murmansk tour

THE 10 BEST Murmansk Tours & Excursions

Murmansk tours.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Private Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. North For You

2. Arctic Safari

3. Arctic Freedom

4. Teriberka

5. Murmansk English Guide

6. Aurora Kola

7. Husky Camp

8. Nordtours

9. SpiritusNord

10. Polarexperts

11. Murmansk Sea Fishing

12. Ivan Aurora Tour

13. Nord Tours

14. Dykhaniye Severa

15. Nordwell Tour Operator

16. DiverSea

17. Murmansk Travel

18. Eco Village Park

19. BarensBoat

21. Murmantravel

22. Boris Vinogradov

23. Kola Tourism

24. Aurora Tour Murmansk

26. Murmaniya

27. VoiceMap

What travelers are saying.

• North For You
• Arctic Safari
• Murmansk English Guide
• Aurora Kola
• Arctic Freedom

Tours in Murmansk With tour operator 'North For You'

Welcome to Murmansk city - the biggest city in the world beyond the Polar Circle! Season of Aurora Hunting starts since 1st September every year and thousands of tourists all over the world come to the Russian North to catch this natural beauty! With 'North For You' company you can book one-day tours from Murmansk 365 days per year. On our website, you can find all the useful information about Murmansk: recommendations, accommodation, restaurants and places to visit.

Northern Lights Hunting tour in Murmansk

Duration: 3-5 hours

Season: 1st Septermber — 15th April

Prices: price by request

Northern lights is one of the most amazing nature phenomenon of the planet Earth. Our professional Aurora Hunters are ready to show you this magic show!

What is included in the price:

• The duration of the tour 3-5 hours;
• An English-speaking guide-photographer;
• Hot tea and snacks;
• Photos with the Northern Lights.

Tour to Murmansk "Arctic Autumn"

Duration: 4 days & 3 nights

Season: October — November

Prices: from 84900 RUB/person

Discover the traditions of life in the tundra. Start hunting for the northern lights. Take a walk on the icebreaker Lenin, go out from the Kola Bay to the Barents Sea on a boat trip. And there are many more amazing things that you have to discover.

• Group transfer from / to airport ;
• Accommodation in the Azimut hotel for 3 nights (double/single) ;
• Welcome Arctic dinner in restaurant of Murmansk;
• 2 northern lights hunting trip; photos are included ;
• Trip to the Teriberka village ;
• Seaboat trip in the Barents sea 2 hours ;
• Trip to Sami village with reindeer;
• Murmansk city tour;
• Lunches during daily tours ;
• English speaking guide;
• Traveling in the groups 6-16 persons;
• Comfortable transportation (Mercedes Sprinter; Mercedes Vito; Volkswagen Caravelle) ;
• All entrance fees included .

Tour to Murmansk "Arctic Holidays"

Season: September

A tour that combines hunting for the northern lights and visiting Teriberka, as well as the Khibiny mountains, waterfall, dragon eggs, sandy beach. And also to get acquainted with the historical sights of the Soviet Union.

• Accommodation in the Azimut hotel for 3 nights + breakfast;
• 2 northern lights hunting trip; photos are included;
• Trip to the Teriberka village;
• Seaboat trip in the Barents sea 2 hours;
• Trip to Khibiny mountains;
• Lunches during daily tours;
• Comfortable transportation (Mercedes Sprinter; Mercedes Vito; Volkswagen Caravelle).

Tour to the Teriberka village, Arctic Ocean coast

Duration: 9-10 hours

Season: November — April

The Arctic Ocean coast... Only you and lonely nature. Why there is no ice on the sea in winter? Ask to your guide!

• An English-speaking guide;
• Transportation services;
• Lunch in the local cafe (Russian cuisine);
• Snowmobile sledging trip to the Arctic Ocean coast.

Tour to the Khibiny Mountains & Snow Village

Duration: 1 day, 11-12 hours

Season: December — April

During the tour you will visit 'Snow Village' with ice sculptures, the top of local mountain by elevator and local museum of minerals.

• An English speaking guide;
• Transfer from your hotel in Murmansk and back;
• Lunch in the cafe (all-you-can-eat-buffet);
• Tickets to the 'Snow Village';
• Tickets to the ski elevator.

Tour to the Sami village 'Loparskaya'

Duration: 1 day, 5 hours

Loparskaya is a small Sami village in 40 minutes from Murmansk. Here lives Sami family and you will learn about their lifestyle and traditions. Also you will meet with reindeer and feed them with a moss — northern grass.

• Transfer from your hotel in Murmansk to the Sami village;
• Mini-lunch with berry pie and herbal tea;
• Snowmobile sledging trip.

Tour to the Husky Park & Sami village 'Lesnaya Elan'

Duration: 1 day, 8 hours

Welcome to the Husky park 'Lesnaya Elan'! During the tour you will have a great service: husky & reindeer sledging, Sami traditions and great northern meals.

• Husky sledging about 1000 meters/2 persons;
• Reindeer sledging about 300 meters/3 persons;
• Warm clothes in Husky park;
• Northern lunch: soup with salmon fish & meat.

Murmansk sightseeing tour & icebreaker 'Lenin'

Duration: 1 day, 4 hours

The Murmansk city is the northern shield of Russia with great history. You will visit memorial places with beautiful panoramic views and first nuclear icebreaker in the world. Touch the Russian history!

• Transfer service;
• Tickets to the icebreaker 'Lenin'.

Snowmobile safari in Murmansk

Snowmobile 1-hour trip (2 persons on 1 snowmobile). You will get all equipment for your warm and safety activity!

• Transfer from your hotel and back;
• Lunch in the local cafe;
• 1-hour snowmobile tour;
• Equipment for snowmobile.

Husky safari tour in the Khibiny mountains

A Husky safari — it is not just sledging, it is a real adventure through the most beautiful place in Murmansk — Khibiny mountains. Get your trip for 2000 meters and drive sledges by yourself!

• Husky safari for 2000 meters/person;
• Professional photos with Husky.

Page 1 of 2

Information for tourists

We support our customers during all their trip to Murmansk and advise best services and places, which you can visit in our region during your free time.

What do tourists say about our tours?

«I strongly recommend this northern lights tour. Our group had such a great time in Murmansk with them! And I suggest also the tour to Teriberka. Thanks again Aleksej and Dmitrij!.»

«It' s a great experience for my holiday. Thank you Andrew, Alex and Ksenia, you are so nice. It' a very good company. Thank you so much!»

«Great trip hunting aurora borealis tonight, it was magical. The team really put in great efforts in order to help make our tour successful, they were super friendly and patient with us, cooperated with us all a lot. In all, it was amazing! and we really feel satisfied. Thank you and keep it up!.»

«Big thanks for 'North for you' team, especially I would like to thank you so much Mr. Andrey Renzhin & Alexsey. My trip to Murmansk would absolutely amazing, I came far away from my home to see Aurora, Husky farm and I got to see it, OMG I can’t explain how beautiful is it.»

