Murmansk
Мурманск Murmansk · Murmansk Oblast, Russia (Kola Peninsula)
The most populous city north of the Arctic Circle: an ice-free port in the polar night, a nuclear icebreaker and the aurora.
Know before you go
- Don't photograph military facilities, naval vessels in the port or government buildings
- don't fool around in front of memorials
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
First called Romanov, only later Murmansk
In 1915, to receive Allied supplies during the First World War, Russia built a railway to an ice-free port on the Murman Coast. In 1916 the railhead was granted town status and named 'Romanov-on-Murman' after the ruling Romanov dynasty, with a founding ceremony on 4 October. But the name lasted only a few months: the February Revolution of 1917 overthrew the Tsar, and in April the town was renamed Murmansk.
Source: Wikipedia: Murmansk
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Murmansk is the most populous city in the world north of the Arctic Circle. Warmed by the ice-free sea around it, its port stays open all year even though winters are long and snowy. In 1916 a railhead and town were built here to open a supply line for Russia's allies in the First World War, first named 'Romanov-on-Murman' after the ruling dynasty and renamed after the February Revolution of 1917. In the Second World War German aircraft raided Murmansk 792 times, and only Leningrad and Stalingrad suffered worse destruction. The polar night lasts roughly from 2 December to 10 January, when the sun stays below the horizon — prime aurora season.
Local customs
- The decommissioned nuclear icebreaker Lenin, now a museum, is moored in the port
- the 'Alyosha' monument on the hill commemorates the soldiers who defended the Soviet Arctic in the Second World War
Religion & beliefs
- Mainly Russian Orthodox. Men remove hats in church
- women should cover their heads and wear skirts.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Russia: many governments advise against all travel
- Before you leave, check your own government's latest safety advice
- Check whether your travel insurance covers you
- Ignoring official travel warnings and going anyway
Because of the risks from Russia's continuing invasion of Ukraine (drone attacks, air-defence activity, limited return flights and more), the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia; the risk of foreigners being detained has also increased. If you travel against official advice, your travel insurance may be invalid.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Russia travel advice — warnings and insurance
Don’t DON'T
- Don't photograph military facilities, naval vessels in the port or government buildings
- don't fool around in front of memorials
Locals appreciate DO
- Locals are used to the polar night and the cold
- winter outdoor pursuits are skiing, ice fishing and aurora watching.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | December–March, at night |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 2–3 days |
Travel tips
- The UK Foreign Office and many other governments currently advise against all travel to Russia
- check your own government's latest safety advice before you go, and confirm whether your insurance covers you. The aurora depends on solar activity and weather, so check the aurora forecast (Kp index) and cloud cover before you go
- chances are usually best between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Get away from city lights, bring a tripod and dress very warmly.
Photos
Photos
kallerna · CC BY-SA 3.0
Godot13 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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