Se hva du kan gjøre og oppleve i Minsk

The Old Town sits on the eastern side of the Svislach River, bordered by Vul Maxima Bahdanovicha. Known as Troitskoe Predmestiye, or “Trinity Suburb”, the Old Town is not really that old. The original 17th and 18th century houses were recreated in the 1980’s. However, it’s a delightful place to walk around in. You can relax in quaint cafés or browse through the souvenir shops.

The memorial sits on the Minsk-Moscow highway, a 30 minute car ride from Minsk. The monument itself was built in 1969, 25 years after the liberation of Belarus from the Germans, to honour the soldiers that fought against the Nazis in World War II and those who lost their lives. The view from the top of the hill makes the climb worthwhile.

Down from the Old Town by the riverbanks is the evocative Ostrov Slyoz, or “Island of Tears”. This is a memorial to Belarusians who lost their lives in battle, but particularly in remembrance of those that died in the Soviet Union’s war in Afghanistan in the 1980’s.

Standing defiantly on a small hill is the Holy Spirit Cathedral, one of the most instantly recognisable landmarks of Minsk. This two-towered Orthodox cathedral is situated in the Upper Town. It was once part of a Polish Bernadine convent. The monastery buildings nearby are now a music academy.

The trendy space and "cultural incubator," as the creators have aptly referred to it, ok16 regularly hosts art markets showcasing artwork by contemporary Belarusian creators, among other events like exhibitions, theatrical performances, lectures, and more. The entire street is a showcase for Minsk's alternative art scene, with murals and graffiti adorning the walls of Soviet-era block buildings and trendy coffee outlets neighbouring on (fully operational!) factories with "Emplyees of the Month" billboards out front.

Gorky Park is the city’s oldest park, at its loveliest in the summer. It is very popular with locals who often stroll along the well-tended paths. Gorky Park is a big draw to guests of all ages because of its enormous Ferris Wheel. Another reason to come here is the great view of the city.

Better known as the “Red Church”, the Church of St. Simon and Helena was built in 1910 by a Polish noble to commemorate the death of his two children – the tower’s three bells are named after him and the dead children.

At the junction of Nezavisimosti and Zakharava is this huge square, with a giant victory obelisk emerging from the centre. The monument has an eternal flame at its feet, which has been burning since 1954, and is accessible from an underground passageway.

Next to the classical-style Trade Union’s Culture Palace lies the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. This museum tells of Belarus during World War II. It also tells the story of Minsk’s Jewish population following the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Behind the building is a park filled with vintage tanks and planes.

Across the road from the Museum of the Great Patriotic War lies a delightful little park that stands on the site of a 19th century marketplace. You often see people playing music here.

North-west of Independence Square is a yellow neo-classical block, which houses the KGB building. On the other side of the street is a park, where you can find a bust of Felix Dzerzhinsky, founder of "Cheka" (the pre-KGB establishment of the Soviet Union).

The Palats Mastatsva is a stylish and trendy hangout – well compared to the dour museums that tend to make up Minsk’s cultural scene. Palats Mastatsva is an arts institute where you will find galleries and book stalls.

This is one of the most beautiful places in Minsk. The Botanical Garden is a leading scientific institution and home to more than 1,000 different plants. It is a tranquil place with a beautiful lake and the perfect spot to have a picnic at on a sunny day.

National Library of Belarus is one of the most iconic buildings in the city, and it is easy to see why. Other than a vast selection of world literature, there is also an art gallery, cafe and an observation deck with a beautiful view over the city.

Minsk Arena is a great place to visit for concerts or fun-filled hockey games. Check out their website while you are there to see what is on. You will also find 7 cafes and 3 different restaurants in the building.

Dreamland Park is one of the main amusement parks in Minsk. It is a park for all ages but children will probably find some things more exciting. There are lush walking paths, a zoological area with exotic birds and live entertainment.

Few outings in the Belorussian capital can be as entertaining and amusing as going to the circus. Various performances are put on at the Belorussian State Circus - you should certainly try to catch one.

Pan Khmelyu is one of the most popular upscale restaurants in town, often visited by locals to celebrate special occasions. Here you can enjoy giant portions of traditional Belarusian dishes complemented by live bands and other entertainment. Open until 4am.

If cheap local eats are what you're after, try one of this establishment's locations across town. The menu is extensive and features great value deals on traditional Belarusian and Eastern European dishes. Serves soups, mains, snacks, and even dessert.

Straunya Talaka occupies a basement cellar space and entices with an unusual décor featuring stuffed animals and tables made from re-purposed old beds. Here, guests are welcome to indulge in generous portions of traditional dishes of the Belarusian cuisine.

