The Great Guest: a weekend in Veliky Novgorod and St. Petersburg

We invite you to an exciting journey through the historical corners of Russia! 

You will discover the secrets of Veliky Novgorod with its ancient monuments and cozy streets, including the famous St. Sophia Cathedral and the living museum of wooden architecture in Vitoslavlitsy.

Then St. Petersburg awaits you — the city of fountains and parks. Take a walk through Peterhof's Lower Park and visit the Hermitage Museum with its priceless collections. This trip will give you unforgettable impressions and memories of two amazing cities!

Location

Veliky Novgorod
from
$288
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
4 Days
3 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    4 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 45 tourists
Minimum age
6 years old
Group meet at
Veliky Novgorod
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

An immersion into the history of Veliky Novgorod
You will feel the spirit of ancient Russia. You will see the architecture of the XVIII-XIX centuries and famous historical monuments such as St. Sophia Cathedral and the monument to the Millennium of Russia.
The Living Museum in Vitoslavlitsy
Immerse yourself in the traditions and way of life of the peasants. You will see preserved wooden buildings and get acquainted with the crafts of the past in a living open-air museum.
Green corners of St. Petersburg
Take a walk through the picturesque parks and gardens, including the Summer Garden. Enjoy the beauty of nature and historical architecture, as well as see famous fountains and sculptures.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - A walk through Veliky Novgorod

    6:20-10:30 Arrival in Veliky Novgorod. Meeting with a guide with a sign “Magus” at the main entrance to the railway station from the platform. The meeting details will be included in the voucher.

    Transfer to the hotel. Check-out time in hotels is 14:00. Book early check-in in advance for an additional fee.

    Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. For tourists arriving after 10-00, breakfast is replaced with lunch.

    Collection from hotels in the city:

    • 10:30 Volkhov Hotel 4*;
    • 10:45 a.m. Intourist Hotel 3*;
    • 11:00 Sadko 3* hotel.

    There may be a slight delay in the delivery of the vehicle. In this situation, we recommend that you keep in touch with the guide.

    11:00 Three-hour walking tour.

    A walk through the quiet streets of the old town with preserved buildings of the XVIII-XIX centuries. During the tour, you will see the remains of a stone fortress wall of the 14th century and the world–famous Church of the Savior on Ilyin (without setting), walk along a beautiful pedestrian street - Novgorodsky Arbat, find out what the Ancient Torg and Yaroslav's Courtyard looked like in the past.

    The Hanseatic Fountain is a symbol of the union of Hanseatic cities of Modern times. Photo from Novgorodochka.

    Switching from the trading side to the Sofia side:

    • Detinets — Stone Chronicle of Veliky Novgorod. The Kremlin — walls and 9 preserved towers;
    • Monument to the Millennium of Russia;
    • Cathedral of St. Sophia of the Wisdom of God, 1045-1050 — the most ancient temple in Russia. "Where Sofia is, Novgorod is here" (enter on your own);
    • Sofia Belfry, XV-XVII centuries. (without setting);
    • The faceted (lordly) chamber. Guided tour of the expositions "The Chamber of Archbishop Euthymius II in the Courtyard of the Novgorod Kremlin", "Jewelry and decorative arts of the V-XVII centuries".

    14:00 Lunch at the Geografiya restaurant in the city center — extra charge. 1000 rubles/person. We recommend booking with a tour due to the inability to purchase lunch on the spot.

    Free time in the city center.

    Independent sightseeing according to the guest's card.

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  • Day 2 - "To the stars of the blue domes." Excursion to the Wonderful village of Vitoslavlitsy
  • Day 3 - Bus tour "Along the old Peterhof road". Lower Park Tour
  • Day 4 - Guided tour "Gardens and parks of St. Petersburg". Visit to the Hermitage
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    4 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale

Basic hotels (hotels where the group gathers in St. Petersburg):

Sadko 3* (Veliky Novgorod), breakfast buffet. Address: 16 Fedorovsky Ruchey, located in the city center, an 18-minute walk to the Kremlin. + Rus 4* (Saint Petersburg), buffet breakfast. Address: 1, Artillery Street. The nearest metro station is Chernyshevskaya. In the very center of the city, a 10–minute walk from the Summer Garden and Mikhailovsky Castle.

