The Best Areas to Stay in Saint Petersburg, Russia

Tsentralny is, without a doubt is the best area to stay in St. Petersburg. Constituted by the greater part of the historical area, it borders Neva river and with the channel Obvodny.

It has become the most sought-after spot in St. Petersburg due to the number of monuments that it contains, its high number of restaurants and all its leisure options that make it great for any traveller.

Nesvky Avenue together with most of the attractions of the district constitute the best part of the historical-cultural heritage of St. Petersburg, so it is advisable to stay near or within Tsentralny.

Tsentralny is also the best connected area of St Petersburg, with several metro and bus lines reaching every corner of the city from here.

On the downside, Tsentralny can also be one of the most expensive areas to stay in Saint Petersburg, particularly during high season.

Admiralteyskiy, like Tsentralny, is one of the districts of the centre of St. Petersburg, covers the so-called secondary part of the historic centre where important monuments, entertainment centres and traditional food eateries are located.

Despite sharing the central area with Tsentralny, it is an extensive district made up of 6 small neighborhoods. One of them is Kolomna, which preserves a medieval atmosphere reflected in its squares and cathedrals, it is a good area to stay in St. Petersburg.

One of the reasons to stay at Admiralteyskiy is the Mariinsky theatre, named after the Empress Maria Alexandrovna and home of the famous Mariinsky Ballet and Opera Company. At present, it is still one of the most important ballet theaters in the world and a fundamental part of the tours in Saint Petersburg.

It is a good place to admire the aesthetic and cultured atmosphere of the Venice of the North, not all neighborhoods allow night walks and exhibit events of such importance as the Russian opera, recitals of illustrious ballet companies and symphonic concerts.

Moskovskiy is also known as the “southern gate of the city”.

Its name is given by its location, the presence of two important highways and the Pulkovo International Airport. Which makes it the best passage area in St. Petersburg, ideal for business travellers or those who wish to visit other cities of Russia such as its capital Moscow.

Undoubtedly the greatest activity of the district resides in the Moskovsky avenue or avenue to Moscow. The route crosses the Fontanka river, the Obvodny canal and the Ligovsky avenue nine and a half kilometers to the exit of the city at the monument to the Heroes of Leningrad. During the 18th century it was an area of war and conflict, but today it exhibits great monuments and intellectual centres of Russia such as the technological institute.

Some call it a district of Moscow located in St. Petersburg and others think otherwise, the truth is that despite remaining distant from the downtown area retains a particular charm with a much more affordable accommodation than Tsentralniy or Admiralteskiy districts.

A few kilometers to the north from the central area, just at the far left of St. Petersburg, lies the district of Primorsky.

Of the 18 existing districts, Primorsky is the largest and most important for the geography of the city. It is considered an exclusive area due to its proximity to the Bay of Neva and its maritime views.

Unlike the other areas of the city, Primorsky does not stand out because of what to see or do, three hours distance it from the best attractions of St. Petersburg and the trip can become monotonous and boring without the proper itinerary.

The best area north of St. Petersburg is Lakhta-Olgino, years ago was a prosperous village known for its exclusivity and enjoy popularity among the nobility. At the moment it conserves certain attractiveness of the past with airs of the modern Russia.

It is a good area to stay in St. Petersburg, there is a wide range of hotels, apartments and hostels.

St Petersburg’s city centre has some cays and bays like Vasilyevsky and Dekabristov islands, both correspond to the district known as Vasileostrovskiy.

It is the best place to see the famous and extraordinary white nights, the summer dawn in St. Petersburg has a particular charm. Restaurants and museums are open almost 19 hours a day and the view over its six bridges make a unique show.

The metro stations make it easy to stay in Vasileostrovskiy, of course walking is also possible, just a few kilometers away lies the historic centre of the city and the best offer in bars and entertainment.

One of the greatest highlights in the area is the Museum Erarte, it exhibits the best collection of modern art in Russia, with almost 2300 works of 250 artists. And as if it were not enough, just a few steps away lies the first museum ever founded in Russia, the well known Kunstkamera

This district dates back to the time of Peter the Great, rumors of conflict motivated him to build the famous fortresses of St Peter and St Paul, at that time Petrogradskiy was the center of operations of the illustrious Russian monarch. The area still retains many military monuments such as the Aurora and the Military Academy.

Currently, it is a listed area for commercial and residential goods, offers a comfortable atmosphere, ant it is an escape to the hectic city centre so it is St Petersburg’s prime location for vacation homes and tourist apartments.

The area holds the Botanical Garden of the city, the Leningrad Zoo, the Saint Petersburg Music Hall, the Lensoviet Palace of Culture, the Baltic House Theater, the Leningrad Youth Palace, the Saint Petersburg Planetarium, the Military Historical Museum of Artillery and the Museum of Political History.

Accommodation here is mainly represented by apartments and mini-hotels located on Bolshoy Avenue and the south of the island, around the War Museum.