Brest is a small city, but very original, besides, it recently celebrated its thousandth anniversary. I have been to Brest twice and would like to return there again with great pleasure. The cozy, almost homely urban atmosphere, the monuments of the Middle Ages and the feat of the people are all here. I’ll tell you what to do in Brest if you have only one day left, but you want to see all the most important things. Let’s go!
Content
- How to get to the city
- Where to stay in Brest
- What to see
- Where to have a snack
- What to bring
How to get to the city
From Russia. The most convenient and inexpensive option is a train. He goes from St. Petersburg to Brest every evening, the ticket will cost 5755 rubles and above, depending on the fare. And two trains run from Moscow every day, both evening trains, a ticket costs 5250 rubles or more. The journey time will be 12-14 hours.
If you travel by car, you need to travel along the E95 and E30/M1 highways from St. Petersburg and E30/M1 from Moscow. The travel time will be approximately 14 and 11 hours, respectively. By car, there are much more opportunities to see interesting places on the road (for example, Smolensk), and on the train you can read or doze to the measured pounding of the wheels of the train along the Chygunka (Belarusian railway).
From Minsk. You can get from the capital of Belarus to Brest by train or bus. Trains run every half hour, while buses depart from the Minsk bus station six times a day. Travel by car from Minsk to Brest along the E30/M1 highway, the road will take about four hours, the distance is 344 kilometers.
You can get from the Belarusian capital to Brest by train or bus. Photo: George Trumpeter/Shutterstock.com
A ready-made route through Belarus
The most correct solution is to combine several Belarusian cities in one trip. We will tell you how to do this in this article. Don’t forget to look into the city of Marc Chagall and be surprised by the architectural oddities of Minsk.
Where to stay in Brest
There are no five-star hotels in Brest, but there are many accommodation options. In my opinion, the most convenient location for recreation in Brest will be the area of the city between the Park of culture and recreation on May 1 and Cosmonauts Boulevard. It is the most convenient way to get to most attractions, museums and locations from here. Brest is a quiet city, so you can safely book any option you like on the Island and sleep peacefully at night.
What to see in the city and nearby
Depending on what is closer to you: nature or the city, I recommend starting your research from Belovezhskaya Pushcha or Brest Fortress. You can also watch both in one day, but most likely it will take the whole day without a trace. I will tell you more about both places below. And, of course, about other Brest iconic locations.
Belovezhskaya Pushcha
Where:The national park is located 50 kilometers from Brest.
How to get: by car along the P83 highway or by bus Brest — Belovezhskaya Pushcha, departure from the Brest bus station every 2 hours, travel time will be about an hour (58 km).
Cost: depending on the transport and the time of the visit, from 20 Belarusian rubles and above (about 568 rubles).
Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a wild forest practically untouched by man. This is one of the best such places in Europe, where you can feel the power and beauty of nature.
For a short acquaintance, I advise you to take a sightseeing tour by bus or ride a bike route. This way you can see a lot more than on foot. Of all the bike routes, the Tsarskaya Polyana seemed to me the most optimal — its length is 15 kilometers, you will not get tired much and you will visit the 12 main observation decks with a breeze. For example, you will see Lake Lyadskoye, a spacious and charming place, aviaries with wild animals (they are huge, not like in a zoo), where wild boars, roe deer, lynxes and wolves live, and a protected oak grove with long-lived oaks — their age is up to 600 years!
There you can see enclosures with wild animals, where wild boars, roe deer, lynxes and wolves live. Photo: RuslanKphoto/Shutterstock.com
Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex
Where: Brest, 60 Heroes of the Brest Fortress Defense Street
How to get: walking distance from the city center is about 2.5 kilometers or by buses No. 17, 41.
Cost: entrance to the territory is free, but visiting the expositions costs from 10 Belarusian rubles for each (284 rubles).
Brest residents were among the first to face the enemy after the German invasion, and the fortress was able to resist and defend the city. This place is imbued with the spirit of history, courage and heroism of several thousand people. Every corner of the memorial complex is amazing: there is a giant monument “Courage”, and nearby there is a monument to “Heroes of the border, women and children who stepped into immortality with their courage.”
This place is imbued with the spirit of history, courage and heroism of several thousand people. Photo: George Trumpeter/Shutterstock.com
What else you need to know about the Brest Fortress
We have prepared a large article separately about the memorial. Here are all the appearances and passwords, history, prices, the main must-see places that are definitely worth your attention and time.
