FAQ MURMANSK
AURORA🍀
When is the highest chance of seeing the Aurora in Murmansk ?
The Northern Lights can be seen in Murmansk from September to mid-April. There is no difference in the strength and power of the northern Lights. The greatest chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Murmansk is during the winter months, from November to February. During this period, the nights are especially long. It is dark from 6 pm to 7 am ⏰
How many days do you need to stay in Murmansk to have a better chance of seeing the northern lights?🗓️
I recommend staying in Murmansk for 3-4 days.🌃 Sometimes the sky is covered with clouds everywhere,☁️ it's snowing and you definitely won't be able to see the northern Lights. Bad weather can last 2-3 days. ❄️🌨️ But on the 4th day, there will definitely be clear skies.🌠🥳
Which hotel is the best place to stay to see the Aurora – in Murmansk or outside the city? 🏨
If you want to increase the chances of seeing Aurora, it is better to book accommodation in Murmansk.
1.From Murmansk, you can go to any direction where there is a clear sky.
2.The guide needs a little time to pick you up and head in the right direction.
3.You don't need to overpay for a transfer from your hotel outside the city.
4. It maybe cloudy in a hotel outside the city and the guide will not have time to pick you up.
The Northern Lights can be seen in Murmansk from September to mid-April. There is no difference in the strength and power of the northern Lights. The greatest chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Murmansk is during the winter months, from November to February. During this period, the nights are especially long. It is dark from 6 pm to 7 am ⏰
How many days do you need to stay in Murmansk to have a better chance of seeing the northern lights?🗓️
I recommend staying in Murmansk for 3-4 days.🌃 Sometimes the sky is covered with clouds everywhere,☁️ it's snowing and you definitely won't be able to see the northern Lights. Bad weather can last 2-3 days. ❄️🌨️ But on the 4th day, there will definitely be clear skies.🌠🥳
Which hotel is the best place to stay to see the Aurora – in Murmansk or outside the city? 🏨
If you want to increase the chances of seeing Aurora, it is better to book accommodation in Murmansk.
1.From Murmansk, you can go to any direction where there is a clear sky.
2.The guide needs a little time to pick you up and head in the right direction.
3.You don't need to overpay for a transfer from your hotel outside the city.
4. It maybe cloudy in a hotel outside the city and the guide will not have time to pick you up.
Season of the activities in Murmansk🛷
🐺Husky sledding will start from the middle of november till the middle of april
🦌Reindeer sledding will start from the middle of december till the end of the march
🧊Ice floating with ice will start from the december till the end of the march
❄️snowmobiling will start from the middle of december till the middle of april
💚aurora will start from the september till the middle of april
🦌Reindeer sledding will start from the middle of december till the end of the march
🧊Ice floating with ice will start from the december till the end of the march
❄️snowmobiling will start from the middle of december till the middle of april
💚aurora will start from the september till the middle of april
Is it possible to fly a quadcopter in Russia?🚁
Currently, it is officially forbidden to fly a quadcopter in Russia. 🇷🇺If you are seen, there will be difficulties.😳
Snow will appear in Murmansk in November❄️
The first good snow will fall in Murmansk only in the middle of November.☃️ There will be no snow in October yet. Snow falls in October only in the Khibiny mountains and Lovozero mountains.
Weather in Murmansk from september till december🌨️
The average weather values for the last few years are presented.📊
Weather in Murmansk from january till april💙
Winter in Murmansk is warm, severe frosts are rare.👌 Please, look to the photo.
Why is the road to Teriberka often closed and not cleared of snowdrifts in winter? ❌🌨
From January to the end of April, a lot of snow accumulates along the road to Teriberka (which runs through the tundra). When strong winds 🌬️ start to blow, the snow is swept onto the road and forms drifts. Until the wind dies down, there’s no point in clearing the road, since it gets covered again almost immediately.
🤷🏻♀️ Poor visibility makes driving on the road dangerous. 🙅♀️ That’s why the authorities are forced to close it.
