Things to do & places to visit in Northwestern District, Russia

Russia’s historic gateway to Western Europe, the North-West is home to St. Petersburg, the country’s capital until the early 18th century. A very large area bordering Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Belarus in the west (as well as Kaliningrad, the little extra slice of Russia that lies between Lithuania and Poland), North-West Russia stretches in the east to the Ural Mountains. A large number of Russia’s national parks are here, as well as the historically significant areas of Novgorod and Karelia.

Northwestern District #1 destination in Russia 2023. The average rating score is 4.64 based on 210.6k traveler reviews, of 377 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Moscow, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 18:24.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (21.7k reviews)
- Amazing architecture and history.
Sunday: 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

Built to memorialize Alexander II following his assassination in 1881, this magnificent church with Italian pink marble floors and numerous mosaics was modeled after 16th and 17th century churches, contrasting sharply with the prevailing architectural styles. See more..
5.0 SPB Tours (6.153 reviews)
- Great city tour in Oslo
City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Sightseeing Tours

We were part of a group from the cruise ship Enchanted Princess that docked in Oslo, Norway. We were met on the dock by our guide, Lisa and driver Frederick. Lisa was very enthusiastic and organized. She used the microphone to outline our day and was very clear about times for the group to meet back at the bus. It was evident that she was passionate about her job and very thrilled to have tourists back after the pandemic. We spent time at the beautiful Opera House; had a walking tour downtown which included the ornate City Hall; visited Vigeland Sculpture Park, and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump (to replace the Viking Museum which is being renovated). Throughout the tour, Lisa gave us great commentary & colourful insight into the various sights. We felt that the tour was well-paced and we had adequate time at each site. Because of her great organization, we returned to the ship exactly on time. Thank you Lisa. See more..
5.0 Alla Tours (4.800 reviews)
- Driver and Escort
Sunday: City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours

This review is long overdue. We engaged Alla Tours the last week of June 2012. It was very satisfactory experience. We arrived on a cruise ship with three days for seeing sights in Saint Petersburg. Russia does not allow tourists to visit freely without an escort. I contacted Alla in advance for a driver escort and sent along a detailed map showing exactly what I wanted to see. I made clear that a guide providing narration was not necessary. Additionally the escort needed to understand that my spouse and I are a male couple. My itinerary was esoteric with architecture and art ranging from subway stations, social realist monuments, czarist churches, Art Nouveau residential neighborhoods, to a canal boat ride. It all worked as planned and I thought the price was reasonable. It is a good memory. See more..
5.0 National park Curonian Spit (2.883 reviews)
- Beautiful Landscape and Beaches
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

The Curonian Spit is a combination of beautiful beaches and beautiful landsape. The best beaches are just behind Lesnoy (approx. 13 km from Zelenogradsk) or near Vysota Efa (approx. 42 km from Zelenogradsk). There are parking opportunities and public bus services at both places. The beaches are clean and broad. They consist of fine sand and the access to the water is flat, an ideal place to swim. The Entrance is charged and you can find some fast food sellers or restaurants there. I recomend Rybny Dvor in Rybachy. There is also a gas station in Rybachy. See more..
5.0 The Naval Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Kronstadt (2.732 reviews)
- Visit it to make your own first impression.
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Churches & Cathedrals

It is an impressive building that you cannot miss passing it by. The inside view is unforgettable. I only took outside pictures, because I think everyone has to make his /her own first impression him/herself. The entrance is free, but if to take a the guided tour to the roof level, the price is reasonable. See more..
5.0 TJ Travel (2.663 reviews)
- Professional, honest Tour Company
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours

We booked a Tour with T J Travel for May 2020 to see St Petersburg. Unfortunately our cruise was suspended and we were unable to go with T J Travel on our booked Tour. During the Corona Virus Pandemic T J Travel has kept us updated, have fully refunded our Tour money back in a timely manner. This is a small business that would be doing it very hard and we very much appreciate their ongoing information to us and also the fact that they have given us the full refund. We would highly recommend this company if anyone wishes to booked tours in St Petersburg in the future. See more..
5.0 Park And Gardens of Peterhof (1.836 reviews)
- Grand Cascade - view from the top
Spent 2-3 hours Parks • Gardens

