# State Russian Museum vs Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art

> State Russian Museum and Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art are two of Saint Petersburg's essential museums — both art museums. Here is how they compare on admission, highlights, and time needed.

## Choose State Russian Museum if…
Choose State Russian Museum for The Last Day of Pompeii and Barge Haulers on the Volga — admission is 500 RUB standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours.

## Choose Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art if…
Choose Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art for The Bathers and Composition with Lenin — admission is 1,000 RUB standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours.

## Visiting both
Both are in Saint Petersburg. Their suggested visits (2–3 hours and 2–3 hours) fit into one full day if you start early. Note closures: State Russian Museum closes on Tuesdays; Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art closes on Tuesdays.

- State Russian Museum: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/russian-museum/
- Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/erarta/

Updated 2026-07-18. Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/compare/russian-museum-vs-erarta/ — World Museum Guide.