The director of the Hermitage once said, “I can't say that the Hermitage is the number one museum in the world, but it's certainly not number two.” With over three million works of art and treasures housed in six connected buildings along the Neva, the museum can't fail to impress. Give yourself plenty of time and try to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Four hours is probably an absolute minimum of time to spend there if you want to see the main state rooms and some of the most popular artworks.
The museum's art collection covers all of the greatest European movements. Lovers of the renaissance shouldn't miss the Da Vincis, Canalettos, Michaelangelos and Raphaels of the Italian rooms. The Rembrandt room filled with works by the old master is another must as are the nearby El Grecos. There is also a very large selection of Oriental and Middle Eastern art. The ground floor houses the museum's treasures of ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and Persia as well as antiquities from the near and central east. 
The largest number of opulent state rooms such as the throne rooms, ballrooms, boudoirs, the spectacular clock room with its huge peacock clock and other libraries, parlours and the like are largely located on the first floor (in Russian 2nd floor) of the Winter palace and lead off in different directions from the Jordan staircase (where you enter the museum just after the ticket offices).

The State Hermitage presents an authoritative iPhone and Google Play application which will take you on a fascinating journey around the rooms of the famous museum. Enjoy the masterpieces of the Hermitage collection, learn more about them, admire the magnificent palace interiors of the grand royal residence of Russian Emperors.