I’m too lazy to come up with a beautiful introduction, so let’s start right from the start. Today we will figure out in which area of Minsk it is better for a tourist to stay. There are about ten similar locations in the capital of Belarus. I will tell you about their main advantages, show examples of housing and write what interesting places and catering facilities can be found in the neighborhood. The article will be boring, but useful (like oatmeal porridge in the morning). Let’s get started, and we’ll figure out the nuances as we go along. So…
Upper Town and Trinity Suburb
The very center of Minsk and the very top top. There are three metro stations, a large shopping center mall “Galleria” and countless different bars, restaurants and cafes. The main disadvantage here is the cost of hotels and apartments. As an example, you can take a look at the hotel “Zalkind Rooms“, located on one of the most beautiful streets of the city (Revolutionary). This is the order of the numbers here almost everywhere.
How to get there? By metro – to Nemiga, Oktyabrskaya or Kupalovskaya stations.
What is nearby? Almost the entire old town of Minsk.
Good places nearby: Salt, Legendar, Pinky bandinsky, Zalkind Kitchen and billions of others.
Where to eat on a budget? Look for inexpensive cakes in a coffee shop “Kommunarka” (at Pobediteley, 7). Nearby (on Independence Avenue) there is also a large McDonald’s (which is now called in BelarusMak.BY ). And in the shopping center of the mall “Galleria” there is a fairly large food court. If you find yourself there, pay attention to a small “island” DAROM by Sushi Paddles. Twice a day (from 15:50 to 16:00, as well as from 21:50 to 22:00) all sushi sets are sold there for 4 BYN.
Rakovskoe suburb
Photos from social networks. The author is Hanna Latushka.
Another area in the heart of the city. Several historical streets have been preserved here, as well as a large building of a former bakery, now converted into fashionable spaces. It turned out to be an interesting synthesis of the old and the new. On weekends, street musicians play here, and in the summer season, free “theater evenings” are held every evening in the Rakovsky Courtyard.
An example of a hotel in this location: “Victoria on the Castle“.
How to get there? By metro to Frunzenskaya station.
What is nearby? The whole old town, as well as the Belarus cinema and the K21 art venue (on the site of the former door factory).
If you find yourself here on Friday or Saturday, be sure to check out the coffee shop (and part-time creative space) called Accidental point. In the evenings, jazz is played here, which you can listen to for a small donation.
Where to eat? Good brunches can be found at Feel’s restaurant, and good pastries at Lane Bakery. For budget travelers, there are KFC and Khinkalnya chain restaurants nearby, as well as a good Pit Stop canteen in the Korona shopping center (24 Kalvariyskaya Street).
Header
The author of the photo is Ksenia Bulanova. Source: @bulanovaphoto.
A cozy low-rise area near the old town, Gorky Park and the embankment of the Svisloch River. Once upon a time, ministerial workers and artists of the Bolshoi Theater (located next door) settled here. Osmolovka itself was considered the first elite district of post-war Minsk. Today there is a special atmosphere here (and personally I really like to be here – especially in autumn). Many houses are overgrown with coffee shops, beautiful bookstores and restaurants. But more on that below.
How to get there? To the metro station “Victory Square”, and then another 800 meters on foot.
What is nearby? On the one hand – Nemiga, the old town and the Trinity suburb. On the other side is the Svisloch Embankment and Gorky Park (where river trams from @f1teplohod have been running since recently). There is also a fashionable playground “ 500 meters from OsmolovkaSandbox“.
Once this place belonged to the Horizont plant, but now the former industrial buildings are covered with graffiti, overgrown with food trucks and turned into a new place of attraction for the residents of the city. The poster of the Sandbox events can be viewed on the websitesbox.by . There are free concerts, an open-air cinema, and animators for children.
Where to eat? Personally, I like the atmospheric coffee shop “Marks” (at Chicherina, 16), and my wife likes the Israeli restaurant “Beten Gav” (at Kisileva, 28).
An example of housing in Osmolovka: studio on Kuibyshev Street.
Oktyabrskaya Street (also known as Vulica Brasil)
Another industrial area converted into a fashionable space. The largest graffiti in Belarus is located here, and literally every building has cool restaurants, gastro bars and cafes.
It is best for a young couple who likes to stay in the center of events to settle in this area. In the evening, everything is buzzing and glowing. And in the afternoon, you can take a scooter and go to explore the old town (it is only 2-3 km away).
