Vitebsk

A city of avant-garde art and music festivals, cozy courtyards and pedestrian streets with old architecture, wide avenues and monoliths. The city where Marc Chagall was born was taught by the creator of the Black Square, Kazimir Malevich, spent summer days on his estate Ilya Repin ... The city that I love forever, and if I loved it once, then for life! All this is Vitebsk, one of the regional centers of Belarus.

This comparison has always occurred to me: Minsk is the capital of Belarus, and Vitebsk is its cultural capital, something like Petersburg in Russia, but, of course, not on that scale! About 300 thousand people live here, so it will seem like a province to guests from Moscow and St. Petersburg, but that's the whole point!

Where is

Founded Vitebsk in 974 by Princess Olga. Many famous people in history passed through the city, because it is on the way from Russia to Europe, there are routes to Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Baltic states. By the way, some tablets and monuments remind us of this. For example, a local favorite is a monument to Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin at the bridge of his name.

The Vitebsk region borders on the Smolensk and Pskov regions of Russia, that is, Vitebsk is the closest from the Belarusian regions to Moscow and St. Petersburg, so it can be a great option for a budget weekend. I recommend to consider this option! Minimum travel time and financial costs.

Those who come to us, the city impresses with its temples and clean streets. He also knows that in July a large-scale International Festival of Arts "Slavic Bazaar" takes place here, a time when Vitebsk is absorbed in creativity.

How to get there

To get to the city of Vitebsk, a visa is not needed. If you travel by train, you won’t even feel the crossings of the Russian-Belarusian border. There is no stop there. If by car, they can stop at a checkpoint at the border and ask for a maximum to show a passport.

There are many options for getting there: by train, bus, car. Bus is the cheapest option. But it is possible and even more budget, using the service of fellow travelers. Many residents of Vitebsk work in Moscow and St. Petersburg and travel here for the weekend, you can ride back and forth with them.

By plane

In general, there is an airport in Vitebsk, but it is mainly used for cargo and private flights. During the tourist season, charters fly to Bulgaria and Turkey. But there is no passenger air service with Russia so far, so this is an option we sweep.

By train

I would choose this option, because, in my opinion, it is the most convenient and optimal. There are many flights, but I recommend choosing night ones to get enough sleep on the train and in the morning be in Vitebsk. Tested on yourself!
The Moscow-Polotsk train leaves from Belorussky Train Station at 19:58 daily, on the way to Vitebsk about 9 hours. Arrive at 4:58 a.m. On average, a ticket to the reserved seat will cost 1900 rubles. rubles, coupe about 4 thousand

From St. Petersburg, trains go from Vitebsky Station, respectively. Sent about 4 times a day, depending on the day of the week. It also takes about 9 hours and the cost is the same.

Tickets can be ordered here.

There is one railway station in Vitebsk located at 8 Kosmonavtov St. All trains come here.

The public transport stop is located directly in front of the central entrances to the station. From it, the city center can be reached by any bus or trolleybus that comes to a stop. Drive three stops to Freedom Square.

And if you are not loaded with luggage, I advise you to walk along Kirov Street, here is a view of it from the main entrance to the station.

There is no metro in Vitebsk.

By bus

There are many bus services, several options per day. Not so convenient, in my opinion, since sleeping while sitting is not very comfortable. But a little cheaper - from Moscow 1000-1200 grew. rubles. Travel time is approximately 8 hours.

There is a difficulty: as a rule, this is the transportation of travel agencies or private owners, so you need to spend time looking for a suitable option. The place of departure is negotiated when buying a ticket.

I traveled from St. Petersburg to Vitebsk by Ecolines bus, the place of departure was also negotiated separately. The lack of sleep was compensated by the issued blanket, the opportunity to drink tea and coffee and the always available toilet.

In Vitebsk, the bus station is located next to the railway on the street. Cosmonauts 12. To get to the city center, I recommend going to the train station stop. There are more options for public transportation.

