Narva

Understand

Most of the about 70,000 inhabitants are ethnic Russians. Narva-Jõesuu is a nearby seaside resort at the Gulf of Finland. The city of Narva was founded by Denmark in the Middle Ages. Narva became part of the Swedish Empire, and during the Great Northern War, Swedish king Charles XII led 10,000 men to victory against more than 30,000 Russian soldiers here. Due to the heavy damage of the Second World War, Narva had to be almost completely rebuilt. This is why the city is dominated by Soviet architecture today, mostly Krushchevka-type buildings, the quintessential "commie blocks" from the 1960s. Narva's "modern" Town Hall, for example, is a prime example of typical Soviet architecture. Over 90% of the current population are Russian-speakers, mostly either Soviet-era immigrants from parts of the former Soviet Union and their descendants. There’s plenty to do in Narva, concerts, annual festivals and open-air shows that take place both in the inner yard of the Narva Castle and elsewhere in the town, such as in the newly-built ice skating stadium.

1 Tourist Information Centre, Puškini 13, ☏ +372 3560184, [email protected]. M-F 9-18:00, Sa-Su 10-15:00. The staff at the tourist information office on Pushkin street (next to Alexandr Kohvik) can offer plenty of help in fluent English.

Talk Russian is spoken and understood by virtually everyone. If you are able to speak the Russian language, you will be fine. Estonian is spoken as a second language mainly by the younger generation (as learning Estonian at schools became compulsory after Estonia declared independence in 1991). Older people are likely to have zero knowledge of Estonian. English is spoken (or at least understood) by younger people, but the degree of proficiency may vary greatly, so make sure that you can take advantage of locals who understand and speak English as much as possible. Street signs are Estonian-only or in Estonian and English.

Getting there

Bus and train schedules are easily available online – read more under Estonia#Get around.

By train Elron runs several trains per day from Tallinn taking between 2 and 3 hours costing around €11-14. Before the COVID pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, the daily over-night train between Moscow and Tallinn operated by GoRail made a stop-over here, journey time from Moscow was 11½ hours. Departure time from Moskva Leningradsky station was 22:15 with arrival in Narva at 09:30. From Tallinn the train departed at 16:00 and arrives in Narva at 18:30. As of 2023, this international service does not operate. At this point, the only way to get to Narva from Russia by train is to take a once-a-day commuter train from St Petersburg to Ivangorod, and cross the river to Narva on foot. Be aware that there are no shopping options at the train station.

1 Narva railway station, Vaksali 23B (Southeast of the city centre). (updated Mar 2021)

By bus A trip from Tallinn or Tartu to Narva takes three hours and costs around €10. The bus station is just in front of the train station. Bus companies are Lux Express, Ecolines and Baltic Shuttle.

By car While Narva is right at the Tallinn-St. Petersburg highway, the bridge between Ivangorod and Narva is closed to vehicle traffic since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

On foot The bridge between Narva and Ivangorod remains open to pedestrian traffic.

Getting around

Narva can be explored on foot.

By bus You can find timetables from pilet.ee and buy bus tickets using the mobile app.

By taxi Read more under Estonia#By taxi.

See

1 Hermann Castle / Narva Museum, St.-Peterburi mnt. 2, ☏ +372 3599 230, [email protected]. M-Su 10:00-18:00, winter: W-Su 10:00-18:00. Founded at the end of the 13th century by the Danes. In 1347, the Danish king sold Northern Estonia to the Livonian Order. After that the castle was turned into a convent with a massive tower named Hermann. During World War II the castle and the tower were severely damaged. After 30 years of restoration, the castle was reopened in 1986. The Castle tower overlooks the Ivangorod castle on the Russian side of the river and offers an eclectic display of Estonian and Narva history. The park around the Hermann Castle is for free and allows for good pictures. Tickets are €15. (updated Aug 2022) 2 Pimeaed (Blind Garden), Pimeaia tn. This is Narva’s oldest part, an example of park architecture from the end of the 19th century. You might be surprised what that just means. 3 Narva Bastions, Raja tn, ☏ +372 3565002, [email protected]. W-Th 10:00-18:00 F Sa 10:00-19:00 Su 10:00-16:00. Seven bastions were built in the 17th century: Victoria, Honor, Gloria, Fama, Triumph, Fortuna, and Spes. Work has been started to dry and light the bastions. Victoria bastion is the largest and most impressive one of all bastions, with 2-storey casemates, and marked here. €4/2 adult/child. (updated Aug 2022) 4 The Lords Resurrection Cathedral (MPEÕK Narva Issanda Ülestõusmise Peakiriku Kogudus), Bastrakovi tn 4, ☏ +372 3573226. It was built in 1890-1896 for the Orthodox Christian workers of Kreenholm Manufactory. The architectural style comes from Byzantine tradition. You can see three part iconostasis and 17th century’s crucifix of Christ. The bombing of the city in 1944 during the Second World War left only the church untouched. 5 Narva Art Gallery (Narva kunstigalerii), Vestervalli tn 21, ☏ +372 3592151. 10:00-18:00. The gallery is the art centre of East-Viry County. It is located in an 18th-century ammunition warehouse. In addition to the permanent collecti

Do

Football: JK Narva Trans play soccer in Meistriliiga, the top tier. Their home ground Narva Kreenholmi Staadion (capacity 1000) is 1 km southwest of the railway station. The playing season is March-Nov. Mravinski's International Music Festival. in May. Narva Town Days. in July. Narva History Festival. in August.

Buy

Second hand shopping, Pushkin 13. There are many second hand stores in Narva. Most of them sell assorted clothing and shoes from the 1980s and 1990s. The one next door from Alexandr has a selection of Soviet and World War II artifacts, jewelry and memorabilia. There are a few shopping centres along Tallinn street.

1 Narvacentrum, Tallinna mnt. 47, ☏ +372 35 68700, [email protected]. Supermarket. 2 Fama, Tallinna mnt. 19c. 3 Astri, Tallinna mnt. 41. Has also a cinema and a bowling hall.

Eat

1 Antalya Cafe, Pushkini tänav 15, ☏ +372 5370 6704. daily 12:00-21:30ish. Turkish food. Hesburger, Tallinna mnt 19C (Inside Fama mall), [email protected]. M–Su 10:00–20:00. Finnish fast food chain. (updated Nov 2015) McDonald's, Tallinna mnt 37, ☏ +372 55617016. M–Th Su 08:00–00:00, F–Su 08:00–01:00. fast food (updated Nov 2015) Peetri Pizza, Tallinna mnt 30B, ☏ +372 3544001. Daily 10:00–22:00. pizzeria (updated Nov 2015) Peetri Pizza, Kreenholmi 50, ☏ +372 3564030. Daily 10:00–22:00. pizzeria (updated Nov 2015) For more expensive dining options, consider the restaurants in the hotels in the sleep section. Do not expect same level and availability o