BesidesBesides the above-mentioned large-scale monuments of the cultural heritage of Belarus, there are still locations in Brest that it is quite possible to fit into a day trip and definitely remember the city for a lifetime.
Berestye Archaeological Museum
Where: Brest, Fortress Avenue, house 15.
How to get: from Brest train stations 3.3 kilometers on foot or by taxi.
Cost: from 5 Belarusian rubles (142 rubles).
“Berestye” is a place that immerses in the Middle Ages and allows you to see with your own eyes the village of the XIII century. The museum is a huge pavilion with a glass ceiling and an excavation area of more than 1,000 square meters. A part of the medieval workers’ quarter has been preserved in it.
“Berestye” is a place that immerses in the Middle Ages and allows you to see with your own eyes the village of the XIII century. Photo: George Trumpeter/Shutterstock.com
Sovetskaya Street
Where: Brest, Sovetskaya street
How to get: walking around the city or by public transport, there are many buses from different districts of Brest.
Cost: free of charge.
I love pedestrian streets, and Sovetskaya Street in Brest is no exception. No cars, flowers in the warmer months, and so many little things that surprised me very pleasantly. For example, every evening a professional lamplighter lights an alley of lanterns. On the next street, I liked the monument to my lover, ironic and funny. Walking along Sovetskaya Street, do not forget to try on a lucky boot, they say it brings good luck.
There are many shops, cafes and restaurants of traditional Belarusian and other cuisines of the world.
There are many shops, cafes and restaurants of traditional Belarusian and other cuisines of the world. Photo: Zakharov Vadim/Shutterstock.com
Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Where: 34 Lenin Street, Brest.
How to get: walking through the city center.
Cost: entrance to the church is free.
Historians say that Catholicism came to Brest and Berestye in the XIV century, but the first church was built on the territory of the city only in the XVI century, but was subsequently destroyed. Of the well-preserved and functioning Catholic religious institutions in the city, only the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, erected in the middle of the XVIII century, remains. It is charming in its simplicity, but there I managed to escape from the hustle and bustle and catch a wave of peace and quiet.
Where to have a snack
A trip to Brest is a great opportunity to taste the national Belarusian and Polish cuisine. I focused on them during the trip and did not lose. Now I will tell you about the best establishments.
Cafe-bar “Solod”
The cafe is located in the southern part of the city, the menu includes Polish and Belarusian cuisine. There is a delicious Polish soup zhurek and flasks, pickles, salads and as many as five types of pancakes. And for dessert — a curl with apples and ice cream! I’m sure you’ll definitely leave there well-fed and satisfied. The average bill without alcohol will be about 15 Belarusian rubles (426 rubles).
“Fanny Braverman’s House”
A stylish cafe-buffet with a bright and airy interior is located on Sovetskaya Street, it serves European and Belarusian cuisine, very beautiful breakfasts and lunches, the average check is around 20 Belarusian rubles (568 rubles) without alcohol. My personal favorites here are pearl barley porridge with onions and ham and pancakes with red fish.
Pan-Asian cuisine cafe “Asia”
Absolutely everything is fine in this cafe on Mickiewicz Street. Cozy themed design, a menu with Japanese, Chinese and (unexpectedly) American-Canadian cuisine, service and the food itself, of course.
There are many dishes suitable for vegans and vegetarians, salads, soups and delicious rolls. In “Asia” I liked the rich miso soup, “Philadelphia” and fried rice with shrimp in Chinese style. The average check here will be around 25-30 Belarusian rubles without alcohol (up to 852 rubles).
There are many dishes suitable for vegans and vegetarians, salads, soups and delicious rolls. Photo: Andrey A./Yandex.Maps
What to bring
One of the most memorable souvenirs that can be brought from Brest is everything related to the fortress. There are not only magnets and postcards, but also many books, magazines, albums that will definitely interest a history lover.
In the Brest regional Social and Cultural Center, you can not only look at the works of local creativity, but also buy household items with Brest patterns as souvenirs: caskets, wooden toys and much more.
If you have a sweet tooth, then you can go to the Kommunarka brand store and, I assure you, you will not see such a variety of chocolate on the shelves of an ordinary supermarket!
Don’t forget to send yourself and your family a postcard from the local post office, I managed to return home and within a week received a pleasant reminder of a recent trip.
If you have a sweet tooth, then you can go to the Kommunarka company store Photo: Natalia Butakova/Yandex.Maps
I’m sure this article will help you spend a wonderful day in the city if you’re passing through, or help you choose a location for a weekend trip.
Cover photo: KELENY/Shutterstock.com
