the Hermitage and the Russian Museum have been passed through, take a look at a selection of 10 unusual museums in St. Petersburg. And if you want to live in the imperial interiors, catch the historical hotels of the Northern capital.
By the way, with the GURU loyalty program from Ostrovok.ru accommodation in St. Petersburg can be booked at pleasantly discounted prices. A 10% discount on hotels and apartments is available immediately: you only need to register in the system.
Vladimir and Foundry districts
- On the map
Vladimir and Liteiny districts are located between the Fontanka River embankment and Vosstaniya Square. They are known for shopping malls and bar and restaurant streets.
What to do here:
- try delicacies in bars and restaurants on Rubinstein and Nekrasov Streets;
- shop in the largest shopping center of the city “Gallery”;
- visit the Anna Akhmatova Museum and the Annenkirche Church;
- take a walk through the Tauride Garden.
Infrastructure.The area formed by Nekrasov, Mayakovsky and Zhukovsky streets is called the “quarter of dead poets”. Now it is the most fashionable place in the city, where popular cafes, bars and restaurants are open. In general, housing here is more affordable than in the Palace District.
Be sure to take a walk through the Tauride Garden. Photo: Popoudina Svetlana/Shutterstock.com
Transport. There is a Moscow railway station on Vosstaniya Square, where Sapsans come from the capital. It is more convenient to move around the center of St. Petersburg on foot or by land transport. The metro goes to other areas of the city — look for the stations “Ploshchad Vosstaniya” and “Mayakovskaya”.
Bottom line. Stay here if you want to be in the center of the St. Petersburg crowd.
Hotels in Vladimir and Liteyny districts
- “Helvetia” 5* — from 15,000 rubles;
- “Corinthia” 5* — from 11,500 rubles;
- Nevsky Forum 4* — from 8924 rubles;
- Bazilevs 4* — from 8085 rubles;
- ArtApart — from 3069 rub.
“Helvetia” 5*.
Admiralty District
- On the map
The area around St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Admiralty is one of the most pretentious in St. Petersburg. Here you can stay in the famous historical Astoria and Angleterre hotels.
What must be done in the Admiralteysky district:
- climb the colonnade of St. Isaac’s Cathedral;
- see the monument”The Bronze Horseman”;
- admire the interiors of the department store “At the Red Bridge”;
- have dinner in a typical restaurant, for example, in the “Attic”.
The monument “The Bronze Horseman”. Photo: Maxim Mitsun/Shutterstock.com
Why goto St. Isaac’s Cathedral
Everything you need to know about the most European church in St. Petersburg, we have collected in this article.
Infrastructure. Luxury hotels are concentrated near St. Isaac’s Cathedral, but it will not be difficult to find cheaper housing on the neighboring streets. Look for cafes and bars on Gorokhovaya, restaurants along Konnogvardeysky Boulevard.
Transportation. The area can be reached by metro (Admiralteyskaya station). Otherwise, it is convenient to travel on foot or by buses and trolleybuses.
Bottom line. If you want to relax in style, then you should look for a view room in one of the Admiralty District hotels.
Hotels in the Admiralty District
- Four Seasons Lion Palace 5* — from 30,319 rubles;
- “Astoria” 5* — from 22,250 rubles;
- SO 5* — from 16,100 rubles;
- “Angleterre” 4* — from 13,527 rubles;
- “Arcadia Nova” 3* — from 5,243 rubles.
“Astoria” 5*.
Kolomna
- On the map
St. Petersburg Kolomna (not to be confused with a city in the Moscow region!) It is part of the Admiralteysky district. Here you will see the non-glamorous Petersburg, which Dostoevsky and Blok wrote about.
What to do:
- buy an opera or ballet ticket to the Mariinsky Theatre;
- relax on the island “New Holland”;
- visit St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral and the cultural space “Nikolsky Rows”;
- walk along the Lion Bridge.
Infrastructure.Most of the hotels are located next to the Mariinsky Theatre. Look for cafes and restaurants on Dekabristov Street. Keep in mind that the streets in Kolomna are narrow and snowy in winter are not the most passable, but in summer it is great here.
Buy a ticket to the opera or ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre. Photo: KrimKate/Shutterstock.com
Transport. Alas, there is not a single metro station in this area, the nearest ones are “Sennaya Ploshchad”/”Sadovaya”/”Spasskaya” or “Admiralteyskaya”.
