Saint Petersburg is one of Russia’s largest and most exciting cities, offering visitors thousands of things to do, including museums, palaces, beautiful parks, historical sites, and world-class theatre. Discover all the sights and delights the cultural capital of Russia has to offer with my 3-day Saint Petersburg itinerary.

With all these options, planning a trip to Saint Petersburg can be a bit overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. I’ve put together a recommended 3-day Saint Petersburg itinerary that will help you see the city’s highlights if you have at least 3 days in Saint Petersburg.

Saint Petersburg is a budget-friendly destination that promises historical immersion and exquisite architecture at half the price of that in Western Europe.

My suggested 3-day itinerary has you visiting all the city’s most famous attractions (e.g., the atmospheric Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the Winter Palace, the Hermitage Museum) as well as some of the city’s lesser-known attractions. In addition to the 3-day itinerary, I also provide tips on how to get around Saint Petersburg and tips on where to eat and stay during your 3 days in Saint Petersburg.

If you’re headed to Russia’s capital city, take a look at my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

3 Days in Saint Petersburg Itinerary | The Perfect 72 Hours in Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg, Russia in 3 days – Day 1

Start with an early morning walk along Nevsky Avenue from Vosstaniya Square to the Admiralty Building. The first point of interest is the Hero-City obelisk next to the Moskovsky railway station commemorating the victory of Soviet people over the Nazis. The lovely views will put you in a good mood for the rest of the day. Stop for a nice cappuccino at one of the bars near Gostiny Dvor, a Russian alternative to the French Passage. Enjoy the sight of the old Anichkov Bridge, the oldest bridge over the Fontanka River.

Then make your way to the neoclassical St. Isaac’s Cathedral. It’s a good idea to climb to its colonnade’s observation platform. It means that you get a panoramic view of the St.Petersburg and the refreshing breeze in the summertime.

In St. Isaac’s Cathedral you can admire the interior that boasts more than 300 paintings, mosaics, sculptures, various kinds of precious stones and gilding. The walls of the Cathedral are faced with fine Italian and Russian varieties of marble and other stones: malachite, lapis lazuli, porphyry. St. Isaac’s Cathedral, for example, is otherwise known as the “Museum of stones”.

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Just a stone’s throw away from St. Isaac’s Cathedral you’ll find the Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum. These are the most famous attractions in St. Petersburg and you simply can’t miss them. Spend some time taking awesome pictures of the Palace Square, then continue your walking tour of St Petersburg toward the Spit of Vasilevsky Island.

Here you’ll find red Rostral Columns decorated with bronze anchors and four pairs of bronze ship prows. Ah, don’t miss out on visiting the KunstKamera, arguably the weirdest museum in the world.

End your first day in Saint Petersburg exploring the Peter and Paul Fortress. The mighty that never served its purpose to protect the city sits on a narrow strip of land at the mouth of the Neva river. Hare’s island is home to a plethora of various buildings, museums, and exhibitions both permanent and temporary. Although, these do not always reflect the specific history of the fortress itself.

Be sure to make your way down to the Neva River. Here you can have a take a leisurely stroll along the mighty granite walls and mingle with locals.

Saint Petersburg, Russia in 3 days – Day 2

First things first. You can’t visit Saint Petersburg without seeing the real Dutch and Flemish Painting in the Hermitage Museum. It’s worth the trip but book ahead, and allow yourself at least two hours. A good place for a coffee and a pastry is Hermitage Cafe in the General Staff building. Pop over to the Field of Mars to have a look at ordinary people spending their leisure time and the first eternal flame in the country.

If you are a history buff, visit the Museum of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad. a former monastery filled with atmospheric early Renaissance frescoes painted by Fra’ Angelico. The permanent exhibition features the history of the city during the 900-day Blockade, which lasted from 8 September 1941 to 17 January 1944. It goes without saying that this is a very sobering, and unique place to visit for thought-provoking entertainment.

