Minsk, capital of Belarus, is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture. Many of its museums, theaters and other cultural attractions line Independence Avenue (Praspyekt Nyezalyezhnastsi), a wide, 15km-long thoroughfare leading to vast Independence Square. Looming over this iconic plaza are massive KGB Headquarters and the neo-Romanesque Church of Saints Simon and Helena, also known as Red Church.
1. Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War
This museum is definitely worth a visit. It tells the story of WW2 from the Russian perspective. The horrific destruction on the Eastern front and in the concentration camps are shown to the visitor to this museum. The staff is really friendly and speaks enough English to help you out to get started.
Tip: read about the history of the country Belarus and the cold War in particular before entering: it hands down a frame for all the information in the museum.
2. Sts. Simon and Helena Church (Red Church)
Beautiful, well-restored church. The church itself is an architectural monument. Always open to the public. You can freely enter, see, take pictures (of course without a flash). A place that is definitely worth a visit when visiting Minsk, not far from the railway stations.
3. Museum Strana Mini
This miniature museum is a museum of small models of the most famous buildings in Belarus. It is quite cheap to enter and the staff is very helpful. There is an English guide using a tablet/phone that is provided. Lots of historical information about each model is offered. The museum serves coffee and has some chocolate and snacks for sale too.
4. National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre
The building suffered from bombing in the Second World War and was opened again after reconstruction in 1947. Well-known operas and ballets are being performed here. And you can buy tickets for quite a reasonable price online. They have a LED display which shows lyrics of an opera being performed. People speak English in the opera. Definitely worth a visit!
5. Feed squirrels in Janki Kupaly Park
Minsk is a very green city with a lot of parks. Which park to visit? The choice is yours and depends on your spare time. If you have little, just take a walk in Janki Kupaly Park next to the Bolshoi theatre in the city center.
6. Mir castles
One of the most famous historical sites in Belarus that had survived and was restored almost in its primordial appearance. Check the opening times before visiting and the bus schedule if you’re using public transport to get to Mir. Entrance is free, you only need to purchase a ticket for visiting a museum, which is nice. There is a nice little cafe inside if you need some rest. Very pleasant time spent. Would recommend visiting if you’re interested in history or just want to appreciate the view and architecture.
7. Belarusian National Arts Museum
Nice museum! Spent about an hour here and got a nice taste of Belarusian culture. There’s a good mix of modern art (the main exhibit when I was there), but also small statues of Cossacks and your classic landscapes. The building itself was my favorite part, and the top floor with some interesting art from the Soviet era. It’s 8byn entrance for adults, 4byn for students. I’d say you could spend anywhere from 1-2 hours here, but it’s one of the more interesting attractions in Minsk.
8. Belarusian State Circus
They have reinvented the circus. This is what a modern-day circus should look like. Great choreography, music, lights, colors and the feel of a theater. They can very easily remove the animals, spare the poor souls and you’ll hardly notice the difference coz all the other performances are so brilliant!
9. Nesvizh Radziwiłł Castle
Nesvizh Palace and Park Complex have been on the World Heritage List since 2005. One of the numerous properties of the wealthy Radziwill family, it evolved from a fortification into a luxury estate by the early 20th century. After the restoration in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the palace became a branch of the National Arts Gallery with occasional theatre performances on weekends.
Option:
All Saints Church
Victory Park
Gorky Park
Big park with open-air theatre and cafe
Suzanarama 