The best historic neighborhoods and islands in Saint Petersburg are where the city’s story is easiest to read, because Saint Petersburg grew from a cluster of islands in the Neva delta. The founding site, the quiet canal district of Kolomna, the large island that was once planned as the capital’s centre and the green islands to the north each have a different character.
This guide has nine areas, with what they are known for, where they are and one practical tip for walking them. Several are on separate islands, so check the bridge schedule before a night walk.
At a Glance
| # | Place | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vasilyevsky Island, Saint Petersburg | Best for classic views | Vasileostrovskaya metro for the interior; the Spit is at the eastern tip; check the bridge raisings before a night walk. |
| 2 | Kolomna, Saint Petersburg | Best for a quiet canal district | Between Nikolskaya Square and the canals; Sadovaya or Spasskaya metro, then a walk; allow several hours. |
| 3 | Petrograd Side, Saint Petersburg | Best for Northern Modern | Petrogradskaya or Gorkovskaya metro; Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt; allow half a day. |
| 4 | Hare Island and Peter and Paul Fortress | Best for the founding story | Gorkovskaya metro, then a walk; the grounds are free and the cathedral is paid; confirm hours. |
| 5 | Apothecary Island | Best for botany and architecture | Petrogradskaya metro, then a walk; see the parks guide for the Botanical Garden. |
| 6 | Kamenny Island | Best for old dachas | On the Petrograd Side islands; walk from Yelagin or Krestovsky; check the nearest metro on the official site. |
| 7 | Krestovsky Island | Best for a long park day | Krestovsky Ostrov metro; check the amusement park season and the park hours. |
| 8 | New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg | Best for a revived island | Admiralty Canal Embankment 2, in Kolomna; check hours and events on the official site. |
| 9 | Kronstadt | Best for a day trip | In the Gulf of Finland; see the boat tours guide for the hydrofoil; check the current schedule and any programme. |
How We Chose
The entries come from recent editorial and tour guides and from local history sources, not from personal visits. The list is a selection, not a ranking.
- Historic character: areas with a clear story, from the founding of the city to the age of the dachas and the northern modern style.
- Good for walking: districts and islands that reward a few hours on foot.
- Different feel: a busy island, a quiet canal district, a fortress, a garden island and a naval town.
- Linked to other guides: several entries connect to sights and parks covered elsewhere on the site.
1. Vasilyevsky Island, Saint Petersburg – Best for classic views
Vasilyevsky Island is the largest island in the Neva delta, and it was once meant to become the centre of the new capital. The plan was dropped because of the difficulty of crossing the river, but the island still has a strong grid of lines and the Spit, the city's most famous viewpoint.
The island also includes the smaller Dekabristov and Sernyi islands, and the narrow Repina Street is often named as the city's narrowest street with its original paving.
Good to know: Vasileostrovskaya metro for the interior; the Spit is at the eastern tip; check the bridge raisings before a night walk.
Tip: Walk the island from the Spit towards the quieter residential lines.
2. Kolomna, Saint Petersburg – Best for a quiet canal district
Kolomna lies between the Neva, the Fontanka, the Moika and the Kryukov Canal, and it is one of the older parts of the city. It was once a poor edge of the capital and is now a calm, picturesque district with few crowds.
Its main landmarks are the Nikolsky Naval Cathedral, the Mariinsky Theatre and New Holland, and it has strong links to Gogol, Pushkin and Dostoevsky.
Good to know: Between Nikolskaya Square and the canals; Sadovaya or Spasskaya metro, then a walk; allow several hours.
Tip: Follow the Kryukov Canal on foot, which is the best way to see the district.
3. Petrograd Side, Saint Petersburg – Best for Northern Modern
The Petrograd Side is a group of islands north of the Neva, where the city was founded in 1703. After the building moved to the opposite bank, the area became the home of Northern Modern architecture, with grand apartment buildings, courtyards and entrances with stained glass.
Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt is the main street, and the Benois House at number 26 to 28 is known for its very long passage of courtyards.
Good to know: Petrogradskaya or Gorkovskaya metro; Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt; allow half a day.
Tip: Walk into the courtyards of the Benois House to see the linked yards.
4. Hare Island and Peter and Paul Fortress – Best for the founding story
Hare Island is where Saint Petersburg began, in May 1703, and the Peter and Paul Fortress occupies it. It is the historic heart of the city and one of its main symbols.
The fortress and its cathedral are covered in more detail in the churches guide.
Good to know: Gorkovskaya metro, then a walk; the grounds are free and the cathedral is paid; confirm hours.
Tip: Combine it with a walk along the Petrovskaya Embankment.