«Our trip to Murmansk was incredible!! We have never experienced something like this before. Northern lights, Arctic ocean, reindeer and endless northern landscapes...we were able to see it all thanks to Northern Lights Tour. Promise to come back with all our friends.»

«I saw some of the best views of my life on this trip. A really well thought out tour with really helpful staff 10/10!!»

The 'North for You' Company has been providing one-day tours of the Kola Peninsula since 2016. We decided to provide best tour service in Murmansk for the tourists from all over the world.

In small group (usually 5-15 tourists) you will take your journey, in which our guide will introduce to you the culture, nature and history of Kola Peninsula. You will make amazing photos of Tundra and panoramic views... We promise — Murmansk will stay in your heart for the hole life.

This is our map of places, which you can visit in our tours. If you are ready, just let us know and we will make your wish to reality.

Located 170 km from Murmansk, the Kola Superdeep is the deepest well ever drilled by man on the planet. Now this place is abandoned since Soviet Union times, and only tourists visit it in summer and autumn.

This is the only highway in Russia to the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Distance 130 km from Murmansk. The journey takes 2.5 hours. Tours to Teriberka are providing all year round.

Husky — the best friend of the northern man. You have the opportunity not only to play with them and take photos, but also to ride in a sledges at a distance about 5 kilometers.

You have an opportunity to visit ancient nation, which is living in Russia, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The main activity of Sami people is breeding reindeer. In Sami village you can feed these animals by tundra grass and take amazing photos.

Lovozero is called the capital of Russian Laplandia. Here you find out beautiful views to the Tundra (snow deserts) and take a part in snowmobile sledging tour though the Russian fjords.

Khibiny mountains are very popular as biggest ski resort in the Russian North. Here you can take snowmobile trip, visit Snow Village, Magic forest and museum of minerals from all over the world. The way to Kirovsk takes about 3 hours, 230 kilometers.

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Murmansk, Russia

You are here, about murmansk.

Murmansk is a large port city located in the furthest northwestern part of Russia. Without a doubt, this great destination is a step off the beaten path, inviting you to explore the city by day while seeking Northern Lights at night.

Did you know that even though Murmansk is one of the coldest cities on the planet, the port stays ice-free due to warm streams? This is one of the reasons why Murmansk plays a major role for Russia and is the biggest city north of the Arctic Circle, with a population of more than 30,0000 people.

Reasons to travel to Murmansk

There are several interesting sites to see when you visit Murmansk during your Russian journey . As such, your Murmansk itinerary should include a visit to the mighty Alesha Memorial which honors the defenders of the area in the Great Patriotic War. It is also worth checking out the Church of Christ the Savior on Water as well as the Kursk Submarine memorial. Most of these are of newer date, as Murmansk became a city in 1916 and was the last city founded in the Russian Empire.

There's no denying that no Murmansk tour would be complete without a visit to the fascinating museum ship, the Nuclear Icebreaker Lenin. Here you can explore the worlds first Nuclear-powered icebreaker with a guide and immerse yourself in this impressive vessel, that has carved its way to the North-Pole numerous times.

If you choose to travel to Murmansk in the wintertime, be in mind that you may come across polar nights, meaning you will barely see the sun. Can you imagine that every year for a period of 30 to 40 days Murmansk has completely no daylight? Likewise, if you come during the summer months, you will barely not experience dark nights due to the Midnight Sun when there is daylight for almost 24 hours.

Those planning to go to this city shouldn't worry as any Murmansk itinerary can be complemented with a broad range of fun activities to keep you entertained from dog sledding, snowmobile riding and meeting the Saami people, to Murmansk city tours and historic sites.

Best Things to Do in Murmansk

• Explore the most iconic Murmansk site, the Nuclear Icebreaker Lenin
• Stop by the Alesha Memorial, an important and well recognized city symbol
• Try your luck in seeking the Northern Lights as you travel above the Arctic Circle

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Murmansk, Russia

You are here, about murmansk, why visit murmansk, russia.

Excited by the idea of exploring the Russian Arctic ? Bend steps towards the mysterious north on a tour to the last city founded in the Russian Empire, alluring Murmansk.

Being a port city, Murmansk provides an amazing opportunity to step aboard the first nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world! You can explore the inner parts of the ship, including a nuclear reactor. Not many cities can offer such a unique experience, so try to find a place for the Nuclear Icebreaker Lenin in your Murmansk itinerary.

Among architectural highlights, you may check out the beautiful Church of the Saviour on the Waters and British Naval Cemetery. These monuments memorialize all those human losses caused by violent wars of the past. Both places are well-kept and leave their mark in your memory for a long time.

For the daredevil travelers, there is the Ice Bathers' Hut, where you can experience truly extreme emotions: the place offers to test your endurance swimming in icy waters of Lake Semyonovskoe. Jump through a hole cut in the ice to get the feel of the authentic life of the northerner. If you prefer to stay above water, visit the exciting Museum of the Northern Fleet to marvel at a great collection of war history.

Murmansk is fascinating, but the most amazing thing about this town is its magical natural phenomenon called Northern Lights. At nightfall, the city is lit by colorful lights hovering in the sky. All Northern Lights hunters should definitely consider a tour to Murmansk as it is one of the best places in the world for Aurora Borealis seeking as well as observing Midnight Sun.

Best Things to Do in Murmansk, Russia

• Take a look at the Church of the Saviour on the Waters
• Step onboard the Nuclear Icebreaker Lenin
• Enjoy the beautiful light show, the Northern Lights
• Learn about Russian war history in the Museum of the Northern Fleet

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Murmansk Tours

The Kola Peninsula attracts visitors from all over the world looking for a chance to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) but it offers other fascinating activities as well. Choose from our selection of tours and Murmansk excursions and enjoy beautiful landscapes and historical sights of the Kola Peninsula. Take part in husky dog sledding and reindeer sledding, snowmobiling and meeting with Saami people. Travel to Teriberka village on the Arctic Ocean’s coast. Taste local delicacies – king crab, scallop, sea urchin roe, salmon, halibut, reindeer and cloudberries. Explore the city of Murmansk with its museums - Lenin Icebreaker, museum of the Northern Fleet and Local History museum. Learn about the World War I operations in the Arctic, Allies intervention of 1918-1920 and Arctic Convoys of the World War II.

Murmansk City Tour - North of Russia

• duration: 3 hours
• price: 60 €
• order: Book

Details of the Tour

Murmansk City Tour lasts 3 hours and during this time you will discover:

• why the city was given the name “Murmansk”;
• what happened to the city during the Second World War;
• why the monument “Alyasha” bears such a name;
• why the white color is one of the symbolic for the city and feel the difference between Murmansk city locals in comparison the central part of Russia;

The History of Murmansk City

The city of Murmansk was founded on October 4, 1916 as Romanov-on-Murman, the last city founded in the Russian Empire. Six months later, after the February Revolution, city adopted its current name – Murmansk.

