No visit to St. Petersburg is complete without a trip to at least one of the world-famous Imperial palaces in the city's suburbs. A showcase for the wealth and tastes of the Emperors of Russia from Peter the Great onwards, these extraordinary estates boast sumptuous palaces, extensive landscape gardens, and a treasury of art and history. It is debatable which estate takes preeminence - Tsarskoe Selo or Peterhof - but all of them have unique attractions and charms, so its well worth trying to fit as many as you can into your trip. Our guides to St. Petersburg's Imperial estates contain all the information you'll need to do so.
The pleasure ground of Peter the Great, this beautiful estate on the shore of the Gulf of Finland is probably most famous for its spectacular fountains, though there's much more to see besides.
Synonymous with the luxury and excess of the Russian Emperors, Tsarskoe Selo boasts two remarkable palaces and a veritable wealth of other historical sights.
Blessed with one of the finest landscaped gardens in Europe, Pavlovsk is renowned for its tranquil beauty and its elegant, understated palace.
The family home for four generations of Russian Emperors, Gatchina has been long neglected, but is rich in historical associations and fascinating architecture.
The only suburban palace to have withheld the Nazi invasion, Oranienbaum boasts a charming park and a truly magnificent baroque palace.
