What to see in Murmansk in 1 day on your own

What to see in 1 day on your own Itinerary Murmansk museums in 1 day Stories, routes and tips from tourists with photos Where to stay in Murmansk Sightseeing tours Excursions from Murmansk for 1 day

Murmansk is the Russian gateway to the Arctic. The seaport and hero city with a unique climate is just becoming a tourist center. Typically, tourists spend little time in Murmansk - they come to the region to tour the natural attractions in the surrounding area or go on Arctic cruises. Therefore, most excursion programs around the city are designed for a short stay.

What to see in Murmansk in 1 day? You will see the northern hills, war memorials, great ships of the northern fleet. It’s worth planning a route around Murmansk in advance - this way you won’t miss a single significant attraction.

Photo: © Natalia Semchina

Murmansk, which was founded on the eve of the revolution (in 1916), is one of the largest cities beyond the Arctic Circle. Regardless of the time of year, it’s worth warming up for a walk around Murmansk - even in the summer, cold sea winds blow here. There are several museums along the route; in order to get the most complete impression of Murmansk, it is worth visiting at least one of them.

Five Corners Square

Tourist walks around the city usually begin from the central square. It can still be seen in the foreground of the city. Five Corners Square was renamed several times until the 90s of the last century. For 100 years it has been called: “Proletarskaya Smychka Square”, “Red Square”, “Square of the Arctic Conquerors”, “Soviet Constitution Square”. But people called it “Five Corners” - because of the 5 streets that converged at this point (at the moment there are only 4 streets left). On the main square of Murmansk, a popular meeting place for citizens and tourists, there are: the building of the Duma of the Murmansk Region, the main post office, 2 hotels - “Meridian” and “Arctic” (the tallest building beyond the Arctic Circle), the Palace of Culture named after. Kirov.

There are also 2 large public gardens for walking: Five Corners (between the House of Trade and the Palace of Culture) and on Leningradskaya Street (behind the Arktika Hotel). Both squares are illuminated with light bulbs and decorated with fountains and sculptural compositions. In Five Corners Square you can take funny photos with the cod monument . Also in the park there is a clock that counted down the time until the centenary of Murmansk. the victims of the Intervention was erected in the park on Leningradskaya Street . The concrete structure in the constructivist style is made in the form of a tribune 2 tiers high and surrounded by anchor chains. It is dedicated to the sailors and workers who died during the Civil War and were captured by interventionists from England, America and France.

Monument to cod Photo: © Sergey Arkhipkin

Area of the Murmansk Regional Scientific Library

A 5-7 minute walk from Five Corners Square is the Murmansk Regional Scientific Library . The building itself is quite typical of urban Soviet architecture. But there are several interesting art objects around for tourist photos. Among them: Literary Alley , a two-meter book, the largest Foucault pendulum in the Arctic Circle.

Literary Alley Photo: © avtsp

Murmansk train stations

After the library, return along Vorovskogo Street to Five Corners Square. From the square, move towards the railway station . In front of it is a monument to the steam locomotive L-4386 . The monument to the Soviet vehicle was erected for the 100th anniversary of the city, which at the beginning of the century was called Romanov-on-Murman. This is a real vehicle weighing 92 tons that was built in 1951. The locomotive ran on the railway connecting Murmansk with St. Petersburg, most often on the section between Kandalaksha and Petrozavodsk.

Railway station Photo: © Lene

From the railway station, go to the maritime terminal . The new building was erected recently, in 2021. According to the majority of local residents, the facade has lost its solemnity and began to look too strict and modern. The “Gateway to the Arctic” is notable, first of all, for the nuclear icebreaker “Lenin” . This is the world's first nuclear icebreaker. Now it is a museum - you can go aboard the icebreaker and examine it inside. On the other side of the station, closer to the port, there is the Murmansk Trade Port Museum .

Icebreaker "Lenin" Photo: © Natalia Semchina

Lighthouse-monument

2.5 km from the sea station, in a northern direction from the city center, there is a lighthouse-monument . You can get there on foot by going up Chelyuskintsev Street. The lighthouse, although not operational, is not just an aesthetically pleasing sculptural composition. This is a monument to “Sailors who died in peacetime.” The lighthouse was erected quite recently - in 2002. It is located near the water, but not near the “big” one, but near the fresh Semenovskoye Lake. Despite the fact that the beacon is not used for its intended purpose, the light and sound equipment here is installed like that of real beacons for sending signals.

