Minsk

City Hall in Minsk

Minsk (Belarusian: Мінск, Russian: Минск) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Belarus, its population is about two million people.

Minsk and Belarus, in general, had a reputation of a Soviet experience park. However, this stereotype is not accurate; Minsk offers reliable and affordable public transport, plentiful hotels, convenient banking, as well as shopping and dining experience that international tourists will find familiar. The quality and number of sightseeing opportunities is plentiful. Those who want to see the Soviet past in action should venture further afield in Belarus and consider specialist tours.

Understand

Minsk
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       45     −2 −7       39     −1 −7       44     4 −3       42     12 3       65     19 8       89     22 12       89     24 14       68     23 13       60     17 8       52     10 4       48     3 −1       49     −1 −6 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm Source: Wikipedia
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       1.8     28 20       1.5     29 19       1.7     39 26       1.7     54 37       2.6     66 47       3.5     71 53       3.5     74 57       2.7     73 55       2.4     62 47       2     50 38       1.9     37 30       1.9     30 22 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Climate

Average temperatures are maximum 24°C, minimum 12°C in summer and maximum 3°C, minimum -7°C in winter. The best time to visit Minsk is from May to September when it is full of greenery. Summers are often hot and dry. Winters are mild and wet, mostly around 0°C, snow does not stay for long.

Get in

By plane

Passengers from 74 countries do not need a visa if flying to Minsk National Airport under certain conditions. For more information, see Belarus#Get_in.

• 1 Minsk National Airport (MSQ  ^IATA , formerly known as Minsk-2) (37 km (23 mi) east of the city border), ☏ +375 17 2791300, fax: +375 17 2791730. All international flights arrive here. After the passport control, before the luggage collection and customs, a duty-free shop is available. The Arrivals feature a standard selection of cash machines, currency exchange, a taxi call point, 24/7 snacks and beverages shop and mobile phone providers - A1, MTS and life:) - kiosks. The Departures hall has a good selection of cafes, banking facilities, post office, hairdresser and shops with Belarusian specialities, souvenirs, alcohol and newspapers. After passing the passport control, duty-free shops and cafes are available. For all services, see the airport website. For the free airport-wide Wi-Fi, use the АirportMinsk network (roaming for receiving a text message with the password is required). (updated Sep 2019)

Flight connections

The only Belarusian airline, Belavia, is based at the Minsk National Airport which has become an increasingly popular transit hub for travel between Ukraine, Russia, Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe. Also, a number of Russian airlines, Ukrainian International Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian, airBaltic, Etihad, Air China and few other airlines fly to Minsk daily or near daily. For transfer instructions, see the Airport website (links in the left-hand menu).

Getting to the city

Bus

№300Э at the departure stop in Minsk National Airport

The airport is served by buses №300Э and private minivans №1400-ТК and №1430-ТК running 24/7 every 15 to 45 minutes (see timetable) from the central coach terminals (Aŭtavakzal Centraĺny, Аўтавакзал Цэнтральны; also may be spelt Avtovokzal Tsentralnyi, from its Russian name). The bus stop is outside the arrivals sectors 5/6. The timetable is on display at the stop. Free wifi is available on all buses and minivans, however, you will have to be able to receive an SMS with the password.

Before boarding bus №300Э, purchase a ticket from a self-service kiosk at the bus stop (most international cards are accepted) or from the driver (Belarusian cash only, cards are also accepted on some buses). For minivans №1400-ТК and №1430-ТК, take any available seat and wait for the driver to collect cash payments just before departure. Cost of one-way travel is BYN2.9 to BYN4.00 depending on the final destination (September 2019). Stowing luggage is free on minivans (limited space is available) and BYN0.40 - on bus №300Э.

On the bus №300Э or minivan №1400-ТК routes, the first stop is in about 30 minutes at the Uručča, Уручча metro station. Change here to continue your journey by Minsk Metro (underground). Alternatively, continue to the final stop, Aŭtavakzal Centraĺny, located next to the main train station, Minsk Pasažyrski, Мінск Пасажырскі and metro station, Plošča Lienina, Плошча Леніна.

The minibus №1430-ТК runs less frequently (see schedule) and takes a different route. It stops at the Mahilioŭskaja, Магілёўская metro station which is more convenient for those going to the Šabany, Шабаны, Aŭtazavod, Аўтазавод, Čyžoǔka, Чыжоўка and Sierabranka, Серабранка districts, and the stations along the Aŭtazavodskaja metro line. Tickets can only be purchased from the driver - BYN3 to the Mahilioŭskaja, Магілёўская metro station, BYN4 - to the central coach terminals (September 2019). Luggage is free, but there is only limited space available.

Ticket kiosk at the Uručča Metro Station bus stop for travelling to the Minsk National Airport

On the way back to the airport, either depart from the central coach terminals (Aŭtavakzal Centraĺny, Аўтавакзал Цэнтральны) or from the Uručča, Уручча metro station. From the Aŭtavakzal Centraĺny, all buses and minivans for the airport depart every 15 minutes (less frequently during off-peak hours) from platform 2 (August 2019). If departing from the Uručča, leave the metro station along the train arriving from the city centre; in the subway, turn right and right again at the very end to leave the subway. Tickets for bus №300Э can be purchased from the kiosk nearest to the exit from the subway or from the driver. The electronic screen at the stop shows the waiting time for buses. For minivans, tickets can be purchased from the driver.

