Abandoned Teriberka vs New Teriberka: How a Fishing Village Became a Symbol of Arctic Tourism

At the edge of the Kola Peninsula, where the tundra meets the Barents Sea, there is a village that has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decades. The story of Teriberka is not just the chronicle of one northern settlement. It is the journey from a quiet fishing village to a place that today is called a true symbol of the Arctic.

Once, Pomors lived here, fishing cooperatives worked here, and the piers were full of life. Then came a time of silence and abandoned houses. And today, travelers from all over the world come here to see the North as it once was — and as it has become.

The beginning of Teriberka’s history dates back to the 17th century. It was then, on the shores of the Barents Sea, that the Pomor settlement of Teriberka appeared — a small harbor where fishermen sheltered from storms and set out to sea for cod.

Over time, the settlement grew. The founding history of Teriberka includes fishing cooperatives, piers, and warehouses. During the Soviet period, Teriberka became a major fishing center: factories, a school, clubs, and a port operated here. This was life in Soviet-era Teriberka, when the village was closely tied to the sea.

But by the end of the 20th century, much had changed. The fishing infrastructure fell into decline, people began to leave, and little by little the very abandoned Teriberka appeared — the one many people saw in photographs from the early 2000s.

Today, travelers often look for the atmosphere of old abandoned Teriberka. It is exactly this atmosphere that creates the area’s distinctive northern character.

Among the places that remind visitors of the past:

• the legendary ship graveyard in Teriberka, where old fishing vessels slowly sink into the sand and water;
• the abandoned school in Teriberka, reminding people of the time when the village was full of life;
• old piers and an abandoned ship in Teriberka, which have become part of the harsh northern landscape.

These places often appear in photos of old Teriberka and show how people once lived in Teriberka.

A new chapter began unexpectedly. The film Leviathan, shot in Teriberka, drew attention to the village and opened it up to travelers. It was after that that many people learned about the harsh beauty of the Barents Sea and about the location of the Leviathan skeleton in Teriberka, which became one of the most recognizable photo spots.

This is how the process began that is now called “Teriberka after Leviathan” — the gradual transformation of a quiet northern village into a popular tourist destination.

Today, Teriberka is a unique combination of nature, history, and modern tourism. Guesthouses, cafés, and new routes are appearing here. But the main thing remains unchanged — the atmosphere of the true North.

Travelers come here to explore and discover dozens of places, including:

• waterfalls that fall directly into the Barents Sea;
• Dragon Eggs Beach;
• harsh cliffs and tundra;
• the legendary ship graveyard in Teriberka, whose story reflects the village’s past.

The most interesting thing about this place is the contrasts of Teriberka. Here, side by side, you can find:

• old Teriberka with its abandoned buildings;
• new tourist infrastructure;
• quiet fishing streets and lively traveler routes.

That is why many people say that Teriberka now and Teriberka before are two different stories united by one sea.

In recent years, Teriberka has experienced real growth as a destination. Today, the village is called a symbol of Arctic tourism and one of the most unusual places on the map of Russia.

People come here to feel the scale of the North, see whales, go on a sea trip, try fishing, or join a gastro-tour.

The Seahike team invites you to see Teriberka with your own eyes — a place where the old story of a northern fishing village has met the new story of Arctic travel.

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