The best car travel routes from St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful cities not only in Russia, but also in Europe. Its unique architecture, rich history and special atmosphere make it attractive for both living and traveling.

However, getting to know the region is not limited to urban locations only. The Leningrad Region is also rich in interesting destinations that are easily accessible by car. Historical monuments and picturesque natural attractions harmoniously combine here, opening up wide opportunities for a rich vacation and new experiences.

Article content:

Routes outside the Leningrad region

Tips for traveling by car from St. Petersburg

Historical sites

Nature

Routes outside the Leningrad Region

If the classic directions of the Leningrad region have already been studied, it is worth expanding the geography of the road trip and heading further towards Karelia. This destination is great for traveling by car from St. Petersburg: there is a good road, picturesque landscapes and many natural attractions along the way.

Petrozavodsk

Distance: about 430 km from St. Petersburg

Why to go: Lake Onega, the embankment and Karelian nature

Petrozavodsk is the capital of the Republic of Karelia and one of the most popular destinations for road trips to the north—west of Russia. The city is located on the shore of Lake Onega and combines a calm atmosphere, a beautiful embankment and a convenient tourist infrastructure. This is an excellent starting point for exploring Karelia: from here it is convenient to plan trips to Kizhi Island, Ruskeala Mountain Park and other natural attractions of the region.

Cosmos Petrozavodsk Hotel is a modern hotel with a view of Lake Onega, convenient location and well—developed infrastructure for comfortable accommodation in the city. There is an electric vehicle charging station on site, and parking is provided free of charge for residents. The hotel will be a good base both for recreation and for further trips around Karelia.

What should I do?

Gym

Don't put the sport on pause even while relaxing! The gym at Cosmos Petrozavodsk Hotel has all the conditions for comfortable and productive workouts. Modern equipment, a cozy atmosphere and a convenient work schedule will help you stay in great shape.

Billiard room

Have fun with your family and friends in our billiard room. Active recreation at the billiard table will bring you pleasure, will give you bright

impressions, will help to distract from everyday worries in an exciting

a fight on a green field.

Segezha

Distance: about 700 km from St. Petersburg

Why to go: northern nature, lakes and a secluded vacation

Segezha is a less touristic, but very atmospheric destination for those who want to see the real North Karelia. There is no large flow of tourists here, but there are clean lakes, dense forests and a feeling of complete unity with nature.

This destination is perfect for longer car trips when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and explore less popular routes.

Cosmos Segezha Hotel can be considered as a comfortable stopover. It is a convenient accommodation option for travelers, which allows them to restore their strength and continue their route through the north of Karelia.

What should I do?

Nordic walking

The hotel is surrounded by a pine forest on the Health Trails route. We suggest you combine a healthy walk through the forest with Scandinavian walking and delicious drinks from the restaurant "Cloudberry".

Nordic walking is suitable for people of any age and level of training. Nordic walking burns 1.5 times more calories than regular walking, and 90% of the muscles of the entire human body are involved during training, unlike running or cycling. Walking with special sticks significantly increases physical activity and is used to correct posture, as well as for rehabilitation and recovery from any illnesses.

Finnish sledding

Cosmos Smart Segezha Hotel is surrounded by the stunning nature of Karelia. I just want to spend more time outdoors. We recommend exploring the surroundings, walking along the health trail and watching the sunset on the beach.

To make your walk more interesting, you can take a Finnish sleigh at the entrance to the hotel and sweep along the snowy paths with the breeze. It's fun for both adults and children.

The Path of Health

The Cosmos Smart Segezha Hotel is located next to the health trail, a favorite place for walking. This is what the residents of Segezha call the road that runs through the forest and leads to the lake. The territory is equipped for family recreation and sports activities: outdoor exercise equipment, playground, playgrounds, swings, sandy beach and clean lake shore. They practice Nordic walking, sledding, skiing, walking dogs, meeting sunsets/sunrises and just enjoying nature.

Wild Boar and Deer tour

We invite you to visit Pertozero, where well-fed wild boars and deer with their cubs live in the endless forests.

You will be taken by snowmobile / ATV through difficult fields directly to them – you will definitely remember this attraction. Without nets and bars, you can look at the animals, feed them and take pictures next to them. An hour in this place will fly by unnoticed and very impressive.

Tips for traveling by car from St. Petersburg

Before going on a road trip from St. Petersburg, it is important to plan the route, stops and basic rules of travel in advance. Even if you often drive by car, each road has its own characteristics, from the condition of the highway to the availability of toll roads and gas stations.

If you are traveling with your family or children, it is worth planning stops in advance — to take a walk, have a snack or just relax. This is especially important on long routes, for example, towards Karelia, where there are sections on the highway without developed infrastructure.

The first tip is to look at the route on the map in advance and calculate the travel time. For example, the nearest locations can be reached in 40-60 minutes, and a trip to Karelia will take several hours. Considering the distance, it is better to choose hotels in advance where you can stay and recuperate before continuing on the road.