Taxi

• 

  Minsk National Airport Official Taxi Transfer Office in the Arrivals hall

  Official Airport Transfer, ☏ +375 17 279 1748, 7373 (from Belarusian mobile). Flat-rate trips from BYN40.00 from and to the airport. The taxi desk can be found in the Arrivals area and a call point is located by the luggage carousels after the passport control upon arrival. Taxi can be requested in advance from the airport website. Cash and most credit cards are accepted. Booking in advance is recommended. (updated Dec 2019)
• Yandex Taxi. For those who are used to taxi apps, the Yandex Taxi is the most convenient in Minsk. Uber merged its operations with Yandex in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Russia in 2017. Yandex is about as expensive as the official airport taxi service. If requesting Yandex Taxi from the airport, it may be helpful having the Viber app installed - taxi drivers tend to use it for contacting customers with foreign phone numbers. The airport charges drivers for repeat entries; drivers employ various tricks to avoid charges, incl. applying fake number plates. The app offers a choice of collection points described by the exit in the Arrivals; there are three of them: Sectors 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6. The latter one is the nearest to the shuttle bus stop and so is the busiest one - to be avoided. About BYN30.00. (updated Sep 2019)
• Minsk Airport Transfer. Fixed price transfer with an online booking form. You will be met by the driver in the Arrivals. Free bottled water and wifi in the car. From €30 single trip up to three passengers. (updated Sep 2019)

Many taxi drivers offer their services in the Arrivals and just outside it. Their prices tend to be steep, but negotiable; always agree on the price in advance.

Car

To reach the airport by car, leave the city by Praspiekt [Avenue] Niezaliežnasci | Праспект Незалежнасці and follow the highway.

By train

• 2 Central Railway Station (Minsk Pasažyrski), 220050 Minsk, pl. Pryvakzaĺnaja, 3 (Metro: Plošča Lienina | Плошча Леніна. Bus: 3с, 81э, 85с, 102, 43, 79, 79д to stop Vakzal | Вакзал. Tram: 2, 1, 4, 7 to stop Vakzal | Вакзал), ☏ +375 17 225 70 00. 24/7. The main railway station in the country. It is well served by trains from western and central Europe, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia, in addition to local destinations. (updated Sep 2019)

The fastest train from Vilnius takes about 2½ hours and costs about US$10-15 one way. An overnight trip from Warsaw is about 10 hours departing from Zachodnia, Centralna and Wschodnia stations. There are also trains from Prague and other European cities. A daily sleeper train from Kiev leaves in the evening and arrives the next morning. A four-person berth costs around US$47. There are multiple trains from/to Moscow, incl. several overnight sleepers. For train times, prices and booking tickets for trips from or within Belarus use the Belarusian Railway website.

By bus

• 3 "Tsentralnyi" Bus Terminal (Аўтавакзал "Цэнтральны"), Vulica Babrujskaja, 6 (M: Plošča Lienina 0.5 km or Trolleybuses 44, 4, 7, 36 or Buses 46, 78, 958, 102, 123, 300э to Stop «Aǔtavakzal Centralny», - Next to), ☏ +375 17 3285605, fax: +375 17 2260994, avtovokzal@minsktrans.by. International ticket offices: tel.: +375 17 3285605. - Buses to Augsburg (daily), Airport Minsk-2, Baranavičy, Brest, Bystrica, Warsaw, Vilnius hourly, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Mir, Munich, Nesvizh. International couches timetable. 
• 4 Karbyšava Bus Station, vulica Karbyšava. For suburban buses to Lahojsk, Astrašycki Haradok, Radaškovičy, Plieščanicy and Viliejka. 

By car

Driving in, while possible, requires knowledge of the border system. This is a border of European Union, so control is very strict. Crossing it can take 2 hours. They may check your bags. Without knowledge of Russian, Belarusian or Polish, this can be very hard. There may be a very long line of cars at a border crossing. However, if you have passport, visa and car registration papers prepared, act honest and helpful and arrives as a tourist in a personal car the border crossing can go very smoothly and be over within 45 minutes. There are may toll roads in Belarus, please be prepared to get on-board electronic unit and pay right from the start, so not to face heavy fines later on. Please check out information on toll roads at Beltoll's site .

Get around

The central area of Minsk is easily manageable on foot. Public transportation comprises buses, trams, trolleybuses, railway city lines and the Minsk metro (underground). Minsk public transport is cheap and reliable. For navigation, Google Maps does a good job.

Public transport

Tickets

Single trip tickets and margetic cards for uploading carnets and period passes can be purchased from metro ticket offices, Minsktrans (state public transport company for Minsk) offices in front of most metro station exits and from Minsktrans kiosks at many bus stops. There are a large number of carnet and pass combinations depending on the length of the intended stay and plans for travel. The metro-only magnetic card costs BYN1.00 (refundable) plus cost of travel; the Minsktrans magnetic card costs BYN2.88 (refundable) and is valid for metro, bus, trolleybus, tram and railway city lines (September 2019). For details, see the Minsk metro fairs guide in Belarusian and Russian.

A single trip ticket for bus, tram or trolleybus is paper-based and costs BYN0.60 if purchased from a ticket office or kiosk, BYN0.65 if purchased from the driver (September 2019). Tickets have to be validated straight away. In metro, a single journey is BYN0.65 (September 2019) paid by tokens bought at a window or self-service kiosk inside the station. Visa and MasterCard bank cards can be used for contactless pay-as-you-go payments. Magnetic cards with carnets or period passes have to be scanned upon boarding buses, trolleybuses and trams; if successful, the scanner displays Аплочана (Belarusian for paid). There is no need to scan cards at the end of the journey. Validators for paper tickets and scanners for cards are separate machines. In metro, scan a card at the gate to your right and enter the station.

By bus

There are a few express buses (their route number is followed by Э - for Belarusian Экспрэс) in Minsk. They are not covered by the majority of available period passes, but can be added for a small payment.

Privatly-run minivans (their route numbers consist of four digits followed by letters, e.g. 1097-TK, displayed in the front and side windows of vehicles) often serve longer routes than city buses, trolleybuses and trams do. They are of good quality, safe and very quick. Minivans stop on request at regular bus or trolleybus stops and cost between BYN1.00 and 1.50 depending on the route. Period passes and carnets from Minsktrans are not valid on minivans. To catch one, stand at the edge of a bus stop and make a sign to the driver of the approaching vehicle; then take a seat and pass the money to the driver (via other passangers if necessary); change will be passed to you if applicable in the same manner. Ask to stop when approaching your stop.