In 1920, academician Alexander Fersman began conducting systematic expeditions of geological exploration, which resulted in the discovery of large deposits of apatite and other, partly previously unknown minerals. After these discoveries, the rapid growth of the Kola Peninsula industry began.

During the Second World War the city was affected badly but the enemy never set foot on the territory of Murmansk.

The Kola Bay Fjord of the Barents Sea is the very heart of the city of Murmansk. It is thanks to it that the city appeared once here, among mossy hills, on a stony, rocky shore.

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Top Tours in Murmansk, Russia

Murmansk tours.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Private Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. North For You

2. Arctic Safari

3. Arctic Freedom

4. Teriberka

5. Murmansk English Guide

6. Aurora Kola

7. Husky Camp

8. Nordtours

9. SpiritusNord

10. Polarexperts

11. Murmansk Sea Fishing

12. Ivan Aurora Tour

13. Nord Tours

14. Dykhaniye Severa

15. Nordwell Tour Operator

16. DiverSea

17. Murmansk Travel

18. Eco Village Park

19. BarensBoat

21. Murmantravel

22. Boris Vinogradov

23. Kola Tourism

24. Aurora Tour Murmansk

26. Murmaniya

27. VoiceMap

What travellers are saying.

• North For You
• Arctic Safari
• Murmansk English Guide
• Aurora Kola
• Arctic Freedom

• Russia Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Northern Lights in Murmansk Tour

Northern Lights in Murmansk Tour 4 Days | Murmansk, Khirovsk/Khibiny Mountains, Minkino, Loparskaya

Experience winter in the Russian Arctic as you explore Murmansk and the Kola Peninsula on this Northern lights in Murmansk tour. The absolute highlight will surely be seeing the breath-taking aurora borealis, or “northern lights” (conditions permitting)! In addition, you’ll discover Murmansk’s Soviet and maritime history, journey across the tundra on a snowmobile, meet the reindeer in a Sami village, enjoy beauty of russian winter.

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Murmansk Marvels: A 2-Day Arctic Adventure

by Charlotte

March 29, 2024 · 2 min read

Embark on a captivating 2-day journey through Murmansk, where history and nature intertwine under the Arctic sky. Begin your adventure at the Murmansk Regional Studies Museum of History and Nature, where you'll spend an hour delving into the rich tapestry of local heritage. Next, immerse yourself for two hours in the world of polar exploration at The Polar Museum, a testament to human resilience. The same day, step aboard the legendary icebreaker 'Lenin' for another two-hour historical voyage. Conclude your first day with a reflective visit to the 'Alyosha' monument, honoring the defenders of the Arctic during the Great Patriotic War. On your second day, let the kids run free at Kul'turno-Parkovyy Kompleks Im. Naydenova, a playground that promises fun amidst the serenity of the north. Stroll along the scenic Naberezhnaya Vdol' Semonovskogo Ozera, where the beauty of Murmansk unfolds on foot. Pay your respects at the Memorial Complex to the Soldiers and Seamen Who Died in Peaceful Time, a poignant half-hour reminder of sacrifice. Finally, find solace at the 'Savior on Waters' church, a one-hour spiritual retreat that offers peace and reflection. This 2-day itinerary through Murmansk is designed to create a memorable Arctic experience that combines the solemnity of its history with the breathtaking beauty of its landscapes.

• Day 1: Delving into Murmansk's Rich History and Culture

Murmansk Regional Studies Museum of History and Naturethe

Begin your Murmansk adventure with a visit to the Murmansk Regional Studies Museum of History and Nature, a treasure trove of local lore. Nestled on Lenin Avenue, this museum offers a fascinating hour-long journey through the natural and historical tapestry of the region. From geological wonders to the chronicles of human settlement, the exhibits here provide a profound understanding of Murmansk's unique heritage.

Attraction Info

• Murmansk region, Murmansk, Lenin Ave., 90
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

The polar Museum

Next, immerse yourself in the enthralling narratives of Arctic exploration at The Polar Museum. With a two-hour stay, you'll have ample time to explore the extensive displays that celebrate the bravery and tenacity of polar explorers. Located in the heart of Murmansk, this museum stands as a testament to human endurance and the spirit of discovery that defines the polar regions.

• Europe.Russia.North-West Russia.Murmansk
• Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
• Closed on Mon-Tue;Open on Wed-Sun,11:00am-6:00pm

Continue your cultural exploration aboard the Lenin, a museum like no other. Moored in Murmansk, this decommissioned icebreaker offers a two-hour glimpse into Soviet maritime prowess. As you wander through its historic decks, you'll encounter a rich collection of maritime artifacts and stories that bring the vessel's storied past to life.

• 183038, Murmansk, Portovy proezd, 25,
• Open on Wed-Sun,12:00pm-4:00pm

Conclude your day with a reflective visit to Alyosha, an iconic monument that stands as a solemn tribute to the defenders of the Soviet Arctic during World War II. Spend an hour at this poignant site, located on Borovaya Street, and let the grandeur of the statue and the panoramic views of Murmansk move you.

• Borovaya Ulitsa, Murmansk, Murmanskaya oblast', Russia, 183038
• Open 24 hours

Where to Stay Tonight

Arctic-service, severniy bereg.

• Day 2: Cultural Wonders and Serene Walks in Murmansk

Kul'turno-Parkovyy Kompleks Im. Naydenova

Begin your second day in Murmansk with a playful start at the Kul'turno-Parkovyy Kompleks Im. Naydenova. Nestled along the bustling Prospekt Geroyev-severomortsev, this park offers a delightful playground that promises fun for visitors of all ages. The green spaces and recreational facilities provide a perfect setting to energize yourself for the day ahead.

• Prospekt Geroyev-severomortsev, Murmansk, Murmansk Oblast, Russia, 183031
• Open from 11:00am-8:00pm

Naberezhnaya Vdol' Semonovskogo Ozera

Next, take a leisurely stroll down the Naberezhnaya Vdol' Semonovskogo Ozera. This scenic walkway offers a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle. As you amble along the lake's edge, take in the fresh air and the picturesque views that make Murmansk a truly unique destination.

• Murmansk, Murmansk Oblast, Russia, 183031

Memorial Complex to the Soldiers and Seamen Who Died in Peaceful Time

Continue your journey of reflection and remembrance at the Memorial Complex to the Soldiers and Seamen Who Died in Peaceful Time. Set aside half an hour to pay your respects and ponder the poignant monument dedicated to those who lost their lives, a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made for peace.

• Between Chelyuskintsev St And Prospekt Geroyev Severomortsev, Murmansk 183038 Russia
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-2 hour

Savior on Waters

Conclude your day with a visit to the serene Savior on Waters. This church stands as a beacon of hope and spirituality. Spend an hour here to soak in the peaceful ambiance, admire the architectural beauty, and perhaps find a moment of personal solace by the water's edge.

