23 best attractions of Murmansk that are worth visiting

Sights in the vicinity of Murmansk

Kola Bay

One of the iconic natural attractions of Murmansk and the region amazes with its magnificence at any time of the year. Despite the harsh climatic conditions, the water surface of the bay is never covered with ice. On the western rocky coast is the port city of Polyarny. On the more gentle eastern slopes are Severomorsk and Murmansk.

Locals and tourists often come here to admire the view. The beauty of nature is immeasurable; even in the most severe cold you can hear the sound of running water. And the bay itself is surrounded by tall, spreading trees.

Address: Murmansk; GPS: 69.07115, 33.17644

Abram-Cape

The village was formed in 1920. Until 1937, it was called Varyazhsky Stream. At first, the number of residents did not exceed 25 people. Population growth began in 1930, when ship repair docks opened here. Cape Abram has been part of the city since 1950.

The cape offers a magnificent panorama of the natural beauty of the Arctic. This area played an important role in the air defense of Murmansk during the Second World War. In honor of the heroic anti-aircraft gunners, a memorial was opened on the cape.

Address: Murmansk, GPS: 68.97856, 33.02057

Lamb's forehead near Lake Semenovskoye

A rocky bulge formed by the convergence of glaciers in prehistoric times. There are quite a few similar formations in the Northern latitudes, but the Murmansk “lamb’s forehead” is located within the city limits, which makes it the most accessible to tourists.

The rocky outcrop is quite small, with an area of 0.5 hectares, but it deserves attention. Of interest is not only the “ram’s forehead”, but also the vegetation surrounding it: rare species of mosses, low-growing grasses and shrubs.

Address: st. Askoldovtsev, 1, Murmansk; GPS: 68.99468, 33.07257

When to visit: any time

Visit: free

Bridge over the Kola Bay

The automobile bridge in the Arctic is one of the recognizable landmarks of Murmansk. Until 2009, it was considered the longest in the Arctic (2.5 km), but was inferior to the new bridge built in Yamal.

The construction of the Kola Bridge lasted about 20 years. The main highways connecting the city with remote western settlements of the region pass through the bridge. There are routes along it to Norway and Finland.

Every September, the bridge over the Kola Bay turns into the venue for the Gulf Stream sports festival.

Address: Murmansk; GPS: 68.90658, 33.04561

Waterfall on the Lavna River

One of the most visited natural attractions of Murmansk is located not far from the city. The waterfall, 4 m high, is surrounded by picturesque northern nature.

Following to the waterfall, travelers will see real swamps, along which the famous berry of the North, the cloudberry, grows. The waters of Lavna are inhabited by pike, brown trout, perch, and burbot. Fishing is allowed here, so there are always a lot of people who like to sit with a fishing rod on the banks of the river.

Address: r. Lavna, Murmansk region. (20 km from Cape Abram); GPS: 69.02341, 32.94851

Opening hours: 24 hours a day

Teriberka

A small village on the shores of the Barents Sea, surrounded by taiga. Often called “the end of the world.” Teriberka has a rather harsh climate, and the polar night lasts more than a day. This place gained popularity among tourists after the release of the film “Leviathan.”

In the summer, lovers of extreme scuba diving and fishing come to Teriberka. In June, you can see killer whales and whales near the shore. The largest flow of tourists arrives in early autumn to admire the unforgettable beauty of the Northern Lights.

Address: Teriberka, Murmansk region; GPS: 69.18267, 35.11904

Where to go in Murmansk and what else to see

Hotel "Arctic"

The symbol of Murmansk, an 18-story hotel, has been rising in the city since 1984. 12 years later, the famous chimes were installed on the high-rise building, the chimes of which can be heard even in remote areas.

In 2014, a respectable hotel opened in the hotel building. Although the name “Arctic” is a thing of the distant past, local residents have not gotten used to the new “Azimut”. In addition to the hotel, the high-rise building houses a chic restaurant, several boutiques, a cafe and a huge conference hall.

Address: Murmansk, Lenin Ave., 82

Opening hours: 24 hours a day

"To the sailors who died in peacetime"

The memorial complex on the hill, near the Church of the Savior on Water, opened in 2002. The ensemble includes: the Lighthouse Tower, the cabin of the nuclear submarine "Kursk" and the Ship's Anchor.