So we recommend coming to Murmansk for 3-4 days. On one of the days when the road is open, you’ll be able to go to Teriberka. It’s not recommended to stay overnight in Teriberka during these months, as there’s a high risk of getting stuck there and missing your return flight.
Snowdrifts on the road don’t affect your chances of hunting for the northern lights. 🍀
🤷🏻♀️ Poor visibility makes driving on the road dangerous. 🙅♀️ That’s why the authorities are forced to close it.
So we recommend coming to Murmansk for 3-4 days. On one of the days when the road is open, you’ll be able to go to Teriberka. It’s not recommended to stay overnight in Teriberka during these months, as there’s a high risk of getting stuck there and missing your return flight.
Snowdrifts on the road don’t affect your chances of hunting for the northern lights. 🍀
HOTELS IN MURMANSK🛌
Ostrovok and Zenhotels - its a websites for booking accomodation in Russia. Some of them may not accept foreign cards. In that case, choose the "pay at the hotel" option. You can also write to the hotel by email or via WhatsApp/Telegram. Many Murmansk hotels reply in English and confirm bookings without a prepayment, and ask you to pay on arrival.
🏨The best place to stay in Murmansk - Meridian hotel
The most expensive places in the center of Murmansk are Meridian, Azimut, Cosmos. In Azimut and Cosmos, you should choose only superior rooms, as the standard rooms are not very good.
Good in the center of Murmansk - glarus, Asgard, gubernskii, Renaissance
Places to stay away from the center – Iterra, Tundra, Rooms & breakfast, 69parallel, Expedition.
Many travelers stay in apartments in the center of Murmansk – it's more affordable.
During the high season (December, January, February, March), it is very difficult to find places to stay. It is better to choose 3-4 months in advance. 😲
In Murmansk, you can stay in a separate house at the «69 Parallel». But there is also lighting here and the northern lights are not visible. There is a Russian sauna here.
I have prepared a detailed article.
💸Prices for accommodation are indicated for a standard double room on december, 2026 (date of issue june 2026)
Meridian – 14,500 rubles
Azimut – 13,150 rubles
Cosmos – 7,750 rubles
Renaissance – 11,000 rubles
Glarus – 6,000 rubles
Asgard – 4,400 rubles
gubernskii – 4,400 rubles
Rooms & breakfast - 7,000 rubles
Iterra – 8,700 rubles
Tundra – 4,000 rubles
69parallel – 4,200 rubles
Expedition – 13,000 rubles
🏨The best place to stay in Murmansk - Meridian hotel
The most expensive places in the center of Murmansk are Meridian, Azimut, Cosmos. In Azimut and Cosmos, you should choose only superior rooms, as the standard rooms are not very good.
Good in the center of Murmansk - glarus, Asgard, gubernskii, Renaissance
Places to stay away from the center – Iterra, Tundra, Rooms & breakfast, 69parallel, Expedition.
Many travelers stay in apartments in the center of Murmansk – it's more affordable.
During the high season (December, January, February, March), it is very difficult to find places to stay. It is better to choose 3-4 months in advance. 😲
In Murmansk, you can stay in a separate house at the «69 Parallel». But there is also lighting here and the northern lights are not visible. There is a Russian sauna here.
I have prepared a detailed article.