• st. Heroes-Severomortsev, 1, 183038

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Top things to do in murmansk-2024.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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St. Petersburg  ~ Murmansk  ~ Moscow

6 nights / 7 days

Package includes:

• Accommodation at the hotel with breakfasts
• Private car/coach as per program
• Guide as per program
• Entrance tickets as per program

St. Petersburg

Arrival in St Petersburg

Guided transfer to the Hotel

14:00 Guaranteed check-in

The end of the program at the Hotel

Overnight at the Hotel

Guide & transport for transfer

Breakfast at the Hotel

Meet with the guide, departure to the program

City tour with photo stops

You will travel around the city in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, making photo stops by major attractions, including the  Peter and Paul Fortress, Palace Square, St. Isaac’s Cathedral  and  the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood . Enjoy the sweeping views that open from the  Spit of Vasilievsky Island , and see the  Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospect , and other world-renowned sights, as your guide recounts the bewildering events that shaped Russia’s history and culture.

The Hermitage museum , one of the largest museums in the world that houses an outstanding collection of three million objects of Western European, Oriental, Ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian art

Guide & transport for 8 hours

Breakfast at the Hotel, check-out

Transfer to airport

Flight St Petersburg – Murmansk

Arrival in Murmansk

Meeting with guide

Enjoy Murmansk panoramic city tour. Murmansk is the most northern city of Russia, the only non-freezing sea port of the Russian Military Glory.  During the city tour you will drive to the “Five Corners” Square in the very center of the city and visit “Alyosha” Memorial which honors the defenders of the area in the Great Patriotic War.  It is also worth checking out the Church of Christ the Savior on Water as well as the Kursk Submarine memorial.  And there’s no denying that no Murmansk tour would be complete without a visit to the fascinating museum ship, the Nuclear Icebreaker Lenin. Here you can explore the world’s first Nuclear-powered icebreaker with a guide and immerse yourself in this impressive vessel, that has carved its way to the North-Pole numerous times.

Guide & transport for transfers + 3 hours for city tour

Visit Saami village Saami are the indigenous people of the north, boasting a unique lifestyle, rich heritage, and traditions. During the visit, you explore the history of Saami, see their traditional buildings and magical idols (it’s better to have some change on you to be able to make a wish), and taste national cuisine, including fish soup, lovozerskiy bread, and pakula, the traditional Saami drink made out of the Chaga mushrooms. To top it all, travelers are invited to enjoy reindeer feeding, participate in the traditional games, and even to take photos in the national Saami clothing.

Husky farm + husky riding If you are a dog person, there is one very special place you can’t miss during your Murmansk travel. Husky Farm is one of the favored tourist attractions. Every visitor will have a chance to bask in adoration, coming from the friendly residents of the farm. All the dogs there are happy to be hugged and petted, and a knowledgeable guide will share some fascinating stories about the breed’s history as well as the husky sledding competitions. In winter, you can even have a chance to try your hand in this sport and see for yourself that a husky is never happier than when it is working.

Return to hotel & time at leisure

Hunting for Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Did you know that Russia is one of the best places in the world for viewing Northern Lights? In fact, the unparalleled city of  Murmansk  is a unique place to go and hunt this dazzling phenomenon. As a rule, the best chances of catching the colorful light show is when going to the outskirts (farther from the city lights). If you are among those who want to try their luck, then you need to plan your holiday somewhere between September 1st to April 15th. But keep in mind that December and January are considered to be the most auspicious months for this activity as this is the time when the polar night reigns in the area, thus the chances to observe the magical phenomena are at their highest.

Guide & transport for 11 hours

Flight Murmansk-Moscow

Arrival in Moscow

Moscow City tour with photo stops. Discover the main sights and hidden corners of Moscow. You will take a walk along the avenues, gardens, and squares, including, the   Bolshoi Theater   and  Tverskaya Street , and learn the history of the city, explore the  Kitay Gorod quarter , see the  Cathedral of Christ the Savior ,  St. Basil’s Cathedral ,  Sparrow Hills  and the  Novodevichy Convent .

Guide & transport for transfer + 3 hours  for city tour

Kremlin visit – heart of the country. You will see the famous  Tsar Bell, and Tsar Cannon . Cathedral Square or Sobornaya Square is the central square of the Kremlin. Cathedral Square is famous as the site of solemn coronation and funeral processions of all the Russian tsars, patriarchs, and Grand Dukes of Moscow. Even today, the square is used in the inauguration ceremony of the President of Russia.

Walking at Red Square

Metro tour. The Moscow Metro is unlike any other subway in the world. Its baroque-style chandeliers, high ceilings, marble walls and stained glass murals make it feel more like an underground palace than a lowly mode of transport.

Arbat Street Tour – it is the soul of the city. This street is without a doubt one of the most famous in the Russian capital. Commercial and touristy, full of shops, restaurants and street artists, it is almost all pedestrian-only. During the tour you can see the most representative buildings, museums, theaters and monuments on the Arbat.

Guided Transfer to the airport

Flight back

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A Guide to Hunting Russia’s Northern Lights in Murmansk

Home / Russia Travel Experiences / A Guide to Hunting Russia’s Northern Lights in Murmansk

Where can one experience the northern lights in Russia ? Where is Murmansk in the Kola Peninsula? What are the optimal conditions for finding the Northern Lights in Murmansk, Russia? What else to do in Murmansk during the day? How do I get to Murmansk (Kola Peninsula) from Moscow or St. Petersburg?

There are many wonders in nature, but few are as awe-inspiring as the Northern Lights in Murmansk. Otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis, this phenomenon has brought travellers from all over the world for an unforgettable experience. With the help of this guide, we can ensure that you get the most out of your experience hunting for the Northern Lights in Murmansk, the Kola Peninsula .

Table of Contents

Where is the Kola Peninsula and Murmansk?

The Kola Peninsula is a Russian Region in the North of the Arctic Circle. It is close to the border between Finland and Norway. Murmansk is a small port city in the northwestern area of this region and one of the best places to view the Northern Lights.

What is the best time for Northern Lights in Murmansk?

Hunting for the Northern Lights in Murmansk entails elements of preparation and probabilities but there is also an element of luck. While you can never be 100% sure of sighting the Northern Lights during your stay in the Kola Peninsula there are certain times and areas that will infinitely increase your probability of seeing the lights.

Predicting the appearance of the Northern Lights has always been something of a dark art, but there are some general rules of thumb to follow. Being on the lookout between 8pm and 2am from mid-September to mid-April is critical, preferably from within the Arctic Circle (latitudes between 64 degrees to 70 degrees north should do it) to maximise your chances. The best season to visit Murmansk in order to enjoy winter activities during the day and Northern Lights hunt during the night is January-March.

To prevent the hunt for Russia’s Northern Lights from becoming complete guesswork, we partner with the Polar Geophysical Institute (PGI) in the Kola Peninsula. The PGI uses satellite technology to check for the possibility of Northern Lights appearing. Upon getting a positive confirmation, they search for a place with clear skies and inform us accordingly.

