Travel Guide 02 02 03 04 04 Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet 05 05 08 08 09 Getting around St Petersburg Top 10 sights Shopping in St Petersburg Restaurants Nightlife 10 11 12 Calendar of events Hotels 24 hours in... thinkstock/istock LH.com/travelguide 01/14
02 Quick view St Petersburg a brief overview Moscow may have the power, but St Petersburg has always had the culture. This stately city, set beside the mighty Neva River, was where Peter the Great chose to found his imperial capital in 1703. The finest Italian architects were drafted in to construct a city of grand avenues and winding canals, lined with elegant townhouses and adorned with baroque flourishes. This was where s tsars and tsarinas lived out their extravagant lives; they now pass the centuries in the royal tombs inside SS Peter & Paul Cathedral. Surrounding the city are the extravagant country houses of the imperial dynasty a trip to Peterhof or Tsarskoe Selo is an essential part of any trip to St Petersburg. General knowledge Country overview is at once breathtaking, baffling and stunningly beautiful. Monumental in every respect, it's a land where untamed wilderness sits alongside bustling urban centres, and adventure lurks around every corner. From imperial splendour to icy Siberian tundra and from time-worn Soviet-era monuments to über-hip urban culture, is a land of contradiction and superlatives. For the first time in its history, is now wide open for foreign visitors to experience, and exploration beyond Moscow and St Petersburg is well advised. The Golden Ring, a collection of ancient gems, transports the traveller back to a bygone age. Geography The n Federation covers almost twice the area of the USA, and reaches from the enclave of Kaliningrad in the west over the Urals and the vast Siberian plains to the Sea of Okhotsk in the east. The border between European and Siberia (Asia) is formed by the Ural Mountains, the Ural River and the Manych Depression. All in all has 16 international borders with countries including Finland, Lithuania, USA, Japan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and China. European extends from the North Polar Sea across the Central n Uplands to the Black Sea, the Northern Caucasus and the Caspian Sea. Siberia stretches from the West Siberian Plain across the Central Siberian Plateau to the Lena River and takes in the Sayan and Yablonovy ranges in the south. East of Siberia stretches the n Far East, a region almost as big as Siberia itself, running to the Pacific coast and including the vast Chukotka and Kamchatka peninsulas. Given the vast size of the country, 's terrain is hugely variable. From the Siberian tundra to the mountains of the Urals, the beaches on the Black Sea coast, and the plains of western, such variable geography means one can experience many different s. General knowledge Key facts Population: 142500482 LH.com/travelguide 02/14
03 Population Density (per sq km): 8 Capital: Moscow. Language n is the official language, although there are over 100 other languages. English is widely spoken by younger people as well as some educated older people. Currency Rouble (RUB; symbol руб) = 100 kopeks. Notes are in denominations of 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. uses a standard two-pin European plug. General business opening hours Mon-Fri 1000-1800, with a lengthy lunch break, usually from 1200-1400, during which no work is done - even telephones are left unanswered. Public Holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2017 - December 2018 period. 2017 Nowogodnije kanikuly (New Year): 1-6 January 2017 Roschdestwo Christowo (Orthodox Christmas Day): 7 January 2017 Den saschtschitnika Otetschestwa (Defender of the Fatherland Day): 23 February 2017 Meschdunarodny schenski den (International Women's Day): 8 March 2017 Prasdnik Wesny i Truda (Spring and Labour Day): 1 May 2017 Den Pobedy (Victory Day): 8 and 9 May 2017 Den Rossii ( Day, Republic Day): 12 June 2017 Den narodnowo jedinstwa (Unity Day): 4-6 November 2017 2018 Nowogodnije kanikuly (New Year): 1-6 January 2018 Roschdestwo Christowo (Orthodox Christmas Day): 7 and 8 January 2018 Den saschtschitnika Otetschestwa (Defender of the Fatherland Day): 23 February 2018 Meschdunarodny schenski den (International Women's Day): 8 March 2018 Prasdnik Wesny i Truda (Spring and Labour Day): 28 April - 1 May 2018 Den Pobedy (Victory Day): 9 May 2018 Den Rossii ( Day, Republic Day): 11 and 12 June 2018 Den narodnowo jedinstwa (Unity Day): 4 and 5 November 2018 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions It is customary to shake hands when greeting someone, though never across a threshold. Company or business gifts are well received; if you're invited to someone's home do bring a token gift, but avoid clearing your plate when eating; LH.com/travelguide 03/14