Grand Cascade fountains are a must see if you are in St Petersburg. Peter the Great was heavily influenced by French style and a trip to Versailles from which he clearly drew inspiration. There are some similarities with Villa D'Este (Rome) too. A massive reconstruction took place after demolition during WW2 and the fountains are amazing. I am glad I went. There are some lovely fountains and views to be seen through the Park but not an awful lot in the way of flowers. Highly Recommended See more..
5.0 Novgorod Kremlin (Detinets) (1.406 reviews)
- A worth day trip
Historic Walking Areas

The Kremlin lived up to our expectations. The museums in particular are excellent. Make sure to use the audio guide in the State Museum (languages include Russian, English, German and others). The Kremlin wall is currently being renovated, which is why it cannot be walked on. From the Kremlin it is only 5 minutes over the bridge to Yaroslavl Court. We visited the Kremel on a day trip from St. Petersburg. We took the 7:26 am train from St. Petersburv in the morning, arriving in Veliky Novgorod at around 10:20 am. Back in the evening by train at 6:06 p.m., arrival in St. Petersburg at around 9 p.m. The tickets can be conveniently purchased using the Russian Railway APP. App is also in English. Advertisements at the railway stations not only in Russian but also in English, as well as the announcements and advertisements in the train. So we could organize the trip on our own without any knowledge of Russian. See more..
5.0 B-413 Submarine Museum (1.220 reviews)
- Definitely an interesting place, it will be interesting for both adults and children.
Speciality Museums

The submarine is one of the most popular objects of the Museum of the World Ocean. The B-413 was built in Leningrad and was launched in September, 1968. During 30 years it had been serving in the North and Baltic Fleets. The submarine was moored at the museum quay in June, 2000. It is the only one in the country and a few in the world belonging to pre-atomic period of undersea fleet. Moreover, it is preserved in its original state. Firm and light hulls, superstructure, all the major and auxiliary mechanisms, equipment and weapons are the same as they were after the submarine was excluded from the Navy. What strikes you most as you walk along the narrow corridors and squeeze through the seemingly miniscule portholes that protect each section, is the incredible mechanical complexity. This 1960s technology required pipes, cumbersome and hard wearing switches and large well worn wheels to keep the submarine either afloat or submerged, as needs dictated. See more..
5.0 Petersburg-Hautnah (1.158 reviews)
- Best way to see St Petersburg in 2 days
Sunday: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM City Tours • Private Tours

Oksana was fabulous on our trip. We did one day around the city and the second day we went out to Catherine's Palace and Perhoff. My favourite was Peterhoff. Oksana was very knowledgeable and a great guide to use. If you can afford to go on a private tour this is the one to take. Picked us up midnight off the Sapsan and then we toured for the next two days. Really enjoyed it. Use Oksana if you can! See more..
5.0 Millennium of Russia (823 reviews)
- Amazing
Monuments & Statues

Shaped like a bell and surrounded by 128 bronze figures, this monument to Russia's millennium honors the politicians and other people who most contributed to the development of the country between 862 and 1862. See more..
5.0 White Nights Travel (672 reviews)
- Ludmila Tours
City Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Night Tours • Private Tours

Last July we went on a Baltic cruise and spent 2 full days in St. Petersburg. We did not want to book with the ship and after some search I found Ludmila Tours on the net. We were extremely pleased with Ludmila's assistance in every respect. Luda and her guide Helen she arranged for us in St. Petersburg was deeply knowledgeable in Russian history and contemporary life, completely fluent in English, and -- certainly the most important consideration -- extremely welcoming and pleasant companion. We will return. If you plan to visit St. Petersburg, we definitely recommend you to work with Ludmila Tours. See more..
5.0 Alyosha Monument, Monument of the Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War (626 reviews)
- Big man on the hill
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Monuments & Statues

