Activity	Description
Sunset Beaches	Enjoy romantic sunsets on picturesque beaches
Museum Visits	Explore art and culture together
Fine Dining	Experience elegant dining options
Waterfront Strolls	Take scenic walks along the waterfront
Rooftop Bars	Enjoy drinks with stunning views
Botanical Gardens	Wander through beautiful gardens
Sailing Adventures	Experience sailing excursions on the water
Live Performances	Attend concerts, plays, and other performances
Art Walks	Explore local art scenes together
Spa Day	Relax and unwind with a couple’s spa day
Boutique Shopping	Shop at unique local boutiques
Scenic Parks and Gardens	Enjoy nature in picturesque parks

From cruising the rivers to attending a ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg provides dreamy backdrops for couples. Here are 12 of the most romantic things to do in St. Petersburg.

Stroll Along the Canals

Name and Location: The canals of St. Petersburg, Russia.

History and Significance: St. Petersburg’s scenic canals wind through the city and offer romantic ambience. Some major canals are the Griboyedov, Fontanka, and Moika.

What to Expect: Peaceful walks along tree-lined embankments, canal bridges. Beautiful architecture and city views. Perfect for couples.

Visitor Information: Canals accessible daily. Get maps for optimal routes. Walking or cruising available.

St. Petersburg’s many canals lend the city a Venice-like feel. Take romantic strolls along tree-lined embankments, gazing at bridges lit up at night. Some of the most picturesque canals thread through the historic center. The Griboedov Canal passes by the Church on Spilled Blood, an ornate Russian Orthodox church with colorful onion domes.

Lined with 18th century buildings, the Moika River enchants visitors. Artists sell paintings along the embankment here. For iconic canal views, cross the Anichkov bridge over the Fontanka River, adorned with sculptures of winged horses. Wandering the canals is an idyllic way to spend time with your special someone.

Dine with a View

Name and Location: Rooftop and riverside restaurants throughout St. Petersburg.

History and Significance: Unique dining experiences with panoramic views of St. Petersburg’s skyline, rivers, historic sites. Romantic ambience.

What to Expect: Upscale international cuisine with sweeping city views. Watch sunsets together. Table reservations essential.

Visitor Information: Various locations. Research and book ahead, upscale attire. Prices $$$.

With rivers and canals cutting through the city, St. Petersburg boasts many eateries with entrancing waterside views. Book a window table at Terrassa, an elegant Italian restaurant on the embankment overlooking the Neva River and Peter and Paul Fortress. Savor contemporary European flavors at the Idiot restaurant’s outdoor patio fronting the Griboyedov Canal.

Enjoy delicious Russian cuisine at Pryanosti & Radosti against vistas of the elegant Kazansky Cathedral across the Griboyedov Canal. Watch the drawbridges rise across the Moika River while dining on seafood at the Markov Restaurant’s terrace. Scenic restaurants set the stage for romantic dining with your beloved.

Cruise the Rivers

Name and Location: Neva and other rivers in St. Petersburg, Russia.

History and Significance: Boating St. Petersburg’s rivers and canals offers unique views of the city’s landmarks and history.

What to Expect: Relaxing cruises by boat seeing attractions like the Hermitage, Peter & Paul Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

Visitor Information: Book ahead with cruise companies. Day/night options available. Prices vary by tour and duration.

A romantic boat tour lets you soak up St. Petersburg’s beautiful sights from unique vantage points along the rivers and canals. Float past the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and other regal buildings on a Neva River day cruise.

Glide along the city’s picturesque waterways on an evening canal cruise accompanied by dinner or cocktails. For stirring music with your views, opt for a moonlight cruise with live classical quintet performances. Private boat charters make for special occasions, like proposals. However you voyage, on-the-water perspectives show St. Petersburg in a magical dreamy light.

Attend a Ballet or Opera

Name and Location: Theaters like the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.

History and Significance: St. Petersburg is home to prestigious ballet, opera, and classical music performances at historic venues.

What to Expect: Attend world-class productions like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, La Traviata in lavish historical settings.

Visitor Information: Reserve tickets in advance online or at box offices. Evening wear encouraged.

