This page gathers twenty things to do in and around Murmansk, the largest city north of the Arctic Circle. It mixes museums, an icebreaker, a large hillside statue, bay views, Arctic day trips and pubs. It helps travellers who want a taste of the far north in winter or summer. Browse the list and plan indoor stops for cold days.
This list gathers twenty things to do in and around Murmansk, the largest city north of the Arctic Circle. It mixes museums, a nuclear icebreaker, a huge hillside statue, bay views, Arctic day trips and a long list of pubs and music bars. It suits travellers who want a taste of the far north, whether they come for the Northern Lights in winter or the light of summer. Use the list to plan indoor stops for cold days and outdoor trips for clear weather, and dress warmly in every season.
Buldog Pub, Murmansk
NightlifeTsentralny
Buldog Pub is an English-style pub in central Murmansk with beer, food, drinks and sports broadcasts. It is one of the city's popular gathering spots for locals and visitors. Come on a cold evening for a warm room, order a hearty meal and join the crowd for the match.
Murmansk Regional Art Museum, Murmansk
PlaceOktyabrsky
The Murmansk Regional Art Museum is the youngest art museum in Russia and the only one in the Arctic, set in the first stone building of the city in the historical centre. Visit for local and regional art, and allow about an hour on a cold or rainy day.
Murmansk Regional Museum of Local Lore, Murmansk
PlaceMurmansk
The Murmansk Regional Museum of Local Lore is the oldest cultural institution on the Kola Peninsula, with more than 170 thousand items. Documents, photographs, art, archaeology and weapons tell the story of the region. Start here to understand the Arctic setting, and allow at least an hour.
Lenin Nuclear Icebreaker, Murmansk
PlaceMurmansk Oblast
The world's first nuclear-powered surface ship is moored at the marine terminal and open as an Arctic exhibition centre. Guided tours lead through the preserved crew quarters, the engine room and the reactor compartment. Book the guided tour in advance and wear comfortable shoes for the steep stairs.
Lake Semyonovskoye, Murmansk
PlaceLeninsky
Lake Semyonovskoye is a freshwater lake inside Murmansk, with walking paths, observation platforms and a boat station with pleasure boat trips. Walk the shore for views over the water and city, rent a boat in the warm season and bring a warm jacket, since the wind is cool even in summer.
Zazhigalka, Murmansk
NightlifeMurmansk City
Zazhigalka is a late-night venue in central Murmansk, open nightly from late evening until early morning, with live stage performances and a full bar. It is a place for after-hours entertainment. Go with a group, plan your return trip in advance and keep valuables close.
Teriberka, Murmansk
Day Trip
Teriberka is a coastal village on the Barents Sea at the mouth of the Teriberka River, known for Arctic landscapes, rugged coastline and the Northern Lights. Make the trip by road with a driver or on a tour, dress for strong wind and watch the sky on clear winter nights.
Murmansk Regional Drama Theater, Murmansk
PlaceMurmansk
The Murmansk Regional Drama Theatre was created in the late 1930s and moved to its current building in the early 1960s. It stages plays, mostly in Russian, in the heart of the city. Check the programme, book a seat in advance and dress up a little for an evening show.
Lavna Waterfall, Murmansk
Day Trip
Lavna Waterfall drops about 4 metres over moss-covered rocks on the Lavna River, 20 km northeast of Murmansk, in an Arctic forest. It is small but photogenic and suits a short nature outing. Go by car or taxi, wear waterproof shoes and bring insect repellent in summer.
Khibiny Mountains & Kirovsk, Murmansk
Day Trip
The Khibiny Mountains and the town of Kirovsk make an Arctic day trip from Murmansk, with ancient peaks, rare minerals and mountain culture. Hike in summer, ski in winter and ride the cable car for the view. Start early, bring layers and check road and lift conditions before you go.
Alyosha Monument, Murmansk
PlaceLeninsky
The Alyosha Monument is a 35.5-metre statue on a hill above Murmansk, the second-tallest in Russia after The Motherland Calls in Volgograd. It honours the defenders of the Arctic. Climb the steps for views of the city and Kola Bay, and visit in clear weather for the wide panorama.
Church of the Savior on Waters, Murmansk
PlaceMurmansk
The Church of the Savior on Waters is a small white building with golden domes on a hillside above Kola Bay, part of a memorial complex for sailors lost at sea. It is visible across the city. Walk up for the view of the bay and visit quietly.
Kola Bay, Murmansk
PlaceMurmansk
Kola Bay is a 57-kilometre fjord of the Barents Sea, an ice-free natural harbour that shelters Murmansk and makes it a major Arctic port. See it from the hills and the embankment, watch the ships and bring a windproof jacket. Clear days give wide views of the water and city.
St. Nicholas Cathedral, Murmansk
PlaceMurmansk
St. Nicholas Cathedral is a stone church from the 1980s, built around an earlier small wooden church from after the Second World War. It is a landmark of the city's northern history. Visit for the architecture and quiet atmosphere, dress modestly and keep conversation low inside.
Bridge Across Kola Bay, Murmansk
PlaceMurmansk
The Bridge Across Kola Bay is a four-lane road bridge, the longest automobile bridge north of the Arctic Circle. It carries traffic between Murmansk and the western parts of the region, towards Norway and Finland. See it from the embankment or on a drive, and take photographs at sunset.
Rock'n'Roll Music Bar, Murmansk
NightlifeOktyabrsky
Rock'n'Roll Music Bar is a live music venue in central Murmansk, focused on rock and blues, with local and touring guitar bands. It is one of the few dedicated concert spaces in the city. Check the programme, arrive early for a spot near the stage and expect a loud, friendly crowd.
Dublin Irish Pub, Murmansk
NightlifeMurmansk
Dublin Irish Pub is a traditional Irish pub in central Murmansk with craft beers, whiskeys and pub food in a wood-and-stone setting. It opens daily and stays open late. Order a pint and a hot meal on a cold evening, and sit at the bar if you are on your own.
BEERGEEK51 Bar, Murmansk
NightlifeMurmansk
BEERGEEK51 Bar is a basement craft beer bar in central Murmansk, with a curated list of local and international brews, weekly DJ events and a relaxed young crowd. Ask the bartender for a tasting flight, try a local beer and come on a DJ night for the lively atmosphere.
Okean Hall, Murmansk
NightlifeMurmansk
Okean Hall is a two-storey concert hall in central Murmansk, hosting live performances, DJ nights and private events with professional sound, lighting and stage. Check the event list before you go, choose a night that matches your taste in music and book a table for a group.
Loft-bar Cherdak, Murmansk
NightlifeMurmansk
Loft-bar Cherdak is a two-storey loft-style bar in central Murmansk, with craft beer and home-style food on the ground floor. After late evening the upper floor becomes a dance bar with house, hip-hop and funk. Eat early downstairs, then climb up to dance, and take a taxi home.
Spend a day in the centre with the museums, the theatre and the pubs, and add the icebreaker on a guided tour. Kola Bay, the bridge, the Alyosha Monument and the memorial church fit a second walking and viewpoint day. Teriberka, the Khibiny Mountains and Lavna Waterfall each need their own day trip by road, with an early start and a check of the weather. Keep evenings for the pubs and music bars.
Final thoughts
Spend a day in the centre, another on the bay and viewpoints, and a third on a road trip such as Teriberka or the Khibiny Mountains. Start early, dress warmly and check the weather. Before you go, check opening days, tour arrangements and road conditions with the official source.
Ask Masha