Quirky Saint Petersburg: Courtyards, Canals and Unusual Places

• The Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines features historic games you can play.
• The Saint Petersburg branch is at 2B Konyushennaya Square; visitor information lists opening hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (checked on October 25, 2026).
• The city’s network of bridges changes routes between the islands and riverbanks at night.
• For 2026, Mostotrest publishes fixed time slots when several Neva bridges open to allow ships to pass.
• Courtyards may belong to residential buildings; a courtyard is not open to the public just because it is well known.

These tips also apply to Saint Petersburg.

The Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines combines the history of technology with an interactive visit. At the Saint Petersburg branch at 2B Konyushennaya Square, visits are offered daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; these visitor details were checked on October 25, 2026. Admission includes 15 tokens and a guided tour every hour, lasting 30 to 60 minutes. Set aside a dedicated block of time for your visit.

The Museum of Bridges presents models of Saint Petersburg’s bridges and traces their development. The operator describes, among other exhibits, a model of the first floating St. Isaac’s Bridge across the Neva and a working model of the Nicholas, or Blagoveshchensky, Bridge. Its subject makes an interesting contrast with the cityscape outside, especially for anyone interested in the history of engineering and transport. On a day out, you can combine the Museum of Bridges in Saint Petersburg and other museums and exhibitions with a walk around the city.

The Neva and its branches divide the city center into several islands and riverside areas. The municipal operator Mostotrest publishes a bridge schedule for 2026. During the navigation season, from April 10 to November 30, the Palace Bridge is normally raised twice each night: road traffic is interrupted from 1:10 to 2:50 a.m. and from 3:10 to 4:55 a.m. Other bridges have their own time slots. The navigation window may change depending on ship movements; the operator also provides current service updates.

If you want to get between both riverbanks at night, plan to cross a bridge that is open during your travel window, or finish your walk on the same side as your accommodation. A raised bridge lengthens the route between islands; the location of Saint Petersburg and the city’s railway stations determine your starting point for longer journeys. For travel to Saint Petersburg, include the station, transfer and side of the river where you are staying in the same itinerary. During the day, you can visit Palace Square and the Hermitage based on their locations and opening hours.

Courtyards often reveal everyday life behind grand façades, but many belong to occupied buildings or are locked. Public passageways, designated museums and accessible sites are therefore more reliable destinations; private courtyards and building entrances are for residents. For a city walk, choose a neighborhood with just a few stops. If you are adding a major museum visit, you can plan the Peterhof Palace and Park as a separate excursion.

The courtyards of Moscow tell different stories about the city, too; Moscow is a separate destination, far away. Kraków and Prague offer different historical-city-center experiences from the Neva islands and Saint Petersburg’s bridges. For a stay that includes an old town and a museum visit, factor routes between the city center and cultural attractions into your daily plan; keep your travel documents handy while you are out. A travel checklist and itinerary can help you schedule stops and your return.

A late walk between riverbanks depends on bridge operations and where you are staying. Choosing a base on the same island as your last stop can save you a detour at night. Choose accommodation based on location and your destination so that, after the last bridge opening, your return route ends on the right side of the river. Arriving via Pulkovo involves a separate transfer to your accommodation.

Set aside separate location blocks for the Hermitage, Palace Square and Peterhof: Saint Petersburg, the Palace Square ensemble and Peterhof are on different routes. A schedule helps you fit visits, transfers and your return into the same day.

What does the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines offer?

Visitors can play historic arcade machines. Admission at the Saint Petersburg branch includes 15 tokens, as well as a guided tour every hour lasting 30 to 60 minutes.

When do the Neva bridges open?

The 2026 schedule lists the Palace Bridge opening times as 1:10–2:50 a.m. and 3:10–4:55 a.m. Other bridges have their own schedules; operations may end early or change.

Are well-known courtyards open to the public?

Not necessarily. Many courtyards belong to residential buildings. Include one in your walk only if public access is explicitly permitted.

What makes the Museum of Bridges special?

It displays models of Saint Petersburg’s bridges, including historic and moving structures. The models make the engineering behind the cityscape over the Neva and its branches easier to understand.