Moscow VS St Petersburg

Hey hey hey ..

So needing some advice -- am planning a long weekend in either Moscow or St Petersburg ... but can't decide which one.

Since I'll be there for only a long weekend, I'd prefer somewhere that I can do a bit of sightseeing, bit of shopping, having lazy lunches and dancing till dawn !! ha ha ...

which do you think is best ???????

let me know !!!

Thanks

I'd say Moscow, for what you're after. Moscow's only real "must see" sights for most people are the Kremlin/Red Square (there is of course much more to see if you want to), whereas Petersburg has a lot more "must sees" that you can't do any justice to in a weekend. Plus Moscow has better shopping, restaurants and nightlife. By the way, the cost and hassle of obtaining a visa (assuming you need one) put some people off going for just a weekend.

Don't forget about the cost and hassle of getting a visa. I'm not sure where you're from, but you'll probably need a visa to visit Russia, and you have to ask yourself if it's worthwhile for just spending a long weekend there. Check the "sticky" at the top of this branch for tons of information.

If you decide you really want to go, check out www.inyourpocket.com with a good guide to clubs and restaurants and such in St. Pete's.

Dave

Moscow's major sites are the Kremlin and Red Square, a monastery or two (Novodevichy is probably the most famous but I prefer Upper St. Peters), and walking the streets or city in a cafe and people watching. There are also art museums, plenty of churches and a few interesting estates (Kuskovo and Ostankino).

Moscow probably has more nightlife and is definitely a 24 hour city.

I assume you mean souvenir shopping. If so, be sure to visit Vernisazh which is open on the weekends.

Take a look at the New Russia Sticky #4 for specifics about Moscow. There is also lots of information there about getting a Russian visa.

Petersburg is a planned city and has much less history but many more palaces and estates. In addition to being only 300+ years compared to more than 850 years, Petersburg is also half the population size of Moscow.

Ruth

Also consider Kiev. Former capital of the mediaeval Russian state, with even more history than Moscow. It has the advantage (for most western passport holders) of being in Ukraine, saving you the hassle of visas, registering with police, being find my militsya for not registering with the police, etc. etc.

It has sightseeing, shopping, lazt lunches and plenty of night life.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Petersburg is a planned city and has much less history but many more palaces and estates. In addition to being only 300+ years compared to more than 850 years, Petersburg is also half the population size of Moscow. <hr></blockquote>

Hmm, seems a bit harsh ... those 300 years include being built from scratch in virgin forest at the behest of one man, the 1905 and 1917 revolutions and a 900 day seige in WWII. Certainly Moscow is the place to go to see the combined legacies of mediaeval Russia and Stalin, though.

Plus at 5m people Petersburg is hardly a village - it's 10 times the size of many Eastern European capitals.

I agree, #5. I almost never have a bone to pick with Ruth, but to say St. Petersburg has "less history" is more than a little misleading: Petersburg certainly has a shorter history, but that history is actually much better preserved than Moscow's...the Moscow city fathers having been busy in recent years razing everything they possibly can--including lots of wonderful late 19th/early 20th century buildings--in order to create a modern megalopolis of office towers and shopping malls. Petersburg is by a long shot the more "atmospheric" of the two cities.

The cities are so very different, though, that any choice between them is more or less a toss up...especially when the OP's only criteria are sightseeing, dancing and shopping. The opportunities for these activities in either locale could fill weeks, let alone a long weekend, so might as well flip a coin.

I prefer St Petersburg. Moscow is too big, fast and dirty for my liking.

they are both worth visiting,but st petersburg is the best.its beautiful-and the people are much nicer and friendlier too.thats what i found anyway

Go for Petersburg. Moscow has that 'totally-other' quality I suppose, and the history is of course fascinating. But for a long weekend Petersburg is just more relaxing. I know I'll probably be shot down for saying this but Petersburg is just easier - more people speak English, the metro is less stressy, it has a great tourist guide system to help you if you get lost or need help, the city is more easily navigable on foot, and the Hermitage is a reason in itself!

I'm also taking a weekend (3-day) trip to Russia, and trying to decide between Moscow & Saint Petersburg. However, I'm not interested in the shopping or dancing, rather I'll be there to expand my photography portfolio. It sounds like St. Petersburg will be more attractive, though I'm interested in more than just "pretty". I'm also seeking shots of architecture, cultural differences, bizarre or traditional clothing styles. Any advice on which city might be best for this?

Architecture is great in both cities. In Moscow there are tons and tons of old churches and buildings that were rebuilt after the fire of 1812. Petersburg has great architecture as well but comparatively Moscow is larger and 600 years older. Also remember that Petersburg was a planned city, built by Peter to be the capital so a lot of the architecture there is monumental.

I doubt that you will find too many cultural differences and certainly no really bizarre or traditional cothing styles, other than that most Russian men wear black.

Personally I prefer Moscow but I would check to see which is easier and cheaper to reach.

Ruth

Ruth- Thank you so very much for your insights. I'm leaning toward Moscow, but have a few concerns. Will I have trouble taking photographs? I'm most interested in photographing outdoors, so if I can't take photos inside a museum, etc. that's no problem. But I'd hate to go and find out I can't take photos of the Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil's Cathedral. One guidebook I have says you have to leave your bags before entering the Kremlin, so I'm concerned I won't be able to do any photography.

Thanks in advance for any insights!

The only place where people report having problems taking pictures is occasionally the Moscow metro. That said, it is easier in Moscow than in Petersburg where the prohibition on photos in the metro is more strictly enforced.

Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil's are all places where photos can be taken. Actually there are few places that are restricted.

You must leave you luggage and backpack but you can take a photography bag if you buy a special permit. At least this is what I have done in the past. I haven't been to the Kremlin in almost 5 years now.

Actually some museums allow photos inside with the purchase of a permit.

Ruth

Thanks again, Ruth. I have just submitted my visa application to the Russian consulate, and booked my trip to Moscow. I really appreciate your help!