Lido is an inexpensive self-service eatery located right next to the TSUM department store. Dish variety is impressive, with mostly Eastern and Central European cuisines on offer. Lido will certainly not break the bank, food is of high quality and service fast and efficient.

Westfalia offers fresh, healthy food in simple, elegant surroundings. The cuisine is primarily German and central European, with a large variety of Belarusian specialties. There is live jazz here every Friday. Vegetarian dishes and a children's menu available.

Planeta Sushi is a Japanese restaurant, part of a well-established international chain. The menu features classics of Japanese and Asian cuisine, with a large chunk of it dedicated to different varieties of sushi. If in doubt, go for a Philadelphia or California roll.

This is a good café to sit and sink a few beers and watch the world pass by. The café offers local snacks like draniki and tasty potato pancakes.

The upscale Italian restaurant has consistently enjoyed great reviews, and is one of the finest restaurants in Minsk specialising in Italian cuisine. Live music is played as dinner accompaniment on most nights, and the service is attentive yet unobtrusive.

Kamyanitsa is an authentic Belarusian restaurant offering a wide selection of affordable Belarusian dishes. They also have a great selection of beer, both local and international. If you're lucky, you might be able to catch a show by local folk performers on some nights.

If you you're looking for a low-key, relaxed establishment then Gosti is the place to be. They serve European and Belarusian cuisine, pub grub, great beer and other drinks. Live music is played on some nights, and there even is a small dance floor to be made use of later in the night.

Food Republic is essentially an upper-range food court, with restaurants specializing in world cuisines from Turkish to Japanese arranged in a circular manner around the space. There is a pleasant outdoor terrace overlooking the river available to customers during the summer.

Grunwald’s classy atmosphere, elegant themed décor (the crockery and dishes are all branded with the restaurant's name) and a perfect fusion of Berlarusian and Eastern European cuisines all make it a popular meeting point for local diners. Smoking and non-smoking rooms available.

News cafe is one that aims to recreate the atmosphere of a hip coffee shop in central and/or western Europe, with up-to-standards service, decent coffee, English-speaking staff and menus. The cafe is open all through the day and has something to offer for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The longstanding Spanish restaurant transports diners to Spain, forging a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere in the cosy space it occupies. Here, a wide selection of Spanish and Mediterranean dishes is on offer, along with quite a choice of various tapas.

Stille serves heavenly pies (both by piece and whole) to eat in or take away, and boasts several convenient locations across Minsk. The one on Rakovskaya Street also serves a selection of traditional Belarusian and Eastern European dishes. Refer to the official website for a full list of branches.

The posh Grand Cafe is more of a rather upscale restaurant, really, with fully laid tables and schooled, English-speaking servers attending to guests' every need. The menu is dominated by Italian (and miscellaneous European) specialties, and offers a pleasant selection of desserts.

One of the best bars in Minsk, Rakovsky Brovar has its own small brewery where you must try the Grashovoe and Pilzenskoe beers (the selection extends to 30 varieties). There are two floors of wooden tables and benches and a “sports corner”. Open until midnight.

Once among the capital's best bohemain cafes for insiders, the legendary London underwent a substantial makeover, taking on a new identity as a coffee and cocktail bar (plus the prefix "Kew"). Coffee is still served here in the daytime as an homage to the establishment's past, but true magic happens as the sun goes down: Kew London's speciality are herbal notes that liven up familiar classics.

Located on the ground floor of a student dorm, Graffiti has some of the best live music in Minsk and frequently plays host to shows by local bands. It’s an intimate red brick hangout (walls adorned with - you guessed it - graffiti art) where drinks are cheap, locals friendly and the music top-notch.

BierKeller is a German beer cellar with a large selection of exclusive German beer. The "German" theme is followed to the letter, complete with dirndl-clad waitresses serving guests traditional pork dishes. Some patrons even have their own personal mugs waiting for them in a designated cabinet.

If you are a beer lover and/or connoisseur, then Gambrinus Pub is the place to be. The pub is divided into four different parts, each one representing a world-famous beer capital. It is also a foreigner-friendly location, with English-speaking staff and menu. Serves a good selection of savoury foods and dessert.

Cherdak - translated "attic" - indeed occupies the top floor of a very centrally located building in Minsk's old town. The bar is known for its creative cocktail list and the adjacent airy rooftop terrace, immensely popular with locals in-the-know during the summer months. DJ sets and dancing have their place

Part of the quickly emerging scene of craft beer bars, Craft House packs a punch with its varied selection of beer (over a dozen on tap and about 50 bottled varieties, from local brands to international favourites) and some great meal choices. Emerging Russian (AF Brew) and Belarusian microbrews are also represented.

