Your Essential Guide to Saint Petersburg Shore Excursions

Discover the magic of Saint Petersburg, Russia, with the ultimate 2-day shore excursion guide. This exclusive tour, brought to you by Princess Cruises in partnership with the Discovery Channel, offers an unparalleled journey into the heart of Russia’s imperial city. Before you book your Saint Petersburg adventure, delve into this comprehensive review to maximize your experience.

This post is proudly sponsored by Princess Cruises and contains affiliate links. All opinions expressed are genuinely my own, reflecting an incredible journey.

Visiting Russia was a truly once-in-a-lifetime journey, a dream I had cherished for years. Saint Petersburg, with its intricate network of canals, breathtakingly ornate architecture, and magnificent palaces, stood at the very top of my travel wish list. I never imagined experiencing this dream destination aboard a cruise, but for my inaugural visit to Russia, a Princess Cruise proved to be the quintessential way to absorb the essence of Saint Petersburg. It left me eager to return as soon as possible!

Our timing made the experience even more extraordinary; we explored Saint Petersburg just before the annual Victory Day celebrations. This allowed us to witness practice parades throughout the city, featuring an impressive display of trucks, tanks, missiles, and troops. It was a powerful reminder of Russia’s triumphant history over the invading Nazi army, adding a layer of profound patriotism to our visit.

While cruising offers an excellent travel format, Princess Cruises truly excels in Russia, particularly regarding the visa requirement. Obtaining a Russian tourist visa can be a time-consuming and costly endeavor for many nationalities. However, by booking a shore excursion directly through Princess Cruises, this complex requirement is seamlessly bypassed, offering a stress-free entry into this incredible country.

Princess Cruises offers a diverse array of shore excursions for travelers visiting Russia. Yet, for those seeking the most comprehensive experience, maximizing time ashore without the personal hassle of securing a visa, one option stands out: the Ultimate 2-Day Saint Petersburg Tour. This meticulously crafted itinerary by Princess, in collaboration with the Discovery Channel, represents the pinnacle of exploration.

I often tell my husband that any future visit to Russia must include a Princess Cruise segment, primarily for the unparalleled privilege of entering museums before public opening hours and reliving the exclusive Discovery Program at Catherine’s Palace. This tour was a whirlwind of magical moments and iconic landmarks, executed with incredible attention to detail. I confess, after two intense days, I was utterly exhausted, sleeping for 15 hours straight once back on the ship. Yet, I left feeling as though we had sampled a vast and rich portion of Saint Petersburg within our limited time in port—less than 35 hours total.

If you’re considering a trip to Saint Petersburg with Princess and weighing your shore excursion options, my experience was exclusively with the Ultimate tour. While I can’t speak to other offerings, I noted that every destination we visited is also featured in various individual Princess excursions. Therefore, if the demanding pace of the Ultimate tour isn’t for you, you can still customize your journey by selecting specific sites that most capture your interest.

Make no mistake: this excursion was truly remarkable and offered priceless exclusive touches from Princess and the Discovery Channel. However, it’s not suited for every traveler. Our days started very early, involved extensive walking, and constant standing. Despite no extreme physical activity beyond touring, I was thoroughly worn out by the end, even as an experienced traveler. Nonetheless, the sheer amount we experienced made it 100% worth the investment. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, the Ultimate tour might be too intense.

The tour also dedicates substantial time to museums—a true delight for me, as I am a devoted museum enthusiast, and the early entry was an enormous advantage. However, some travelers might prefer excursions focused on shopping, ballet, active pursuits, or general cultural immersion. Keep this in mind when making your choice. If your goal is to experience the very best of Saint Petersburg’s iconic landmarks, the Ultimate 2-Day Tour is an exceptional choice.

The Ultimate Saint Petersburg Tour meticulously curates a list of the city’s highest-rated destinations, ensuring you visit all the major landmarks. This itinerary provides a profound understanding of each site, coupled with ample time for exploration and, where appropriate, a bit of souvenir shopping.

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral stands as the largest Orthodox Basilica globally and ranks as the fourth-largest cathedral in the world. Its sheer scale and opulent design are immediately striking upon approach.

Visiting Saint Isaac’s Cathedral was an awe-inspiring experience, especially considering its profound historical significance in Russia. During World War II, the cathedral’s golden dome was deliberately painted over to camouflage it from bombing planes, and a skylight was installed to aid in positioning invading Nazi troops. Today, while primarily a museum, religious services are gradually being reinstated. Throughout the Soviet era, when religion was largely suppressed, Saint Isaac’s, like many other churches and palaces, was preserved as a museum for public enjoyment, safeguarding its architectural and artistic treasures.

