Tours and day trips outside St. Petersburg
Excursions and day-trips into St. Petersburg's suburbs and beyond can take you to world-famous palaces, ancient fortresses, and even the great cities of Russia's middle ages. By booking guided tours outside St. Petersburg with SAINT-PETERSBURG.COM, you'll be guaranteed to get the most out of these amazing destinations with the minimum hassle on your part.
Many of St. Petersburg's most popular visitor attractions are located outside the city, including the magnificent Imperial palaces and gardens at Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo. In summer, a trip to a least one of these estates is an essential item on any tourist itinerary but for independent travelers, especially those with limited time, getting to grips with local transport options, working out exactly what you want to see, finding somewhere to eat on the way, and getting back into the city in the evening can all prove to be a challenge. Add to that the likelihood of sizable queues at St. Petersburg's most popular suburban attractions in the summer months, and in all probability you'll be spending a whole day on only half a day's sightseeing.
If you book a guided tour via our website, however, not only will you get all the benefits of a well qualified and entertaining local tour guide, your admissions tickets for all attractions will be bought well in advance, you'll be directed to the best local eateries in St. Petersburg's suburbs, and you can also be assured of comfortable transportation direct from your hotel to the sights and attractions you wish to see. Transfer time to/from your hotel or other location in central St. Petersburg by car, minibus or full-size bus (depending on the size of your group) is included in the timing of all tours, and in some cases alternative means of transport, such as hydrofoils in the summer months, may also be available. All transport costs and admissions tickets are included in the tour price but please note that, even where meal breaks are planned as part of the itinerary, meals are not included.
Even if you're determined to explore St. Petersburg's historic downtown entirely independently, for your comfort and enjoyment it's still well worth considering a guided tour for day trips and suburban excursions.
Although it's quite possible to while away a whole day in the magnificent park at Peterhof, this four-hour tour will give you enough time to see the major sights – the Grand Palace, Peter the Great's Monplaisir, and the world-famous fountains in the gardens nearby. »»»
Time: 4 hours
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
With scores of pavilions, the celebrated fountains, and two Imperial residences, the main parks at Peterhof can offer plenty to fill a full day. This guided tour also takes you to the Alexandria Park to see the Cottage Palace, where later generations of the Romanov family preferred to live. »»»
Time: 8 hrs
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
Indelibly associated with the reign of Catherine the Great, the palace and park at Tsarskoye Selo are internationally famous as one of the world's great royal residences. This tour will allow to explore the Catherine Palace and all the delights of the landscaped gardens. »»»
Time: 5 hrs
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
The youngest of the Imperial Estates around St. Petersburg, Pavlovsk was the family home of the future Emperor Pavel I and his wife Maria Fedorovna. It boasts a charming neoclassical palace firmly stamped with the family's personal tastes, as well as a large and beautiful park. »»»
Time: 5 hrs
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
A trip to the Catherine Palace and magnificent park at Tsarskoye Selo can also be combined with a visit to the Grand Palace and park at Pavlovsk, a short drive away. Here the strictly neoclassical palace and English-style landscape garden show how much the tastes of high society changed in a generation. »»»
Time: 8 hrs
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
Gatchina is one of the most often neglected but also most fascinating of St. Petersburg's Imperial estates, with a beautiful landscaped garden and several intriguing attractions that bear witness to the peculiar infatuations of Emperor Paul I. »»»
Time: 5 hrs
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
Arguably the most elegant of the palaces in St. Petersburg's suburbs, Oranienbaum was also unique in surviving the Second World War more or less intact. Recently fully renovated, it also boasts a beautiful park with deer, and other fascinating buildings including the Chinese Palace. »»»
Time: 5 hrs
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
The Oreshek Fortress stands at the head of the Neva River and boasts a rich history both in Russia's medieval wars with Sweden, and then as a political prison with numerous famous inmates. Relatively difficult to access for independent travelers, it's an excellent day-trip with a qualified tour guide. »»»
Time: 5 hrs
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
This lengthy and varied excursion is a great option if you only have one day to see the suburbs of St. Petersburg, combining the magnificent parks and palaces at Peterhof and Oraninebaum with the naval base and cathedral at Kronstadt and the historic resort town of Sestroretsk. »»»
Time: 8 hrs
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
A day-trip to Vyborg is a chance to see a completely different side of Russia. This famous border town, fought over for centuries by Russia and Sweden, boasts a unique atmosphere and a magnificent 13th century castle, as well as several other sights of interest. »»»
Time: 11.5 hrs
PRICE
UPON
REQUEST
