How to Spend 1 Day in Minsk

Although not well-known as a travel destination, the capital of Belarus is attractive and interesting, especially for architecture and history buffs. Nearly destroyed during World War II, Minsk was rebuilt in the Stalinist style of architecture popular in the Soviet Union at the time. Here are some ways to get to know the city in a day.

Morning: Take a walking tour

Walking is a good way to get a feel for Minsk, with its wide boulevards, sweeping plazas, spacious parks, and brutalist and neoclassical architecture. Join a guided tour to learn more about the sights, or wander independently and stop at shops, museums, and cafés along the way. Look out for the railway station, the Belarusian Government Building, October Square, the Palace of the Republic, the GUM department store, the Holy Spirit Cathedral, the KGB building, and the Trade Union Palace of Culture. If you’d rather not walk, the metro is a convenient way to get around.

Afternoon: Visit a museum or gallery

After the morning’s overview, zero in on a cultural attraction. Art enthusiasts love the Belarusian National Arts Museum, full of works by Russian, Soviet, and Belarusian artists. If you’re more of a history fan, check out the collection of propaganda posters and art at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War.  

Night: Tour the nightlife

End your visit with a nighttime tour of Minsk, and discover hot spots you might have overlooked on your own. Don’t miss sampling some local varieties of vodka, flavored with herbs, spices, berries, or honey—they’re more like liqueur.