04 leaving some food is considered as a good sign. Conservative wear is suitable for most places women will need to cover shoulders and wear long skirts to enter an orthodox church and the seasonal weather should always be borne in mind. Smoking and drinking is acceptable unless stated otherwise. n society is still highly patriarchal and hierarchical; this may be reflected in chivalrous acts (men holding doors open for women for example) but it may also mean that women are taken less seriously, and engaging in 'unfeminine' behaviour may be interpreted wrongly, although being a visitor may get you some leeway. Be careful with gestures in, giving the 'thumbs up' sign is an insult not an 'OK'. Photography It is prohibited to take photographs of any military installation and/or establishments or sites of strategic importance. Failure to abide by this could result in police arrest. Health Health Main emergency number: 112 Food & Drink In general, does not pose any serious health risks when it comes to food. Use common sense and caution when deciding what might be safe to eat. Tap water is drinkable, although those with sensitive stomachs may want to stick to bottled water. Similarly, some may want to make sure that water used for brushing teeth or making ice has been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Be mindful that eating salads may have vegetables washed in tap water; you may want to stick to well-cooked meals for the duration of your stay. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other Risks Vaccinations are sometimes recommended for Japanese B encephalitis, meningococcal meningitis and tick-borne encephalitis. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Danilevich, Efim American Medical Clinic 78 Moika Embankment 191000 Tel. +7-812-740-2090 Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone/Mobile Telephone Dialing Code: +7 LH.com/travelguide 04/14
05 Telephone When dialling the n Federation from abroad, the 0 of the area code must not be omitted. Most Moscow hotels have telephone booths with IDD. For longdistance calls within the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), dial 8 then wait for the dial tone before proceeding with the call. Collect calls, calls placed using credit cards and calls from direct dial telephones in hotels can be extremely expensive. International calls can be made from phones in the street and phonecards are available from many shops and kiosks in the street. For enquiries regarding Moscow private telephone numbers dial 09; for businesses, dial 927 0009. Mobile Telephone Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. All major cities are covered by at least one operator. Handsets can be hired from some companies and local SIM cards are easily purchased for use within if you have an unlocked handset. Internet Wi-Fi is available within most hotels in larger cities (although they may charge) and at internet cafes. Most connections will be either via dial up or broadband. Although does not ostensibly censor the internet, there is an internet blacklist of sites which you will not be able to visit from inside, which includes some independent news sites. Getting around St Petersburg Getting around Public Transport The most practical way to get around St Petersburg is actually on foot. The stations of the St Petersburg Metro (tel: (812) 301 9700; www.metro.spb.ru) are widely spaced, and reaching almost anywhere in the city will involve a walk, taxi ride or river boat trip. Metro tickets are sold in stations; save on multiple trips by purchasing a magnetic smart card. Buses, trams and marshrutka (shared minibuses) whizz