Another world: how the Kola Peninsula became a tourist hit
In the minds of the average person, the Arctic has long remained a region where people go on duty or out of great love for extreme recreation. Simply put, a land with a harsh climate for harsh people. But in recent years, the Arctic has increasingly attracted tourists and responded to them with warmth, at least human warmth: now in the Arctic you can not only see alien landscapes and find animals from atlases and children's books, but also eat delicious food, sleep well, and most importantly — get emotions and experiences previously available only to a select few, without sacrificing your comfort. Izvestia went to the Kola Peninsula and made sure of this.
The point of reference
Of course, it is best to start the trip from the main city of the region — Murmansk. You can get there by train or by plane.
The building of the railway station in Murmansk
The last city founded by the Russian Empire as Romanov-on-Murman and the largest in the world beyond the Arctic Circle, it is now an industrial center from where roads lead to all major tourist sites. The city suffered a lot during the war (only Stalingrad was bombed harder) and therefore, after its completion, it was actually rebuilt from scratch.
Murmansk commercial sea port on the eastern shore of the Kola Bay
Murmansk is unique in many ways. This is the only (at least so far) ice—free port in the Russian Arctic, and the northernmost tram runs here.
Military personnel during the military-patriotic action "Memory Shot" in honor of the celebration of Defender of the Fatherland Day at the memorial complex "Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War" in Murmansk
On the Green Cape hill stands the monument to the Defenders of the Soviet Arctic, known throughout the country as "Alyosha" (above only the "Motherland" in Volgograd). Nearby there is a memorial to the Sailors who Died in Peacetime, one of the elements of which is the deckhouse of the Kursk submarine that sank in 2000. A ten—minute walk from there is the marine station, where the world's first nuclear icebreaker, the Lenin, is permanently parked.
Come hungry
Despite the heroic past and present, today Murmansk is an important point not only on the geographical, but also on the culinary map of Russia. In recent years, northern (also known as Arctic) cuisine has been experiencing a real renaissance, and gastronomic tourism is actively developing in the region. So there will be no problems in Murmansk to eat delicious, varied food, and most importantly, to try local specialties.
Tsarskaya Okhota Restaurant
For seafood in all its abundance, go to the "Tundra", if you are conservative, choose the "Royal Hunt", if, on the contrary, you are young and frivolous, "Pomors" are waiting for you, and if you are interested in a mystical culinary flavor, you will find it in "Sampo".
Not a single one
But the main attractions, of course, are located outside the capital of the region.
The first point is Teriberka. More than ten years ago, the village, located 135 km from Murmansk, gained incredible popularity among tourists thanks to cinema. Here you can simply admire the local surreal landscapes, go on a crab safari or a snowmobile ride, go winter kiting, or combine all of the above.
The village of Teriberka
Then — to the southern edge of the Khibiny mountain range, towards Kirovsk. There are famous ski resorts in Russia: Bolshoy Voodyavr and Kukisvumchorr, the total length of the trails is more than 30 km. However, it should be noted that the difficulty of most of the local trails is designed for experienced riders, and it will not be easy for beginners here.
Vacationers on the ski lift at the Bolshoy Woodyavr ski resort
For a long time, these destinations remained the main points of tourist attraction and could offer guests the necessary infrastructure. But in recent years, the local tourism industry has adapted to the demands and is ready to offer visitors a full range of entertainment and pleasures of the Russian North, complete with the usual number of stars. So now, despite the harsh climate, it is possible and necessary to relax comfortably on the Kola Peninsula, even in the most remote areas.
Arctic Hotel Kitovy Bereg
Probably the best example is the Kitovy Bereg Arctic Hotel. It is located "where there are no hotels" — on the Sredny and Rybachy peninsulas (and this is the very shore of the Barents Sea), that is, literally "in the north of the North", but at the same time it offers the services of a four-star hotel: helicopter transfer, warm and tastefully furnished eco-spheres with showers and living rooms, There is a sauna complex with furako barrels, and the restaurant serves local delicacies: scallops, sea urchins and, of course, crab. By the way, you can catch some of the above yourself if you use the option of sea fishing - there, on the ship, the catch will be prepared for you. Importantly, all of this can be tried and appreciated not only in winter: Kitovy Bereg (and this is its unique feature) is open to guests all year round.
When to expect the northern Lights, and when to expect whales
It's not for nothing that people go to the Russian North for something that doesn't exist anywhere else. First, of course, is the northern Lights. It is better to come for this incredible sight from the end of September to the beginning of April, but especially in winter, when the nights last longer. Make sure to purchase an additional memory card in advance (and then don't lose it under a pile of warm clothes) — the potential amount of exclusive photo and video content will surely exceed all estimated volumes.
Northern Lights on the shore of the Barents Sea near the village of Teriberka
Immediately after the end of the local winter, the whale season begins. From about the end of April until about July, sea giants come to these parts in search of food, and this is the time to go on a sea trip — to see them in person.
Humpback whales off the coast of Teriberka
Of course, meditative ice-floating is also worth a try (and where else, if not in the Arctic sea!). The mandatory program also includes a snowmobile trip across the tundra to see wild reindeer.
It's not that cold
Actually, the cold of the Kola Peninsula itself is not a permanent phenomenon. The influence of the warm Gulf Stream significantly softens the local climate. And the most cautious may even come in the summer — at this time there is also something to see. For example, countless "floating" lakes and waterfalls are freed from ice.
Musta-Tunturi Mountain Pass on the Kola Peninsula
The alien beauty of the Arctic is especially evident when the polar day flashes in the sky: from about May 23 to July 23, the sun does not sink below the horizon. Towards the end of the calendar summer, we recommend trekking through the tundra. For landscapes from science fiction films, go to the Musta-Tunturi ridge, which is not far from the "Whale Coast". To complete the therapeutic effect, you can put music by Hans Zimmer in headphones.
A place of memory
And the Kola Peninsula is also a place of glory for Russian weapons. On June 29, 1941, units of the Wehrmacht and the Finnish allies launched an offensive to capture Murmansk and the nickel deposits located in the region, but a week later the Third Reich was permanently stopped by the Red Army — for the first time since the beginning of the war. Subsequently, a large memorial complex, the Valley of Glory, a place of peace and eternal memory, was erected here in honor of the fallen heroes.
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