The General Staff Building
The General Staff Building, St. Petersburg: Address, Phone Number, The General Staff Building Reviews: 4.5/5
The General Staff Building
The General Staff Building
4.5
About
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Admiralteisky
How to get there
- Admiralteyskaya • 4 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
6,251 within 5 kms

Art-Caviar
174
0.3 km$$$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European

Brisket Eat & Fun
513
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Bar • Barbecue

Wine Gogh
172
0.4 km$ • European • Wine Bar • Vegan Options

Gogol
1,645
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • European • Russian • Eastern European

Le Tour De Vin
113
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • European • Wine Bar • Central European

Janno
520
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • European • Russian • Central European

Hamlet+Jacks
750
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • European • Russian • Vegetarian Friendly

Goose Goose
513
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • International

Brasserie Kriek
553
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Belgian • Bar • Pub

Pyshechnaya
1,507
0.3 km$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Fast food
Attractions
2,051 within 10 kms

Vyborgskaya Factory-Kitchen
1
9.4 mArchitectural Buildings
Baby Gym Petrovskiy Ostrov
9.4 mSports Camps & Clinics

Theater Two Wings
9.4 mTheatres

Triumphal Arch of the General Staff Building
20
47 mMonuments & Statues

Palace Square
5,463
0.2 kmHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Alexander Column
391
0.1 kmMonuments & Statues

The State Hermitage Museum
26,654
0.3 kmArt Museums

St. Petersburg Printing Museum
35
0.1 kmSpeciality Museums

Petrovskaya Aquatoria Museum-Model of St. Petersburg and Suburbs
500
0.2 kmSpeciality Museums • History Museums

