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city in Estonia
Europe > Baltic states > Estonia > East Estonia > Narva

Narva is the easternmost city in Estonia, at the Russian border.

Understand

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Hermann Castle

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.

Talk

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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 the 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.

Get in

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

By train

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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.

By bus

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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

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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

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

Get around

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Map
Map of Narva

Narva can be explored on foot.

By bus

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

By taxi

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Read more under Estonia#By taxi.

The town hall
Worker's living quarters at Kreenholmi
  • 1 Hermann Castle / Narva Museum, St.-Peterburi mnt. 2, ☏ +372 3599 230, . 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. Narva Museum (Q12370872) on Wikidata Narva Museum on Wikipedia (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. Though, you might be surprise what that just means. 
  • 3 Narva Bastions, Raja tn, ☏ +372 3565002, . 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. Narva bastions (Q4313100) on Wikidata Narva Bastions on Wikipedia (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 collection, exhibitions of modern Estonian and Western European art are organized and a traditional art party takes place on the last Sunday in May. 
  • 6 Narva Town Hall (Narva raekoda), Raekoja plats 1, ☏ +372 3599230. 10:00-18:00. Erected in 1668-1671, German, Swedish and Italian architectural influences are mixed in the building style of the Town Hall. The design stems from Georg Teuffel, a former architect from Lübeck. Approved in Stockholm, the design was amended by Dutch classicism elements. Nikolaes Millich built the Baroque entrance portal. Heavily damaged during World War II, restoration was carried out between 1956-1964. Not open to public. 
  • 7 Narva Alexander Church (Aleksandri Suurkiriku tornimuuseum), Kiriku tn 9, ☏ +372 3561027. Built in 1881-84 by Otto Hippius, who also constructed the Sangaste Castle in South Estonia, the building represents historicism with elements of classicism. The building was financed by Ludwig Knopp, owner of the Krenholm Manufacture. In commemoration of the deceased Alexander II, his name was used. The Alexander Church was damaged during both world wars. The bell tower was destroyed in 1944 along with the Walcker organ that was located there. Between 1962 and 1990 the church was not active but used mainly as storehouse. Today the church's bell tower has been restored. You can visit the bell tower and the observation platform installed there, as well as a museum where artworks from the 14th to 21st century are displayed. Tower & museum: €3. 
  • 8 Kreenholm area and Kreenholm Textile Factory, Joala tn 20. The famous Kreenholm Textile Factory was built on the shore of the waterfall in the 19th century, and was the largest factory in the Russian Empire at that time. In 1913 over ten thousand people worked there! A compact complex of industrial architecture developed around the factory that included the factory, a hospital, workers' barracks, directors' houses, and Kreenholm Park. 
  • 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. 
  • 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.

For more expensive dining options, consider the restaurants in the hotels in the sleep section. Do not expect same level and availability of services like in the other Estonian cities, especially if you arrived from Tartu or Tallin.

Drink

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You should probably consider a more cosmopolitan city like Tallinn or Tartu for nightlife.

Sleep

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Budget

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  • 1 Hostel Sparta, Hariduse 18b (The entrance is possible from the main road, where the fence ends.), ☏ +372 56075231. The cheapest but still acceptable option. Do not ask where they got the good ratings from. Probably only in summer filled with backpackers. Otherwise mostly Russian-speaking and grim-looking men, but do not worry. Dorm from €10. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 2 Best Apartment Narva, Tallinna mnt 6-B, ☏ +372 5533777. Central. Twin from €17. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 3 Hotel Inger, Pushkin 28, ☏ +372 688 1100. Singles from €50, doubles from €65. (updated Apr 2018)

Mid-range

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Stay safe

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While Estonia is generally very safe, Narva systematically ranks as the country's most dangerous place. Most murders, aggravated assaults, robberies, and car thefts in Estonia occur here.

As in any other Russian majority town, take extreme care if you're dark-skinned. Avoid non-touristic places and stay clear of bars and pubs at all costs, especially at night as skin-heads are known to be active here.

Go next

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  • Narva-Jõesuu – A small resort town at the mouth of the river Narva, 14 km northwest.
  • Sillamäe – A beautiful coastal town in the east and formerly closed city with the best ensemble of Stalinist architecture in the entire Baltics. Built after the war with an uranium processing plant, successfully redesigned after Estonia's independence.
  • Rakvere – Estonia's fifth largest city, west-wards, famous for its Punk and Rock festivals and spirit.
  • Kuremäe – Contains the famous Pukhitsa convent/nunnery, the only Orthodox monastery in the whole of Estonia.
  • Mustvee – More than halfway to Tartu is this small and relaxing fishing village.
  • Tartu – Museum-rich and Hanseatic city on the banks of the Emajõgi River. Also, Estonia's second-largest and oldest city, intellectual hub famous for its universities, and a lively student city.
  • Lahemaa National Park – On the coast within an hour east (50 km) of Tallinn. Given its size it is the largest park in Estonia and one of Europe's biggest national parks, with 1000 km2 of bogs, trails, and forests.
  • Tallinn – The financial and cosmopolitan centre of Estonia. Beautiful and expensive.
  • Ivangorod – On the Russian side of the river, and Saint Petersburg.


This city travel guide to Narva is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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