Check-in datesDouble + Double Single + Single
 Standard + Classic
01.05.25-08.05.252580029100
15.05.252465028350
22.05.25-05.06.252695030550
12.06.252810031300
26.06.25-10.07.252695030550
17.07.25-21.08.252465028350

Intourist 3* (Veliky Novgorod), breakfast buffet. Address: 16 Velikaya St., located in the city center, a 5-minute walk to the Volkhov River and a 15-minute walk from the Kremlin + Oktyabrskaya 4* (Saint Petersburg). Buffet breakfast. Address: Ligovsky ave., 10. The most popular hotel is located opposite Moskovsky Train Station, a 2-minute walk from Nevsky Prospekt. The nearest metro station is Ploshchad Vosstaniya / Mayakovskaya. 

Check-in datesDouble + Double Single + Single
 Standard + Standard
01.05.25-08.05.252640035200
15.05.252585034200
22.05.25-05.06.252875040200
12.06.253010042800
26.06.252955041800
03.07.252875040200
10.07.25-21.08.252775037700

Volkhov 4* (Veliky Novgorod), breakfast buffet. Address: Predtechenskaya St., 24, located in the city center, a 5-minute walk to the Kremlin. + Saint Petersburg 4* (Saint Petersburg).  Breakfast buffet. Address: Pirogovskaya nab. 5/2. Nearest metro station: Lenin Square. We recommend rooms with a view of the Neva River.

Check-in datesDouble + Double Single + Single
 Standard + Standard city view
01.05.25-08.05.253080039600
15.05.25-22.05.253025039150
05.06.253265043950
12.06.253390045900
26.06.253335045450
03.07.253265043950
10.07.25-21.08.253135041450

Hotels from which guests independently approach the starting point of excursions in St. Petersburg: 

Intourist 3* (Veliky Novgorod), breakfast buffet. Address: 16 Velikaya St., located in the city center, a 5-minute walk to the Volkhov River and a 15-minute walk from the Kremlin. + Cronwell Inn Stremyannaya 4* (Saint Petersburg). Breakfast buffet. Address: Stremyannaya St., 18. The hotel is located in the historical center of St. Petersburg, a 3-minute walk from Nevsky Prospekt and Mayakovskaya Metro Station, a 5—minute walk from Moskovsky Train Station, a 15-minute drive from Palace Square and Alexander Nevsky Lavra, a 7—minute walk to the meeting place is the Oktyabrskaya Hotel. 

Check-in datesDouble + Double Single + Single
 Standard + Standard
01.05.25-08.05.252530035200
15.05.25-22.05.252475034200
12.06.252700038700
26.06.25-03.07.252645037700
10.07.25-07.08.252525035200
21.08.252435033400

Sadko 3* (Veliky Novgorod), breakfast buffet. Address: 16 Fedorovsky Ruchey, located in the city center, an 18-minute walk to the Kremlin. + Socroma Paja-Sofia Lunch box breakfast. All rooms have a kitchenette. Address: 65 Ligovsky ave. (2nd floor). Nearest metro station: Mayakovskaya/Vosstaniya Square and Vladimirskaya/Dostoevskaya. In A 9-minute walk from the Oktyabrskaya 4 hotel. Sokroma Apartments Library. Lunch box breakfast. All rooms have a kitchenette. Address: Pushkinskaya St., 19. It is located in the heart of St. Petersburg, 500 meters from Vladimirskaya metro station and a 12-minute walk from Oktyabrskaya Hotel:

Check-in datesDouble + Double Single + Single
 Standard + Standard
01.05.25-08.05.252540031100
15.05.25-22.05.252355028850
05.06.252395029750
12.06.252560031500
26.06.252395029750
03.07.25-17.07.252365029050
24.07.25-21.08.252325028350

Sadko 3* (Veliky Novgorod), breakfast buffet. Address: 16 Fedorovsky Ruchey, located in the city center, an 18-minute walk to the Kremlin. +

