What to see in Teriberka

You can immerse yourself in an atmosphere of mystery, unravel the secret of “Leviathan,” and feel like a true captain cutting through the waves of the Barents Sea in Teriberka. Amidst the harsh climate, sheer cliffs, and northern lights, some find new meaning. Others fulfill a childhood dream, photographing whales and orcas swimming within arm's reach.

How fortunate that you can visit “Russian Norway” without any hassle with documents. All that's needed for a trip to the end of the world is a camera, a good mood, and a ticket to Murmansk.

What you need to know about Teriberka

Here's a brief overview of Teriberka. Although it's small, it's generally considered to have an Old and a New part. The northern part of the village is called New. It was named Lodeynoye after the neighboring lake and a village of the same name. The southern half, located three kilometers away and separated from New Teriberka by the Teriberka River, is called Old.

It's not difficult to distinguish between Old and New: one has fishing villages and traditional houses, while the other has art objects and multi-story buildings. We recommend visiting both to experience the full atmosphere and local flavor. We'll also share a couple of tips. They will be especially helpful for those visiting the northern part of Murmansk for the first time:

• for the northern lights, it's best to go from September to March. However, sometimes they are seen in July and August;
• to see whales, you'll need a passport (it's checked at the pier);
• despite summer usually being warm, here it's cold. Even sub-zero temperatures occur. Therefore, regardless of the travel time, it's best to pack warm clothes;
• car traffic can often be closed due to bad weather. Before traveling, it's best to check the official website;
• a permit is required to visit the nature park. It can be obtained on the website of the Murmansk Region Ministry.

When to go

Travel dates depend solely on your goals. For example, to meet marine life, people come from May to September, and to admire the aurora borealis, from September to March. If you want to experience a blizzard, go to Teriberka in winter (but remember that many roads can be closed during this period, and moving around due to heavy snowfall will be very difficult). But if your requests are “easy to get to and beautiful,” then there's no better option than to come here in autumn. Yes, it's cool, but very atmospheric.

How to get there

At first glance, it might seem quite simple to see the Leviathan's skeleton or wander among a whole graveyard of ships. However, this is not the case. Getting to Teriberka's attractions is a real challenge. Fortunately, at the end of a difficult journey, every traveler is greeted with a pleasant surprise: beautiful views and an indescribable atmosphere.

By plane

The nearest airport is in Murmansk. It's a two-hour flight and about three hours . The difficulty lies in the transport schedule, which allows you to get to the city center first, and from there to Teriberka. The best option is to check the airport's schedule. Or you can drive to your destination in just two hours.

By train

Essentially, it's the same as the previous point. Only the first part of the route is by land, not air. The advantage is that you'll arrive directly at Murmansk railway station, from where the 241 bus departs – it stops in Teriberka. A ticket costs 300 rubles, and you can buy it at the ticket office from 6:00 to 21:00. We recommend buying a return ticket immediately: many people want to go home, and unfortunately, there might not be enough seats.

Teriberka Attractions

A bit of mystery, a harsh climate, and a gloomy atmosphere. Voila! You are in the heart of the northern lights and legends about Leviathan (thanks to the film of the same name). Being here, travelers cannot shake the feeling that they are at the end of the world. And it's no wonder – beyond this is only the ocean and the North Pole. In short, for a thrilling, goosebump-inducing atmosphere, Teriberka is definitely worth visiting. We've just outlined a few ideas of where to go there.

Ship Graveyard

This place can be found when traveling from New Teriberka to Old (or vice versa). The Ship Graveyard holds the record for the number of tourists. The abandoned wreckage, long forgotten by its owners, is slowly living out its last days: its lifespan long expired, and the wood has softened and become covered in moss. They say there are even more sunken ships underwater. However, it's impossible for an ordinary tourist to verify this. 

This sad story dates back to the last century: in the 1960s, there were many fishing boats there. However, with the relocation of the district center, coastal fishing also declined. Only memories and a gloomy picture of wreckage remain.

Abandoned School

Another ghost of the past has found its place in Teriberka. Many try to walk through the quiet corridors and peek into the empty classrooms of the abandoned school (and mostly do so through the windows). Children once studied here, but now not even desks remain in the classrooms — only graffiti on the walls. 