By metro

Minsk metro consists of two underground lines crossing at the very city centre, stations Kastryčnickaja and Kupalaǔskaja. On the metro map, the Maskoŭskaja line is in blue, it is often referred as the first line. It is the oldest line of the Minsk Metro. Its earliest stations, Instytut Kuĺtury to Uschod, each uniquely decorated, are listed objects reflecting the Soviet architectural tradition. The Aŭtazavodskaja line is in red, it is often referred to as the second line. Each station on maps has been assigned a number making navigation for tourists much easier, however, locals may not even be aware of that - they always call the stations by their proper names. Trains run every two to fifteen minutes depending on the time of the day. The first train in the morning departs the initial station at about 05:30, the last one at night - at 0:40. If you travel with even a slightly large bag, you are likely to be stopped by the police present at all stations for scanning your luggage. In such situations, the police are polite and efficient most of the time. Travelling in metro while drunk is prohibited. Station staff and police will question anyone appearing unstable. Standard questions include the intended destination, address and whether one will be able to get there safely. Keep calm and polite; use taxi if in doubt.

By taxi

Taxis App-based taxi services - Yandex and Next Taxi - are inexpensive and abundant most of the time; they are convenient if you don't speak Russian or Belarusian. Most locals also use telephones to call for a taxi which are then likely to arrive in just a few minutes. Stopping a taxi on the street is common. The driver must use a fare meter which may be a phone-based. If unsure, check how the fare will be determined beforehand. Drivers waiting for customers at the airport and train stations tend to ask for hugely inflated fares; always negotiate.

• Taxi Almaz 7788, toll-free: 7788. A large taxi company. Cars can be ordered by phone, online and via its own app. (updated Mar 2018)

See

Churches

The largest religious community in Minsk - as in the whole country - is the Belarusian Orthodox Church, part of the Russian Orthodox Church. A significant proportion of the population belong to the Roman Catholic Church and various Protestant communities. Other religions have a much less significant presence in the city. Over the centuries, other religions like Greek Catholics (Uniates) and Muslims (who mostly were Belarusian Tatars, also known as Polish–Lithuanian or Lipka Tatars) have left a strong imprint on the city too. According to the 1897 census, 52% of the Minsk population were Jews;there were over 100 synagogues in Minsk then. During the Soviet Union time, many religious buildings were closed, demolished or used for other purposes. Since Belarus regained its independence in 1991, some religious buildings were returned to their communities; many others remain in use by various state institutions.

Orthodox

• 1 Holy Spirit Cathedral, Belarusian:Кафедральны сабор Сашэсця Святога Духа, Russian: Кафедральный собор Сошествия Святого Духа.  
• 2 Sts Peter and Paul Church (Russian Orthodox) (Царква святых апосталаў Пятра і Паўла (Руская Праваслаўная)), Vuliсa Rakauskaja 4 (Niamiha metro station). Built in 1613 and restored in 1871, it is the oldest church in Minsk. It is worthwhile to go inside. (updated May 2019)

• 3 St Mary Magdalene Church (Belarusian: Царква Святой Марыі Магдалены, Carka Sviatoj Maryi Mahdalieny), Vulica Kisialiova (вуліца Кісялёва) 42 (Buses 39, 18, 26, 44, 136, 29, 29н or Trams 3, 4, 5; all to stop Teatralnaja, Тэатральная). It was built in 1847 in the Russian Revival style, with a pointed octagonal bell tower over the entrance. (updated May 2019)

• 4 Church of All Saints (Vsekh Svyatykh Sobor).  
• 5 Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Касьцёл Узьвіжаньня Сьвятога Крыжа), Kaĺvaryjskaja vulica (Calvary cemetery - Metro 'Маладзёжная' 0.5 km). 

• Church of St. Yevfrosinya of Polotsk (Yevfrosinyi Polotskoy Sobor). 

• Church of St Elizabeth Convent. 
• NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Church of St Sophia of Slutsk (Sofia Sluckaya church). 

Roman Catholic

Saint Simon and Saint Helena Roman Catholic Church (Red Church)

Timetable of Catholic Masses in Minsk

• 6 Saint Simon and Saint Helena Church (Red church; Касцёл Святых Сымона і Алены (Чырвоны касцёл)), vulica Savieckaja, 15 (M Plošča Lienina 0.1km), ☏ +375 17 200-44-15. The best known Roman Catholic church in the city, commonly known as the Red Church, built between 1908 and 1910 in Romanesque Revival style. It is a home to a large and active community maintaining a library, choir and many other ministries. It is also used for services by a Greek-Catholic community. (updated Sep 2019)
• 7 Church of Saint Joseph (Belarusian: Касьцёл Сьвятога Язэпа,).  
• 8 Catholic St. Mary church (Католический костёл Пресвятой Девы Марии).  
• 9 Church of Holy Trinity (Saint Rochus) (Касьцёл Найсьвяцейшай Тройцы (Сьвятога Роха)), Čyrvanazornaja vulica 44/А (M Plošča Pieramohi 'Плошча Перамогi').  

