Majestic and magical, St. Petersburg is Russia’s cultural capital – a beautifully preserved imperial city built in the 18th and 19th centuries, and celebrated for ornate architecture in brilliant hues of yellow, blue and green. With formal grandeur in its layout of buildings and parks, the city is woven with a network of canals, earning it frequent comparisons to Venice.
Prominently located in the historic Admiralteysky district, Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg provides a convenient base for exploring the city.
Things to Do in St Petersburg
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Concierge Recommends: St Petersburg
A Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St Petersburg shares where to eat and shop, what museums to visit, and where to see a ballet.
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Within Walking Distance of Four Seasons St Petersburg
Venture on foot from the Hotel to dine on delicious Russian cuisine, explore storied architecture and discover cultural treasures.
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A Guide to St Petersburg’s Art Scene
The city is in the midst of a cultural renaissance, and Artspace Editor Andrew M. Goldstein leads you to the highlights.
Must-See Attractions
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Peterhof
One of St. Petersburg's most popular attractions, the palace and park at Peterhof are often referred to as "the Russian Versaille." Peter the Great took his inspiration from Versaille when he chose to build the imperial palace, which now includes a famous system of fountains, including the truly spectacular Grand Cascade. Like almost all of St. Petersburg's suburban estates, Peterhof was ravaged by German troops during the Second World War. Thanks to the work of military engineers and over 1,000 volunteers, most of the estate's major structures had been fully restored by 1947.
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Hermitage
As St. Petersburg's most popular visitor attraction and one of the world's largest museums, the Hermitage is a must-see for all travellers to the city. With over three million items in its collection, one can only hope to get a brief taste of its magnificent collections – from Impressionist masterpieces to fascinating Oriental treasures.
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Marinsky Theatre
Mariinsky Theatre of opera and ballet opened in 1860 and became the
preeminent music theatre of the late 19th century Russia, where many of the
stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov premiered.