Best Western 4* / Best Western Plus Center Hotel 4*. Continental breakfast. Address 41/43 Ligovsky Ave. The nearest metro station is Ploshchad Vosstaniya. 4 minutes from the Oktyabrskaya 4 hotel*

Check-in datesDouble + Double Single + Single
 Standard + Comfort
01.05.25-08.05.252650032100
15.05.252535031350
22.05.25-05.06.252845037750
12.06.253030039800
26.06.252915039050
03.07.252845037750
10.07.25-21.08.252745035250

Volkhov 4* (Veliky Novgorod), breakfast buffet. Address: Predtechenskaya St., 24, located in the city center, a 5-minute walk to the Kremlin. + Radisson Sonya 4*. Breakfast buffet. Address: Liteyny ave., 5/19. The nearest metro station is Chernyshevskaya. A 17-minute walk to the Summer Garden and Mikhailovsky Castle, a 9-minute walk from the Rus Hotel. 

Check-in datesDouble + Double Single + Single
 Standard + Standard
01.05.25-08.05.253500045100
15.05.253445044650
22.05.25-05.06.253735050450
12.06.253790050900
26.06.253735050450
03.07.25-21.08.253445044650

Discount for students under 14 years old (Russian Federation)850 rubles

Discount for students aged 14-16 (Russian Federation)350 rubles

Discount for students (Full-time Russian State Universities) and pensioners (if you have a pension certificate of the Russian Federation): 250 rubles .

Volkhov 4* or Sadko 3* or 3 nights
Volkhov 4*

The Volkhov Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in Veliky Novgorod. The housewarming party in the historical center of the city on Predtechenskaya Street took place back in 1959, on August 8, and was timed to coincide with the celebrations dedicated to the 1,100-year anniversary of the oldest Russian city.

Initially, the hotel had 108 rooms, its main decoration was a marble staircase.
The complete reconstruction of the building, carried out in 1998-1999, turned the hotel into a modern, comfortable hotel that meets all standards. Moreover, without violating the original architectural design, while preserving all the positive features of a solid building.

In 2013-2014, a large-scale renovation of the halls and rooms was carried out, and the hotel was transformed again. The hotel's rooms and exterior are updated every year.

The hotel provides technically equipped conference rooms and a meeting room for business people, and a travel agency and souvenir shop for tourists. And for everyone, there are cozy rooms and a lobby bar with fresh press, a European—level restaurant and a library.

The Volkhov Hotel is located in the very center of the city, a two-minute walk from the Kremlin.

Modern technical equipment, service, proximity to the city's business center and convenient transport links provide guests with comfortable conditions for both active work and leisure.

At your service:

  • 123 cozy rooms;
  • free Wi-Fi;
  • Marusya Restaurant;
  • Lobby bar;
  • two conference halls with 50 seats;
  • parking lot;
  • billiard;
  • organization of sightseeing and transportation services, tours, master classes;
  • laundry service;
  • safe deposit box (at the reception), luggage storage.
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Another option
Sadko 3*

The best hotel of its class in Veliky Novgorod. The hotel is named after the hero of Russian epics. Sadko Hotel complex is located in the historical part of Veliky Novgorod near the city center – the Kremlin.

Monuments of medieval architecture, unique museum collections, preserved picturesque landscape, convenient geographical location create excellent conditions for productive work and a good rest at the Sadko Hotel. 

The hotel was renovated in 2006 and is currently undergoing partial renovation of rooms (20203). 
Number of rooms: 171 rooms – consists of 77 single rooms (this is the largest hotel of its class in terms of single rooms in the city), 75 double rooms, 5 junior suites and 14 suites.

The rooms are equipped with TV and telephone, bathroom/shower, toilet, necessary furniture: bed, desk, chair, bedside table, lounge chair (in all except double rooms), mirror, wardrobe. A city telephone directory is provided free of charge, and a hairdryer and iron are provided upon request.

We are pleased to inform you that all rooms of the hotel are equipped with WI-FI access to Restaurants and bars: A cozy homely atmosphere has been created for guests in the restaurant of the Sadko Hotel. Friendly staff, legendary richness of the Russian table, healthy products and reasonable prices are waiting for you. 