Museums

• 10 Belarusian National Arts Museum (Belarusian: Нацыянальны мастацкі музей Рэспублікі Беларусь), Vulitsa Lenina 20 (Kastryčnickaja metro station Кастрычніцкая 0.4 km; Kupalaǔskaja metro station Купалаўская 0.3 km). W-M 11:00-19:00. This one of the most popular tourist destinations in Minsk offers an excellent overview of fine arts in Belarus. Many art description tags are in English. The main collection is spread across two buildings. The first building visitors come to houses a significant collection of the 19-century Russian art. The back building houses masterpieces of the Belarusian art from the Medieval times to the present, as well as temporary exhibitions. Audio guides (3 rubles, December 2018) are available from the bookshop at the entry, however they only cover a small number of the key exhibits in the permanent collection. 8 rubles.  
• 11 Belarusian National History Museum (Belarusian: Нацыянальны гістарычны музей Рэспублікі Беларусь), vul. Karla Marksa (вулiца Карла Маркса) 12 (Kastryčnickaja metro station Кастрычніцкая 0.6 km Kupalaǔskaja metro station Купалаўская, Plošča Lienina metro station Плошча Леніна 0.6 km), ☏ +375 17 327-3665, histmuseum@tut.by. 11:00-19:00 (last entry 18:30). The largest collection of material and spiritual culture of Belarus from the ancient times to our days. The museum has a good souvenir shop. Permanent exhibition - 7 rubles. Optional guided tour - 7 rubles; discounted entry for students and children. Additional charge for temporary exhibitions.. (updated Mar 2018)
• 12 Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum (Музей ВАВ, Беларускі дзяржаўны музей гісторыі Вялікай Айчыннай вайны), praspiekt Pieramožcaŭ, 8, ☏ +375-017-327-11-66, museumww2@tut.by. Tu Th-Su 10:00-18:00, W 12:00-20:00, closed M. A large collection of exhibits about WWII in Belarus. Adults 8. rubles, students 4 rubles, free on 1st Tuesday of a month. (updated Jan 2018)
• 13 Maksim Bahdanovič Literary Museum (Літаратурны музей Максіма Багдановіча), (вул. М. Багдановіча), 7a, ☏ +375 017 3340761. 10:00–17:00. It is dedicated to the writer Maksim Bahdanovič (1891–1917). 
• Art Palace (Palats Mastatsva), Vulitsa Kazlova 3. Tu-Su 10:00-19:00. Several exhibition spaces showing modern art, second hand books and antiques stalls. Admission Free. 
• 14 Mastatsky Salon, Praspekt Nezalezhnasti 12. M-Sa 10:00-20:00. An art gallery with local artists exhibitions and some overpriced souvenirs. 
• 15 Ў Gallery, Praspekt Nezalezhnasti (Проспект Независимости) 37a. (Metro Station «Площадь Победы»). contemporary art space, a bar, a bookstore and a souvenir shop with Belarusian design. 
• 16 National Library of Belarus (Национальная библиотека), Prospekt Nezalezhnasti (Проспект Независимости) 116 (Metro station Восток 0.5 km. Observation deck is accessed via a lift, entrance to it from outside on the other side of the building.). Huge, glass and concrete rhombicuboctahedron houses a collection of over 8 million items. On 22 floors it features conference halls, 20 reading rooms and a Book Museum, on the roof there is an observation deck with good views of the city and surrounding area. 3.50 rubles.  
• Contemporary Fine Arts Museum (Belarusian: Музей сучаснага выяўленчага мастацтва; part of: National Centre for Contemporary Arts), Praspiekt Niezaležnasci, 47 (Plošča Jakuba Kolasa metro station, 0.1 km), ☏ +375 (17)399 09 79, artmoderncenter@gmail.com. Tu-Su 11:00-19:00. A small venue housing several exhibitions simultaneously. 7 rubles. (updated Dec 2018)

Other interesting places

• Former Residence of Lee Harvey Oswald, Vulitsa Kamunistychnaja 4 (the bottom left apartment). Lee arrived in the Soviet Union in December 1959 willing to denounce his US citizenship and was sent to Minsk. He changed his name to Alek and married a native woman, Marina Prusakova, with whom he had a child. The young family left for the United States in June 1962. 
• 17 KGB Headquarters, Praspekt Nezalezhnasti (Проспект Независимости) 17 (Metro 'Купаловская' 0.5 km; or Metro 'Октябрьская' 0.6 km or Bus 100 to Stop «Ленина ул.»). This impressive building, on the main street of Minsk has a façade that belies what's found within. 

You might be willing to hire a private guide when staying in Minsk or another major Belarusian city. Private guides are licensed by the National Tourism Agency - and you can check the list of their names on the official website of the Agency List of private guides in Russian [1] . A licensed guide must always wear a special Badge of a licensed guide in Belarus.

Out of town

• Minsk Sea (Minskoe More) (5 km north of the city centre. - Buses leave the central bus station regularly. To get there by car, head north along the P28 and lookout for signs after Ratomka village.). This is an artificial reservoir. There's a free public beach, and pedal-boat and catamaran rental. 

Inside one of the houses in Open Air Museum of Rural Architecture and Life

• 18 Ozertso - Open Air Museum of Rural Architecture and Life (Aźjarco, Aziarco. Азярцо - Беларускі Дзяржаўны Музей Народнай Архітэктуры і Побыту), Aźjarco (The 203 bus from “Paŭdniova-zachodniaja” coach station goes directly to the museum. Timetable to the museum: 09:15, 12:00, 13:15, 15:50. Or the 402, 363, 277, 325, 357 buses from “Paŭdniova-zachodniaja” coach station to the bus stop “Pavarot na muzej”. These buses go in the direction of “Haradzišča” – 277, “Dubiancy” – 357, “kalchoz Kalinina” – 363, “Zachodnija mohilki” – 402, “Bohušava” - 325. - Timetable to the museum: 9:40, 10:00, 10:28, 11:35, 12:20, 13:10; 14:14; 14:40; 15:50; 16:30). W-Su 10:00-18:20. 4 km west. 
• 19 Stalin's Line (Лінія Сталіна) (30 km north-west, on road P28 to Maladziečna. Bus stop a few meters from the entrance. From Lashany village 2.2 km north.), ☏ +375 0175032020, info@stalin-line.by. A reconstructed line of defences on what once was the state border of the USSR. 14 rubles. 
• 20 Mound of Glory (20 km east- 'P53' Road north side - northeast 0.5 km from Sloboda village). 70-m-high mound from 1969 commemorating Soviet soldiers who died during World War II. 
• 21NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Khatyn Memorial Complex (50 km to the north. Take a minibus in direction of Pleshchanitsy and ask the driver to get off near Khatyn. The site is 5 km from the main road.). A place where a village, savagely massacred in 1943 by Nazi forces, once stood.  
• BELAZ (БелАЗ), 40 let Oktyabrya Str. 4, Zodzina (From the Uschod Metro station in Minsk, take a minibus to Zhodzina and get off at the final stop. Thena short walk.), ☏ + 375 1775 2 72 72, + 375 44 566 04 72, tur@belaz.minsk.by. The largest in the world trucks and super heavy-duty hauliers are produced in Zodzina, a town in Minsk region. The manufacturing site is open for visits to see the world’s largest trucks listed in the Guinness Book of Records. (updated Dec 2019)

Do

• 1 Children's Railroad (K. S. Zaslonov Children's Railroad in Minsk (Belarusian: Дзiцячая чыгунка (Dzitsyachaya chyhunka); Russian: Минская детская железная дорога имени К.С.Заслонова (Minskaya detskaya zheleznaya doroga imeni K.S.Zaslonova)), prospekt Nezavisimosti, ~84a (Chelyuskinites Park - M Station Chelyuskinites Park). This is a 750-mm (2 ft 5½ in) narrow gauge railway loop passing through the Chelyuskinites Park. The railway line counts 3 stations (listed from north to south): Zaslonovo, Pionerskaya (or Pionerskaja) and Sosnovy Bor (or Sosnovyj Bor); and a pair of rail loops after the end stops. 