5. Apothecary Island – Best for botany and architecture
Apothecary Island was once a garden where medicinal plants were grown, and that gave rise to the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great. The garden and the Matyushin House are the main points on a walk here.
It is a calmer part of the Petrograd Side, with a mix of science and architecture.
Good to know: Petrogradskaya metro, then a walk; see the parks guide for the Botanical Garden.
Tip: Plan the walk around a greenhouse session at the Botanical Garden.
6. Kamenny Island – Best for old dachas
Kamenny Island has old dachas and small mansions among trees, and it is ideal for slow walks in quiet surroundings. It is described as a place where few people go, which makes it peaceful.
From here a walk leads on to Yelagin Island.
Good to know: On the Petrograd Side islands; walk from Yelagin or Krestovsky; check the nearest metro on the official site.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest walk.
7. Krestovsky Island – Best for a long park day
Krestovsky Island has its own metro station and is home to the Park of the 300th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg and an amusement park called Divo-Ostrov, which runs in every season except winter. It is the best link between Yelagin Island and the Gulf of Finland.
It is a modern, open contrast to the historic centre.
Good to know: Krestovsky Ostrov metro; check the amusement park season and the park hours.
Tip: Combine it with Yelagin Island for a full day.
8. New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg – Best for a revived island
New Holland is made up of two islands divided by the Novo-Gollandsky Canal, formed when Semyon Kryukov's crew dug the Kryukov and Admiralty canals around 1719. It served for timber storage and naval uses and is now a popular public space.
It is a good place to see how an industrial area became a cultural one.
Good to know: Admiralty Canal Embankment 2, in Kolomna; check hours and events on the official site.
Tip: Combine it with a walk around the Kolomna canals.
9. Kronstadt – Best for a day trip
Kronstadt is a fortress and naval town on an island in the Gulf of Finland, with forts, the Sea Cathedral and Anchor Square. In recent winters Anchor Square held a festive town and the cathedral hosted a multimedia show.
It can be reached by hydrofoil in the season, which makes the journey part of the trip.
Good to know: In the Gulf of Finland; see the boat tours guide for the hydrofoil; check the current schedule and any programme.
Tip: Plan the return carefully, since the last boat is fixed.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Group by island. Vasilyevsky Island, the Petrograd Side islands and Kolomna are separate areas, so spend a half day on each rather than hopping between them.
- Check the bridges. In the navigation season the main bridges are raised at night, so plan a night walk with the bridge schedule in mind.
- Walk the canals in Kolomna and the courtyards on the Petrograd Side, which are where the character of these districts lives.
- Use the metro for the long gaps. The northern islands and Kronstadt are far from the centre, so combine walking with a metro or a boat.
- Go on a weekday. The quieter districts, such as Kolomna and Kamenny Island, are at their best when there are few people.
- Pair a district with a sight: Kolomna with the Mariinsky Theatre, the Petrograd Side with the fortress and Vasilyevsky Island with the Spit.
Explore Nearby Best Historic Neighborhoods and Islands, Saint Petersburg
Sights near Best Historic Neighborhoods and Islands, Saint Petersburg
Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 2–4 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 1.5–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: An evening: about 3 hours for a performanceMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Lakhta Center, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: About 2 hours including the excursionMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Best Historic Neighborhoods and Islands, Saint Petersburg
Yelagin Island Pier, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: All Guides · All Guides in Saint Petersburg · All Other · All Saint Petersburg
FAQ
Which area is best for a first walk?
Vasilyevsky Island, starting at the Spit, gives the classic views, and Kolomna is the best choice if you want a quiet, picturesque district.
Where was Saint Petersburg founded?
On Hare Island, in May 1703, where the Peter and Paul Fortress now stands on the Petrograd Side.
What is Kolomna?
A historic district between the Neva, the Fontanka, the Moika and the Kryukov Canal, with the Nikolsky Naval Cathedral, the Mariinsky Theatre and New Holland. It is quieter than the centre.
What is Northern Modern?
A style of architecture common on the Petrograd Side, seen in large apartment buildings, courtyards and entrances with stained glass, and it is the focus of many walks there.
Can I reach Kronstadt easily?
By hydrofoil in the navigation season, which takes part of a day. Check the schedule and the boat tours guide before you plan.
Which islands are good for a quiet walk?
Kamenny Island, with its old dachas, and Apothecary Island, with the Botanical Garden. Both are calmer than the centre.
Are the islands connected by bridges?
Yes, but the main bridges rise at night in the navigation season, so check the schedule before walking at night.
Can I pay with a foreign bank card?
This varies, and the sanctions rules of your own country may restrict the use of Russian payment services, so check this yourself before you travel. Plan an alternative way to pay for transport and tickets.
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Last updated: October 16, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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