Welcome to Minsk, Belarus — the very hot center of Europe.
You can find Onde’s headquarter here. First ride-hailing conference Ride.Right.Now will also take place in Minsk on October 18–19, 2019.
Although Minsk has (yet) rarely made it to the Top-10 tourist destinations, this city will steal your heart. Ready to get some true Belarusian spirit? Fasten your seatbelt! 😼
To start with some basic information, Minsk is in the Top-50 of the safest cities in the world. It’s just as safe as Luxemburg and Ottawa. *according to Numbeo
And we’ve got a visa-free entrance for visitors from 74 countries! All you need is flying directly the Minsk National Airport! 🙌
http://mfa.gov.by/en/visa/visafreetravel/e0ced19bb1f9bf2c.html
*Do not forget your international medical insurance tough. Security & passport control may ask for it. Otherwise, local insurance is easy to get at the place and is not pricey at all.
Use world’s largest airport hubs to come to Minsk:
Where to stay
5-star hotels: “only take the best or better go without”
DoubleTree by Hilton — beautiful views from the hotel right in the city center. The best bagels in the city. Any more questions?
Renaissance Minsk Hotel — one perfectly comfortable room with delicious breakfast, please.
Minsk Marriott — a brand new hotel on the banks of the river to enjoy Belarusian hospitality.
4-star hotels: fall for the soft charms of good & solid
Hotel Minsk — located at the Niezaliežnasci avenue. Niezaliežnasci means “freedom”: enjoy the freedom of living right in the hottest center of the city.
Victoria Hotel — by the way, that’s not the only Victoria hotel in Minsk. Choose the one you like the most or move to another one each other day… 😅
Mercure Minsk Old Town — for those who are ready to meet the nightlife of the city face to face. 😼
3-star hotels: no-nonsense, no glitter, no limos, and still a great stay.
IBB Hotel — perfect for those who come for doing business rather than hanging out.
Hampton by Hilton Minsk City Center — a hotel of the famous Hilton chain. For those who like classic business hotels.
Willing Hotel — for creative and innovative “young & furious”. And really close to the conference place. 😎
Where to eat?
Kuhmistr — cclassic Belarusian cuisine with Draniki and home-made Kvas. You can’t leave Belarus without trying this. Beware: once you try, you’ll never long for a burger. You’ll desire a Dranik instead!
Simple — modern Belarusian cuisine. With a simple, yet oh soooo irresistible twist. 😏
Talaka — a very authentic place with Belarusian food. If you feel ready to completely blend in with the locals.
Svobody.4 — one fancy place to wine and dine.
Enzo — Okay, here we’ve got a spot for those who really love burgers. Good burgers.
ButterBro — a place to have breakfast and lunch that feels like home.
Cimes — Israeli street food (we would love to say it with some spicy Jewish accent).
Salateira — for salad lovers. Delicious and healthy alternative to McDonald’s.
Seafood Bar — we have a sea here, didn’t you know? It’s called the Minsk Sea.
Where to grab coffee?
Did you know that the average price for a cup of coffee in Minsk is 1 euro? Now you know. And yes, it’s daaaamn good coffee! 🤤
Zerno — delicious coffee, relaxing atmosphere and yummy sweets. Have we forgotten anything? Well, wifi, but you’ve got it everywhere in Minsk!
Why knot? —love your coffee freshly roasted? Here you go. Don’t forget to get a dessert. 😋
SurfCoffee — no seriousness allowed here. Friendly and joyful atmosphere created by young and creative people of Minsk.
Sorso di Espresso — when the quality of drinks is in the first place. A nice classic coffee place.
Where to relax after the conference?
Banki-Butylki — real jam cocktails based on unique tinctures.
Mixto Cantina — Latin American bar to eat and drink, and feel like you’re in two places on the planet at the same time! 🤯
MADMEN — a fancy place, beautiful people, the atmosphere of Chicago in the 1950s.
el Pushka — for those who love Mexican parties. ¡Arrrrrrrrriba!
Peresmeshnik — difficult to pronounce but a perfect place to relax.
Embargo — one good cozy place. Ask a bartender to pour you something surprising of their own choice.
Where to enjoy culture?
Gallery «Ў» — a famous Belarusian art-place named after the unique letter «Ў» in Belarusian language. No other alphabet in the world has this letter except for the Belarusians, no other country in the world has such a gallery.
National Art Museum — the largest museum with amazing pieces of Belarusian and foreign art. A must-visit place. Get a guide and enjoy.
Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War — a giant modern museum dedicated to the Second World War and the part Belarus had to take in it.
The things around the city you can’t miss
Oktyabrskaya street — a place to enjoy absolutely beautiful graffiti. Real art, all in one area. Also, a number of trendy places to eat and drink. Strictly for hipsters. *nah, we’re kidding, it’s super friendly to everyone*.
Komarovka — he most famous market in Minsk where you can buy any vegetables and fruits, mostly straight from the local gardens. Well, actually, you can find positively anything here, maybe even the love of your life. Just take a look at their Instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/komarovka.by/?hl=en
Out of the city
Dudutki — Belarusian traditions and history in one open-air museum of ancient crafts and trades, about 40 km from Minsk. Find the best draniki in Karchma (don’t eat those of the exposition!). Treat yourself with a unique vodka with cucumber and honey.
Niasvizh Castle — an amazing architectural monument of XVI — XVIII centuries, a residential castle of the Radziwiłłs — the most famous family of the country. Beautiful gardens. This is the place to relax and dream away a bit.
Stalin Line — Stalin Line was a line of fortifications back in the times of Soviet Union. Now, it’s an amazing place to see (and even sometimes try out) the authentic weapons and machinery of that era.
We hope you will enjoy visiting our beautiful country. Any places to share? Don’t hesitate to add.