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Vasilievsky Island Walking Itinerary, Saint Petersburg: Spit to Erarta

By Russia Vibes ·

Vasilievsky Island Walking Itinerary, Saint Petersburg: Spit to Erarta
Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.

This Vasilievsky Island Walking Itinerary, Saint Petersburg, covers the island from its eastern tip to its quieter western streets. It suits a half day on foot, with museums at the start and a contemporary art stop at the end.

The pace is relaxed, about four hours with stops, and the route is flat. By the end you will have seen the Spit, the old Stock Exchange, Peter the Great’s museum and the long university embankment, and you will know how the island’s numbered lines are laid out.

At a glance: Start on the Spit, visit the naval museum and Kunstkamera, walk the university embankment past the Twelve Collegia, then cross the island to Erarta and the metro.

Walk: The Spit to Erarta

A walk of about four kilometres across a long, flat island. The first half is along the river embankment, and the second half crosses the grid of numbered lines. Use a tram or bus for the longest stretch if you tire.

  1. Spit of Vasilyevsky Island, Saint Petersburg – The Rostral Columns and the view of the Winter Palace across the water (45 minutes)
  2. Central Naval Museum, Saint Petersburg – The naval collection in the old Stock Exchange building; check closing days (1.5 hours)
  3. Kunstkamera, Saint Petersburg – Peter the Great's museum on the embankment (1 hour)
  4. University Embankment and the Twelve Collegia – A long stretch of 18th-century buildings, with the Academy of Arts sphinxes nearby (45 minutes)
  5. Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art, Saint Petersburg – Russian contemporary art in the western part of the island (1.5 hours)
  6. Vasileostrovskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg – The station for the return to the centre (15 minutes)

Tip: Walk the numbered lines rather than the busy main street for a quieter route, and use a bus for the long stretch to the museum.

Russia Vibes Tips

  • Come to the Spit in late afternoon; the light on the columns is at its best.
  • Check the Naval Museum's closing day before you go.
  • The island's lines are numbered; learn to read the numbers to find your way.
  • Bring water; the long embankment has few cafes.
  • On a windy day, shorten the embankment stretch and use a bus.

Explore Nearby Vasilievsky Island Walking Itinerary, Saint Petersburg

Sights near Vasilievsky Island Walking Itinerary, Saint Petersburg

Metro stations near Vasilievsky Island Walking Itinerary, Saint Petersburg

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Browse more: All Itineraries · All Itineraries in Saint Petersburg · All Saint Petersburg · All Themed Routes

FAQ

Where is the Spit?

At the eastern tip of the island, with the Rostral Columns facing the Neva.

Is it far to walk the whole island?

About four kilometres, flat. Buses and trams can cut the longest stretch.

Are the Rostral Columns lit?

On special days; check locally.

Is Erarta worth the walk?

Yes, if you like contemporary art. See Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art, Saint Petersburg.

Which metro station is best?

Vasileostrovskaya, near the middle of the island.

Can I do this with children?

Yes, with fewer museum stops. See Best Things to Do with Kids, Saint Petersburg.

Is the Kunstkamera suitable for children?

It has unusual exhibits that some young children find strong; check before you go.

What if I want a longer day?

See the Three-Day Itinerary, Saint Petersburg.

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Last updated: October 17, 2026.

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