Walked up, interesting hoing through town, but hard to cross onto left side on the uphill approach. Choose your crossing point carefully or sprint like Usain Bolt - take your pick! Walked over frozen ground and snow as it's February but choose your path carefully. We ended up thigh deep snowdrifts. There is a narrow route vety slippy and icy so you need good shoes. Once there, great views over the city from the north, looking south and west. The monument is imposing especially with clouds scudding in the background. There is a road so could be accessed more easily if you know what you're doing, but a nice walk nonetheless, 90 mins each way. See more..
4.5 The State Hermitage Museum (26.7k reviews)
- Excellent exhibitions
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours Art Museums

One of the most famous art museums in the world, this museum is housed in the Winter Palace, and contains over 2.7 million exhibits including some of the world's greatest works of art. See more..
4.5 Grand Peterhof Palace (12.8k reviews)
- Peterhof Palace St. Petersburg Russia
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • History Museums

Once a formal garden built for Peter the Great, this popular park still has more than 80 of the original marble statues and sculptures and houses Peter's Summer Palace, a simply designed two-story building that now displays many of the ruler's own artifacts. See more..
4.5 The State Museum St. Isaac’s Cathedral (10.3k reviews)
- Must do when in St. Petersburg. Beautiful artwork inside
Sunday: 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Churches & Cathedrals

This gold-domed, ornate, 19th-century cathedral is the third largest domed cathedral in the world, and offers visitors a 300-step climb to a spectacular view of the city. See more..
4.5 Catherine Palace and Park (8.668 reviews)
- Better not to tour with a group.
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Architectural Buildings • Parks • History Museums

Filled with 18th-century paintings and ornate rooms, this white and gold palace is surrounded by a 1400-acre park complete with fountains, bridges, the Agate Pavilion bathhouse and the Great Pond. The Palace also has a famous Amber Room, stolen by Nazi troops during WWII, but now recreated by Russian craftsmen. See more..
4.5 Palace Square (5.475 reviews)
- The most important and best known square of St. Petersburg
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Contrasting architectures and wide open spaces are the hallmarks of this extraordinary plaza, which has witnessed historic events like Bloody Sunday and the storming of the Winter Palace and is now the rallying place for every imaginable political demonstration. See more..
4.5 Peter and Paul Fortress (5.132 reviews)
- Big and Beautiful!!
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Architectural Buildings • History Museums

Built as a fortress in 1703 by Peter the Great, this building was used instead as a political prison under the czars, and houses the City History Museum, the Mint, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral. See more..
4.5 Faberge Museum (4.768 reviews)
- Eggs and much more
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

The Faberge Museum in St. Petersburg was founded to preserve, study, and promote Russia's cultural heritage as well as to develop the city's extensive network of museums. The museum's collection contains the world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including nine of the famous Imperial Easter Eggs, regarded not only as the finest jeweled works of art, but also as unique historical artifacts. The museum's collection also includes decorative and applied works made by the Russian masters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum is located in the Shuvalov Palace on the Fontanka River - one of the most beautiful palaces in St. Petersburg. The Museum is open 6 days a week from 10AM to 9PM and closed Fridays. Tickets for guided and unguided tours can be purchased at the Museum's ticket office only for the current day. The ticket office is open until 8.15PM. Museum hours: From 10AM to 6PM Guided Tours. The last tour starts at 4:50 PM. Tours last 1 hour. Ticket price is 600 RUB From 10AM to 8.45PM Unguided (Individual) Tours. Ticket price is 450 RUB Ticket may be purchased for individual (unguided) tours all day long. To explore the museum independently, visitors can rent audio guides for 150 rubles or use a free collection catalog. Refundable deposit for the audio guide is 2000 rubles in cash only. A digital version of the catalog is also available for smartphones and tablets by scanning the QR code at the Museum entrance. Tickets are available in advance at our site See more..
4.5 Nevsky Prospekt (4.717 reviews)
- The most prominent road of saint petersburg
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

