The English Embankment Pier, known as the English Pier or Angliyskaya Pristan, is a small landing at number 28 on the English Embankment, near the Blagoveshchensky Bridge in Admiralteysky District. Sightseeing boats leave from here for trips on the Neva, including routes to the Peter and Paul Fortress and some of the evening trips that show the bridges raised.
It is a calmer alternative to the busy piers in front of the Hermitage. The pier stands well west of Senate Square, so it is easy to confuse with the Senate Pier and the Bronze Horseman pier, which are close to the monument. The nearest metro stations, Admiralteyskaya and Vasileostrovskaya, are both about a fifteen to twenty minute walk away.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Английская пристань |
|---|---|
| Type | River pier / station |
| Address | Санкт-Петербург, Английская набережная, 28 |
| District | Admiralteysky District |
| Metro | Admiralteyskaya (Line 5, about 1.6 km, roughly a 15 to 20 minute walk along the embankment) Vasileostrovskaya (Line 3, about 1.6 km, roughly a 15 to 20 minute walk across the river bridge) |
| Opening hours | Excursion boats leave in the river navigation season, usually from mid-morning until shortly after midnight, with evening trips to see the bridges raised; the pier has no fixed visitor hours of its own (as of October 2026 – check the boat operator's timetable). |
| Admission | Free to walk onto the pier; you pay only for your boat trip, which is at a moderate level (₽₽). |
| Best time to visit | The piers work from spring to autumn, with the most boats from late spring to early autumn. For a quieter visit, choose a weekday morning. Midday and summer weekends are the busiest, and the evening trips are best on a clear night. Off season, boats run only on a reduced schedule or not at all. |
| Recommended duration | 10 minutes to find your boat, plus the trip |
| Last updated | October 16, 2026 |
How to Get to and from English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk from Admiralteyskaya metro | About 15 to 20 minutes | Free | Recommended on foot with light luggage. Leave Admiralteyskaya on Line 5, cross Senate Square and walk west along the English Embankment to number 28. Check a map for the best route. |
| Boat excursion on the Neva | About 1 hour | ₽₽ | Boats leave in season from the pier. Check the route, the operator and the departure time on your ticket. |
| Tram along Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment | Varies | ₽ | Routes that run along the embankment on the Vasilyevsky Island side connect with the pier area across the bridge; check a map for the line that suits you. |
| Official taxi or taxi app | About 10 to 20 minutes to most central hotels | ₽₽ | The most comfortable option with luggage. Use an official service or app, and give the address English Embankment 28. |
₽ budget · ₽₽ moderate · ₽₽₽ upscale · ₽₽₽₽ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Why Visit English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg?
The English Pier is a good choice if you want a boat trip without the crowds of the Palace Embankment. It sits on a quiet stretch of the embankment, with the Blagoveshchensky Bridge nearby, the green and white mass of New Holland across the road, and a long view over the water to Vasilyevsky Island.
It is also a good starting point for a walk. From here you can follow the embankment east past the Rumyantsev mansion to Senate Square, the Bronze Horseman and Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, or cross the river to Vasilyevsky Island, where another landing, the Rumyantsev Descent, is on the opposite bank.
Highlights of English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
A small semicircular landing
The pier is a small semicircular landing on the English Embankment, with a stone bench and two staircases down to the water. Boats moor beside it, and the arrangement is simple and open, with no large terminal building.
The address is English Embankment 28, opposite the Wedding Palace No. 1.
Tip: Look for the stone bench and the two staircases on the river side of the road.
Boats on the Neva
Small and medium boats leave from the pier for trips on the Neva, with views of the historic centre, routes to the Peter and Paul Fortress and back, and some evening programmes. A typical trip lasts about an hour.
Some boats are rented for weddings, because the Wedding Palace is across the road.
Tip: Check the route and the departure time on your ticket; the same pier serves trips of different length.
The view across the river
From the landing you can see the Academy of Arts and the long embankment of Vasilyevsky Island on the far bank. The view is wide, with the Neva at its broadest here.
The Blagoveshchensky Bridge is a short walk to the west.
Tip: Sit on the side of the boat that faces the island as you leave the pier.
The Rumyantsev mansion
Walking from the pier towards the Blagoveshchensky Bridge, you pass the Rumyantsev mansion, an old building on the embankment that houses a museum. It is a quiet stretch of the quay, well away from the main tourist route.
The mansion is a separate institution with its own hours.
Tip: Check the museum's hours separately if you want to visit.
New Holland Island nearby
New Holland Island, a former naval site that is now a public space with cafes, a park and events, is a short walk from the pier across the Moika and the Kryukov Canal. It has its own article on this site.
It is a pleasant place to wait before an evening boat.
Tip: Combine a trip with a walk through New Holland; it is open to the public.
Neighbouring piers that are easy to mix up
The Senate Pier at English Embankment 2 and the Bronze Horseman pier at the monument's descent are close to Senate Square, far to the east of this landing. Some listings give the English Pier a different house number, so check the address.
On the other bank, the Rumyantsev Descent is a separate pier on Universitetskaya Embankment.
Tip: Use the address English Embankment 28 for a taxi, and check the number on your ticket.
Atmosphere
The landing is a quiet half-circle of granite on a wide stretch of the Neva, with the traffic of the embankment behind it and the broad grey river in front. The Academy of Arts and the long line of Vasilyevsky Island rise on the far bank, and the Blagoveshchensky Bridge closes the view to the west.
