Get to know St Petersburg in 12 stops

Explore St Petersburg: a culture capital as riddled with tales of Russia’s turbulent history as it is with artworks and canals, writes Daniel Down.

The Venice of the north

Discover the cultural hub of St Petersburg hugging the banks of the Neva River, or eschew the grandeur of the palaces and stately museums and uncover these off-beat places.

1. The State Russian Museum

While the State Hermitage Museum is undoubtedly the showstopper, make room in your diary for this similarly magnificent museum dedicated to Russian fine art. It’s a visual tour of the country’s cultural history.

2. Nevsky Prospekt

Take a wander down the main thoroughfare in St Petersburg, lined with grand buildings, luxury shops and spots for lunch. Make sure you drop into the book store in the Art Nouveau masterpiece that is Singer House, aka House of Books, and take in the view.

3. DLT

It’s not all about sightseeing. Browse this grandiose department store, St Petersburg’s oldest, for the best perfumery, jewellery, designer fashion and oligarch-daughter-spotting in the city. Russia’s answer to Harrods.

4. St Isaac’s Cathedral

The largest Russian orthodox cathedral in the city is staggering in proportion. You can’t miss its gold dome dominating the skyline, which was painted grey during the Second World War to disguise it from German artillery.

5. New Holland

This manmade island has become a creative district with public art displays, contemporary works in the Pavilion, a concert space and more – courtesy of $400 million from Roman Abramovich and art collector Dasha Zhukova.

6. Mariinsky Theatre

Your time in Russia wouldn’t be complete without taking in a ballet or opera at a grand old theatre. One of the oldest (though its current building dates to 1860), the Mariinsky Theatre rivals Moscow’s Bolshoi for opulence.

7. Co-op Garage

Occupying some old warehouses off a rather beautiful courtyard, head here for an excellent pizza menu (including pear and ricotta, pumpkin and gingerbread, salmon and quail egg) live music and a game of pool in an industrial-chic setting. Or just sit and have a local lager and watch the city’s cool kids hang out.

For those who prefer the off-beat

8. Udelnaya

You can’t go to Russia without picking your way through one of its famous flea markets, and St Petersburg’s Udelnaya – or the ‘Udelka’ as locals call it – lays claim to being the best. There are hoards of interesting antiques, Soviet-era medals and uniforms, LPs and books to barter for, most of which can be found displayed on blankets outside – probably best not to go when the infamous winter winds pick up then.

9. Pushkinskaya 10

Discover the original home of St Petersburg’s alternative arts scene: a ramshackle collection of studios, galleries and performance spaces (and a shrine to John Lennon). It houses an array of non-conformist work from the Soviet era and art following the collapse of the Iron Curtain when freedom of expression was able to blossom again.

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10. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

Make sure your shot of this elaborate church is set apart from the countless rest by returning at different times of the day to capture it in changing light. Its Hammer-House-of-Horror name is derived from the fact that it was built on the site where Alexander II was mortally wounded by revolutionaries in 1881. Bleeding heavily from the blast of a bomb, he was taken back to the Winter Palace where he died.

The St Petersburg must-see duo

11. The State Hermitage Museum

Head to this sprawling complex of grand galleries on the banks of the Neva River, not only for the world-class touring exhibitions and permanent collection, but to wander the grand halls of buildings like the Winter Palace that speak directly to centuries of colourful Russian history. For example, the last Tsar to reside here, Alexander II, survived an assassination attempt in 1880 whereby dynamite was set off under the family dining room; revolutionaries finally stormed the palace in 1917, ending the long reign of Russian emperors. The Hermitage dates back to 1764, when it housed the massive art collection of Catherine the Great who went on a wild spending spree, purchasing works from all over Europe, including those by Rembrandt, Rubens, Raphael and Titian. The collection later swelled from private royal stock following the Revolution. It’s said that you’d need 11 years to see every one of its 3 million items for a minute… so you may want to put aside a few hours at least.

12. White nights

From late May to early July, the sun doesn’t set in St Petersburg. It’s a custom to stay up all night at least once, enjoying a festival atmosphere on the banks of the Neva in the eerie light. It culminates in the Scarlet Sails event in late June, with a mock pirate battle on the river and a fireworks display. Another tradition is to watch the Neva River bridges open up to allow ships through. If you’re not on the right side of town you’ll be staying up all night anyway, as the metro stops at 12.30am and the bridges stay open until 5am.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius

A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.