In fact, the educational institution was sold to a private individual. Even renovations were planned: they wanted to turn the school into a hotel. However, construction was postponed indefinitely. And since 2011, the building has been gradually cleared by groups of people: computers are no longer found, but books are still in the local library.

Graffiti

An unobvious attraction that can be found throughout Teriberka. At one point, graffiti even became the village's calling card. In 2015, Norwegian street artist Pøbel visited to share his experience in organizing festivals and leave a couple of his original works. There are 12 in total, the most popular of which are: 

• the inscription ALL I HAD I GAVE on the wall of a dilapidated house;
• Snow White in the abandoned school;
• 家 (which means “home” in translation) on one of the wooden buildings;
• a Norwegian fisherman and a mute icon at the bus stop.

Meteorological Station

The first meteorological station on the Kola Peninsula, built in the 19th century. Its operation was never interrupted for the next two centuries, and active instruments still lie in the vicinity. However, tourists are forbidden to approach – an inscription nearby states this. But you can walk around the surroundings at any time. The views there are very beautiful: a plain on one side, and the Barents Sea on the other. Overall, it feels as if you've found yourself in a remote European corner.

Dragon Egg Beach

Tourists dubbed the coastline “Dragon Egg Beach.” At one point, Teriberka's popularity coincided with the airing of “Game of Thrones,” which gave the place new life. As sad as it may sound, you won't find any dragons, let alone their offspring, here. The “eggs” refer to the large boulders scattered along the entire shore. 

By the way, don't try to steal the stones (yes, it sounds funny, but such cases have happened). It is strictly forbidden, and at best, they will try to confiscate them from you at the airport.

Art Object "Whale Tails"

Generally, art objects are a top option for what to see in Teriberka in winter. They are located close to each other, and if desired, you can warm up in a nearby hotel. For example, the “Whale Tails” monument is located on the grounds of the Cedar Grass hotel. The sculpture represents woven whale tails: one small, and the other its complete opposite. In winter, they are illuminated. And if you look from afar, it even creates the impression that marine inhabitants are swimming away, waving their tails goodbye.

Leviathan's Skeleton

The Leviathan's skeleton is Teriberka's trump card. In 2014, it washed ashore (or, to be more precise, it appeared as a prop during filming). Subsequently, an identical one was installed near recreation centers and restaurants, which attracts visitors quite well. 

Interestingly: on the beach, there are large swings and an equally large throne. It's a tourist spot, so it's full of people. By the way, for a greater atmosphere, we recommend watching Andrei Zvyagintsev's film while you're on the road. 

Abandoned Ship

The abandoned ship is another reminder of Teriberka residents' past. Once it cut through the waves, and now it rusts on one of the beaches. Despite the ship's tilt and its unpresentable appearance, travelers are not afraid to climb aboard and take photos from there. 

Batareysky Waterfall

Finding Batareysky Waterfall on maps is not difficult: it is located north of the village of Lodeynoye. And getting there on your own is quite simple: you can drive or walk. 

The waterfall itself doesn't have a captivating history. However, its persistence is enviable: powerful water flows once carved their way to the Barents Sea, and now a gorge has formed in their place. 

Whales

Traveling to marine inhabitants in the 21st century is not new. For example, capturing a whale's or orca's tail on camera is a popular activity for those looking for what to see in Kamchatka. After all, seeing a giant fish in a picture is one thing, but experiencing completely different emotions in real life is another. This is why tourists travel to Chukotka, the Solovetsky Islands, or here to Teriberka. People spend several hours on a vessel, peering into the distant waves: what if they're lucky enough to spot a tail or familiar outlines?

Northern Lights

For the sake of the northern lights, tourists rush to Teriberka during the polar night and the harsh months of December and January. Freezing one's nose to see the green-red glow in the sky has become a kind of tradition. By the way, this amazing phenomenon received the beautiful name Aurora Borealis: in honor of Aurora, the goddess of dawn, and Boreas, the god of the north wind.

Art Object "The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed"

An interesting concept underlies the art object “The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed” in New Teriberka. St. Petersburg artist Ekaterina Golubina decided to combine the history of fishing villages in one place. The main element of the installation, a wooden boat, is a means of transport directly from the past. It was once actively used by local fishermen, and now it has become part of an art object on the seashore.

