Gems of Nevsky District

During May holidays, I felt like exploring a new location whilst avoiding crowds. My choice fell on Lomonosovskaya metro station, and I’m happy it did! Within walking distance from it, you’ll find a bunch of attractions for every taste. The most peculiar one is probably Chernov’s dacha. Sadly, it’s closed for visits, but you can enjoy its beauty from afar. Another interesting spot: Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory for those who feel like discovering the history of one of the most famous local manufactures. 

There are many more architectural wonders and parks to see near Lomonosovskaya, so I’d definitely suggest it for your next city exploration.

Beyond the museum mainstream

While the entire city is lining up for yet-another bestseller exhibition at the Hermitage Museum or the State Russian Museum; there are some other oft-overlooked museums worth visiting in St. Petersburg. Luckily, the choice is aplenty – from miniature mockups to the hearts and homes of world-known artists, writers, and scientists. Here are a few: if you’re not ready to go heavily off-mainstream yet, head to the Hermitage’s Restoration and Storage Centre – the behind-the-scenes of the city’s main museum that exhibits the items currently restored. Theater enthusiasts would enjoy the Museum of Theatrical and Musical Art – the first museum in Russia to delve into the history of Russian ballet. Among photo lovers, ROSPHOTO, KGallery, and Art of Foto are in high esteem. And those who are in for a fun-packed yet insightful pastime should take a closer look at the Grand Maket Russia or the Petrovskaya Aquatoria Museum to explore Russia and St. Petersburg in detail. 

Read also: 

Unexplored St. Petersburg: Unusual Museums You Should Absolutely Visit

A Guide to Writers’ Apartment-Museums in St. Petersburg

The Legendary Scientists of St. Petersburg and Where To Find Them

An island far from the madding crowd

Come to Kamenny Island if you ever need some peace and quiet – plus some luscious greenery and fancy historic houses and dachas. For the greatest effect (going from city noise to peaceful silence), start your route from Lopukhinsky Garden or Chyornaya Rechka metro station, then follow the park lanes to the middle of the island, continuing towards Yelagin Island. On your walk, you can feast your eyes on such gems as the fairy tale-like Vollenweider’s Mansion, the Hauswald’s Dacha, seemingly fit for hobbits, and Bekhterev’s House, co-designed by influential 20th-century scientist Vladimir Bechterev. This is the best place to celebrate a side of St. Petersburg rarely seen by tourists, where, in all likelihood, you won’t find grand celebrations – but will be left to discover its secrets on your own.

For more places like this one, go to our Unexplored St. Petersburg series.

Lesser-known gardens

While many associate St. Petersburg with colors like gray or yellow, summer proves the city’s filled with no less green. And it’s not just the iconic Summer Garden or Tauride Garden, there’re smaller green sanctuaries to take a breather almost in every part of the city center. 

On Vasilyevsky Island, just behind the grand Academy of Arts lies a quiet garden with a stable, home horses, and ponies which you can feast your eyes on as you take a break. When you are walking along Liteyny Prospect, you can make a detour into Sheremetevsky Garden, a part of the Anna Akhmatova Museum. Here you’ll find some installations nestled in the garden walls and take a shortcut to Fontanka Embankment through courtyards. On the bustling Ligovsky Prospect, you won’t be left alone either: step into San Galli Garden, a tranquil spot with the eye-catching fountain The Birth of Aphrodite. Finally, near Tekhnologichesky Institut metro station, there’s Polish Garden, where for a small entrance fee, you’ll be transported back to the 18th century to beautiful paths, arched bridges, and almost no other visitors. There are many more green nooks in the city – just keep your eyes open.

ITMO.NEWS editorial team