15 days in Murmansk, St. Petersburg & Moscow Itinerary

Murmansk is a port city and the administrative center of Murmansk Oblast, Russia, located in the extreme northwest part of Russia, on the Kola Bay, an inlet of the Barents Sea on the northern shore of the Kola Peninsula, close to Russia's borders with Norway and Finland. On the 2nd (Tue), examine the collection at Murmansk Town Exhibit Hall, take in the dramatic natural features at Dva Brata, pause for some photo ops at Alyosha Monument, Monument of the Defenders of the Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War, then work off some steam at X-Fit, then look for gifts at Store Pautinka, and finally browse the different shops at Murmansk Mall Shopping and entertainment center. On the 3rd (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Annunciation Church, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Nicholas Cathedral, then take a tour of Lenin Nuclear Icebreaker, and finally see what you can catch with Murmansk Sea Fishing.

For maps, ratings, and tourist information, read Murmansk route maker website.

London, UK to Murmansk is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from London to Murmansk is 3 hours. Traveling from London in March, things will get colder in Murmansk: highs are around -1°C and lows about -11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Wed) so you can travel to St. Petersburg.

Built on a desolate swamp as a showcase capital of Imperial Russia, this grand city has certainly lived up to the expectations of its founder, Tsar Peter the Great.

Visit Saint Isaac's Cathedral and Neva Embankments for their historical value. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines and The Shadow Museum. And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Russian Museum of Ethnography, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, admire the masterpieces at The State Hermitage Museum, and learn about all things military at Central Naval Museum.

To find where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, read our St. Petersburg tour planner.

Fly from Murmansk to St. Petersburg in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Murmansk in March; daily highs in St. Petersburg reach 2°C and lows reach -5°C. On the 10th (Wed), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Moscow.

Russia's political, economic, and cultural center, Moscow remains the most populous inland city in the world, famed for its colorful history and rich architectural heritage.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like State Darwin Museum and Red Square. Popular historic sites such as Saint Basil's Cathedral and Gostiny Dvor Arcade are in your itinerary. Change things up with these side-trips from Moscow: Kolomna (Church of the Apostle John-Bogoslov, Kolomna Kremlin, &more). There's much more to do: examine the collection at Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center, get a taste of the local shopping with Center MARS, take in the exciting artwork at The Engineering Building, and hunt for treasures at Danilovsky Market.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Moscow attractions planner.

You can take a train from St. Petersburg to Moscow in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In March in Moscow, expect temperatures between 2°C during the day and -5°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Mon) so you can travel back home.