Catherine Palace and Park
Catherine Palace and Park
Catherine Palace and Park
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Filled with 18th-century paintings and ornate rooms, this white and gold palace is surrounded by a 1400-acre park complete with fountains, bridges, the Agate Pavilion bathhouse and the Great Pond. The Palace also has a famous Amber Room, stolen by Nazi troops during WWII, but now recreated by Russian craftsmen.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.5
8,675 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
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333
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132
101Fergie
Chelmsford, UK21 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
The hotel Petro Palace in middle of St Petersburg booked us a taxi which cost 1600 rubles - a great price as it was a good 40 min drive. The driver pointed out various interesting sights on way. I had pre booked the tickets on line but we forgot our passports for ID. They were not happy but in the end they let us in. I don’t think we would have got in if it was busy but we were almost the only people there. Very enjoyable visit and as we were the only ones in each room we really got to experience it in full. We used the audio guide which we found told us as much as we wanted to know. It was -11 so we didn’t experience much of the gardens. I had wanted to go back to St Petersburg on the train but the snow was getting thicker and no one was around (we had not heard another English voice since we arrived and had already caused chaos on metro not buying right ticket and not understanding anyone) so we went to find taxi. The first driver had offered to wait but I said no as didn’t want to feel we had to get back to him at particular time. This could have been an error but we were lucky as we found one vacant taxi after some old ladies pointed us down a road. The visit was great and the snow made it magical but if you get anxiety then keep your taxi waiting as I was slightly worried we were going to be stranded. Taxi back was 2100. A real treat with no summer crowds.
Written March 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travellerIndian
Chandigarh, India1,366 contributions
Sep 2019
We booked tickets in advance as we had read a number of reviews about not getting tickets at site. One ticket cost us 1500 Roubles each. The e-voucher did not mention that the ticket windows for individuals would not open before 12 noon. Apparently individuals are not allowed to enter before 12 noon, even though we could see hordes of groups making their way inside the gates, well before 12 noon.So we had to wait for the ticket window to open so that we could exchange our on line voucher for an entry ticket.
We used that time to walk around the gardens, which however was a nice experience.
We also had to deposit our backpacks and jackets in the cloak room. Fortunately,we had also booked an audio guide, hence we did get a good audio commentary of each room which we visited. The audio guide was quite descriptive and well worth the money. Photography was permitted except in the Amber room, where however you were not allowed to linger. The fact that we had to put on a shoe cover, showed how they value their parqueted wooden floors.
I think it is not a good idea to get a group ticket with a guide as we saw the hordes of tourists being herded unless you go in for a private tour guide for your party exclusively. The few private guides, who we overheard, were giving a fairly detailed commentary.
After we completed the tour of the various rooms, while exiting, we had to pass through a long corridor which had photographs of the bombed Palace and its restoration. The worst thing about wars is the bombing of historical Palaces. It is indeed laudable how the Russian managed to restore the Palace.
It had started raining when we finished the tour though it was end September. So, had to wait inside the entrance foyer since once you exit, you cannot get back into the Palace. There is a separate ticket for the gardens, but our ticket was inclusive since you have to perforce exit through the gardens. There are separate tickets for small exhibitions like the carriage house. We had to however miss that as the rains made us make our way out as soon as we could, to avoid getting drenched.
We used that time to walk around the gardens, which however was a nice experience.
We also had to deposit our backpacks and jackets in the cloak room. Fortunately,we had also booked an audio guide, hence we did get a good audio commentary of each room which we visited. The audio guide was quite descriptive and well worth the money. Photography was permitted except in the Amber room, where however you were not allowed to linger. The fact that we had to put on a shoe cover, showed how they value their parqueted wooden floors.
I think it is not a good idea to get a group ticket with a guide as we saw the hordes of tourists being herded unless you go in for a private tour guide for your party exclusively. The few private guides, who we overheard, were giving a fairly detailed commentary.
After we completed the tour of the various rooms, while exiting, we had to pass through a long corridor which had photographs of the bombed Palace and its restoration. The worst thing about wars is the bombing of historical Palaces. It is indeed laudable how the Russian managed to restore the Palace.
It had started raining when we finished the tour though it was end September. So, had to wait inside the entrance foyer since once you exit, you cannot get back into the Palace. There is a separate ticket for the gardens, but our ticket was inclusive since you have to perforce exit through the gardens. There are separate tickets for small exhibitions like the carriage house. We had to however miss that as the rains made us make our way out as soon as we could, to avoid getting drenched.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan C
Everett, WA553 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
The palace and grounds are magnificent! We visited it on a cold day in late January, and very much enjoyed it. Two of us and our art historian guide were by ourselves in the Amber Room and most of the rest of the palace. Large group of mainland Chinese tourists about five minutes in front of us, and five minutes in back of us. Superb visit!
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia17,797 contributions
Apr 2021
Peter the Great - the St. Pet founder left three outstanding palaces in the area, you cannot tell which one is more splendid. All three (Hermitage, Peterhof and this one) I rated 4 stars only because of no English on a paid tour.
