About Tsarskoye Selo (Catherine Palace)

Another building that boasts of the Russian baroque style, Catherine Palace, formerly known as the Great Palace of Tsarkoye Selo-- is buzzing with Russia’s history dating from 300 years ago. It is now an office containing beautifully decorated rooms,  The palace is filled with 18th-century paintings and ornate rooms. The large ballroom, known as the Grand Hall and the world-famous Amber Room, covered from floor to ceiling with Baltic amber is not to be missed including rooms like the  Golden Enfilade, embodiments of Empress Elizabeth and Catherine The Great’s reigns.

The palace is nearly 1 km in circumference with elaborately decorated blue and white facades. The interiors of the Catherine Palace are even more spectacular. You can also enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the 1400-acre park surrounding the palace. With fountains, bridges, the Agate Pavilion's bathhouse and the Great Pond, it is one scenic beauty to behold.

Must See

  • The Great Hall, also known as the Hall of Light
  • The large arched windows
  • The entire ceiling is covered by a monumental fresco
  • The White Dining Room
  • The Portrait Hall, which exhibits portraits of both Catherine and Elizabeth
  • The Amber Room
  • Replica of ball gown of Empress Elizabeth
  • The Chinese Blue Drawing Room
  • The beautiful Russian gardening art and landscape designs

How to reach

The Catherine Palace and Park is 25 km from St. Petersburg city center and is well connected. You can get there by cab, metro, bus or minibus

From Vitebsky train station get down to Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) suburban train station, from there take either the bus line 371, 382 or the minibus (marshrutka) K-371, K-377 and K-38 to reach the palace
From Moskovskaya Metro Station one can catch the minibus (marshrutka) K-286, K-342 or K-545 that will take you to the palace

Taxi is the quickest option which will charge about 1200 Rouble 

 

Tips

  • Photography and videography are allowed
  • Last entry at 4.45 p.m.
  • Closed on Tuesdays and the last Monday of each month 
  • The Catherine Palace is wheelchair accessible
  • It is forbidden to take photos in the Chamber of Amber
  • The online ticket does not include the ticket to Catalina Park, which must be purchased at the ticket office in the Palace lobby
  • The visit to the Catalina park is free from the end of October to the end of April
  • After purchasing the tickets, you can request a refund of the amount prior to the day of the visit
  • There is a cafe in the lobby of Catherine’s Palace as well as a few restaurants
  • Eating and drinking is not allowed inside the museum and exhibition halls
  • Free Wi-Fi is available in and around the palace
  • There are toilets and cloakrooms for visitors
  • Wear comfortable shoes as you will need to walk during the tour

 

Visit Time

November to April:

Sunday:            10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Monday:            10.00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Tuesday:            Closed

Wednesday:      10.00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Thursday:          10.00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Friday:               10.00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Saturday:           10.00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m

June to August:

Sunday:             12:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Monday:             12:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday:             Closed

Wednesday:       12:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Thursday:           12:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Friday:                12:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Saturday:            12:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

May and September:

Sunday:              10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Monday:             10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday:             Closed

Wednesday:       10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Thursday:           10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Friday:                10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Saturday:            10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

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Waiting Time

You may need to wait at the ticket counter for a few minutes 

 

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Entrance Fee

Yes

Adults:                                                                   720 Rouble
Students (with ID), Schoolchildren above 16:       360 Rouble

Visitors under 16:                                                   Free
Audio-guide(English, French, German, Chinese):150 Rouble
Individual Guided Tour:                                        5000 Rouble (Admission includes park fee, escort to the 

palace via VIP Room, guided tour in English)

Read more

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

3 to 4 hours

 

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Weather

Overcast Clouds 5.65°C

 

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