Want to Explore Russia’s North in Summer? What to Do Without the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)? – Visa Agency

visa@flado.id

+6281239134485

Want to Explore Russia’s North in Summer? What to Do Without the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?

  1. Home / Last Russia Visa News / Want to Explore Russia’s North in Summer? What to Do Without the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?

Want to Explore Russia’s North in Summer? What to Do Without the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?

Want to Explore Russia’s North in Summer? What to Do Without the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?

Many dream of visiting Scandinavia, but forget — the real North is here in Russia. Summer is a perfect time to explore the Russian North, even without the Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis. You’ll experience white nights, harsh yet majestic nature, whale watching, ancient monasteries, and the legendary Solovetsky Islands.

Flado travels with you! We’ve created and tested a 2-week itinerary from Murmansk to Saint Petersburg. If you’re a foreigner, you’ll need a Russian visa for this trip:
https://flado.id/visarus

How to Travel? One-Way Car Rentals Between Cities

For freedom and comfort, driving is the best way to explore this route. There are two main formats:

  • Round-trip: St. Petersburg → Murmansk → St. Petersburg (more rental options)
  • One-way: Murmansk → St. Petersburg (fewer companies, but optimal for the route)

One-Way Rental Options

Rex Rent (WhatsApp: +7 925 006‑09‑39):

  • Vehicle delivery within Murmansk city: +3000 RUB
  • Belgee X50:
    • Rental: 54,510 RUB
    • One-way fee (Murmansk – SPB): 40,200 RUB
    • Delivery: 3000 RUB
      Total: 97,710 RUB

Rent Motors (rentmotors.ru, WhatsApp Murmansk: +7 911 302-34-09):

  • Hyundai Creta — 63,750 RUB for 13 days
  • Pickup at airport (no city delivery)

Where to Stay Along the Way?

You can stay at nature lodges along the route or use trusted accommodation platforms in towns and cities:

Murmansk: First 3 Days Without a Car

There’s plenty to explore in Murmansk without a car. Book your flight here:
https://flado.id/aviasales

Guided Tours via Tripster

Alternative: Tours via Sputnik8

Self-Guided Murmansk Walk

  • Murmansk founding site
  • Intervention monument
  • Savior-on-Waters Chapel
  • Monument to Defenders of the Arctic
  • Nuclear icebreaker “Lenin”
  • Murmansk Sea Terminal and Kola Fjord
  • Abram-Mys cliffs

Extra Experiences in Murmansk

Heading South by Car Through Karelia

On Day 4, pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to Kirovsk or Apatity — ideal for a 2-night stop in Karelia.

Distance: Murmansk → Kirovsk / Apatity — 197 km (~2.5 hours)

What to See in Kirovsk:

  • Khibiny Mountains: alpine lakes, cable car
  • Geological Museum, botanical garden
  • Hiking trails: Ramsay Pass, Lake Maly Vudyavr

Short Stop in Kandalaksha

Drive: Apatity → Kandalaksha — 111 km (~1.5 hours)
A scenic stop on the White Sea before heading to Solovki.

Solovki: The Heart of the White Sea

Drive: Kandalaksha → Kem — 324 km (~4 hours)
Ferry to Solovki: https://portkem.ru/
Telegram channel with amazing Solovki visuals: https://t.me/prichaloookem

Must-See on Solovki:

Petrozavodsk and Kizhi Island

Drive: Kem → Petrozavodsk (6–7 hours)

Sortavala and Ruskeala

Drive: Petrozavodsk → Sortavala — 248 km (~3.5 hours)

  • Ruskeala Marble Canyon
  • Evening light show in the canyon
  • Ladoga Skerries: kayak or boat rental
  • Sortavala → Ruskeala — 30 km
  • Skip Valaam if you seek peace and solitude — it’s overcrowded

Final Leg: Saint Petersburg

Drive: Ruskeala → St. Petersburg (via Priozersk) — ~200 km (~4.5 hours)
Return your car near Moskovsky Railway Station.

What to Do in Saint Petersburg:

  • Hermitage Museum
  • Neva River boat cruise
  • Local restaurants in the city center

Spend the weekend in St. Petersburg and leave on a weekday — calmer, cheaper, and more convenient.

Continue your journey: from Saint Petersburg to other Russian cities

After completing your trip in Saint Petersburg, you can easily continue exploring Russia.

Take the high-speed Sapsan train to Moscow — it takes only about 4 hours:
https://flado.id/tutu
Or fly to another Russian city using one of many available domestic flights, including low-cost options:
https://flado.id/aviasales

Where else do independent travelers like to go in Russia?

  • Moscow – Red Square, the Kremlin, Tretyakov Gallery, and a vibrant historic center
  • Kazan – a unique blend of Tatar and Russian culture, with both mosques and churches
  • Lake Baikal – the deepest lake in the world, pristine nature, and ethnic villages
  • Altai – majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, spiritual calm, and nature’s power
  • Kaliningrad – the Baltic coast, medieval castles, and a touch of Eastern Europe
  • Vladivostok – Pacific Ocean views, scenic bridges, seafood, and an Asian vibe
  • Sochi & Krasnaya Polyana – warm seas, the Caucasus mountains, and Olympic legacy

Russia is vast and diverse — with Flado, you can explore it all, from the Arctic to the Black Sea.

Need a Russian Visa? Apply Online with Flado

Safe, official, and convenient:
https://flado.id/visarus

Travel smart — travel with Flado.