Last Updated on July 24, 2025 by George Pavlopoulos
Belarus is one of the fascinating countries in Europe. Secluded for decades, it only recently started to open up to foreign visitors. Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is a vibrant city with many attractions. The city unfolded before me like a lost melody from the past: from Independence Square and the Ballet Theatre to spots like the Cat Museum or the Saints Simon and Helena Red Church. Therefore, in this travel guide, I cover the best things to do in Minsk to spark your wanderlust for your upcoming journey.
Minsk had a significant impact on me (I wrote about my impressions in my travelogue), and I had a wonderful time there. So, in this travel guide to Minsk, you’ll find everything you need to know for your visit. Specifically, I’ll share information on how to get to Belarus, the visa regulations, and where to stay in Minsk. Moreover, you’ll read, of course, the best things to do in Minsk and find recommendations about the nicest places to eat. Lastly, at the bottom of this post, you’ll find some selected tours in Minsk and beyond.
So, let’s start with the best things to do in Minsk and my travel guide to one of the most attractive European capitals. Make sure to watch my Minsk travel video below for a first impression.
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A travel guide to Minsk, Belarus
How to travel to Minsk
You can reach Minsk by plane from many European cities. Most of the flights are operated by the Belarusian carrier Belavia, and all flights land at the city’s international airport. As a foreigner, you might need a visa on arrival. However, it’s a straightforward process, and you’ll find more info right below.
Oddly enough, if you start checking for tickets to Minsk, you’ll realize that prices tend to be high. Since there aren’t many carriers operating flights to Belarus, I strongly recommend booking your flights in advance. For example, I booked my journey to Belarus six weeks in advance. Despite having some flexibility, I paid almost 180 euros for a return flight from Berlin to Minsk. Sure, it might not sound that pricey; however, if I were about to book a flight to nearby Krakow six weeks in advance, I would have paid 19 euros.
As for Belavia’s fleet, it’s relatively small. However, I flew with the Embraer 175, and I was overall satisfied with the quality of their services. Belavia’s Embraer 175 is a 78-seat aircraft, serving some international routes that are no more than two hours away from Minsk. The cabin was clean, the staff polite, and the food decent.
You can find the best flights to the Belarusian capital at Kiwi.
From the Minsk Airport to the city center
The Minsk International Airport is approximately 42 km away from the city center. Depending on traffic and transportation, you’ll need anything between 40 minutes and 1 hour to reach the city center. You have two options to travel to and from the airport.
By bus
There are regular buses from and to the airport. Specifically, you can ride No. 300Э and 173Э, as well as shuttle buses No. 1400-TK and 1430-TK. The service is reliable, and the buses are well-maintained.
By car
The easiest and safest option is to pre-book a private transfer. It will cost you approximately 25 euros/dollars, and they’ll bring you straight to your hotel. However, rip-offs do occur with regular taxis, so it’s better to be cautious. You can pre-book your transfer here.
How to issue a visa for Belarus & the obligatory health insurance
As I mentioned, Belarus has remained secluded for years, and you can expect some regulations that you won’t find in other European countries. Apart from obtaining a visa on arrival (if required), you’ll also need to purchase health insurance for your stay. It might sound like a bureaucratic nightmare; however, the process is easy and won’t take more than a couple of minutes.
Here’s what you need to know about obtaining a visa for Belarus and purchasing health insurance.
- You must purchase health insurance at Minsk airport upon arrival in Belarus. No worries, it costs just one euro per day and covers you for several accidents. For my one-week visit, I paid seven euros.
- The State of Belarus obliges you to have a minimum of 25 euros per day in your pocket. Therefore, you should have a minimum of 175 euros for a seven-day visit with. No one asked me to prove that I had this amount of money with me, but it’s better to be safe. So do the maths and have some extra cash with you.
- Credit cards are also convenient; you can use them to pay almost anywhere.
- It is also essential to verify in advance whether you require a visa for your stay. The Belarusian state is recently opening up to tourism: it started with a 5-day visa-free regulation, which has now been expanded to 30 days. If you come from an EU country or the USA, you don’t need a visa. For all other countries, please check the regulations at the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As I wrote, it’s a standard process, and there’s nothing to worry about. The whole thing won’t take that long, and the ground personnel are extremely friendly. After a few quick questions at Minsk’s International Airport, you’ll have all the needed documents in hand, and you can start exploring Belarus.
