Now become more easy to travel in Belarus and tourists are wondering what to do in Minsk. Because arrival in Minsk airport by plane (except from Russia, even transit) gives you the opportunity to stay in Belarus 5 days without visa. All you need to have is money and insurance (should be written that it works in Belarus, not all the world or something).
Minsk architecture will bring you back in Soviet times, because the city was build from the ash after Germans in World War II and what an irony by Germans. So will be good to start your walk from Oktyabrskaya square and head to Independence square, then you can go down to Nemiga street and arrive to Trinity suburb. This is the most beautiful part of Minsk with one of the oldest church in the city, small houses, island of tears, promenade and etc. On the hill you will see the hotel Belarus, there is view point on the top, in summer there is working cafe with cheap prices. Not far from there is new Second world war museum and Victory park from both sides of river Svisloch full of green lush around. There is also view point in the National library but there is nothing special to view there, so better to visit it in evening when is lightning. Also in evening there is nice lightning in train station that worth to see. Best parks to walk in summer are Gorky's park, Cheluskincev and Loshickij park, that is pretty far from center but very nice.
From other activities I would recommend to go with excursion in Tractor's factory, that is so famous. There you can also help to fix the tractor and get certificate or make a ride on tractor (only will need to choose what you want more because tractor's ride is at 10 am and work with tractors details at 1 pm). Excursion can be on few foreign language, need to make pre booking at least one day before. Contacts: +375 17 246 69 39;
e-mail: mtztourism@belarus-tractor.com
Another attraction is outside of Minsk - Stalin's line museum, where is able not only to have excursion, but also to ride a soviet tank or shoot from few types of guns. It's a huge complex in memory of the War. Contacts and info on the site stalin-line.by/en/
In the city you can take bus number 1, that make laps in Independence avenue, but keep in mind that every lap you need to validate new ticket. Ride on this bus will give you opportunity to see almost all Minsk except Nemiga. Route starts from train station, but try to avoid time 7-9 am and 5-7 pm or you will feel like herring in a barrel.
Other thing that you can do if you come any season except summer is to go in Opera and ballet theater or Circus, both is very nice and renovated not so long time ago. Tickets cost very cheap (for ex. you can find ticket for 5$ in opera) and available online, better to make booking in advance. There is nice park and fountain near Opera theater and Gorky's park near circus. Contacts: opera - bolshoibelarus.by/eng/, tickets in circus - kvitki.by/ru/category/71
For lovers of active sport I recommend to rent bicycle (in Nemiga or Minsk Arena) and make a round in bicycle road, it's about 27 km and going through nice places as parks.
Other you can visit one of cafes in soviet style as Товарищ (near circus) or Дежавю (far from center). Or authentic Belarussian style Камяница. Or the oldest Minsk's bar - Graffiti, it's tiny, but every day there are playing different bands in different music styles (you can pre book tickets on their site graffiti.by).
Also read more about the city on
Minsk page and see
Minsk metro map.
