Where to Take the Best Photos in Minsk? Our 10 Must-See Spots

Belarus's capital and largest city, Minsk, is situated on the banks of the Svislach and the now underground Niamiha rivers. Minsk holds a unique administrative status as the capital and serves as the administrative hub for both the Minsk district and the Minsk region. Minsk is renowned for its Olympic achievements and rich sports heritage. It has a ton of beautiful locations! Although it is difficult to pick just ten, we have compiled a list of our top ten locations for stunning photos while you're there.

We're sharing our top picks for breathtaking photo spots in Minsk in this guide. In order to avoid crowds and capture the ideal light, we also advise you on the best time and method to visit each location.

Let's take a tour of the city's most picturesque locations, ideal for making memories along the way.

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1. Victory Square

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A square, the intersection of Independence Avenue and Zakharau Street, is Victory Square. The square is located in the historic core of Minsk with the Museum of the 1st Congress of RSDLP, the main headquarters of the National State TV and Radio, and the City House of Marriages adjacent. From Victory Square to the Svislach River and the Gorky Park entrance, there is a verdant park. Victory Square is usually the site of holiday parades and the location for newlyweds' traditional photo op.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A big square with a tall monument and eternal flame, honoring WWII heroes.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Evening, when the lights make it look peaceful.
• Photography tip 📷
  Take a wide shot of the monument from the center.

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2. National Library of Belarus

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The National Library of Belarus is the biggest library in the Republic of Belarus. After the Russian State Library in Moscow and the Russian National Library in Saint Petersburg, it has the greatest collection of printed materials from Belarus and the third largest collection of books in Russian. The primary hub for knowledge and culture in Belarus is the National Library. There are over 10 million items of different media in its depository holdings.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A huge, diamond-shaped building that looks futuristic.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Late afternoon, for soft light on the glass.
• Photography tip 📷
  Go up for city views or shoot the shape from below.

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3. Trinity Hill (Troitskoye Predmestye)

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The Trinity Subu is a Minsk historical area situated on the left bank of the Svislach river in the northeastern section of the historical center. In the past, it served as the administrative and commercial hub of Belarus's capital. Tatarskaya Slabada, which was inhabited by Lipka Tatars from the 15th century until the middle of the 20th century, and Starastinskaya Slaboda are located northwest of the Trinity Suburb. Storozhevka is to the north, Zolotaya Gorka is to the east, and the center areas of the High and Low Markets are to the south.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Colorful old houses by the river, full of charm.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Golden hour for warm light.
• Photography tip 📷
  Capture reflections in the river and narrow streets.

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4. Island of Tears

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One of the primary tourist destinations is the Island of Tears, which is located in Minsk's historic center. It is a poignant battle tribute to Afghan soldiers who lost their lives on a little island. Over thirty thousand Belarusians fought in Afghanistan. Regretfully, about 800 soldiers lost their lives, many suffered disabilities, and some were killed. The man-made island on the Svislach River is where the monument complex is situated. The complex was formally opened on August 3, 1990, but the memorial was constructed in 1985.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A quiet memorial to fallen soldiers on a small island.
• Best time to visit  📅
  Morning, when it’s peaceful.
• Photography tip 📷
  Focus on the statues and the water view.

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5. Church of Saints Simon and Helena (Red Church)

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Minsk's Independence Square is home to the Roman Catholic Church of Saints Simon and Helena. Polish architects created this neo-Romanesque church, which was laid in 1905 and finished in 1910. Włocławek provided the roof tiles, while Częstochowa provided the bricks for the walls. Edward Woyniłłowicz, a well-known Belarusian-Polish landowner, merchant, and civic activist, provided funding for its construction. In honor of Woyniłłowicz's two departed children, Szymon and Helena, the church was named and dedicated.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A red brick church that really stands out in the city center.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Sunset, for warm light on the bricks.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot the full church or zoom in on details.

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6. Upper Town & City Hall

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One of Minsk's oldest and most charming areas is Upper Town, which features a stately white City Hall that dates back to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 16th century. Despite being destroyed in the 19th century, the old building was exquisitely restored in the early 2000s using historical designs, and it now has the same ageless and noble appearance as it must have had centuries ago. The area surrounding the hall is dotted with cafés, pastel-colored buildings, and cobblestone alleys.

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• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  The old part of Minsk with cobbled streets and a white City Hall.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Weekend afternoons with music and people around.
• Photography tip 📷
  Take wide shots or capture street life.

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7. Gorky Park & Ferris Wheel

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Gorky Park is a public park in Minsk that is next to Yanka Kupala Park and Victory Square. Originally called the Governor's Garden, the park was created around 1800. It was renamed in honor of the well-known Russian/Soviet author Maksim Gorky during the Soviet era. In numerous Soviet cities, parks bearing this name were created. An amusement park featuring a 56-meter Ferris wheel occupies a portion of the park's land. It also features a planetarium and educational observatory.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A family park with trees, paths, and a big Ferris wheel.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Late afternoon, when the lights glow.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot the wheel from below or from a cabin.

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8. Minsk Gates (City Gate Towers)

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The Minsk Gate is made up of two symmetrically positioned, eleven-story Stalinist-classical towers. The towers, which are the completion of five-story residential buildings, were constructed in 1953 per the design of Boris Rubanenko, an architect from Leningrad, located directly next to the train station. Constructed during the 1950s, they feature Soviet-style architecture with large clocks, stone accents, and bold designs. They appear strong and imposing, and they are among the first sights visitors notice when they arrive in Minsk.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Two big towers that look bold and strong at the city’s entrance.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Cloudy days for a cool, bright photo.
• Photography tip 📷
  Stand in the middle for a perfect symmetrical shot.

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9.  Independence Avenue (Prospekt Nezavisimosti)

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The primary thoroughfare in Minsk, Independence Avenue, runs radially from the city's center northeast. The avenue is almost fifteen kilometers long. The Francysk Scaryna Avenue architectural ensemble, which dates from the 1940s to 1950s, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. This is Minsk's major avenue, which is broad, imposing, and lined with structures from the Soviet era. It is Excellent for long exposure nighttime and street photography.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Main road with grand buildings and a city feel.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Evening, when the lights turn on.
• Photography tip 📷
  Capture long street views and lights.

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10. Zybitskaya Street

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Despite being one of Minsk's trendiest streets right now, Zybitskaya Street has a long history. This street, which is close to the Svislach River, was formerly a part of the Upper Town and was situated near significant trade routes in the 18th and 19th centuries. In those days, it was a peaceful neighborhood with modest workshops, merchant homes, and storage facilities occupied by regional dealers and artisans. The street started to revitalize in the 2000s after years of deterioration during the Soviet era. These days, it's a bustling strip with cafes, street art.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A trendy area with street art, cafes, and music.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Nighttime when it’s lively.
• Photography tip 📷
  Take photos of colorful walls and people.

Final Thoughts

These are the top photography spots you won't want to miss in Minsk. However, there is much more to see and enjoy, as the city offers endless photo opportunities. Take a walk and explore more, and make both your day and your photos amazing. Hopefully, this guide will help you capture your best moments in Minsk.

Ready to explore?
Don’t forget to bring extra storage, as you’ll be taking a lot of photos.

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