Day Trips From St Petersburg: Pavlovsk

Although the centre of St Petersburg has much to offer, the suburbs of the city are also not to be forgotten, especially in the summer. Houses in the suburbs were popularised by Russian royals who spent the warmer part of the year in their summer residences. Now that the times of the Empire are over, we ordinary folk can come and admire its former glory. Here’s an overview of Pavlovsk and why it makes a great day trip.
About Pavlovsk
Pavlovsk, as its name suggests, was built for the Emperor Pavel I. It was a gift to Pavel and his wife from the Empress Catherine the Great, his mother. Previously, the land was a popular hunting ground, and the new imperial residence appeared at the end of the eighteenth century. A neoclassical palace was constructed for the couple, surrounded by an extensive park, now known as Pavlovsk Park. With time, Pavlovsk grew and more settlements appeared around the imperial residence. It became a popular place for music festivals hosting many celebrities, such as Strauss, Liszt and Schumann. It is now a popular location for country houses and dachas, where St Petersburg dwellers spend their summers.

Your Visit
A visit to Pavlovsk must start with the park and gardens. It is a very popular destination for locals and tourists, but unlike other suburbs, is not as crowded. The Palace is located within walking distance from the main entrance of the park. Mind you, there is a side entrance as well, which leads directly to the palace if you want to go directly there. The museum, now housed in the Palace, has recreated the interiors that the royal family would have lived in during the eighteenth century. It is wonderful to admire the fine details of every room and the exquisite artworks on display. After a visit to the palace, do walk around the surrounding park. It is quite large, therefore a map could come in handy. There are numerous alleys and paths to discover, so take your time, and plan to spend most of the day exploring.

Getting There
Pavlovsk is located within easy reach of St Petersburg, but it is wise to allow time to travel there, especially when going for the first time. City taxis will easily travel to the park gates from the city centre or alternatively from the Moskovskaya subway station, which is located just before the highway leading into the suburbs. From the subway, the journey will cost around 700 roubles (£8-9 / $10-11).
Alternatively, the train would also be an easy way to travel, as the station is located just in front of the park entrance. Trains to Pavlovsk leave frequently from Vitebsky railways station and pass through Kupchino railway station (if you are located more south). A one-way ticket will cost 54 roubles (less than a pound) and the total journey time is 40 minutes.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.