What to see in Kronstadt

The surroundings of St. Petersburg are in no way inferior to Russia's cultural capital, and in their variety of colorful locations, they are even on par. For example, Kronstadt, a city in the Leningrad region.

You've probably already heard of it: a fortress city on Kotlin Island, which appeared in 1704 by decree of Peter I. Everything there is imbued with a maritime theme — from monumental buildings to floating ships on the horizon.

In short, it's an absolute must-visit if you haven't been there. And if you're visiting again, don't worry: in this article, we'll tell you about the most unusual places to explore.

How to get there

Despite the city literally standing on water, getting there is not difficult. The first thing you'll need is tickets to St. Petersburg. Everything that happens next is entirely your choice. After all, you can get to Kronstadt in several ways:

1. By rented car. Not the most budget-friendly option, but you can turn up your favorite music and enjoy the ride.
2. By high-speed hydrofoil “Meteor”. An interesting option, though it's only available in summer. Round-trip tickets will cost as much as 2,000 rubles, but pleasant memories are worth the money, aren't they?
3. By minibus No. K-405 or bus No. 101. The first one departs from Chernaya Rechka metro station, and the second from Staraya Derevnya. In both cases, a one-way fare will cost less than a hundred rubles.

By the way, don't forget to look around. Just a few minutes after departure, a stunning view of the Gulf of Finland will open up before you!

What to see in Kronstadt

Besides the Gulf of Finland and numerous forts, which you will definitely see with the naked eye, Kronstadt has gathered all the very best — from monumental buildings to historical locations.

Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas

Firstly, the Naval Cathedral is located on Anchor Square. Roughly speaking, in the very heart of the fortress city, where an anchor warehouse once stood (hence the name).

Secondly, it is one of the most famous locations and also the largest cathedral with a maritime theme (rest assured, you will definitely see it from afar). By the way, an interesting fact: if you look at the building from a bird's-eye view, you can see an anchor laid out in tiles on the square opposite. In short, it's beautiful and meaningful.

The Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas can be called an ideal option for a first introduction to the city.

Street Museum of Sculpture from Trash

Suitable for lovers of modern art and ecology. Moreover, you can experience art completely free of charge! And that, you'll agree, is quite appealing.

Probably as appealing as Sochi — St. Petersburg tickets, which on good days can be found for literally 2,000 rubles on our website. Here's an idea for you: first relax on the Black Sea coast, and then head to St. Petersburg — to immerse yourself in the local vibe and try some coffee.

In general, the “Art from Trash” exhibition appeared in 2008 and carries a rather simple but important mission: to draw people's attention to environmental issues. Therefore, the name doesn't lie: all sculptures are created from trash and convey different stories. For example, one of the famous ones — “Fish Soup” — reflects on what trees will look like after the end of the world. Or numerous robots, large fish, and mosquitoes. In a word, a bit of steampunk in your life.

Wooden Lighthouse

Throughout its existence, the lighthouse standing on the “Zapadnaya Ust-Rogatka” pier was never given a name. Among other attractions of Kronstadt this one stands out for its creation story. Usually, stone is used for lighthouses, but here, unexpectedly, it's wood. That's how the name “Wooden Lighthouse” stuck.

You won't be able to go inside, and on weekdays, the path for visitors is blocked. During this time, the pier completely belongs to the workers, so you can only enjoy the view from afar (or wait until the weekend).

Summer Garden

Yes, there's also a Summer Garden here, and once upon a time, Peter I's house even stood in it. However, it was destroyed during the revolution, so you won't see it now. But you can take a stroll and admire all the beauty of the park in autumn or summer when you go to explore Kronstadt on your own.

Petrovskaya Pier

In general, Petrovskaya Pier is located near the park of the same name. So, if you find yourself nearby, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy the sound of the surf and the cries of seagulls. Quite romantic, don't you think?

By the way, boats depart from here in summer. Here's an idea for you: go on a sea trip sometime in the evening to take the coolest photos for social media.

Island of Forts

The Island of Forts is a top option for where to go in Kronstadt with children. Firstly, there are many interesting sculptures here (maritime-themed, of course) with which you can take photos during your walk. And secondly, there's a huge variety of slides and swings, which little travelers will surely enjoy.