Reindeer Farm

These animals lift everyone's spirits, regardless of age. How wonderful that Teriberka has a whole “serotonin farm”! They care for reindeer and huskies there. If you wish, you can enter the enclosure with the animals. Rest assured, they will definitely be happy to have your company.

Sperm Whale Skeleton

Jokes aside, there really is a genuine skeleton near the “Polar Whale” cafe. It washed ashore back in 2019, and it's definitely not a prop. A sign nearby tells its detailed story. And it's very convenient: if you get hungry, you can always go in and try Arctic cuisine!

Teriberka Stele

Some call it the letter “T,” for others it's the “Teriberka” stele. However, the fact remains: the object is located at the entrance to Old Teriberka and resembles either a whale's tail or symbolically the first letter of the village. Closer to night, internal lighting turns on and serves as a kind of landmark. 

By the way, an interesting fact: the main character's house from the film “Leviathan” was located exactly where this stele now stands.

Where to stay

Don't expect Teriberka to offer a variety of five-star hotels with rooftop pools or hostels with three meals a day. After all, it's a small village. However, this doesn't affect the service level at all. Don't worry, it's high here, and locals approach their work with love. 

We recommend basing your choice on what you want to see in Teriberka.

However, if you don't have time to search, here are a couple of options from us for where to stay:

• "45 Prichal". The most popular recreation base among tourists. It offers modern design and pleasant prices. Moreover, the location is excellent: the famous “Dragon Eggs” beach, Batareysky Waterfall, and the Arctic Ocean are nearby.
  Address: Pionerskaya St., 45

• Cedar Grass. An eco-hotel on the Barents Sea coast. It features stylish rooms, panoramic windows, and a reasonable price. In addition to a delicious breakfast, all visitors can be offered excursions or even shown the local sauna.
  Address: Komsomolskaya St., 11

• "Ter". Nearby are the old school, Leviathan's skeleton, and the abandoned ship. In short, all the most significant attractions of the Murmansk region are gathered right here. The rooms are cozy, and there's even its own restaurant with set lunches and dinners.
  Address: Kolhoznaya St., 19A

Food

To be in Teriberka and not try Arctic cuisine is a huge oversight. Here, venison dishes are prepared, and the settlement is also famous for its delicious seafood delicacies (oysters, crabs, scallops). 

• "Polar Whale". In this restaurant, you can have a romantic date with yourself. At least because of the panoramic views of the Arctic coast. We recommend trying seafood or soups. And for dessert, choose a delicious berry tea.
  Address: Komsomolskaya St., 10

• "Northern Lights". A stone's throw from the most famous attraction — the whale skeleton. The menu here is classic: cod in sauce or venison steak. But the portions are large and the food is delicious.
  Address: Naberezhnaya St., 10A

• "Teribersky Bereg". It's always crowded here. And it's no wonder: prices are reasonable, and portions are hearty. Plus, the location is good — the restaurant is on the first line from the beach. All in all, it's beautiful!
  Address: Krasnaya St.

By the way, the Arctic Festival is held annually in Old Teriberka. There, people taste delicacies, socialize to loud music, and simply enjoy the views of the sandy beach and bay. In 2024, this festival will be held on July 15 and 16. 

What to bring from Teriberka

Besides a wall magnet or a personalized mug, you can bring many delicious (and not only) souvenirs from Teriberka:

• for example, lichen chips. An original delicacy that not only reindeer will enjoy. The snack is soaked in berry syrups and then dried — resulting in unusual colorful chips;
• travelers often buy fish as a souvenir: ruff, halibut, or salmon;
• in souvenir shops, you can often find jam made from northern berries: cloudberries, blueberries, lingonberries, or cranberries.

You can explore Teriberka at your own pace in four to five days. With the right guide, the time will even be reduced to one day. So feel free to plan your trip, as getting new emotions in such a short time is quite simple. 

Well, if you come to love the harsh climate and long walks, we advise you to inquire about where to go in Karelia in winter. There are options for skiing and catching the northern lights. In general, to add color to your life in various ways. And we wish you to have as many of these ways as possible!