Wow! Entering the elevator and starting the way up amazed me already then! Going up to 28th floor and getting out at the terrace at “The View” was simply stunning! Just forget about going anywhere else for the view. This is it! Sitting by the tall table facing the window, the city was literally at my feet.
I do not know where to start… Minsk has surprised me time after time. Or, correction; what I have seen of Belarus in general has. But the latter is a different story…
The Holy Spirit Cathedral is probable what catches your eye first, but there is so much more to it. Minsk is a really clean city and has lots of parks, a lake, and nice walking paths along the river.
Most of Minsk was destroyed during WW2, but a small part still remains. The houses of the old town are mostly colorful, and the most photogenic part is situated by the lakeside. There are many nice bars and restaurants, with nice patios to enjoy outside on a nice day.
My favorite tip when getting to a new place certainly also applies here; just wander around getting lost. Even better is to know a local, knowing where to go. I was really lucky to have one in Minsk! But as most travel happens without knowing the locals that is my bonus trick.
What to see in Minsk? I will let the photos speak for me…
Behind the Holy Spirit Cathedral
When I visited it was also the “Victory Day”, so there was a huge military parade celebrating 70 years since WW2 ended.