between the suburbs and the centre, but routes can be confusing for non-n speakers; buy tickets from the conductor. To explore the centre at a more leisurely pace, take a boat cruise along the Neva River and the city canals. Taxis Official, licensed taxis are costly and fares must be negotiated with the driver. To avoid fare inflation, book a taxi over the phone; reputable companies include Petersburgskoye Taxi (tel: (812) 068) and Taxi 700000 (tel: (812) 700 0000). Unofficial taxis abound, but many drivers speak only n and fares are often elevated for tourists; as with official taxis, agree a fare with the driver before you set off. Locals generally do not tip. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in St Petersburg The Hermitage s most famous art museum was never originally intended for public display. Created to house the private collection of Catherine the Great, the graceful Hermitage, set in the baroque Winter Palace, now displays some of s greatest treasures to the masses. LH.com/travelguide 05/14
06 Dvortsovaya ploshchad 2 190000 St Petersburg Tel: (812) 710 9079 Tue and Thurs-Sun 1030-1800 Wed 1030-2100 www.hermitagemuseum.org n Museum Exploring eight centuries of n art, this grand museum sprawls across the buildings of the Mikhailovsky Palace. The collection spans everything from sacred icons to portraits of Peter the Great and work from the St Petersburg Academy of Arts. Inzhenernaya ulitsa 4 191186 St Petersburg Tel: (812) 595 4248 Fri-Mon and Wed 1000-1800 Thurs 1300-2100 www.rusmuseum.ru Peter & Paul Fortress St Petersburg s maritime history comes alive in the fortress that guards the mouth of the Neva River. Inside the fortified walls are museums, bastions, military relics and the cathedral that houses the tombs of almost the entire Romanov dynasty. Petropavlovskaya Krepost 197101 St Petersburg Tel: (812) 230 6431 Thurs-Mon 1100-1900 Tue 1100-1800 www.spbmuseum.ru St Isaac s Cathedral People are draw to St Petersburg s most famous church by the view as much as the architecture. The public gallery atop the cathedral s famous gilded dome offers panoramic views over the city and the River Neva. The shimmering mosaics inside the cathedral are almost as spectacular. Isaakievskaya ploshchad 4 190000 St Petersburg Tel: (812) 315 9732 Thurs-Tue 1030-2230 (May-Sep) Thurs-Tue 1030-1800 (Oct-Apr) cathedral.ru Church on the Spilled Blood St Petersburg s answer to St Basil s in Moscow, this handsome cathedral is topped by a candy shop collection of gold and rainbow-tiled onion domes and sparkling mosaics of Biblical scenes. Kanala Groboedova naberezhnaya 2A 191186 St Petersburg Tel: (812) 315 1636 Thurs-Tue 1030-2230 (May-Sep) Thurs-Tue 1030-1800 (Oct-Apr) cathedral.ru LH.com/travelguide 06/14
07 Alexander Nevsky Monastery Built to enshrine the bones of St Petersburg s patron saint, this graceful collection of churches and monastic buildings guards the cemeteries where Tchaikovsky and Dostoevsky were buried, alongside a roll call of n national heroes. Reki Monastyrki naberezhnaya 1 191167 St Petersburg Tel: (812) 274 1702 Daily 0600-2000 lavra.spb.ru Mariinsky Theatre Moscow has the Bolshoi, St Petersburg has the Mariinsky. This atmospheric opera house and theatre is home to the Mariinsky Ballet, the Mariinsky Opera and the Mariinsky Orchestra; that s a lot of culture in one spectacular space. 1 Theatre Square/Teatralnaya ploshchad' 1 190000 St Petersburg n Federation Check website for performances tours by appointment www.mariinsky.ru Nevsky prospekt St Petersburg s main thoroughfare is so much more than just a road. This elegant boulevard is lined with graceful n baroque buildings, and studded with historic cafés, eateries and department stores. There s even a towering cathedral Our Lady of Kazan inspired by St Peter s in Rome. Nevsky prospekt 190000 St Petersburg Peterhof Inspired by Versailles, the lavish palace at Peterhof is a glorious collection of gilded domes, painted stucco, fountains and statues. Peter the Great surrounded his grand summer house with elegant gardens and villas, looking out over the Gulf of Finland. Peterhof, Razvodnaya ulitsa 2 198510 St Petersburg Tel: (812) 450 5287 Daily 0900-2000 (gardens) Tues-Sun 1030-1200 and 1430-1615 (palace) www.peterhofmuseum.ru Tsarskoe Selo The grandest stately home of them all, Tsarskoe Selo was created by Catherine the Great and the Empress Elizabeth over a period of 50 years. Nowhere else offers such a window onto the extravagant lives of the tsars. Sadovaya ulitsa 7, Pushkin 196601 St Petersburg Daily 0700-2100 (park) LH.com/travelguide 07/14