As an Orthodox Christian, I found myself occasionally diverging from our main tour group, particularly during explanations of Orthodox traditions at Saint Isaac’s and the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood. This allowed me to immerse myself in the profound beauty of the countless icons at my own pace, absorbing the spiritual atmosphere. I could have easily spent hours seated on the floor, simply gazing up at the magnificent artistry, if not for the bustling crowds. Saint Isaac’s is a place I long to revisit with my Orthodox monk friend, who could undoubtedly illuminate the story behind every icon.

The Hermitage and the Winter Palace are arguably the most renowned cultural attractions in Saint Petersburg, representing an unparalleled fusion of art, history, and architectural splendor. Beyond the breathtaking beauty and historical depth of the buildings and grounds themselves, these institutions house an astonishing collection of priceless artworks. Visitors can marvel at early Russian relics, ancient Christian symbols, and an extensive room dedicated to masterpieces by Rembrandt—a personal highlight of my trip.

The Throne Room, with its dramatic crimson and gold decor, exudes a regal magnificence. I found myself capturing countless photographs of the dazzling chandeliers and the intricate, gilded ceilings in this very chamber. While it’s simply impossible to explore the entirety of the Hermitage in a single visit—an endeavor that would undoubtedly require months—our tour provided a captivating glimpse. We had the privilege of experiencing the lavish Gold Room, many primary hallways, and stately palace rooms, culminating in the awe-inspiring Rembrandt Room. Even the wall fittings, with their detailed frescoes and borders along archways, ceilings, and doors, were attractions in themselves, creating an immersive artistic environment before even considering the vast collection of art and relics.

The Hermitage’s expansive exhibits and numerous sections mean you cannot expect to see everything in one day, but our experience offered an excellent cross-section of its finest offerings. I look forward to sharing more in-depth details from my visit in future posts.

The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, now a remarkable museum, stands as a poignant memorial built precisely on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was fatally wounded in March 1881, hence its evocative name. This church is one of Saint Petersburg’s most recognizable landmarks, distinguished by its vibrant onion domes and a unique Russian Revival architectural style. This Baroque and Neoclassical design offers a striking contrast to the more traditional palaces that line the Neva River.

The church’s interior is simply breathtaking, entirely covered in an astonishing array of tiled icons. While I have visited many brightly colored Orthodox churches adorned with icons, such as the Luri Monastery in Tbilisi, Georgia, or those in Mtskheta, I had never witnessed an entire church interior enveloped in such detailed tilework. I was utterly captivated by the artistry and craftsmanship. The Christ Pantocrator, positioned in the main dome, is particularly jaw-dropping. In many Orthodox churches, light streams in beneath this icon, creating dramatic rays. Here, the tiled icons truly shimmered, adding incredible depth and sparkle as the light danced across their surfaces.

This magnificent church, like the other destinations, will be explored in greater detail in a future post, so please stay tuned for more insights into its beauty and history.

Catherine’s Palace is, without a doubt, the most stunning destination in the Saint Petersburg region, situated in the charming town of Pushkin on the city’s outskirts. Our tour began with a visit to the opulent carriage museum, which instantly transported me back to my childhood princess fantasies. While the palace and its expansive grounds are inherently gorgeous, the highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the exclusive evening experience. We explored the palace after hours, with fewer than 300 other guests, accompanied by classical musicians, flowing champagne, a captivating historical reenactment, and a live ballet performance—an truly priceless moment.

The exquisite blue ceramic fittings you see pictured are just one example of the many magnificent ornate heaters found throughout Russian palaces. Our tour commenced in the beautifully renovated palace rooms. Like many Russian palaces, Catherine’s Palace was largely evacuated and stripped of its treasures as the Nazi army advanced, leaving much to be painstakingly restored.

From the meticulously restored rooms, we moved to the grand ballroom, where champagne and a lovely ensemble playing classical music set a magical ambiance. This led to a dramatic appearance by Catherine the Great herself, followed by a graceful ballet performance. As the show concluded, we were guided back through the palace and then outside, where a band awaited to herald Catherine’s arrival in a grand carriage. We watched in delight as her horses and carriage performed a choreographed sequence, followed by another elegant dance. It was a truly enchanting evening, unlike any other. I will certainly detail this extraordinary experience much more in upcoming articles, so be sure to follow along!

