Outdoors

Naturally, we must begin with outdoor activities: now is the best time to get out there and take in some fresh air! The options are varied: you can start by checking out the best free outdoor spaces – the tried-and-tested classics that every St. Petersburg denizen must check off their list at least once. Then, move on to the best leisure spots by the water – from gorgeous vistas in the city center to quaint out-of-town picnic spots. Indeed, if serene pastimes are your thing, you can’t pass by our list of the city’s gardens and greenhouses.

As you traverse between these locations, add some more excitement to your day by trying out the latest addition to St. Petersburg’s transportation system: the water taxi! Find out all about it in our first-hand report.

Credit: Vitali Adutskevich (@adutskevich) via Unsplash

Credit: Vitali Adutskevich (@adutskevich) via Unsplash

And for the most adventurous, there’s always the option of getting the crew together and heading out to Karelia. Monasteries, lakes, and ancient landscapes make the neighboring region the perfect choice for a weekend getaway. While you’re there, you can even partake in the storied pastime of mushroom- and berry-picking, a fun and delicious way to explore nature (just be sure to follow the basic safety rules)!

Food & drink

Speaking of which – if all this talk of snacking has you hankering for some sustenance, be sure to bookmark our lists of the best summer foods (from dandelion jam to kefir soup – don’t be quick to judge!) and the best summer drinks (including the famous Russian specialties kvass and bumble coffee).

Sports

Summer is also, of course, the time to get active. Running, volleyball, yoga, and even surfing: the choice of summer sports in St. Petersburg means there’s something for everyone. And then there’s the one sport that’s both fun and practical – cycling! Refer to our cycling guide for tips on where to get your bike, where to ride it, and even dealing with repairs.

Don’t just listen to us – check out our article all about how our international students prefer to spend their summer!

Gazprom Arena. Credit: Aleksandr Neplokhov via Pexels

Gazprom Arena. Credit: Aleksandr Neplokhov via Pexels

Activities

There are plenty more things to do, of course – far too many to list here! In addition to the list of best date spots in the city, here are some other articles you should check out before making summer plans:

Title image credit: Vladimir Tro / flickr.com / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0