By car

You can get from Moscow to Vitebsk by car on the M1 highway in the direction of Smolensk. The distance to Vitebsk is 520 km. Motorists claim that the travel time is 6.5 hours. The track is good, there are many roadside cafes and services.

To get by car from St. Petersburg to Vitebsk is optimal along the E95 highway, the distance is 630 km, the travel time is about 8 hours.

hint: Vitebsk - time is now16: October 13Difference in hours: Moscow & plus; 0 Kazan & plus; 0Samara & plus; 1 Yekaterinburg & plus; 2 Novosibirsk & plus; 4Vladivostok & plus; 7

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

Vitebsk blooms with spring. In May, it's time to get together to visit him. But no less charming is he, wrapped in the autumn foliage of September. But in the winter it’s rather dull here, with the exception of the New Year holidays.

Tip: if you want to see Vitebsk in everyday life, wander freely through the streets and get acquainted with the sights, dine in the cafe without problems, and do not stand in lines, come anytime except for the Slavic Bazaar.

However, if you are for a grand celebration and mass, do not miss this magnificent July festival! But be prepared for the fact that there will be a lot of tourists with you, and housing and food prices may rise at this time. For example, we locals are annoyed that many establishments refuse to have a business lunch during the festival, and it will not work for lunch on a weekday for 170 rubles. As for the increase in housing prices, this is the sin of apartment tenants, it can increase the cost by 2 times. You can order apartments in advance here.

In season, that is, in summer, the temperature is from 20 to 28 degrees, the weather is quite changeable.

You can see what tours are offered to Vitebsk from Russia by this link.

Vitebsk in the summer

Honestly, the weather is hard to guess. In general, in the summer in Vitebsk it is from 23 to 27 degrees Celsius, but suddenly it can rain and a few cool days settle or, on the contrary, the heat can reach 30 degrees. Among the events you can visit City Day at the end of June, Independence Day on July 3 and Slavic Bazaar in July, when Russian and foreign stars come to the city and the street art festival takes place.

Vitebsk in the fall

We are betting on September. Vitebsk is still quite warm, Indian summer, nature is beautiful, the hotels are calm. The rest of the months are cold and dull, except in November there is one wonderful event - the IFMC International Festival of Contemporary Choreography, which also deserves attention.

Vitebsk in the spring

It is better to choose May for a holiday in Vitebsk: tulips bloom, the temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. You can come to the May holidays, the weather whispers! There are not many tourists yet, so all hotels and restaurants are free.

Vitebsk in the winter

In recent years, winter in Vitebsk is European, that is, taking advantage of winter fun will not work out very well. But if the weather permits, then you can rent skates and ride on the flooded street skating rinks. Or sledding and skiing in the recreation area "Vitba". If there is no snow, walk around the city, go to theaters, cinemas, museums.

Vitebsk - monthly weather

hint: Vitebsk - weather for the months of January −7.7 February −7.0 March −2.7 April & plus; 5.0 May & plus; 12.3 June & plus; 15.8 July & plus; 17.5 August & plus; 15.9 September & plus; 10.9 October & plus; 5.3 November −0.2 December −5.0

Areas. Where is better to live

There are three districts in the city - Pervomaisky, Zheleznodorozhny and Oktyabrsky. All hotels of the city and the only hostel are located in the center or next to it, just at the intersection of all three areas, so when choosing housing for the area you should not navigate, it is better to take into account the streets. The city center itself is Kalinin, Zamkovaya, Lenin, Suvorov, Victory Square, the beginning of Moskovsky, Chernyakhovsky and Frunze avenues.

The most common hotels are Eridan, Provincial Inn, Vitebsk, Luchesa, Dvina. The last three will slightly remind you of the Soviet past. You can find accommodation on Booking - here, but here you can check prices from different sites.

Legal and quite popular apartments for a day, you can choose here.

If you go to Vitebsk during the "Slavic Bazaar", it is better to arrange accommodation in advance, as everything is already taken before the festival.

