My trip to Russia started in St. Petersburg and I loved the city. It is easy to explore on foot, and I enjoyed walking along the streets to visit various attractions. The streets are vibrant with quaint cafes, magnificent architecture, parks and churches adorned with colourful onion domes, all of which look very beautiful.

Table of contents

Clearing immigration

Upon landing at Pulkovo airport, I proceeded to the immigration counter. This process took longer than  I expected. Since I was a solo traveller, they asked me a few questions. This may not be the case if you travel in a group or with a tour agent. The questions were quite general. They told me to keep the police number handy and to be careful. They checked my documents and asked me to wait until they completed some formalities.

It took quite some time and by now, I was too tired and sleepy. Three officers( one male and two female ) asked me questions, they were extremely polite and friendly. I was mainly advised about staying safe in the country. In the meantime, I was asked to wait until another officer called me to stamp my passport. All this while, my passport was with them.

Finally, I was called and my passport was stamped by an officer wishing me a pleasant stay in Russia. I was a bit worried that my suitcase could be missing when I saw a few passengers standing at the missing baggage counter. I went to check again and found the belt number for my flight and was happy to see my suitcase there.

Upon exiting, I spotted a board with my name on it, and the girl at the taxi counter handed me a receipt while explaining exactly where my taxi was parked. The driver was waiting for me and loaded my luggage into the car. The drive from the airport to the hotel took about 45 minutes.

Reaching the city from the airport

Saint Petersburg has only one international airport – Pulkovo Airport. Upon collecting your baggage, there are taxi counters from where you can book a taxi or book a taxi through one of the apps Yandex or Uber. I had a hotel transfer that cost me 800 rubles. The Yandex would have cost me almost the same for a comfort-class car. Read the post (Russia travel guide) on how to get a local SIM card in Russia.

My Accommodation

I stayed at the Galunov Hotel on Degtyarnaya Street which is an excellent boutique hotel located in the city centre. Most attractions are within walking distance There are bus stops, metro stations, banks and convenience stores nearby. If I return to Saint Petersburg, I wouldn’t consider staying anywhere else. My room was small yet cozy, equipped with all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay. Another highlight was the staff, who were always willing to help with anything I needed. I especially loved the boutique hotel’s dedicated 24/7 snack counter in the breakfast area. They offered a variety of treats, including dried fruits, nuts, espresso, hot chocolate, ice cream, and fresh fruit. I absolutely loved my stay!

St.Petersburg Canal Cruise

If you’re planning a visit to Saint Petersburg, a cruise is a must-do activity. I took the day cruise called “Venice of the North,” which takes you along the city’s picturesque rivers and canals. I paid 800 rubles for the trip and booked my tickets through Neva Travels. You will need to show your electronic ticket to obtain a boarding pass from the booth located on Anichkov Bridge. Departures are from the Fontanka River Embankment.

The total time of the cruise was around 1.5 hours. We were just two passengers for this ride ( A big advantage of travelling during the shoulder season is that you can avoid hordes of peak season tourists). Viewing the city’s magnificent monuments and architecture, passing through the channels and the 24 bridges was a lovely experience. The trees on the banks with fall colours were mesmerising. Star attractions on the way were the Hermitage building, Palace Bridge, Church of the Saviour, and Peter and Paul Fortress.

 

The Palace Bridge

Galeria Mall

Galeria Mall is located right in the city centre. It has a total of five floors offering a fantastic variety of stores ranging from high-end designer brands to more affordable options. The food court is located on the fourth floor and there is also a supermarket within the mall. If you’re interested in local Russian brands, you’ll find them primarily on the upper floors, where prices tend to be cheaper compared to the first floor, which mostly houses international brands.

Hermitage Museum

A must-see for all art and culture enthusiasts. The Hermitage Museum is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. There is not just Russian art and history but there are interesting things from other parts of the world as well. It can take many hours if you wish to see all three floors. The architecture, gold embellishments, intricately designed chandeliers, paintings and marble flooring will leave you in awe. The entrance fee is 700 rubles for the Main Museum complex and its branches. Admission is free for all visitors on the third Thursday of each month as well as on March 8th, May 18th and December 7th. There is a cafeteria inside in case you need something to munch on in between.

Before entering, you must leave your coat in the cloakroom. There are two cloakrooms: a large one for groups and a smaller one for individual visitors. I chose the small cloakroom, where I deposited my coat and collected it upon exiting.

Walking around the city

Church of the Savior on  Spilled Blood

Saint Petersburg is best explored on foot. Every street showcases interesting architecture, and the city is beautifully lit at night. If you need a break, there are wonderful cafes to enjoy. It was amazing to see the beautiful Savior on the Spilled Blood Church along the Griboedov Canal in the evening. For a minute, you might mistake it for Moscow’s Basil’s Cathedral. The marvellous colourful mosaics make it stand out with the intricate designs on the domes and the vibrant colours. Most of the buildings in the city are of Baroque or Neoclassical architectural styles but this church has the style of Russian architecture. It looked splendid with all the lights at dusk.

On the way, one can see several attractive buildings and well-laid-out parks.

 

 

Pigeons in the pecking order

Vegetarian/Vegan Dining

Auroville cafe

If you want to try Indian food, this is the place. They have many varieties of Thalis. I tried two different ones on different occasions. They were delicious. Their samosas are good, too. I visited this place a few times because it was close to my hotel.

Ukrop cafe is equally good and their service is excellent. It is a great place for vegans.