Do’s:

• When you visit the Hermitage, plan your itinerary before your visit. 
• Check the events calendar before your visit during major holiday seasons.
• You can spend 72 hours visa-free in St Petersberg.
• Knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet will help you decode street and metro signs, maps, timetables and menus.
• The public transport system doesn’t have night time services, so if you plan to stay out after midnight, take a taxi.

Don’ts:

• Put your money and other valuable things in the back pocket of your pants or bags as pickpockets are notorious here.
• Resting your elbow or hands on the table while dining is considered rude.
• Visit the Hermitage on the free admission day. It can be a long wait because of the queues.
• During White Nights, the sun sets at 11 p.m. and rises at 2:30 a.m. If you want a good night’s sleep, don’t leave your curtains and windows open.
• Remember to bring an umbrella, a jacket and a pair of sunglasses. Even in the middle of summer, St Petersburg is known for its unpredictable weather.
• Using the metro or buses during rush hour could be unpleasant.

The nightlife in St. Petersburg is splendid. There are many places to eat, drink and dance all night long. The city has dimly lit jazz halls, groovy strip-clubs and a vibrant underground music scene to offer during the night time. If you are looking for something classier, there are theatres, opera houses and contemporary dance performances to keep you entertained. The people here are friendly and it is easy to socialise. There are trendy and elegant fashion clubs and not so expensive student bars and an array of restaurants to keep your night fun-filled. St. Petersburg also has a fleet of party boats and floating restaurants offering a huge range of evening entertainment across the waters of the Neva Delta. The legal age of sexual consent in Russia is 16 years old. Prostitution is not legal in Russia, but it's also not strictly illegal.  

• Make sure to enjoy a guided boat trip along the city's rivers and channels or rent a private yacht.
• Watch the spectacular drawbridges at night.
• Follow the ambassadorial, industrial or jazz routes to discover the American side of the city.
• Explore the city’s signature courtyards and the maze of inner buildings.
• Get a bird’s eye view of the city from one of the high-rise buildings.
• Drink coffee at the tiny local coffee shops.

• Chart your own course or take a guided kayak tour through the city's rivers and channels.
• Enjoy a boat ride during the day to admire the architectural marvels of the city.
• St. Petersburg still has many banyas (public bath-houses), you can take a steam bath for 20 rubles.
• Take an early-morning stroll around the city centre to appreciate its true beauty.
• St. Petersburg is a perfect city for bike rides. Rent a bike and explore the quiet streets, pedestrian zones, empty sidewalks and connecting courtyards.
• Take a helicopter tour or an unforgettable balloon ride and see the city from birds-eye view.
• Combine sightseeing with horseback riding and enjoy the city in a horse-drawn carriage in summer and on a horse-drawn Russian sleigh in winter!

-Replica Fabergé Eggs

-Khokhloma (beautifully decorated wooden articles)

-Russian Fur Hat

-Lacquered Boxes

-Decorated Birch Bark

-Raketa Watch

-Belomorkanal Cigarettes, Baltika Beer

-Gzhel (Enamelled pottery and ceramics), Soviet Memorabilia

-Malachite (Pieces of jewellery and other nice widgets)