The menu will delight guests with an abundance and variety of dishes, half of which are branded. Express cafe (winter and summer options) The hotel offers: On the ground floor there is a conference hall with 50 seats, a souvenir kiosk, and a hairdresser. Foreign languages of service: English, German.

5 more photos
Another option
Intourist 3*

Intourist is a convenient hotel for tourists and business people in the center of Veliky Novgorod.

The Novgorod Kremlin, St. Sophia Cathedral, the regional and city administrations, important sports facilities of the city, concert venues, and a drama theater are within walking distance from the hotel.

The Intourist Hotel offers its guests 118 comfortable rooms of various categories and prices. There are rooms for people with reduced mobility.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, including in the rooms.

Additional services: restaurant services, conference room, business center services.
Round-the-clock security, video surveillance in public areas, safes and luggage storage are the key to the safety of your stay at the Intourist Hotel.

There is no smoking in the rooms of the Intourist Hotel.

Check-out time at the hotel is 12.00, check-in time is 14:00. If rooms are available, it is possible to check in ahead of check-in time at no extra charge.

We accept cash/non-cash rubles, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro bank cards for payment.

Intourist – reliability, quality, affordable prices!

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Cronwell Inn Stremyannaya 4* or Socroma Paja-Sofia or 1 night

Tour conditions

Group
up to 45 tourists
Minimum age
6 years old
Duration
4 days 3 nights
Group meets at
Veliky Novgorod

Included in price

  • habitation;
  • Meals: 3 breakfasts;
  • guided tour service according to the program;
  • tickets to museums according to the program;
  • guide support;
  • headphones for more comfortable listening to the guide;
  • railway tickets on the Swallow from St. Petersburg to Veliky Novgorod.

Paid extra

  • air or railway tickets to St. Petersburg and back;
  • Meals: lunches (can be purchased for an additional fee in advance: 2 lunches (2000 rubles) and dinners;
  • additional excursions (optional);
  • additional payment for foreign tickets (excluding the Republic of Belarus): 2,250 rubles . (all tours are in Russian).

It's important to know

Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Are there any possible changes in the program?
What is the check-out time in hotels?
What discounts are available on the tour?

Reviews

  • A
    Anna
    about provider
    13 Feb, 2025
    My daughter and I took the St. Petersburg Collection tour for 7 days, and I highly recommend it for first-time visitors to the city like us. The tour is well-designed, allowing you to see the main attractions in a short period of time. A great advantage is that you can join on any day. Everything was well-organized—excellent guides, comfortable buses, and provided radio headsets for better communication. There were no delays or long waits. The schedule was planned in a way that left plenty of free time in the evenings for walks or additional sightseeing. The tour package includes hotel accommodation, with several options to choose from. I stayed at the Rossiya Hotel near Pobeda Park and was very satisfied. The rooms were clean, with daily housekeeping, fresh towels, and air conditioning—which was perfect given the pleasant temperatures of 24–30°C during our stay. A buffet breakfast was included—simple but sufficient to start the day. It was really convenient, as we would bring a small snack for the day and have dinner somewhere in central St. Petersburg. The hotel is within walking distance of the blue metro line, making it easy to reach the city center without transfers. There’s also a supermarket nearby, along with plenty of street food options. It’s also worth mentioning that additional excursions are available. We took a boat trip to the forts of Kronstadt and joined a nighttime tour to see the city's famous drawbridges—both were unforgettable experiences
  • E
    Elena
    about provider
    12 Feb, 2025
    First and foremost, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our personal manager in Big Country, Ksenia, for carefully selecting a tour that matched our preferences and for swiftly handling the changes to our group size. We had six unforgettable days on the banks of the Neva River! A huge thank you for the well-organized excursions, led by true professionals—Irina and Olga. We would be delighted to recommend traveling with Big Country to our friends and family!
  • M
    Margarita
    about provider
    12 Feb, 2025
    Many thanks to Big Country for the tour—everything was top-notch! We’ll definitely be back. Thank you!