What to see in Minsk in 3 days - independent routes to the sights

The first day. Historical center Day two. Independence Avenue Day three What to see in 3 days in winter What to see in 3 days in summer Routes and reviews of tourists Where to stay in Minsk Sightseeing tours

Minsk is a modern European city with a rich history. This city has many attractions, but a three-day weekend is enough to get to know the main ones. In 3 days in the city you can get acquainted with its history and see how the capital of the Republic of Belarus really lives.

A journey around Minsk begins with its calling card - the “Minsk Gate”. This is the first thing that tourists see when arriving in the city by train or bus.

Photo: © Tatiana Dudarenko

The first day. Historical Center

The best way to explore Minsk is from its historical center - the Upper Town and the Trinity Suburb. The main architectural monuments are concentrated there.

It is worth visiting the Peter and Paul Cathedral , the oldest church in the city. It is also called the Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul or the Catherine Church. The temple was built at the beginning of the 17th century in the Baroque architectural style. Throughout its existence, the church has been restored and rebuilt many times. Only in 1991, after re-consecration, the temple resumed services. In 1997, it was rebuilt for the last time - the towers were completed with tents, and the facade was cleared of extensions.

The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary is the main Catholic church in Minsk, built in the architectural style of the Vilna Baroque. The church began to be built in the 17th century, and was repeatedly completed over the course of 20 years. During Soviet times, the church was closed and the two towers that adorned the central façade were demolished, turning the cathedral into a sports hall. In the 90s, the temple was returned to the Catholic Church. After restoration work, the cathedral regained its original appearance.

The Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit dates back to the 17th century. With the arrival of the Bolsheviks, the cathedral was closed, and it resumed its work only 20 years later during the German occupation of the country. Today, inside the cathedral Orthodox church there are many relics, including the miraculous icon of the Mother of God (Minsk Icon) and the incorruptible relics of Sophia of Slutsk.

The Vankovich House Museum is a mansion in which the Belarusian artist Valentiy Vankovich once lived. The house, now a museum, was built at the turn of the 18th–19th centuries in the architectural style of classicism. Unfortunately, neither the fence with the gate nor the tiled stoves from the interior of the house have survived to this day. Also on the territory of the estate there is a permanent exhibition of Vankovich’s works and a monument to the artist himself.

Musical Street is one of the oldest streets in the city. The maximum number of ancient buildings of the 16th–18th centuries is concentrated on it. The street is interesting primarily because of the “Dwelling House” of the 18th century, as well as the “House of Masons”. The latter was erected at the beginning of the 19th century and is one of the most beautiful buildings in this place. “House of Masons” is made in the style of classicism.

The Bolshoi Theater of Minsk is not only the largest, but also the only opera house in the republic. It was built in 1933 in the style of Soviet pre-war constructivism. It was destroyed and looted during the German occupation. After the liberation of Minsk, the Bolshoi Theater was carefully restored and a park was built around it.

The Island of Tears is a memorial dedicated to Belarusian soldiers who died in the war in Afghanistan. The memorial complex was built on a small artificial island in the middle of the Svisloch River in the historical center of Minsk near the Trinity Suburb. A chapel was erected on the island, a bronze icon of the Mother of God was installed, embedded in stone, as well as a sculpture of a weeping angel.

You can read about a more eventful walk around the city in the material What to see in Minsk in 1 day

Photo: © KarinNA

Second day. Walk along Independence Avenue

The second day of exploring the capital of the Republic of Belarus can be devoted to the main street of the city - Independence Avenue. This central highway of Minsk stretches for 15 kilometers. An incredible number of attractions are concentrated on it.

You can start a walk along Independence Avenue from the square of the same name , which, before the country left the USSR, bore the name of the main leader of the Bolsheviks, Lenin. Independence Square is quite old; construction work ended in 1933. On the square there are buildings such as the Government House, state universities (BSU and BSPU), the Main Post Office, the Red Church , and a three-story underground shopping center .

Going higher along the avenue, you can look into the State Department Store (GUM), built in 1951. The building is interesting not so much for what it sells, but for its architecture. Large glazed openings, complex decor with many small pediments, stucco moldings, inserts and other elements. The GUM building is made in the style of Stalinist monumental classicism and is an architectural monument of the 20th century.

