Places to visit in Narva

Museums & science

Narva Castle

Narva Castle is the main historical symbol of the city and one of the most impressive medieval fortresses in Estonia. Its history begins in the 13th century, and the most recognizable part of the complex, the Hermann Tower, rises above the Narva River directly opposite the Ivangorod Fortress. Today, the castle houses a museum with a permanent exhibition on the history of Narva, temporary exhibitions, and routes through the interior spaces of the fortress. In summer, the North Yard is particularly interesting, where the historical environment is complemented by craft and museum programs. From the tower and the castle grounds, a view rare for Europe opens up: two large fortresses stand opposite each other on different sides of the state border.

Indicative price: Adult €15; concession €10; family €30. The ticket includes Narva Castle and Art Gallery on the day of purchase.

Peterburi maantee 2, 20308 Narva

Museums & science

Narva Victoria Bastion Casemates

The casemates of Victoria bastion allow visitors to literally descend inside the 17th-century defense system of Narva. The bastion was part of the city's large-scale Swedish fortifications designed by military engineer Erik Dahlberg, and its underground passages were used to protect the fortress walls and house the garrison. Today, part of the historical casemates has been turned into a museum route with an exhibition on Narva's fortifications and military history. The atmosphere here is noticeably different from a conventional museum: brick vaults, narrow passages, and cool underground rooms help convey the real scale of the fortification. A visit combines particularly well with a walk along the bastion belt and the Narva River promenade.

Indicative price: Adult €10; concession €7; family €20.

Pimeaia tn 1, 20308 Narva

Museums & science

Narva Art Gallery

Narva Kunstigalerii is an art gallery of the Narva Museum on Vestervalli Street in Narva, located in a historic 18th-century gunpowder cellar building. The permanent exhibition "Life or Karma? Narva Stories" features works from various eras, ranging from Baroque to contemporary art. Of particular interest are the icon collection and the model of pre-war Narva, which offers a glimpse into the blocks and streets that vanished during World War II. The gallery hosts temporary exhibitions, museum workshops, and guided tours, connecting its art collection with the history of the border town.

Indicative price: Adult €8; concession €6; family €16.

Vestervalli 21, 20306 Narva

Museums & science

Sillamäe Museum

Sillamäe Museum is a local history museum on Kajaka Street in the town of Sillamäe, Ida-Viru County. Its permanent exhibitions link the everyday life of local people with the town's industrial past: you can see household objects from different periods, photographs and materials that help explain how the former closed town took shape. The museum building dates from the late 1950s and already gives a sense of the townscape of that era from outside. After the visit you can continue the theme with a walk along Mere Boulevard. The museum has separate tickets for adults, pupils and families; a guided visit is an additional service.

Indicative price: Adult ticket €5; pupil €2; pensioner and student €3; family ticket €6. Guide at extra cost.

Kajaka tn 17a, Sillamäe linn, Ida-Viru maakond

Museums & science

Estonian Mining Museum

The Estonian Mining Museum is in the small town of Kohtla-Nõmme, Ida-Viru County, on the site of a former oil shale mine. A guided underground tour takes visitors to former workplaces, where machines, tunnels and cooler air give a tangible sense of a miner's work. The combined ticket also includes a visit to the processing plant, which shows what happened next to the oil shale brought up from underground. It is worth booking a time in advance and bringing warmer clothes. The museum's industrial buildings and outdoor area make the place recognisable even before you descend underground.

Indicative price: Combined adult ticket for the underground museum and the processing plant €23, reduced €15, family ticket €60.

Jaama tn 100, Kohtla-Nõmme alev, Toila vald, Ida-Viru maakond

Museums & science

Kohtla-Järve Oil Shale Museum

Kohtla-Järve Oil Shale Museum is located on Tuuslari Street in the town of Kohtla-Järve, Ida-Viru County. The museum introduces the history of oil shale mining and utilization, which has shaped the region's industry and the development of settlements. Visitors can explore exhibitions related to miners' work, machinery, and local industrial heritage. The museum helps to understand why the oil shale industry plays such a major role in the history of Ida-Viru County. It is a separate institution from the Estonian Mining Museum in Kohtla-Nõmme. It is advisable to check opening hours before visiting.

Indicative price: Full ticket 4 €; concession ticket 2 €; guided tour by prior booking 25 € per group.

Tuuslari tn 22, Kohtla-Järve linn, Ida-Viru maakond

Museums & science

Iisaku Parish Museum

Iisaku Parish Museum is located in Ida-Viru County in the small town of Iisaku in a former school building. The exhibitions introduce the history of the Alutaguse region, farm life, handicrafts, and the cultural heritage of local communities. Visitors can explore old work techniques, school life, and archaeological finds separately. The exhibitions help to understand life in Ida-Viru County outside the larger industrial towns. The museum also offers educational programs and guided tours. This is an independent museum and not the nearby Iisaku observation tower; please check the seasonal visiting schedule before coming.

Indicative price: Full ticket 10 €; concession ticket 7 €; family ticket 25 €.

Tartu mnt 58, Iisaku alevik, Alutaguse vald, Ida-Viru maakond

Museums & science

Narva-Jõesuu Local History Museum

Narva-Jõesuu Local History Museum is located on Nurme Street in Ida-Viru County. The museum focuses on the history of the resort town and local life, including the traditions of seaside recreation. The exhibitions help visitors understand how the coastal settlement developed into a resort and which people and events shaped its growth. At the museum, you can explore the historical Narva-Jõesuu, which is distinct from the town's beach and lighthouse. Operator visitor info publishes separate summer and winter opening hours and ticket prices; check the current schedule before your trip.

Indicative price: Full ticket 5 €; concession ticket 3 €; family ticket 10 €.

Nurme tn 38, Narva-Jõesuu linn, Ida-Viru maakond

Museums & science

Kauksi Visitor Centre

Kauksi Visitor Centre is located on the northern shore of Lake Peipus, in Alutaguse municipality, Ida-Viru County. The centre introduces visitors to local natural attractions and leisure opportunities by Lake Peipus. Located near Alutaguse National Park, the centre offers several hiking trails, camping areas, and beaches that are ideal for families and nature lovers. The visitor centre is open at different times throughout the year, providing an opportunity to explore the diverse landscape of the area, including bog and lake systems. Here, it is also possible to get information about the local history and culture, enriching the visit experience.

Looduskeskuse, Kauksi küla, Alutaguse vald, Ida-Viru maakond

Museums & science

Vaivara Sinimäed Museum

The Vaivara Sinimäed Museum is located in Sinimäe small borough, in the outbuildings of the former Vaivara manor, and presents the military history of the area. The exhibition centres on the 1944 battles along the Narva River and in the Sinimäed (Blue Hills). You can see weapons, uniforms, soldiers’ personal belongings, photographs and documentary footage from the period. Some exhibits allow a more hands-on encounter with history than a typical display-case exhibition. On request, the museum also organises excursions to historical battle sites in the surrounding area.

Indicative price: Full ticket 5 €; reduced 4 €; family ticket 10 €; museum guide for up to 10 people 10 €

Roheline tn 19c, Sinimäe alevik, Narva-Jõesuu linn, Ida-Viru maakond