💸Prices for accommodation are indicated for a standard double room on december, 2026 (date of issue june 2026)
Meridian – 14,500 rubles
Azimut – 13,150 rubles
Cosmos – 7,750 rubles
Renaissance – 11,000 rubles
Glarus – 6,000 rubles
Asgard – 4,400 rubles
gubernskii – 4,400 rubles
Rooms & breakfast - 7,000 rubles
Iterra – 8,700 rubles
Tundra – 4,000 rubles
69parallel – 4,200 rubles
Expedition – 13,000 rubles
HOTELS OUTSIDE THE MURMANSK (IGLOO)🌐
Prices for accommodation are indicated for a standard double igloo for December 2026 (date of creation June 2026)
Taiga hotel - wooden houses, 18 km from Murmansk - 18,000 rubles/per house
Lapland village – 28 km from Murmansk - 20,000 rubles per igloo
Residence "Northern Lights"- 25 km from Murmansk - 36,000 rubles per igloo
Aurora village – 50 km from Murmansk - 25,500 rubles per igloo
Remember: If you will stay outside the city:
🚙Transfer from igloo/wooden house outside the city to daily tour 5,000 rubles/car
🚗Transfer from daily tour to igloo/wooden house outside the city 5,000 rubles/car
Taiga hotel - wooden houses, 18 km from Murmansk - 18,000 rubles/per house
Lapland village – 28 km from Murmansk - 20,000 rubles per igloo
Residence "Northern Lights"- 25 km from Murmansk - 36,000 rubles per igloo
Aurora village – 50 km from Murmansk - 25,500 rubles per igloo
Remember: If you will stay outside the city:
🚙Transfer from igloo/wooden house outside the city to daily tour 5,000 rubles/car
🚗Transfer from daily tour to igloo/wooden house outside the city 5,000 rubles/car
🥾🍂Autumn clothing (September, October, November)
What you need to bring on the tour in autumn. The weather in Murmansk and Teriberka can be unpredictable. If there's strong wind, it will feel cold. If there's no wind, it won't feel cold. Usually in autumn the temperature ranges from +10 to -5 degrees Celsius.
• A windproof and waterproof jacket with a hood
• Thermal underwear, a warm layer of clothing (fleece, pants)
• A hat and gloves (mandatory!)
• Comfortable footwear for walking along the coast
• A raincoat
• Sunglasses
• A small hiking backpack
• A water bottle or thermos mug, a small snack
• A power bank
• Personal hygiene items
• A personal first-aid kit
• A windproof and waterproof jacket with a hood
• Thermal underwear, a warm layer of clothing (fleece, pants)
• A hat and gloves (mandatory!)
• Comfortable footwear for walking along the coast
• A raincoat
• Sunglasses
• A small hiking backpack
• A water bottle or thermos mug, a small snack
• A power bank
• Personal hygiene items
• A personal first-aid kit
🧤 ❄️Winter clothing (December, January, February, March, April)
What you need to bring on the tour in winter. The weather in Murmansk and Teriberka can be unpredictable. Usually in winter the temperature ranges from -5 to -10 degrees Celsius. 🌨 But the climate in Murmansk is humid. Also, the wind, 🌬 especially on the coast, draws a lot of heat away from the body.😮
• A winter jacket – a down jacket with a hood
• Thermal underwear, a warm layer of clothing (fleece, pants)
• A hat, scarf, and gloves/mittens
• Winter trekking boots for walking along the coast. Even winter sneakers won't work.
• Disposable hand and foot warmers
• cats for footwear, to avoid slipping (optional)
• A power bank for your phone (the battery drains faster in winter)
• Personal hygiene items
• A personal first-aid kit
• Sunglasses
• A small hiking backpack
• A water bottle or thermos mug, a small snack
The Best Winter Footwear Kit for the Russian Arctic 🥾
If you are traveling to Murmansk, the best choice for you is the following set: Winter boots, for example valenki (traditional Russian felt boots), Fleece socks, Foot warmers, Metal ice cleats for shoes
Where to Buy Clothing for a Winter Trip in Russia
Retail chains in Russia where you can buy winter clothing at affordable prices:
Sportmaster
Desport
Lenta Hypermarket
Where to Buy Clothing for a Winter Trip in Russia
Retail chains in Russia where you can buy winter clothing at affordable prices:
Sportmaster
Desport
Lenta Hypermarket
How can tourist proceed with payments in Russia?
1.You can exchange the money in airport/bank and pay by cash.
2."Yoomoney" - This is a Tourist Card (a service in the Sberbank), running on the Mir payment system. Where to get a Physical plastic card: directly at the airport.
How it works
You can apply for a card in advance online while still in your country, and immediately receive a physical card upon arrival in Russia. Procedure: registration, identification, activation via the Yoomoney app, disbursement and replenishment. You can top up the card in cash at ATMs that accept cash or at bank branches. That is, immediately after receiving it, you can top it up at an ATM of any bank.
