Where to stay in St Petersburg?
For once I will start an article with a confession. Well, no need to be that excited. I’m not living in St Petersburg and I’ve only been there 3 times (still better than nothing right?). That’s why this article will be shorter than the one on Moscow, and more tourists oriented than for expats. But I am still writing it so it will be as good as usual. Thing is with St Petersburg, the city is smaller than Moscow, less expensive and absolutely stunning. That is why you can afford living in the very center, where the city is truly active, or in very trendy quarters.
Nevsky
Where?
Nevsky is the heart of Petersburg. It’s a big boulevard with lot of shops, restaurants, cafés and historic sites. Nevsky links all the major sites and places of St Petersburg’s city center. You can not do more central.
Why?
Of course for its location. But also because Nevsky combines all the main sites of St Petersburg. This quarter is perfect for both tourists that can find a reasonable and comfortable accomodation in the very heart of the city, and locals that will have all activities, shops, restaurants and cafés in less than 15min walking.
What to do?
St Petersburg main sites such as the Ermitage, Christ the Savior on the Spilled Blood, St Isaac, Our Lady of Kazan cathedral, the Russian Museum…
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
New Holland
Where?
The New Holland quarter is located in the city center, on the West of Nevsky and St Isaac cathedral.
Why?
The New Holland quarter is one of my favorite. It previously was a prison and so not such a good quarter to live in. But the prison closed and the quarter renovated. As a result, it became a trendy quarter with many small restaurants and shops!
What to do?
Visit and eat at the Bottle (Botilka) that is the former prison, transformed in a very nice place with cafés en shops.
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
Vasilievsky Island
Where?
The Vasilievsky Island is on the opposite side of the Neva, right in front of the Admiralty.
Why?
The Vasilievsky Island is a newly renovated quarter not far from Petersburg very heart. As a result it’s a very convenient, comfortable and trendy part of the city. Great to stay there if you plan on discovering the city, but also the current life of Russians living in Petersburg!
What to do?
Despite the proximity of the main touristic sites, you can should visit the spit of the island and the Menshikov Palace.
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
Summer Garden Quarter
Where?
The Summer Garden is located on the east of St Petersburg very heart, on the banks of the Neva.
Why?
Although the beauty of the garden itself, this quarter of St Petersburg hosts many historic famous and unknown sites and palaces. Plus, the quarter is also a very trendy one with backstreets hiding delicious restaurants and cafés but also nice shops for hipsters (but like the good ones).
What to do?
In this quarter I highly recommend the famous Summer Garden and Russian Museum of course. But if you want to discover something different, unusual, you must visit the St Ann’s church, a church/theater that burnt some years ago…
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
