Petrogradskaya Side (Петроградская сторона) is one of Saint Petersburg’s oldest and most historically dense districts. Lying on several islands in the Neva delta, primarily Petrogradsky Island, Aptekarsky Island, and Kamenny Island, it was the original settlement core before the city expanded to the mainland. Today, it blends czarist-era mansions, Soviet constructivist buildings, leafy parks, and a lively student-and-arts scene. For visitors, it offers a compact area packed with major landmarks like the Peter & Paul Fortress, the Menshikov Palace, and dozens of museums, as well as authentic cafés and local markets away from the most touristy zones. This guide covers the district’s history, key sights, practical transport, dining, and accommodation options.
History of Petrogradskaya Side
Before the founding of Saint Petersburg in 1703, the area was a sparsely populated Finnish swamp with a few fishing villages. Peter the Great chose the highest point on Petrogradsky Island, where the Peter & Paul Fortress now stands, to build the city’s first fortified structure. The fortress, completed by 1704, never saw battle but became the burial place of the Romanov dynasty. The district quickly developed as an administrative and residential quarter for officers, merchants, and artisans.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Petrogradskaya Side grew into a fashionable suburb. Noble families built wooden dachas and stone mansions along the Bolshoy Prospekt and Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt. The construction of the Trinity Bridge (1903) linked the islands directly to the city centre, sparking a building boom of Art Nouveau apartment houses, banks, and theatres. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the district was renamed “Petrogradsky Raion” and became home to factories, workers’ housing, and scientific institutes. Notable Soviet-era buildings include the Lenin Stadium (now Yubileyny Sports Palace) and the Leningrad Television Tower (1962).
In the post-Soviet period, Petrogradskaya Side underwent gentrification. Many historic buildings were restored, and the area attracted galleries, boutique hotels, and foreign consulates. Today, it remains a desirable residential address, with average apartment prices ranging from 180,000 to 300,000 roubles per square metre (as of mid-2025).
Key Sights and Attractions
The district contains a dense concentration of museums, parks, and architectural monuments. Below is a curated list with approximate opening hours and ticket prices (as of September 2025).
Peter & Paul Fortress (Петропавловская крепость)
This is the symbolic birthplace of the city. The fortress complex includes the Peter & Paul Cathedral (burial place of Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and Nicholas II), the Trinity Gate, the Mint, and several exhibition halls. Ticket prices: 750 RUB for the cathedral and the main museum; 1,100 RUB for a combined ticket. Open daily 10:00-18:00 (closed Wednesdays). The fortress also hosts the Naryshkin Bastion with a daily cannon shot at 12:00 noon.
Menshikov Palace (Меншиковский дворец)
Located at Universitetskaya Embankment 15, this is the first stone palace in Saint Petersburg, built for Peter’s closest associate, Alexander Menshikov. Now a branch of the State Hermitage Museum, it displays 18th-century furniture, porcelain, and paintings. Entry: 500 RUB for adults, 300 RUB for students. Open Tue, Sun 10:30-18:00 (ticket office closes at 17:00).
Krestovsky Island & Primorsky Victory Park
For outdoor recreation, head to Krestovsky Island, connected to Petrogradsky Island by two bridges. Primorsky Victory Park features a large lake with rowing boats, walking paths, and children’s playgrounds. Entry is free. Nearby is the Gazprom Arena (formerly Krestovsky Stadium), built for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, capacity 68,000. Tours of the stadium: 700 RUB, available Saturday and Sunday 11:00-17:00.
Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt Architectural Walk
This prospectus is an outdoor museum of Art Nouveau architecture. Notable buildings include:
- House of the Singer Company (No. 24), now a bookshop and café
- Bazhanov Apartment House (No. 23), ornate façade with mermaids and flowers
- Vitebsky Railway Station style mansion (No. 22), now the Museum of the Defence and Siege of Leningrad
- Plotnikov House (No. 27), a wooden dacha from 1820
Museum of the Defence and Siege of Leningrad
Located at Solyanoy Pereulok 9, this museum is dedicated to the 872-day siege (1941-1944). Exhibits include diaries, weapons, and a reconstructed bomb shelter. Tickets: 450 RUB for adults, 250 RUB for students. Open Thu, Mon 10:00-18:00, Tue 12:00-21:00, closed Wednesday.
Lopukhina Mansion (Дворец Лопухиных)
At Bolshaya Nevka Embankment 16, this neoclassical mansion houses the Museum of the History of Saint Petersburg’s temporary exhibitions. Entry: 400 RUB. Check the museum’s website for current shows.
Transportation: How to Get Around Petrogradskaya Side
The district is well served by public transport. The major metro stations are Gorkovskaya (red line 2) and Petrogradskaya (blue line 4). From the city centre, take the red line from Nevsky Prospekt to Gorkovskaya (2 stops, 5 minutes). From Moskovsky Vokzal (main railway station), take the red line to Ploshchad Vosstaniya, then change to the blue line to Petrogradskaya (3 stops total).
Buses and trolleybuses serve the main arteries. For example:
- Bus No. 10 runs from Gorkovskaya Metro to the Petrogradskaya Metro via Bolshoy Prospekt
- Trolleybus No. 9 connects the station to Kamenny Island
- Marshrutka minibuses (route K-30, K-46) operate along Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt
Taxis are widely available via apps like Yandex Go. A 10-minute ride within the district costs 300-500 RUB. For detailed advice on taxis and ride-sharing, see Taxi Services.