What are the prices for vacation

In any exchanger, Russian rubles, dollars or euros can be converted into local Belarusian rubles. I would recommend a branch of the Russian bank Moscow-Minsk, as a rule, there is the best exchange rate there. One of the branches is located in the shopping center "Marco City" (Lenin St., 26a, city center).

Almost everywhere you can pay with a plastic card, if it is international. But not in public transport and not in all taxis.

Housing and food prices are acceptable. For accommodation in a single standard room the hotel will have to pay 1700 rubles. Rubles, in a double 2000.

I would draw your attention to the hostel, it is located in the historical part of the city on a pedestrian street near the main attractions. There the minimum price for a bed in a 6-bed room is only 400 rubles.

Prices for lunch vary depending on the establishment, but on average you can eat for 300-400 rubles, a snack is cheaper. To save money, you need to choose dining rooms. Or buy products at the store.

The main attractions. What to watch

There are enough attractions in Vitebsk. Entrance to all temples is free; to museums is cheap. For example, in the study of local lore, from which you need to start acquaintance with the city, the ticket price is only 27 rubles for one adult, half as much for children. This is a ticket for one exhibition.

You can, of course, purchase one for all expositions for 140 rubles. But is there enough strength for you to get around them all? In my opinion, bored.

Of course, the routes associated with the life of Marc Chagall in Vitebsk are popular. This excursion is offered to romantic couples who will be told about the love of Mark and his wife Bella, depicted in the artist's painting "Above the City".

Russian director Alexander Mitta shot the film "Chagall - Malevich" in Vitebsk. But not a single Chagall ... There is still a lot of interesting things.

Top 5

Summer Amphitheater - a concert venue that seats more than 6 thousand spectators, the main stage of the Slavic Bazaar. It is notable for the massive construction of the roof, which appeared in 2007, so that the rain did not drip on the audience. The complex has a cafe "Maestro", next to the Avenue of Stars and the festival museum in the tower "Dukhovskiy Kruglik". You can’t get inside on a typical day, but the view, of course, is impressive.
Holy Assumption Cathedral on the Assumption Mountain. Orthodox church of the 18th century, in 1936 was destroyed. In 2011, restored from scratch and consecrated. Inside there is a beautiful painting and an incredible feeling of silence in the middle of a noisy city. Personally, it gives me an indescribable feeling.
Vitebsk Town Hall, an architectural monument of the 18th century, was built in honor of the Vitebsk Magdeburg Law. Now there is a regional museum of local lore with a viewing platform on the tower. You can get upstairs from April to October. The inconvenience is that this requires a group of at least 4 people, so look for travel companions! The cost of 140 rubles. But the view is amazing, it is worth it to climb steep enough stairs!
Victory Square is the largest in Belarus, divided by Lenin Street into a zone for mass events and a memorial complex with a majestic monument, which is called "Three Bayonets" in the city. It is also interesting because the Victors Park is nearby with an exhibition of military equipment (tanks, helicopters, guns). You can touch everything and climb around.
House-Museum of Marc Chagall on the street Pokrovskaya, 11. The life of a Jewish poor family is interesting, so I advise you to look. Old photographs, original furniture, a samovar ... seeing all this, you plunge into the past. For visiting the house-museum is open from 11.00 to 18.30.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Vitebsk is notable for the fact that in recent years several churches have been restored from scratch here, and this cannot but rejoice. Looking at old photographs of the city, you understand that the picture is gradually being restored. Although about 100 years ago Vitebsk was full of domes of completely different temples. Today it is mainly Orthodox and Catholic.

The most interesting of them:

Annunciation Church (11th century, restored in 1998)

Holy Assumption Cathedral (18th century, restored in 2011)
The Resurrection Church (16th century, restored in 2009), is a wonderful ensemble of buildings near the Town Hall in a pedestrian quarter.
Church of St. Barbara.

You can also visit the Intercession Cathedral, the church of Alexander Nevsky.