Memorial lighthouse Photo: © Natalia Semchina

The lighthouse tower is located at a height of 18 meters. Inside the tower there is a “Memory Hall”, which contains memorial plaques and a book with the names of all sailors who died in the water in peacetime. Another important detail of the memorial complex, in addition to the lighthouse itself, is a fragment of the cabin of the Kursk boat, famous for its tragic death. At the wheelhouse of the Kursk submarine there is a memorial plate with the names of submariners who died in peacetime inscribed. On one of the observation platforms there is an anchor from a real sea vessel - under the anchor there is a capsule with sea water. There are staircase paths between all points of the memorial complex.

The cabin of the Kursk submarine Photo: © Elpon

Church of the Savior on Waters

At the top of one of the hills (the highest part of the Mayak memorial complex) the Church of the Savior on Water . The Marine Orthodox Church was erected along with the memorial complex in 2002. It received its unusual name in honor of Jesus Christ, who, as is known, could walk on water. Despite the recent date of construction, this is the third stone temple in the city. The plans of the city authorities include the inclusion of the Church of the Savior on Waters in the complex of the Murmansk Spaso-Preobrazhensky Marine Cathedral under construction.

The temple was built with donations from local residents. The opening date coincided with the 85th anniversary of the city. It is interesting that the modern temple is designed according to the model of old Russian churches: a small single-apse building with a bell tower standing next to it. Inside the temple, pay attention to the northern-style iconostasis, made of linden wood. The temple is active and one of the few in Russia where services are held for deaf and mute people.

Church of the Savior on Water Photo: © Natalia Semchina

Semenovskoye Lake

Walking from the lighthouse towards the fresh reservoir, you will find yourself in a green recreation area. an amusement park here where you can ride on the highest Ferris wheel in the Arctic Circle. In the summer, you can ride on rented boats or catamarans on the surface of the lake; in winter, the reservoir turns into a natural skating rink. Also, in the warm season, a light and music fountain shoots directly from the center of the lake. In winter, a favorite pastime of tourists is watching “walruses” - local residents change clothes in a special house for walruses and plunge into the ice hole.

The main natural site in the vicinity of the lake is “Ram's forehead” . This is a special form of relief, which is a layering of various rocky bulges on top of each other. In ancient times, when a glacier melted, layers of the earth's crust, encountering obstacles, were layered on top of each other, forming unusual-looking stones. The picturesque formations are up to 50 meters high and 100–200 meters long. The total area of “Sheep's forehead” near Semenovskoye Lake is 0.5 hectares. Surrounding the unusual terrain is the picturesque northern nature of the tundra: stones covered with lichen, low-growing grasses and shrubs.

Semenovskoye Lake Photo: © Natalia Semchina

Memorial "Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War"

Between Semenovskoye Lake and Nizhne-Rostinskoye Highway there is a monument to the “Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War . Local residents affectionately call him “Alyosha”. This is the second largest monument in our country after “The Motherland Calls!” The height of “Alyosha” together with the pedestal is 42.5 meters, without the pedestal - 35.5 meters. The sculpture represents a soldier in a raincoat with a machine gun on his back. A lone soldier looks west to the Valley of Glory, where bloody battles took place during the Great Patriotic War. Now the monument, built on a hill at a distance from the main urban development, looks like a defender of the city.

The monument was opened on October 19, 1974 - on the 30th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi troops in the Arctic region. In 2004, the memorial complex was supplemented with an alley of memorial slabs with the names of hero cities - under each slab there are capsules with soil from these cities. Capsules are also buried at the foot of the monument: with water from the site of the sinking of the ship "Fog" and with soil from the legendary Valley of Glory. A triangular pyramid is installed next to the figure of “Alyosha” - it symbolizes the battle flag, which is lowered at half-mast as a sign of grief. The Eternal Flame is also lit in front of the monument. Anti-aircraft guns are located to the side of the monument.

Memorial “Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War” Photo: © Sergey Arkhipkin

Boat trips

The main part of the tourist route ends at the memorial complex “Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War.” But, in your free time in the afternoon, it’s worth going on a boat trip along the Kola Bay. Typically, the duration of boat trips from Murmansk along the bay is 3 hours. Of these, the pleasure boat spends 1.5 hours moving along one shore of the bay, and 1.5 hours returning back, but along the other shore. During the excursion you can see almost all types of sea vessels: fishing and cargo ships from different countries, warships and liners with helipads, icebreakers and nuclear-powered ships, floating workshops and floating nuclear power plants. During the trip, you will see the Kola Bridge . You will also see from the water Abram-Mys , Mishukovsky lighthouse , the half-abandoned village of Retinskoye and the harsh northern shores of the bay.

In addition to the sightseeing tour, you can book a ride around the bay with fishing and a boat trip to the Barents Sea.