Here you will find some awesome tips to get the most of photographing your experience of the Northern Lights.

What to do in Murmansk while hunting for the Northern Lights?

Want to experience everything Murmansk has to offer while hunting the Northern Lights? Murmansk is known for its incredible biodiversity with its endless forests and tundra, crystal clear lakes and fast-flowing rivers.

1. Explore the city

Murmansk is the northernmost city in Russia, with a population of around 300,000 people, by far the largest city above the Arctic Circle. An important Russian naval base, Murmansk served as a port for the Arctic convoys during WWII. Spend a day to explore the city’s main attractions, such as:

• Lenin Nuclear Icebreaker . It is not only a historical ship – the first nuclear powered civilian vessel – but it also serves as a museum. It is one sight in Murmansk you will not see anywhere else in the world.
• Alyosha Monument . Also considered the “Monument of the Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War” which commemorates those who defended the port of Murmansk during the war.
• Northern Fleet Naval Museum . Its exhibits include models of ships, artifacts, and exhibits of Russia’s first Navy and WWII convoys, and a photo collection of Franz Josef Land .
• Regional Museum of Local Lore . The oldest museum in the area, this museum includes everything from minerals and geology to the wildlife, local lore, history, and economy of Murmansk.

2. Get some adrenaline on a snowmobiling excursion

Travel up to Kirovsk at the foot of the Khibiny Mountains and go on a snowmobiling adventure while traveling through rugged mountain regions and beautiful tundra. In the evening, if the conditions are right, you may even be led home by the lights of the Aurora Borealis.

3. Enjoy amazing skiing and snowboarding

Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and other winter activities are popular in Murmansk and Kirovsk. One of the most famous is Big Wood . Nine T-bar lifts, chair lifts and gondola lifts take you on top of the mountain with slopes on both sides. One lift reaches the height of 1047 m, where you can ski down a 2300m slope.

If you aren’t fully equipped for snow sports when you reach Murmansk, you can rent ski and snow equipment from the resort.

4. Be mesmerized by the ice sculptures at the Snow Village

The Snow Village has been painstakingly constructed almost entirely out of ice and snow and features ornately decorated buildings, sculptures and labyrinthine tunnels with intricately patterned rooms, walls and corridors. This enchanting place is the work of true artists and a chance to open your imagination to the magical spirit of winter.

Note: Snow Village operates only from 25th of December until 25th of April.

5. Feed a reindeer at the Saami people tourist center

In addition to giving you a fair chance of glimpsing Russia’s Northern Lights, this area offers travellers the option of experiencing the rich culture of its indigenous Saami people. The Saami are local reindeer herders who are dependent on reindeer for most of their livelihood. You can even try your hand at reindeer herding and develop a deeper understanding of the Saami traditions and culture.

6. Go husky dog-sledding

Alternatively, you can go husky sledding, visiting a farm just outside of Murmansk. You can feast upon a traditional meal before going sledding along specially prepared routes through the snow. You will get a sense of all of the huskies personalities as companionable and fun-loving dogs who have endless stamina to pull you and your sled through the snow.

7. Explore the shores of Barents Sea on a day excursion to the famous Teriberka village

Located on the shore of Barents Sea, 120km, three hours’ drive down an icy road from Murmansk, this small village has just 617 residents and a wide selection of picturesque abandoned houses that could serve as art objects or as a set for horror films. In 2015, thanks to the Oscar-nominated drama movie “Leviathan” from producer Alexei Zvyagintsev, Teriberka village became more known in Russia and also abroad.

During the tour of the village, you will stop at several locations, such as a wooden ships “cemetery”, which is older than 100 years and started from Imperial times. Then, we head to the Arctic Ocean coast for the weird and wonderful photos of frozen rocks and tundra against the mighty Barents Sea, and a magnificent waterfall that flows into the Arctic Ocean.

8. See the Northern lights from a glass igloo

Enjoy starry nights under the Northern Lights at the glass-igloo. Located on the way to Teriberka village, right on the Arctic Circle, each of its glass-domed rooms offers cosy beds, cosseting fur throws, en-suite bathroom and even a small kitchenette. But it’s the view that steals the show, with snowy forests and the lakes frozen waters looked down upon by starry skies and, if conditions are right, the green swirls of the Northern Lights.

How to get to Murmansk?

Getting to murmansk from moscow.

Getting to Murmansk from Moscow can be achieved by a direct flight taking about two and a half hours while overland travel by train can be anywhere upwards of 35 hours. For those who are used to total luxury, the northern lights can be discovered on an epic train journey to the Arctic regions of Russia .

Before you set off on your adventure to the Northern Lights in Murmansk, make sure you allocate a few days to explore all Moscow has to offer . Travelling in winter is when this cold city turns itself into a snow-covered wonderland which gives the city its unique character.

At the top of every tourist must-see list for Moscow sits The Kremlin, Saint Basil’s Cathedral and The Red Square all of which are steeped in Soviet history. Delving into the luxurious end of this destination, you can find the highest concentration of billionaires around the globe leading to an array of experiences you are unlikely to find anywhere else.

Getting to Murmansk from St Petersburg

Your other main option for getting to Murmansk to see the Northern Lights is from St Petersburg . A direct flight to Murmansk will take a little under two hours. If you feel as though you would prefer to take an overland route a direct train would take around 22 hours.

If you want to experience everything on the way to your hunt for the Northern Lights, you can look at this immersive tour taking you all the way up to Murmansk via Karelia and its accompanying in a nature park to see resplendent waterfalls and marble quarries, while also stopping off Kizhi island via a hovercraft ride.

There have been few occasions where the Northern Lights have been seen as far down as St Petersburg but unfortunately, these instances are few and far between. However, if you have some extra time to spare in what is sometimes referred to as the ‘Northern Capital’ of Russia, you will be rewarded with the cultural experience of a lifetime.

This city is renowned for its collection of artwork from the State Russian Museum to the Hermitage museum. You could alternatively treat yourself to some theatre or ballet from the Mariinsky theatre or even strolling the UNESCO heritage listed historic centre of town.

Where to Stay in Murmansk

There are plenty of hotels in Murmansk, our recommendation are the following:

Azimut hotel 4* Park Inn by Radisson Polyarnye Zory 4* Boutique hotel Renaissance 3* Congress Hotel Meridian 3* Eco home

Weather in Murmansk

Murmansk has relatively mild weather for how far north it is. In the winter weather is usually around -10 degrees Celsius. Polar nights (24-hour darkness) occur from December 2 – January 11. Polar nights are a natural phenomenon that occurs at latitudes to the north of the polar circle. In northwestern Russia, the circle passes through the southern part of the  Kola Peninsula  and part of  Karelia . At Murmansk’s latitude, polar nights last about 40 days, while the phenomenon lasts half a year at the  North Pole .

