St Petersburg & Vicinity in One Day: Thursday-Sunday's Best Visa-Free Shore Excursion

Price
from 81 USD
Duration
9,5 hrs
Activity Level
MODERATE
Tour Category
Private Tours
St Petersburg & Vicinity in One Day: Thursday-Sunday's Best Visa-Free Shore Excursion

We invite you to make the most of your one-day stay in Saint Petersburg during the end of the week on any day from Thursday to Sunday! Explore the world-famous Hermitage Museum, walk around lush Peterhof gardens and enjoy a great panoramic city tour with inside visit to Church on the Spilled Blood!  No Russain Visa required!

Highlights
(Click on the name to see Photo)
  • Panoramic City Tour
  • Hermitage Museum
  • Peterhof Park
  • OPTIONAL: Hydrofoil ride
  • Saint Isaac's Cathedral
  • Church on the Spilled Blood
  • Peter and Paul Fortress
  • Kazan Cathedral
  • Visa-Free Paperwork
  • OPTIONAL: 1 Delicious Russian Lunch

See as many highlights as one can cover within a short period: Aurora cruiser, the first house of St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospect, numerous rivers and bridges, Kazan Cathedral, Admiralty, Palace Square and the Hermitage museum, the Bronze Horseman monument to Peter the Great, Palace Bridge, St. Nicholas Cathedral, University Embankment with its historical buildings: Kunstkammer, the Academy of Sciences, and Saint Petersburg State University, Menshikov Palace, the Square of Arts with Michael's Palace, the Mosque, the Smolny Convent, the Taurida Palace, the Foundry Prospect with the "Big House" (the KGB headquarters) and many more!

Please note that depending on the time allowed, not all sights might be included!
2+ hrs (depending on occasion)

Hermitage is one of the largest museums in the world. But it is also a magnificent Royal palace with stunning rooms and unbelievable views. The collection began as the project of Catherine the Great in 1764. Now ist's the temple of art, where you can see the works of Raphael, Titian, Rembrant, de Goya, and many other prominent painters from all over the world. Treat yourself with a grand exploration of the most amazing masterpieces of the European Art, including the French Impressionists, and marvel at the fantastic interiors of the Tsar's Winter Residence - the Winter Palace.

2 hrs (or more if time permits)

A relaxing walk in Peterhof Lower Gardens with a scenic view of hundreds of fountains. It's a real engineering masterpiece with no pumps, but with a unique location, selected specially to make this miracle happen. The force of gravity provides all the strength and the power of the fountains. A great photo opportunity for keen photographers. Take some time to see the surrounding gardens and Peter's villa Monplaisir. Unfortunately, in winter, the fountains are turned off, and wooden boxes cover the garden statues.

1-3 hrs

It is the fastest way to get to or from Peterhof during the busy summer season. Saves a lot of time and gives you a chance to take a nap:). The boats depart from the piers in the very center of the city, thus giving you a unique free bonus - a chance to enjoy the stunning panorama of the Neva banks.

Important: this option is available at an extra charge when placing a reservation.

30-45 min

St. Isaac's Cathedral is dedicated to Peter the Great's favorite saint. It is the largest cathedral in Russia and ranks among the largest basilicas of the world. It was built between 1818 and 1858, by the French-born architect Auguste Montferrand, to be one of the most impressive landmarks of the Russian Imperial capital. It's not only the remarkable structure but also the collection of the greatest engineering innovations. One hundred and eighty years later, the gilded dome of St. Isaac's still dominates the skyline of St. Petersburg. Although the cathedral is considerably smaller than the newly rebuilt Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow, it boasts much more impressive facades and interiors.

Viewing from outside

The symbol of Saint Petersburg - onion-domed cathedral that stands out from the neo-classical surroundings of the city center. The church is decorated with lots of mosaics inside and outside, and the domes are covered with colorful enamels. The church was built on the very place where Tsar Alexander II was mortally wounded in 1881.