Alivaria Brewery

• Alivaria Brewery Tour, Vulica Kisialiova Кісялёва, 30 (Niamiha Няміга metro station 1.2 km along Vulica Bahdanoviča вул.Багдановіча), ☏ + 375295001755, museum@alivaria.by. Wednesday to Sunday. The oldest Minsk brewery - and the largest in Belarus - can be visited with a tour which also includes beer tasting. This compact brewery located not far from the Minsk centre has preserved some of its original buildings from the 19th century. English tours are run if eight or more people get together, so inviting others to join makes it more likely to happen. Contact the brewery museum by email or online form in advance specifying the desired day and time, and the English language of the tour (it's Russian by default). Most likely, the tour will take place at 14:00. 14 rubles, card payment available. (updated Mar 2018)

Parks and gardens

• 2 Botanical Garden (Belarusian: Цэнтральны батанічны сад. Russian: Центральный ботанический сад), Vulica Surhanava вул.Сурганава, 2v (M: Park Čaliuskincaǔ station (Парк Чалюскінцаў) 100 m (330 ft)), ☏ +375 17 292-69-15. 10:00-20:00 Tue - Sun. A popular destination for a relaxed day in central Minsk. It is compact and mostly accessible, it has several outdoor and indoor cafes. An amusement park in Park Čaliuskincaǔ is next door. BYN8/BYN4. (updated May 2019)
• 3 Park Čaliuskincaǔ (Belarusian: Парк Чалюскiнцаў; Russian: Парк Челюскинцев, IPA: [park tɕeˈlʲʉskʲintsef]), Praspekt Niezaliežnasci, ~91 (M: Park Čaliuskincaǔ station (Парк Чалюскінцаў)). An urban forest park. The park's area is 78 hectares (190 acres). The park contains an amusement park. Other attractions include a Children's Railway, operated exclusively by teenagers, and a cinema Raduga (Russian: Радуга). There is a Minsk Metro station "Park Čaliuskincaǔ" next to the park. The park is adjacent to the Botanical Garden.  
• 4 Park Horkaha (Парк Горкага, Цэнтральны дзіцячы парк імя Максіма Горкага, Maksim Gorky Central Children's Park), Vuliсa Frunze вул.Фрунзэ, 2 (M Pločša Pieramohi station 100 m). A public park established in 1800 under the name Governor's Garden. During the Soviet times it was renamed "парк культуры і адпачынку імя Максіма Горкага" (Park of culture and recreation after A.M.Gorky) after the famous Russian/Soviet writer Maksim Gorky. Parks with this name have been established in many cities of the Soviet Union. A part of the park's territory is occupied by an amusement park with a 56-metre-high Ferris wheel. It also has an educational observatory with a planetarium. The Ice Palace (indoors skating rink) is also located in Gorky Park. President Lukashenko, known for his hobby of ice hockey, frequents this place, at which times the access to this part of the park is closed for general public.  
• 5 Park Janki Kupaly (Парк імя Янкі Купалы) (along Svislač river, M Pločša Pieramohi station 100m).  

Theatres

National Opera and Ballet of Belarus

• 6NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre (Teatr opiery i balieta Тэатр оперы і балета), Plošča Paryžskaj Kamuny пл.Парыжскай Камуны, 1, 220029 (M Niamiha Няміга station 0.7 km). The most sought-after Minsk theatre. It has an excellent reputation for quality of the experience and variety of performances, incl. for children. For regular performances, tickets are readily available online and from various ticket vendors across the city. For the most exclusive shows, e.g. Christmas gala concerts, tickets - if sold out - are occasionally made available from the theatre box office at short notice, a day before or so. 4.50-80.00 rubles and more for special events. (updated Mar 2018)

Janka Kupala National Theatre

• 7 Janka Kupala National Theatre (Kupalaǔski), Vulica Enhielsa вул.Энгельса, 7, 220030 (M Kupalaǔskaja, Kastryčnickaja stations), ☏ +375 (17) 327-60-81, info@kupalauski.by. 19:00 performances. The oldest and, arguably, the best Belarusian drama theatre. All performances are in Belarusian, some are dubbed into English (see the What's On section on the theatre website). Occasional music concerts take place here too. The theatre has two stages. Tickets can be purchased online from major ticket selling companies and in person - from several box offices, see the Box Office page on the theatre website. A pleasant cafe at the rear of its building is particularly good on warm sunny days. 6-22 rubles. (updated Mar 2018)
• 8 Film Actors' Studio Theatre (Teatr-studiya kioaktera Театр-студия киноактера), Praspiekt Pieramozcau пр.Пераможцаў, 13 (M Niamiha Няміга station 0.6 km). A small theatre well-regarded for its high-quality performances. Most of the plays are in Russian. Inexpensive tickets and unpretentious facilities. The threatre shares the building with once the most prestigious Minsk cinema, Moskva; it is a listed building from the time of the Soviet Union. (updated Mar 2018)
• 9 Republican Theatre of Belarusian Drama (Тэатр беларускай драматургіі), Krapotkina 44. (updated Mar 2018)

Buy

Traditionally, tourists bring from Belarus linen goods, embroidery, souvenirs made of straw and leather, glass, ceramics and other artisanal items. Belarusian vodka has an excellent reputation; it can be purchased from airport duty-free shops. Zubroǔka (a Polish equivalent of Żubrówka) is a popular spirit originally created in Belarusian Brest. Sugar-coated cranberries, flat crisps (čypsy, чыпсы), zefir (a soft baked confectionery of apple puree and sugar), chocolate-glazed curd deserts (hlazuravany syrok, глазураваны сырок) and rye bread are treated as Belarusian specialties; they are loved by locals and are widely available, also from airport shops.