Even though the sun remains below the horizon, the Russian Arctic is not blacked out completely. On clear days, you can see beautiful sunset colours in the south while the sky to the north is a deep midnight blue.

Enjoy your tour in Murmansk

So head for the snow-white serenity of the Kola Peninsula, where the Saami have herded reindeer for generations, go husky sledding throughout the tundra and go snowmobiling through the Khibiny mountains. All of this can be done on your hunt for the Northern Lights in Murmansk .

Take a closer look at the 56th Parallel itineraries and departures:

• Quest for Aurora Borealis  (4-day tour)
• Northern Lights discovery tour  (7-day tour)
• Aurora Borealis: Arctic Winter Magic  (12-day tour)

These tours can be personalised in order for you to maximise your experience in Russia and give you the best possible chance of finding the Northern Lights.

If your hunt for Russia’s Northern Lights is successful, then kudos to you, you will come home with genuine bragging rights, amazing photography and be one of the few who witnessed this natural wonder. If you don’t happen to experience it during your visit, you would still enjoy a rich cultural experience, exploring the people and the environment of the Kola Peninsula.

For more information on related tours contact us here: [email protected] Ph: +61 2 93889816

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Fidel Castro’s Victory Tour: New Evidence from Russian Archives

Poster in honor of Fidel Castro's first visit to the USSR. Photo: E. Artsrunyan

Khrushchev Eager to Mend Relations with His Favorite Revolutionary after the Cuban Missile Crisis

Castro Toured Soviet Union for almost 40 Days in 1963; Visited Uzbekistan, Georgia and Ukraine

Castro-Khrushchev Conversations and Khrushchev’s Report to the Presidium Published for First Time

Washington, D.C., April 29, 2024 - New evidence from Russian archival sources and published today by the National Security Archive details Fidel Castro’s extraordinary April-May 1963 trip to the USSR, which Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev saw as an opportunity to mend relations that had soured after the Cuban Missile Crisis. The newly translated records from Russian state archives depict the Cuban leader touring several Soviet republics, meeting and conversing with top Soviet leaders, and, most importantly, receiving numerous reassurances that the Soviet Union would remain Cuba’s reliable partner and patron, despite how the Cuban Missile Crisis concluded, as well as promises of security and economic assistance. [1]

Fidel Castro would say, in a secret, night-long 1968 speech to his top leadership, that he felt humiliated by what he saw as a Soviet betrayal when Khrushchev negotiated with the Americans behind his back on the withdrawal of the missiles that were the central focus of the Cuban Missile Crisis. [2] Castro was never fully informed about the conditions of the deal, especially the related removal of U.S. missiles from Turkey and Italy. At the same time, Castro knew that Cuba needed Soviet aid for his reform measures, both in material terms and in terms of ideological education.

For their part, Khrushchev and the top Soviet leadership were willing to go to great lengths to keep their very important ally, the only successful communist revolution in the Western hemisphere. In addition to all the strategic reasons, Khrushchev had real grounds to fear a domestic political backlash for “losing Cuba” if that happened. During his November 1962 stay in Cuba, Soviet Deputy Prime Minister Anastas Mikoyan was taking away Soviet weapons with one hand, while with the other he was trying to give Castro every possible promise of economic aid. (see EBB 400 )

Then, almost three months after the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Soviet Premier wrote Castro a heartfelt letter explaining his motivation both for deploying the missiles and for withdrawing them in speedy fashion. He was, essentially, apologizing but also trying to take practical steps to bring Castro back into the Soviet fold. Khrushchev invited Castro to come on an extensive visit where he would see different parts of the USSR and spend time with the Soviet leadership. (see Nikita Khrushchev's letter to Fidel Castro )

On April 27, 1963, Castro secretly arrived on a nonstop flight from Havana to Murmansk (landing on the third try in a very bad weather). He was greeted like a hero, with thousands of people out on the streets. Mikoyan and the Commander of the Northern Fleet. Admiral Kasatonov. were his hosts, and Nikolay Leonov translated for Castro throughout the trip (Document 1). Castro was taken to Severodvinsk to see Soviet submarines (but was not shown the ones that went to Cuba during the crisis), met with sailors, and was given a reception on the nuclear icebreaker Lenin . (see the excellent posting about the reception in Murmansk on the site of the Murmansk Oblast State Archive)

After Murmansk, Castro left for Moscow where he participated in May Day celebrations with the entire Soviet leadership on top of Lenin’s Mausoleum and stayed at the state dacha in Zavidovo. At Zavidovo, the two leaders began to discuss the fate of communism in the world and especially in developing countries. Khrushchev spoke as the teacher, while Castro played the part of a dedicated student who also had his own views and often questioned the teacher.

Castro was especially concerned about the situation with the liberation struggle in Africa; he asked Khrushchev “to express his opinion regarding the future political development of the African continent, noting along the way that he himself was very critical about the prospect of fast political progress in a number of African states.” Castro was planning to visit Algeria on an invitation from the revolutionary leader Ben Bella, but Khrushchev dissuaded him, saying that it would be too easy for imperialists to assassinate Castro during a stop there (Document 2). The Soviet leader gave his honest views about the complicated prospects of communist victories among the African countries, calling the leader of Guinea, Secou Toure, a “prostitute.” The discussion contrasts the two leaders’ manner of thinking about global issues: Castro’s apparently sincere belief that Marxism-Leninism will ultimately prevail and Khrushchev’s much more practical, and sometimes cynical, views, especially his assessments of individual leaders.

Among their many conversations, for Khrushchev the most important subject was to explain to Castro the Soviet motivation for both deploying and removing massive Soviet forces, including nuclear weapons, from the island in the fall of 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Khrushchev’s main goal during Castro’s visit was to soothe any hurt feelings the Cuban leader might have from the episode and to persuade Castro that the security of the Cuban revolution was guaranteed by the USSR as a result of the “victory” they had achieved in extracting from the U.S. a pledge to not intervene in Cuba. These conversations are not included here because, at the time of this posting, they have not yet been declassified by the Russian archival authorities. However, we know that the talks took place and a lot about their substance from Khrushchev’s report to the Presidium on June 7 (Document 7) and from Castro’s recollections at a critical oral history conference organized in 1992 on the 30th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis by the National Security Archive and James Blight and janet Lang of Brown University, which the editor of this EBB participated in. (Document 8).