This famous Russian street that cuts through the center of St. Petersburg is a hub for shopping, nightlife and entertainment, and is lined with historic and picturesque buildings and churches. See more..
4.5 Kazan Cathedral (4.167 reviews)
- This place is really awesome
Sunday: 6:30 AM - 7:45 PM History Museums • Churches & Cathedrals

Built in the early 1800s to duplicate the Vatican's Basilica of St. Peter, this huge cathedral served as a monument to Russia's victory over Napoleon in the War of 1812 and today houses the Museum of Religion. See more..
4.5 State Russian Museum (3.265 reviews)
- Huge but worth several visits
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Countless masterpieces, ranging from 12th-century icons to 20th-century paintings, are displayed at this important art museum housed in the splendid and historically significant Mikhailovsky Palace. See more..
4.5 Yusupov Palace on Moika River (2.782 reviews)
- A very beautiful palace
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours History Museums

The Yusupov Palace is a unique architectural ensemble of styles from the XVIII to XX century. Cultural monument acclaimed as an "encyclopedia" of St. Petersburg aristocratic interiors. The palace and manor complex were built over two centuries and features the work of prominent Russian and foreign architects. Today the Yusupov Palace is one of the few aristocratic mansions where you can experience ambiance of luxurious life of the Yusupov family. The astonishingly beautiful interiors, restored with the work and talent of St. Petersburg's restoration artists, welcome everyone. See more..
4.5 Grand Maket Russia (2.528 reviews)
- Extremely, well done representation of all the Regions of Russis
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Speciality Museums

On the 8th of June in 2012 the national show-museum «Grand Maket Rossiya» opened its doors hospitably for the wide auditory. By this time, thousands of citizens and quests of our city watched this unique exhibition. On the layout area of 800 square meters you will see the generalized images of cities and regions of Russia. Hundreds of moving trains and cars, sound and light effects add dynamics to the exposition and thousands of tiny figures make the genre scenes. Add the astonishing effect of day and night changing doesn`t leave a single visitors indifferent. See more..
4.5 Konigsberg Cathedral (2.321 reviews)
- The oldest Gothic cathedral in Russia
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

The oldest Gothic cathedral in Russia is located on Kant Island. Its construction was carried out from 1333-1380. In August 1944, all the buildings on the island were destroyed, the cathedral was completely burned out from the inside and stood in ruins until the early nineties, when its gradual restoration began. Now there are no services in the cathedral, there are concerts of organ music and there are museum expositions. See more..
4.5 Peterhof State Museum Preserve (2.310 reviews)
- The gardens must not be missed.
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Parks

We are not great fans of group tours since they have a strict time schedule to follow. We prefer doing a tour at our own pace, which needs lots of advance planning and research, but then you can make your itinerary. We were a party of four so it made sense to take an uber from our hotel to this Palace. Fortunately we made it well in time to watch the grand cascade, hemmed in as we were by hordes of Chinese tourists. Yet, having arrived early, we managed a vantage point from where we could witness the grand fountains which open at a particular time only once a day. After that we toured the gardens and then the Peterhof State Museum. Frankly the Catherine Palace was more opulent. As we had already seen that, we were a bit disappointed. The gardens with their walks, the boathouse, the various fountains were however a unique experience and not to be missed. See more..
4.5 Mariinskiy Theatre (2.128 reviews)
- Amazing experience - Ballet in the Mariinsky Theatre
Spent 2-3 hours Theaters

The stage of this internationally renowned theater was graced by Russia's most celebrated classical performers in pre-Revolution days, and is today best known for its famous Kirov Ballet. See more..
4.5 Kaliningrad Amber Museum (1.695 reviews)
- All the amber
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

Before I came to Kaliningrad I had no idea that such a huge percentage of worlds amber derived from this region. It's crazy to think about 300 million years how a unique set of circumstances led to it. This gives a story of the region and a ton of amber displays as well.. See more..
4.5 Palace Bridge (1.654 reviews)
- Central bridge with great downtown views
Bridges

This simply designed bridge crossing the Neva River is best known for the magnificent view it creates when its elevated platforms frame the gilded spire of the SS Peter & Paul Cathedral rising in the background. See more..