A Strelna day trip takes you to the second great residence of Peter the Great on the Gulf of Finland, about 20 km west of the centre, between the city and Peterhof. The main building is the Konstantinovsky Palace, a Baroque palace that was restored in the early 2000s and today serves as the State Complex Palace of Congresses.
It is also a museum and the palace can be visited, but only on a guided tour, and it closes on days of state events. This page explains how to get there, what is open and how to plan the visit.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Константиновский дворец (Дворец конгрессов), Стрельна |
|---|---|
| Distance from the nearest major city | About 20 km west of central Saint Petersburg, on the Gulf of Finland |
| Travel time from the nearest major city | Roughly 30 to 60 minutes from the centre |
| Built / opened | 1715 |
| Architect(s) | Nicola Michetti (the great stone palace, from 1720), with later architects |
| Address | Beryozovaya Alley 3, Strelna, Saint Petersburg (Березовая аллея, 3, Стрельна, Санкт-Петербург) |
| Opening hours | Konstantinovsky Palace: open from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Wednesdays, and closed to the public on days of state events; entry by guided tour only. The park is open for walking, with hours that may differ from the palace. (as of October 2026 – check the official site) |
| Admission | The palace is visited on a guided tour with its own ticket, ₽₽. Park access and other sites have separate rules. Concession and Russian-citizen rates differ. |
| Best time to visit | The park is best from late spring to early autumn. The palace tours run all year except Wednesdays and state-event days. Winter is quiet and cold. |
| Recommended duration | 3 to 4 hours |
| Website | konstantinpalace.ru |
| Last updated | October 17, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Konstantinovsky Palace tour | Separate ticket or institution | Guided tours only; closed Wednesdays and on state-event days. |
| Lower and Upper Parks | Outside / not part of it | Walking access has its own rules; check the official site. |
| Palace of Peter I | Separate ticket or institution | Belongs to the Peterhof museum-reserve and has its own ticket. |
| Exhibitions and the art collection | Separate ticket or institution | May need their own tickets. |
| Presidential residence areas and the hotel | Not open to visitors | Part of the complex is a working state residence. |
| Peterhof | Outside / not part of it | A separate museum-reserve nearby; see Peterhof Day Trip, Saint Petersburg. |
How to Get from the nearest major city to Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban train from Baltiysky Station to Strelna | About 20 to 30 minutes plus a short transfer | ₽ | The fastest public option; trains run frequently. From the station take a short bus ride or walk. See Baltiysky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg. |
| Bus or minibus from Avtovo metro station | About 30 to 50 minutes | ₽ | Buses 200 and 210, tram 36 and minibuses such as 300 and 424 serve the area; check routes and get off at the Konstantinovsky Palace stop. See Avtovo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg. |
| Taxi or ride-hailing car | About 40 to 50 minutes | ₽₽ | Convenient, especially combined with Peterhof. See How to Book a Taxi or Ride-Hailing Car, Saint Petersburg. |
| Guided bus tour | About 5 hours | ₽₽₽ | Tours include the palace tour; confirm what is covered. |
₽ budget · ₽₽ moderate · ₽₽₽ upscale · ₽₽₽₽ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Why Visit Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg?
- The palace: a Baroque palace begun in 1720 and restored in the 2000s, with ceremonial halls and a collection of art.
- The park: a regular park laid out by Peter from 1715, with canals and views to the gulf.
- Peter’s own palace: a small separate palace in the park belongs to the Peterhof museum-reserve.
- Quiet: it is much less visited than Peterhof, only a few stops away.
Highlights of Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
The Konstantinovsky Palace
The great stone palace was started in 1720 by Nicola Michetti and was not finished until the end of the 18th century. Later, grand dukes of the Romanov house lived here, and it took the name of one of them, Konstantin. It was restored for the 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg and opened in 2003.
The visit is by guided tour only, of about an hour and a half, with the main halls.
Tip: Buy tickets online in advance; tours are small and sell out.
The Lower Park
Peter began the estate in 1715 with the regular Lower Park, laid out with canals leading toward the gulf. The park was restored in the 2000s from old drawings, and it is the part most visitors enjoy most.
Check the current rules for entering the park.
Tip: Walk the canal toward the sea for the best view of the palace.
The Palace of Peter I
Peter's small travel palace in Strelna is a separate museum, and it belongs to the Peterhof museum-reserve rather than to the Palace of Congresses. It is a modest building compared with the Konstantinovsky Palace.
It has its own ticket and hours, so check them before you go.
Tip: Visit the two on the same day only if you have time; they are separate sites.
Exhibitions and the art collection
The palace has hosted exhibitions of contemporary art and a collection of Russian art. Some are shown only for limited periods.