Belarus E-Visa Update
As of March 10, 2025, citizens of 67 countries can pre-purchase an e-visa for Belarus. You can learn more about the e-visa here.
Where to stay in Minsk, Belarus
While some of the hotels in Minsk might remind you of former times, you’ll also find many modern options. Surprisingly, the prices are comparable to those in Western Europe, despite the services being significantly less advanced. However, downtown Minsk is a paradise for walking and sightseeing, so it’s worth booking a room there.
Below, you’ll find the best hotels in Minsk, together with the hotel I booked for myself.
Where I stayed in Minsk
I stayed at the Victoria Hotel Na Zamkovoy, located in a quiet spot downtown, next to an oversized parking lot. The single room was spacious and clean, although the interior had a slightly outdated look. There is also breakfast included in the price, and the variety of warm and cold dishes was impressive. Although you should not think of it as a luxurious stay, I highly recommend the hotel. It totally serves its purpose, and I was happy to stay there.
The best hotels in Minsk
I have a thing for hotels, and while walking downtown Minsk, I visited a couple of them. Apart from my interest in their retro interiors, I also wanted to expand my recommendations. After checking them closely and seeing their rooms, I can recommend the following:
Imperial Palace Hotel. The Imperial is located in the city’s heart, just a kilometer away from the Palace of the Republic. The hotel offers luxurious rooms and a nice bar for Minsk’s standards. The facilities also include a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi throughout the property. See prices and availability for Imperial Hotel here.
Hotel Polonez. Located in downtown Minsk, Hotel Polonez is just 350 m away from the National Opera and Ballet Theater. Although the building’s exterior may seem outdated, the rooms are modern and feel more contemporary. Additionally, Hotel Polonez is conveniently located near several points of interest, including the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum and Victory Square. Book your room at Hotel Polonez here.
DoubleTree by Hilton Minsk. If you are a Hilton Hotels fan, you can also find one in Minsk. The hotel offers rooms with breathtaking city views, in addition to the standard Hilton services. The Sky Lounge Bar, located on the 21st floor, offers a great selection of champagne and signature cocktails. See prices and availability for DoubleTree here.
Europe Hotel. That’s one of the few 5-star hotels in Minsk and probably the most luxurious one. For a hotel of such standards, the prices seem relatively reasonable. Additionally, the Holy Spirit Cathedral is just around the corner, and the hotel features an indoor pool, fitness center, hammam, and sauna. So if you’re after some luxury, look no further and book a room at Europe Hotel here.
Hotel Monastyrski. Lastly, one of the most charming yet affordable options in Minsk is the Hotel Monastyrski. The building was a former Bernardine monastery, and its styling is both unique and mysterious. It’s definitely one of the most original places to stay in Belarus, and its strategic location is helpful for visiting the city center. Book your room at Hotel Monastyrski here.
You can find more options for accommodations in the capital of Belarus here.
Where to eat and drink in Minsk
Minsk is the capital of nearly two million inhabitants, and as such, it boasts a substantial number of eateries. The Belarusian food is delicious, and if you enjoy Eastern European cuisine, you’ll find your paradise in Minsk.
During my stay in Minsk, I, I tried to eat and drink at as many places as possible. However, one can never write an exhaustive list of recommendations for a one-week visit. Therefore, in this short section, you’ll find the places I enjoyed the most.
- Tapas Bar. This is a Spanish restaurant and not just a tapas bar. That said, you can order tapas, of course, but there are several main dishes on the menu. I tried the Fajitas flambée, and I found the food really tasty. I paid 13 euros together with a glass of wine.
- Kali Laska. This seems to be a new restaurant on Rakowska Street. I stumbled upon it accidentally and couldn’t find anything about it online. Delicious food -dumplings plus Beef Stroganoff, and very reasonable prices. If you like Eastern European cuisine, this is a good option. I paid 13,5 euros, with a glass of wine included.
- Bar Svobody 4. That bar on Svobody Avenue became my daily stop at lunchtime. It serves breakfast all day long, as well as main dishes. Great desserts, great coffee, and a wide selection of cocktails. It has reasonable prices and an outdoor terrace — my personal favorite in Minsk.
- L’ Angolo Italiano. Cozy Italian restaurant with decent prices. I thought dinner would cost me more than twenty euros, but I paid twelve for a Foccacia and Ravioli, plus a glass of Montepulciano red wine. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the service is exceptionally polite, as is the case everywhere in Minsk.
