# Free St Petersburg: an itinerary for the day

> You can spend a whole day in central St Petersburg without a single ticket. In the morning — the island park of New Holland and the Bronze Horseman on Senate Square, then Palace Square and Kazan Cathedral on Nevsky. After lunch — a walk along the Griboyedov Canal and the Summer Garden with its marble statues.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/free

## Plan

1. [New Holland Island](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/new-holland.md) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free
   ↓ 19 min on foot
2. [Bronze Horseman](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/bronze-horseman.md) — YesGo score 72/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free
   ↓ 14 min on foot
3. [Palace Square](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/palace-square.md) — YesGo score 71/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
   ↓ 13 min on foot
4. [Kazan Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/kazan-cathedral.md) — YesGo score 72/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 3 min on foot
5. [Griboyedov Canal](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/griboyedov-canal.md) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free
   ↓ 19 min by transport
6. [Summer Garden](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/summer-garden.md) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free

Total with walks: 5 h 58 min

## Free things to do in St Petersburg

Every stop is ticket-free: an island park, squares, a monument, a working cathedral, a canal embankment and a garden. The morning is on the Admiralty side, the afternoon in the centre by Nevsky and the Summer Garden. Everything is on foot.

## Free museums and days

The [Hermitage](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/hermitage) is free for everyone on several dates a year — including 7 January, 18 May, 5 October and 7 December — and for children under 14 every day.

## Free cathedrals

Besides Kazan Cathedral, the Trinity Cathedral of the [Alexander Nevsky Lavra](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/alexander-nevsky-lavra) at the end of Nevsky is free — only the cemeteries charge. The grounds of the [Peter and Paul Fortress](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/peter-and-paul-fortress) are free too.

## Free at night: the raised bridges

From April to November the [Palace Bridge](https://yesgo.io/russia/saint-petersburg/palace-bridge) is raised at night, roughly 1:10–2:50 and 3:10–4:55. Watching from the embankment is free; arrive by 0:45.

## Tips

- The Summer Garden is closed on Tuesdays and for all of April.
- Dress modestly for Kazan Cathedral: it is a working church.
- Palace Square closes for parades and concerts.
- The Hermitage is free every day for children under 14.
- New Holland is open 9:00–22:00, Friday to Sunday until 23:00.

## Questions

### What are the best free things to do in St Petersburg?

New Holland, the Bronze Horseman, Palace Square, Kazan Cathedral, the Griboyedov Canal and the Summer Garden.

### Is the Hermitage ever free?

Yes, on several dates a year and every day for under-14s.

### Is Kazan Cathedral free?

Yes, it is a working cathedral with no ticket.

### Is the Summer Garden free?

Yes; closed on Tuesdays and for all of April.

### Is New Holland free?

Yes, open from 9:00.

### Can I watch the bridges being raised for free?

Yes, from the embankment, April to November at night.

### Is the Peter and Paul Fortress free?

The grounds are; the cathedral and the exhibitions are paid.

### Can I walk the whole route?

Yes, it is all on foot in the centre.

### Is it good with kids?

Yes: parks, squares and the canal are fine for children.

### How do I pay in Russia?

Russia uses the rouble (₽). Bank cards issued abroad usually do not work in Russia — plan how you will pay before the trip; for the metro, buy a Troika card at the ticket office.

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