Saint Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city and its cultural capital, built on 42 islands at the mouth of the Neva River. Founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703, it served as the imperial capital for over two centuries and is home to some of the world's greatest museums, palaces, and architectural masterpieces.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Saint Petersburg.
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- Urban sunbathing spot with a party atmosphere in summer
- sun loungers
- food stalls
- changing areas
- bars
Peter and Paul Fortress Beach
The sandy strip along the south face of the Peter and Paul Fortress walls is one of Saint Petersburg's most beloved summer spots. Locals pack the beach on warm days to sunbathe with views of the Neva and the Hermitage, creating a surreal beach scene in the heart of the imperial city.
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- Relaxed family beach on the Gulf of Finland
- sunbed rental
- cafes
- restrooms
- parking
Sestroretsk Beach
One of the most popular beaches accessible from Saint Petersburg, Sestroretsk offers a long sandy shoreline along the Gulf of Finland with calm, shallow waters suitable for families. The area has been a summer resort town since the imperial era.
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- Quiet and natural
- basic facilities
- nearby cafes
Repino Beach
A peaceful beach near the artist Repin's estate (Penaty), with pine forest meeting the Gulf of Finland shore. The water is clean and the atmosphere is tranquil — popular with locals who want to escape the city without going too far.
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- Social summer beach
- beach bars
- equipment rental
- restrooms
- volleyball
Solnechnoye Beach
A lively summer beach with clean sand and the typical Gulf of Finland shoreline. Solnechnoye (meaning 'sunny') attracts younger crowds and families and has better facilities than some neighboring beaches.
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- Bohemian and literary
- basic facilities
- picnic areas
Komarovo Beach
The beach at Komarovo has a romantic literary heritage — the poet Anna Akhmatova spent summers here and is buried in the local cemetery. The beach is less developed than Sestroretsk, attracting those who appreciate nature and quietude.
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- City beach with views of Lakhta Center
- parking
- nearby food stalls
Lakhta Beach
An accessible city beach on the eastern Gulf of Finland shore, offering views of the futuristic Lakhta Center (Gazprom headquarters) skyscraper. The water is calm and the beach is relatively clean, though not as sandy as Sestroretsk.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Komarovo and Repino offer peaceful, uncrowded beach experiences with pine forests and clean Gulf of Finland water
Family
Family-friendly
Sestroretsk has gentle shallow water, good facilities, and a long sandy beach perfect for children
Sport
Active & sporty
Lakhta and Solnechnoye attract windsurfers and kite surfers due to consistent Gulf of Finland breezes
Social
Lively scene
Peter and Paul Fortress beach has the most lively in-city atmosphere, especially during White Nights
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Saint Petersburg memorable.
Windsurfing
The Gulf of Finland's consistent winds make it excellent for windsurfing; rental and lessons available at Sestroretsk and Solnechnoye
Sestroretsk, Solnechnoye, Lakhta
Open water swimming
The Gulf of Finland water is clean though cold (15–20°C in summer); locals are hardy swimmers. The White Nights season is the best time.
Sestroretsk, Repino
Beach volleyball
Courts available at Solnechnoye and the Peter and Paul Fortress beach area
Solnechnoye, Peter and Paul Fortress
Nordic walking
The pine forest paths connecting the Kurortny district beaches are excellent for Nordic walking year-round
Komarovo, Repino, Sestroretsk
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
June–August for swimming; the Gulf of Finland water temperature reaches 18–22°C at its warmest in July–August
Getting there
Suburban beaches reached by suburban train (elektrichka) from Finland Station — about 45–60 minutes; all public and free
On-beach facilities
City beaches (Peter and Paul Fortress) have basic facilities; suburban beaches (Sestroretsk, Solnechnoye) have better amenities
Costs to budget
Public beaches are free; sunbed rental $3–7 at beaches with facilities; windsurfing equipment rental from $20/hour
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.