08 Tel: (812) 415 7667 Mon 1200-1400 and 1600-2000 Wed-Sun 1200-1400 and 1600-1700 (palace) tzar.ru Shopping in St Petersburg Shopping in St Petersburg Key Areas Nevsky prospekt is the main shopping strip and it looks almost as glamorous today as it did when tsars and tsarinas used to promenade here in search of champagne, cigars and furs. The area around Vladimirsky prospekt in the east of the city is also a vibrant shopping hub. For modern brands and designer fashions, head to the malls in Smolny and Vostaniya. Markets For tasty n foodstuffs, including delicacies such as caviar and tvorog (cottage cheese) with apricots, browse the stalls at Kuznechny market (Kuznechny pereulok) and Maltsevsky market (Nekrasova ulitsa). Genuine bits of Soviet memorabilia can be found in the eclectic Udelnaya market (Vyborg Side) near Udelnaya Metro station, while matryoshka dolls are stock in trade at the souvenir market beside the Church on Spilled Blood. Shopping Centres St Petersburg s most famous shopping centre was also one of the world s first construction of arcade-fronted Gostiny Dvor commenced in 1757. American-style shopping arrived in St Petersburg with the Sennaya (Yefimova ulitsa) mall near Sennaya ploshchad. Further west, Vladimirsky Passage and Galeria (Ligovsky prospekt) St Petersburg s largest mall shimmer with international brands. Restaurants Restaurants in St Petersburg A deep wallet is a helpful asset when dining in St Petersburg. Grand restaurants serving imperial n cuisine and modern variations on the same theme offer the definitive St Petersburg dining experience.for less expensive eating, look to small local restaurants, particularly those serving Georgian and Central Asian cuisine. MiX in St Petersburg Blending n ingredients with French cooking know-how, the arrival of Alain Ducasse s elegant eatery marked a sea-change in St Petersburg dining. Voznesensky Ave 6 190000 Price: Expensive Bellevue Brasserie The name says it all at this exclusive modern European restaurant, set inside a glass eyrie atop the Kempinski Hotel Moika 22. naberezhnaya Reki Moyki 22 Price: Expensive LH.com/travelguide 08/14
09 191186 Terrassa The view from the terrace is spectacular, but it doesn't eclipse the food at this sleek modern eatery by the Kazan Cathedral. Kazanskaya ulitsa 3 191186 Price: Moderate Botanika Escape the pomp and circumstance in this relaxed and unpretentious vegetarian eatery, serving fusion flavours from across the globe. Pestelya ulitsa 7 191028 St Petersburg Price: Moderate Stolle Hearty, Saxon-style pies both sweet and savoury are the mainstay at this cosy bolthole close to the Hermitage. Konyushenny pereulok 1/6 191186 Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in St Petersburg St Petersburg is one of s most dynamic, vibrant cities after dark, and there are nightspots to suit all tastes, from elegant palaces of culture to bombastic superclubs, cool cocktail lounges and student-friendly pubs and microbreweries.for your first taste of St Petersburg nightlife, head for Dumskaya ulitsa, where party people make the most of the city s famous White Nights. MiXup Bar The sleek terrace bar at Alain Ducasse s showpiece restaurant is an extremely sophisticated place to pull up a bar stool for cocktail hour. Voznesensky Ave 6 190000 St Petersburg n Federation Dom Byta Cool and retro, Dom Byta looks back to the glitz and glamour of the 1970s, attracting a smartly dressed crowd with expensive tastes. Razyezzhaya ulitsa 12 LH.com/travelguide 09/14