Shopping malls mainly feature foreign brands. Local department stores – GUM, TSUM, Na Nemige, Univermag Belaruś etc. – stock a vider variety of the goods produced locally.

Souvenirs

• 1 Symbal.by (Сымбаль бай), Praspiekt Mašerava пр.Машэрава, 18 (M Plošča Pieramohi station 0.5 km), ☏ +375 (33) 651-18-18, +375 (29) 651-18-18, symbalby@gmail.com. 10:00-20:00. A popular store with a good selection of souvenirs, books, music and trendy patriotic print t-shirts. It is aimed at the locals in the first place; some tourists may find it either incomprehensible or fascinating. Purchases can be made online and collected from the store. (updated Sep 2019)
• 2 Vialiki Dziakuj (Вялiкi дзякуй), vul. Kastryčnickaja, 23A (M Pieršamajskaja, 0.5 km), ☏ +375 29 690 20 74, vialiki.dziakuj@gmail.com. 12:00 - 22:00. A well-curated collection of souvenirs, bags, inexpensive jewellery, t-shirts, games, snacks and drinks reflecting the latest trends in the Belarusian youth culture. (updated Sep 2019)
• 3 Lianok (Лянок, Lyanok), pr. Niezaliežnasci, 46 (M Jakuba Kolasa, 0.1km), ☏ +375 (17) 224-81-44, +375 (17) 263-71-58, info@lyanok.by. Mon-Fri 10:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-19:00. The prime destination for Belarusian linen - fabrics, bedding, table clothes and souvenirs (updated Sep 2019)

Arts and traditional crafts

• 4 Art House Ugrinovich (Мастацкі дом Угрыновіч), vulica Internacyjanaĺnaja 13, ☏ +375 29 877 7301. 10:00 - 20:00. The Belarusian tradition of porcelain is centuries-old. Olga Ugrinovich exemplifies the best of this tradition - originality and high quality. She uses dry herbs to make imprints on her porcelain items which are them beautifully decorated. Herbs get destroyed during the production process making each item - mugs, plates and even coffee tables - absolutely unique. The shop stocks also the artist's paintings and souvenirs. (updated Sep 2019)

Shopping centres

• Stolitsa, Nezalezhnasti pl (centrally located). 
• GUM department store, Praspekt Nezalezhnasti 23. Built in the 1950s, Socialist Realist classic. 
• TSUM department store, Praspekt Nezalezhnasti 54. 

Other shops

• Podzemka Bookshop, Praspekt Nezalezhnasti 43. An underground bookshop-cum-art gallery. 
• Suvenirnaja Lavka, Vulitsa Maxima Bahdanovicha 9. A souvenir type shop with straw crafts, wooden boxes, embroidered linen & Belarusian alcohol. 
• Central Bookshop (Tsentralnaja Kniharnya), Praspekt Nezalezhnasti 19. The largest bookshop in the city, some English language novels, guidebooks and stationary. Also posters of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. 

Eat

Due to the common history, traditional Belarusian cuisine is similar to that of the rest of Eastern Europe but particularly Polish and Lithuanian. Soups, dumplings, baked potato, mushroom and meat dishes, pickled vegetables and salads are often on the menu. Beer and naliŭki (berries, fruits and various spices liquors) are traditional here. Minsk has a good selection of Belarusian traditional restaurants. Among others, Georgian and Central Asian restaurants have a good reputation.

While meat has always been an integral part of traditional Belarusian meals, vegetarians and vegans are increasingly well served in Minsk. Belarus is a landlocked country; seawater fish is expensive.

Most, if not all venues in Minsk accept bank cards even for small amounts. Tipping up to 10% for table service is common, but not compulsory. Many cafes and bars have tip cups; leaving tips there is not compulsory either.

Budget

• 1 Draniki, Plošča Svabody, 4 (M Niamiha 0.2km; M Kastryčnickaja or Kupalaǔskaja 0.3km). 11:00-00:00. Belarusian cuisine: draniki, cepelinai, salads, liquors (naliŭki) and beer. It is good for a quick meal. Large groups will feel particularly at home in the basement with more seating. English menu. BYN6-14 mains. (updated Sep 2019)
• 2 Pesochnica (Песочница), vul. Kujbyšava 45 / pr. Mašerava 11 (M Plošcča Pieramohi o.5km), ☏ +375 25 904 2009. 12:00 - 23:00. Streetfood, beer, ice cream, live music and films BYN7.00 - 10.00 for set. (updated Sep 2019)

Mid-range

• 3 Kuchmistr (Кухмістр), Vulica Karla Marksa, 40 (Kastryčnickaja & Kupalaŭskaja metro stations 0.1 km), ☏ +375 17 327-48-48. 12:00-23:00. One of the most authentic restaurants of the Belarusian and Litvin (former Grand Duchy of Lithuania) cuisine. This venue regularly brings back well-forgotten receipies and produces its own naliŭki (traditional liquors). 15-35 rubles mains. (updated Dec 2018)

• 4 Tiflis (Тифлисъ), vul. Talbuchina 3 (M Čaliuskincaŭ 0.2km; M Akademija Navuk 0.3km), ☏ +375 44 555 5050. 11- 23. A popular Georgian restaurant with a large selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, as well as traditional Georgian wines. BYN12-30 mains. (updated Sep 2019)
• 5 ENZO, vulica Kastryčnickaja, 23, ☏ +375 29 177-00-88. 11:00-24:00 Sun - Thu, 11:00-01:00 Fri-Sat. A two-floor steak and burger restaurant in the heart of the trendy hang-out quarter. Quality food, a good wine selection and the ambience of distressed walls. BYN15 to BYN50 dinner mains; up to BYN10 lunch courses. (updated Sep 2019)

