City: Minsk
Top Things to do in Minsk
- 1. Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War
- 2. Monument to Fallen Jewish People on March 2, 1942
- 3. National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus
- 4. Victory Park
- 5. Church of Saints Simon and Helena
- 6. Minsk-Arena Complex
- 7. Museum Strana Mini
- 8. Chelyuskinites Park
- 9. Holy Spirit Cathedral
- 10. Svislach River Embankment
What to do and see in Minsk, Belarus: The Best Places and Tips
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. Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 542 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 pg_trip_021 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Don't know how to explain the experience, simply mind boggling.
This place you can't miss. There is a big monument outside and few statues as well.The museum is surrounded by Victory Park, which is nice to walk around.
The museum has an entry fee of around 3 to 4 dollars. My hotel gave me discount vouchers, so I ended up paying less. You pay 50 cents to get a sticker on mobile phone or camera if you want to take photos inside the museum. You can deposit your id at front desk and get a free audio guide as well. Staff are really friendly.
The museum is spread across 3 floors. Its immaculate, pristine clean. I was told before hand by my hotel staff that I can expect lot of visitors crying and I might see people praying for fallen soldiers and civilians who died. I could see why when I visited. Everything from the great war kept in good conditions in the museums and each item is very well described as well, both in English and Russian.
Things range from prisoner tooth picks to tankers, everything there. The guns, ammos used during the war is a collection not to miss. Also the medical equipments, printing presses etc also there. Army heroes' pictures, belongings and their uniforms, everything can be seen.
They have put in serious amount time and effort in collecting the items and maintaining this museum, this is like no other museums. The top floor is pinnacle of architecture and tribute to fallen heroes. All the millions of soldiers who died, names carved on marble. Just beautiful and soul touching.
I ended up spending almost 2 hours or so in this place, loved every minute of it.
Hats off to the management team of this museum. Please don't miss it.
2. Monument to Fallen Jewish People on March 2, 1942
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
Reviewed By Robin R - Brussels, Belgium
As others reviewers have noted, this is a sombre memorial to Minsk's Jewish population, many of whom perished in WWII. The sculptor conveys with numbing effectiveness the hopeless descent into the abyss of the men, women and children who fell victim to Nazi terror. Although situated in a small park, the fact that the monument is surrounded by apartment blocks and busy roads only serves as a reminder that the people it commemorates were taken out of their homes in this very area.
3. National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Reviewed By Importviking
Even when you're not planning to attend a performance here, this place is worth a visit. The National Opera and Ballet is well designed and has great eye-appeal. In addition, it's placed inside a lovely park, which is also definitely worth a stroll.
Anyway, most people will probably want to go here to see a ballet. It's definitely worth your time and it's not that expensive. It's all a bit of a flashback to the Soviet days, but in this case that's just a plus.
Definitely recommend to complete your trip to Minsk.
4. Victory Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By OzanKarahan - Krakow, Poland
Nice and relaxing place for good rest. Located in the city but relaxing like away from the city. Here is a must see location in Minsk.
5. Church of Saints Simon and Helena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 883 reviews
Reviewed By clairmontjeff - Moultonborough, New Hampshire
Minsk is a great city to stroll around and take in the many sites this city has to offer. This church is definitely worth a look on your city tour.
6. Minsk-Arena Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
Reviewed By yegorb306 - Minsk, Belarus
Arena was built in 2010 and still remains a modern 15000-seater complex mainly for ice hockey games, other sports and entertainment shows. If you have a chance to go on a HC Dinamo home game, don't miss it! Some people say, it's the one of the best arenas in Europe.
7. Museum Strana Mini
Overall Ratings
5 based on 300 reviews
Miniland museum – is the first Belarusian museum that offers an exhibition of architectural miniatures of the country’s attractions, where each one of the attractions plays a significant and momentous role in the history of the country. In some of the exhibits one can observe historical action scenes, which allow to fully capture the spirit of the past. The scale model of each attraction – is truly a work of art. Each of the exhibits has its own interactive trick. The exhibition offers the most important and eminent architectural attractions as well as the ones that may be less popular and not so easily recognised. There are tour guides available in the museum. During the tour with a guide, apart from the historical facts, the guests of the Miniland museum have an opportunity to learn about the exciting legends surrounding the famous historical attractions. Additionally, the visitors of the museum are offered an audio guide free of charge as well as there is an opportunity to download the app with the guide on your Android or iOS. Apart from the information regarding the exhibits, the audio guide offers the tourists useful recommendations on how to get to the historical attraction along with the suggestions on where to stay. ‘Miniland’ is more than just a museum – apart from the main exhibit, there is also a recreation of a traditional Belarusian household, where guests can take pictures, a gift shop, café and workshops for children. The project differs from the traditional notion of a museum as the guests do not feel as passive observers but rather become active participants that are able to interact with the exhibits.
Reviewed By Katie S - Brighton, United Kingdom
A great little museum with super friendly staff. They seemed a little disappointed that I didn't want a human guide but the audio guide is free and an excellent way to go around the museum (especially if you are the quiet reflective type). Most of the buildings are from outside of Minsk which is good if you can't travel to them but it would be nice if there were a few more local buildings so you could hear their stories.
8. Chelyuskinites Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By vanessashihtzu - Gloucester, United Kingdom
this is a beautiful setting. the championship dog show I judged at was held here in a huge Gun Club building. Its gorgeous to see the changing colours of the leaves, a popular place with dog walkers and children. I found it so peaceful to have a walk around the park which is more like a huge forest during our lunch break at the dog show. Really enjoyed this area. Plenty of parking on the edge of the forest road between the trees. Beware the road is full of potholes lol
9. Holy Spirit Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
Staying in the small, but attractive old part of Minsk I first heard beautiful, typical orthodox singing by a priest and his congregation, all transmitted to the outside by loudspeakers attached to the exterior of the church.
When getting closer I was first surprised by the appearance of this building, which didn't strike me as a typical orthodox ecclesiastical construction with domes, especially onion domes. Starting to read about it, I learned that this had originally been the church of the Bernardine's monastery (now the hotel 'Monastyrski', where I was staying), a branch of the Cistercians for nuns.
Built in early 17th century, at a time, when Minsk belonged to catholic Poland, it was only turned into an orthodox church in 1860, after the Bernardines had left. Today as the Cathedral of the Belarussian exarchate, it is the most important orthodox church of the country.
When standing nearby, I was surprised to see how most locals passing in front this church did stop to bow and cross themselves. All women going inside did wear a headscarf, but inside they stood mixed with the men, not as in the old days in Greece, when women were standing to the left and men to the right.
By the entrance are three mosaics. On top Virgin Mary with the Greek (not Cyrillic) letters: MR -THY (Mitir Theou - Mother of God). To the left of the door Archangel Michael and to the right Archangel Gabriel.
10. Svislach River Embankment
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By Kjetil W - Oslo, Norway
Pleasant stroll along the river and lake. Nice to hire bikes or skates for the lanes alongside or paddleboat for the acutal lake. Lovely adjacent parks. Lots of dining possibilities in a gaudy shopping centre and several Casinos nearby for those, like Dostovjevski, who are thus inclined.
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