The capital of Belarus, Minsk, is a modern city which is famous for its Stalin-styled architecture. There are many museums, theaters and other tourists attractions located in the Independence Avenue (or Prospekt Nezavisimosti) which is the longest street in the city with the length of about 15 kilometers.
Culture
If you want to learn more about the culture of Belarus - one of the places you need to visit is the Museum of the Great Patriotic War.
There's also the National Library whose unusual design and facade shines at night with bright illuminations.
Trinity Hill (or Троицкое предместье) located at the city center Nemiga is one of the oldest and historical places of the city.
But if you're opera-fan and love ballets - you should definitely check out the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet.
Shopping and souvenirs in Minsk
Are you looking to go shopping or you're in search for souvenirs? Right in Trinity Hall in the Slavutasts Gallery you can find Belarusian artisans selling magnets, dishes, embroidered shirts with national symbolic, straw hats, etc.
However traditional souvenirs you can find in stores GUM and TsUM. These are department stores that exist since the Soviet times. GUM for instance was built in 1951 by a French architect who called it the Rolling Stones of Soviet architecture because of its quaintness and singularity. Since the Soviet times, almost nothing in the department store has been changed, and less than an hour you can get acquainted with an assortment of things from the Belarusian industry.
Close to GUM is the legendary Soviet cafe called Lakomka, where you can enjoy a cup of warm coffee while sitting at a table with a great view of the Independence Avenue. It's also one of those places were they sell authentic Belarusian chocolates and pastries.
Speaking of pastries, if you're a lover of baked goods then Karavay (which roughly translates as Loaf) is a place for you to check out. It's located close to the Victory Square.
Traditional Belarusian flax is sold in a specialized shop "Lyanok" (near the metro station "Yakub Kolas"). Here you can buy products from linen, such as tablecloths and towels.
Entertainment in Minsk
Minsk entertainment scene will surely not leave you disappointed. If you're looking for a place to have a good time then Zybitskaya street is where you should be. This is famously known as the "party street". Here you can find many popular bars, pubs, restaurants, hookah as well as cocktail bars.
In Minsk you can also find numerous casinos and night clubs.
Places you won't regret spending the whole day
- Museum of National Architecture: Located just 4km from Minsk by the village Ozertso. You can get there in 10 minutes by taking Bus №170E which stops at metro stations Malinauka and Piatrouscyna. The museum have excursions in English.
- Stalin Line: This is a series of fortifications along the old western border of the USSR located 30km from the capital. Although it's much more comfortable to get there by car, you can take a mini bus from dispatch station Druzhnaya. Bus comes every 20 minutes. In this object you can see the armament of the Soviet army and military equipment of the times of the Great Patriotic War like aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery.
After the excursion you might be tempted out of curiosity to head to the cafe "Na Privale" (which roughly translates to "On the halt") where you can try the famous "porridge" that the soldiers were fed during the II World War. You will also have the opportunity to shoot with some real weapons and drive some wehicles of the 1930-1940s.
Minsk Guides you can find in literally every corner. But if you're interested in taking an excursion around the city then you can do so on the red double decker Minsk city tour bus. The bus departs from Kirova street which is just across the street from the Central railway station.