On May 4, 1963, Khrushchev showed Castro documents from the “confidential channel” on Soviet interactions with the United States during and after the crisis. Khrushchev read the documents to the Cuban leader with simultaneous translation by NikolayLeonov, the Soviet resident in Mexico, who often translated for Castro and accompanied him on trips to the USSR. (Document 3) The readings and the discussion of the top secret documents took all day, during which Castro learned for the first time, apparently inadvertently, that Soviet missiles in Cuba had been removed in exchange for the removal of U.S. missiles in Turkey and Italy. Castro realized that “it was the last thing that Nikita wanted me to hear. […] Withdrawing missiles from Turkey had nothing to do with the defense of Cuba.” Castro asked Khrushchev to read that paragraph again, but the Soviet leader just laughed “that mischievous laugh of his.” (Document 8)

After meetings in Moscow, Castro went on a long tour of the Soviet Union. In Volgograd, he visited a tractor plant and the Soviet war memorial on Mamaev Hill. His trip to Uzbekistan was important from the point of view of agricultural reform—he met with tractor drivers, saw silk production, and was impressed that an underdeveloped country had made so much progress and had mechanized agriculture. That was the idea—Cuba could also develop quickly with Soviet assistance and tutelage. After Tashkent, Castro traveled to Irkutsk, fished with a local fisherman on Angara and saw Bratsk hydroelectric power station. In every city, at every train station, he was met with enthusiastic local people who genuinely admired the Cuban revolutionary leader. Another stop in Siberia was in Sverdlovsk (presently Yekaterinburg). From Sverdlovsk, the honored guest flew to Leningrad and then to Kiev.

Back in Moscow, Khrushchev offered Castro the chance to see an ICBM, and the Cuban leader even signed his name on the body of the R-16 missile (so the American imperialists would know that it was a greeting from Cuba if it ever had to be used). On May 23, a number of Cuban-Soviet agreements were signed in the Kremlin, and Castro was honored as a Hero of the Soviet Union. After a grand event at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow (125,000 people attended), Khrushchev and Castro flew to Khrushchev’s favorite southern dacha in Pitsunda, near Sukhumi.

Traveling around Georgia, the two continued talking about the Cuban Missile Crisis (transcript not declassified yet, but Sergey Khrushchev mentions an argument between Khrushchev and Castro regarding how many days the Cuban revolution could have resisted an American invasion had the Soviets not negotiated with Kennedy [3] ), the Cuban economy (Document 6), the situation in the socialist bloc (Romanians still possessed bourgeois nationalist sentiments and did not want to cooperate with other socialist countries) (Document 5), and Soviet specialists in Cuba (many of them are pure bureaucrats and have to be sent home) (Document 4). Castro was exposed to a full curriculum of socialist education and gained some invaluable insights into how things really worked.

Castro left for Havana the same way he came—through Murmansk, and also in secret. During the entire trip he was feted as a hero, awarded the highest military honors of the USSR, and received pledges (and concrete agreements) of economic assistance in all spheres of Cuban industry and agriculture. It was truly a victory tour.

Khrushchev, however, still had a job to do—to persuade the Presidium that Castro had accepted the Soviet narrative of the Cuban Missile Crisis (Castro’s subsequent secret speech to the Cuban top leadership in 1968 shows that he had not) and that he remained a loyal and reliable ally and an eager student who saw the Soviet Union, and not China, as his main teacher. Khrushchev’s report to the Presidium shows that China was a major concern of the Soviets in 1963 as well as during the Missile Crisis. Khrushchev assured the Presidium that he had explained the China issue to Castro and that he “understood our position correctly.” In doing so, it seemed that the Soviet leader was trying to persuade the Presidium—as he said he had persuaded Castro—that the Soviet withdrawal from Cuba was a victory and not a fiasco, repeating, in various forms: “we have achieved our goal, therefore, we won, we are the winners.”

The Documents

State Archive of the Russian Federation, Fond R 5446, Opis 120, delo 1811

The reception for Castro took place on the nuclear-powered icebreaker Lenin , the first nuclear icebreaker in the world. Kasatonov welcomes the leader of the Cuban revolution with military honors. He reminds the Cuban delegation that last fall, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Soviet Army and Navy were brought to “the highest state of combat readiness” and “filled with determination, by order of our Government, by the command of military duty, by the call of friendship, to come to your aid.” In his response, Castro raises a toast to the Soviet Navy and shares his impressions: “we were able to witness the power of modern Soviet military technology, the strong discipline, and the high moral spirit of Soviet sailors.”

Russian State Archive of Contemporary History (RGANI), Fond 52, Opis 1 [donated to the National Security Archive by Dr. James Hershberg]

Khrushchev meets with Castro in his residence Zavidovo near Moscow. Castro consults with Khrushchev about his decision to visit Algeria after leaving the USSR on the invitation of Ben Bella, the head of the revolutionary government there. Khrushchev asks Castro not to go, citing security threats, and succeeds in persuading him to cancel the visit. They discuss the revolutionary situation in Africa and its prospects. Khrushchev laments that “the liberation of the African countries that was happening rapidly during the last several years did not always produce the desired results” (meaning that they did not all choose the socialist path) but that the USSR will keep providing them with generous economic aid while not interfering in their affairs. In his opinion, the African revolutionaries still have a long way to go and have to struggle against the development of Black bourgeoisie and “against political prostitutes like Sekou Toure [of Guinea].” Castro tells Khrushchev about the Indonesian communist leader Sukarno’s visit to Cuba, whom he regards very negatively. Khrushchev agrees with his assessment of Sukarno as “a womanizer and an actor,” but says that the Soviets had no choice: “we support and will support Sukarno as a political leader mainly because currently in Indonesia there is no one who could seriously implement the general course taken by Sukarno or to implement a more radical revolutionary policy.”

During another meeting in Zavidovo, Khrushchev offers Castro an opportunity “to look through the latest documents that the Soviet and American sides had exchanged through confidential channels on various issues, including the Cuban issue. Transcripts and cables are read to Castro in translation, likely by Nikolai Leonov. The documents include the memoranda of conversations between Soviet Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Dobrynin and U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk, as well as the Khrushchev memo to the Presidium on Cuba.

In this short conversation in the car on the way to observe some military exercises, Castro and Khrushchev discuss problems with Soviet advisors in Cuba. Khrushchev complains that some Soviet agencies send bureaucrats to Cuba who do not understand the Cuban specifics and only spend time in the offices that the Cuban government provides them. He asks Castro why they provide them offices with “telephones when none of them can speak Spanish.” The Soviet leader believes that Castro “should examine the lists of those advisers, concretely, name by name, and keep only those of them, who actually provide [Cuba] real practical help. All the rest of them should be recalled back home and the earlier the better.”

This conversation takes place at the government summer residence in Pitsunda on the Black Sea. The Cuban leader wants to discuss some tensions within the socialist camp, in particular with the Romanian communists. Khrushchev harshly criticizes the “narrowly nationalist, limited character of the Romanian comrades” for their intransigence on the issue of the socialist division of labor and unwillingness to participate in a joint project with Hungary, Czechoslovakia and the GDR to build a cascade of hydroelectric power stations on the Danube. Along the way, the Soviet leader lectures Castro on the socialist political economy and the internal dynamics of the alliance. In the end, he concludes that “disagreements of this kind are immediately used by the Chinese and the Albanians, who try to patch together some sort of a coalition” with the purpose of splitting the socialist camp.