St. Pet is a world class destination, these palaces are UNESCO world heritage sites of outstanding beauty and importance, and it simply doesn't fit in my head how can they sell guided tours without English option ??!! I booked the only offered tour thinking it'd be bilingual, but no - only Russian. English is very scarce even on the small plaques and not present in all rooms.
If you have prepared beforehand, you'll figure yourself but that's no excuse.
Due to Covid daily visits are limited, so I suggest buying tickets online beforehand. I'm not sure if they sell tickets at counters at all.
Have in mind, you'll need at least 45 min by taxi from St. Pet center as the palace is out of the city to the south, further than the airport.
The palace is splendid - Peter the Great built it as a summer retreat for his wife Catherine I, but it was Catherine II (the Great) who's responsible for its enlargement and today's look.
Among many alike rooms you've seen in palaces worldwide, the Amber room here stands out with its beauty. Have in mind this is not the original one, but recreated, as the Nazis stole it during WWII.
Gardens are the same beautiful, and all together with the Palace visit, plan half a day including both way transport.
St. Pet is a world class destination, these palaces are UNESCO world heritage sites of outstanding beauty and importance, and it simply doesn't fit in my head how can they sell guided tours without English option ??!! I booked the only offered tour thinking it'd be bilingual, but no - only Russian. English is very scarce even on the small plaques and not present in all rooms.
If you have prepared beforehand, you'll figure yourself but that's no excuse.
Due to Covid daily visits are limited, so I suggest buying tickets online beforehand. I'm not sure if they sell tickets at counters at all.
Have in mind, you'll need at least 45 min by taxi from St. Pet center as the palace is out of the city to the south, further than the airport.
The palace is splendid - Peter the Great built it as a summer retreat for his wife Catherine I, but it was Catherine II (the Great) who's responsible for its enlargement and today's look.
Among many alike rooms you've seen in palaces worldwide, the Amber room here stands out with its beauty. Have in mind this is not the original one, but recreated, as the Nazis stole it during WWII.
Gardens are the same beautiful, and all together with the Palace visit, plan half a day including both way transport.
Written May 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roy B
Dorchester, UK13 contributions
Feb 2020
Probably the highlight of our St Petersburg visits. This large palace has been excellently restored after being razed by the Nazis in 1942. The amber room in particular has to be seen to be believed. Well done the Russian restorers.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,113 contributions
Jul 2019
The Catherine Palace is named after Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great. Originally a modest two-storey building commissioned by Peter for Catherine in 1717, the Catherine Palace owes its awesome grandeur to their daughter, Empress Elizabeth, who chose Tsarskoye Selo as her chief summer residence. Starting in 1743, the building was reconstructed by four different architects. The building was to be built to compete with Versailles. The resultant palace, completed in 1756, is nearly 1km in circumference, with elaborately decorated blue-and-white facades featuring gilded atlantes. The interiors of the Catherine Palace are no less spectacular. Another place worth seeing. A beautiful palace and park complex.
Written May 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Go
2 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
The park may be wonderful but the ticket system was just horrible. The guy registered 49 people’s ticket at the ticket office and it took more than 45 min. Many people forced to wait patiently in very cold rainy weather. It definitely made the impression of here so worst. People said it because the online ticket system doesn’t work but I’m not sure it’s due to this terrible ticket system, very self-centred guy or ticket lady who just concentrated on her job.
Written May 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter H
Cambridge, UK17 contributions
Feb 2020
Also called the Summer Palace because the Tsar + entourage vacated the rather smelly city in the summer to this cooler residence in Pushkin Town. Such a glorious palace with wonderful gilded ornament over all the decorative rooms. Amazingly opulent - so amazing in fact that one can quite understand the revolution where the peasants had very little and the Tsar had absolutely everything including power and wealth.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia S
Shoreham-by-Sea, UK430 contributions
Mar 2020
The summer palace of Catherine 1, regretfully we needed more time to visit, some areas are under renovation/decoration but the areas we did see were stunning - stunning in gold leaf. Extensive reception rooms, family rooms and in the exhibits (particularly silver plate). Again we were treated to a virtually deserted Palace. The Amber room and history behind the replication of the panels very interesting. Again I can't recommend this enough - but leave plenty of time..........
Written April 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandra G
Rome, Italy435 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
The place is just perfect, not too big comparing to other palaces, very beautiful, full of history.
We really liked it inside and outside, we enjoyed excursion bought online via official website, it was not too long nor too short, very informative and interesting.
A must have in St Petersburg !
We really liked it inside and outside, we enjoyed excursion bought online via official website, it was not too long nor too short, very informative and interesting.
A must have in St Petersburg !
Written May 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Orazio B
4 contributions
Volevo sapere quanto costa il visto a persona e se è meglio rivolgersi ad una agenzia di viaggio per organizzare la vacanza. Grazie
alby1961
Terni, Italy491 contributions
So che le cose sono da poco cambiate io in giugno ho dovuto fare un visto normale, sono andato in moto, chiedi conferma all'ufficio visti del consolato. Buon viaggio
When the online tickets to visit the Catherine Palace interiors run out, does that mean the tickets, when we go to the box office to purchase them, are also run out?