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Then walk along Moika Embankment towards Chizhyk Pyzhik sculpture (pine siskin), and from there take a stroll through the Michael Garden (Mikhaylovskiy Sad) to reach the Church of the Savior on Blood. Admire the ornate cupolas of the Cathedral, otherwise known as ‘Spas Na Krovi‘. It was built on the very spot that Alexander II had been assassinated on March 1, 1881. You can also admire the Cathedral’s interior from inside – walls and ceilings are completely covered in intricate mosaics and paintings.

Nevsky Avenue and adjoining Griboyedov Canal are full of lovely little shops to browse in. At the intersection of Griboyedov Canal and Nevsky Avenue, you’ll find several cozy restaurants offering a wide array of dining options.

In the afternoon, head along to the Alexander Garden to see the Monuments and the Bronze Horseman; a monument to Peter the Great) next to the Admiralty building. From there take a subway ride (Admiralteyskaya station) and go see the impressive Narva Triumphal Arch. Definitely one of the most underrated attractions in St Petersburg.

This remarkable roman arch is made of bricks and covered with copper sheets for the facades. There are four columns on the front side, two on each side of the arch, chariot on the top and the two statues of ancient Russian warriors. The square around the arch is a lively spot in a summer evening too.

Saint Petersburg 3-day itinerary – Day 3

While St Petersburg is a perfectly walkable city, the main streets can get quite crowded in high-season. However, there is always an escape to one of the royal suburbs.

Spend the third day of your 3 days in St. Petersburg taking day trips to Peterhof and/or Pushkin.

Peterhof has many intricate fountains, the highlight being the Samson Fountain with the lion. The sculpture celebrates the Russian victories, especially the victory over Sweden, whose coat-of-arms contains the figure of a lion. Peterhof Park and gardens are a vast area behind the palace where you can spend a few hours to escape the crowds.

Should you choose, I recommend heading to Peterhof in summer. The former royal residence of Peterhof sits some 30 minutes by hydrofoil from the Hermitage Embankment. Peterhof consists of a series of palaces, gardens and the Grand Cascade that makes the city an extremely popular destination in summer. If you are here during the summer, check out the palace’s many fountains. Remember, the fountains are only operational from May to September and aren’t functioning during winter. Peterhof is most quickly accessible via minibus from a St. Petersburg suburb, but most easily accessible via direct train from Baltiysky railway station.

Alternatively, sightseers and culture seekers can visit Pushkin – home to a Catherine Palace and the famous Amber Room. I actually visited both Pushkin and Peterhof and it’s nearly impossible to choose between these two amazing places. Keep in mind, during the public holidays both cities can be quite packed with locals. So you may want to visit the Catherine Palace in autumn or winter when it’s much less crowded.

Where to Stay in Saint Petersburg

You’ll be spoiled for choice among Saint Petersburg accommodation options. The city offers everything from luxurious hotels with their own rooftop bars to more affordable budget hotels that put you within 25 minutes of Moskovskaya railway station. No matter what your budget, you’ll be able to find the perfect St Petersburg hostel within easy reach of downtown. Check Railway Capsules. If you’re looking for someplace a bit nicer, I can personally recommend the WYNWOOD Hotel.

The Bottom Line

You did it! You made it to the end of my itinerary for 3 days in Saint Petersburg, Russia! Hopefully, you’ve discovered some of the best attractions in Saint Petersburg and have maybe even learned about some unique things to do in Saint Petersburg too!

I also hope that you now feel comfortable enough to plan the perfect weekend itinerary in Saint Petersburg. So if you’re ready to begin planning your trip to Saint Petersburg, Russia, then pin this now and read it again later!

How many of these attractions would be on your Saint Petersburg itinerary? If you’ve visited Saint Petersburg, what were your favorite spots in Saint Petersburg? If you have any questions about the itinerary or visiting Saint Petersburg, just ask them in the comments below and as always I’m happy to help!

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