Summer Garden
The oldest and one of the most beautiful of St. Petersburg’s parks is the Summer Garden which basks in the beauty of autumn and brings a regal backdrop to the marble sculptures. About a 15-minute walk from Gostiny Dvor and Nevsky Prospect metro stations, the park is open every day, except Tuesday, from 10 am till 8 pm. Admission is free.
Tavrichesky Garden
Close to Chernyshevskaya metro station, Tavrichesky Garden was originally laid out at the end of the 18th century as part of the Taurede Palace grounds and is still famous for its beautiful, old trees hanging over ponds and canals. Stop by the Green House clad in glass to warm up after enjoying an hour or two of strolls along the alleys. The park is open everyday from 7 am till 11 pm and is free.
Central Park of Culture and Recreation (CPKO) on Elagin Island
Get on a bike or take a stroll along the alleys of this bustling and yet picturesque park close to Krestovsky Ostrov and Staraya Derevnya metro stations. Along with pretty views it offers a host of activities, fairs, costume balls as well as concerts and festivals. It’s open from 6am till 11pm and is free on weekdays. On weekends the fee is 100 RUB for adults and 30 for students.
Pavlovsk Park
One of the largest landscaped parks in the world, Pavlovsk blends imperial grandeur with the scenic views of rolling hills. Even if you don’t visit the Pavlovsk Palace, which we highly recommend, the park itself will offer a delightful day out and is worth the trip. You can also enjoy hidden gems such as Empress Maria Fedorovna’s Private Garden and the Rose Pavilion. The park is open daily from 6 am till 9 pm, but between 10 am and 5 pm there’s a 100 RUB entrance fee.
Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin)
Once a tsars’ residence, Tsarskoe Selo makes for a fantastic day trip in the fall. The famous Catherine’s Park features the Old Garden and a landscaped English park and connects with Aleksandrovsky Park by a picturesque “Chinese” bridge. The landscape is dotted with architectural jewels such as Rostrelli’s “Hermitage” and “Grotto” pavilions. Catherine’s Park is open from 7 am till 9 pm and admission of 120 RUB is charged between 9 am and 6 pm. Other Aleksandrovsky Park is free.
