City: Minsk
Top Things to do in Minsk
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What to do and see in Minsk, Belarus: The Best Things to do
Serving as both the capital of Belarus and the headquarters of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Minsk is a hub of business and government. Although few older buildings survived WWII bombings and Stalinist construction projects, Belarusians are proud of their capital's long history and its continued cultural importance. The city boasts 16 museums, 11 theaters, and 139 libraries, including the National Library of Belarus, with collections housed in a towering glass geometric ball.
Restaurants in Minsk
1. Museum Strana Mini
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 703 reviews
Museum of architectural miniatures «Strana mini» is an excellent choice for tourists. What expects you in «Strana mini»: ❶ Sightseeing exposure of 22 key Belarussian attractions, trip to which you're able to take directly from the museum; ❷ Souvenir shop with a large range of souvenirs and presents from Belarus, made by more than 100 Belarusian craftsmen; ❸ English-speaking tour-guides; ❹ «Strana mini» mobile app is an audio-guide in the Russian and English languages. You can download this app absolutely gratis; ❺ Virtual Reality zone, where you can see sights outside and inside; ❻ 2 photo zones «Traditional Belarusian house» and «Belarusian bison-swing»; ❼ Free high-speed wi-fi; ❽ Rest zone; ❾ Each ticket includes photos & audio-guide. Museum “Strana mini” is a perfect place for getting acquainted with Belarus.
Reviewed By E1445ZPjamess
Museum Strana Mini is a great place to get an overview of many of Belarus' major castles, historical sites and important buildings all in one place! Staff are helpful, the audio guides incredibly informative and the models themselves are really detailed! My one suggestion is that they should consider more signposting outside - we walked past the museum twice as there is only one sign and a cherry-picker was parked in front of it! Other than this, great addition to any itinerary in Minsk!
2. Minsk-Arena Complex
3. National Library of Belarus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,599 reviews
Reviewed By Aldhuwaiher - Saham, Oman
Very impressive building; attractive landmark with modernised 8 angles glass shaped; well noticed from tha main road crossing Minsk; touring with some friends visiting the observation deck on the 22 flour as I remembered; then going down one level by stairs there is a very nice and lovely cafe with an amazing view; then visiting the library lobby taking some photos.it is very recommended to have a visit while touring the capital of Belarus.
4. Island of Tears
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 964 reviews
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
Island of Tears is an artificial island set in the center on a meander of the Svislach river. It's a memorial to many fallen Belarus during the Afghan war. The island (or at least a part of it) is made of Afghan soil which weeping mothers brought back from their son's graves. The memorial occupies the central island's spot, on a small hill just after crossing the bridge. It's in a form of a chapel with larger than life mourning mothers on all 4 sides. Inside the open air chapel the soldiers names are inscribed. Beside the memorial is a weeping angel crying he couldn't save them, and Afghan provinces stone markers where they died are scaterred around. Apart from the sad side, the island offers best views of Minsk downtown area all around.
5. Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 912 reviews
The Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War is the greatest national depository of material and spiritual monuments of the 1941-1945 war history. Open: 10.00 – 18.00. Day off: Monday
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
I've been in several such museums throughout Europe, including the Moscow's one and Kiev's only few days before and I can tell you - this one in Minsk is by far the best. The musuem is little bit away from other Minsk attractions, but still easy reachable by taxi, bus or even walk-around 30 min from the center. Best layout and panorama of the museum is from a residential block hill diagonal from the musuem (this TA front pic is shot from there). Despite the Sovietish exterior with huge concrete blocks and obelisk rising, the interior is state of the art, very modern. The museum describes the pre WWII years throughout the entire war till its end. There's abundance of artifacts - from personal items, memorabilia, newspapers, weapons, life size original machine guns, big guns, tanks, planes to high tech 3D dioramas, touch screens, etc... Highlight is the ending Victory hall in the dome (this one's again little bit Sovietish, but hey, you're in that part of the world). Entrance fee is cheap (cannot remember exactly, around 5 Euros), I didn't take the audio guide (don't like them as they're very time consuming), and you don't need it as a lot is explained also in English. There're clean restrooms, coats wardrobe and a souvenir shop. Count on around 2 hrs for a visit.
6. Monument to Fallen Jewish People on March 2, 1942
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By TKNgaio - Palmerston North, New Zealand
This is one of the saddest and most poignant places I have ever visited. In a quiet neighbourhood quite near the main Pobeditily highway and central Minsk, this memorial commemorates the death, on 2 March 1942, of near 5000 Jewish people taken from the nearby huge Minsk ghetto. Shot by automatic weapons, on one day, by the Nazi extermination troupe, overseen personally by Nazi General Commissar of Belarus Wilhelm Kube and Obersturmbanführer SS Adolf Eichmann. The place is silent, a deep pit with a roughly hewn statue of a line of poor hapless people on their last journey of life. This place leaves me with such sadness and also questioning. Who were these people who could shoot 5000 people in one day? What went through their minds? How could they live their lives after doing such an act. What did they tell their children? This is a profound memorial that reminds us of the inhumanity of humans.
7. National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 394 reviews
Reviewed By StephEff1 - London, United Kingdom
We booked our tickets the previous day because that evening's performance was sold out. The ticket office is on the same side of the water fountain. Push the door as it's not easy to see it's open. English wasn't spoken but it was easy to understand with context - we were there to buy tickets to a performance. We watch Rigoletto in Italian with Russian Subtitles. But read the synopsis of whichever Opera you see first and you'll be fine. Gorgeous inside the theatre. Definitely, recommend attending a performance! You don't have to dress up for the event as it's very accessible, but it's nice to make a little bit of an effort.
8. Victory Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Reviewed By TKNgaio - Palmerston North, New Zealand
This is a lovely place to walk around for fresh air, for seriously interesting architecture and for reflection on the huge losses that happened in Belarus during WW2. "Victory: as this park, place and street are called, was hard won. Many atrocities took place in Minsk and on Belarusian soil. This, and other such memorials are dignified and large - as is befitting. There is a war museum here which has been renovated and very very interesting.
9. Minskiy Komarovskiy Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By emseddon - Columbia, United States
One of the local markets, mostly inside, some outside, but all were cold! Christmas pageantry at its best, with real mulberry bushes and local cuisine. Definitely recommend this as part of your trip to Bucharest
10. Upper City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
Reviewed By OlwynH_13 - Ipswich, United Kingdom
Despite being razed to the ground , Minsk has been rebuilt with many original buildings faithfully reconstructed. The upper city has many churches and the town hall along with small local draft shop traders. Well worth visitinf.
