Safety; Traveling to St Petersburg is generally safe. Tourists are unlikely to be victims of crime, apart from petty theft. Always carry your passport with you for identification and immediately report any incident to police. Try to avoid groups of beggars or gypsies and guard your valuables. As in any country, tourists should use common sense and avoid wandering alone in deserted places. Women traveling alone report few problems compared to similar sized cities in Europe and North America.
In recent years efforts have been made to eliminate the risk from pickpockets and bands of Roma women and children who used to plague the city center. Reports of thefts of wallets and purses have dropped dramatically in the last 2 years. As a precaution it is advisable to not carry a wallet in an exposed back pocket. The most serious threat to visitors is traffic. Drivers are not used to giving the right-away to pedestrians so cross streets with care and make sure cars are stopped before using a crosswalk. Driving overall has improved a great deal in recent years but do not expect the same aherance to rules of the road as in your own country.
Racism: Unfortunately still alive and well in St Petersburg. Please bear this in mind if you are of black or asian origin.
Health Issues; Medical facilities range from modern world class to not much higher level than 3rd world. Citizens of EU countries should brng their medical coverage card because most of Europe has cross-coverage agreeements with Russia to honor the national health coverage of the visitor's home country. The newer ultra modern and well equipped hospitals such as Medem at 16 Marata near Nevsky prospekt are accredited by major U.S. health insurance companies for payment in full. A common type of visitor to St Petersburg is the Medical Tourist who can have procedures that are very expensive in their home country done under superior conditions in St Petersburg for a fraction of the cost of back home. Dentistry is also sought by foreign visitors due to the remarkably low cost and quality care. It is a good idea to purchase comprehensive medical insurance before arriving in Russia or any other country you visit.. English and European languages are spoken in most clinics and hosptials. The American Medical Center on Moyka Embankment, Medi Elite on Nevsky Prospekt, Medem Hospital and others accept foreign insurance.
The water from the tap passes international standard tests for health but few visitors drink it due to rumors from years past when the city was a major industrial city with all the contaminants that entales. A new modern state of the art water treatment plant in the city center has brougt the levels of purity up to high levels. The water does in places, traverse 100 year old pipes so it might have a an off taste. All hotels and most cafes and restaurants have water filtration systems that produce good tasting water. The locals use water for cooking and tea but prefer juice, beer and mineral water over plain plain water. However, it is not recommended you drink the tap water.
Food Safety; In general St Petersburg enjoys a good reputation for quality food which dates back to its founding in 1703. The first court chefs were European and a tradition of variety in cuisines was almost unique in Russia. A common worry for first time visitors is the safety of food and cleanliness of food preperation areas. Overall these are very good. The public health department inspects restaurants often, much more often than in the west. Stories of food caused illnesses are very rare. Any cafe or restaurant that looks interesting to a visitor is probably quite safe to dine in. The majority of newer restaurants have been foreign national cuisines with Japanese, Georgian, Italian, Chinese, British pub fare, Indian, Middle Eastern, French, American, Latin American and many more are common. Most of the pests that plague warmer climate restaurants seem to be rare in St Petersburg so seeing rats, flies, cockroaches and ants is not likely.
Restaurant prices are similar to Europe or the U.S., and seem to be getting higher every year making St Petersburg less than a bargain city for visitors. There are exceptions for low cost tasty food however. One popular alternative to more formal restaurnats is the Blini stand. They are small enclosed kiosks on sidewalks or near metro stations that cook thin buckwheat pancakes to order with a wide variety of fillings from cheese and meet to strawberries or caviar. Most are filling and tasty for 40-60 Rubles each. However, you should be aware there is no running water (ie. no hand washing for employees) in these types of establishments. There is also fast food including Subway Sandwiches, KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Carl's Jr., in addition to the Russian versions which usually serve Russian traditional soups, Blini's, and Russian salads.
Coffee shops are mushrooming around the city and are generally filled with young people. A very popular destination for vistors and locals alike are the many British or Irish style pubs that are popping up everywhere. Some are rather nice and all feature pricy imported beer. A visitor knows they can find familar languages being spoken in these establishments so they have become a home away from home for visitors and expats as well as for locals. The most popular include Shamrock Irish Pub, Mollies Irish Pub, Dickens, the Office, Telegraph, The Post Office, Liverpool, Bulldog, a new one called Churchill's, and dozens more.
For fans of Sushi, every corner seems to have a cafe or restaurant serving Sushi now. Along Nevsky prospekt there are 8 currently with more up every side street. Restaurants tend to be a little more expensive in the city center, not because of tourists but because of the extremely high rents. Most city center cafes and restaurants have English menus. Tourist think they cause higher prices but the majority of visitors to these restaurants are locals and everyone pays the same prices.
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