Stepping inside one of St. Petersburg’s ornate theaters for a world-class performance makes for an elegant date night. The historic Mariinsky Theatre is an opulent space to enjoy acclaimed productions by the Kirov ballet and opera companies. See audience favorites like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker interpreted by premier dancers.

At the Mikhailovsky Theatre, take in magnificent Russian ballets within the grand columned interior. For a more intimate experience, book tickets for an opera or small production at the Mikhaelovsky Theatre Second Stage. Enjoy this date night cultural immersion into the Russian performing arts.

Stroll Through the Gardens

Name and Location: Botanical gardens throughout St. Petersburg, Russia.

History and Significance: St. Petersburg boasts many beautiful landscape gardens perfect for romantic walks. Prominent ones include the Summer Garden and the Catherine Palace Gardens.

What to Expect: Wander meticulously landscaped grounds, with pavilions, fountains, ornate bridges. Colorful flowers in season.

Visitor Information: Open days/hours vary by garden. Entrance fees typically apply. Guided tours available.

Laughter and tender conversations fill the air when strolling through St. Petersburg’s bountiful gardens with a sweetheart. At the 5.7-acre Summer Garden, neat flowerbeds and white marble statues harken back to Russia’s imperial past. Lively Mikhailovsky Garden entices visitors to sit on benches next to its pond filled with ducks.

Expansive fields surrounding the ornate Peterhof Grand Cascade fountain complex allow idyllic garden wandering. Wander hand-in-hand along tree-lined pathways accompanied by birdsong and the fragrances of blooms. Amble without an agenda, letting the beauty of the gardens spark romance.

Take a Cooking Class

Name and Location: Local cooking schools/studios in St. Petersburg.

History and Significance: Hands-on couple’s cooking classes allow you to learn traditional Russian cuisine together.

What to Expect: Instruction in dishes like borscht, pelmeni, blini. Shop at markets together for ingredients.

Visitor Information: Check sites like CookEatRussia.com for options. Advance booking required.

Learn traditional Russian cooking techniques together during a couple’s cooking class, followed by savoring the dishes you prepared. Try your hand at making classics like beef stroganoff, Moscow honey cake, or stuffed cabbage rolls known as golubtsy. Discuss shared culinary passions while layering the fillings for savory pirozhki pastries.

Working in tandem to prepare an intricate meal makes for quality bonding time. Afterward, sit down in the cozy environs to dine leisurely on the fruits of your labor. It’s an intimate experience you’ll reminisce about for years to come.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride

Name and Location: Available in downtown St. Petersburg.

History and Significance: Leisurely carriage rides around the city offer a romantic way to see the sights.

What to Expect: Cozy ride for two pulled by horse and driver. See landmarks like the Church on Spilled Blood up close.

Visitor Information: Book ahead or look for carriages downtown. Approx 30min ride. Rates around 1500 rubles.

Snuggle beneath blankets in a horse-drawn carriage for a romantic clip-clop ride around St. Petersburg. Take in city sights under the moon and streetlamps late at night when the streets are quieter. Let an old-fashioned carriage bring you back to the imperial era while admiring iconic landmarks.

Opt for a private tour or share the experience with other couples for a group price. Stop for a sweet kiss as your driver steers the beautiful horses. It’s an idyllic way to create cozy memories exploring this magical city.

River Cruise to Peterhof

Name and Location: Cruises from St. Petersburg along the Gulf of Finland to Peterhof Palace.

History and Significance: Boating to Peterhof allows you to see the lavish palace, gardens, fountains in an hour trip.

What to Expect: Relaxing cruise across the bay, free time to explore the grand Peterhof complex. Audio guides available.

Visitor Information: Book boat tours in advance. Approximate duration 5 hours round-trip.

The “Russian Versailles” of Peterhof makes a fairytale day trip destination from St. Petersburg. Arriving the romantic way – by boat cruise along the Gulf of Finland – enhances the palace’s magical aura. Pass spectacular scenes en route like medieval Fortress Kronshtadt.

Tour the Grand Cascade’s golden fountains and Water Avenue lined with small palaces. Stroll the expansive gardens hand-in-hand. Before returning, dine at one of Peterhof’s waterside restaurants while recounting favorite moments. A full day immersed in Peterhof’s grand beauty makes for cherished couples’ memories.