Chains

• 6 Vasiĺki (Васількі), pr. Niezaležnasci (M Pieršamajskaja 0.3km), ☏ +375 29 706-44-52. 08:00–23:00. A large chain of casual dining restaurants serving traditional Belarusian cuisine. Bucolic style and good local fare. Suitable for breakfast, lunch and dinners. More restaurants can be found around the city and in shopping malls. (updated Sep 2019)

Drink

Cafes

• Beze Cafe, Praspekt Nezalezhnasti. Viennese style café with a great bakery and light snacks. 
• Grand Cafe, Vulitsa Lenina 2, ☏ +375 44 7031111. 12:00-00:00. A high end restaurant on Lenin Street. Try the roasted duck or salmon with asparagus. They offer a no-smoking section, menus in English and most of the servers speak good English, too. Making a reservation is recommended, especially on weekends. 
• London, Pr. Nezalezhnasti (close to KGB headquarters, on the other side of the street). This friendly little café, in the shadow of the KGB headquarters, offers a wide range of teas, free Wi-Fi, seating outdoors (with heaters) and a small cozy room upstairs where it's possible to sit and talk in a relatively private setting. 
• Golden Coffee, Pr. Nezalezhnasti 18, ☏ +375 17 237 41 87. 07:00-02:00. This cafe is on the main strip and one of the few that has both an outside and inside patio. And it is the place to see and be seen. The food is exquisite and they provide free Wi-Fi (till 18:00 when it automatically goes off for some reason). Also two other locations. 

Bars

Nowadays, beer and vodka are the most common traditional alcoholic drinks in Belarus. Samahonka (moonshine) is occasionally served in trendy bars, as well as in all venues with decent Belarusian cuisine. Some places may have naliŭki - liquors infused with local berries, fruits or spices like horseradish. Zubroǔka (Żubrówka in Poland) is native to Belarus too. Good wines are expensive in Belarus, but due to geopolitical reasons, the country is a good place to explore Georgian and Moldovan wines, as well as Armenian cognacs. Most, if not all venues in Minsk accept bank cards even for small amounts. Many cafes and bars without table service have tip cups; leaving tips there is not compulsory.

• 1 Huligan (Хулиган), vulica Kastryčnickaja, 16 (M Pieršamajskaja 0.3km), ☏ +375 17 327-10-45. 17:00-24:00 Mon-Thu; 17:00-04:00 Fri; 08:00-04:00 Sat; 08:00-24:00 Sun. A trendy hipster hangout with well-curated music, dance parties at weekends, wifi, full bar, a long cocktail menu, a selection of naliǔki (Belarusian liquors) and snacks of the humous, falafels and quesadilla kind. BYN5 beer, BYN12 cocktails, BYN7 snacks. (updated Sep 2019)

Casinos

• Casino Royal
• Carat Casino

Sleep

Until 2019, a major advantage of staying in hotels while visiting Belarus was a registration with the local police organised by hotels for their customers. This registration is still mandatory, but can be done online without hotels. Read more in the Belarus article.

Budget

Many hostels are just apartment flats with bunk beds in all the rooms. Finding them and checking in many require a phone call and coordination and most apartments only have 1 or 2 bathrooms to be shared by all of the guests.

• EasyFlat Hostel, Aeradromnaja str. 40, app. 14 (5 minutes walk from “Nyamiha”, “Kastrychnickaya” and “Kupalauskaya” metro stations), ☏ +375 29 7719833, vip-zone@tut.by. Calm and cozy atmosphere. In the city center. 14-19 rubles. 
• Smile Minsk Hotel, avenue Dzerzhinsky, house 131, entrance 8. Check-in only on a preliminary call (600m from main train station), ☏ +375 29 771 94 14, smile.minsk@mail.ru. Cheap, quiet, central location. 
• Hostel Stary Minsk, praspiekt Niezalieznasci, 18, apt 20 (3-minute walk from Belarusian National Arts Museum), ☏ +375 25 767-05-24. 6-bed dorm: US$11. 
• Trinity Traveler & Riverside Hostel, Starovilenskaya, 12 (5 minutes walk from “Nyamiha”, “Kastrychnickaya” and “Kupalauskaya” metro stations), ☏ +375 29 311 2783, hosteltravelerbelarus@gmail.com. The hostel has a spacious living room, kitchen, dormitories for 4-8 people, and a double. The hostel occupies two floors of a three-floored building. 
• Hostel Viva, Zhukovsky 4/ 1N (600m from main train station), ☏ +375 33 627 1133, hostelviva.by@gmail.com. Directly in the city center. Only 2 bathrooms for 24 beds. Dorm bed €6-12. 
• Your Hostel Minsk, 1-y pereulok Skoriny 28 ap.7 / Скорины 1-й переулок, дом 28, кв. 7 (Metro and then trolleybus), ☏ +375 33 627 1133, sonoro@inbox.ru. Far from the center, near the MKAD. 

Mid-range

• 40 Let Pobedy (40 Years of Victory), Azgura 3. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Nice rooms, decent location. No internet, few English speaking receptionists. US$45/shared room. 
• Hotel Belarus, Storozhevskaja 15-201, ☏ +375 17 209 7537. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Great location, clean Soviet hotel with very old school interior. Great indoor pool, hot tub and a gym, cost $10 extra. Free Wi-Fi in lobby. €35/single. 
• Hotel Orbita, Pushkin ave. 39. Prospekt Pushkina 39, a clean 208-room hotel with friendly but boring staff. There is a supermarket next door and cash exchange in the hotel lobby. The airport and train terminal are about 6 km away. It is in the western part of Minsk not far from the Republican Exhibition Centre. 
• Planeta, Prospekt Pobediteley 31, ☏ +375 17 203 8587. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. They have great services all within the hotel. Internet cafe is open till 20:00. Casino is open 24 hr. 
• Hampton by Hilton Minsk City Centre, Vulica Talstoha 8 (At the main train station, Minsk Pasažyrski Мінск Пасажырскі, leave through the exit for the Družnaja Дружная bus station (at the back of the train station). Then a five-minute walk along vulica Talstoha.), ☏ +375-17-2154000, MSQHX.hampton@hilton.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A well-maintained international chain hotel. US$95. (updated May 2019)