This long conversation is devoted to a discussion of Soviet assistance to Cuban agricultural reform measures. It starts with a discussion of the Cuban request (Khrushchev promises to grant it in full in 1963) that the USSR provide machinery for loading cut sugar cane on the trucks. Castro laments that the manual nature of growing and harvesting sugar cane is the Cuban “eternal curse.” Khrushchev immediately offers his ideas to create a completely new sugar cane combine that would both cut and gather the sugar cane and thus free up thousands of workers. The two leaders discuss numerous issues related to agricultural reform, mechanization, and the preparation of agricultural specialists. All Cuban requests are granted, and even more is offered. Khrushchev is clearly trying to tie the Cuban leader even closer to the USSR after the cold spell in their relations after the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Russian State Archive of Contemporary History (RGANI), published in A.A. Fursenko, ed. Presidium of TsK KPSS, 1954-1964, Vol 1 (Moscow: Rosspen, 2003) pp. 720-726

This stenographic record of Khrushchev’s report to the Presidium preserves all of the colloquial expressions and the often-confusing style of Khrushchev’s unedited speech. His goal is to show to his communist colleagues that he was able to heal the split with Fidel that emerged as a result of the Soviet withdrawal of the missiles without consulting or even informing the Cubans in October and November 1962. He explains that he persuaded Fidel that the removal of the weapons was in the interest of the Cuban revolution, which he said would be at peace for up to six years while the Democrats remain in power in the United States. He presents the USSR and Cuba as the “winners” in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the United States as the “losers.” The Soviet leader also dismisses accusations that the Soviets were “cowards” during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

This report provides glimpses of the conversations on security issues and the “Chinese factor” in Soviet-Cuban relations. According to Khrushchev, the issue between the Soviets and the Chinese is “nationalism, egotism”—the fact that the Chinese “want to play the first fiddle.” Khrushchev assures Castro that the Soviet Union would remain their main patron providing security assistance. However, he refuses to sign a “military treaty” saying that if he did Cuba would be seen as a Soviet satellite.

In his report, Khrushchev emphasizes several times that Castro was “very happy,” that he understood the Soviet positions, and that he agreed with the Soviet reasoning.

The rest of the report deals with the issue of Soviet economic assistance to Cuba and provides details about Castro’s travels around the Soviet Union.

Broadcast on Cuban Television on February 28, 1992, translated and published by the CIA’s Foreign Broadcast Information Service.

At the 30th anniversary conference in Havana, on January 11, 1992, Fidel Castro spent several hours recounting his experience during and after the missile crisis—providing his own postmortem as the last surviving leader of that historic and dangerous conflict. The CIA’s Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS), which collected and translated foreign broadcasts, published an English version of his remarks after they were aired on Cuban television at the end of February 1992.

Conference participants included leading Kennedy administration officials such as former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and key Soviet officials such as the planner of the missile deployment, Gen. Anatoly Gribkov. To this highly knowledgeable audience, Castro reflected on what he called Kennedy’s “courage” to resist the pressures from his military to attack Cuba and acknowledged that hundreds of thousands of lives would have been lost if the U.S. had invaded. He also recalled the bitter sense of betrayal when Khrushchev announced the withdrawal of the missiles without consulting Cuba. Instead of relief that the threat of an imminent U.S. invasion and nuclear war had receded, the Cubans, Castro stated, felt “a great indignation because we realized we had become some type of game token.”

At the time, Castro did not know of the secret Kennedy-Khrushchev deal to resolve the crisis by swapping U.S. missiles in Turkey and Italy for the Soviet missiles in Cuba. Towards the end of this lengthy retrospective, Castro recalled his bumpy flight to Murmansk in 1963 and recounted that, during their meetings at the Zavidovo dacha, Khrushchev inadvertently read him a document that revealed the secret swap, confirming Fidel’s belief that Cuba had been “used as an exchange token.” “Withdrawing missiles from Turkey had nothing to do with the defense of Cuba,” he remembered thinking about the Soviet rationale for installing their missiles on the island. “Cuba was defended by saying: Please remove the naval base; please, stop the embargo and the pirate [exile] attacks.” He remembered asking Khrushchev to “read that part about the missiles in Turkey” again. “He laughed that mischievous laugh of his. He laughed, and that was it. I was sure they were not going to repeat it again, because it was like that old phrase about bringing up the issue of the noose in the home of a man who was hung.”

The Soviet documents published above do not include this exchange between Castro and Khrushchev, perhaps because the translator, Nikolai Leonov, was instructed not to take notes on the documents being read out loud by Khrushchev.  Leonov’s memo from the meeting on May 4 at Zavidovo is only one page and mentions reading “transcripts and cables exchanged through confidential channels” with the Americans but none of the substance (see Document 3 above).  

[1] The National Security Archive thanks Dr. James Hershberg for donating the copies of Castro-Khrushchev conversations that he obtained from RGANI.

[2] James Blight, Philip Brenner, Sad and Luminous Days: Cuba's Struggle with the Superpowers after the Missile Crisis, (New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007)

[3] Sergei Khrushchev, Nikita Khrushchev and the Creation of a Superpower (Penn State University Press, 2000).

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The purpose of the tour operator Visit Visit Murmansk LLC is to provide the most extensive range of services related to the organization of leisure of foreign and domestic tourists in the territory of the Murmansk region. We can declare with full responsibility that for such a large-scale work we have all the necessary means. Since 2008, the company Visit Murmansk LLC has been operating in the field of organization of inbound and domestic tourism in the Murmansk region. For more than 10 years of successful work, thousands of customers have been satisfied with their holidays on the territory of the Kola Peninsula, strong partnerships have been established with dozens of companies throughout the region, all the sights that our Region has to date have been studied and mastered.

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More than 5000 Russian and foreign tourists travel around the Murmansk region with us annually

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Registration number: MBT 017090 Full name: Visit Murmansk Limited Liability Company Short name: LLC “Visit Murmansk” Address (location): 183036, Murmansk, ul. Captain Maklakova, 51.27 Mailing address: 183036, Murmansk, st. Captain Maklakova, 51.27 Address of the official website on the Internet: new.new.visitmurmansk.info TIN: 5190180260 PSRN: 1085190002325 Addresses do not have structural units Financial support Total financial support: 500,000 Document: Scope of the tour operator: domestic tourism. international travel Amount of financial support: 500,000 financial support method: tour operator liability insurance contract Document: number P146100-43-16 of 04/22/2016 Validity of financial security: from 05/10/2016 to 05/09/2017 Name of organization providing financial support: LLC “Help” Address (location) of the person providing financial support: St. Petersburg, Sinopskaya nab., D.50a Lit. Postal address of the organization providing financial support: St. Petersburg, Sinopskaya nab., D.50a Lit. The scope of the tour operator, domestic tourism International inbound Date and number of the order of the Federal Tourism Agency for entering information into the unified federal register of tour operators Order Number: 188-Pr-16 Order Date: 05/05/2016

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