Top Rated Attractions in St Petersburg

Peterhof Palace is the epitome of Russian Imperialism with its architectural splendor and the sheer magnitude of the complex. Facing the Gulf of Finland, the sea-front gargantuan complex, often called "The Russian Versailles" is replete with several smaller palaces and gardens. Peter the Great planned to construct a palace fit for his royal status in 1705 and it was accomplished by 1725. Additions to the palace were made in the latter years around the 1750s. A royal world in itself, the premises can be studied intricately for a plethora of architectural styles and nuances. Broad pathways lined with vibrant flower beds and hedge labyrinths are spread out on multiple levels. Known for its extraordinary range of fountains, the complex boasts of more than 60 fountains cascading into gleaming waterways. The symmetry of the extensive gardens was inspired by the French and Dutch Baroque gardening style. The most opulent of all palaces, the Grand Palace acts as a centerpiece of the complex. Staircases and balusters ornamented with golden figurines can be seen leading into the palaces. A melange of Neoclassicism and Baroque, even the smallest details evoke awe. Monplaisir, Peter the Great's summer palace, is a charming Dutch-style mansion with red gable roofs and sweeping vistas of the sea. An architectural magnum opus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Russia, tourist, and locals fall short of words praising this wonder.

During the first half of the 19th century, around 11,000 serfs drove 25,000 wooden planks into the ground, creating the foundation for what would become Isaakievskiy Sobor or Saint Isaac's Cathedral. More than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of pure gold were used to gild the dome and its 112 polished granite support column. The massive interior is constructed from various types of marble and stone, and it is designed to accommodate up to 14,000 people. Construction of the cathedral was a painstaking process, taking 40 years in total, and architect August Ricard de Montferrand passed away shortly after its completion. Now, the golden dome has commanded the Neva River skyline for nearly 200 years. From the 562-step climb to the circular observation deck unparalleled panoramas of St. Petersburg await.

In 1704, Peter the Great employed Frenchman Le Blond to design a luxurious formal garden in the manner of Versailles. In 1777, the beautiful garden with fountains, imported trees and more than 200 Italian statues was unfortunately ruined by a flood. Today's slightly more austere incarnation can be ascribed to the more restrained taste of Catherine the Great. Nowadays, more than 80 statues reside at the park; in the winter, they are eerily encased in wooden boxes for protection from the winter elements. In the summer, the relaxed calm of the gardens makes it a popular destination for weddings and parties.

If you like seeing ancient body parts and human foetus at various stages of development floating around in formaldehyde, then this is the place for you. It's not so much what constitutes good hygienic practice that you'll find here, but reminders of what can happen to you if you don't. We're talking diseased livers, infected genitalia, gallstones, the works. Most interesting is a 200 year old corpse, a female, standing up in a glass case perfectly preserved with a full head of brown hair, an 18th century gown, stocking, hands in perfect order, nails ready to be polished, exactly the way in which she was found. Unless you have the stomach for this kind of thing, it's probably not a place you'll want to visit more than once. Also do remember, the museum administration must be informed of your visit pre-hand.

The Arctic and Antarctic Museum of St Petersburg, Russia is home to the world's largest collection of exhibits and information on the polar regions. Established in 1930, it is housed in a beautiful neoclassical church from the early 19th Century. A wide variety of display items can be seen here including stuffed polar animals, personal belongings of polar explorers, expedition equipment, protective clothing, memorabilia pieces among other rare fascinating pieces. The primary attractions however remain the large stuffed polar bears, a small rescue plane and mammoth tusks and teeth. Most of the information is available in Russian but foreign visitors can opt for an audio guide in English. Many excursions based on Arctic life and nature are organized for kids and families, and are charged extra apart from the entrance fees.