Minsk
Visited in November 2019
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At a glance
- Country
- Belarus
- Region
- Belarus
- Population
- 2 million
- Best time to go
- May to September
- Main airport
- Minsk National Airport (MSQ)
- Coordinates
- 53.90°N, 27.56°E
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Overview
Minsk was almost entirely destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt as a showpiece Soviet capital, with broad avenues, monumental squares and very clean streets.
It is an orderly, green city along the Svislach river. For a future visit, the most rewarding sights are its grand post-war architecture, the small rebuilt old quarter and the castles and memorials in the countryside beyond, which tell the story of a land that has been fought over for centuries.
Things to see
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Photo: A.Savin, CC BY-SA 3.0 Independence Avenue
A long, stately boulevard lined with Stalinist buildings, running from Independence Square through the heart of the city.
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Photo: Андрэй Дзмiтрыеў ( http://fgb.by/viewtopic.php?p=60515#60515, CC BY-SA 3.0 Trinity Suburb
A short stretch of rebuilt nineteenth-century houses on the river, with small cafés and views across to the Upper Town.
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Photo: Rob from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 Island of Tears
A quiet, moving memorial to Belarusian soldiers who died in Afghanistan, reached by a footbridge across the Svislach.
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Photo: Ludvig14, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
The white Baroque Orthodox cathedral that crowns the Upper Town, its interior glowing with icons and candlelight.
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Photo: Martin Cígler, CC BY-SA 3.0 National Library of Belarus
A huge glass rhombicuboctahedron on the city's edge, with a viewing platform on top and dramatic lighting after dark.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Вадзім Новикаў, CC BY-SA 3.0 Day trip to Mir and Nesvizh
Two well-restored castles of the Radziwiłł family, a couple of hours south-west of the city and easily combined in one day.
Find tours -
Photo: Ivengo(RUS), CC BY-SA 3.0 Khatyn Memorial
A sober, powerful memorial on the site of a village destroyed in 1943, about an hour north of Minsk.
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Photo: Homoatrox, CC BY-SA 3.0 Komarovsky market
The city's big covered market, good for smoked fish, pickles, honey and the local potato pancakes called draniki.
Where to stay
Upper Town and Nemiga
The old centre, close to the river, the Trinity Suburb and most restaurants.
Hotels in Upper Town and NemigaIndependence Avenue
Central and well connected by metro, with large hotels along the main boulevard.
Hotels in Independence AvenueOktyabrskaya
Around the old factory streets near the river, where the city's newer bars and cafés tend to open.
Hotels in Oktyabrskaya
Getting around
The metro is cheap, efficient and easy to use, and the central sights are walkable. Taxis can be booked by app or phone.
The airport is around 40 kilometres east of the city; express buses run to the central station and a taxi takes about 45 minutes.
When to go
May to September brings long, mild days, and parks along the river are at their best. Winters are long and cold, with snow from December to March.
Plan your trip to Minsk
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.