A wide staircase equipped with observation platforms leads to the memorable place. The dominant feature of the complex is the Lighthouse, 17.5 m high. Inside the tower there are memorial plaques and books of memory with the names of the dead sailors in peacetime.

At the foot of the tower, a capsule with sea water is buried deep in the ground. The mass grave is crowned with an Anchor. The conning tower from the Kursk submarine was installed on the ninth anniversary of the death of the crew and represents a monument to the courageous sailors from the submarine.

Address: Murmansk, Verkhne-Rostenskoye Shosse, 1

Church of the Savior on Waters

The white-stone, single-domed church in the Old Russian style was opened in 2002. For residents of Murmansk, whose life and work are connected with the sea, the cathedral has become the main shrine.

Inside, one of the most revered relics by sailors is kept - the “Walking on the Waters” icon. Another iconic shrine of the temple is an icon depicting the Russian admiral F.F. Ushakova.

Address: Murmansk, Geroev Ave. – Severomortsev, 1

Opening hours: from 08:00 to 20:00 daily

Free admission

Official website: https://spasnavodah.su/

Marine Station

Located in the historical part of Murmansk. The station is equipped with two berths, one of which is pontoon. From here steamships depart to remote settlements located along the Kola Bay.

Tourists can stroll along the beautiful Embankment and pay their respects near the monument to the port workers who died during the Second World War. The main attraction of the sea terminal is the nuclear icebreaker "Lenin".

Address: Murmansk, Portovy proezd, 25

Opening hours: from 08:00 to 21:00

Free admission

Official website: https://morskoi-vokzal.ru/v/murmansk/

Museum of the History of Murmansk Shipping Company

Operated since 1977. The museum has 3 permanent exhibitions introducing the history of the development of the Northern Sea Route. In one of the halls, visitors will learn a lot of interesting things about the development of the icebreaker and transport Northern Fleet. In another, touch on the history of the formation of the nuclear fleet. A separate exhibition is dedicated to tankers.

Among the most interesting exhibits: models of nuclear reactors; models of ships that served the Murmansk Shipping Company in different eras. The gallery of Arctic explorers deserves special attention.

Address: Murmansk, st. Volodarskogo, 6

Opening hours: Tuesday and Friday from 14:00 to 17:00

Entrance: the cost of an adult ticket is 70 rubles, a child ticket (7-14 years old) is 50 rubles. Children under 7 years old have free admission

Nuclear icebreaker "Lenin"

One of the iconic landmarks of Murmansk, personifying the strength and power of Soviet shipbuilding. The icebreaker "Lenin" became the world's first ship equipped with a nuclear engine.

About 300 enterprises and research centers of the Soviet Union were involved in the project. The icebreaker was launched in December 1957, and the ship was decommissioned in 1989.

Now the icebreaker has been converted into a museum and educational complex. The exhibition “Icebreaker and Atom” introduces visitors to the history of the Northern Fleet and the stages of development of ship nuclear power.

Address: Seaport, floating berth of the Lenin a/l, Portovy pr-d, 25, Murmansk

Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday from 12:00 to 16:00. Mon-Tue – days off

Entrance: full ticket price – 600 rubles. For citizens of the Russian Federation - 400 rubles, pensioners - 200 rubles, children (7-14 years old) - 100 rubles.

Murmansk Regional Museum of Local Lore

An extensive exhibition introduces visitors to the features of the northern region, cultural traditions and customs of indigenous peoples.

Of particular interest to city guests are ore samples recovered from the bottom of the mysterious and mystical Kola well. A separate room displays household items of indigenous peoples, magical objects and attributes used by shamans to perform rituals. The highlight of the collection is the Northern Lights diorama.

Address: Murmansk, st. Academician Pavlova, 1A

Opening hours: from 11:00 to 18:00 daily. The ticket office closes at 17:00

Admission: full ticket for citizens of the Russian Federation – 210 rubles, reduced – 60 rubles. For foreign citizens the ticket price is 300 rubles.

Official website: https://mokm51.ru/

Regional Art Museum

In 1990, the first and only art museum in Murmansk opened in an ancient building on Five Corners Square.

The exhibition halls display about 8 thousand unique exhibits. The collection is based on paintings by artists of the 19th–20th centuries. A separate room displays the works of local lacemakers, wood and bone carvers. Every week, art museums hold master classes for schoolchildren, teaching different types of crafts.

Address: st. Kominterna, 13, Murmansk

Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00

Entrance: full ticket from 70 rub.