- Hooligan. A friendly bar/club in a lively neighborhood of Minsk. There are often parties, but you’ll have to pay an entry fee.
- TNT Rock bar. Another option for a late-night drink. It’s all about rock music here and getting a glimpse of the Minsk nightlife.
The best things to do in Minsk, Belarus
The capital of Belarus is a historic city, and therefore, there are plenty of things to do in Minsk. First of all, you should enjoy the walks: there is so much open space here that you won’t be able to resist strolling around for hours. The architecture in Minsk is fantastic, and it has impacted several architectural design schools.
If you’re visiting Minsk for the first time, there are a couple of places you can’t miss. So, here you’ll find 10 things to do in Minsk. These are:
The National Library of Minsk
Despite being a relatively new building, it is widely regarded as an iconic piece of architecture all around Eastern Europe. It boasts the most extensive collection of Belarusian printed materials and the third-largest collection of books written in Russian. The library’s construction finished in 2006 and has the shape (take a breath) of a rhombicuboctahedron. The building’s height is 73.6 meters (241.5 feet) and has 23 floors. There’s a cafe on the twenty-first floor, and the building has an observation deck.
You can access it by metro, and the metro station is also called the National Library.
The Island of Tears
You can access the Island of Tears from a small footbridge in the city’s heart. The famous Island of Tears memorial commemorates Belarusian soldiers who lost their lives during the USSR’s War in Afghanistan (1979-1988).
Apart from a small chapel, there’s also a heartbreaking statue of grieving women. This small memorial complex is situated on a small island in the River Svislach, accessible from Ulitsa Starovilenskaya. A peaceful yet haunting place.
The Palace of the Republic
Not to be confused with the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, and definitely not of the same significance. However, the Palace of the Republic is one of the most impressive buildings in town and serves as the official government headquarters. It features a 2,700-seat auditorium and a 500-seat indoor amphitheater.
The KGB building in Minsk
Yes, it might sound odd, but the secret services of Minsk are still hosted under the name KGB. While it may sound like a relic of the Cold War, the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus is the country’s primary intelligence agency.
It’s one of the few remaining KGBs in the world; the other two are located in Transnistria and South Ossetia. (In Riga, Latvia, you can visit their former headquarters.) The KGB headquarters is situated on Independence Avenue, the main boulevard of Minsk, at the corner of Komsomolskaya Street. The building is a blend of Stalinist architecture and neoclassicism.
The Great Patriotic War Museum
World War II is known as the Great Patriotic War in Eastern Europe. That said, the museum commemorates the Great Patriotic War, and it first opened shortly after the liberation of Minsk from the Nazis on October 25th, 1944. It was actually the first museum to open about World War II, and it happened even before the official end of the War.
It has 24 exhibition halls, and you can find more information about it here.
The house of Lee Harvey Oswald
Did you know that Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who allegedly killed JFK, spent a few years in the city? While strolling around Minsk, be sure to visit the location where Oswald lived.
I wrote a separate post about the days of Lee Harvey Oswald in Minsk. Check it out and find everything you need to know.
The Victory Square
You can also see the impressive Victory Square, located near Oswald’s house. You can find it at the crossing of Independence Avenue and Zakharau Street. In the middle, you can see the obelisk commemorating the soldiers who lost their lives in the Great Patriotic War (WWII).
The Holy Spirit Cathedral
The Holy Spirit Cathedral is the most famous church in Minsk. Located at the heart of the city, on Cyril and Methodius Street, it dates back to the 17th century. That’s the central Cathedral of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, and it has two impressive towers. Today, the Holy Spirit Cathedral is one of the most recognizable sights in Minsk (as seen on the cover photo of this article).
The Cat Museum in Minsk
As the name suggests, this is the cat museum of Minsk. It’s one of the oddest places in town, and that’s practically a building that hosts cats. So, if you like cats, don’t miss the chance to visit and play with some noisy kittens.
See more info about the cat museum here.
The Gorky Park
Here’s all about strolling around and enjoying nature. Minsk has many beautiful parks, and the most notable one is Gorky Park. Honestly, visiting Gorky Park is one of the best things to do in Minsk: apart from being a very local thing, you’ll also get a glimpse of the majestic Belarusian nature.
