Minsk, capital of Belarus

Minsk is the capital of the Republic of Belarus, a less than 10 million people country in Eastern Europe. Often mixed up with Russia, it has its own culture and spirit. Considered as the last dictatorship of Europe, the country is nearly locked down. Not many tourists, which makes it very interesting to visit. Imported products are quite expensive, which makes parties more expensive than around, but food quite cheap. The city of Minsk offers many attractions, a weekend cannot be enough.

Центр!пр.Независимости,57.DOZARI

Host organized picking me up at the airport, and flat was conform to description. Very nice. Also, cleaning was organized, and host helped before and during the trip for all that was needed (getting visa, registration once in the country, flat issues, cleaning, ...). All great, at a cheaper price than hotels.

Moulin Rouge Show

Good food, show, ambiance, price. Was looking for a place to go on a Wednesday, to eat and celebrate a special occasion past 11pm. We found this place, which features some shows with dancers, and the dancefloor can be (and was) used by the guests to dance the rest of the time. Very good ambiance, nice music, didn't regret to go there. They have a lot of tables, some are very long and can easily host a huge group of people. The food is very good and not expensive. I had an amazing beef steak. Two persons diner, with bottle of Italian sparkling wine and some cocktail, for about 50€, with good quality in great ambiance.

Lot of choice, as it is a self service restaurant you can see food as you take it. Ambiance is great - very nice decoration, though seats are not very comfortable. Take care when taking a beer, it's easy to mistake a real one for a non-alcoholic...

View on Lida castle from nearby Lida Hotel

Lida's 13th century castle is very well restored and preserved. Located about 160km from Minsk, or a 2h drive, it definitely worth a day tour : see the fortifications, sit on the throne, play with medieval weapons, ... It is also interesting to stay in nearby hotel, for about 320k BYR a night. There's a small coffee on top floor, with a very nice view on the surroundings. From the stair case, best view possible on nearby castle. Comfortable enough, cheap and easily accessible.

Explosions and fireworks

Belarus being hosting the team behind World of Tanks video games, it's no surprise they contribute organizing a tank day ! Most likely in September. Situated in an open air military museum, the former Stalin line, right next to Minsk and accessible with city bus, for a whole weekend, battles reconstitution are organized. With tanks, of course, but also soldiers, fireworks and fake explosions.

National Library of Belarus

One of the most recognizable building in Minsk, the National Library of Belarus is appreciated by locals as an interesting piece of architecture, but also as a nice point of view on the city, with a bar on one of the highest floors.

Little Eiffel tower in Minsk

See the Little Eiffel tower, close by the National Library, and surrounded by nice parks. Get off the subway station Vostok, and explore by yourself

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National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus

Have seen a ballet there (Tchaikovski Nutcracker), was not disappointed. Seats are comfortable enough, view on the stage is good. Bar queue is too big for the entract, have to run there to get something on time.

Ice Hockey match in Minsk Arena

Minsk Arena is the main ice rink for ice hockey matches in Minsk. You can see there KHL (Continental Hockey League) matches, in which Dynamo Minsk, best national team is playing, or national and international matches. Minsk Arena was one of the two stadiums used during Ice hockey World Championship 2014.

School in which Russian lessons were held

Education Center Leader is a great place to learn new skills. Spent there 2 months learning Russian as a foreign language, and had a great time. The classes were very personalized, with small groups, and I learned a lot. They offer many other interesting courses - massage, business, beauty, ... Take a look and do not hesitate to consider Minsk as a serious place to enhance your resume.

Fire makes everything better. Especially parties

Expensive entry fee, very nice decoration and good DJs. The music is sometimes too loud. Good place to dance when it's not overcrowded.

Haddaway concert for St Valentine's Day

Nice club with good music and always a show going on - dancers (males and women, everybody is satisfied), sometimes some guests performers. Champagne selection is far too expensive, and tables deposit also.