How to get there? By any tram from the railway station and the Lenin Square metro station. There are only 2 stops to go. But there is no “own” subway here.
What is nearby?Dynamo Stadium, where cool street events are constantly held in summer and early autumn – from open-air film screenings to sports broadcasts.
Also within walking distance (or 1 tram stop) is the Azgur Gallery, which eventually turned into the most unusual cinema in Minsk. Retrospective films of the 50s/90s are shown here several times a week. The screenings take place in a “Sculptural” hall surrounded by dozens of statues of Lenin, Chapaev and Stalin, which also adds flavor to this place. Look for details on the websitecinemascope.by .
An example of housing on Oktyabrskaya: the Willing hotel.
The area near the main railway station
The place with the best logistics in Minsk. There is a metro nearby for trips around the city. Suburban minibuses stop for trips to Pinsk, Mir and Nesvizh. And also a train station – if you suddenly want to go to Grodno or Brest. In short, a complete set for traveling around Belarus.
Other advantages include the presence of a large shopping center nearby (Gallileo). Independence Avenue is a 10–minute walk away. To Oktyabrskaya Street, which I wrote about above, there are 2 tram stops (any one).
How to get there? By metro to the station “Vokzalnaya” or “Lenin Square”. International trains will also bring you directly to this part of the city. And there is also a bus stop that runs from the airport. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the passage.
Where to eat? In the restaurant “Balcony” with a beautiful view of the Forecourt. Or in the food mall “Concourse“. There are many establishments with Asian food, and also in the evenings (and weekends) various events take place here – from quizzes to musical concerts and performances for children. Admission is free. But before going out, be sure to check the poster on the site konkors.by .
An example of housing in a railway station: a studio on Kirov Street.
Several good neighborhoods near the metro
That’s all. Let’s assume that the tourist center is over. Therefore, next I will write a couple of lines about the Minsk suburbs, residential areas and just pleasant neighborhoods near the metro. Here I especially recommend you three locations…
Vostok Metro (next to the National Library). There are many fountains and cozy parks here. And there is also a large shopping center “Dana Mall”. The city center is 15 minutes away by metro, and housing prices are lower than in the center.
Example: a 2-room apartment on Peter Mstislavets Street.
Where to eat nearby: in chain establishments Domino’s Pizza and Cornflowers, as well as in the Asian restaurant Ganbei (where on weekdays a two-course lunch costs only 20 BYN).
Uruchye metro station. The first point where the bus from the airport stops. There is a park of the same name nearby. There is an ordinary residential area around. A large shopping center (Dana Mall) in two subway stations. The city center is 20 minutes away by metro.
An example of housing in this area: an apartment on Nikiforova Street.
Where to eat nearby? In chain establishments “KFC”, “Burger King”, “Mak.by “and Domino’s Pizza.” There is also a good Georgian cafe Gruzin nearby.by and the Pit Stop home-cooked restaurant (inside the Korona shopping center).
Chelyuskintsev Park and Academy of Sciences metro stations.
Another residential area with lots of greenery. Nearby there is a park of the same name and a popular street playground called “The best street“. Every evening there are free film screenings, quizzes, concerts and performances for children. Admission is free. But before going, be sure to check out the poster. The most interesting events are usually carried out on weekends and Friday evenings.
Another interesting place nearby is the Minsk Botanical Garden. Recently, it has become a popular venue for urban picnics, concerts and street festivals. You can see how it looks in the article at the link below. In the meantime, I’ll move on.
An example of housing: an apartment on Independence Avenue.
Also nearby is the Online Hostel for solo travelers. And one of the cheapest hotels in Minsk is the Akademicheskaya (with rooms like in a pioneer camp).
Where to eat nearby: in the restaurants “Cornflowers” or “Terra Pizza”.
Afterword
Of course, there are other districts in Minsk, but, in my opinion, they are not so well suited for short tourist trips. If I have undeservedly forgotten someone, write in the comments. And also read my other articles on Belarus. For example, a story about the free locations of the Belarusian capital. Or my TOP favorite establishments in Minsk. Well, now I just have to say goodbye. I hope my article has helped you determine which area of Minsk is the best place for a tourist to stay. And your trip to Belarus will be exactly what you dreamed of.
