Tsarskoye selo

The Catherine Park is conditionally divided into two parts: the Old Park or the Dutch Garden and the English landscape garden. The Dutch garden occupies the area behind the Catherine Palace. All plantings and constructions are arranged in symmetrical patterns; trees and shrubs trimmed into decorative shapes. The 173-acre (70 ha) landscape park surrounds the Great pond and contains a wide variety of historical buildings and monuments.

The Alexander Park stretches for about 200 ha to the west of the Catherine Palace. It’s less maintained than the Catherine Park, but it’s not so overcrowded. The main entrance is located right in front of the Catherine palace. The park consists of two parts – the New Garden and the Landscape Park. The New Garden is divided into four parts and surrounded by the Crestovy canal that was dug out in 1748. The landscaped park occupies the area to the north-east from the New Garden. It was laid out in the 1820s in the romantic style.

One of the finest creations of Classicism in architecture, the Alexander Palace was a summer residence for the Imperial Family in the 19th century. Since 1905, it became a real home for the last Russian Emperor Nikolas II and his wife Alexandra during the last 13 years of their reign. The palace retained the original interiors of the Stateroom and partially the last Tsar’s family apartments in the East Wing.

 Essentials

Seeing both the palaces and the parks would require more than a single day, so plan to arrive early. Be aware that getting around the parks requires a great deal of walking.

Remember that most guided tours in the Catherine palace are in the Russian language. In summer the number of visitors exceeds 7000 a day, so long queue at the palace is a common occurrence. Early arriving is strongly recommended. If you care about your budget, you should be aware that almost every pavilion in the Catherine park requires its own entry fee. The entrance to the Alexander park is free.

Visit the Tsarskoye selo official website to learn more about opening hours, prices and available exhibitions.

To get to Tsarskoye selo:

Gps coordinates:

Latitude: 59°55’56” N (55.932185562515); 

Longitude: 30°21′2″ E (30.350660404629)

1. Commuter train (electrichka) from Vitebsky Railway station of Saint Petersburg to Tsarskoye selo (Pushkin). Train timetable here (to fill in the form and check the timetable use SANKT-PETERBURG VITEBS as Departure and CARSKOE SELO as Arrival). Then take bus 371, 382 or minibus (marshrutka) 371, 377, 382 to get to the Catherine Park.
2. From Moskovskaya Metro Station take minibus (marshrutka) 286, 287, 342, 347, 545 to get right to the Catherine Park or bus 187 to the Train Station “Pushkin”, bus №371, 382 minibus 286, 287, 347 to get to Tsarskoye selo Railway station. From the station take bus 371, 382, or minibus №371, 377, 382 to get “Tsarskoye Selo” The State Museum-Reserve station.
3. 3.From Zvezdnaya and Kupchino Metro Stations take bus 186 to get to “Tsarskoye Selo” station. From Kupchino Metro Stations take minibus k-545a, k-286, k-287, k-347a.