What to do in Minsk
Planning my trip to Minsk, I really didn’t know what to expect, but since rather unknows cities intrigues me I decided that I had to visit the capitol of the so-called “Europe’s last dictatorship”. I must admit, I had the perception of Minsk as a grey, cold post-Soviet capital, but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s such a neat and beautiful city.
One of the reasons why I decided to visit Minsk at this point, was the introduction of the visa-free period for many nationalities. Belarus is certainly not a big tourist destination, I hardly saw any tourists but that might change, as a result of the new visa procedure.
Tips:
- To book your flight, I recommend using a search engine, such as Momondo or Skyscanner, to check what airlines are flying and at what times
- To book hotels, I prefer either Booking.com or Hotels.com
Oh, and if you’re visiting the city during the summer, rent bikes! It was such a fun adventure exploring Minsk by bike.
My top 11 things that you can’t miss while you’re there:
Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum
The Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum is one of the biggest war museums in the world and tells the story of the bloodiest war of the 20th century, World War 2.
Victory Park
The park was planned to open the 22nd of June 1941, but due to the Nazi attack on USSR, the park didn’t open until 1945. It was also at this point the park got its name “Victory”, to celebrate the victory of the Soviet army. If you’re visiting Minsk in the summer, make sure to get an ice cream and walk around the park and enjoy the green lunge in the middle of Minsk.
Island of Tears
A beautiful monument to the Belarusian soldiers who died in the ten-year long war against Afghanistan in the 1970s. The base consists of weeping women, representing the mothers, wives and sisters of the brave soldiers. The island is easily accessible by a footbridge, attached to the historic Trinity district of Minsk.
Cathedral of Holy Spirit
This is one of the most famous cathedrals in Minsk. It has been well preserved through centuries and its unique appearances attracts both tourists and believers. When you arrive at the square, you can’t do nothing but admire the beautiful architecture.
Victory Square
Victory Square is for remembering those who died during the World War 2. The square holds a 40 m monument, which was raised in 1954 and an eternal flame that was lit on July 3rd, 1961. The square is located at the crossing of Independence Avenue and Zakharau street, easily accessible by either foot or metro.
Watch opera or ballet at the theatre
The National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet theater of Belarus was founded in 1933 and is one of the biggest theatres in Europe. The location is in central Minsk and is surrounded by a beautiful park. The theatre was awarded the UNESCO Five Continents Medal for their contribution to the world culture in 2014.
Independence Square
Independence Square is one of the largest squares in Europe. It served as Minsk’s main ceremonial venue during the Soviet time. The square holds Minsk City Hall, the Church of Saint Simon and Helena and the Supreme Soviet of Belarus. Outside the Supreme Soviet of Belarus, you’ll find one of the lasts statues of Lenin.
The KGB headquarters
Along the Independence Avenue, you’ll find KGB’s headquarters in Minsk. The building is huge, so you won’t miss it. It was built between 1945 and 1947. It’s not allowed to take a picture of it, so trying to capture the building might get you a chance to see it from the inside…
The Gates of the City of Minsk
The Gates of the City of Minsk will meet you the second you step out of the railway station. The two towers are in a classic Stalin Empire style. They are grand and massive and give you a solid welcome to the city. You should visit the gates at night too, so you can see them all lit up.
Check out the Metro Stations
The former Soviet Union country has some awesome metro stations with Communist symbols such as the hammer and sickle. Make sure to ride the metro to see a couple of them.
See the National Library
Ever heard of a rhombicuboctahedron before? That’s the geometric shape of the National Library. The building dominates the landscape and will have your attention right away. The unique size and shape have made the library to one of Minsk’s top tourist destinations. The building offers a cool light show at night.
Need some recommendations for restaurants? Here’s my two favorites:
Restaurant Kuhmistr and Restaurant DOM
