Where to stay in Saint Petersburg: an important guide before booking your hotel

Saint Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia, but it differs from Moscow in one important way every visitor should know before booking: the city is divided into several areas connected by bridges over the Neva.

In summer many bridges are raised at night to let ships through, which can make it hard to move between parts of the city for several hours. That is why we always recommend staying in the city centre.

The best area to stay

The best place to look for hotels or serviced apartments is the area around Nevsky Prospekt, the city's main and most famous street.

Ideally, stay between the famous Galeria mall near Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station and the Hermitage Museum with the bridges leading to Vasilyevsky Island.

This area gives you many advantages:

• Easy access to the main sights
• Lots of restaurants, cafés and shops
• Close to metro stations
• Most tourist places are within walking distance

Why not stay far from the centre?

If you stay on the other side of the river, pay close attention to the bridge opening times.

If the bridge is raised while you are in the centre or elsewhere, you may have to wait several hours or take a taxi at a price several times higher than usual.

So it is always best to plan your day and check the bridge times in advance.

On your first visit to Saint Petersburg, try to stay near Nevsky Prospekt or Palace Square — it will save you a lot of time and money and make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable.

If you need help booking hotels or organising your trip, do not hesitate to contact us. We will help you choose the best options and save you time and effort, so you can enjoy a comfortable trip from start to finish.