One of the most delightful aspects of our Saint Petersburg shore excursion was the opportunity to experience a little bit of everything the city offers. And when it comes to capturing the essence of Saint Petersburg, nothing is more quintessential than a leisurely cruise through its historic canals and along its majestic rivers.

Our journey took us gliding beneath picturesque bridges, across the widest expanses of the river, and past some of Russia’s most important landmarks. Although the interior of the boat was covered and comfortable, we chose to brave the brisk early May wind and sit on the open deck, eager to soak in every view.

The thoughtful crew provided blankets and bottled water, ensuring everyone remained cozy and content as we cruised. This allowed us to fully appreciate the city, already adorned for the upcoming Victory Day celebrations, which were just two days away!

At Peterhof Palace, we were treated to the spectacular ceremony of the fountains being turned on. Accompanied by loud, dramatic music, the water gushes forth in a magnificent flow as the gates open, cascading down the small canal—a truly captivating sight. Thanks to our Princess Cruises excursion, we were able to tour the palace and its grounds before they opened to other visitors, providing a tranquil and exclusive experience.

A helpful tip for your visit: if you’re traveling during warmer weather, consider leaving your heavy jacket on the bus. While there are ample and secure coat check options inside the palace—which are constantly staffed by attendants, as tourists are required to check heavy coats, backpacks, and large bags for safety—you’ll save considerable time and hassle if you don’t need to use them. When we visited in May, it was still quite cold, so we kept our coats. However, because we weren’t queuing with the general public when the palace interior opened, retrieving our coats was quick. During the peak summer season, when crowds are at their largest, checking items can become a significant wait.

The interior of Peterhof Palace, in some ways, feels a bit less dramatic compared to other Russian palaces. This is largely due to its occupation by the Nazi army during WWII. As the Nazis advanced, many invaluable treasures were evacuated to Siberia to keep them out of Hitler’s grasp. While some items were lost or destroyed, ongoing restoration efforts are slowly bringing the palace back to its former glory.

In the expansive gardens, nestled beneath the grand fountains, you’ll find several small stands selling souvenirs, coffee (manage your expectations—it’s typically canned coffee), and chocolate-dipped waffles on a stick. These are incredibly convenient, especially since securing a good vantage point for the fountain ceremony requires arriving about 15 minutes before it begins. We strategically had a few friends hold our spot while others rotated to grab coffee and take pictures.

While the vendors offer limited options (you’ll find better food and a wider range of souvenirs near the palace entrance, where most vendors accept US dollars and credit cards), some of the smaller stands may require rubles. We didn’t have time to exchange money before disembarking, which led to a humorous negotiation over the exchange rate for a small souvenir to get rubles for coffee. Thankfully, most places accepted credit cards, but for small purchases, having some local currency is advisable. My kids, however, absolutely loved the neon slap bracelets with Russian lettering they picked up! If paying with dollars, always verify the exchange rate with a reliable app and know your expected change. Remember to notify your bank about your travel plans to Russia to avoid any card issues.

The Peter and Paul Fortress is instantly recognizable from the Neva River; its distinctive, tall yellow spire dominates the skyline as you journey along the waterways. This historic citadel, Peter the Great’s original foundation for Saint Petersburg, features a predominantly mint green and gold color palette, giving it a unique aesthetic charm.

The cathedral within the fortress serves as the burial place for many members of the Imperial Romanov family, offering a solemn and intimate atmosphere distinct from the grand public spaces of the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood or Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. It was used as a private worship space and family mausoleum, lending it a different kind of historical weight. Peter and Paul Fortress marked our final destination before returning to the ship. I must admit, by this point, I was quite weary, but the stunning beauty of the fortress and its cathedral remained captivating to the very end.

The Yusupov Palace stands as one of Saint Petersburg’s most remarkable, albeit lesser-known, destinations, primarily famous as the site of Rasputin’s assassination. The palace itself is exquisitely beautiful, filled with intricate details that could easily captivate one’s attention for hours. While the segment of the tour dedicated to Rasputin in the Bachelor’s suite was, for me, the least engaging—it’s a small area requiring quick passage—many other parts of this private palace were truly incredible and absolutely not to be missed.

Within the palace, we discovered a fully equipped private theater where the Yusupov family hosted elaborate performances—from ballet and music to plays—for distinguished guests, including the Tsars themselves. I was particularly enchanted by this theater, complete with the Tsar’s private box, offering a vivid glimpse into the aristocratic entertainment of the era.

