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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 09 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Jennifer Eremeeva

Built in the 18th century as a summer retreat for the Tsars, Tsarskoye Selo, the Tsars’ Village, is the ultimate display of the extraordinary extravagance of Russia’s imperial rulers. Today, this extraordinary mix of palaces, landscaped gardens and glittering architecture outstrips even Versailles.

Highlights include the extravagant Baroque Catherine Palace, built by Empress Elizabeth with its famous Amber Room. The more restrained Alexander Palace was the primary residence of the last tsar, Nicholas II and his family, and their place of house arrest after the revolution. Recent restoration has updated the rooms inhabited by the last Imperial Family with their own furniture and possessions

Between them, amid the pristine sprawling gardens of Catherine Park and Alexander Park, Palladian buildings rise up between the trees and dozens of follies giving a glimpse of British, Italian and French architectural styles of the time.

Sweeping yellow palace in front of pond
Experience

Alexander Palace

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia

Built on the orders of Catherine the Great for her grandson, the future Alexander I, this extraordinary, neoclassical palace was also home to the last tsar, Nicholas II, and his family and is considered one of the greatest creations by the renowned architect Giacomo Quarenghi.

Best for ages: 13+ | £6

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Intricate bridge of small stream
Experience

Alexander Park

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia

Dotted with sculptures this 200-hectare park is wilder and more unkempt than Catherine Park, but deeply atmospheric; highlights include a ruined Chinese theatre and replica Chinese village alongside several Gothic follies.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Tower in woods
Experience

Arsenal Pavilion

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia

Located in Alexander Park, and built in the early 19th century, this imposing pavilion was one of the first museums in the country, housing the Imperial Weapons, and remains a military museum today.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Gallery with statue under blue sky
Experience

Cameron Gallery

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia

A traditional bath-house, based on the ruins of the Constantine Baths in Rome, the big draw here is the Agate Rooms – each covered in semi-precious stones, including malachite, lapas lazuli and alabaster. It also hosts temporary exhibitions.

Best for ages: Any | Free

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Price from: £6
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The most efficient and cost-effective way to get to Tsarskoye Selo is via minibus (marshrutka) service running from Moskovskaya Metro Station on Moskovsky Prospekt. Numbers K-342 or K-545 go directly to the Catherine Palace and Park. Many sightseeing hop-on-hop-off services offer extension tours to Tsarskoye Selo.

Tickets can be bought online, although the palace’s website can be confusing; advance planning from May to September is essential. You best option is to book on an organised tour that will include transport and tickets. Plan on around 5 hours for a round trip from the city, including a tour of one of the palaces.

When to do it

Cruise ships often begin their days with an early entrance to the Catherine Palace, so later afternoon visits in summer may help avoid crowds. Winter offers a far more leisurely experience but the risk of heavy snow.

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hotel Astoria

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia[24.5 miles]

One of the city’s oldest and most elegant places to stay in the city, it offers luxury accommodation and an excellent location.

Official star rating:

Grand Hotel Europe

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia[24.6 miles]

St. Petersburg’s grand dame, a 5-star luxury hotel that harps back to more graceful, elegant age.

Official star rating:

SO Sofitel

St. Petersburg, Northwestern Region, Russia[24.7 miles]

A hip design hotel opposite St Isaac’s Cathedral, with a basement spa and rooftop bar and restaurant that’s one of the city’s premier party spots.

Official star rating:

Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace

St. Petersburg, Northwestern Region, Russia[24.7 miles]

Incomparable elegance, comfort, and service await at the Four Seasons Lion Palace, just steps from the Hermitage.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

St Petersburg

Northwestern Region, Russia

On the shores of the Baltic, Russia’s dazzling cultural capital is a treasure trove of art, music, literature, and history.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Tsar’s Village

St. Petersburg, Northwestern Region, Russia[0 miles]

The extraordinary summer retreat of the Russian tsars, home to exquisitely restored Baroque palaces and formal gardens, including the Catherine Palace.

Best for ages: 18+ | £6

Ballet & Opera at the Mariinsky Theatre

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia[23.8 miles]

Enjoy an unforgettable evening of classical ballet or opera at the world-renowned Mariinsky Theatre. It was here that Tchaikovsky’s famous ballets, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake were first performed.

Best for ages: 18+ | £40 | 2+ hours

Walk Nevsky Prospekt

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia[23.9 miles]

Wander through history as you traverse St. Petersburg’s main thoroughfare, Nevsky Prospekt – a grand, 3-mile boulevard of elegant facades, imposing buildings, basilicas, monuments and theatres.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 2

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Chesme Church
Experience

Chesme Church

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia[15.9 miles]

Considered by some to be St. Petersburg’s most impressive single church, Chesme has a unique candystripe frontage, in pink and white, and an elegant, rose-hued interior.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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blue domed cathedral in city centre
Experience

Trinity Cathedral

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia[22.7 miles]

Instantly recognisable by its bright blue domes, Trinity was a former regimental church of the Russian Imperial Army, and is famous for its icons, dating back to the 18th century.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Single bed in small room
Experience

Dostoevsky Museum

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia[23.5 miles]

Dostoyevsky’s apartment/house museum, located in the Haymarket, is where much of ‘Crime and Punishment’ is set and offers fascinating insights into the writer’s life and work.

Best for ages: 18+ | £3

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Stall with dried fruit in baskets
Experience

Kuznechny Food Market

St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia[23.5 miles]

Kuznechny Market offers a chance to step off the sightseeing trail and visit the city’s largest farmers’ market, with fresh produce, meat and fish. Open daily except Monday.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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