Photo: © Elpon

Overview of all the sights of Murmansk

Top 8 one-day routes from Murmansk

Teriberka and the Arctic Ocean

Murmansk - Teriberka village - 135 km

Waterfall in the vicinity of Teriberka / Photobank Lori

The village located 130 km from Murmansk (the same one where the film “Leviathan” was filmed) attracts with the opportunity to visit “the ends of the earth”, to be alone with the elements of the ocean, standing on a completely deserted shore. This is a great place for natural romantics, incorrigible extreme sports enthusiasts and photographers: after all, what could be more spectacular than the surface or stormy waves of the ocean under low hanging clouds? In addition to the ocean panorama, in Teriberka it is worth seeing a picturesque waterfall, a cemetery of wooden ships and an old artillery battery.

You can also fish, dive in cold water in the summer and admire the northern lights closer to winter. There is a restaurant and several hotels in the village, so if you decide to stay here longer, there will be no problems.

When planning a trip from Murmansk to Teriberka, keep in mind that the only public transport you can use is a bus (there are no minibuses). Bus number 241 goes there every day from the bus station; The ticket price is about 350 rubles, the journey will take 4 hours. Taxi drivers ask from 3,000 rubles for such a trip, and you will need to negotiate with dispatchers in advance.

Kola Peninsula

Murmansk - Retinskoye village - 54 km

To truly understand and feel the North, visiting the Kola Peninsula is not just desirable, but necessary. Stunning, albeit harsh nature, rich fishing opportunities, unusual cultural monuments, the northern lights, the spirit of romance and adventurism - all this attracts tourists to the peninsula all year round. Must-sees include:

Lovozero tundra and Seydozero;
Lapland Nature Reserve;
Kola Bay;
Khibiny;
Tersky coast.

The easiest way to get to know the Kola Peninsula is to book a sightseeing tour (price starts from 7 thousand rubles). On Tripster, which we usually use, we found a route for 7,500 rubles per excursion (for 1-4 people). It takes 4 hours to get to the famous waterfall on the Lavna River.

Another option suitable for those who are not afraid of northern roads is to rent a car (the cost varies, on average 2200-2700 rubles per day).

Old Kola Bridge and Abram-Cape

Murmansk - Abram-Mys village and Old Bridge - about 20 km

View of Murmansk from Abram-Cape / Photobank Lori

What to do when you don’t have time to explore the entire peninsula? Should I refuse to meet him? By no means: visit the old Kola Bridge, located in the suburbs of Murmansk: here begins the Kola Bay, which is actually one of the fjords. On the western shore of the bay, near Abram-Cape, its namesake is located - a village now considered a microdistrict. An excellent panorama of the city opens up from here, but besides this, there is something to see in the village: where else can you visit the air defense museum, where there are not only anti-aircraft guns, but also airplanes, and all this in the open air?

An excursion from Murmansk to Abram-Mys will give you an idea of the northern nature, allow you to feel the spirit of this region, its unique atmosphere, and will not take much time. Bus number 24 will take you there in 15 minutes and 28 rubles.

Kirovsk and the Bolshoy Vudyavr resort

Murmansk - Kirovsk - Bolshoy Vudyavr - about 215 km

Excursions from Murmansk [year]: “Big Woodyavr” A visit to Kirovsk is at the same time a close acquaintance with the Khibiny Mountains, because the city is located on the southern edge of this mountain range. To get to know the mountains better, a visit to the ski resort known far beyond the region - Bolshoy Vudyavr - will allow you to get to know the mountains better. One of the main advantages of the resort is the variety of routes: both beginners and experienced skiers will be equally comfortable here. Those who are indifferent to skiing will not get bored either, because fantastic panoramas open up from Mount Aykuaivenchorr. If you want to stay a couple of days, no problem, there are several excellent hotels and tourist centers here.

The easiest way to get to Kirovsk is by bus: a ticket costs from 550 rubles. You will have to spend about 4 hours on the road - this is a lot, but, as in the case of other trips from Murmansk, it is quite possible to do it in one day.

Those who prefer rail transport should first take the train to the city of Apatity (ticket price from 603 rubles), and then either take a taxi (from 450 rubles) or take one of the buses (from 45 rubles).

Kandalaksha labyrinth

Murmansk - Kandalaksha labyrinth - about 250 km

Where to go from Murmansk: Kandalaksha labyrinth

Perhaps the most mysterious attraction of the peninsula is a labyrinth made of stones about 4 thousand years ago, called “Babylon”. Its purpose is still unknown: perhaps it was one of the sanctuaries, but it is possible that in this way primitive people captured the pattern of a fishing trap for future generations. Esotericists view “Babylon” as a place of power, while everyone else views it as a worthy competitor to Stonehenge.