Next comes Oktyabrskaya Square , which is located in the very center of Minsk. It was built in 1950 and mainly served to allow members of the government of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic to host parades and demonstrations from special stands. On Oktyabrskaya Square you need to pay attention to two attractions - the Palace of the Republic and the Zero Kilometer. Opposite October Square is Alexander Square and the Cyril and Methodius Church.

A little further from Oktyabrskaya Square is the house-museum of the First Congress of the RSDLP . It is dedicated to the event of the 1st Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party in 1898. The museum was badly damaged during the Second World War, but was restored to the smallest detail. Today the museum houses over 400 exhibits, including documents and materials, household items, photographs and much more related to the activities of the RSDLP.

Next to the house of the RSDLP Museum is Victory Square . In the center of the square there is a Victory Monument and an eternal flame. Construction of the square began in the 30s of the last century, and until 1958 it was called Round. Then it was renamed Victory Square, further legitimizing its status with pedestals with capsules with the land of hero cities (Moscow, Leningrad, Kyiv, Odessa, etc.) in 1984.

You can end your second day in Minsk with a visit to the National Library . This rhombicuboctahedral (diamond) building amazes with its size and appearance. Every day at sunset the library lights turn on until midnight. In addition, there is an observation deck on the upper floors of the library, which offers incredible views of the city. Between the National Library and the Eastern Cemetery there is the All Saints Church-Monument and the Church of the Holy Trinity, which should definitely be included in the program of exploring Minsk.

You can find more ideas for a sightseeing walking tour of the city in the material What to see in Minsk in 2 days

Photo: © Yura Lepesa

Where to go from Minsk in autumn

Having finished exploring the sights of autumn Minsk, it’s worth going a little further and visiting the outskirts of the capital or other regions of the republic. In mid-autumn, it's time to go outdoors to admire the golden landscapes. One of such places may be the Sula Park Museum , which is located a few kilometers from the village of Rubezhevichi. Or go to the village of Naroch , near which there is the Naroch National Park with the lake of the same name .

Near Nesvizh Castle there is a magnificent park of the same name. While in Nesvizh , you can drop by in passing to Mir to admire the castle in this city. Throughout the republic in its different parts there are many interesting estates that have received the status of historical and architectural monuments. For example, in the Grodno region, near the city of Smorgon , this is the museum-estate of F. Bogushevich and M. K. Oginsky. Not far from Grodno there is the estate “Royal Farm of Tizengauza” - an architectural monument of the 18th century.

More excursions can be found on the project Experts.Tourister.Ru

Day three

The third day of your stay in the capital of the Republic of Belarus can be left for a walk through museums or go to explore the outskirts of the city. If you decide to stay in the city and devote this day to exploring museums, then you should pay attention to the Museum of the Great Patriotic War , National Art Museum , National Historical Museum , Museum of the History of Belarusian Cinema , Museum of Miniatures “Mini Country” , etc. You can also take a walk along the street with graffiti and murals (Oktyabrskaya Street) and look into the gallery of modern art (Gallery “Ў”).

For more details, see the article Museums of Minsk

Getting to know the area

By going outside the city, you can become much more deeply immersed in the history of the republic, look at other beauties of the country and get closer to its great architecture and various attractions.

A sacred place for every Belarusian is the Khatyn memorial complex , located in the northeast, 60 km from Minsk. The infamous village, which was burned with all its inhabitants (149 people) in retaliation for the murder of several German soldiers, demonstrates the tragedy of the Belarusian people. Also on the territory of the memorial complex is the “Village Cemetery”.

The monument "Mound of Glory" , dedicated to the largest offensive operation "Bagration" in July 1944, is located 35 km from Minsk. The height of the memorial is just over 70 meters. In 2004, the monument was inaugurated again after reconstruction work.

to get to the largest Berezinsky Nature Reserve , but this natural complex more than compensates for the long journey. Part of the global network of UNESCO biosphere reserves and spread over 85 hectares, it surprises with its ecosystem. Dense forests, clean meadows, ponds and swamps with many animals and plants allow you to see the pristine nature of the Republic of Belarus.