Walking is the best way to explore the area. The central axis, Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt, is pedestrian-friendly with many benches and shaded spots. The Walking Centre article provides a free self-guided route covering 12 landmarks in about 2.5 hours.
Dining: Where to Eat and Drink
Petrogradskaya Side has a diverse food scene, from traditional Russian cafeterias to trendy brunch spots. Below are recommended restaurants with average main-course prices.
Traditional Russian Cuisine
- Pelmenya (Пельменя), Bolshoy Prospekt P.S. 20. Specialises in homemade pelmeni (dumplings) with fillings like beef, mushroom, and salmon. Mains: 250-400 RUB. Open daily 10:00-22:00.
- Mari Vanna, Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt 37. A homely restaurant with Soviet-era décor and classic dishes like borscht, blini, and stroganoff. Three-course lunch: 1,200 RUB. Reservations recommended.
International and Modern
- Brunch Time, Ulitsa Lenina 12. Popular for avocado toast, pancakes, and fresh juices. Coffee from 150 RUB, mains 400-700 RUB. Open 09:00-22:00.
- Hummus Café, Syezzhinskaya Ulitsa 22. Offers Israeli and Middle Eastern fare: hummus, falafel, shakshuka. Mains: 350-600 RUB. Vegetarian/vegan options.
- Pizzeria da Michele, Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt 42. Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood-fired oven. Margherita: 450 RUB. Takeaway available.
Markets and Groceries
For self-catering, visit Krestovsky Market at Ulitsa Lenina 9, open Mon, Sat 08:00-20:00, Sun 09:00-18:00. It sells fresh produce, cheese, bread, and local honey. Alternatively, the Lenta supermarket at Prospekt Dobrolyubova 9 operates 24/7 and stocks international goods.
Accommodation: Where to Stay
The district offers options from budget hostels to luxury hotels. For a full breakdown of recommended hotels in Saint Petersburg, see the Budget Hotels, Mid-Range Hotels, and Luxury Hotels guides.
Budget (under 3,500 RUB/night)
- Friends Hostel Petrogradskaya, Bolshaya Monetnaya Ulitsa 10. Dorm bed from 1,200 RUB, private double from 2,500 RUB. Free Wi-Fi, kitchen, and breakfast included.
- Mini Hotel on Petrogradskaya, Ulitsa Professora Popova 7. Private rooms with shared bathroom from 2,800 RUB. Very close to Petrogradskaya Metro.
Mid-Range (3,500-8,000 RUB/night)
- Hotel Alex, Prospekt Dobrolyubova 25. Double room from 4,200 RUB. Includes buffet breakfast and has a restaurant on-site.
- Kronverk Hotel, Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt 33. Double from 5,500 RUB. Steps from Gorkovskaya Metro and the fortress.
Luxury (8,000-20,000 RUB/night)
- Sokos Hotel Palace Bridge, Birzhevoy Pereulok 4. Double from 9,500 RUB. Sauna, gym, and rooftop bar with views of the Neva.
- Grand Hotel Petrogradskaya, Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt 61. Double from 11,000 RUB. Historic building with modern interiors and a restaurant serving Russian-European fusion.
Practical Information & Tips
- Entry Requirements: Most foreign visitors need a valid visa and passport. For full details, see Entry Requirements.
- Travel Insurance: It is strongly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses, theft, and trip cancellation. See Travel Insurance for advice.
- Payment Methods: While major hotels and restaurants accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), many smaller cafés and market vendors only take cash (Russian roubles). Use a reliable card or exchange currency at banks; avoid street exchangers. For more, see Payment Realities.
- Government Travel Advisories: Check your home country’s travel advisories for Saint Petersburg and Russia before travelling. Government Travel Advisories provides links to official sources.
- Bridge Schedule: The Neva bridges open for navigation between approximately 01:25 and 04:55 from April to November. If you stay on Petrogradskaya Side overnight, you only need to worry about the Palace Bridge (connects to Vasilievsky Island). For timings, consult Bridge Schedule.
- Best Times to Visit: The White Nights (late May to mid-July) are spectacular but crowded. Hotels book out months in advance, and prices rise 30-50%. For a quieter experience, visit in late August or early September, when the weather is still mild and tourist numbers drop.
Nearby Day Trips from Petrogradskaya Side
From the district it is easy to reach several world-famous attractions by public transport or organised tour:
- Peterhof (Петергоф), Take the meteor hydrofoil from the pier near the Bronze Horseman (Senate Square) to Peterhof. Journey time: 40 minutes, cost: 1,200 RUB one way. See Peterhof for opening times and ticket prices.
- Tsarskoye Selo (Catherine Palace), Take the train from Vitebsky Vokzal to Pushkin town (35 minutes, 80 RUB), then bus 371 or 382 to the palace. Advance tickets strongly recommended. See Catherine Palace.
- Kronstadt, A ferry from the pier near the Naval Cathedral runs seasonally (May, October). Departures at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00; return at 16:00. Round trip: 800 RUB.
For a broader overview of the city, start with The Complete Guide to Saint Petersburg. It includes detailed chapters on neighbourhoods, transport, and insider tips.