The labyrinth is located 4 km from the city of Kandalaksha. Those who want to see it by public transport must first get to this city. You can do this by train (journey takes 5 hours, ticket price from 700 rubles), or bus 225 (ticket price 630 rubles). Once in Kandalaksha, you should take a taxi, which will take you to the labyrinth for 150 rubles, or, if the weather is favorable, in 40-50 minutes. reach it on foot.

Musta-Tunturi Ridge

Murmansk - Musta-Tunturi ridge - about 130 km

From Murmansk via Musta-Tunturi to the Rybachy Peninsula

The granite ridge not only separates the Middle Peninsula from the mainland: it is a silent witness to important historical events. Until 1939, the border ran here, and during the Great Patriotic War it was the front line. Musta-Tundri became the only section of the front where the German offensive failed at the end of June 1941: the invaders failed to advance a single step here. However, tourists are attracted here not only by the desire to pay tribute to the heroism of the soldiers, but also by the fantastic beauty.

If you are not able or willing to rent a car, you can get to Musta-Tundri as part of an excursion. Its cost with a round trip transfer will be about 6 thousand. In addition to the museum and pillboxes remaining from the war, you will see picturesque waterfalls on the river. Titov and the exhibition “Titov’s Frontier”.

Rybachy and Sredny Peninsula

Murmansk - Sredniy - Rybachy - 130-140 km

Murmansk – excursions to the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas

Waterfalls and dunes, the surface of lakes and the grandeur of rocks, ancient seid stones and trenches of the Great Patriotic War - all this is connected by the isthmus of the Rybachy and Sredniy peninsulas, washed by the Barents Sea, where it is also very interesting to go from Murmansk (for one day or more - as it goes). Since the sea here does not freeze due to the North Cape Current, the name of the peninsula fully justifies itself: in the coastal waters there is an abundance of fish from capelin to cod. However, not only fishermen should visit these places: history buffs will be interested in the petroglyphs of Zubovskaya Bay, sites of primitive people, and wartime fortifications. Wildlife lovers will be delighted to see killer whales and whales frolicking off the deserted shores.

Since there is no public transport on the peninsulas, and an independent road trip to Rybachy and Sredniy, even in the summer, is recommended only for experienced drivers, tourists from Murmansk usually book a jeep tour or a regular excursion. It will cost up to 25 thousand and will allow you to see the most protected places.

12-hour from Tripster costs 21,950 rubles. The price is outrageous, but the inaccessibility and beauty of these places do their job - people pay and in most cases are satisfied.

Northern lights

Murmansk - Lovozero village - almost 170 km

Northern Lights in Murmansk / Photobank Lori

If you are very lucky, you can see the northern lights without leaving Murmansk, but in the city with its thousands of lights it is difficult to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of this natural phenomenon in its entirety. The northern lights look most spectacular in the Khibiny Mountains, in the already mentioned village of Teriberka and in the village. Lovozero. You can observe it there from late August to early April, but much depends on the weather and solar activity.

Travel agencies offer special photo tours from Murmansk (price from 6 thousand rubles) for “northern lights hunters”, but you can just get to the same village. Lovozero by bus No. 234 for 350 rubles. and three hours.

Route

In just one day, Murmansk appears to travelers as a seaport city with large-scale memorial complexes, enchanting northern nature and the romance of long voyages. A 1-day tourist route around Murmansk starts from the main city square - Five Corners . After examining the facades of buildings and monuments in the surrounding squares, it is worth walking to the Murmansk Scientific Library with Literary Alley , and then returning back.

From Five Corners Square, the further route is as follows: railway station - sea station with a museum on the nuclear icebreaker "Lenin" - memorial complex "To the sailors who died in peacetime" with a lighthouse - Church of the Savior on Water - Semenovskoye Lake - memorial complex "Defenders" Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War" . You can end your day in Murmansk by going on a boat trip along the Kola Bay.

Semenovskoye Lake Photo: © Natalia Semchina

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 apply for tourists in Murmansk 2021?

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 2021 has shown 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.

Museums of Murmansk in 1 day

Murmansk is a colorful city with a heroic history. Most local museums are dedicated to navigation, fishing and the exploits of local residents during the Great Patriotic War. By visiting one or two museums, you will learn more deeply about the history of the city and the features of its trade and economic activities. Visual layouts and interactive elements will make visiting Murmansk museums a fun experience even for children. Plus, the northern city is always a nice place to stop by and warm up for those who love exploring.

