Murmansk
Overview
Murmansk is a Russian seaport and the capital of Murmansk region in the Northwestern Russia, lying 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, on the eastern shore of Kola Bay, 48 km from the ice-free Barents Sea. Murmansk is the world’s largest city located above the Arctic Circle.
It was founded in 1916 a supply port in the World War I. During the World War II, it served as the main port for Anglo-American convoys carrying war supplies to the USSR through the Arctic Ocean. Today it is an important fishing port, and its fish-processing plant is one of the largest in Europe. Its seaport is one of the largest ice-free ports in Russia. All Russian nuclear icebreakers are registered there, including the barque “Sedov”, the largest sailing vessel in the world. Major industries
in Murmansk include fishing, fish processing, and shipbuilding. Despite its young age, Murmansk boasts a large number of highlights: over thirty monuments and memorials, the most notable being Murmansk Alyosha, one of the largest statues in Russia commemorating the defenders of the Soviet Arctic, and the memorial to sailors who died in peacetime. Murmansk Oceanarium, the most northerly in the world, stands on the shore of the Semyonovskoye lake in the heart of Leninsky district of Murmansk. Recently built bridges across the Kola Bay and the Church of the Savior on the Waters are also among the unique sights of the city
Sights
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LENIN NUCLEAR ICEBREAKER
The Lenin icebreaker was the first nuclear powered ship and mostly cleared the ice for Russian cargo ships, but was also involved in Arctic rescue missions and other Arctic expeditions. The ship stopped operating in 1989 and is now a museum ship that is interesting to visit even if you have no particular interest in ships. Most tours are in Russian, but there are some information boards with English explanations about the Arctic expeditions and the ship’s involvement.
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HUNTING NORTHERN LIGHTS
Best seen in the clear dark, aurora borealis, or northern lights, can also be seen in somewhat cloudy conditions and even in large cities. The phenomenon is a unique mesh of green
and red occurring in the sky and moving in a pattern resembling an intimate dance between the shades of divine subtlety. The natural electrical phenomenon can be seen from
as early as September until as late as April. Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that to succeed in chasing the northern lights you have to be lucky and persistent.
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THE SAMI VILLAGE
The Sami is the indigenous population of the Kola Peninsula and Scandinavia (Norway and Finland). The main activity of the Sami is deer cultivation, the sale of meat, horns, and
clothing made of reindeer skins. There is a small imitation of the Sami village not far away from Murmansk. During this tour, you will learn about the traditions of the Sami, their traditional musical instruments, take part in the Sami rituals, feed the deer and take pictures in Sami clothes. During the winter, you can ride sledges and snowmobiles through the
forests. -
TRIP TO THE ARCTIC COAST
Located on the shore of Barents Sea, 120 km, or three-hour drive down an icy road from Murmansk, small village Teriberka has just 617 residents and a wide selection of picturesque
abandoned houses that could serve as art objects or as a set for horror films. During the tour of the village, you will stop at several locations, such as a wooden ships “cemetery”, which
is over 100 years old. Then, you will head to the Arctic Ocean coast for taking wonderful photos off frozen rocks and tundra against the mighty Barents Sea, and a magnificent waterfall that flows into the Arctic Ocean.
Hotels
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AZIMUT HOTEL MURMANSK
Number of rooms: 186
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 32 km
Address: 82 Lenin avenue, Murmansk, Russia 183038AZIMUT Hotel Murmansk is a modern 4-star hotel, by rights considered one of the best hotels in Murmansk and one of the city’s attractions, being its highest building. The hotel provides modern accommodation according to the chain’s SMART concept with everything needed for a comfortable business or leisure stay. All rooms have stunning panoramic views over the city landscape. The hotel’s infrastructure includes a number of well-equipped conference and meeting rooms, secured parking, a restaurant serving European cuisine, a coffee house, a lobby bar, and a fitness centre.
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PARK INN BY RADISSON POLIARNIE ZORI HOTEL
Number of rooms: 262
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 35 km
Address: 17 Knipovich str., Murmansk, Russia 183039PARK INN by Radisson Poliarnie Zori is located in the center of Murmansk, just minutes from cultural attractions. Enjoy easy access to shopping, business centers, and transportation. Room amenities include heated bathroom floors, orthopedic beds, and free Wi-Fi. The on-site restaurant offers Russian and European cuisine. Enjoy live music every Wednesday at the hotel nightclub, or relax at one of our two lobby bars. The haotel also has a fitness centre, a sauna, a beauty salon, six meting rooms and private parking.
The Park Inn by Radisson Poliarnie Zori in Murmansk received the Green Key eco-label in 2015 to honor its commitment to environmental care and sustainability. -
OGNI MURMANSKA HOTEL
Number of rooms: 36
Distance to the city centre: 6 km
Distance to the airport: 28 km
Address: 1 Ogni Murmanska str., Murmansk, Russia 183052The Ogni Murmanska Hotel is located 6 km away from the city centre, within a 30-minutes’ drive from the airport. Each room features a telephone, a TV-set, wireless Internet access, a bathroom with a hair-dryer and a set of bath essentials. The hotel offers a restaurant and two bars, a banquet hall, a karaoke, a water park with a swimming pool and saunas, a massage room, barbeque cabins, private parking, ski rental during the winter season and paddle boat rental during the summer.
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MERIDIAN HOTEL
Number of rooms: 124
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 10 km
Address: 5/23 Vorovsky street, Murmansk, Russia 183038MERIDIAN Hotel has been welcoming guests for over 25 years, and was completely renovated in 2004. All rooms were completely redesigned and refurbished. The hotel’s technical facilities meet international standards. The Meridian Hotel is situated in the business and cultural centre of Murmansk, in the immediate vicinity to the city’s major highlights as well as shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants and night clubs. The hotel’s services and amenities include a restaurant and a bar, a bowling centre, a billiards hall, a night club, a conference centre, 24hr in-room dining, guarded parking, laundry and dry-cleaning services, safe boxes at reception desk, transportation services, an ATM, tickets and tours booking services, a beauty studio, a souvenir shop, and medical service.