In season a few boats come and go and small groups wait on the stone bench. It is calmer than the Palace Embankment, with fewer ticket sellers and less noise, and in the evening the light on the water is soft and warm. Outside the season the pier is empty and often wet or frozen.
History of English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
The English Embankment runs along the left bank of the Neva, from Senate Square to the New Admiralty Canal, and it takes its name from the English merchants who once unloaded their ships here. According to one account, a separate quarter along the embankment was assigned to British merchants in the eighteenth century, and the name has stayed ever since.
Today the embankment is one of the grand streets of the city, lined with palaces and mansions, and it is quieter than the Palace Embankment. The landing at number 28 is a small semicircular pier with a stone bench and two staircases, used by sightseeing boats and, because of the nearby Wedding Palace, by boats hired for weddings.
The pier is tied to the tourist season on the Neva, which runs from spring to autumn. Details of when the landing was built and who runs it were not confirmed for this article, so editors should check them before adding.
Tickets and Payment at English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
You buy a ticket for the boat, not for the pier. Tickets are sold by the boat operators, by ticket sellers on the quay and online, and prices are at a moderate level (₽₽). Check the operator, the route, the duration and the departure pier before you pay.
- On the quay: ticket sellers are fewer here than on the Palace Embankment, so check the schedule before you go and book ahead for evening trips.
- Online: many operators sell tickets on their own sites; choose a pier and a time, and keep the voucher.
- Payment: whether a foreign bank card works varies, and the sanctions rules of your own country may restrict the use of Russian payment services, so check this yourself before you travel.
- Taxis: use an official service or app; parking near the pier is limited, so the metro or a taxi is the practical choice.
Prices differ by operator and by passenger category. Check the operator’s own page for all categories.
Flights, Transfers and Planning
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How to Get to English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
By metro: take Line 5 to Admiralteyskaya and walk across Senate Square and along the English Embankment to number 28, about 15 to 20 minutes. Vasileostrovskaya on Line 3 is about the same distance across the river.
On foot: the pier is on the English Embankment, near the Blagoveshchensky Bridge, opposite the Wedding Palace No. 1.
By road: buses and trams run along the embankment on the Vasilyevsky Island side and nearby streets. Parking near the pier is limited, so a taxi or the metro is the practical choice.
Accessibility
Specific details on ramps and boarding for passengers with reduced mobility were not confirmed for this article. The landing has two staircases down to the water, and boats are boarded across a gangway, so ask the operator about assistance when you book. The walk from the metro is long and on level pavement, but the stations are deep.
Food Nearby
New Holland Island, a short walk away, has cafes, restaurants and a park, but the names and tenants change, so look at the signs on the day. The streets around Saint Isaac's Square have more options. The pier itself has no cafe.
What to Bring
A warm layer and a rain layer even in summer, because the Neva is windy, sunglasses for the day trips, a camera and your voucher. Carry a small bag; large luggage is not suited to the small boats.
Photography Rules
Photography is allowed on the quay and on the boats. Drones are not permitted over the centre, and tripods on a crowded pier are discouraged. Do not photograph security staff or restricted installations along the river.
Family Suitability
Good for families. Boat trips are short and easy for children, and the quay is flat. The steps to the landing and the gangway need care with strollers, and children should stay close on the quay and in the boat. Life jackets are not always provided, so ask the operator.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Use the address English Embankment 28 for a taxi; the Senate Pier at number 2 is far to the east, by the Bronze Horseman.
- Combine the pier with a walk to New Holland Island; it is a short, flat walk across the canals.
- Take a warm layer; the evening trips on the Neva are cold even in summer.
- Look at the Rumyantsev mansion on the way to the bridge; it is a quiet stretch of the embankment.
- Book evening trips ahead; there are fewer ticket sellers here than at the Hermitage piers.
- Choose this pier on a busy summer weekend to avoid the crowds on the Palace Embankment.
Explore Nearby English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
Metro stations near English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
Admiralteyskaya Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sights near English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
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.
Bronze Horseman, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 20–40 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 1.5–2 hours for the cathedral interior; allow another 45–60 minutes for the colonnade.Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
Senate Pier, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Rumyantsev Descent Pier, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: English Embankment Pier, Saint Petersburg
Where is the English Embankment Pier?
At English Embankment 28, near the Blagoveshchensky Bridge, opposite the Wedding Palace No. 1, in Admiralteysky District.
Is it the same as the Senate Pier?
No. The Senate Pier is at number 2, beside Senate Square and the Bronze Horseman, much further east. See the Senate Pier article for details.
Which metro station is nearest?
Admiralteyskaya on Line 5 and Vasileostrovskaya on Line 3 are both about 1.6 km away, a 15 to 20 minute walk.
How long is a typical boat trip?
About an hour for a Neva trip. Some trips go to the Peter and Paul Fortress and back.
Can I see the bridges raised from here?
Yes, some evening trips leave from the pier in season. Check the operator's timetable; see the booking section for tickets.
Does the pier work in winter?
No regular excursion boats run when the river freezes. The navigation season runs from spring to autumn.
Is it free to enter?
Walking onto the pier is free; you pay only for your boat ticket.
Is it worth a special visit?
Yes, if you want a quieter boat trip than at the Hermitage. Otherwise it is only a place to board.
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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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