Dukorsky Maentak , located 30 km from Minsk, is a great place for a family holiday. On the territory of the estate and park complex you can see the estate’s workshops, visit the museum, see the upside-down house, visit the stables, touch the 400-year-old oak tree, make a wish at the “wishing tree” and visit the meadow of fairy tales.

Almost 100 km from Minsk there is a castle and park complex “Mir” , which is also a defensive fortification and residence in the city village of the same name. On its territory there is the Mir Castle itself, dating from the 16th century, ramparts built in the 17th century, and a chapel from the early 20th century.

Nesvizh Castle can be visited on the same day as Mir Castle, as they are located relatively close to each other. This palace and castle complex was built at the end of the 16th century by Prince Radziwill with the participation of the Italian architect G. Bernardoni. On the territory of this castle complex there is the castle itself, its fortifications and a large landscape park.

What else to see in 3 days can be found in the material Sights of Minsk

Estates and castles near Minsk

There are about 120 castles and palaces on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Most of the historical castles have not survived today; some castles are in ruins, and only a small part of them have survived. The surviving castles have been restored and are open to the public.

In addition to real castles, there are also manor park complexes and estate museums that have survived to this day with well-groomed grounds and restored interiors. Such architectural ensembles are often the former possessions of landowners, princes and titled persons.

view of the castle in Nesvizh Photo: © Natasha Shamanovskaya

Chapski estate in Stankovo

One of the estate and park complexes in the Minsk region is the Gutten-Chapsky estate in the village of Stankovo. The complex is located approximately 45 kilometers southwest of Minsk, in the Dzerzhinsky district. This estate is an architectural monument of the 19th century. In the south of the estate there is an artificial pond.

The main manor house has not survived to this day. The palace was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. In the post-war period, a building for a boarding school was built in its place, which still operates today. On the territory of the estate complex there remains a park, a library building (“Skarbtsa”), an outbuilding, outbuildings, and a servant’s house.

The territory of the Chapski estate in Stankovo on Google maps panoramas

Palace in the village of Priluki

About 15 kilometers from Minsk there is a palace and park complex - the family residence of Count E. Hutten-Czapski. This ownership passed to Czapski in the 19th century. Before this, according to historical information, the palace was owned by the Oginskys, Ivanovskys, Gorvatts, and Vishnevetskys.

Today the Hutten-Czapski Palace has been restored. After the end of the Second World War, this building was transferred to the ownership of the Research Institute of Plant Protection. You can't go inside, but you can admire the neo-Gothic palace with turrets and lion sculptures for free. Not far from the palace and park complex there is a small pond, and next to it, near a residential area, there are buildings of a former barn, distillery, and workers' houses.

Hutten-Czapski Palace in Pryluki on Google maps panoramas

Nesvizh Castle

One of the most popular and visited museum complexes is Nesvizh Castle . This architectural monument of the 16th–18th centuries was built by order of Prince Radziwill Sirotka. The castle is located in the city of Nesvizh, 110 kilometers southwest of Minsk. Today Nesvizh Castle is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Entrance to the castle itself is paid. You can visit the palace either as part of a tour group or independently without a guide. Various thematic exhibitions and events are constantly held on the castle grounds. The restorers tried to bring the appearance of the rooms as close as possible to their historical appearance. Some rooms have original decorations and furniture from the 18th century.

Photo: © Natasha Shamanovskaya

Mir Castle

Usually, along with Nesvizh Castle, tourists visit Mir Castle . It is located in the city of Mir, about 30 kilometers north of Nesvizh. Mir Castle is one of the main attractions of the Republic of Belarus, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today there is a museum on the territory of the complex, and nearby there is a park area and a pond. The castle hosts a variety of festivals, events and conferences. Excursions are organized for visitors.

Photo: © Alexey Panin

Zaslavsky Castle

This castle, also known as the ancient settlement "Val" , is located in the city of Zaslavl, approximately 25 kilometers northwest of Minsk. This is one of the very first bastion castles on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Construction dates back to the 16th century.

To date, Zaslavsky Castle has not survived. The only building on the territory of the former castle that has been fully preserved and is even functioning is the Transfiguration Church . All that remains of the castle itself are the ruins of the fortress gates, ramparts and ditches.

ruins of the castle gate in Zaslavl Photo: © Yura Lepesa

What to see in Minsk in autumn, winter, summer, on weekends

What to see in 3 days in winter

Winter in Minsk is no harsher than in most cities in the European part of Russia. It’s quite possible to go on a sightseeing tour, sometimes stopping at cafes and restaurants along the way to warm up and have a snack.

