Things to Do at Peter and Paul Fortress
Complete Guide to Peter and Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg
About Peter and Paul Fortress
What to See & Do
Peter and Paul Cathedral
The fortress's crown jewel, with its 123-meter golden spire that's visible across the city. Inside, you'll find the tombs of nearly all Russian emperors from Peter the Great to Nicholas II, whose remains were finally interred here in 1998.
Trubetskoy Bastion Prison
A genuinely sobering experience - this former political prison held everyone from Dostoevsky's brother to Lenin's older brother. The preserved cells give you a real sense of what political dissidents endured under the tsars.
The Fortress Walls and Ramparts
You can walk along sections of the original fortifications and get excellent views of the Neva River and the Winter Palace across the water. The walls themselves are surprisingly well-preserved examples of 18th-century military architecture.
Museum of the History of St. Petersburg
Housed in the Commandant's House, this museum traces the city's development from swampland to imperial capital. It's particularly good on the early days when building the city was essentially a death sentence for the workers involved.
The Mint Exhibition
The fortress mint operated from 1724 to 2003, making it one of the world's longest-running mints. The exhibition shows the coin-making process and displays rare Russian currency - more fascinating than you might expect.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Daily 10:00-18:00 (until 17:00 in winter). The cathedral and some museums may have slightly different hours, and it's worth noting that ticket sales typically stop 30 minutes before closing.
Tickets & Pricing
Fortress grounds are free to enter, but individual attractions require separate tickets (around 450-750 rubles each). A combined ticket for multiple sites runs about 1,200 rubles. You can buy tickets on-site or online, though the English-language booking system can be temperamental.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early fall offers the best weather for walking the ramparts, though the fortress has a particularly atmospheric quality in winter snow. Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded than weekend afternoons.
Suggested Duration
Plan on 3-4 hours if you want to see the main attractions properly. You could easily spend a full day here if you're particularly interested in Russian history or want to explore every museum.
Getting There
Things to Do Nearby
A lovely green space right next to the fortress entrance, perfect for a pre- or post-visit stroll. It often hosts small festivals and has a few decent cafes.
One of the world's largest military history museums, located in the former Arsenal building just across from the fortress. Tank enthusiasts will be in heaven here.
The revolutionary warship that fired the blank shot signaling the start of the 1917 October Revolution. It's permanently moored nearby and open for tours.
A beautiful Art Nouveau bridge from 1903 that offers some of the best views of both the fortress and the Winter Palace. Worth walking across even if you're not going anywhere specific.
A tree-lined avenue leading north from the fortress area, known for its Art Nouveau mansions and more relaxed neighborhood feel compared to central St. Petersburg.