You can pay with a card for hotels, transportation, excursions, purchases — wherever Mir is accepted.
2."Yoomoney" - This is a Tourist Card (a service in the Sberbank), running on the Mir payment system. Where to get a Physical plastic card: directly at the airport.
How it works
You can apply for a card in advance online while still in your country, and immediately receive a physical card upon arrival in Russia. Procedure: registration, identification, activation via the Yoomoney app, disbursement and replenishment. You can top up the card in cash at ATMs that accept cash or at bank branches. That is, immediately after receiving it, you can top it up at an ATM of any bank.
You can pay with a card for hotels, transportation, excursions, purchases — wherever Mir is accepted.
📵 foreign SIM card is blocked for 24 hours in Russia
For a foreign SIM card (that is, a card from an overseas operator that a tourist brings with them), Russia applies a "first 24 hours" rule: mobile internet and SMS do not work for 24 hours after connecting to the Russian network.
📵 What exactly is blocked for 24 hours
Since October 2025, Russian operators have been applying a so-called "cooling-off period" (период охлаждения) to all SIM cards (both Russian and foreign) that register on the network after entering the country. For foreign tourists, this means:
Mobile internet: unavailable during the first 24 hours.
SMS: also not working during this period.
Voice calls: work as usual; restrictions do not apply to them.
📵 What exactly is blocked for 24 hours
Since October 2025, Russian operators have been applying a so-called "cooling-off period" (период охлаждения) to all SIM cards (both Russian and foreign) that register on the network after entering the country. For foreign tourists, this means:
Mobile internet: unavailable during the first 24 hours.
SMS: also not working during this period.
Voice calls: work as usual; restrictions do not apply to them.
Which VPN in Russia can you choose?
Super fast - Proxy master
AmneziaVPN (choose France)
Adguard VPN
VPN - Super unlimited Proxy
NordVPN
Shadowrocket VPN
VPN cat
AmneziaVPN (choose France)
Adguard VPN
VPN - Super unlimited Proxy
NordVPN
Shadowrocket VPN
VPN cat
internet and taxi in airport Murmansk
The internet at Murmansk Airport doesn’t work (it’s blocked). But you can still make calls or send SMS. There is Wi-Fi, but you need a Russian SIM card to use it.
Taxi drivers at the airport charge inflated prices. You can use the Yandex app, but drivers often cancel orders and offer different prices when they meet you at the airport.
Taxi drivers at the airport charge inflated prices. You can use the Yandex app, but drivers often cancel orders and offer different prices when they meet you at the airport.
RESTAURANTS IN MURMANSK
Grill & Bar “TUNDRA”
Polyarnye Zori St., 49/2
Daily: 12:00 – 00:00
Restaurant “Sampo”
Polyarnye Zori St., 62
Monday–Thursday: 12:00–00:00;
Friday and Saturday: 12:00–02:00;
Sunday: 12:00–00:00
restaurant “Royal hunt”
Kolyevsky Prospekt, 86
daily, 12:00–00:00
"Terrace" restaurant
Lenin Avenue, 69 (floor 4)
Monday–Thursday: 12:00–23:00;
Friday and Saturday: 12:00–01:00;
Sunday: 12:00–23:00
The Grey Goose restaurant, 2nd floor
Akademika Knipovich Street, 8
The Pomory restaurant
Poljarnye Zori St., 4
Restaurant “Lovi Krab”
Kominterna St., 14
Monday–Thursday: 12:00–23:00;
Friday and Saturday: 12:00–02:00;
Sunday: 12:00–23:00.