Faberge Museum

Name and Location: Fabergé Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

History and Significance: World’s largest collection of works by Carl Fabergé, renowned for his imperial Easter eggs.

What to Expect: Over 4,000 Fabergé pieces and other Russian decorative artworks. Intricate craftsmanship.

Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-8:45pm, closed Tuesdays. Purchase timed entry tickets online in advance.

Gain insight into Russia’s rich cultural heritage together at the Faberge Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of ornate Faberge eggs. Marvel at the artistry of intricate items created for Russian aristocrats like Czar Alexander III and Czar Nicholas II.

Gleaming gold, diamonds and gemstones adorn the eggs, jewellery boxes, religious icons and other objects on display. Many pieces were gifts between royals and their spouses, making the museum especially poignant for couples. Take your time exploring the current exhibits in rooms flooded with natural light. It’s a romantic experience for art aficionados.

Beach Picnic on Krestovsky Island

Name and Location: Krestovsky Island in St. Petersburg, Russia.

History and Significance: Home to scenic Yelagin Palace and manicured gardens. A romantic spot for a beach picnic getaway.

What to Expect: Relaxing day on a Gulf of Finland beach. Pack a picnic basket to enjoy together. Picturesque views.

Visitor Information: Accessible by metro and bus. No entrance fee. Weather dependent – best in summer months.

Pack a picnic basket with Russian delicacies and head to Krestovsky Island for romantic relaxation on the Gulf of Finland’s sandy beaches. Spread out your blanket, pop open a bottle of kvass fermented drink, and let the sound of waves add tranquility.

Frolic hand-in-hand along the shore collecting seashells and admiring views of the anchored ships. Watch baby swans swim along the Yacht Club docks. Share sweet nothings and toast your happiness while watching the sunset dip into the sea. Feel the stress melt away at this peaceful beachside oasis.

Photography Session

Name and Location: Unique photoshoot locations throughout St. Petersburg.

History and Significance: Capture timeless romantic photos against St. Petersburg’s vivid backdrops.

What to Expect: Professional photoshoot tailored to you as a couple. Can incorporate iconic landmarks, gardens, bridges.

Visitor Information: Research photographers and book a couples session in advance. 2+ hours, rate varies.

Capture your love with a couples’ photoshoot in St. Petersburg’s most romantic locations. Pose beneath the grand arches of the General Staff Building with its Renaissance-style columns. Exchange adoring gazes on a bridge overlooking the Neva River with St. Isaac’s cathedral as your backdrop.

Steal a kiss in the whimsical gardens of Peterhof Palace. Professional photographers know the best sites and angles for romantic imagery. You’ll gain beautiful portraits remembering this special time in this special city. When back home, the photos will invite fond memories of your Russian romance.

White Nights Festivities

Name and Location: Events throughout St. Petersburg during White Nights season, June-July.

History and Significance: Magical period with nearly 24 hours of daylight. Marked by arts, music, and cultural celebrations.

What to Expect: Outdoor concerts, theater performances, guided walks, light shows, river cruises, late museum hours.

Visitor Information: Event calendars online. Pack layers for staying out late. Book hotels well in advance.

From late May to early July, St. Petersburg experiences nearly 20 hours of daylight with the midnight sun barely dipping below the horizon. Known as the White Nights, these weeks bring magic through long summer evenings filled with arts, culture and community.

Attend open-air concerts at Palace Square. Watch street performers at the Dostoevsky-inspired White Nights arts festival. Cheer on rowers competing until well after sunset during the Scarlet Sails. Stroll the embankments lit up under the perpetual twilight. Late sunsets and lively celebrations make it a lovely time to visit St. Petersburg as a couple.

Conclusion

With fairytale-esque ambience, romantic activities in St. Petersburg like strolling the canals and gardens cultivate feelings of affection. The city’s grand architecture set alongside rivers provides storybook backdrops day or night. Performing arts, boat rides, picnics and more allow you to connect in beautiful surroundings.

Photography sessions memorialize the trip’s joy. By showcasing Russian culture in an intimate light, the experience brings you closer. For couples seeking quality time in a city rich in beauty, history and romance, St. Petersburg promises special shared memories to last a lifetime.