Oceanarium

One of the most favorite attractions of children and adults is located on Semenovsky Island. Inside, visitors will get to know the inhabitants of the northern seas. In addition to numerous aquariums with sea inhabitants, there is a scientific center whose employees study Arctic seals.

Sea hares, representatives of pinnipeds, and ringed seals put on an unforgettable spectacle for spectators, demonstrating their unique abilities and performing circus tricks. The stars of the program are gray seals listed in the Red Book. Shows are held daily.

Address: Murmansk, Geroev Ave. – Severomortsev, 4

Opening hours: Wednesday - Sunday, performances at 11:00; 15:00; 17:00. The box office is open from 10:30 to 18:00 from Wed to Sun.

Entrance: adult ticket – 400 rubles, children’s ticket (from 3 to 14 years old) – 300 rubles. Ticket price for foreigners is 600 rubles.

Monument to the victims of the intervention

There have been many difficult periods in the history of the Russian Arctic. One of them began with the arrival of the English ship Gloria, which delivered detachments of marines to the North. During the 2 years of intervention, hundreds of political prisoners died in the Yokange convict prison. In the fall of 1919 alone, 1,500 people were imprisoned.

The memorial was erected on a mass grave containing the remains of 136 Iokange prisoners and 24 rebels. The ceremonial opening of the monument, created by Murmansk iron workers, took place in 1927. Later, a beautiful square with alleys appeared around the memorial.

Address: Murmansk, square on the street. Leningradskaya

St. Nicholas Cathedral

In 1924, the last church in Murmansk closed. Some church buildings were destroyed, others were converted into warehouses. The year 1989 became significant for Orthodox townspeople; it was marked by the opening of St. Nicholas Cathedral.

The cathedral building is made in a strict, ascetic style. Its appearance emphasizes the severity of the Arctic. The azure-colored domes that crown the cathedral add color to the temple. Unlike the exterior, the interior is striking in its beauty and splendor.

The main shrines: myrrh brought from Italy, caskets with the relics of Matrona of Moscow and Seraphim of Sarov.

Address: Murmansk, st. Green, 11

Opening hours: from 8:00 to 19:00 daily

Free admission

Official website: https://murman-mu-1.cerkov.ru/

Drama Theater

The first season of the theater opened in 1939 with the play “Consul General”. For about 30 years, performances took place on the stage of the House of Culture, and in 1963 the troupe moved to a new building. One of the most beautiful buildings in Murmansk was erected according to the design of the architect A.P. Maksimov.

The theater's repertoire includes productions based on classic works of Russian and foreign literature and many modern performances. On its 65th anniversary, the troupe of the Murmansk Drama Theater was on tour in Moscow.

Address: Murmansk, Lenin Ave., 49

Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 09:00 to 20:00

Entrance: tickets cost from 500 rubles.

Naval Museum of the Northern Fleet

The museum opened in 1946. The first exhibition was dedicated to the defense of the Arctic during the Great Patriotic War. Over the years, the museum's holdings have grown, and unique exhibits dating back to different eras have appeared.

One hall is dedicated to the history of the formation and development of the Northern Fleet, starting from 1693. The exhibition “Military Murom”, which tells about the defense of the Arctic, deserves special attention.

There is a model of a bomb shelter of those times installed here, a cinema hall is equipped inside, and a typical one for the 40s. In the communal room you can get acquainted with photographs, archival documents, notes of sailors participating in the defense.

A separate hall of the museum introduces the tragic history of the Kursk submarine. In one of the exhibition windows there are several photos of the diary of commander D. Kolesnikov.

Address: Murmansk, st. Tortseva, 15

Opening hours: Monday, Thursday-Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00, break from 13:00 to 14:00. Tuesday and Wednesday are days off

Entrance: adult ticket – 100 rubles, children’s ticket and for privileged categories of citizens – 50 rubles.

Train Station

The beautiful station building was erected in 1954, on the site of a small pre-war building that burned down in a fire. The white and turquoise station stands out as a bright spot among the gray northern landscapes.

The architecture of the building is typical of the 50s. and differs little from similar structures erected at the same time. Above the central part is a rounded tower with a bright green roof, topped with a spire with a star.

The design of the Murmansk station has its own peculiarity - the station building is located much higher than the track. The platforms can only be accessed through passages provided on the ground floor.

The entrance from Station Square leads to the main hall, located in the central tower of the building. There is an information board and a waiting room; the ticket offices are located in the northern wing.

