If you are thinking of traveling to Minsk, Belarus, you are in the right place. Minsk is the capital of Belarus, also known as Belarus, sandwiched between Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia in eastern Europe. Minsk, which has a population of about 2 million, was established on the banks of the Svislach and Niamiha rivers.
Minsk, which is built on a flat plain, is therefore a city that is very comfortable to visit and live. The city, which hosts many green areas, parks, streams and lakes, is a storehouse of oxygen, calmness and peace in this respect. The wide and orderly streets of Minsk fascinate the visitors.
Where Is Minsk?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Minsk. Belarus is a country in eastern Europe bordered by Russia, Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine. The capital, Minsk, is located in a location that can be considered the heart of the country.
When To Go To Minsk?
Belarus is a landlocked country with a continental climate. The temperature decreases as you go from west to east of the country. In the country where the number of sunny days is low, the winters are freezing cold and the summers are cool. In the capital Minsk, it is seen that the temperature drops to -15 in winter. The best times to go to Minsk are June and July. Temperatures during this period range from 20 to 24 degrees. In addition, although it is a bit cold, the spring months are ideal for traveling.
Trip To Minsk
Located in the heart of Belarus, the capital Minsk is one of the Eastern European cities that should definitely be seen with its artifacts. Although the history of the city dates back to the 11th century, the destruction that began with the occupation of Nazi Germany in the Second World War brought Minsk to the point of extinction.
Minsk, which was liberated from the Nazis by the Soviet Union in 1944, with a population of 300,000 falling to 50,000, losing all its factories, bridges, and government buildings, was then virtually rebuilt. With the successful development policy of the Soviets, Minsk, which has magnificent monuments, wide parks with oxygen tanks, regular streets and avenues and stylish buildings, also has a very regular public transportation with the Soviet influence.
We have listed the places to visit in this city, which is built on a flat plain and is comfortable to visit in this respect.
Although there are many places to visit in Minsk, the city is very suitable for exploring on foot. The Church of St. Simon and Helena is one of the places that you should not return without seeing. An artificial island, the Island of Tears, the Victory Square at the junction of two major streets, the Belarusian Modern National Library built in 1922, and the bombarded Belarusian Opera and Theater Building should also be visited.
The Great Patriotic War Museum, the Botanical Gardens Trinity District, the Holy Spirit Cathedral and, of course, the National Art Museum are among the must-see places in Minsk.
Isle Of Tears
Victory Square
Belarusian Modern National Library
Belarusian Opera And Theater Building
Great Patriotic War Museum
Botanical Gardens
Trinity District
Holy Spirit Cathedral
National Museum Of Art
Transportation In Minsk
When you travel to Minsk, you should also know how to get there.
Transportation from the airport
Minsk, which was almost rebuilt after 1944 due to the destruction it suffered during World War II, is also a very rich city in terms of public transportation. First of all, if we talk about transportation from the airport, which is 42 km away from the city, 3 options come to the fore if you have not arranged a private vehicle for yourself. The first of these is buses. You can reach the city center in 45 minutes.
The second option is minibuses belonging to a private company. You can get to the center of Minsk in the same time as the bus. Finally, it is possible to go to the city center by taxi from the airport. However, bargaining beforehand will be beneficial for your pocket.
Metro
If we examine public transportation, we can say that the easiest means of transportation in the city is the metro. A single-use ticket in the metro, which has a history of 30 years and connects the city with 25 stops in the east-west, north-south direction, costs around 600 rubles. There are single-use, 10-day or 1-month ticket options in the metro, and there are trips from 05.30 in the morning to 01.00 at night.
Bus
Buses travel to more than 170 stops in Minsk. Just like in the metro, you can travel here with single-use, 10-day or monthly tickets.
Trolley bus
Even though they were used in our country many years ago and then removed, trolleybuses are still at work in Minsk. Trolleybuses, which you can travel with tickets like in the metro and bus, serve over 53 stops. However, its biggest handicap is that it cannot serve during the blackout due to its constant dependence on electricity.
Tram
Although the trams are not used as intensely as the metro in Minsk, they have an important place in urban transportation. 8 tram lines carry passengers to 145 stops.
Minsk Cuisine
Your trip to Minsk continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Minsk. Two prominent foods in Belarusian cuisine are mushrooms and potatoes, just like in neighboring countries. Red meat occupies an important place after these two. In Belarusian cuisine, there are hundreds of types of dishes made only from potatoes. “Draniki”, a kind of potato hash, is the most famous dish in this area. In Belarus, where soup is not missing from the tables, borsch and zucchini soup are among the most popular dishes.
Sausage “zrani” made from red meat and “piroshki“, a meat pastry dish, are also very popular with the Belarusian people. Rye bread made with a special yeast is also very famous.
Vodka stands out as an Eastern European classic as a beverage in Minsk. Fine red wines are also available. In addition to tea, coffee and mineral water, “kvas” and “kompot“, which are considered to be the national drinks of Belarus, are also flavors worth trying.
Kvass is a non-alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rye bread and drunk cold. Compote, on the other hand, is similar to our compote, whose name is also similar. Kompot is also consumed cold. All famous fast food brands are also available in Minsk for those who do not want to try local tastes.
The prominent restaurants to taste traditional cuisine in Minsk are Kuchmaster, Kamyanitsa and Lido. The hospitality of the employees in all the places we have mentioned draws attention. Also, the prices are very affordable. Among these 3 restaurants, Lido is often crowded due to its self-service and affordable prices.