Closed Wednesdays.
15-30 min

This fortress, built to deflect Swedish raids, was the city's very first structure. While the view from the fortress ramparts is fantastic, the main attraction is Trezzini's Peter and Paul Cathedral, built in 1712. Almost all Romanov tsars, including Nicholas II, are buried here. The cathedral's spire is the tallest architectural construction of the city, topped only by the TV Tower that can be seen a little further to the right of the fortress.

Viewing from outside

This spectacular cathedral was inspired by the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome. It is one of the city's most majestic structures. It was built from 1801 to 1811 to house the miracle-working Icon of the Virgin Mary, called our Lady of Kazan. The construction was completed shortly before the war with Napoleon; thus, it became the memorial to Russian victory in this war. The cathedral houses the banners of the defeated regiments as well as the keys to the towns conquered. The grave of Russain greatest field marshal Kutuzov is also located inside.

Kazan Cathedral is the main church of the city. Services daily. 

10-20 min (if you go inside)

Visa-Free paperwork is complimentary and included in your tour package. Don't forget to provide us with your passport details in a timely manner.

When booking, please have the following details ready for each participant:
1) Name as in Passport
2) Passport Number
3) Date of Birth
4) Citizenship

valid for up to 72 hrs

Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local Russian Restaurant. A typical lunch includes a salad, a cup of soup, a main course, and dessert. Vegetarian & gluten-free options are available upon request. Please contact your manager.

19 USD Short lunch: soup, main course, dessert, tea/coffee
25 USD Standard lunch: salad, soup, main course, dessert, tea/coffee
30 USD Premium lunch at an upscale restaurant: salad, soup, main course, dessert, tea/coffee
19 USD Child meal (for kids under 7 y.o.): tomato & cucumber salad, chicken nuggets, and french fries

Add-ons:
a glass of champagne 6 USD
1 hr

Detailed Program

Time Description
08:30 - 18:00 (Actual start time might be slightly adjusted to your ship's arrival)
08:30 Meet your guide and driver by the ship.
08:40 - 10:00  Panoramic City tour around Saint Petersburg's most popular sights with photo stops by Peter and Paul Fortress and St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Drive along Nevsky Avenue, to see Kazan Cathedral and Gostinny Dvor shopping center. 
10:30 - 10:45 Guided tour of the Church on the Spilled Blood*.
11:15 - 13:15    Guided tour of the Hermitage Museum.
13:30 - 14:30 Lunch at a local cafe or restaurant. (*optional).
14:30 - 15:30 Drive* to Peterhof. (*Optional: You can upgrade your tour and travel to Peterhof by hydrofoil. Please check the appropriate box below.)
15:30 - 17:00 Guided tour of the Lower Gardens of Peterhof with lots of fountains and sculptures.
17:10 - 18:00 Drive back to the city.
18:00    Return back to the ship.
*It is possible to substitute Church on the Spilled Blood for St Isaac's Cathedral at no extra charge on the day of the tour. 
Book this tour
($ 20)
($ 19)
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($ 25)
($ 25)
($ 45)
($ 45)
($ 45)
  • English-speaking tour guide (other languages available at a surcharge)
  • Experienced private driver
  • Private A/C vehicle
  • All admissions as per program
  • 1 Bottle of water pp per day
  • Visa-free paperwork
  • Radio-headsets for groups 7+
  • Welcome gift for adults 
  • Activity kit for kids
  • Port fees & taxes
  • Smiles and positive experience
  • Meals (lunch) & drinks
  • Optional Evening Program
  • 25 USD surcharge per group if your tour language is German, French or Spanish
  • 45 USD surcharge for Portuguese, Italian or Mandarin. Other languages are available upon request.
Suitable for people with limited walking ability and wheelchair users.

Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended!

Please note, that NO ASSISTANCE loading and unloading wheelchairs/scooters is provided. The client must do it himself or have an assistant who will help.

*In case of weather conditions not permitting hydrofoil ride, there will be no refund provided. We use our van instead.

DISCOUNTS:
Children 6 y.o. & under  = 80% discount
Students 7 - 17 y.o. = 10 USD OFF



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Questions? Call us right now 1.855.866.8773 or email booking@ulkotours.com