Naval History Museum at the Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy
20
82 mMilitary Museums • History Museums
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
1,150 reviews
Excellent
870
Very good
207
Average
51
Poor
9
Terrible
13
TandTSwitzerland
Zurich, Switzerland1,019 contributions
Sep. 2021
Part of the Hermitage complex, it has a huge collection of paintings. Some nice Monet, Picasso, Kandinsky etc. you need at least two hours to visit. Tickets can be purchased online (specific time slot is assigned). Highly recommended to visit if you are in the area.
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
B1714D
Belgrade, Serbia12,851 contributions
Apr. 2021
Set in the very center, on the Palace Square, this is a unique building worldwide.
It's a very long (580 m) curved edifice with a Triumphal Arch in the middle, commemorating the victory over Napoleon.
During the Imperial era when St. Pet was the capital it was the Government seat with both, Foreign affairs and Finance ministry inside.
Today, one wing is still for military purposes, while the other belongs to Hermitage museum with an amazing collection of impressionist art.
It's a very long (580 m) curved edifice with a Triumphal Arch in the middle, commemorating the victory over Napoleon.
During the Imperial era when St. Pet was the capital it was the Government seat with both, Foreign affairs and Finance ministry inside.
Today, one wing is still for military purposes, while the other belongs to Hermitage museum with an amazing collection of impressionist art.
Written 21 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Casa62
6 contributions
Sep. 2019
This is an interesting building architecturally. A fusion of old and new which is not apparent until you hit the main foyer.
The displays are all on one level and flow nicely from room to room. We didnt get lost here!
This is a collection of European art confiscated from the wealthy burgers after the revolution. Lots of big names here and we were thrilled to see some kandinskys.
This building doesnt have the pulling power of the hermitage sitting on the river but is worth a vist. Its a shirt walk across the square from the hetmitage.
The displays are all on one level and flow nicely from room to room. We didnt get lost here!
This is a collection of European art confiscated from the wealthy burgers after the revolution. Lots of big names here and we were thrilled to see some kandinskys.
This building doesnt have the pulling power of the hermitage sitting on the river but is worth a vist. Its a shirt walk across the square from the hetmitage.
Written 31 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chesham1234
London, UK79 contributions
Mar. 2020
We didn't get anywhere else, and ran out of time, only allowing 90 minutes. A fabulous collection of Monet, Degas, and so on - I've never seen so many Cezanne. Decent coffee shop (better than the Hermitage which is always crowded).
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Austin Turk
4 contributions
Sep. 2019
Must visit, if you are ever be in St. Petersburg, this is a must see attraction. Strongly recommend this.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Roy B
9 contributions
Jan. 2020
We went there with no expectations and were blown away by the huge range of paintings by famous artists. This large museum takes a bit of navigating so our guide proved very useful.
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kurt m
Spalding, UK145 contributions
Jan. 2020
We where hear for New Years Eve where the president gives his speech to the nation via two large screens.... Never went inside but its a great looking building opposite the hermitage.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rarisang
Melbourne, Australia457 contributions
Oct. 2019 • Friends
We bought the two day integrated ticket and went to the main Hermitage Palace on the first day and the Staff building on the second day.
We arrived early and there was no queue to get through security but by the time we left in the afternoon there was a very long queue.
Don’t take a break for lunch in the cafe because you cannot get back in! Go before or after looking at the art.
There are many steep steps without railings at one place. There are lifts between floors.
The Staff Building is in contrast to the Winter Palace opposite. The palace itself is jaw dropping as well as all the treasures within. The Staff building is all about the art and the architecture supports showing the art in the best way possible.
We spent two hours just on the fourth floor going from room to room admiring so many stunning works by Matisse, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, Degas, Rodin, Bonnard etc etc
We arrived early and there was no queue to get through security but by the time we left in the afternoon there was a very long queue.
Don’t take a break for lunch in the cafe because you cannot get back in! Go before or after looking at the art.
There are many steep steps without railings at one place. There are lifts between floors.
The Staff Building is in contrast to the Winter Palace opposite. The palace itself is jaw dropping as well as all the treasures within. The Staff building is all about the art and the architecture supports showing the art in the best way possible.
We spent two hours just on the fourth floor going from room to room admiring so many stunning works by Matisse, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, Degas, Rodin, Bonnard etc etc
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
drogilmour
Guatemala City, Guatemala2,691 contributions
Dec. 2019 • Friends
The General staff building is located in front of Hermitage Museum, if you buy an integrated tickets you may visit both the Hermitage Museum and this one.
This wonderful museum contains a huge number of Impressionism paints of French artists and a lot of Romantic period paints; it is a perfect way to finish the visit to Hermitage Museum.
This wonderful museum contains a huge number of Impressionism paints of French artists and a lot of Romantic period paints; it is a perfect way to finish the visit to Hermitage Museum.
Written 23 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
christianxx
Bordeaux, France265 contributions
Nov. 2019
Splendid square, so harmonious and nice. The huge 600 tons granite column at the center is the masterpiece and same as the gate on the opposite side they celebrate the victory of Russia against Napoleon in 1812.
Written 2 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Geo Angelo D
Anaheim, CA4 contributions
open hours
Soccer Lover
Buffalo, MN5 contributions
10:30-18. except Mondays
roberto c
Sicily, Italy5 contributions
esiste la possibilità di una guida in italiano specializzata sull'impressionismo? grazie mille, roberto
Ralf16
California, USA4 contributions
WHAT ARE THE HOURS, & days that it is open?
General Admission? Is there a discounted Group admission. Is there a dual admission for both the Hermitage & General Staff Building?
approximate time necessary to see the modern European art & French Impressionist paintings?
mazalea2012
Raleigh, NC122 contributions
Hi - is there a gift shop in the General Staff building or only in the main Winter Palace of the Hermitage complex?
John a
Los Angeles, CA441 contributions
Yes. There is a gift shop to the left as your enter or on the rout to the exit.
Wendy K
Kansas City, Missouri, United States7 contributions
I have read in several places that the General Staff Building is poorly signed inside and the Impressionist exhibit hard to find. I don't want to miss the Impressionists! Please give directions! When I enter the General Staff Building, how do I get to the Impressionist exhibit?
diver4life22
New Jersey202 contributions
We went up several flights of stairs to get to it. I don’t recall what floor but I used the map they give you as a reference. The impressionist exhibit was worth the visit. They had virtual reality history tour in the main lobby when you get in. If it is still available, I would recommend it.
rybalchov
Moscow, Russia3 contributions
Здравствуйте! Я хотела бы посетить экскурсию по импрессионизму в период с 29.03.17 по 5.04.17 . Нас два человека, взрослые. Что нужно для этого сделать? Ольга.
Mr. Vladimir Korostelev (Russia)
Moscow, Russia967 contributions
Здравствуйте, Ольга. Вам надо найти сайт Государственного Эрмитажа раздел Посетителям. Здесь помещают отзывы такие же туристы, как Вы.
don r
Sonoma, CA30 contributions
Is the impressionist paintings in the Main Hermitage building or in the general staff building? If it has moved to general staff building is it close bye to the main building?
PennyW
Chester, UK4,557 contributions
All the French 19th and 20th cent paintings which include the Impressionists are in the General Staff Building across the square from the main Hermitage building (amongst other lovely things). Much less crowded than the main building. Highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions about The General Staff Building
- Hotels near The General Staff Building:
- (0.01 km) flowers tower
- (0.01 km) Apartment near Park Pobedy
- (0.01 km) Lux one- bedroom on Nevsky prospect, 60 (276)
- (0.18 km) Sonata on Nevsky 11
- (0.16 km) Art Mir na Nevskom
- Restaurants near The General Staff Building:
- (0.01 km) Mata Mata
- (0.01 km) Pelmen House
- (0.01 km) Tomahawk
- (0.01 km) Lili
- (0.01 km) Marso Polo