Bottom line. The perfect place to see the non-glamorous St. Petersburg and immerse yourself in classical art.
Hotels in Kolomna
- Albora 5* — from 14,400 rubles;
- Academia 4* — from 10,800 rubles;
- “Premiere” — from 5939 rubles;
- “Express Sadovaya” 4* — from 5487 rubles;
- Red Stars 4* — from 4000 rubles
Albora 5*.
Let’s go to the suburbs
If you know the historical center of St. Petersburg like the back of your hand, take a closer look at the hotels in one of the beautiful suburbs of St. Petersburg and enjoy the palace and park splendor.
Vasilyevsky Island
- On the map
Vasilyevsky Island, or “Vaska”, is a student district with buildings of St. Petersburg State University and the University of Mines. Recently, various creative spaces have appeared here.
What do we recommend doing on Vaska:
- walk along the Arrow of Vasilievsky Island;
- go to museums contemporary art “Erarta” and “ARTMUZA”;
- the bravest — visit the Kunstkamera;
- have a snack at Vasileostrovsky market;
- relax in the cultural space “Sevkabel Port”.
Infrastructure. Choose hotels closer to the Arrow of Vasilyevsky Island — this way you will save money and time on transport. We advise you to settle in the depths of the island if you come to the city for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum: the Lenexpo exhibition space is located here.
Take a walk along the Spit of Vasilievsky Island Photo: FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock.com
Transportation. There are metro stations “Vasileostrovskaya” and “Primorskaya” on the island. Otherwise, it is convenient to travel by buses and trolleybuses. By the way, if you choose a hotel near the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island or the University embankment, then you can walk to the main attractions.
Total. This is a place for those who appreciate modern art, creative spaces and trendy cafes.
Hotels on Vasilyevsky Island
- Palace Bridge Hotel 5* — from 11,500 rubles;
- “Point by Academia” 4* — from 9500 rubles;
- BUSEL 4* — from 7431 rubles;
- “June” — from 2164 rubles;
- hostel “Peter and the Wolf” — from 1666 rubles.
“Point by Academia” 4*.
V.O. and P.S.
There are two streets with the same name on Petrogradsky and Vasilyevsky Islands — Maly Prospekt and Bolshoy Prospekt. Do not forget about the abbreviations — V.O. (Vasilyevsky Island) or P.S. (Petrograd side), so as not to confuse them.
Petrogradskaya side
- On the map
Petrogradka, as the locals call it, is a quiet historical district on the left bank of the Neva River. It also includes the neighboring islands of Kamenny, Krestovsky and Elagin. There is luxury real estate and huge parks here.
There are plenty of entertainment on Petrogradka, it’s definitely worth it:
- devote half a day to the Peter and Paul Fortress;
- go with a child to Divo-Ostrov Park;
- walk along Kamenny Island and look at the Gauswald cottage, where Soviet Sherlock Holmes was filmed;
- relax in the Central Park of Culture and Recreation on Elagin Island;
- watch football at the Gazprom Arena stadium.
Infrastructure. The Petrogradskaya side resembles a residential area — it is quiet and peaceful here, and historical buildings prevail around. Look for cafes popular among St. Petersburg residents in the creative space “Lenpoligrafmash” and in the food market “Balagan”.
You can devote half a day to the Peter and Paul Fortress. Photo: Stanislav Samoylik/Shutterstock.com
Transport. Gorkovskaya, Petrogradskaya and Chkalovskaya metro stations operate here. It is comfortable to travel around the island on foot or by bus. The center can be reached via the Trinity Bridge.
Bottom line. Do you want to stay in a beautiful and quiet area close to the main attractions and parks? Choose a place to live in Petrogradka.
Hotels on the Petrogradskaya side
- GLINZ by Ginza Project 4* — from 11,318 rubles;
- Welton Club 4* — from 8526 rubles;
- Artbox 2* — from 4696 rubles;
- Grand Memories — from 4953 rubles;
- “K2 St. Petersburg” 3* — from 2366 rubles.
GLINZ by Ginza Project 4*.
When you’re in St. Petersburg, don’t miss the opportunity to go on a guided tour! Here are a few options:
It is difficult to get to know St. Petersburg in one trip, so we recommend that you save this article in bookmarks and book accommodation every time you go to the Northern capital Ostrovok.ru in a new area: let the city open up from an unexpected side.
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Cover photo: Baturina Yuliya/Shutterstock.com