If you get tired, there are plenty of benches, and the views are beautiful. Plus, there are plenty of food kiosks. For less than 300 rubles, you can order a large portion of something hearty and a refreshing drink.

Kronstadt History Museum

The museum is located near Anchor Square and tells the history of the city, starting from the 1700s. Some exhibits were brought by local residents, while the rest were collected by the exhibition owners.

By the way, the museum has a second building, located on Leningradskaya Street (literally 10 minutes from the first one). There, in the former water tower, a completely different exhibition is presented, thanks to which you can learn a little more about shipwrecks, sunken artifacts, and vessels.

House of Lighthouses

The museum appeared quite recently, just three years ago, and has already captured the hearts of visitors. This happened because the House of Lighthouses is home to Prosha the parrot and Gosha the iguana, and memorable exhibits are also displayed.

For 400 rubles, you can not only learn about the operation of lighthouses and buy souvenirs but also listen to stories about the keepers (and children can even participate in an interactive game).

One-Day Itinerary in Kronstadt

In fact, seeing Kronstadt in one day is quite realistic (and you can do it on your own and without maps). All the attractions are literally a stone's throw from each other and filled with the romance of St. Petersburg (there's even its own Gostiny Dvor and Obvodny Canal here). So get ready for an exciting journey through the fortress city, which will definitely leave you with pleasant memories. Oh, and don't forget to bring a camera or charge your phone (spoiler: there will be many photos).

You should start your walk from Anchor Square. Firstly, it's the center, and secondly, it's beautiful there and features the Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas — one of the main attractions. If you have time, you can visit the Kronstadt History Museum and get acquainted with the city's past.

Beyond Makarov Bridge (in autumn, it really gives off European vibes), you'll find the Summer Garden and Petrovsky Park with the pier of the same name. In summer, we recommend taking a boat trip from there to see the forts. And if the weather doesn't permit, just look at the wooden lighthouse.

Towards evening, return to the “House of Lighthouses” museum and continue your route to the Island of Forts. There you can grab a bite to eat and recharge before heading home.

Where to eat

Well, we've moved on to the most interesting and delicious part — food. Getting ahead of ourselves, there's nothing particularly special about the local cuisine (at least nothing that would distinguish it 's). You'll find everything here — from cozy cafes to luxury restaurants. In short, the choice is yours.

Just a secret, it's better to book places in advance, especially if you're going in summer or on weekends. The tourist flow at this time is huge, so we advise you to look for interesting places a few days beforehand, and here are our options:

• “Cabin Company Deck #2”. A cozy cafe right on the deck. Mostly fast food is served here, and visitors love this place for its beautiful views and atmosphere;
• “Dutch Cuisine”. A top option if you haven't had enough of the maritime theme and want more. Swedish, Dutch, and French dishes are predominantly served here, and the overall interior is designed in the spirit of the 18th-19th centuries.
• “Old Kotlin”. Pros: located near the Naval Cathedral, and after a long walk, you can make a stop right in the center of Kronstadt. Meat and seafood dishes are served here.
• “Technical Break”. A cool gastropub with an authentic interior, craft drinks, and large portions. Delicious and inexpensive!
• “Traditional Bakery”. A great place to grab a bite while you're walking around the city.

Where to stay

And yet, rest after a long day is sacred. So here are a couple of hotels where you can stay:

• “Admiral Lazarev's Estate”. Guests describe this place as the best if you want to experience the romance of the 19th century;
• Kronstadt Apartments. A hotel with a modern interior in the center of Kronstadt.

By the way, there are many studio apartments in the city that are rented out to tourists. So we recommend taking a look if you want to show off the bay view to your friends.

Tips for Tourists

• Since all the forts are located on the water, the best way to see them up close is to go on a sea excursion.
• Due to its location near the Gulf of Finland, the weather in Kronstadt is windy even in summer. So be sure to bring a windbreaker.
• Don't forget to buy souvenirs from your trip. There are many cool maritime-themed items here that both children and adults will love.
• If you're interested in the atmosphere of Kronstadt, we recommend reading our article on what to see in St. Petersburg. You might fall in love with this city and not want to leave.

Now you definitely know what to see in Kronstadt. You might even become a personal guide for your friends. We wish you pleasant travels and lots of cool photos!