Size:
A A A
Color: C C C
Images: OnOff
Normal site version
  1. Murmansk Arctic University
  2. About

Murmansk area

Welcome to the capital of the Russian Arctic!

The main MASU campus is located in Murmansk (Russia), found in the closest proximity to the countries of Northern Europe. Being the biggest deep-sea port of the Arctic, Murmansk is also known as the largest city beyond the Polar Circle in general. Such phenomena as Polar Night, Midnight sun, Aurora Borealis, as well as mighty and beautiful northern landscapes impress thousands of tourists coming to the Kola Peninsula from all over the world. Murmansk mission: administration of the region as well as the development of fisheries, marine logistics, and creative industries (incl. tourism). Founded in 1916, Murmansk and its region share a common border with Finland and Norway and enjoy rich historical and cultural heritage (including the indigenous one of the Sámi people) thus providing opportunities for good leisure time and development of creative industries and SMEs.

The other two towns MASU is presented in, Apatity and Kirovsk, are more to the south neighboring the ancient Khibiny mountains. Both focus on the development of ore-mining and processing as well as chemical and other minerals-related industries. Despite being quite small, Apatity is unofficially referred to as the “Science town” due to several branches of academic institutions located there. Kirovsk, found in only 20 km away, is also developing tourism infrastructure and serves as one of the best ski and hiking resorts.

Summer Murmansk

Murmansk region. Discover your North

By air: Murmansk and Apatity/Kirovsk have their own airports with regular flights. The most popular routes are:

  • St. Petersburg — Murmansk (about 1.5 hours)
  • Moscow — Murmansk (about 2.5 hours)

By train: Murmansk and Apatity/Kirovsk are located on the same railway line. Trains run regularly from and to St. Petersburg, Moscow, Vologda, Minsk and other cities, such as Sochi, Anapa, etc. (in summer).

  • St. Petersburg — Murmansk (about 26 hours)
  • Moscow — Murmansk (about 36 hours)

By car: Murmansk and Apatity/Kirovsk are located on the “Kola highway” (M18), the distance to St. Petersburg is about 1400 km. By this route, you can get to most of the settlements in the region, as well as to St. Petersburg and Moscow.

From Finland and Norway: Murmansk is the starting point of the A138 road to Norway and P12 road to Finland. The border can be crossed at three border points: 1) "Borisoglebsk" (the only border point on the Russia-Norway border). The nearest Norwegian Airport is Kirkenes. 2) "Lotta" and "Salla" (border points on the Finnish border). The nearest airports are Ivalo and Rovaniemi.

  • Kirkenes — Murmansk — about 4 hours by car
  • Ivalo — Murmansk — about 6 hours by car
  • Rovaniemi — Murmansk — about 8-9 hours by car

Updated 05.07.2022