Admittedly this might not be the first destination when you think vacation. Most seek a warm climate and beautiful blue waters. But after recently traveling to St. Petersburg, I fell in love with the city. There is always something to do and everything is affordable and cheap if you're traveling on a budget.
1. There's always something to do
The city is filled with tons of museums, theatres, must-see cathedrals, and shops. You will never be bored when your there. In fact, each day will be so jam-packed with things to do that you might not have time for everything depending on how long you plan to stay. There are many museums and cathedrals within walking distance of one another so don't worry about travel time. The many museums vary in topics and have something to offer everyone whether it be art lovers or history buffs.
2. There's beautiful architecture
There are not many modern glass buildings like the nature of New York City but the old historical architecture throughout St. Petersburg is stunning. Every building looks beautiful, especially the palaces and cathedrals. The palaces stretch for miles and stand out in bold and bright colors. You'll feel like you are on a movie set with all the ornate palaces and buildings. The city is breathtaking, making for some great photo ops as well.
3. It's affordable
You don't have to worry about spending a fortune here. Food and transportation are very affordable. You can get a meal for under $10. I went to a cafe and ordered salmon with spinach and it was only $8.70 U.S. dollars. A popular fast food chain called "Teremok" sells bliny's, Russian style crepes, with each being about $5 and under. The subway is also very cheap at $0.68 per ride. Taxis are also an affordable option. I took over an hour long trip which cost me about $15. Most of your money will probably go to visiting the museums and cathedrals but it's possible to get discounts on them if they apply to you.
4. There's lively nightlife
If you love to go out and have a good time, you're in luck because the city loves to as well. Nevsky Prospekt, the main street of the city has tons of bars and nightclubs to check out. Cocktails and drinks are also affordable. You can snag cocktails for as cheap as $3.75 and shots for $3. The nightclubs are lively with people dancing and singing along. Many played a mix of Russian Pop and American Pop music so you get the best of both worlds.