Museums Which are worth a visit

If you want to get to know Vitebsk as best as possible and feel it, I would definitely recommend visiting the following museums:

House-Museum of Marc Chagall. Home Jewish furnishings, old photographs and a courtyard with a sculpture by the artist will plunge into the past. Before and Pokrovskaya street itself (opposite the bus station) is a completely different Vitebsk, quiet, inconspicuous, but telling the history of the city. Pokrovskaya St. 11, working hours from 11.00 to 18.30, closed on Monday.
Art Center Marc Chagall. Here are graphic drawings of the artist and some copies of works, as well as souvenir products, postcards and books. Do not be afraid that you will not understand anything. Chagall is not worth understanding, but you need to know an artist who is known throughout the world. St. Putna, 2, working hours from 11.00 to 18.30, closed Monday.

Museum of Local Lore in the Town Hall. It is interesting in that it tells the history of the city, there are interchangeable expositions, in the summer season a viewing platform on the clock tower with a beautiful view of the city opens for visitors.

You can also look into Dukhovskiy Kruglik, where an exposition telling the story of the Slavic Bazaar is located. Located near the Summer Amphitheater.

A very peculiar place is the Youth Art Space at Tolstoy, 7, a branch of the Museum of Modern Art. Young artists and designers gather here with their vision of creativity and life in general. There are unusual exhibitions, performances, evenings of alternative music and cinema.

The museum of Old Man Mina, the hero of the Soviet Union Mina Filippovich Shmyryov, the organizer of the partisan movement in the Vitebsk region, will plunge into the history of the war years of Vitebsk. The city was completely destroyed, only 118 people survived. And this can not leave indifferent. Now they are conducting reconstruction of military battles, which can be seen on certain dates. Located at ul. Chekhov, 4.

And for the very curious and interested - the museum of the Vitebsk Tram. Vitebsk was the first city in Belarus where a new mode of transport appeared. Located at ul. 5th Frunze, 7 (Tram depot). True, the visit is only on weekdays and must be booked in advance.

Parks

With parks in Vitebsk is not a lot, and it saddens, of course. More precisely, there are many small squares, but in the understanding of a large green park there is nothing to boast of. Except that:

Recreation area on the Vitba River. This is the only such place in the city. Sports equipment rental is organized here, you can ride on skates, bicycles, catamarans, feed ducks. There are places to eat, sit on benches and in the gazebos. But swimming is prohibited. But the townspeople here love to simply sunbathe on summer days.

Botanical Garden (Kommunisticheskaya St.). Various varieties of trees, flowers and shrubs are bred and grown here. A favorite place in the city for photo shoots. But this is a small island of greenery.

Mazurino Park (the official name is the Soviet Army Park), located on the banks of the Western Dvina on the outskirts of Vitebsk. You can get there by public transport, bus 14 and minibuses often go in the direction of Ulanovichi. The stop is called the Mazurino Park. The park is no different from the forest. Here, asphalt paths turn into paths, one feeding point. But you can rent a bike. There is a beach. But he is rather wild, even though everyone is resting there. In summer, you can get here by boat from Victory Square, if the water level in the river allows. The schedule is not yet known, since last season the river bus did not go.

Tourist streets

The streets of Vitebsk, which you need to walk, are pedestrian Suvorov, the local Arbat, Tolstoy and Pushkin. And also Lenin and Castle. Here are the main cafes, restaurants, sculptures, places for shopping.

What to see in 1 day

You can see a lot in one day in Vitebsk. Devote this day to walking.

8.00-9.00 - Arriving at the station, first of all, eat there. Basically, city cafes begin to work only from 10 in the morning. There is fast food at the station.

9.00-10.00 - from Vitebsk Station along Zamkova Street, go to the Kirov Bridge (walk 10-15 minutes), which offers a beautiful view of the city.

Next - the center with a pedestrian quarter.

10.00-11.00 - visit the Museum of Local Lore in the Town Hall, go up to the observation platform on the clock tower. Further down the street of Suvorov, go to the Holy Assumption Cathedral, all within walking distance.

