This Arctic fishing village on Russia's Barents Sea coast draws visitors to its abandoned ships, northern lights displays and nearby tundra landscapes.
In Teriberka, a village on Russia's Barents Sea coast, you can walk among rusting ships from the 1920s, dive in clear Arctic waters, and watch whales breach the surface. This former fishing settlement, 130 kilometers from Murmansk, drew international attention after becoming the filming location for the movie Leviathan in 2014. Today, local families run guesthouses and cook traditional Arctic meals with fresh-caught cod and locally sourced reindeer meat.
Getting to Teriberka
The 130-kilometer journey from Murmansk takes 3.5 to 4 hours by car on a road that turns to gravel for the final stretch. In winter, the gravel section becomes an ice road. Public buses depart Murmansk four days per week, with a journey time of about four hours.
Weather and What to Pack
The Gulf Stream keeps temperatures relatively mild for the Arctic, but weather shifts rapidly. Bring thermal layers and waterproof clothing even in summer months. Winter temperatures drop below -20°C (-4°F), requiring down jackets, insulated pants, and high winter boots. During polar days (late May through July), the sun stays above the horizon 24 hours - pack a sleeping mask.
Village Districts
Teriberka splits into two areas. Most locals live in Lodeynoe district, where you'll find grocery stores, a bakery, and a pharmacy. The original Teriberka district contains wooden houses from the early 1900s and large-scale street art on building walls.
Ship Graveyard
Walk among 12 fishing vessels from the 1920s on the west bank of the Teriberka River. These boats, left behind after the 1960s fish cannery closure, rest directly on the shore, their rusted hulls creating stark silhouettes against the Arctic sky.
Coastal Landscapes
A red rock gorge leads to a waterfall that drops into the Barents Sea, reached by an hour's walk from Lodeynoe. The nearby "Dragon Egg Beach" contains smooth stones ranging from fist-sized to boulder-sized. Clear waters make diving possible year-round - you'll swim among kelp forests and spot sea stars and urchins.
Marine Life and Fishing
Join local fishermen on boat trips to spot minke whales and orcas. Fish the rich waters for cod, haddock, pollack, wolffish, flounder, and herring. Local residents rent out boats for independent fishing trips.
Winter Experience
Strong winds and powder snow create ideal conditions for snowkiting, both within the village and at Eriveyv Mountain, 40 kilometers away. The northern lights appear from September through March, painting the sky in green and purple above the snow-covered tundra.
Arctic Festival
Each July, the Teriberka Arctic Festival fills the village with food stalls, music performances, and visitors from across Russia. Join trail runs, kayak in the bay, or play board games at the Culture Center. Many participants camp along the shore, spending days exploring nearby beaches and the waterfall.
