Trans-Siberian Railway Part 9 - 3 Days in St. Petersburg

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Journey to St. Petersburg

After 3 wonderful days in Kazan, we headed back on the train for St. Petersburg. For this 22-hour journey, we shared our cabin with a young man who looks like he was in the military. His parents sent him off at the platform. I snapped a photo of the emotional moment between mother and son. The similarities of humanity continue to humble me. All cultures across the globe can relate to the pain of parting with family.

This train ride was fairly uneventful. We had lots of kids in the wagon, and the energy is infectious. Other than the gorgeous sunset, we mostly followed the routine of lights out when night arrives, and rise to the gentle moving train when our body is ready to be awake. We arrived in St. Petersburg in the afternoon to a light rain at Moscow Railway Station (not confusing at all…). Checked into our AirBnB just a short walk away.

World Cup Frenzy

Back-to-back Quarter-final games for the World Cup were scheduled during our stay in St. Petersburg. Our activities thus revolved the games. We usually aren’t big sports fans, but there is something about the World Cup that brings people together. I watch the games for their incredible energy. No matter where we are in the world, people gather to watch the World Cup. For the French games, we always manage to find pockets of Frenchies wherever we are. It was no different in St. Petersburg, we indulged in the French-Uruguay game at a Belgium pub. Because, why not?

It was a treat to be in St. Petersburg when Russia advanced to the Quarter-Final. On the night of the Russia-Croatia game, the streets were filled with fans. The noise from the fan zone could be heard from a mile away. We struggled to find a bar that had space to watch the game, and ended up at a small dive bar on a random side street. Sports unite people, and there is profound energy from a little friendly competition and celebration of national unity.

Awe-inspiring Architecture

When not catching World Cup games, we roamed the streets of St. Petersburg, admiring its incredible architecture. The city was restored to its pre-war glory after WWII. The majestic neo-classical buildings run for miles upon miles, and even my French husband proclaimed that this city makes Paris look like child’s play.

With most cities that sit on a river, great wandering can be done simply by following the river banks, and then aimlessly stroll into side streets. St. Petersburg is very walkable, and for three days, if we weren’t eating or watching the World Cup, we wandered. Due to how for north the city situates, summer days last well into midnight, and sun rises just after 4am. The days are incredibly long, and the wandering at different times of the day gives you different vibes of this city.

Good Eats

Like any modern city, the food and café scene in St. Petersburg is solid. Here are some of our favourite places during our short stay:

Banshiki – We found this gem while looking for a place to lunch near our AirBnB in the rain. When we first walked in, we were a bit intimidated by the fancy decor. This place turned out to be our best meal in the city. The food is exquisite, the service so incredibly friendly, all in a relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance.
Department of Coffee – a neighbourhood coffee bar. We stopped in for breakfast to fuel for wanders. The food wasn’t particularly memorable, but the coffee was delicious and the cozy setting was a perfect way to start the day!
Betkitzer – this funky Israeli street food bar sits on a happening street with lots of other bars and restaurants. The food is simple, but quite filling and delicious. Not a place for a quiet dining experience, but a fun vibe!
Bonch – a delightful place in the city centre for brunch. The food portion isn’t huge, but the food is fresh and the unique décor makes is a nice place to plot out activities for the day.
Marketplace – a stylish canteen style eatery with cheap yet quality food. There are quite a few dotted around the city, and it’s a nice back-up option for when you just don’t want to spend energy to decide on where to go.