Apartments in Minsk -- Budget Boutique Apartments
Minsk is one of those cities that surprises you. After being torn down during WWII, it has been built from the ground up in a flurry of cosmopolitan architecture and soviet-style design. Despite its reputation, Minsk flourishes in a mishmash of trendy cafes, nouveau restaurants, and a throbbing nightlife. It is well and truly immersed in the modern day, with sushi bars and independent art galleries popping up around every corner. Though it was razed to the ground, leaving very few reminders of its history, Minsk still has a number of cultural bastions that hark back to yesteryear. There are a collection of museums that provide an insight into the fascinating history of Belarus. Check into one of our apartments in Minsk to uncover the city's past and to enjoy its modern-day splendours.
Minsk Accommodation
The city's bridge between traditional soviet life and modern culture means that there is a mishmash of Minsk accommodation available, ranging from high-end, multi-storey hotels to more local options like guesthouses and hostels. There are plenty of apartments surrounding all the major attractions, too, which give you the chance to explore the city at your own pace.
Urban Parks and Opera - Things to do in Minsk
- Church of Saints Simon and Helena -- Also known as the Red Church, this Roman Catholic building sits pretty in Independence Square.
- Minsk Zoo -- A fun day out for all the family, with natural habitats for the eclectic array of animals and a fun educational programme.
- Gorky Park -- This lush patch of greenery was founded back in 1800 and is filled with recreational facilities, an open-air theatre, and a smattering of cosy cafes.
- National Academic Big Opera and Ballet Theatre -- Located in the Trinity Banlieu park, this opera house boasts an impressive schedule of performances throughout the year.
- Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum -- Commemorating the German-Soviet war when the Nazi occupation was over. It offers a fascinating insight into this turbulent time in history.
- Chizhovka-Arena -- Used mostly for concerts and ice hockey events, this arena is a popular venue in the city.
- Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary -- This impressive Baroque cathedral was erected back in the 18th Century when the city was under Polish rule. Today, it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Minsk-Mohilev.
- Yanka Kupala Park -- Situated alongside the Svislach River, this urban park was named after Yanka Kupala, a famous name in the world of Belarusian literature.
- Pishchalauski Castle -- A grand castle that dates back to 1825 and forms an iconic scene in the city.
- Dinamo Stadium -- Minsk's sports stadium is predominantly used for football matches as the home ground of FC Minsk and the national football team of Belarus.
- Museum of Stones -- Covering 6 hectares, this open-air museum exhibits over 2,000 stone exhibits.
- Alexandrovsky Garden -- A regal garden that boasts a maze of lush walkways and exotic plant life.
- Belarusian National Arts Museum -- The largest museum in the country is home to old Russian paintings and historic artefacts.
- Minsk Botanical Garden -- A colourful array of flowers and plant life characterise this peaceful park set away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
- Belarusian National History Museum -- The most prominent museum for discovering Belarusian history, displaying a range of monuments and materials.
Minsk is filled with a great selection of historic sights and modern-day attractions, so it makes sense to place yourself in the centre of the action. Our Minsk apartments are located all around the centre, giving you easy access to all the iconic landmarks.
Cultural Shopping in Minsk
Thanks to its burgeoning modern art scene and its never-ending supply of culture, Minsk has a number of boutique shopping opportunities where you can get your hands on some local arts and crafts.
In the heart of Minsk, pr Nezalezhnastsi is surrounded by incredible beige neo-classical buildings and lush urban parks. It's also home to a great selection of shops in the resident arcade, where you can browse boutique stores bursting with local textiles and delightful knickknacks.
For an artier souvenir, head to Palats Mastatsva, which exhibits a collection of fine Belarusian art. As well as a number of showrooms, there is also a great collection of antique and used book stalls, as well as vendors selling contemporary modern art. It's worth going to the Palats for the atmosphere alone, which is vibrant and free-spirited.
Another arty experience is waiting at Podzemka, an underground bohemian shop that doubles up as an independent art gallery. Here, you can find all manner of goodies, including unusual calendars, arty pieces, and local, handmade jewellery. From our Minsk apartments you can easily get to all these arty hotspots and soak up the contemporary vibe of Minsk life.
Making Your Way to Minsk
The National Airport Minsk is set close to the city centre and there are a number of ways you can get into town after you've landed. There's an airport bus which leaves from the terminals every half an hour or so and travels to the central bus terminal, right next to the main railway station. Tickets can be bought from the airport or on board the bus and are incredibly affordable.
There's a train service that has recently been launched that connects up the airport and the city centre. It only leaves a few times a day and the journey takes just under an hour, including the shuttle journey to the station from the airport terminals.
Finally, if you don't fancy catching the bus or train, you can get a taxi from the terminals. There are a number of stands dotted around the airport, and you can get an affordable, quick ride into the city centre. It's worth bargaining and agreeing on a price before the journey begins so there's no nasty surprises when you arrive.
Getting around Minsk is easy and very cheap, with efficient bus, tram, and metro services available from all of the major attractions.