While the unparalleled destinations themselves are the primary draw, booking your Saint Petersburg excursion directly through Princess Cruises offers a host of significant advantages, especially in Russia. These perks, including exclusive experiences, are simply unavailable through other means. Read on for my top, non-destination-specific reasons to choose the Ultimate 2-Day Saint Petersburg Excursion:

For citizens of the United States, Canada, and many European countries, securing a tourist visa for Russia can be a notoriously complex, time-consuming, and expensive ordeal. However, choosing a cruise dramatically simplifies this. When you book a shore excursion through your cruise line or a licensed tour operator, you are exempt from needing a personal tourist visa. There’s no lengthy application process, no bureaucratic hurdles—simply present your passport and excursion details at customs to gain legal entry. It’s crucial to remember that you are legally required to remain with your tour group under this arrangement, so independent exploration outside the tour is not permitted. For those desiring more personalized plans, Princess also offers private excursions where they handle all the logistical and visa complexities for a custom itinerary.

The expert guides provided by Princess manage every logistical detail for you. They meticulously monitor traffic conditions, attraction queues, and opening times, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey through each site. This allows you to effortlessly navigate tour stops and maximize your sightseeing without any stress. As highlighted earlier, one of the most compelling advantages of booking a Princess shore excursion in Russia is the unparalleled exclusive access. We enjoyed the privilege of visiting the Hermitage before other groups, experiencing a private evening performance at a closed Catherine’s Palace, and entering Peterhof Palace ahead of the bustling crowds. This VIP treatment transforms your visit into an extraordinary and intimate exploration.

While we indulged in a little souvenir shopping and purchased a surprisingly charming canned coffee, the Ultimate Saint Petersburg Excursion is remarkably all-inclusive. We literally didn’t have to pay for a single thing beyond personal purchases! The excursion pre-arranges all meals, boat tours, and entry fees, freeing you to simply enjoy the experience. Conveniently, most souvenir shops we encountered readily accepted major credit cards. We did provide a generous tip to our exceptional tour guide, which she seemed to appreciate in dollars, as we hadn’t had the opportunity to exchange currency from Euros or dollars before disembarking.

I cannot overstate this benefit: if you book a shore excursion for no other reason, choose it for the privilege of gaining entry to museums and palaces hours before they open to the general public. We experienced many of the Hermitage’s highlights with just our small group of about 20 people. As we exited, the queue for the Hermitage stretched for two city blocks, a wait that would have easily consumed hours of our precious time. This cruise excursion allowed us to completely bypass those crowds, offering a serene and intimate viewing experience.

For those dreaming of attending a private performance at one of Saint Petersburg’s premier destinations, perhaps while savoring champagne and watching the sunset, there’s only one way to make it happen: through Princess Cruises. Their collaboration with the Discovery Channel unlocks a wealth of unique opportunities available exclusively to cruisers who book shore excursions on board. The unforgettable performance we attended was a Princess-exclusive, limited to guests on the “Night at Catherine’s Palace” or “Ultimate Saint Petersburg Excursion,” ensuring a small, intimate group. Having had the entire palace almost to ourselves, I doubt I could ever experience it any other way again!

Exploring Russia via a cruise is considerably more straightforward than other travel methods, especially for American tourists. However, there are a few crucial tips and considerations to keep in mind to ensure your shore excursion is as smooth and enjoyable as possible:

Unlike many other ports of call, Saint Petersburg can be a bit more challenging when it comes to managing money. Fortunately, if you’re on a shore excursion, your need for local currency is minimal. However, at Peterhof Palace, we encountered a minor predicament: we had no rubles. To acquire some for coffee, we had to purchase a small, inexpensive souvenir from a stand that accepted dollars, which involved a brief, amicable negotiation over the exchange rate. Ultimately, this was my own oversight; for smaller vendors, having rubles on hand is always advisable. That said, many establishments, particularly larger souvenir shops, readily accepted major credit cards. If you do pay with dollars, it’s wise to use a currency exchange app on your phone to verify the rate and know what change to expect. Otherwise, credit cards are widely accepted.

Hot tip: Always remember to call your bank in advance to inform them of your travel dates in Russia to prevent any service interruptions.

To disembark in Saint Petersburg, you must either possess a tourist visa issued by Russia or be a citizen of a country that has visa-free agreements with Russia (primarily former Soviet states, some South American countries, China, and a few Asian nations). The excellent news is that if you book a Princess Cruises shore excursion, the visa requirement is handled for you. On our initial disembarkation, we experienced a moderately long queue for customs. However, the process moved efficiently. We presented our passports and shore excursion confirmation, received a passport stamp, and were issued a temporary visa paper. It’s crucial not to lose this document, as it will be collected upon your return through customs on the first night, and you will be stamped out, even if your tour continues for a second day. The process was straightforward, though slightly longer on the first day as authorities issue the cruise-passenger visa on the spot. Subsequent customs checks were much faster once this initial processing was complete.