Be sure to consider the costs: gasoline, food, a possible toll road and additional entertainment along the way. There may be paid parking or guided tours in some places near popular attractions, so it's best to get up-to-date information about the price in advance.

It is also recommended to save offline maps and contacts of the necessary places - this will help to avoid communication problems. In some areas, the signal may be weak, especially near forests, lakes, or in more remote locations.

If you are planning a trip in winter, be sure to take into account the weather conditions.: The road may be slippery and visibility may be limited. In such cases, it is better to leave in the morning and set more time for the route.

Historical sites

The historical center of St. Petersburg, along with the surrounding monuments, was one of the first in the USSR to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Thanks to this, the city attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. However, if you have already explored its streets and attractions well, it is worth going to the Leningrad region for new cultural discoveries.

Pushkin

Pushkinyandex Maps — transport, navigation, location search

Distance: about 25 km from the center of St. Petersburg

Why go: imperial residences and the legacy of the great poet

Tsarskoye Selo is a landmark place that is almost as popular as St. Petersburg itself. The residences of the Russian emperors were located here, as well as the legendary Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, one of the most famous educational institutions in the country's history.

Today, the city is named Pushkin, in honor of Alexander Sergeevich, who studied here. A lyceum museum, a cottage museum and monuments have been opened in his honor, which makes the location especially attractive to fans of the poet.

The main attraction is the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve. It includes the Catherine, Alexander and Babolovsky palaces with adjacent parks. The Catherine Palace with its famous Amber Room is of the greatest interest. The Alexander Palace is still closed for restoration, but a walk through the park of the same name remains accessible and definitely worth the attention.

Gatchina

Gatchinagatchina — Yandex Maps

Distance: about 50 km from the center of St. Petersburg

Why to go: fountains, palaces and the largest museum-reserve

Peterhof is formally a part of St. Petersburg, but in fact it is an independent city with a developed infrastructure. The main reason for visiting is the famous museum reserve, famous for its magnificent palaces and fountain ensembles.

The territory of the complex is impressive in scale: more than 150 fountains, over 450 hectares of parks and 33 museums with a collection of more than 344,000 exhibits. It's almost impossible to see everything in one day, so a trip to Peterhof is great for both a short trip and a longer trip.

Regular car trips here allow you to gradually explore all the sights and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of one of the most beautiful palace and park ensembles in Russia.

Nature

St. Petersburg attracts not only with its cultural attractions. The Leningrad region is rich in picturesque natural locations, ideal for car trips and outdoor recreation.

Repino

Saint‑PeterburgPoselok Repino — Yandex Maps

Distance: about 50 km from the city center

Why go: inspiring landscapes and an atmosphere of creative solitude

Walking along the Gulf of Finland is also available in St. Petersburg, but real harmony with nature is easier to experience in Repino. This cozy resort village combines tranquility, scenic views and rich cultural heritage without excessive pomp.

Repino has long attracted representatives of the creative intelligentsia. Vladimir Mayakovsky and Korney Chukovsky sought inspiration here, and artist Ilya Repin created his famous Penaty estate, which is now included in the UNESCO list of sites.

Despite the presence of museums, Repino remains primarily a popular resort with a well-developed infrastructure, where history organically complements a vacation by the sea.

Morye

Distance: about 75 km from the city center

Why go: see Lake Ladoga and enjoy the natural silence

Lake Ladoga is the largest lake in Europe and one of the most iconic places in Russia, known both for its historical events and impressive natural landscapes.

One of the most convenient routes is a trip to the village of Morye, where the river of the same name flows into Ladoga. This place attracts travelers with a calm atmosphere, beautiful views and the possibility of privacy.

Morye cannot be called a developed tourist center — people come here not for infrastructure, but for nature: walking along the shore, relaxing in the forest, swimming in the lake and fishing. This is an ideal destination for those who are looking for peace and relaxation.

Komarovo

Saint‑PeterburgPoselok Komarovo — Yandex Maps

Distance: about 50 km from the city center

Why go: natural landscapes and historical heritage

Komarovo is located near Repino and retains the atmosphere of an intelligent seaside resort, but at the same time has its own unique aesthetic.

The main feature is the natural landscapes. Komarovsky Coast is a protected natural area where you can see a rare combination of sand dunes, coniferous forest and the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Special ecotropics are equipped for walking.

The historical component is no less interesting. In Soviet times, the scientific and creative elite rested here, and many prominent personalities were buried in Komarovo. The local necropolis is known far beyond the borders of Russia — Anna Akhmatova, Zhores Alferov and Nathan Altman are buried here.

Komarovo is a harmonious combination of natural beauty and a special, slightly melancholic atmosphere that makes the place truly memorable.

The Leningrad Region is rightfully considered one of the best destinations for car travel in Russia. Most locations are located in the immediate vicinity of St. Petersburg, and some even fall within its administrative boundaries.

At the same time, each destination has its own atmosphere and deserves special attention: somewhere one day is enough, and somewhere you will want to stay longer. All that remains is to choose a route and go to meet new impressions.