Where to Go on a Date in St. Petersburg

Explore the stunning views of the city

One of the best ways of spending time together is enjoying a comfortable and trusted route, starting at the Petrogradskaya metro station, walking all the way up Kamenoonstrovky Prospect, crossing the Troitsky Bridge and admiring the breathtaking view of the Neva river and Peter and Paul’s Fortress, taking in the beauty of the Summer Garden and ending up somewhere on Nevsky or even on ITMO’s Lomo campus. It offers plenty of time to talk or to be quiet together, share an ice cream or a cup of coffee along the way, and feel like you’re a part of the city. It works just as well for friend-dates or the best kind of dates - a rare afternoon with yourself.

Enjoy live music

It’s nice when dates are based on a common interest the participants share. If it happens to be rock music, it’s a good idea to monitor social media to find an upcoming event that seems interesting. For example, there’s usually a lot going on at Lastochka. Attending a local band’s gig would be a nice date idea. Alternatively, you can dig into the history of the rock scene in St. Petersburg by taking a walk through these locations.

Experience sea life together

There’s something super romantic about having a date in an aquarium, like St. Petersburg's Oceanarium. With its moonlight-like lighting and almost serene atmosphere, aquariums make a perfect recipe for an exciting walk-talk-and-marvel type of date, whether it's your first or hundredth. Walking around an aquarium, you will get to discover the wonders of sea life together, squee over any quaint marine creature that catches your eye, and enjoy a nice chat about everything and nothing at the same time. You may even forget about all the awkwardness at all because “aww, have you seen what that seal did?” or “did you know that turtles can live 150 years or more?”.

Spend some quiet time in a bookstore

Are you a bookworm? Then what better way is there to get to know someone than at a bookstore? Do they share your taste, do they handle the covers gently (as in, will they be as gentle with your heart)? Luckily, St. Pete is home to many unique book locations. You can start with the legendary and ever-growing Podpisnyye Izdaniya, a beloved location for all intellectuals from the city and beyond. In its magical ambience, you can explore a hand-picked selection of books for any taste and if you get hungry, just grab a delicious cup of coffee from any of its coffee shops. What if all goes well at Podpisnyye, but you’ve explored all its nooks and still don’t want to part? Try hitting the next location on our list of the city’s quirky bookstores and see where it leads you.

Embrace nature

If you’re seeking peaceful romance, give a chance to Lindulovskaya Grove, one of the eco-paths around St. Petersburg. All you need is to meet your date at Finlyandsky Railway Station and take a suburban train to Rochino. Then, it’s just the two of you among mesmerizing 300 years-old pines reaching up to the sky. Oh, and of course, there are squirrels and birds to keep you company! The magic is that a nature destination like this fits perfectly for sharing a silent walk or talking about everything. An easier reach would also be Sosnovka Park near the Politechnicheskaya metro station – it gives you the same calming forest vibes, except there’s no need to escape the city.

P.S. Since you’re venturing out into the somewhat deserted woods, please do not consider this location as a first date idea :)

Gaze at historical summer residences

If you know someone well enough to leave the confines of the city, then a short day trip is always a fun idea. Russian royalty enjoyed their summers in vast and elaborate gardens, not to mention the giant palaces they liked to build nearby. Catherine Palace in Pushkin, just 30 km south of St. Petersburg, is a delight for the eyes. If you want to marvel at the golden everything and spend a few more rubles than intended, a visit inside the palace will prove extraordinary. However, in the summer the park is more than enough: the trees are a luscious green and well-groomed in one part of the park, and more ragged on the other, with a lovely pond in the middle. Take a snack or a picnic to share and you can enjoy it anywhere in the giant park. You can take some great photos there, too. Good memories for a lifetime!

If you’re looking for some more fun ideas of how to spend the summer days with a date or not, check out these summer must-dos, enjoy St. Petersburg’s outdoor spaces or maybe a botanical garden or two, spend time by the water, or get fit with these summer sport recommendations. Also, there’s nothing more romantic than a boat tour through St. Petersburg’s gorgeous canal.

ITMO.NEWS editorial team