Location: Narva
Top Things to do in Narva
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10 Things to Do in Narva That You Shouldn't Miss
Narva (Russian: Нарва) is the third largest city in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, at the Russian border, on the Narva River which drains Lake Peipus.
Restaurants in Narva
1. Narva Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
The Narva Castle is one of the main attractions of the city. In the seventh decade of the 13th century, the Danes established a castle as a residence for the Danish King’s vice-Regent. The Narva Castle is the most diverse and best preserved defence structure in Estonia. The area of the castle is 3.2 hectares, and the highest point is the Tall Hermann Tower (51 metres). Today you can visit the museum in the castle, were the displays explain the history of Narva and the castle. There are handicraft workshops in the northern courtyard, where you can try your hand at various techniques and handicrafts.
Reviewed By EeroE - Helsinki, Finland
The Narva Castle and its bastions have been a huge fortification and are still avesome. The fortress has been at the forefront of the East/West border for centuries, and still is!
The first castle was built in the 13th century and gradually strengtened by the Livonian Order and the swedes, as the area changed hands during the times. Sweden expanded the castle with a ring of bastions to a formidable defence system. During russian rule the town wall was demolished.
The fortress was badly damaged during the second WW and rebuilt by the soviets. It was not accepted to the Unesco world heritage, as the reconstructed castle is too much chaged.
The Narva fortress and the russian Ivangorod castle look at each other across the Narva river as they have done during 500 years. The border bridge from Estonia to Russia crosses the river beneath both fortresses. The estonian side riverbank has been recently nicely renovated (with EU support) to enable a walking tour along the water.
2. Narva River Promenade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By annehe - Tallinn
The top attraction of Narva is the fortress but luckily in 2014 a new 967 m long Promenade was built on the bank of Narva river. It is a great place to have a nice walk, have a drink at a small cafe or even have a picnic. There is a playground for children, chess boards for grown ups, an outdoor stage for Concerts, lots of benches so you can sit and enjoy the view over the river. Information boards give a great overview of all the points of interest. Last time we visited Narva two years ago and this time we were very happy to discover this Promenade.
3. Puhtitsa Stavropegial Holy Dormition Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By Jolyon67 - Melbourne, Australia
Puhtitsa Convent is a very spiritual place almost on the border with Russia. It is the only functioning Russian Orthodox nunnery in Estonia and was established in 1891. Set deep in the forest are a number of beautiful wooden buildings with the onion domed main church in the centre. The church is full of gold icons but not photos are allowed. Nearby is a cemetery with a sacred oak tree, where an icon of the Virgin Mary was said to have miraculously appeared. Further on down the hill you arrive at a sacred spring with a hut over it, where if you are brave you can get naked and submerge yourself three times in the icy water. Many people bring containers to fill with holy water. Busiest day of the year is August 26, when the Dormition or Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated. This is an amazing thing to witness. Extra buses were laid on from Tallinn, leaving around 7am. During the day, icons are carried around the grounds and you are meant to walk under the icon while getting blessed by priests who splash water on you.
4. Narva Joesuu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Northern suburb of Narva, located on the coast of Finnish Gulf with a pleasant sandy beach.
5. Fama Centre
Overall Ratings
4 based on 103 reviews
Fama is the name of one of Narva’s bastions.Built in 1690, it comprised a yard and surrounding rooms in which there were workshops, smiths’ stores, stables, barns and prison facilities. It was demolished to make way for the trade route to Europe. It is the only bastion in the city that no longer exists. However, in its place has sprung up a brand new shopping complex. ‘The rebirth of history on the trade route’ was the idea behind the project.
Reviewed By thebigscotsman - Singapore, Singapore
Fama is a small shopping centre in the middle of Narva it has a reasonable selection of shops from a good supermarket to an outdoor supplier with barbecue stuff etc.
Its very clean and has a bank with ATMs but sometimes awkward to access the security door if its not your bank.
Parking is underground or plenty of outside parking spaces so you don't have to walk far.
It was very useful for my hotel that was just a few minutes walk away.
You wont spend the day shopping here but might find what you are looking for due to the selection of shops.
6. Swedish Lion
Overall Ratings
4 based on 59 reviews
This monument commemorates the success of Karl XII at Narva in 1700 when the Russian forces that had been besieging Narva in the course of the Great Northern War were destroyed. This memorial was a gift from the Kingdom of Sweden to the City of Narva and the statue was a copy of the one that stood in front of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. The memorial was destroyed during the Second World War. The Swedish Lion was re-inaugurated on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the battle in 2000. From the memorial you will see a perfect “5-kroon” view of the two fortresses, which is depicted on the back of the 5-kroon note. The letters MDCC stand for 1700. And “Svesia memor” means “Sweden remembers”.
Reviewed By prkl08 - Helsinki, Finland
A lion which has a big and important history behind it. Back to the times when the Swedish side bombed Narva's castle. There is an interesting story about that spesific happening, which you could try to find out. Not sure if google has, it since it's pretty oldschool. Try looking for it :)
7. The Lords Resurrection Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
It was built in 1890-1896 for the orthodox workers of Kreenholm Manufactory. The architect was Pavel Alis. Architectural solution comes from Byzantine tradition. Belltower is 28,8 m high. Church's walls and dome are made of local bricks. Rides, stairways and ornaments are made of Finnish granite. There is room for 2000 people. You can see three part iconostasis and 17th century’s Christ’s crucifix. Good to know: on year 1944 during the second world war, the bombing of the city left only the church untouched.
8. Narva Alexander's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4 based on 46 reviews
The church was built in 1881–84 for the Lutheran workers of the Kreenholm Factory and it was designed by St. Petersburg architect, Otto Pius von Hippius. The Alexander's Cathedral was damaged during both World War I and II. The bell town was destroyed in 1944 along with the Walcker organ that was located there. Today the church’s bell tower has been restored and Estonia’s largest hexagonal church hall awaits restoration. At the Alexander's Cathedral 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.
Reviewed By VasilyMalygin - St. Petersburg, Russia
That was WOW effect when I entered Alexander Cathedral! I just did not expect such a pale and simple from outside church would be as authospheric and emotional as it eventually was! I realize the interior is partly under reconstruction and probably soon will become regular white-walled church, but now with bricks and wooden beams it really makes some unique aura.
9. Tank T- 34
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Monument reminds battles of World War II and indicates breakthrough of Soviet forces. Narva’s tank is the only such memorial, being exhibited in Estonia until this time.
Reviewed By BDS62 - Dallas, TX
Hard to miss as it is right next to the road heading into Narva. Worth stopping by and taking a few minutes to check out!
10. Narva University College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By pietro r - Taranto, Italy
It is a brand new building near to the Town Hall on the same square.
The facade is very peculiar and there were several discussion when it was unveiled. The interiors are very interesting with innovative and nice architectural solutions like the stair-amphitheater at the entrance the duct-fountain at the top of the inner court.
There is a beautiful landscape Terrace at the last floor where it is hosted the library and a cafeteria at level -1.
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