Ask the ticket office what is on show.
Tip: Check the exhibition list on the official site before you buy a ticket.
Atmosphere
Strelna is quiet and open. The palace is large and light, a pale Baroque building in a wide park, and the paths are clean and well kept. Security is visible, since the palace is a state residence and conference site.
The park is calmer than at Peterhof, with canals, lawns and views to the water. Visitors arrive by bus or train, many on tours, and the groups are small.
History of Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
Strelna was developed by Peter the Great. From 1715 the Lower Park was laid out, and in 1720 the architect Nicola Michetti started a big stone palace. The ensemble was not finished until the end of the 18th century.
In the 19th century the almost neglected imperial residence became the country estate of the grand dukes of the House of Romanov, and the palace took the name Konstantinovsky after one of them. After the revolution a school was placed here, and in the 1950s the palace, badly damaged during the occupation of Strelna, was rebuilt as the Leningrad Arctic College.
In 2000 the palace and more than 140 hectares of land passed to the Presidential Administration, and the facades, interiors and park were restored from old drawings. The State Complex Palace of Congresses opened in May 2003 for the 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg. International meetings, including a G8 summit, have been held here, and the palace also functions as a museum.
Tickets and Booking for Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Palace tour (about 1.5 hours) | ₽₽ | A guided tour of the main halls; foreign-language tours need advance booking. |
| Collection or exhibition tour | ₽₽ | A tour of the art collection or a temporary exhibition. |
| Park tour | ₽₽ | A guided walk in the park, by reservation. |
₽ budget · ₽₽ moderate · ₽₽₽ upscale · ₽₽₽₽ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Buy individual tickets online on the official site or at the ticket office. Group and foreign-language tours need advance booking. Bring your passport, since the palace is a state residence and ID is checked at the entrance; children need a birth certificate.
- Closed days: the palace is closed to visitors on days of state events, so confirm before you travel.
- Rates: prices for Russian citizens and concession categories differ from those for foreign visitors.
- Payment: the sanctions rules of your own country may restrict some Russian payment services, so check this yourself.
All ticket categories are listed on the official site, konstantinpalace.ru.
Plan and Book
Suggested itineraries Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
3 hours on site
Take a palace tour in the morning, then walk the Lower Park along the canal to the gulf. Return by train from the station.
Half day with Peterhof
See the palace tour first, then continue by bus or taxi to the Lower Park at Peterhof in the afternoon.
Short stop
A palace tour of an hour and a half and a short walk in the park before the bus back.
How to Get to Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
Strelna is about 20 km west of the centre of Saint Petersburg, in the Petrodvortsovy District, between the city and Peterhof.
- Train: from Baltiysky Station to Strelna.
- Bus and tram: from Avtovo metro station, to the Konstantinovsky Palace stop.
- Taxi: by road along the coast.
Food Nearby
There are cafes near the palace and in the village; take a snack for the park.
What to Bring
Your passport, comfortable shoes and a warm layer for the park. Bags may be checked at the entrance.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
The palace from the park
A pale Baroque facade with a wide lawn in the foreground.
Best time: Morning.
The canal toward the gulf
A straight canal leading to the water.
Best time: Late afternoon.
The park paths
Clipped alleys and few people.
Best time: Autumn.
Family Suitability
Suitable for families with older children; the palace tour is about an hour and a half and small groups. The park is good for younger children. Strollers work in the park.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Check that the palace is not closed for a state event before you travel.
- Bring your passport; entry is checked as at a government building.
- Do not confuse the palace of Peter I with the Konstantinovsky Palace; they have separate tickets and operators.
- Combine Strelna with Peterhof on the same day only if you start early.
- The palace has relatively few rooms; the park is the longer part of the visit.
Explore Nearby Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
Metro stations near Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
Avtovo Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
Baltiysky Railway Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: Strelna Day Trip, Saint Petersburg
Is the Konstantinovsky Palace the same as the Palace of Congresses?
Yes. The restored palace has served as the State Complex Palace of Congresses since 2003.
Can I visit without a tour?
No; the palace is visited on a guided tour only.
When is it closed?
On Wednesdays and on days of state events. See the opening hours.
Do I need my passport?
Yes; bring it for entry.
Is Strelna part of Peterhof?
No; it is a separate ensemble nearby. See the scope table.
How long do I need?
Three to four hours, including the tour and a walk in the park.
Can I walk in the park?
Yes, with its own rules; check the official site.
Is it far from Peterhof?
No; Peterhof is a short ride further west. See Peterhof Day Trip, Saint Petersburg.
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Last updated: October 17, 2026.
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About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
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