With its unique decor (one of the rooms is Alice in Wonderland themed, with chairs glued to the walls) and an excellent drink list, Insomnia is one of Minsk's currently most attractive, stylish bars. One of its major draws is that food here is served late into the night, making it a good after-party location.

Minsk's largest food market, Komarovskiy is where locals head to stock up on fresh, locally-sourced produce. It's an experience even if you don't plan to buy, although prepare to be tempted - what better place to try the infamous local specialty called "salo" (cured animal fat), or purchase excellent quality honey.

Belarus' own longstanding lingerie brand is doing exceptionally well all over Europe, and is especially popular with female shoppers in its Eastern countries. Milavitsa's products boast a well-deserved good reputation for their quality and affordable pricing.

It’s great fun wandering around GUM, where you can find all manner of products - from souvenirs to edibles and clothing. GUM is big, brash and an unforgettable place to shop. Little has changed since the Soviet era's end a couple of decades ago in terms of the general atmosphere, so a trip here might be worth it for the experience alone.

The alternative creative space of "Y" comprises an art gallery (with constantly changing expositions by local creators), stylish wine bar (that operates as cafe during daylight hours), and a small adjacent store selling artisan souvenirs, accessories, and artwork.

One of the best shopping malls of the capital, Zamok contains a wide range of international brand boutiques, as well as quite a few entertainment options - these include a 3D cinema, children's Discovery complex, multiple restaurants and cafes, and a very own ice-skating rink.

TSUM is an abbreviation for (roughly) "universal store", and this shopping center really is a one-stop location for all shopping needs imaginable. The building has several levels, each dedicated to a specific theme - male and female clothing, household goods and deli. The nearby Lido is a great value lunch spot.

The three-storey underground mall is one of several larger shopping centres in the capital. The assortment of stores is what one would expect from a location like this one - mass-market and upper-range local and international brand boutiques, as well as a few eateries.

The country's main international airport is located at a distance of 42 km from the city. Reaching the city centre is possible via public transport - buses 300Э and 173Э and shuttles 400-ТК and 1430-ТК all circulate between the city center and the airport. Tickets may be purchased at vending machines and/or from the driver directly. Journey time is estimated at 1 hour approximately. You can also easily get a taxi from outside the arrivals hall.

As of 2017, visa-free entry via the Minsk National Airport has been introduced for citizens of multiple world countries. The visa-free period has recently been extended from 5 days to 30; if your stay will last longer than 5 working days, you will also need to register with local authorities and pay a small registration fee. In order to make use of visa-free entry, travelers must arrive and exit solely through the Minsk National Airport (no border crossing by car or train allowed). This does not apply to flights to and from Russia: those crossing the border from or into Russia will need to obtain a visa in advance. Those eligible for the 30-days visa include all nationals of the European Union and further European countries, as well as the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many others. For longer stays a visa will most definitely be required. To learn more about different types of visas and supporting documents for each type, visit: http://mfa.gov.by/en/visa/typesofvisa

Belarus' continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters, makes late spring through early fall the best times to visit the country weather-wise. The months of June, July and August are normally very warm but not uncomfortably so, and these also see the Belarusian capital come alive with outdoor events and festivals, residents pouring out into the city's parks and outdoor cafes.

You can get around Minsk by using the bus, tram, or the metro. All three are cheap and reliable. The two-line metro is an interesting way of getting around as each station's decor is dedicated to a specific theme (the October Square station commemorates the 1917 revolution, for example). Public transport operates from about 05.30 to 01.00 daily and serves all parts of the city. Trolleybuses 1, 2 and 18 pass through Minsk’s main street, Pr Francysk Skaryna The metro closes at 24.30 every night. Remember to validate your ticket on board buses and trams by punching it on one of the red punching machines. Ten-day or monthly passes are available for all modes of transport.

Yellow cabs are the state run taxis that are best used. Prices depend on distance. Taxis can be hired at short numbers 152, 135, 157 and 107 (upper-range).

Pharmacies in Minsk are marked by a green cross and there are many of them in the city. Some addresses include: Kirava 3, Minsk (24/7) +375 17 328 47 05 Karla Marksa 20, Minsk (24/7) +375 17 220 28 44

There are multiple post offices all across Minsk. Post boxes are blue in color. Central Post Office Praspiekt Niezaliežnasci 10, Minsk +375 17 200 04 06 Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm

Country code: +375 Area code: 17

220V AC, 50Hz Standard European two-pin plugs