10 191002 St Petersburg Radiobaby Nights out in this funky rock club move from bar to dance floor to chill-out room; locals think of it as a more grown-up alternative to the bars on Dumskaya ulitsa. Kazanskaya ulitsa 7 191186 St Petersburg n Federation Helsinki Bar A little piece of 1970s Finland on Vasilyevsky Island, with cool cocktails, homestyle Finnish cooking and DJs spinning vinyl till late. Kadetskaya liniya 31, Vasilyevsky Island 197198 St Petersburg Calendar of events Calendar of events Maslenitsa The start of n Lent is celebrated with feast of blinis (pancakes) at homes and restaurants across the city. The name of this festival translates as Butter Week - like Mardi Gras, the focus is on using up perishable food before the Lent fast. 12. - 18. February 2018 Venue: Various venues Musical Spring in St Petersburg Run by the Petersburg Composer s Union, this international music festival celebrates the best of classical music, with performances at the two Philharmonic halls and other venues across the city. May 2018 Venue: Various venues Victory Day This festival marks the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in 1945. Amidst parades, and military band marches, crowds gather at Piskarivskoye Memorial Cemetery to pay tribute to the victims of the Nazi blockade8 9 May 2018 Venue: Piskarivskoye Memorial Cemetery Dyen Goroda (City Day) LH.com/travelguide 10/14
11 St Petersburg gives itself a big pat on the back each May, celebrating its official City Day with parades, historical displays, public concerts and a fireworks display. City Days have been celebrated since 1986 when the tradition was introduced by the then Secretary of the Moscow City Committee, Boris Yeltsin. 27 May 2018 Venue: Throughout St Petersburg Beliye Nochi (White Nights) Experience the "White Nights" in St Petersburg, when the city sees itself illuminated by almost constant daylight. White Nights (Beliye Nochi) are a curious phenomenon caused by St Petersburg's northerly geographical location - the sun never descends below the horizon and locals fill the streets 24 hours a day. June - July 2018 Venue: Throughout the city, especially Palace Square, Peter and Paul Fortress and Yelagin Island Dyen Voyenno Morskova Flota (Navy Day) Befitting a great sea-faring city, St Petersburg celebrates Navy Day with gusto. Decorated warships gather along the River Neva and engage in mock battles, and fireworks fill the skies above the Naval Museum on Vasilyevsky Island. Navy Day usually takes place on the last Sunday in July. July 2018 Venue: The Naval Museum, Cruiser Aurora and the banks of the River Neva International Winter Festival Arts Square The brainchild of Yuri Temirkanov, conductor of the St Petersburg Academic Philharmonic, this festival brings the wintery streets to life with classical concerts, recitals and fireworks. December 2018 www.philharmonia.spb.ru/en/ Venue: Theatres, museums and concert halls around the city Hotels Hotels in St Petersburg Accommodation in St Petersburg has come a long way since the austere years of the Soviet era.today, the city offers hotels for all tastes and budgets, with an abundance of heritage properties and an impressive selection of mid-range choices amongst the glamorous five-star offerings. Astoria Rocco Forte Blurring the lines between old and new, the Astoria marries oldworld glamour with modern design sophistication. Rue Bolchaïa Morskaïa 39 190000 Category: Expensive LH.com/travelguide 11/14
12 Grand Hotel Europe No two rooms are the same at the Grand Hotel Europe, one of Europe s great historic hotels; ask for a terrace room for an unparalleled view over old St Petersburg. Nevsky Prospekt, Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa 1/7 191186 St Petersburg Category: Expensive Rossi Boutique Hotel Antique style meets designer chic at this handsome hotel in the historic heart of the city. Reki Fontanki naberezhnaya 55 191023 St Petersburg Category: Moderate Pushka Inn The great Pushkin lived just next door to this cosy small hotel, with a prime location on a graceful curve of the Mokya River. Moyka river embankment 14 191186 Russland Category: Moderate Nevsky Moyka 5 Few frills but a friendly welcome in a fine location within walking distance of the Hermitage and the Church on Spilled Blood. Moyka river embankment 5 Category: Cheap 24 hours in...... 09:00 a.m.: Starting point Location Hostel For untypical, the Location Hostel is housed in a former industrial bakery and done out in industrial loft style. The hostel has a modern, friendly atmosphere and also a great downtown location. Top of the priority list here is communication not creature comforts.added bonus: There are plenty of bars, restaurants and cafés in the hostel s immediate vicinity and in the bitter winter s cold of, short distances are sometimes very welcome. Rates: Double rooms start at 40 euros Ligowski Prospekt 74 191040 Tel.: +7-812/458 50 05 www.location-hostel.ru/ LH.com/travelguide 12/14
