Leningrad Oblast

The oblast surrounding St. Petersburg, with Lake Ladoga, the ancient town of Staraya Ladoga and Vyborg Castle, well suited to day trips from St. Petersburg.

Leningrad Oblast surrounds St. Petersburg, with Lake Ladoga to the east and the Gulf of Finland to the west. Staraya Ladoga is one of Russia's oldest settlements and preserves a fortress and ancient churches; Vyborg has a medieval castle and Mon Repos Park; Shlisselburg Fortress at the source of the Neva and Gatchina Palace are also worth a visit. The oblast has many forests and lakes, and the white nights of summer are the best time to travel. The gateway is St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport, and most sights can be reached by suburban train or bus.

Destinations

• Vyborg
• Saint Petersburg
• Narva

Itineraries

• St. Petersburg, Vyborg & Veliky Novgorod – Based in St. Petersburg, explore its grand palaces and museums, with day trips to the historic cities of Vyborg and Nov…
• Karelia, Lake Ladoga & Lake Onega Loop – A self-drive loop from St. Petersburg around Lake Ladoga, connecting Valaam, Ruskeala, and Kizhi Island.
• Ida-Viru Coast & Narva Border Town – Road trip east along the northern coast to see oil shale mines, waterfalls, Stalinist towns, and the Narva Fortress.