Discover stories of the Russian imperial family and aristocracy on a visit to two former imperial residences. Admire the Tsarskoye Selo and Pavlovsk Palace, together part of a UNESCO Heritage site.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- Covid-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 6 hours
- Check availability to see starting times.
- Skip the ticket line
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English, Russian, German, French, Spanish, Italian
- Pickup included
- Hotel pick-up in St. Petersburg. Pick-up from the port is possible if you have your Russian tourist visa. You can also purchase an add-on visa-free service which includes a round port transfer.
- Small group
- Limited to 8 participants
Experience
Highlights
- Take a day to explore two beautiful imperial residences a short trip from Saint Petersburg
- Visit Pavlovsk residence situated in the largest landscape park of Europe
- Admire Catherine Palace with the world-renowned Amber room
- Take in the elegant Cameron's Gallery
Full description
Take a trip from Saint Petersburg to admire two of Russia’s grandest and most beautiful imperial residences, Tsarskoye Selo and Pavlovsk.
When St. Petersburg became the new Russian capital in 1712, a series of glamorous imperial palaces and parks appeared in and around the city, among them these two impressive estates.
Tsarskoye Selo was developed as a royal country residence by Elizabeth I and Catherine II and contains two beautiful palaces: Catherine Palace, an immense and lavish Baroque residence and the slightly smaller Alexander Palace, a neoclassical masterpiece.
Visit the breath-taking Amber Room at Catherine Palace, decorated by Elisabeth’s court architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli and containing stunning mosaic panels made of real amber.
During her reign, Catherine II ordered the park enlarged and commissioned major landscape compositions and the creation of more impressive buildings, notably the elegant Cameron’s Gallery.
The nearby Pavlovsk Palace was built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and was the imperial residence of Paul I and for several Grand Dukal families later on.
The palace is considered to be one of the finest examples of the classical architecture in Europe. Several ornate rooms and beautiful park grounds containing fine sculptures make this a favorite destination of tourists and locals alike.
The Pavlovsk Palace along with the Tsarskoye Selo together form part of a UNESCO Heritage Site. Take a trip to admire these wonderful works of architecture, made during one of the golden ages of Russian history.
Includes
- Pre-booked museum admissions
- Air-conditioned chauffeured transportation
- Guide service
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Photo and video permits
- Meals
- Gratuities
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments
Covid-19 precautions
Safety measures in place
- All required protective equipment is provided
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
- The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
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Date
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Important information
Not allowed
- Alcohol and drugs
Know before you go
- Maximum group size is 8 people
- Please note that Catherine Palace/Pavlovsk tour is an open time frame tour and pick up time is possible from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. You will be advised the exact pick up time a day before the tour. It is strongly recommended not to make any firm plans for the same day, as the local partner is not able to change the tour start time once it has been appointed.