Sometimes you really want to escape from Moscow for the weekend, change your surroundings, take a break from the hustle and bustle, and learn something new. But there is not always time and money for this. But in order to escape from the city, it is not at all necessary to spend mountains of gold; you can simply buy a train ticket through the OneTwoTrip application and leave in an unknown direction. Or famous. And which one we will tell you now.
Interesting excursions from local residents in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg (travel time 8.5 hours, ticket price from 450 rubles) on the pages of guidebooks always seems reserved, sublime and intelligent. But in reality it is a surprisingly fun, modern and downright exciting city. And in the last couple of years, St. Petersburg has often been recommended as a city with surprisingly atmospheric restaurants and underground clubs. Establishments are growing exponentially, replacing each other and improving. For those who have not been to St. Petersburg for more than two years, this year’s trip will be a real discovery – a classic dish with new bright notes.
Where to go in St. Petersburg
Except for the Savior on Spilled Blood, Kazan Cathedral, the Hermitage and the monument to Peter the Great.
For example, the Grand Maket Russia Museum (Tsvetochnaya St., 16, website), where you can spend more than one hour carefully examining the tiny figures and houses. The model of the country contains the most famous sights of Russia, made with pinpoint precision. And artificially created day and night plunge the miniature country into darkness, illuminated by hundreds of bright lights, and then illuminate it with daylight. A weekend ticket for adults costs 450 rubles, for children – 250 rubles.
In the cultural capital of Russia there is a place that is immodestly called “Silicon Valley for creators.” We are talking about the creative space “Tkachi”, located in the building of a paper spinning factory (Obvodny Kanal, 60, website). This is where creativity and shopping, education and entertainment intersect. The red brick building houses shops, a showroom, and next to them are workshops for artists and Open Space, which hosts exhibitions, children’s and adult parties, concerts, performances, master classes and seminars.
In the museum of Soviet slot machines (Konyushennaya sq., 2B, website) both children and adults will have equally fun. Because museum exhibits can not only be viewed, but also touched.
On the opposite side of the Neva from the Hermitage is the Peter and Paul Fortress. A visit to this place is a must, if only because there are many monuments and museums here, without which St. Petersburg cannot be imagined. The Mint, home to the boat of Peter I and the main political prison of Tsarist Russia, in the casemates of which the Decembrists were kept.
The best way to relax after a walk around St. Petersburg is in the company of furry pets. There is a museum “Republic of Cats” in the city (Yakubovicha St., 10), in the building of which there is a cat cafe. Visitors can play with cats of all breeds, if they allow it, of course. Who’s here: Sphynxes, Siberian, Persian, Bengal, Scottish and other exotic cats.
Where to eat in St. Petersburg
The good thing about a metropolis is that on one street you can try dishes from a dozen cuisines from around the world, and the food will be prepared to the highest standard. In the struggle for every visitor, restaurateurs focus not only on the cuisine, but also on the interior, trying to pleasantly surprise the guest.
In an establishment with an unusual name “Pedro & Gomez at Larisa’s (Rubinshteina St., 29) has about twenty dishes – mostly street food from different countries of the world, from Mexico to Asia. Classic dishes are improved, all with a twist. For example, the hot dog here is made from fish fillet, cooked like fish and chips, with crispy onions and cabbage. Instead of burgers, they serve Japanese-style sandwiches consisting of a fluffy pork bun. The interior is designed in a loft style, it is simple and unobtrusive. Two halls of the establishment with dim light are united by an open kitchen and a bar counter.
For a vibrant menu and more daring gastronomic experiments, you should visit the new restaurant Hamlet & Jacks (Volynsky lane, 2). The menu has three sections: Our, World and dishes for vegetarians. The first one features dishes made from Russian products: dumplings with oxtails and Murmansk cod. The second section contains food without any national connection, but with an original presentation. The wine list here also deserves close attention.
Another new place in St. Petersburg – “And Rice”. A restaurant of Pan-Asian cuisine, the menu of which contains dishes of Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine, which are prepared from products brought from Asia and the Far East. Thai soups cost from 340 rubles, salmon steak sous vide from 520 rubles. There are also sections with sushi and rolls.
Bar “Vyderzhka” (Ligovsky Prospekt, 74) is recommended for beer lovers. A place with a good selection of domestic cider, mead and craft beer. Mostly St. Petersburg producers are represented, but there are varieties from Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk. The snacks at Vyderzhka are quite simple: peanuts, pistachios and nachos.
Nightlife of St. Petersburg
In St. Petersburg, clubs are sometimes located where you wouldn’t expect them, for example, in the laundry room (“Washing 40”) and even the boiler room (“Kotelnaya. Kamchatka”). The interiors of nightlife venues range from underground to bohemian chic. Everyone will find a place to their liking.
In the center of St. Petersburg, between St. Isaac’s Cathedral and Palace Square, the “Sea” club is hidden, accommodating from 300 to 800 people. This is a cozy art venue that regularly hosts concerts, exhibitions, parties and other events.
The classic nightclub Skazka owns an entire building (75 Chernyakhovskogo St.). In the spacious hall with abnormally high ceilings, which owes its design to the best designers of the city, both large companies and couples will feel comfortable. The local dance floor can accommodate almost five hundred guests at a time. Famous DJs and local bands help create the atmosphere.
The Griboyedov Club (2A Voronezhskaya St.) is a must-visit – this legendary place opened in 1996 and has successfully stood the test of time. “Griboyedov” has an excellent bar, delicious cuisine, live music and a real underground atmosphere. Mondays are reserved for jazz lovers, famous retro evenings take place on Wednesdays, DJs spin vinyl on Thursdays, and the weekend is given over to solo concerts of famous bands.