Splurge

Hotel Europa

• Hotel Europe (Отель «Европа»), International Street 28, ☏ +375 17 229-8333. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Exclusive five-star hotel situated in the historical and cultural heart of Minsk. The beautiful 7-story atrium-type building was built in the Modernist style of the early 20th century. Late departure till 23:00 is charged with 50% of the room rate. From €100. 
• Crowne Plaza Minsk, Kirova 13, ☏ +375 17 2005354, toll-free: +800 181 6068. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. 5-star international hotel in the centre. The hotel, with its unique architecture, is opposite the Dynamo Stadium. 
• Marriott Renaissance Minsk Hotel, Dzerzhinsky Avenue 1E, ☏ +375-17-309 90 90, toll-free: +800 181 6068. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. 5-star international hotel. Hotel is on one of the main transport highways in close proximity to the city center. 

Stay safe

Minsk is a safe and clean city. If you are in need of assistance, there is a strong police presence in the downtown area. Emergency medical help can be accessed 24/7, either in designated hospitals or by phone.

All Minsk Metro stations are equipped with security scanners and police are always present there. Passengers with large bags and, particularly, backpacks, are routinely asked to submit their belongings for scanning. The procedure is quick and the police are usually polite. Both the police and Metro staff keep an eye on not letting drunk passengers in, particularly in the evening. Even if you are tipsy, be prepared to answer about your destination station and address. Alternatively, use taxi, buses, trolleybuses and trams.

The Belarusian law prohibits taking photographs of the government buildings. Locals tell stories of tourists approached by officials after attempting to photograph the monumental KGB headquarters on Praspiekt Niezaliežnasci.

Attending political and any protests may not be safe for tourists. Even bystanders may be detained by uniformed and plain cloth police. The judge is likely to accept the police story later on.

Belarus is safe for LGBT travelers most of the time. Belarusian law neither recognises nor bans same-sex relationships; it has some provision for transgender people. Homophobic and transphobic abuse is not recognised as a specific hate crime; any such incidents would be treated as generic hooliganism. This has its impact on the society: most of the people would not mind having LGBT people around, but would regard any explicit signs of affection as unacceptable. This may also lead to violence. Gay and lesbian club nights, if held, are not advertised openly; a Russian euphemism "zakrytaya vecherinka" (closed-door party) is often used. In the past, there were reports of vigilante groups using dating apps; the police challenged those crimes. Taking reasonable precautions should be enough to stay safe.

The Belarusian law prohibits distribution of pornography. While it is not used to routinely police people's belongings and video streaming habits, there were odd cases of prosecuting Belarusian citizens for posting explicit content on social media and even in password-protected profiles.

The enforcement of road safety for pedestrians and drivers by the traffic police is often ruthless, so observing traffic lights and crossings are well-engraved in Belarusians' behavior. As a rule, drivers always give the way to pedestrians crossing the road in the designated places.

Cope

Languages

Language may be a barrier for tourists to a certain extent. Virtually all Belarusians speak or understand both Belarusian and Russian; the latter remains the default means of communication. Increasingly more young people speak English and many of them will be eager to practice it. The older generation is unlikely to understand English. It is wise for visitors to learn some key phrases in Russian or Belarusian. Also, being familiar with the Cyrillic alphabet used both by Belarusian and Russian is essential for traveling without a guide. Many street signs and notices in public transport in Minsk are transliterated into the Latin alphabet. A confusion may arise from the fact that the names of landmarks, objects etc. may be transliterated either from Belarusian (as the current official practice requires, however it is not strictly enforced) or Russian; to add to the confusion, the old practice of translating geographical names still has a place. As the result, Плошча Перамогі (Площадь Победы in Russian) may be referred to in publications as Plošča Pieramohi (or Pieramohi Square - transliteration from Belarusian), Pobedy Square (transliteration from Russian) or Victory Square (direct translation). There is no an easy way to avoid this confusion completely right now, however, being aware of the possibility of the same object being referred to differently depending on the original language used by the speaker should help. Please see also the official standard used for transliteration of Belarusian geographical names into the Latin alphabet [2].

Embassies

• 1 Armenia, 50 Bumažkova St, ☏ +375 17 2979257, +375 17 2979267, +375 17 2979299, +375 17 2970308, fax: +375 17 2979309. 
• 2 Georgia, Freedom sq. N4, ☏ +375 17 2276219, fax: +375 17 2276193, minsk.emb@mfa.gov.ge. 
• India, 63 Sobinova St, ☏ +375 17 2629399, fax: +375 17 2884799, amb@indemb.bn. 
• Japan, Pr. Pobediteley 23/1, 8F, ☏ +375 17 2236233, fax: +375 17 2102169. 
• United Kingdom, 37 Karl Marx St, ☏ +375 17 2298200. 
• United States, 46 Starovilenskaya St, ☏ +375 17 2101283, +375 17 2177347, +375 17 2177348, fax: +375 17 234-7853, ConsularMinsk@state.gov. 

Go next

You may rent a car to travel around the country. Rates depend on period of hire and start from US$20 a day. There are offices of Europcar, Avis, Sixt and other rental companies.

Regional trains are also cheap. A trip from Minsk to Gomel (5 hr) and the train is almost never full.

• Brest is a regional capital on the border with Poland and is rich with history from both the Soviet times and before. You can see a Brest Hero Fortress, perhaps the most impressive Soviet monument ever built. You can get there by train (~20 daily trains running from Minsk) at US$5–20. It takes 3-4 hr by train.
• Gomel
• Grodno is a border town in north-west Belarus, near Kuźnica-Białostocka in Poland.
• Mir is a medieval castle about 85 km from Minsk. Formerly owned by the Radziwill family, one of the great families of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. During the Second World War it was used by the Nazis as a Ghetto. Inside the castle is a museum showing artefacts from the castle's past, including exhibits from the Jewish community who lived in nearby Mir village until their destruction in the war.
• Lake Narach is the largest lake in Belarus, located about 160 km north of Minsk.
• Zaslavl