Amigos Bar
harats Irish pub
Polyarnye Zori St., 49/2
Daily: 12:00 – 00:00
Restaurant “Sampo”
Polyarnye Zori St., 62
Monday–Thursday: 12:00–00:00;
Friday and Saturday: 12:00–02:00;
Sunday: 12:00–00:00
restaurant “Royal hunt”
Kolyevsky Prospekt, 86
daily, 12:00–00:00
"Terrace" restaurant
Lenin Avenue, 69 (floor 4)
Monday–Thursday: 12:00–23:00;
Friday and Saturday: 12:00–01:00;
Sunday: 12:00–23:00
The Grey Goose restaurant, 2nd floor
Akademika Knipovich Street, 8
The Pomory restaurant
Poljarnye Zori St., 4
Restaurant “Lovi Krab”
Kominterna St., 14
Monday–Thursday: 12:00–23:00;
Friday and Saturday: 12:00–02:00;
Sunday: 12:00–23:00.
Amigos Bar
harats Irish pub
Vegetarian food in Murmansk
In Murmansk, restaurants and cafes do not have vegetarian menus. Therefore, when traveling to the Russian Arctic, you can:
- bring your own local food with you
- buy food at the store and cook in your apartment
- order a side dish (potatoes, rice, pasta) or a fresh vegetable salad at a cafe/restaurant
Icebreaker Lenin Museum
Tour start times:
10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30, 17:45, 19:00
Days off: Monday, Tuesday
Address: Murmansk, Portovy Proyezd, 25 (Marine Station embankment)
Ticket price: 880 rubles
excursion in Russian language
10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30, 17:45, 19:00
Days off: Monday, Tuesday
Address: Murmansk, Portovy Proyezd, 25 (Marine Station embankment)
Ticket price: 880 rubles
excursion in Russian language
OTHER PLACES IN MURMANSK
Eco village park - russian bath house (russian sauna)
The village of Kildinstroy
The village of Kildinstroy
polar explorer's passport
addres of in Tourist Information Center (1 floor of Azimut hotel), Lenin Avenue, 82.
The price of the souvenir is 1900 rubles/person.
How do I get a Polar Explorer's Passport?
Go to the "Apply" page to fill in the details and upload a photo. Then pay for a souvenir and get a Polar Explorer's Passport at the Murmansk Region Training Center: 82 Lenin Ave., Murmansk.
The price of the souvenir is 1900 rubles/person.
How do I get a Polar Explorer's Passport?
Go to the "Apply" page to fill in the details and upload a photo. Then pay for a souvenir and get a Polar Explorer's Passport at the Murmansk Region Training Center: 82 Lenin Ave., Murmansk.
FAQ SAINT PETERSBURG
The State Hermitage Museum
website
Address: google map
Dvortsovaya Naberezhnaya street, 34
metro Admiralteyskaya (700 m), metro Nevsky Prospekt (900 m), metro Gostiny Dvor (1.3 km)
Opening hours:
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11:00 – 18:00 (the ticket office stop working at 17:00).
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 11:00 – 20:00 (the ticket office stop working at 19:00).
The museum is closed on Mondays
Prices: You can buy tickets at the museum’s ticket office.
The main museum complex – 1,200–500 rubles/person
The General Staff – 700 rubles/person
The Winter Palace of Peter I – 1,500 rubles/person
The Menshikov Palace – 1,500 rubles/person
The Hermitage – Staraya Derevnya – 2,000 rubles/person
The Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory – 500 rubles/person
Address: google map
Dvortsovaya Naberezhnaya street, 34
metro Admiralteyskaya (700 m), metro Nevsky Prospekt (900 m), metro Gostiny Dvor (1.3 km)
Opening hours:
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11:00 – 18:00 (the ticket office stop working at 17:00).
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 11:00 – 20:00 (the ticket office stop working at 19:00).
The museum is closed on Mondays
Prices: You can buy tickets at the museum’s ticket office.
The main museum complex – 1,200–500 rubles/person
The General Staff – 700 rubles/person
The Winter Palace of Peter I – 1,500 rubles/person
The Menshikov Palace – 1,500 rubles/person
The Hermitage – Staraya Derevnya – 2,000 rubles/person
The Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory – 500 rubles/person
St Isaac's Cathedral
website
Address: google map
Isaakievskaya Square, 4, building A
Metro Admiralteyskaya, Nevsky Prospekt, Gostiny Dvor
Opening hours:
From 10:00 to 18:00 (ticket offices from 10:00 to 17:30)
Wednesday is a day off.
