Observation point

What could be a better place for a panoramic view of the city if not the tallest building in Europe – Lakhta Center? Until very recently, its observation deck was closed to the public, but tickets are now available for guided group tours (better purchased in advance). So far, visitors' rave reviews have praised both the 83rd-floor vistas and the tour itself, which offers plenty of tidbits and insights for architecture geeks.

Bridge

As a city on water, St. Petersburg is, of course, famous for its bridges – especially drawbridges. But did you know that there hasn’t been a new drawbridge erected since 1982? This is currently being remedied with the much media-discussed construction of Bolshoy Smolensky Bridge in the southeast of the city, which is scheduled to be completed and operational by 2028.

However, as far as we could tell, the newest completed major bridge in the city is the Betancourt Bridge connecting Petrovsky Island and Dekabristov Island and passing over Severny Island. Named after an 18th-century architect, the bridge offers quite a view over the city. Curiously, St. Pete's has already once had a bridge named after Betancourt (because he designed it) – it used to be in place of the Kamenoostrovsky Bridge, which now connects the Aptekarsky and Kamenny islands.

Canal

Another feature of a city on water is its canals – artificial waterways constructed for various purposes. In the case of the Duderhof Canal, by all accounts the latest such addition to the city, this purpose was to change the course of several smaller rivers in the southwest of the city as this area was beautified in the 1970s. The canal is crossed by seven bridges, and its embankment offers a splendid view on the Gulf of Finland.

Metro station

It’s not often that we get to celebrate the opening of a brand-new metro station in St. Petersburg, but in late 2024, we were lucky – as the station Gorny Institut opened on Vasilyevsky Island. Named after the nearby St. Petersburg Mining University, it became the island’s fourth station – and third metro line crossing the island. For instance, you can now travel from ITMO’s Lomonosova campus to the middle of Vasilyevsky Island in just one stop from the Dostoevskaya station. Even if you're no metro obsessive, the station is worth visiting when you're following our guide to the surrounding area.

Theater

For many, their first association with the city is its theaters – and with good reason, of course, as the cultural capital can boast not only century-old stages, but also new ones, blossoming every year. The latest such small private venue turned “officially big” by becoming a state theater is DRAM.PLOSHCHADKA, which launched its first season in 2024. Located at the Lendok film studio, a stone’s throw away from the famed Mariinsky, DRAM.PLOSHCHADKA offers plays and performances for kids and adults in various genres, from classic drama to more experimental contemporary approaches.

City symbol

In 2012, a bronze angel appeared on one of the benches of Izmailovsky Garden. He’s sitting under an umbrella, cozily reading a book, and smiling, either about something he’s reading or just because that’s the person he is. This creation of sculptor Roman Shustrov quickly found its place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike: in the winter, he is wrapped in scarves; in the fall and summer, embellished with flowers or fallen leaves. Though this sculpture may have yet to gain its place among the more storied symbols of the city, for many it captures the true spirit of St. Petersburg.