11.00-13.00 - from there along the alley to the Vitebsk Zoo (17 Y. Kupaly Street). When you see a lion, a bear, a Bialowieza bison and many other animals, walk along Suvorov Street to the square of 1812, there is an art gallery of Marc Chagall with his works.

13.00-14.00 - have lunch at Suvorov in one of the establishments.

14.00-15.00 - now head back to the center, go to the Summer Amphitheater, go to the festival museum in the Dukhovskiy Kruglik tower. Further up the street. Lenin go to Victory Square and the Victors Park.

16.00-17.30 - walk along Victory Square. Learn the technique of the war. If you want, remember childhood on the rides. From the park to the center, return along the promenade.

18.00-20.00 - sessions begin in the unique Puppet Theater "Lyalka" (Pushkin Street, 2) or the Academic Theater of Y. Kolas (Zamkova St. 2). You can go shopping at the Marko City shopping center and the Vitebsk department store located there.

20.00-21.00 - do not forget to have dinner in the old city. Now to the station, again 10 minutes along Kirov Street.

What to see in the surroundings

16 km from the city of Vitebsk is the museum-estate of Ilya Repin "Zdravleno", where the artist lived and worked.

Repin acquired the estate here in 1898. During the Great Patriotic War, it was destroyed and only in 1988 restored. Here he created his many paintings. Of course, you will not see the originals here, but there are some copies.

In the house itself, the atmosphere of the past is very impressive, of course. Nearby there is a building - the manager’s house with an exhibition hall. Stunning nature. Manor by the river, lovely benches and old trees ...

Getting there on your own is not easy. Here you can clarify the available options. Landmark - the village of Rouba. I recommend to stock up on sandwiches: there is nowhere to eat, but in nature you will want to eat!

hint: Routes to neighboring cities Vitebsk - Vitebsk 0 kmVitebsk - Vitebsk region 98 kmVitebsk - Liozno 42 kmVitebsk - Polotsk 96 kmVitebsk - Orsha 77 km

Food. What to try

What to try in Vitebsk? Of course, the Belarusian national cuisine: pancakes, bast, and much more. Recently, our kitchen with an abundance of potatoes and meat is gaining popularity. You can try the dishes for an average of 250-350 rubles.

But if you are a fan of sushi or pizza, you will not stay hungry either, there are many such places in Vitebsk. The average price for them in the region of 300 rubles.

In coffee houses, drink plus cakes - an average of 200 rubles.

As for the interior, in my opinion, there are few particularly expressive places. I’m closer to the cozy little coffee houses, which especially convey the atmosphere of Vitebsk.

If you eat on your own or cook in a rented apartment, then go to the nearest Euroopt for groceries, there are the most optimal prices, and there are a lot of stores in the city.

Recommended Places

I love these places. Yes, you can have a tasty meal there, have a good time and enjoy the local atmosphere.

"Vitebsk tavern";
"Coffee house";
"Biscuit";

"Cornflowers";
Black Forest.

Budgetary

These are ordinary dining rooms. Everything is simple there, but tasty and cheap. The food is familiar.

Cafe "White Russia";
Cafe "Slavic";
Food court with fast food in the shopping center "Marco City";
Delicious street “Vitebsk donuts” (at the entrance to the underpass leading to the Marco-City shopping center opposite the Summer Amphitheater);
Street cafes on Suvorov Street, which open in May;

Mid level

"Vitebsk tavern";
Pizza Arena;
Sushi Arena;
"Coffee house";
Black Forest.

Expensive

"Golden Lion";
"Victoria".

Holidays

July - International Festival of Arts "Slavic Bazaar". Concerts in the Summer Amphitheater, street art festival, exhibition of folk artists, theater program. Guests of the festival become its direct participants during performances and performances of street musicians. In addition, only at this time in the cafe you can sit at the next table with Maxim Averin and buy souvenirs in the city of craftsmen next to Sergey Bezrukov or Potap. Concert tickets from 1 thousand rubles.

