If you come to any European country you can feel the atmosphere of coming Christmas & New Year from the middle of November. In Russia you can get this feeling only from the middle of December when the first Christmas markets are opened. It is the most wonderful time of the year!
In winter time in St Petersburg you can feel this atmosphere everywhere: on the streets, in the departments stores, restaurants and cafes, theaters etc. All these places are beautifully decorated. There are many Christmas indoors and outdoors markets in different parts of the city. The main one is situated on Manezhnays Square. Here you can buy lots of presents & souvenirs, try tasty food and drinks, enjoy the performances on the stage. It is open daily from 12pm till 9pm.
For theater-lovers we have many performances e.g. the ballet “The Nutcracker” or the opera “A Christmas Tale” at Mariinsky theater. The costumes and decorations are amazing as well as the performance itself.
You are a fan of skating rings, aren’t you? St Petersburg is the right place for it. We have many skating rings in the city. One of the most modern and popular ones is in New Holland. New Holland itself is a historical pace that was renovated and converted into the recreation park for citizens and the guests of the city.
If you have just arrived to St Petersburg or you are coming in the nearest future we recommend you to follow this itinerary:
– Start the visit of St Petersburg on the main square – Palace Square. Here you can find the main Christmas tree of the city;
– Than stroll along the main street – Nevsky Prospekt. It is always decorated so richly. On your way you can see many beautiful buildings and monuments;
– If you feel cold or you have a feeling to have a cup of tea/coffee you can visit Passage – the department store on Nevsky Prospekt. Here you can find one of the indoors Christmas markets where you can find lots of handmade and original souvenirs and other interesting things. Above the market on the second floor is a nice café where you can have a seat, order something to drink, have rest and enjoy watching people and decoration .
– After a break you can come back to the main street and continue your tour. You are close to the main Christmas market on Manezhnaya Squre. You have to reach Malaya Sadovaya (Small Garden) street and here the beginning of the market. At the very beginning of this street is a beautiful grey building with green statues – Eliseev Food Hall. We also recommend you to look in and you won’t be disappointed.
We do hope you will like our proposed itinerary. There are so many places to visit in St Petersburg we mentioned only some of them. Enjoy your stay in St Petersbug!
PS If you do not come to St Petersburg this winter we hope after reading this article you can get some Christmas atmosphere of our beautiful city. And we do hope you come to St Petersburg in winter time one day.
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