Prices: You can buy tickets at the museum’s ticket office.
St Isaac's Cathedral: 700 rubles/person
Savior on the Spilled Blood: 700 rubles/person
St Isaac’s Cathedral Colonnaded Walkway 700 rubles/person
Vestry: 100 rubles/person
Audio guide in St Isaac's Cathedral and in Savior on the Spilled Blood (in Russian, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Finnish, Japanese, Turkish, Chinese and Korean) 300 rubles/person
Address: google map
Isaakievskaya Square, 4, building A
Metro Admiralteyskaya, Nevsky Prospekt, Gostiny Dvor
Opening hours:
From 10:00 to 18:00 (ticket offices from 10:00 to 17:30)
Wednesday is a day off.
Prices: You can buy tickets at the museum’s ticket office.
St Isaac's Cathedral: 700 rubles/person
Savior on the Spilled Blood: 700 rubles/person
St Isaac’s Cathedral Colonnaded Walkway 700 rubles/person
Vestry: 100 rubles/person
Audio guide in St Isaac's Cathedral and in Savior on the Spilled Blood (in Russian, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Finnish, Japanese, Turkish, Chinese and Korean) 300 rubles/person
Catherine Palace
You can get there by taxi. The Catherine Palace is located in the city of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoye Selo),approximately 25–30 km south of the center of St.Petersburg.
website
Address: google map
Saint Petersburg, Pushkin, Sadovaya Street, house 7
map of the palace and park
Opening hours:
From 10:00 to 16:45 (Entry to thepalaceis permitted from the moment the session beginsandfor the next15minutes. 16:45 - is the last time you can visit the palace).
Tuesday is a day off.
Prices:
ticket to the Catherine Palace (route 1)and the park: 2,600rublesperperson.
ticket to the exhibition “Catherine II. Personal Space” 1,100 rubles per person.
ticket to the Alexander Palace and park 800 rubles per person.
ticket to the Palace Church of the Resurrection of Christ and the apartments of Paul I. 500 rublesperperson.
ticket to the “Ratnaya Palata” exhibition 600 rubles per person.
ticket to the Arsenal pavilion 500 rubles per person.
ticket to the exhibition The "court carriage" in pav. "Duty stable" 400 rubles per person.
website
Address: google map
Saint Petersburg, Pushkin, Sadovaya Street, house 7
map of the palace and park
Opening hours:
From 10:00 to 16:45 (Entry to thepalaceis permitted from the moment the session beginsandfor the next15minutes. 16:45 - is the last time you can visit the palace).
Tuesday is a day off.
Prices:
ticket to the Catherine Palace (route 1)and the park: 2,600rublesperperson.
ticket to the exhibition “Catherine II. Personal Space” 1,100 rubles per person.
ticket to the Alexander Palace and park 800 rubles per person.
ticket to the Palace Church of the Resurrection of Christ and the apartments of Paul I. 500 rublesperperson.
ticket to the “Ratnaya Palata” exhibition 600 rubles per person.
ticket to the Arsenal pavilion 500 rubles per person.
ticket to the exhibition The "court carriage" in pav. "Duty stable" 400 rubles per person.
FAQ MOSCOW
CATHEDRAL OF THE ARMED FORCES
IN DEVELOPMENT
CONTACTS📞
Wechat 微信 Teribe
小红书 Teribe/Teribe Alex
WhatsApp +79118003947
Telegram Alex_Teribe
Ig Alex_Teribe
Facebook Alex.Teribe
Youtube Alex_Teribe
Tiktok Alex_Teribe
小红书 Teribe/Teribe Alex
WhatsApp +79118003947
Telegram Alex_Teribe
Ig Alex_Teribe
Facebook Alex.Teribe
Youtube Alex_Teribe
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Photo credits: Aleksandr Kotsaga
All photos, videos and texts belong to their owners and are used for demonstration. Please do not use the template content for commercial purposes.
All photos, videos and texts belong to their owners and are used for demonstration. Please do not use the template content for commercial purposes.