June - Day of the city of Vitebsk with mass celebrations.
May 9 - Victory Day with a traditional parade.
November - IFMC International Festival of Contemporary Choreography (November).

Security. What to watch out for

Belarus is known for its security, it’s really easy to live here, and it’s safe to come here. However, caution does not hurt, do not be careless. As elsewhere, you don’t need to forget things or walk around with your bag open.

People are hospitable and, if necessary, anyone will help you find the way, give a hand or call the police. But you shouldn’t violate the law, the police are principled, and do not take bribes. But understanding and can go to a meeting. For example, if you did not know any local features.

Things to do

Pleasure boats run along the Western Dvina when the water level allows. Depart from the pier at Victory Square. Sail to Mazurino Park and return back. The trip lasts 40 minutes. You can admire the city from the upper deck, you can go down to the cabin. There is a minibar and crackers chips. The cost and schedule become known with the start of navigation, which has not yet begun))

In addition, in the recreation area "Vitba" you can rent rollers, bicycles, catamarans and actively spend time with health benefits.

The Victory Park has a parachute tower of the Vitebsk flying club! If the height of a seven-story building does not scare you, go there to make an unforgettable jump. Of course, this is not the height and the wrong parachute, but breathtaking. Again, the tower is available only in the summer, when the instructor works there.

Shopping and shops

All purchases can be made directly in the city center. How can shopping in Vitebsk be remarkable?

Clothing, linen products and natural linen fabrics. They can be purchased at Vitebsky Len stores (6/11 Kirova St. (near the station), Moskovsky Prospect, 8, on Victory Square, the largest in the city), and in a department store (19 Zamkovaya St.).
Genuine leather shoes from well-known local manufacturers "Marco" and "Belvest", of course, at a very affordable price (TC "Marco City" on 26a Lenina St., Belvest store on Moskovsky avenue, 8).
Natural Belarusian products: dairy, cheeses, delicious meat and sausages (TC "Marco City", Euroopt store).
And unforgettable shopping during the "Slavic Bazaar", when rows of handmade items, linen, souvenirs unfold right on the streets of the city.

The main shopping in Vitebsk takes place in the Marco City shopping center, whose working hours are from 10.00 to 20.00.

Here is a local brand of shoes "Marco" and "Bravo", as well as clothing of foreign and Belarusian brands. Opposite the shopping center there is a brand-name store of the famous Belarusian linen Milavitsa.

Everything can be found in the Vitebsk department store: knitwear, underwear, shoes, cosmetics and household products from mainly Belarusian manufacturers

In the Vitebsk linen shop you can please yourself with natural linen clothes! It is not cheap, but very beautiful and close to the body, in my opinion.

On Victory Square, also visit the store of the local shoe brand Belvest, the shopping center Belarus.

Sales are just coming to our city, and so far there are no discounts. There are simply sales days announced by individual shopping centers. You won’t guess here.

Bars Where to go

Unfortunately, there are no thematic bars where you can constantly listen to live jazz or rock and roll, in Vitebsk. There are places where live music sounds only on certain days. And there are not many bars as such, basically all the same restaurants where there is a separate room with a counter.

The price depends on your needs.

All in all, quite a pleasant atmosphere at the Black Forest. From entertainments in addition a hookah (Tolstoy St.). It is open from Thursday to Saturday until 2.00 a.m. on other days until 0.00.
I love Vitebsk Tavern for its atmosphere and interior. Located on the street. Suvorova, 2. It works on Fri-Sat until 2.00, the rest days until 0.00. In these places young people from 25 to 35 and those who are older rest.
I’ll mark "Friend Cafe-Dj Bar", located in the shopping center "Marco City". There are parties with the participation of famous in the city and not only DJs. On Fridays and Saturdays it is open until 2.00 a.m., and on other days until 0.00. The audience is mostly student.
Very interesting in the new Irish pub "Torvald" (Komsomolskaya St., 32). It often hosts small rock concerts, similar to apartment buildings. Opening hours from 11.00 to 23.00.

