Minsk

Good to know

1. 1Minsk was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, and most of the centre was rebuilt in the post-war years in a grand Stalinist style. Independence Avenue, which runs for several kilometres through the middle of the city, is the best example.
2. 2The Svisloch River runs through the city, and the Trinity Suburb, a small restored quarter of low colourful houses on its bank, gives an idea of what older Minsk looked like.
3. 3Belarusian and Russian are both official languages, and Russian is the one most people use day to day. Street signs and metro announcements are in Belarusian, often with Russian alongside.
4. 4Potatoes are central to local cooking. Draniki, which are potato pancakes usually served with sour cream, are the dish most people recommend, and machanka, a stew of pork in a thick sauce eaten with pancakes, is another traditional choice.
5. 5The currency is the Belarusian ruble. Cards are widely used in the city, though it is useful to carry a little cash.
6. 6The Great Patriotic War Museum is a large museum dedicated to the Second World War, which still shapes how the country remembers its history. The city also has many parks, including the large Gorky Park and the wooded Chelyuskinites Park.

Tips for a first visit

• The metro is simple to use, with only a few lines, and is a quick way to cross the city. Buses, trams and trolleybuses cover the rest, and the centre is also easy to explore on foot.
• Learn to read a little of the Cyrillic alphabet before you go. It makes signs, menus and metro stations much easier to follow, and English is not spoken everywhere.
• Try draniki and a bowl of borscht or a local soup in a traditional restaurant, and ask about kvass, a lightly fermented bread drink that is popular in warm weather.
• Take time to walk along Independence Avenue and the Svisloch embankment, then step into the Trinity Suburb and Upper Town for a quieter side of the city.
• Dress for the weather, because winters are cold and summers can turn rainy, and bring comfortable shoes since you will walk a lot.
• Be polite and low-key in public. Greeting shopkeepers and staff when you enter is normal, and photographing government buildings or officials is best avoided.

When to go

Late spring and early autumn are comfortable for walking, with mild temperatures and green or golden parks. Summer is warm and good for long days outdoors, though showers are common. Winters are cold and snowy, which suits visitors who enjoy a quiet city with a seasonal atmosphere, but you will need proper winter clothes.

From the airport

Minsk National Airport is about 40 kilometres east of the city centre, so it takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour to reach the centre. The usual ways in are a taxi or a bus that connects the airport with the city's main railway station area, and a taxi is the most direct option with luggage.