There are two especially good beaches in St. Petersburg for picnicking and sunbathing. At the Peter & Paul Fortress, there is a newly constructed beach that was used for the beach volleyball competitions during the 1994 Goodwill Games. The sand there is in excellent condition and the view of the city is superb, the water quality, however, is poor. Another option is the beach in front of the Pribaltiyskaya Hotel on Vasilevskiy Island on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. The water there is relatively shallow (and clean) for quite a distance which makes it an ideal place for children and non-swimmers.

For something out of town and a little more private, try the beaches in nearby Sestroretsk, Repino and Solnechnoe, about 40 minutes by train from Finlyandskiy Vokzal (Finland Station).