Clubs and nightlife

Nightlife boils on weekends, more precisely on Friday and Saturday. Clubs of Vitebsk are similar to each other and quite typical. They work mainly until 6 in the morning.

You can go to:

Night club "Planet" (Prospect Stroiteley, 3) with several rooms for every taste.
Club "Vintage" (Lenin St. 33a, opposite the Town Hall).
Continent (Prospect Builders, 1).

The entrance ticket is an average of 200-250 rubles. Spend so much inside, depends on your needs, but it’s better to grab a thousand grew with you. rubles. At the entrance they will ask you to present a bag, they will check if you have any sharp-cutting objects with you. And yes, in a tracksuit they are unlikely to be allowed inside, as in a very drunk state. Face control after all!

But the exclusive place in Vitebsk is the Beatles Club "Attic", located in the attic of an old building on the street. October, 12. It only works on certain days when there are theme parties or concerts. Therefore, it is better to know in advance. And meet at least online with the organizers, as the parties are closed. But friends of friends here are always welcome guests! Pleasant atmosphere, blues, rock and roll, live sound and communication are guaranteed.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Magnets, paintings and more with the image of Vitebsk can be purchased from street vendors on the pedestrian street of Suvorov, as well as in the Fest store. Lovely postcards and magnets here for 40-50 rubles.

How to get around the city

You can move around the city of Vitebsk by public transport (tram, trolley bus and bus), by minibuses and taxis. The price of one trip on a public one is 14 rubles, on minibuses twice as much. But almost all the sights of Vitebsk are located within walking distance, so transport may not be needed.

Taxi. What features exist

There are many taxi options in Vitebsk, you can call them by short numbers 163, 184, 107, 155, 153 and others. It’s inexpensive.

Payment by meters is common. Not every taxi has the opportunity to pay by credit card, so it is better to have cash with you. The tariff is an average of 17 rubles per 1 kilometer. You can try to catch a car on the street, but mostly they work through the dispatcher. In addition, it may turn out to be more expensive and past the counter. So it is better to call the indicated numbers immediately before the trip. It will take 5-10 minutes to wait. On weekends in the evening and at night, the wait can last up to 20 minutes.

Trams

There is a tram in Vitebsk, 10 routes, but they do not go through the center.

Buses

Bus routes and trolley buses, the time of their movement can be viewed on the site. They go often, the transport is quite new and comfortable. Vitebsk has wide streets and avenues, so there are no traffic jams, traffic does not stop.

Vehicle rental

Renting a car in Vitebsk is easy, the options are here.

Honestly, in my opinion, this is not necessary in our city. All interesting things are nearby, and transport is active. But if you want, it is enough to present a passport and driver's license at local car rental companies. Experience does not matter. The cost per day is about 2 thousand rubles. Our gasoline is quite expensive - 1 liter of the 92nd costs 40 rubles.

Mopeds, scooters for rent are not issued.

Unfortunately, Vitebsk is not adapted enough for cycling. There are no bike paths and not enough bike parks.

Tips for motorists

Parking is prohibited in many places near the sidewalk in the city center, so watch for traffic signs. In the center, it is best to use the underground parking in the Marco City shopping center, but it is paid for - 1 hour 70 rubles. There are parking at the hotel Vitebsk or on Freedom Square (from 7.00 to 22.00), they are free. Like other places in the streets and near hypermarkets.

Vitebsk - holidays with children

If you are going to Vitebsk for a vacation with children, then it will probably be interesting for them to see military equipment in Pobediteley Park (Kalinina St.) and climb on it (tanks, helicopters, etc.). There are also children's attractions.

Be sure to go to the Vitebsk Zoo (Krylova St., 7).

If you drive a car with your children, you should know that in Belarus there must be a child seat for their transportation, otherwise a fine is required.