'''Murmansk''' (_M__?___}_p_~___{) is a city in the extreme northwest of Russia and the world's largest city north of the Arctic Circle.
Understand
With a population of over 300,000, Murmansk is the largest city in the Arctic and an important Russian naval base and commercial port. In World War II (known to Russias as the Great Patriotic War), Murmansk served as a port for the arctic convoys, and after the war became the Soviet Union's most important submarine base.
Get in
By plane
'''Murmansk Airport''' ('''MMK''', [http://avia.murman.ru/]) has multiple daily flights to Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and limited services to other Russian cities including Sochi and Rostov-on-Don. There are also several flights per week to Tromso and Kirkenes, Norway.
The airport is located about 40km south of Murmansk, near the town of Murmashi. Taxis cost 420-500 Rubles from the city center and make the trip in about 40 minutes. The 106 bus from the train station (stopping at Detsky Mir near the Poliarnie Zori Hotel) is less expensive but much more sluggish than a taxi.
By boat
A bus and catamaran service connects to Kirkenes at the northeasternmost tip of Norway. There are also occasional boats to Barentsburg, Svalbard.
By train
By train, Murmansk is 35-40 hours from Moscow and 27-30 hours from St. Petersburg, depending on the train. The train station is located in the city center, one block downhill from Five Corners Square.
By bus
Murmansk can be reached by bus from Finland (Rovaniemi and Ivalo) and Norway (Kirkenes).
Get around
Although Murmansk is long and thin, most sites of interest to visitors are within a fairly compact area in the city center. Buses and taxis are available on the major streets, and Prospekt Lenina is the main north-south thoroughfare through the city center. Avid walkers could cover the entire stretch of the central area from the Poliarnie Zori Hotel (on the south end of the city center) to the Alyosha
Statue (on a plateau on the north side of the city) in less than two hours.
See
Regional History Museum. rospekt Lenina 90. 2 26 17. ttp://www.murman.ru/culture/museum. 1am to 5:45pm, daily except Thursday. 5 Rubles. Contains displays on various themes, including ethnography of local peoples, a taxidermy display of local flora and fauna (including polar bear and moose), arctic explorations, and an extensive display on Murmansk's role in World War II. All displays in Russian only, cashier closes at 5:00pm.
Alyosha Statue. n the hill near Lake Semyonovskaya. 30-meter-tall statue of a soldier overlooking the city. It is common for wedding parties in Murmansk to visit the statue and drink a bottle of champagne there. To reach the statue, follow the road that curves around the north of the lake (Buses 3 and 10 go at least part of the way, then one must walk), or, in good weather, hikers can cut through the hills and across the south side of the lake on the dirt footpath that begins across the street from the Savior-on-the-Water Cathedral and the lighthouse.
Regional Arts Museum. l. Kominterna 13. 5 03 85. ttp://www.murman.ru/culture/art_museum. 1am to 6pm, Wed-Sun.
Northern Navy Museum. l. Tortseva 15. 2 14 45.
Shipping History Museum. l Volodarskovo 6. 8 13 56. am to 5pm, daily except Saturday.
Arctic Research Institute Exposition. l. Knipovicha 6. 7 23 97. am to 4pm, Mon-Fri. Viewing apparently by appointment only; call and ask for Tatiana at least a few days in advance.
Do
Take a ferry across the inlet to see Murmansk from the water.
Oceanarium. l. Geroev-severomortsev 4. n Lake Semyonovskaya. 1 58 84. See trained seals perform in the white domed building.
Buy
Eat
Cafe Leto. rospekt Lenina 61. ntrance off Ul. Yegorova. 5-96-06. ttp://www.cafeleto.ru. ntrees 300-500 rubles. A fasionable, clean cafe with a variety of international and Russian dishes and tempting desserts. Good service, menu in English.
Torro Steak House. rospekt Lenina 80. ext to the Meridian Hotel. 5-17-00. ntrees 600-1000 rubles. Menu in English
Cafe Yunost. rospekt Lenina. ext to the Anatoliy Bredov Statue. Coffees and desserts in a relaxing environment.And jolly good chicken and chips.
Panorama Restaurant. n the hill east of Lake Semyonovskaya. As of July 2008, is closed for "renovation".
Drink
Sleep
Hotel Poliarnie Zori. l. Knipovicha 17. short walk up the hill from the Detskiy Mir bus stop. 8152) 28 95 00. ttp://www.russlandia.ru/. eginning at 1300 rubles for a basic single. otel@russlandia.ru. 8152) 28 95 04. A clean, well-located hotel with helpful front desk staff.Stayed here a few times, a good solid hotel with good service.
Meridian Hotel. l. Vorovskovo 5. n Five Corners Square. eginning at 3500 rubles for a single. Not related to the international chain of a similar name. The lobby displays photos of notable former guests, including President Medvedev, which gives both an indicator of class of service and price.
Arktika Hotel. rospekt Lenina 82. n Five Corners Square. Closed for renovation, which is ''expected'' to finish in 2012.sleep>
Get out
Icebreaker cruises to the North Pole [http://www.northpolevoyages.com/].