Feeling the silence of a little medieval town in the northern part of Russia near the Russian-Finnish border, walking through its cobblestoned streets still keeping the spirit of Sweden’s, then Finland’s, then Russia’s rule. The combination of epochs is some mind-blowing, and that’s what makes your tour special.
Despite being under Soviet and now Russian rule, Vyborg has managed to retain the feel of its Swedish-Finnish origin with many architecture masterpieces by foreign creators, including the Vyborg castle.
Vyborg appears to be somewhat strange to Russia as it’s a real European medieval town with a market square, a castle, a complex of defense facilities. It doesn’t look like any other settlement in the country including those whose foundation dates back to the Middle Ages.
A northern wind and the cloudy weather may make you struggle, but all this is an essential background to understand why the Swedes, descendants of the Vikings decided to found the town here.
You will see the masterpieces of the Northern modern architecture style, delve into Vyborg’s 700+ years history.
Most tours start at the Red Square, the monument to Vladimir Lenin, go further to downtown and stop at the Old Town House square (cover photo).
Most routes cover the following topics:
— how the town emerged and what its name means;
— which Swedish monarchs lived in the castle of Vyborg;
— the reasons why the main street of the town (now named the Fortress-street) changed its name four times;
— how Peter the Great, the founder of St. Petersburg, stormed Vyborg twice, and whether he succeeded or not.
You will also taste the Vyborg cracknel and gloegg, get an opportunity to buy the Vyborg ale and branded marzipans.
The most popular walking tours around Vyborg
If necessary, transport can be arranged for all the tours listed below.
All the tours include a visit to the famous Orange Paw Shop with a tasting of the cracknel and a tea \ coffee pause.
Languages available: English and Finnish
The Two-Hour Sightseeing Tour covers all strategic stops in the town without a visit to the Castle Island (it’s observed from distance)
price:
— 4000 rubles per group (for a group of 4 or fewer persons);
— 4500 rubles per group (for a group of 5-8 persons);
— 5000 rubles per group (for a group of 9-12 persons).
The Four-Hour Sightseeing Tour includes a visit to the Castle Island (without a tour to the castle’s St. Olaf Tower)
price:
— 6000 rubles per group (for a group of 4 or fewer persons);
— 6500 rubles per group (for a group of 5-8 persons);
— 7000 rubles per group (for a group of 9-12 persons)
A 30 to 40-minute tour to the tower can be organized for extra pay — 600 rubles per person without an excursion within a Russian speaking group or 1000 rubles per person with an excursion in English / Finnish.
The Tour To The Monrepo Park takes two hours.
price (entrance fee to the park included):
— 5000 rubles per group (for a group of 4 or fewer persons);
— 5500 rubles per group (for a group of 5-8 persons);
— 6000 rubles per group (for a group of 9-12 persons).
How to book:
Drop us a letter at guidetopetersburg@gmail.com or use the feedback below this post. Please, write your name, e-mail (or any form of communication), and preferable dates and all the questions you’d like to clear up.