Photographs show different viewpoints, dates and conditions. They do not establish current access to a particular route. Every image is credited below.
St Petersburg combines monumental interiors, waterways and a deliberately composed urban setting. The relationship between a museum collection and its building is one part of the experience; streets and river views provide another. A thoughtful visit separates those different scales.
Check current official travel advice and entry conditions before planning. If a visit is appropriate, spread major collections across different days.