Navapolatsk

Navapolatsk (Наваполацк), also known as Novopolotsk, is a modern industrial city of about 100,000 people in Viciebskaja voblasć, located 20 km west of Polatsk on the Daugava River. Founded in 1958 as a company town for the Naftan oil refinery — one of Belarus's largest industrial plants — Navapolatsk is a classic Soviet planned city with wide boulevards, functionalist apartment blocks, and extensive green spaces. It has a young population and better amenities than most provincial cities. The climate is continental: warm summers (18–24°C) and cold winters (−5 to −10°C).

By Plane

Vitebsk Airport (VTB) is about 120 km southeast. Taxi costs BYN 130–160 (1.5 hr).

By Train

Navapolatsk has a railway station on the branch line from Polatsk, with frequent trains from Polatsk (20 min, BYN 2–3) and direct trains from Minsk (4 hr, BYN 10–14).

By Car / Road

From Minsk, take the M3 north to Polatsk, then continue west to Navapolatsk. About 250 km (3 hr). Roads are good. Buses from Minsk run hourly (4 hr, BYN 15).

The city is laid out on a grid and is walkable. Buses and marshrutkas serve all districts.

• Naftan Oil Refinery — One of Europe's largest refineries, visible from across the city. Night illumination is impressive.

• Navapolatsk Museum of History and Local Lore — Exhibits on the city's founding, the refinery construction, and the workers who built it.

• City Park (Маладзёжны парк) — A large youth park with walking paths and sports facilities.

• Daugava River Promenade — A pleasant walkway along the riverbank.

• Cathedral of the Transfiguration (Спаса-Праабражэнскі сабор) — A modern Orthodox cathedral built in the 2000s.

• Arrange a Naftan tour — The refinery offers limited guided tours (book in advance).

• Walk the central square (Kozlov Square) — The city's main public space.

• Visit Polatsk — Only 20 minutes away, with ancient cathedrals.

• Restaurant "Naftan" — The best dining in town. Mains BYN 15–30.
• Café "Molodyozhnoye" — Affordable meals. Mains BYN 8–15.
• "U Polotska" — Restaurant near the road to Polatsk. Mains BYN 12–22.

The "Naftan" hotel bar is popular. Several cafés on the main square serve coffee and beer.

• Budget: "Navapolatsk" hotel — basic rooms from BYN 40/night.
• Mid-range: "Naftan" hotel — modernised business rooms from BYN 80/night.
• Upscale: "Polotsk" hotel — the best option, from BYN 130/night.

• Polatsk (20 km E) — The oldest city in Belarus, with St. Sophia Cathedral and the Euphrosyne Monastery.
• Vitebsk (120 km SE) — Cultural capital.
• Novalukoml (120 km S) — Lake Lukoml.
• Daugavpils (100 km W, Latvia) — Latvian city across the border.