Also at this time of year you can visit, for example, the Belarusian State Circus . Performances for every taste - from water extravaganzas to aerial acts - will appeal to both adults and young spectators. The Star Hall of the Minsk Planetarium invites you to immerse yourself in the eternity of space thanks to the domed screen and the Planetarium apparatus, produced back in the days of the GDR by Carl Zeiss. Also in winter, you can get to know Minsk better by visiting theatrical performances and museums, of which there are many in the city.

An excellent solution could be a holiday in the vicinity of Minsk at a ski resort - in Logoisk or in Silichi . Both are located about 30 km from the capital and offer a wide variety of activities, in addition to skiing or snowboarding from the peaks.

What to see in 3 days in summer

Minsk is especially beautiful in summer. In the warm season, you should definitely visit the central botanical garden . This natural monument of republican significance has over 10 thousand plant names.

You can take a break from the bustle of the city in parks and squares. There are really a lot of these green areas in the city: Park named after. M. Gorky , Starostinskaya Sloboda square, park named after. Yanka Kupala , Chelyuskintsev Park , Park named after. Hugo Chavez, Victory Park , etc.

By the way, one of the attractions of Victory Park is a boat trip along the Svisloch River. If you want to have a blast, you can do it on a boat. The park is also worth a visit to Bird Island, the territory of which has become the habitat of 30 different species of birds. The island can be reached via a pedestrian bridge. Continuing the theme of nature, you can stop by for an hour or two at the Minsk Zoo , where more than 2 thousand animals live.

Sights of Minsk on the map:

The list will include all the main attractions of the city: churches, cathedrals, museums, squares, iconic places and much more. And everyone will choose for themselves what is interesting to them and what is not.

All points on the map are clickable and the map is scalable. Enjoy it for your health.

If you look at the map, you can see that all the main attractions of the city are located very closely in the center: this is so. TOP 20 most interesting places can be visited without using public transport.

And if the water park and zoo are not interesting to you, then all other attractions can be reached by metro.

Routes and reviews from tourists

To travel independently through an unfamiliar city, each of us draws up, perhaps not a detailed, but an approximate route with the sights that he would like to see. Today, all the necessary information can be found on the Internet, and at the same time a large number of reviews and proven routes.

Such reviews are filled with interesting and lively photos, with clear descriptions of routes, tips and, possibly, small life hacks. In addition, there are reviews about the city for every season: summer, autumn, winter and spring. So it will be much easier to choose when to go sightseeing in Minsk.

Stories about Minsk and its surroundings from Anna Kudryavtseva:

"Minsk: Independence Avenue"
"Minsk: Upper City"
"Minsk: a walk through the Trinity Suburb"
"Two weeks in Belarus"

You can read about Minsk and Vitebsk in Masha Malinovskaya’s material:

"Belarus: Minsk and Vitebsk"

Material about the weekend in Minsk from Maria Shcherbakova:

“Weekend in Minsk. June 2019"

Read more: All reviews about holidays in Minsk

See also: Weather in Minsk for 3 days or more

Where to stay in Minsk

In Minsk, as a large metropolitan city, tourists have a choice of hotels, apartments and hostels. Hotels without category and up to 5 stars are located mainly in the center, as well as on the outskirts of major highways. The range of prices for rooms is significant, by Russian standards from below average to high, which is quite logical for the Marriott and DoubleTree by Hilton chains. A larger assortment, both in variety and in prices, is always in the apartments' offers. They also vary in level of comfort, size and price - from very small to the level of local 5-star hotels.

Minsk Hotels
Hostels for Budget Travelers
Flats and apartments

A way to save on travel is to book accommodation on Booking.com with cashback Cashback promotion on Tourist. RU

Minsk-Arena

In 2010, a multifunctional cultural and sports complex was opened, which is the largest sports complex in Europe and an example of modern Belarusian architecture. The complex includes: an ice palace-arena for hosting international sports and entertainment events, one of the best velodromes in Europe, a speed skating stadium and a multi-level parking lot.