Peterhof near St Petersburg: Palace, Park and Visitor Planning

• Peterhof lies west of St Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland.
• The Grand Palace, Upper Garden and Lower Park are separate visitor areas.
• The Grand Cascade and Samson Fountain are the Lower Park’s main water attractions.
• The fountains operate seasonally, as do the opening hours.
• A visit to the park is a day trip from St Petersburg in its own right.

The Grand Palace stands above the cascade; its halls and collections are the focus of the indoor visit. In the Lower Park, the main sightline runs from the cascade to the Samson Fountain and onward towards the sea. Other fountains, avenues and garden areas lie to either side. The Upper Garden, level with the palace, is more compact and can be treated as a separate section. If you have limited time, consider visiting either the palace and cascade or taking a longer walk through the park.

For 2026, the museum announced that the Lower Park would be open from 25 April to mid-October, daily from 9:00 to 20:00, with the fountains running from 10:00 to 19:45. In May, the Grand Palace had extended hours on weekends and public holidays; from June to August, it was open daily until 20:00. The autumn festival on 26 and 27 September offered special opening hours from 10:00 to 21:00 during the regular season. For 25 October 2026, the museum information listed the Lower Park’s hours as 9:00–18:00, with last admission at 17:15, and the Grand Palace’s as 10:30–18:00, with admission until 17:00.

Peterhof lies west of central St Petersburg; the journey leaves the city and heads towards the Gulf of Finland. In the city centre, Palace Square is a hub for routes around the Hermitage, while Nevsky Prospekt is the city’s main thoroughfare. The museums in St Petersburg and the Hermitage make good cultural highlights for another day of your stay.

On the opposite bank of the Neva stands the Peter and Paul Fortress; the Aurora cruiser is moored as a museum ship on the Petrograd Embankment. Both are part of a city itinerary and can be combined with central sights on a separate day.

The city centre of St Petersburg brings together central squares and historic neighbourhoods. For another day of culture, the city’s museums and the Hermitage offer extensive indoor visits. Nevsky Prospekt and Palace Square provide access to the city centre; the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Aurora cruiser are by the Neva or on the Petrograd side.

Buses 200, 204Э and 210 run from Avtovo metro station to the “Fontany” or “Razvodnaya ulitsa” stops near the park entrances. There is also a rail connection from Baltiysky Station: suburban trains run to Novy Peterhof, from where buses 351А, 351Б, 352, 356, 463 and 489 serve the “Fontany” and “Razvodnaya ulitsa” stops. The station is just under three kilometres from the fountains, so you will need to take a connecting bus or allow enough time to walk that stretch. Accommodation in St Petersburg and the surrounding area can be chosen to suit your stay in the city or at Peterhof. Getting there and transport, Preparing for your trip, Travel checklist and schedule and Staying safe while travelling can help you plan connections and daily routes together.

When planning the trip, also take the journey there, walking distances during the day and return time into account.

Peterhof involves long walks outdoors as well as indoor visits. In sunny weather, the water features and the view towards the sea take centre stage; in the rain, the palace and shorter garden routes become more appealing. The fountain season is an important factor. If the Samson Fountain and cascade are your main priorities, plan your visit during the confirmed operating period and follow the sightline downhill towards the coast.

Which areas can you combine if you have limited time?

For a short visit, consider either the Grand Palace and Grand Cascade or the fountains and paths of the Lower Park. A tour of all the areas takes considerably longer.

How do you get to Peterhof by bus and train?

Buses 200, 204Э and 210 run from Avtovo metro station to the “Fontany” and “Razvodnaya ulitsa” stops. Alternatively, suburban trains run from Baltiysky Station to Novy Peterhof; from there, buses 351А, 351Б, 352, 356, 463 or 489 continue to the park entrances.

Which ticket do you need if you arrive by Meteor hydrofoil?

The Meteor docks at the pier in the Lower Park. You therefore need a Lower Park admission ticket; the route from the pier continues through the park.