Selected tours and activities in Minsk and beyond
If you would like to make the most out of your stay, you have the option to book some sightseeing tours. Apart from the usual walking tours, you can also book day trips outside Minsk. Belarus has a long history, and leaving Minsk behind for at least one day is something that you should consider. In this small section, you’ll find a list of selected tours offered by locals in English.
- 3-hour Guided Minsk City Tour (Private Driving & Walking Tour). This tour will provide you with a deeper understanding of the city and its Soviet heritage. Apart from that, you will also visit some local landmarks and observe Minsk’s architecture. Check the prices of the 3-hour tour here.
- Minsk City Tour. Another city tour offers a stroll around the city. A wealth of information and several historical facts about Minsk. Check the prices for the Minsk City Tour here.
- Ancient Castles of Belarus. If you want to feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, then this half-day tour is for you. You will visit Medieval Castles and feel the atmosphere of the era. Expect some local myths and a verbal parade of local heroes. Check the prices for the Ancient Castles of Belarus here.
- Private sightseeing tour from Minsk to Mir Castle and Nesvizh Castle. The Mir Castle complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a gorgeous spot. The driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Minsk and drive you there. You will also have the option to stop in between for coffee or lunch. Check the Mir Castle tour here.
FAQ about Minsk
So, here you can find a short section with the most Frequently Asked Questions about Minsk.
Is Minsk safe?
Yes. Despite bad publicity about its internal politics, Minsk is a perfectly safe city for travelers. It’s actually one of the safest cities in Europe.
Is Minsk worth visiting?
Minsk is definitely worth a visit. After being secluded for decades, the city recently opened to tourists. It’s one of the most original capitals you can see in Europe, and its atmosphere will transport you back to a bygone era.
What’s the currency of Belarus?
The official currency of Belarus is the Belarusian ruble or rouble (Belarusian: рубель, code: BYN). The ruble is subdivided into 100 copecks. 1 BYN is approximately 0,35 euros and 0,39 US $.
How many days will be enough in Minsk?
Minsk is the capital city, and as such, it deserves some of your time. I recommend staying at least 3 days in Minsk before heading to another town or back home. There are plenty of things to do in Minsk, and it’s always nice to immerse oneself in another culture.
When is the best time to visit Minsk?
During wintertime, Minsk tends to be extremely cold. That said, if you are not a fan of polar temperatures, it’s better to skip visiting Minsk in winter. The summertime is a more pleasant period, but to be honest, early autumn is probably the best time to visit Minsk.
I traveled to Minsk at the beginning of October, and the days were sunny and mild.
Is Uber available in Minsk?
Yes, Uber is available in Minsk, and it’s a much better option than taxis.
Shall I take a taxi while in Minsk?
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the taxis at all. If you are a foreigner, they will most likely try to scam you. For example, for a ride between my hotel and the train station, I paid 4 rubles with Uber; for the ride back to the hotel, all the taxi drivers asked me for 20. I rejected their offers, of course, and booked another Uber.
Can I photograph whatever I want in Minsk?
You should avoid taking photos of public buildings. There are usually guards around them, and they may ask you to delete the images. You can recognize the public buildings by the Belarusian flag on top. I didn’t have any issues, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Keep your camera down if you see a flag on a building’s top.
Do people in Minsk speak English?
The older generation doesn’t speak English at all. However, people under 40 speak English, and youngsters are fluent.
How to budget for Minsk, Belarus
Minsk is a reasonably affordable city, and your main expenses will be flights and accommodation. I suggest staying somewhere downtown, as it will save you a lot of trouble in terms of transportation. For a single room, I paid 42 euros per night, taking advantage of the hotel’s “early-bird” offer. For your food, you should calculate in the lower 10s, and a drink is equally cheap (3-5 euros).
Moreover, the transportation is ridiculously cheap, and you’ll pay just a couple of cents for a metro or bus ride. I exchanged 110 euros for my whole journey* the day I arrived at the airport in Minsk and spent another 45 euros on my credit card. A couple of times, I used Uber, too: within the city, I didn’t pay anywhere more than 3-4 euros.
Overall, Minsk is a relatively affordable city, but its prices are higher than those in other Eastern European capitals.
*As I wrote initially, Belarus advises having at least 25 euros for every day of your stay. I had, of course, almost 200 euros with me in case I was stopped. However, I decided not to exchange all 200 euros.
That’s it for my travel guide to Minsk. Please let me know in the comments if you’ve already visited the capital of Belarus or if you need more information about this beautiful city.
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