MURMANSK
Murmansk is the city of extremes. It is the largest city beyond the Arctic Circle, and the northenmost seaport in the world. The longest bridge, the tallest building beyond the Arctic Circle, and the northenmost city transport system are also here. Murmansk was the last city to be founded before the revolution of 1917 so don't expect to find here any historical buildings or churches. Murmansk developed as an industrial city, and an important port on the Arctic Ocean. Murmansk stands on the east side of the Kola Bay which stays ice-free even in winter (unless the temperature drops to more than -40C for a week). Many travellers come to Murmansk to see the polar lights, and to experience the famous polar night which lasts from the beginning of December until 12 January when sun doesn't rise above the horizon, and midday looks like dusk. Polar day when sun doesn't set below the horizon lasts from mid-May until mid-July, and is also spectacular. And the Arctic tundra which surrounds Murmansk is breathtaking, and a must-see whatever the season.
Distance from Moscow: 1850km Founded in 1916 Population: 301 841 UTC+3
EVENTS IN MURMANSK
12 Jan - First sunrise after more than a month of the Polar night.
25 Jan - Sun Festival
March - World Ice Swimming Championship
End of March-April - Winter Sports Festival 'The Festival of the North' ("Праздник Севера")
June - Sports Festival 'Murmansk Mile'
2nd Sunday of July - Fisherman's Day
4 Oct - Murmansk City Day
November-December - International Fesitval of Documentary Films and TV Programs 'The Northern Character' ("Северный Характер")
TO GET AROUND
The city is very long and narrow, stretching along the Kola Bay for many kilometres. The airport is located in a town of Murmashi 24km south of Murmansk. To get to the city, you can either catch a bus which leaves every 20-30min from the bus stop outside the airport, and arrives to the central bus station in Murmansk in just over an hour. The faster option would be to get a taxi which costs 700-850₽ from the airport to the city, and 500-650₽ from the city to the airport.
Here're two reliable taxi companies in Murmansk:
Dilizhans Taxi: +7-8152-411-111
Narodnoye Taxi (they have a stand at Murmansk airport): +7-8152-700-000
If you arrive to Murmansk by train, you can walk from the railway station to your hotel if it's centrally located.
Most of the museums are located in the centre, close to the central Five Corners Square.
TO GET THERE
You can either fly to Murmansk, or get there by train. The railway station is location in the centre of the city, while the airport is 40min drive away.
There're several flights from Moscow and St Petersburg daily with Aeroflot, Roossiya, Nordavia, UTair or Orenburg Airlines. You can also fly to Murmansk from Arkhangelsk, Cherepovets or Kaliningrad.
A premium service train 'Arctic' ("Арктика") runs daily between Moscow and Murmansk, calling at Tver, St Petersburg and Petrozavodsk among other cities. The train leaves Moscow at 12.41am, arrives to St Petersburg at 9.12am, and to Murmansk at 11.55am the next day. The train from Murmansk to Moscow departs from Murmansk at 7.20pm, arrives to St Petersburg at 10.16pm the next day, and to Moscow at 6.54am the next morning. The journey from Moscow to Murmansk takes approximately 35h. There're also train to Murmansk from Vologda, Arkhangelsk, Minsk, Pskov, Krasnodar, and Anapa.