Belarus travel guide

Belarus Tourism | Belarus Guide

You're Going to Love Belarus

Arrive in Minsk to visit the museums and see the architecture from the Stalin era and then go further afield to explore the national parks and castles that are located in the countryside outside the cities.

What to do in Belarus

1. Go to Nesvizh Castle

Surrounded by lakes and a moat, Nesvizh Castle was built in 1583 by the Radziwill family who were powerful magnates in Belarus.

2. Explore the Monastery in Zhirovichy

Renowned for being the largest in Belarus, this Orthodox monastery in Zhirovichy is home to one of Belarus's most important Christian Shrines.

3. Museums in Minsk

The Museum of the Great Patriotic War details the history of the Nazi occupation in Belarus during the Second World War, and the National Arts Museum displays works created by sculptors and artists from Belarus.

4. Visit Brest

Explore the Brest Fortress and pop into the Museum of History and the Museum of Railway Technology, which has displays of trains dating as far back as 1903.

5. Braslav Lakes National Park

Established in 1993, the national park is famous for a combination of around 300 beautiful lakes and landscapes that are the result of an ancient glacier.

1. Go to Nesvizh Castle

Surrounded by lakes and a moat, Nesvizh Castle was built in 1583 by the Radziwill family who were powerful magnates in Belarus.

2. Explore the Monastery in Zhirovichy

Renowned for being the largest in Belarus, this Orthodox monastery in Zhirovichy is home to one of Belarus's most important Christian Shrines.

3. Museums in Minsk

The Museum of the Great Patriotic War details the history of the Nazi occupation in Belarus during the Second World War, and the National Arts Museum displays works created by sculptors and artists from Belarus.

4. Visit Brest

Explore the Brest Fortress and pop into the Museum of History and the Museum of Railway Technology, which has displays of trains dating as far back as 1903.

5. Braslav Lakes National Park

Established in 1993, the national park is famous for a combination of around 300 beautiful lakes and landscapes that are the result of an ancient glacier.

When to visit Belarus

The best time to visit Belarus would be in the spring and summer months from May to September. In the height of summer in June and July, temperatures can reach around 77°F.

How to Get to Belarus

Entry requirements

Most travelers from Europe and North America will need a visa to visit Belarus. They'll also need valid medical insurance and sufficient proof of funds for the duration of the stay. Visitors staying longer than 5 working days will need to register at the local branch of the Department of Citizenship and Migration.

Plane

Minsk International Airport, 25 mi outside the city, is the major airport in Belarus, receiving international flights from Europe operated by Belavia, the national carrier and other international airlines, such as Etihad Airways, Finnair and Lufthansa.

Train

International rail services exist between Belarus and the neighboring countries, such as Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania. It is important to have a valid transit visa to travel over land into Belarus.

Bus

Bus travel is a quick and efficient way to get into Belarus from Vilnius in Lithuania. There is also an Ecolines bus that operates between Warsaw in Poland and Minsk or Brest.

Entry requirements

Most travelers from Europe and North America will need a visa to visit Belarus. They'll also need valid medical insurance and sufficient proof of funds for the duration of the stay. Visitors staying longer than 5 working days will need to register at the local branch of the Department of Citizenship and Migration.

Plane

Minsk International Airport, 25 mi outside the city, is the major airport in Belarus, receiving international flights from Europe operated by Belavia, the national carrier and other international airlines, such as Etihad Airways, Finnair and Lufthansa.

Train

International rail services exist between Belarus and the neighboring countries, such as Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania. It is important to have a valid transit visa to travel over land into Belarus.

Bus

Bus travel is a quick and efficient way to get into Belarus from Vilnius in Lithuania. There is also an Ecolines bus that operates between Warsaw in Poland and Minsk or Brest.

Popular airports in Belarus

Popular airlines serving Belarus

Air China
Good (147 reviews)
flydubai
Good (153 reviews)
Uzbekistan Airways
Good (37 reviews)
Azerbaijan Airlines
Excellent (13 reviews)
Pobeda
Okay (8 reviews)
Belavia
Excellent (19 reviews)
Aeroflot
Excellent (237 reviews)
AZIMUTH
Excellent (2 reviews)
Nordwind Airlines
Good (3 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Belarus

Minsk has a range of hotels from local and international chains. Other towns, such as Gomel and Brest, have more upmarket hotels catering for business visitors, as well as midrange hotels for travelers.

Where to stay in popular areas of Belarus

Most booked hotels in Belarus

DoubleTree by Hilton Minsk
5 stars
Excellent (9.1, Excellent reviews)
$268+
President Hotel
5 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
$219+
Hampton by Hilton Minsk City Centre
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
$134+
Zvezda Hotel
2 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$27+
Belarus Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$107+
Slavyanskaya Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$95+

How to Get Around Belarus

Public Transportation

Minsk has an efficient metro system with two different lines. One token, for a single trip, will cost around 0.65 BYN (0.30 USD). There is also a system of trolleybuses, trams and buses, which run in Minsk and other cities, such as Gomel, Brest and Vitebsk.

Trains

Belarus Railways operates train services between Minsk and other major towns in Belarus and is a fast and efficient way to travel. Tickets, which can range between about 9-14 BYN (4.40-6.80 USD) depending on route, can be booked and paid for in advance online.

Bus

Several intercity bus routes operate in Belarus and tickets can be bought same-day at the bus station. There are also minibuses operating on fixed routes and although they are not as comfortable as regular buses or trains, they are often faster.

Car

Car rental companies, such as Avis and Hertz, are represented at both the airport and hotels in Minsk. It is possible to rent a car with or without a driver, although the latter may be recommended as not many of the road signs are in English.

Public Transportation

Minsk has an efficient metro system with two different lines. One token, for a single trip, will cost around 0.65 BYN (0.30 USD). There is also a system of trolleybuses, trams and buses, which run in Minsk and other cities, such as Gomel, Brest and Vitebsk.

Trains

Belarus Railways operates train services between Minsk and other major towns in Belarus and is a fast and efficient way to travel. Tickets, which can range between about 9-14 BYN (4.40-6.80 USD) depending on route, can be booked and paid for in advance online.

Bus

Several intercity bus routes operate in Belarus and tickets can be bought same-day at the bus station. There are also minibuses operating on fixed routes and although they are not as comfortable as regular buses or trains, they are often faster.

Car

Car rental companies, such as Avis and Hertz, are represented at both the airport and hotels in Minsk. It is possible to rent a car with or without a driver, although the latter may be recommended as not many of the road signs are in English.

The Cost of Living in Belarus

Most major credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa and American Express, are accepted in restaurants and larger hotels. ATMs are located throughout the country in shops, supermarkets and banks, and will accept Visa and Mastercard. A gallon of milk and a dozen eggs will cost around 8 BYN (3.90 USD) in a grocery store while a meal per person in an inexpensive restaurant will cost in the region of 16 BYN (7.80 USD).

Popular cities in Belarus