A long and interesting boulevard that is best walked early in the morning. We visited February 2013 and it was great to get out while it was still dark.There is just so much to see, beautiful parks, churches, monuments, museums, and of course plenty of cafes for a hot chocolate with big picture windows to watch the world go by - particularly nice if its snowing outside!
You need to prepared to multitask on this busy avenue. There are gorgeous palaces, shops, cafes, cakes and restaurants. I went there once a day for maximum one hour, every time with different purpose and in different place.
Strolling along Nevsky Prospect there is little bit of something for everyone. Several churches are prevalent here along with some delightful old buildings housing stores and businesses today. If you are shopping there are numerous opportunities here with some excvellant window shopping and store front displays.
Just walking out of the hostel onto Nevsky Prospect was so exciting. Yes, the traffic noise was overwhelming ( ah for the good ol' days of the when the horses pulling the trolleys had their hooves muffled), but it is St. Petersburg's main happening thoroughfare. The old long skirt days, the newer Revolution days, the days of the German siege, this street was at the heart of it all.Many postings write of sophisticated pickpocket scams. One writes of being tracked coming out of expensive stores, or restaurants, or their backpacks grabbed. Hey guys, no backpacks, in fact no fanny packs, and no wallet in you pocket! There are things to be worn under your clothes,whereyou can put a credit card, big bills, and a passport if you must carry that (a xerox copy is better). Also no expensive jewelry or fancy clothes, as little as possible to attract attention. I am a female who has traveled the world, often solo, in countries considered dangerous and have NEVER experienced a pickpocket, or even been threatened or made to feel unsafe. Also don't stop on a corner with an open Lonely Planet or a map looking confused, inattentive and vulnerable. Never attract attention! This isn't unique to Russia. Think NewYork City in the 60s.
Oh God.!! It is the place where i visited everyday when i was their in SPB. It is one of the most busiest pathway. There is a lot to watch. Shops, Cafes, Restaurants, Stores. Me and my friend used to have dinner at one of the restaurant every night on this street. A MUST VISIT.
We have seen so much on TV and films about Russia, the revolution and communism but seeing it for real is amazing. History, Architecture, Wealth, contrasting over years, decades, centuries with the bleakness of communism. The legacy of both visible and living on. Overall a fantastic experience.
In the two days my wife and I spent in Leningrad, we traversed this magnificent thoroughfare a couple of times in our Tour Bus, and on other occasions enjoyed stops of limited duration at various points throughout its length. Like Oxford St in London and 5th Avenue in NYC, the emphasis is very much on shopping, eating an entertainment. The first offers very little else, whereas the 2nd is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world: churches, libraries, museums, and marvels of contemporary architecture. Nevsky Prospekt is closer in content to 5th Ave., but less richly endowed, and very much older in terms of the origin of its major structures. Starting near Palace Square to the side of the Admiralty Building, it runs the length of 6 Metro Stations in a non-linear fashion to the Moscow Railway Station and then turns towards the Alexander Nevsky Monastery to rejoin the Neva River. For most of its length it is wider than the two arteries above, so that it feels more relaxed and less crowded. It is adorned by several statues, most notable of which is a large monument to Catherine the Great, and it crosses several strips of water, the Anichkov Bridge with its 4 equestrian statues being an especially striking component. The main entrance to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan is set back from the road by a large grassy verge, and the very Russian-looking Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood can be seen down one of the intersecting streets. The former Singer Sewing Machine Headquarters is a head-turning Regency-style building with a magnificently decorated roof, while the city’s largest Department Store and its branch of the Russian National Library are also of special interest. Several Museums and other centers of cultural interest lie just off Nevsky itself but cannot justifiably be included in its evaluation. On a scale of 10, I would give 5th Ave 10, Oxford St 5, and Nevsky 7.5.
It is extraordinary to be able to walk on the steps of Dostoievski or Puskin. Nevski Prospekt is a beautiful boulevard, with beautiful sights: Stroganov Palace, Kazan cathedral, Elisseeff Emporium (a beautiful shopping mall in a very interesting palace), Bookhouse (which should be admired especially from the outside, as the building, in art nouveau style, is spectacular), the Anichkov Bridge with it's sculptures - horses, which are one of the most important landmarks of the city. The boulevard ends on the benches of the gulf, at Ermitage and next to the Admirality. My advice is to walk on this boulevard by foot, and admire the magnificent chefs d'ouevre of Saint Petersburg.
When I arrive to SP I didn't realize I was stepping into a street with so many history. It's the main avenue of the city and looks awesome in the evenings. A good starter to experiment the SP nightlife