13 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast at Café Singer While the interior of this outwardly so elegant café on the second floor above Dom Knigi, the House of Books bookstore, is not particularly mention-worthy, the tasty treats on the menu truly are. Also, while tucking into an ample breakfast, you have a great chance to watch the comings and going on s famous boulevard, Nevsky Prospect. Our culinary tip: Definitely try the superb blinis. Nevskiy Ave. 28 191186 Tel.: +7-812/448 23 55 www.saint-petersburg.com/ 11:00 a.m.: A visit to Udelnaya flea market If you happen to be in on a Saturday or Sunday, it s a good idea to pay a visit to the city s best flea market, Udelnaya. Certainly not just for tourists, there s loads of interesting stuff to be found here, from music for a n disco to former Soviet Union memorabilia. The market doesn t break for the winter, so haggling continues even when temperatures are down to 25 degrees Sytinskaja Pl. 3/5 Metro Station Udelnaya 194017 Sat, Sun and public holidays 0800 1700 12:30 p.m.: Time for Nevsky Prospect! There s no getting around it in : the full splendor (and at times even megalomania) of what Peter the Great envisioned for his capital city along fourand-a-half kilometers of boulevard; palaces, neo-classicist residential buildings, grand hotels, cathedrals and, of course, mighty department stores that today stock all the premium brands of the Western world.for people with a weak spot for history and architecture, a stroll down Nevsky Prospect could make a day-filling program. 191025 www.nevsky-prospekt.com/ 02:30 p.m.: Lunch at Jelissejew delicatessen store Downtown is like one big museum, and that includes the Jelissejew delicatessen store on Nevsky Prospect. Both the atmosphere at this Art Nouveau gourmet temple and the culinary delights on offer will make the heart of any esthete beat faster.the down side: Settle down for lunch here and you will have to put up with hordes of tourists dropping in just to snap a quick photo. The friendly, liveried wait staff and extensive menu easily make up for this. Newski Prospekt 56 Metro Station Ovtovo 191023 Daily 1000-2200 04:00 p.m.: Time for the Museum can be inhospitable, cold and dark in winter, but this has its advantages (aside from the delightful, snowy fairy-tale feeling): The city s many museums are not as mercilessly overrun as they are in the summer. You can even venture into the Hermitage without feeling like a herded animal.our alternative suggestion: At the Pushkinskaya 10 Art Center, you can gain an insight into St. LH.com/travelguide 13/14
14 Petersburg s contemporary creative scene, including the amusing Non-conformist Museum. Pushkinskaya ul. 10 191040 www.p-10.ru 07:00 p.m.: Dining à la russe: Barwinok has long catered to its international guests and their wishes, and the city s restaurant scene is nothing if not diverse. But for visitors looking for an authentic n experience, the quaint Barwinok is the right address for two reasons: Dining in its rustic, wooden-bench atmosphere is like sharing a meal with a local family.and with potato cakes and curd flatbreads, the menu includes good honest home cooking, even though you will rarely get to enjoy such refined versions of them. Uliza Mira 7 Metro Station Gorkowskaja 197101 Tel.: +7-812/237 14 94 Daily 1300 2300 10:00 p.m.: Nightlife German-born Anna-Christin Albers runs a few clubs in. Her impression: Young ns, unlike Germans, aren t the wait-and-see kind; they set out determined to have a good time. Now that sounds promising...our tips for hot n nights in the cold season: The Datscha, an uncomplicated club with no dress code or code of conduct, the (very tiny) laid-back fish fabrique (www.fishfabrique.ru), which hosts lots of live gigs, and the cult classic, Gribojedow (www.griboedovclub.ru), in a former air-raid shelter. Uliza Dumskaja 9 Metro Station Gostini Dwor 191186 Daily 1800 0600 LH.com/travelguide 14/14