Shopping In Minsk
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Minsk trip with shopping? There are many shops in the streets and squares in Minsk, and the city is also very satisfying in terms of shopping. Although the clothing point is a bit expensive, it is possible to find many other things cheaper.
During your shopping trip to Minsk, the first thing that comes to your mind is probably what souvenirs you will buy for your loved ones. There are many options available as gifts made of wood and glass. Matryoshkas are very common in Minsk, just like in Russia.
It is possible to reach different options of vodka, the national drink of the Russians, in Minsk. You also have the option to receive a delicious gift with delicious Belarusian chocolates.
Minsk is a very rich city in terms of shopping centers. The most famous shopping centers can be cited as Gum, Na Nemige, Galileo, Kirmash, Stolitsa, Zhdanovichi, TSUM and Zamok.
Of these shopping centers, Gum is the most remarkable with its story. Although it was opened in 1934, the Second World War, which we have mentioned in many details of the city, also hit Gum. The building, which was completely destroyed, was rebuilt and put into service in 1951. Gum in a modern structure has also been an indispensable setting for local movies. Gum brings together many brands with its visitors in hundreds of stores and offers a rich content in terms of souvenirs. You can reach Gum Shopping Center by metro by getting off at the Kupalauskaja metro stop.
Zhdanovichi is the largest shopping mall not only in Minsk, but also in Belarus. Here you can see many world-famous brands as well as regional giant brands. You can reach Zhdanovichi Shopping Center from Petrovshchina metro stop.
TSUM, on the other hand, is a well-established shopping center that has been serving since 1964 and draws attention with its stylish exterior and interior designs. The closest metro stop to TSUM Shopping Center, which stands out with its clothing and footwear products, is Yakub Kolas Square.
Minsk Nightlife
Nightlife is very active in Minsk, as in most of the Eastern European countries. With the coming of the evening, great entertainment begins in the venues of this quiet city. In Minsk, which is home to many clubs and discos, practices such as “no rooftop entry” are rare. But the most critical detail here is your clothing. It is also known that those who wear sports shoes (especially white ones) at the entrance of the clubs are not allowed inside.
In this respect, it is important to choose a leather shoe just in case. Some of the most important entertainment places in Minsk and their opening hours are as follows:
Dozari Nightclub
Dozari Club is shown as the highest quality and most entertaining nightclub in Minsk. In Dozari, which has a huge capacity that can host a thousand people, it is necessary to pay attention to the dress code we mentioned at the beginning of our article and not to wear sports shoes. The venue, which is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, serves between 22:00 and 06:00 in the morning.
Black House Minsk
Music, shows and venue quality are at the highest level at Black House, one of the most popular clubs in Minsk. Of course, depending on this, the fees are also a bit expensive compared to other places. The entertainment, which starts at 21:00, continues until 08:00 in the morning.
Madison Royal Club
Madison Royal Club, which is one of the leading entertainment venues in Minsk, is experiencing its real turmoil at the weekend, even though it is lively during the week. Madison Royal Club, which will enchant you with its many genres of music, lighting and special shows, is open every night between 22:00 and 06:00.
Next Nightclub
Located on the 3rd floor of Crown Plaza Minsk Hotel, the venue has a pleasant atmosphere with good music. It is a nightclub that mainly welcomes young guests. The venue, which is open from 10:00 at night to 06:00 in the morning, draws attention especially with its dance shows. When you travel to Minsk, do not leave without tasting the nightlife!
Minsk Festivals
Minsk is home to many festivals as well as places to visit.
Featured festivals and events are as follows:
January
New Year’s celebrations are held with enthusiasm in the busiest places in the city. On the 7th, Orthodox Christmas is celebrated.
February
“Maslenitsa“, which heralds the end of winter and the beginning of spring in Slavic lands, especially in Russia, is also celebrated in Belarus. According to the belief of the Orthodox Church, before the egg and milk fast called “Lent”, people enjoy this traditional festival, while delicious pancakes are offered to the guests. In addition, the Minsk Jazz Festival, which will last for 3 days, is also held in February.
March
With the arrival of spring in Minsk, music also increases its presence. Minsk International Spring Music Festival appeals to classical music lovers.
May
May 9 is the day of liberation from German occupation for Minsk. Many activities are held on this meaningful day, especially at the Victory Square.
July
Kupalle, a traditional holiday in Belarus, is celebrated in midsummer. In celebrations based on pagan roots, fires are lit in rural areas and activities are held. These colorful images can be witnessed in the celebration areas around Minsk.
September:
Every year, on September 3, Minsk’s anniversary is celebrated with official ceremonies and fireworks.
November:
Minsk International Film Festival, the largest film festival in Belarus, and the Belarusian Autumn Music Festival take place on the dates set in November.
December:
Christmas is celebrated by Catholic Christians on December 25. A parade in costumes takes place on the streets of Minsk.
Minsk Public Holidays
- 1 January New Year’s Eve
- January 7 Orthodox Christmas
- March 8, International Women’s Day
- 15 March Constitution Day
- April 20 Orthodox Easter (2014)
- 1 May Labor Day
- May 9 Victory Day
- 3 July Independence Day
- October 14 Mother’s Day (2014)
- November 2 Dzyady (Remembrance Day)
- 7 November Revolution Day
- December 25 Catholic and Protestant Christmas
Minsk Useful Information
- Emergency Calls: 101
- Fire and Rescue Service: 102
- Militia (Police): 103
- Ambulance Service: 104
