The Best Things to Do in St. Petersburg

For luxury hotels with a price tag to match, you can't beat the city's historical heart--Palace Square--and Nevsky Prospekt, the main avenue that connects the square to the Neva River. The area around St. Isaac's Cathedral, at the west end of Nevsky Prospekt, also offers a great selection of luxury and mid-range options. If you want to see the other side of the city, consider staying on Vasilyevsky Island, at the mouth of the river. Increased competition means that St. Petersburg now offers a wide range of inexpensive but funky hostels scattered throughout the city.