Address: Murmansk, st. Comintern, 14

Opening hours: 24 hours a day

Official website: https://murmansk.dzvr.ru/

Where to stay in Murmansk

Some of the interesting places in Murmansk are located in the remote Leninsky district (the lighthouse monument, Semenovskoye Lake, Alyosha, the oceanarium). However, there is nothing more convenient than living close to train stations and the city center.

Hotel "Three Badgers"

Address: st. Samoilova, 1

Budget mini-hotel 3 minutes walk from Lenin Avenue, 7-8 minutes to Five Corners Square. The rooms are small, but the freshness of the renovation, cleanliness and comfort compensate for this. There is a shared kitchen; Wi-Fi. The only downside is the lack of a buffet - breakfast is a la carte.

From 2475 rub. on Booking.com

AZIMUT Hotel Murmansk ****

Address: Lenin Ave., 82

The 18-story building of the Arktika Hotel is a legend and the only high-rise building in Murmansk. The once most prestigious hotel in the Arctic has passed the baton to the AZIMUT chain. Now this is a full-fledged “four” by European standards. The rooms are large; There is everything from a coffee maker to a premium segment mattress. From each room there is a magical panorama of the city.

From 6480 rub. on Booking.com

Hotel Glarus ***

Address: st. Komsomolskaya, 15

Mini-hotel near the Murmansk embankment. Walking distance from the railway, bus and sea terminals. Freshly renovated; quality furniture, beds, mattresses. Rooms with a mansard roof in the style of an Alpine chalet. There is a sauna, restaurant, bar; parking and Wi-Fi. Breakfast in the morning (+ access to the kitchenette at any time).

From 3970 rub. on Booking.com

In one of the groups on social networks they are discussing the question: is Murmansk dying or not? Yes, the declining population, shutdown enterprises, lack of new buildings seem to indicate that the city is deteriorating. However, housing prices (three, four and even five million for a one-room apartment) say that this was not the case. In general, to answer this question, it’s probably worth visiting there yourself. And either become a fan of the nature of the Kola Peninsula, or never return there again.

FAQ

Where can you go with children in Murmansk? Museum of the History of the Murmansk Shipping Company, Nuclear Icebreaker "Lenin", Monument "Waiting", Monument to Anatoly Bredov, Oceanarium, Naval Museum of the Northern Fleet, Bridge over the Kola Bay.

What attractions in Murmansk should a tourist see first? Bridge over the Kola Bay, Kola Bay, Marine Station, Nuclear icebreaker "Lenin", Monument "Waiting".

What is interesting in Murmansk in winter? The most obvious is the northern lights. Murmansk port is also interesting to see in winter, as it is one of the largest ice-free ports in Russia.

When can you see the northern lights in Murmansk? The northern lights season starts in September and ends in April. All this time you can observe this interesting natural phenomenon.

Question answer

How many districts are there in Murmansk?

Three districts. Leninsky, Oktyabrsky (central), Pervomaisky.

Where is the best place to book hotels/accommodation in Murmansk?

Of course, in the center. Murmansk stretches along the Kola Bay for 10 km. The city's infrastructure is located along the coast: railway station, bus station, sea terminal. Residential areas are built on hills and rise in tiers from the shore to the peaks. It is most convenient to live near train stations and Five Corners Square. Intercity transport, museums, attractions, shops, restaurants, cafes will be at hand.

What restrictions for tourists apply in Murmansk 2022?

Unfortunately, most museums are temporarily closed. There were no restrictions on group excursions, as in Kaliningrad. More details here.

When is the best time to go to Murmansk?

For the sake of the Northern Lights - from September to March. And although it is believed that there is a greater chance of seeing it in winter, autumn 2022 showed that a riot of colors in the sky can begin from the end of August. Otherwise, tourism in the Murmansk region is softer and more comfortable in the summer. And this is ∼ two months, from June 15 to August 15.

Best hotels in Murmansk

Related materials:

31 attractions of Novorossiysk to visit
29 best attractions in Orel,…
43 best attractions in Minsk,…
36 Izmir attractions recommended for…
41 attractions in Crete that are worth visiting
33 attractions of Bakhchisaray that are worth visiting
24 must-see attractions in Fethiye
40 attractions in Limassol that are worth seeing
32 sights of Kronstadt that are worth visiting

Did you like the article? Share with friends: