St. Petersburg is a wonderful city, beautiful, with unique architecture and ancient history. But the sights of the Leningrad region are no less interesting! In the vicinity of the city you can find caves, nature reserves, chic palaces, and simply beautiful natural places that attract tourists from all over the world. We offer an overview of the most interesting places in the Leningrad region, which can be visited by car. Let's start in order.
Natural Beauty
The surroundings of St. Petersburg are rich not only in architectural monuments, but also in beautiful places in nature that have remained pristine. If you like a relaxing holiday, as close as possible to nature, then you should definitely visit some natural attractions of the Leningrad region:
- Gorchakovshchinsky waterfall, located next to a unique earthen fortress, can be found in the Volkhov district, in the village of Staraya Ladoga. It is, of course, small, but for the local nature the phenomenon is quite unique.
- In the Leningrad region there is Lake Vuoksa, which was formedeven during the Ice Age. In the middle of the lake there are islands that are covered with coniferous forests.
- Peter I created many artificial lakes, one of the first was the Sestroretsky spill. Locals very often come here to relax, as there are clean beaches, there are cafes, and a river tram works. And history buffs can visit the Lenin Hut Museum.
- Vepssky forest is an ideal place if you are interested in untouched natural sights of the Leningrad region. This national park is a real island of freedom and silence, a kind of open-air museum. It was created to protect the beauty of forests and swamps.
- Mountains and volcanoes. Yes, yes, in the vicinity of St. Petersburg you can even find them! For example, during the time of Catherine II, they began to develop quarries for the extraction of marble and other materials in the adits of Ruskeala. They were used for the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Hermitage, the Marble Palace. Another attraction is the Girvas Volcano, which was discovered in the waters of the Suna River.
Also in the vicinity of St. Petersburg you can see Seskar Island, Dudergof Heights, the Rock of Love, which will appeal to all lovers of natural beauty.
About natural wonders
If you are interested in the unusual sights of the Leningrad region, you can also find them here. For example, the Tanechkina Cave, located near the fortress in Staraya Ladoga, is a mysterious place. Initially, quartz sand was mined in it, but over time, the resources were depleted. Today this place is very loved by bats. You can get here by train.or bus.
Speaking of the caves, we should mention the Sablinsky caves, which are complemented by canyons and waterfalls. All this together creates a truly mysterious atmosphere. The uniqueness of this cave is in Russia's only operating underground chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which is located in one of the caves of the reserve.
Another interesting place is the Oredezhsky caves, which have unusual vaults reminiscent of Gothic architecture. Sand was mined here, from which glass was then produced.
About little-known places
Little-known sights of the Leningrad region are, for example, the Toksovsky bison nursery. Here you can see bison in their natural habitat. You can get to the reserve by train, minibus, and by car. Many travel lovers go to Konevets Island. Its peculiarity is in the unique nature and numerous architectural monuments. Another place that can attract the attention of tourists is the so-called Horse Lake. Its uniqueness is surrounded by a picturesque natural area.
Geysers located in the Gatchina region are little known to tourists. You can see real fountains spouting from underground at any time of the year. To see these sights of the Leningrad region, you need to drive along the Korpikovsky highway by car.
Architectural objects
The popularity of St. Petersburg and its regions is explained not only by the natural features of the territories, but also by its cultural and architectural monuments. If you like history and architecture, then you will surely like such sights of the Leningrad region as palaces, fortresses, military fortifications:
- Gatchina Palace. Today there is a state museum with a huge number of exhibits. The uniqueness of the place lies in the picturesque gardens and parks that surround the palace. The parks have bridges, islands, a greenhouse and a poultry house. And the main elements of the composition are two lakes - White and Silver, and a pond.
- Priory Palace. It is an architectural symbol of Gatchina. The architectural complex has terraces, high roofs, Gothic windows, towers with spiers. An interesting exhibit of the palace is the Priory.
- Fortress in Staraya Ladoga. This historical monument is the center of the village itself.
- Catherine's Palace in Tsarskoye Selo is a favorite place for tourists from all over the world to visit.
Thus, in the vicinity of St. Petersburg you can find a variety of palaces and estates that will help you imagine the historical appearance of this area and plunge into its cultural traditions.
Military fortifications
But not everyone is interested in the cultural, natural or architectural sights of the Leningrad region. There are people who like various defensive structures. Such tourists and travelers will be interested in the following objects:
- Annensky fortifications located in Vyborg, on the island of Tverdysh. Today it is a rare monument of the defense architecture of Russia since the time of Peter the Great. Four bastions connected by curtains stretch along the Vyborg Bay.
- Vostochno-Vyborg fortifications. Another interesting monument is Batareynaya Gora or the East Vyborg defensive fortifications, which were necessary during the war with Finland. And today, the fortifications remain valuable examples of fortress architecture.
Come to the Leningrad region
Whatever kind of vacation you are interested in, there is an interesting place on the territory of the Leningrad Region that you will like. Be sure to visit some of them. They won't make you disappointed.
