Russia

Murmansk is the world's largest city above the Arctic Circle — a Soviet-era port city with genuine aurora credentials and a fraction of the tourist infrastructure of Scandinavian counterparts. At nearly 69°N on the Kola Peninsula, Murmansk sits firmly within the auroral zone and experiences the full polar night from late November to mid-January. The famous nuclear icebreaker Lenin, now a museum ship in Murmansk harbour, and nuclear-powered icebreaker tours to the geographic North Pole (from nearby Atomflot base) are unique attractions. Budget travellers benefit enormously from Russia's lower costs — accommodation and dining are among the cheapest of any aurora destination. Note: Access has been severely restricted for Western visitors since 2022 — verify current visa and safety situation before planning.

Arkhangelsk is Russia's great northern gateway — a city on the White Sea with 650 years of Arctic exploration history, once Russia's only sea port before St Petersburg was founded. The city preserves a remarkable collection of wooden architecture including the Malye Karely Open-Air Museum, one of Russia's finest collections of traditional wooden churches, mills, and houses moved from across the Russian North. At 64.5°N, Arkhangelsk sits inside the auroral oval with excellent winter viewing — the White Sea freezes completely in winter, creating a vast flat white landscape perfect for photography. The Solovetsky Islands (Solovki), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are accessible by boat in summer and by helicopter in winter from Arkhangelsk — the monastery complex on the main island is one of Russia's most historically significant sites. Arkhangelsk is genuinely challenging for non-Russian speakers and requires careful advance planning. As of 2024, visitors should check current travel advisories carefully before planning a trip. For those who can visit, it offers some of the world's most affordable Arctic aurora experiences.