Museum of the History of Murmansk Shipping Company

The main theme of the exhibition at the Museum of the History of the Murmansk Shipping Company is the development of the Northern Sea Route. The museum's collection includes archival photographs and documents, instruments from real sea vessels, a collection of paintings with portraits of conquerors of the northern seas. The main exhibit of the museum is a model of a nuclear reactor. Also impressive is the diorama “Development of the Northern Sea Route” and Roerich’s painting entitled “Pomeranians. Evening". Kids will love the tiny models of real ships.

Panoramic view of the Museum of the History of the Murmansk Shipping Company

Murmansk Regional Museum of Local Lore

The Murmansk Regional History Museum was opened in 1926, but recently it underwent a large-scale reconstruction. After this, the museum became one of the best equipped in Russia. Museum collections are housed in 17 halls. Here you can see an exhibition dedicated to the indigenous population of the Kola Peninsula - the Sami. In the “Nature” department, the “Sea Bottom” exposition was formed from geological rocks extracted from the depths of the Kola well. But the most impressive display is a diorama that simulates the aurora borealis. Another diorama, Bird Bazaar, allows visitors to hear the voices of northern birds.

Murmansk Regional Art Museum

This is the only art museum located in the Arctic. The funds of the Murmansk Art Museum number more than 8 thousand exhibits - paintings by Russian artists of past centuries (from Klodt and Kostandi to Konchalovsky and Favorsky), samples of folk crafts. Particularly impressive are bone-carving objects, as well as unique examples of northern lace-making.

Panoramic view of the Murmansk Art Museum

Oceanarium of Murmansk

The most obvious answer to the question: “Where to go in Murmansk with children?” - this is the Oceanarium . This is not just an entertainment center, but also an important research laboratory. The Murmansk Oceanarium is the only complex in Europe where Arctic seals are studied. The oceanarium is located on Lake Semenovskoye and easily fits into tourist routes around the city. Three times a day there are performances featuring marine life: ringed seals, harp and gray seals, and bearded seals. It is interesting that each “artist” has his own specialization: the seal Varya performs a dance with a ball, the seal Philip prefers high-altitude jumps. The Murmansk Oceanarium is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. On other days, performances are held at 11:00, 15:00 and 17:00.

Detailed material: Museums of Murmansk

Stories, routes and tips from tourists with photos

You can find out what is worth seeing in Murmansk in 1 day in traveler reports. Tourists share their impressions of the city and real photographs. In reviews, tourists talk about route planning and how to more conveniently cover distances in the city. Travelers also share places where they can spend cultural leisure, where they can taste colorful northern cuisine and see the northern lights. From tourist reports, you can take a ready-made route or add unusual places to your own.

Photo album “Nuclear icebreaker “Lenin”” from Natalia Semchina.
Report “On the cloudberry tundra in Murman” from Elena.
Report “Murmansk - the capital of the Arctic and a port city” from Natalia Semchina.
The story “Murmansk - Five Corners and Two Stations” from Irina Porunova.
Report “Traveling around Russia - the polar hero city of Murmansk” from Sergei Arkhipkin.

All tourist reviews about trips to Murmansk

Why go to Murmansk

At first glance, it seems that Murmansk is an ordinary Soviet city. But let's look at it from the other side:

the location beyond the Arctic Circle gave the city and the entire Kola Peninsula an unusual gift - white nights and polar day;
it is the largest city in the Arctic (not only in Russia, but throughout the world);
here you can see reindeer and whales;
The biggest highlight for which tourists come to Murmansk is the northern lights. It gives a lasting impression.

Where to stay in Murmansk

The remoteness and uniqueness of Murmansk did not affect the possibilities of where its guests could stay. Perhaps only on names associated with the north. Explorers of the city or the nature of a harsh region can choose either excellent 4 stars, cozy 3 stars or apartment options with all the necessary equipment or utensils. Hostels are often suitable for those on a budget or traveling alone; there are about ten of them in the city. The majority of the proposed housing is located in the compact central part of the city.

Murmansk Hotels
Hostels for Budget Travelers
Flats and apartments

One way to save on travel is to book accommodation on Booking.com with cashback Cashback promotion on Tourist. RU

Sightseeing tours

Local guides will help you see Murmansk as an amazing city with exotic northern nature and the romance of long voyages. Guides from Murmansk will show you not only the most famous tourist sites, but also attractions that are not accessible to mass tourists. The guides will advise where you can dine on delicious and affordable seafood, and help you organize a boat trip or a trip around the Kola Peninsula. Murmansk guides are worth contacting if you are interested in a thematic walk around Murmansk or hunting for the Northern Lights.

Excursions around Murmansk on the Experts project. Tourist. RU