Valentin
St. Petersburg, Russia1,051 contributions
There are always options)
Hi guys. Planning to visit Catherine Palace and I'm wondering how I can by riding the K-342 bus. I know which stop to alight, but does the bus really stop at all tys designated bus stops or do I need to tell the driver. Could appreciate some help from those who rode this bus to the palace. Thank u :)
CvlGal
Charlottesville, VA363 contributions
Sorry- I was in a tour so it was provided
Spencerwhittier
Orlando, FL125 contributions
I already have a day tour booked. However, I was informed that people on cruise ships can go at night and the Palace's employees dress up in costumes and people lining the gates and steps play trumpets. The groups are limited to 40 people so there are not massive crowds. Does anyone know if it is possible for a non-cruise person to go on one of the evening tours? If you don't know if non-cruise people can go on evening tours, your response will unfortunately not help me.
DavidChallinger
Preston, UK127 contributions
Sorry I was on a full day tour arriving mid morning. I used Alla Tours who were great. I noticed the lines are really long for tickets.
Roula N
Chios Town, Greece3 contributions
Hello! I am going to visit st Petersburg and i want to visit Catherine palace.do you know if i can buy tickets online? How much they cost?”
baytekin
Izmir Province, Türkiye39 contributions
Normally you can but daily only 100 ticets are sold online. So they are sold in 30 minutes time.
I'd recommend hiring a tour company.
Spencerwhittier
Orlando, FL125 contributions
I am going in the Palace but I know the grounds also have buildings. Which buildings, aside from the Palace do people suggest going in? For instance, do people recommend the Agate, little Hermitage, Turkish Baths, Church..... Are there any buildings in the park that people think should be skipped?
BaronFoer
Jacksonville, FL909 contributions
You dont need to go to any other buildings on the property. I dont think any other ones are included. However after the tour anything else would be a drastic letdown. The palace is exquisite.
Departure566720
Gava, Spain6 contributions
Quiero comprar entradas por la página oficial del Palacio para 4 personas para el 1 de agosto y no me deja. Alguien me puede orientar??? Gracias. Saludos.
mirulain
Argentina391 contributions
Hola. Yo contraté un guía privado en español para no tener que hacer fila. A ellos les dan un horario exacto de entrada y en nuestro caso, manejó los tiempos para que no nos cruzáramos con los tours multitudinarios. Creo que es lo más conveniente. Las filas que ví para ingresar son larguísimas. Esto cuenta para todos los museos de SPB Y MOSCÚ.
Spencerwhittier
Orlando, FL125 contributions
The Palace's website says there are two different tours. Both goto the Amber Room but the remainder of the tours are different and goto different rooms. Do people suggest Route One or Route Two? What rooms, aside from the Amber Room, are cannot miss rooms? Based on which other rooms cannot be missed I will pick which Route to take.
brontefan24
Pennsylvania98 contributions
My group tour was Tour 1. I had wanted to see the blue and yellow dining room, but it was not on Tour 1 (and I don't think it's on Tour 2). Both tours let you see the ballroom, its anterooms, and the famous amber room. My advice is to check Trip Advisor to see how much people like the exhibit called the Romanovs at Tsarskoe Selo, which is included in Tour 1. I would also google pics of the Catherine Palace's interiors to see which rooms you'd like to see. Whatever you do, buy tickets ahead of time (traveling in a group tour if necessary) to avoid the line that forms outside, which can involve hours of waiting at this time of year. If not doing so and traveling to the town of Pushkin on your own, make sure you check which days the palace is closed. If you DO use the train to get to Pushkin on your own, pay to see the Catherine Park. (I think you can also see the Alexander Park, though the Alexander Palace, where Nicholas and Alexandra lived, is still closed for restoration.)
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Claim your listingCatherine Palace and Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Catherine Palace and Park
- Catherine Palace and Park is open:
- Wed - Mon 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Catherine Palace and Park:
- (0.10 mi) Yekaterina Hotel
- (0.19 mi) Pevcheskaya Bashnya
- (0.28 mi) Hotel Patkul House
- (0.30 mi) Hotel Patkul house
- (0.48 mi) Hotel Natali
- Restaurants near Catherine Palace and Park:
- (0.13 mi) Cherchez la Tarte Confectionery
- (0.24 mi) Giacomo
- (0.19 mi) Restaurant Odessa
- (0.19 mi) Restaurant Sochi
- (0.40 mi) Leo Grill & Pizza
- Attractions near Catherine Palace and Park:
- (0.00 mi) Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Preserve
- (0.03 mi) Shapel Pavilion
- (0.03 mi) Kholodnaya Banya s Agatovymi Komnatami
- (0.03 mi) Ruin Tower
- (0.11 mi) Kameronova Gallery Museum