.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg)
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg)
.svg){kind=icon}
South: See with your own eyes the shimmering amethysts of the Tersky Coast (remember that these minerals are a regional treasure and are prohibited from being exported) and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of antiquity in the Pomor village of Varzuga.
Southern Part of the Region. Kandalaksha
On the shore of the Kandalaksha Bay stands a unique landmark — the stone labyrinth known as “Babylon.” The Pomors believed this place possessed special power.
Nearby lies the Kandalaksha Nature Reserve, which protects the natural landscapes of more than 550 islands in the White and Barents Seas.
How to get there:
By car: 240 km via the R-21 “Kola” highway; travel time is 3–4 hours.
By train: 3–4 hours from Murmansk; the railway station is located in the city center.
By bus: Regular services depart from the bus station; travel time is similar to driving.
Southern Part of the Region. Tonya Tetrina
The historical and ethnographic complex Tonya Tetrina is a hard-to-reach open-air museum that can only be accessed during low tide, twice a day.
Here you can learn about the history of the Pomors, the Sami (Lopars), and the battles for the Arctic. You can also stay overnight on the shore of the White Sea, immersing yourself in the sound of the waves and the cries of seagulls.
How to get there:
Tonya “Tetrina” is located 30 km from Umba on the Tury Peninsula.
By car: 430 km from Murmansk via the R-21 “Kola” highway and then toward the coast; travel time is 5–6 hours.
By bus: Regular buses run from the Murmansk bus station to Umba; travel time is about 6 hours.
By train: Take a train to Kandalaksha station, then continue by bus or taxi to Umba (about 120 km).
Southern Part of the Region. Amethyst Coast
Near Cape Korabl lies a unique place — the Amethyst Coast. On a sunny day, the beach sparkles with hundreds of stones featuring purple inclusions.
Nearby rises Seagull Rock, where life is always bustling — dozens of birds put on real performances here.
How to get there:
By car: 330 km from Murmansk via Kandalaksha and Umba to Cape Korabl. The journey takes 5–6 hours.
By bus/train: Travel to Kandalaksha, then take local transport to Umba. From there, you need to cover 25 km of off-road terrain to reach Cape Korabl.
Important: The final stretch of the route requires an off-road vehicle and proper preparation. The section from Umba to the Amethyst Coast is best traveled with local guides.
Southern Part of the Region. Varzuga
Varzuga is one of the oldest Pomor villages on the Tersky Coast of the Kola Peninsula, known since the 15th century. Its main treasures are ancient wooden churches. The sight of their darkened silhouettes against the northern sky is truly mesmerizing.
The most famous landmark is the Assumption Church of the 17th century, standing 34 meters tall. It was built without a single nail, and inside it preserves a unique painted wooden ceiling known as the “heaven” — the only one of its kind on the entire Kola Peninsula.
How to get there:
By car: 490 km from Murmansk via Kandalaksha and Umba. Travel time is 6–7 hours. The final 140 km from Umba is an unpaved road that requires an off-road vehicle.