For American tourists, visiting Russia, like many Eastern European countries, can initially seem daunting. The Russian government has a reputation for strictness regarding tourists, visas, and security. However, with the tips provided for customs, the process proved remarkably easy. Once greeted by our warm and welcoming tour guide, we immediately felt at ease. I often joke with my sister-in-law, who is from Belarus, about her reserved demeanor compared to my perpetual smile. This humorous exchange highlights a common cultural difference: what Americans might perceive as unfriendliness, such as a lack of overt smiling, is often simply a cultural norm rather than a reflection of true sentiment. With the exception of a few coat-check and museum staff, everyone we encountered—our guides, waiters, and drivers—was exceptionally warm and accommodating. Having friends and family from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, and having previously traveled to other former Soviet states, I believe I experienced less of a culture shock than some of my fellow cruise passengers.

Our visit coincided just two days before Russia’s national Victory Day celebration—a truly spectacular display of military prowess known for its parades featuring missile trucks, tanks, marching military personnel, bands, and a deeply patriotic atmosphere. Witnessing the practice processional for the military parade up close, without the actual crowds, was a uniquely cool and moving experience. It’s important to note that this grand military display is not a daily occurrence in Saint Petersburg but rather a massive annual celebration held on May 9th, commemorating the defeat of Nazi troops during their expansion into Russia. You’ll likely see preparations for the celebrations both before and after this date.

My familiarity with Victory Day festivities, thanks to friends and my sister-in-law from the region, made me particularly thrilled to witness the practice military parade and observe all the patriotic flags, buntings, and displays throughout the city. I even shared videos and photos of tanks rolling by with a friend in Colorado, whose father had served in the Russian Army. If your travels bring you to Russia in early May, it’s a magnificent time to experience their profound patriotic displays, a spectacle quite unlike anything seen in many other parts of the world.

Russian museums and palaces often enforce a strict coat-check policy. During our visit in late spring, this proved to be a minor inconvenience. Since it wasn’t the harsh winter, coat checks in the museums were less heavily staffed during the exclusive cruise-passenger hours. Given the unseasonably cold weather during our spring visit, leaving our coats on the tour bus wasn’t always an option. However, if possible, I highly recommend leaving your coat on the bus to bypass the coat check altogether. This is especially true if your visit coincides with Victory Day preparations, when alternative exits from coat checks might be closed for parade logistics. Skipping the coat check can save you considerable time and frustration!

Saint Petersburg is a port where we were fortunate enough to stay for two full days, which might seem ample but passes incredibly quickly given the wealth of sights. Princess Cruises offers a vast selection of shore excursions, ranging from relaxed to intensive, allowing you to tailor your experience to see as much or as little of the city as you desire—all without the need to secure an individual visa. Most of our group opted for the Ultimate Saint Petersburg Shore Excursion, a Discovery Channel exclusive only available through Princess Cruises.

I wholeheartedly enjoyed our excursion, as it allowed me to see an incredible amount in a remarkably short time. However, I must emphasize that this particular tour is not ideal if you seek significant free time, wish to deviate from the planned itinerary, or have little interest in museums. The pace was intense: we covered extensive distances on foot, witnessed countless masterpieces, explored magnificent palaces, and engaged in unique cultural experiences. If you prefer to sleep in or retire early, this demanding excursion might not be the right fit. Fortunately, Princess provides numerous alternative options for a more relaxed itinerary, though I would embark on the Ultimate Saint Petersburg Excursion again in a heartbeat!

If you do choose the Ultimate tour, remember to bring snacks and a small bottle of water. The tour is meticulously structured to maximize visits to awesome attractions, meaning there isn’t much built-in time for casual snack breaks. Thankfully, we had granola bars in our camera bags and exchanged some currency for canned coffee (which, in Eastern Europe, is often so comically bad it’s almost good!) and other small treats. While souvenir shops often stock snacks and the bus provided water, having a personal snack, especially if you have specific dietary preferences, proved essential.

Be sure to stay tuned for more insights from Russia, along with a detailed recap of my entire 11-day Scandinavian Cruise. This includes highlights from Tallinn, Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki, and Stockholm!