The Church of Our Savior on Spilt Blood is one of St. Petersburg's most beautiful landmarks. Roman Evgenev / Shutterstock St. Petersburg, Russia, was just named the best destination in Europe by the World Travel Awards.

To determine the World Travel Awards winners, thousands of travelers and people working in the travel industry vote on certain categories in regions around the world.

St. Petersburg won as the leading destination in Europe. The city's ornate palaces and churches and the rich history behind them make it an ideal destination for travelers.

Keep scrolling to see why St. Petersburg took the No. 1 spot.