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Peterhof Palace - Saint Petersburg

Things to Do at Peterhof Palace

Complete Guide to Peterhof Palace in Saint Petersburg

About Peterhof Palace

Admission: 1000 rubles ($13 USD). The Grand Cascade fountains thunder downward in golden streams while mist catches sunlight to create fleeting rainbows, and the smell of fresh water mingles with manicured garden blooms. Arrive when fountains turn on at 11am sharp to witness the full spectacle without fighting through dense afternoon tour groups clustering around the Neptune statues.

What to See & Do

Grand Cascade and Samson Fountain

The iconic centerpiece with 64 fountains cascading down marble steps, crowned by the golden Samson statue - it's genuinely spectacular and operates from May to October

Grand Palace Interior

Opulent state rooms including the throne room and portrait hall, though be prepared for crowds and the fact that photography inside requires an additional fee

Lower Park Gardens

Beautifully landscaped formal gardens with trick fountains that might surprise unsuspecting visitors - the umbrella fountain is particularly amusing

Monplaisir Palace

Peter the Great's more intimate seaside retreat where he actually preferred to stay - it feels more personal and gives you a better sense of the man behind the legend

Hermitage Pavilion

A quirky dining pavilion where the table could be lowered to the ground floor for servants to set, then raised back up for private dining without staff present

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Daily 9:00-19:00 (May-October), 10:00-18:00 (November-April). Fountains operate only May through October, typically 11:00-18:00

Tickets & Pricing

Park entrance around 500-700 rubles, Grand Palace interior additional 700-1000 rubles. Online booking recommended, especially in summer. Combined tickets available for multiple buildings

Best Time to Visit

Late May through September for fountains, though July-August can be uncomfortably crowded. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter

Suggested Duration

Full day if you want to see everything properly, though you could cover the highlights in 4-5 hours if pressed for time

Getting There

The most scenic route is by hydrofoil from Palace Embankment in central St. Petersburg - it takes about 45 minutes and gives you a proper imperial arrival by sea. Alternatively, you can take the suburban train from Baltic Station to Oranienbaum station, then bus 356 or 351 to Peterhof. Driving is possible but parking can be a nightmare in summer. The hydrofoils only run May through October, so in winter you'll need to use ground transport.

Things to Do Nearby

Alexandria Park
The family park of the Russian imperial family with the Gothic Revival Cottage Palace - much quieter and more intimate than the main Peterhof grounds
Strelna (Constantine Palace)
Another imperial palace complex about 10 minutes away, now used for state receptions and offering a different perspective on Russian imperial architecture
Gulf of Finland Beaches
Not exactly Mediterranean, but the coastline here is pleasant for a walk, especially if you need a break from palace overload
Ropsha Palace Ruins
Atmospheric ruins of another imperial residence about 20 minutes inland - interesting for history buffs, though there's not much left standing

Tips & Advice

Bring comfortable walking shoes - you'll be doing a lot of walking on gravel paths and marble steps
The trick fountains in the Lower Park are still active, so watch out if you don't want to get soaked
Photography inside the palaces requires a separate fee, but exterior and garden photos are free
Pack layers even in summer - it can get windy and cool near the Gulf of Finland

Tours & Activities at Peterhof Palace

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