Belarus: A Worthy Travel Destination?

Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe, bordering Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Latvia. It is known for its natural beauty, including dense forests, marshy lands, and over 11,000 lakes. The country has a rich history, interesting architecture, and a unique culture.

Belarus has often been portrayed as a dangerous place to visit due to its political situation and authoritarian regime. However, many travellers have reported feeling safe walking the streets of Minsk, the country's capital, and interacting with the friendly local population.

Travellers to Belarus can enjoy a range of activities, from exploring the outdoors in national parks to visiting museums and historical sites, such as the Brest Fortress, which holds significant importance in World War II history. The country also offers a vibrant food scene, with traditional dishes like draniki (potato pancakes) and a variety of European and Asian cuisines.

Despite the negative media portrayal, Belarus is worth considering as a travel destination, especially for those seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences in Europe. However, it is essential to stay informed about the political situation, visa requirements, and local laws to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Is it safe to visit Belarus?

Belarus is considered safe to visit, with a vibrant capital, good cultural scene, and nightlife. However, it's important to be aware of the political situation and potential risks before travelling there.

Political Situation

Belarus is ruled by "Europe's last dictator", and there is mild tension between Belarus and the rest of Europe. There is a potential for civil unrest and conflict linked to the war in Ukraine. The country is heavily militarised, and you should be careful when taking pictures.

Crime and Scams

Belarus has a low level of street crime as it is severely punished by the government, and there is not much organised crime within the country. However, you should still take normal precautions such as avoiding dangerous and secluded areas, and not flashing material goods in public places. Pickpocketing is a medium risk, especially in crowded places and around tourist spots. There aren't any known scams specific to Belarus, but you should still be aware of your surroundings, as people may try to take advantage of you if they identify you as a tourist.

Women's Safety

Women are not at particular risk in Belarus, but common sense and basic precautions are advised, such as not walking alone at night.

Transport

Driving in Belarus can be dangerous due to erratic lane changes and tailgating. Public transport is also a target for pickpockets, so keep a close eye on your belongings.

Drug Use

Foreigners should be aware that any type of illicit drug use will be severely punished in Belarus.

Police and Security Services

While the police are described as kind and helpful, security services may place foreigners under surveillance by monitoring hotel rooms, telephones, and fax machines. It is also important to note that the KGB is still active in Belarus and can be repressive.

Dual Nationals

Belarus does not recognise dual nationality, so if you have both Belarusian and another nationality (e.g. British), the authorities will consider you Belarusian, which may limit your home country's ability to help you.

Insurance

Your travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against advice from your government or relevant authorities.

What is there to see and do in Belarus?

Belarus is a beautiful country to visit, with over 11,000 lakes and 40% of its territory covered in forest. It is also home to dreamy castles, some of which are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The capital, Minsk, is a lively and affordable city full of Stalinist architecture, antiquated churches, and flower-filled squares.

Minsk

Minsk is the first stop for most visitors. The city has a lot to offer, from its Stalinist architecture to its many WWII memorials. Some key places to visit include:

• The Museum of the Great Patriotic War
• The Orthodox Church of St Mary Magdalene
• The Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, which showcases the city's suffering under Nazi occupation during World War II
• The National Library of Belarus, which has 22 levels of book collections and a large conference room
• The Minsk Sea, an artificial sea with sandy beaches, indie cafes, and restaurants
• The National History Museum and the National Art Museum
• Independence Square, the largest public square in Europe
• Independence Avenue, where you can find amazing restaurants, cafes, shopping spots, clubs, and music events
• Gorky Central Children's Park, which has fairground rides and an observation wheel offering vibrant views of the city

Mir Castle

The 16th-century Mir Castle is a favourite for Belarusians and is considered by many locals to be the most beautiful castle in the country. The red-and-white brick exterior and towers reflect strikingly in the castle's pond. The interior has been meticulously restored to showcase the lifestyle of the wealthy Radziwills family, who lived there from 1568 to the 1840s. The exterior portions, including the courtyard and parks, are free to visit, while admission to the castle is 14 BYN for adults, 7 BYN for students, and 3 BYN for an audio guide.

Braslav Lakes National Park

This national park is home to 300 pristine blue lakes surrounded by thick forests, rolling hills, and giant boulders left behind from glaciers. It's the perfect place for camping, fishing, birdwatching, rock climbing, and bouldering.

Polotsk

Polotsk is the oldest city in Belarus, dating back to 862. The city has many museums and historic sites, including the Saint Sophia Cathedral, the National Polotsk Historical Museum, and the medieval Boris Stones.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park

This park is one of the few places in the world where you can see European bison and Eurasian elk in their natural habitat. It offers numerous hiking and biking trails, including the 6-kilometer Dokudovo route, which is the best chance to spot bison.

Brest Fortress

The Brest Fortress, built between 1833 and 1842, played a significant role during World War II when Belarusian soldiers and citizens defended it against German troops for a month. You can explore the bullet-riddled walls and memorial statues, as well as historical museums on-site, including the Defense Museum and the Museum of War. Entrance to the fortress grounds is free, but each museum has a separate admission fee of about 5 BYN.

Grodno

Grodno, also called Hrodna, dates back to the 11th century and is one of the few towns in Belarus that wasn't damaged during World War II. It has a more European feel and is home to several churches and small museums. The main attraction is the 12th-century Kalozha Church, considered the oldest church in Belarus. While the exterior is plain, the interior boasts colourful geometrical ornaments, crosses, and a unique floor made of brown, green, and yellow plates. The Old Castle's Grodno History and Archaeology Museum is also worth visiting, with artefacts including mammoth tusks, Neolithic spears, medieval armour, and rare antique books. Admission is 5 BYN.

Dudutki Ethnological Museum Complex

This "living museum" located outside of Minsk recreates rural Belarusian life from the 17th to the 20th centuries. It includes a courtyard with a creamery, bakery, pottery workshop, woodworker's shop, windmill, historic church, and an area showcasing horseshoe and armour forging. You can sample handmade cheese, fresh bread, and samorgon, a potent local moonshine. The museum hosts various festivals throughout the year, and it's 14 BYN to visit, or 23 BYN with a guide (recommended due to limited English signage).

Pripyatsky National Park

Nicknamed the "Lungs of Europe," this park boasts a diverse natural landscape of swamps, floodplains, broad-leaf forests, and oak forests. It's home to over 250 bird species, 900 plant types, and more than 50 mammal species. Activities include hiking, fishing, boat tours, and guided hikes. The park also has a comprehensive museum focused on plant and animal collections, natural photography, and ethnographic displays. You can book forest lodging with a guide for around 75 BYN per night. Most guided activities start at around 8-10 BYN.

Belarusian State Art Museum

The largest art museum in Belarus, with over 30,000 works, features pieces by Soviet social realists and Russian masters, including Valentin Volkov and Yudel Pen. It also exhibits works by Marc Chagall, a famous Russian-French artist who was born and raised in Belarus. Admission is 8 BYN for adults, and an audio guide is an extra 3 BYN.

Stalin Line Museum

The Stalin Line was a heavily fortified defensive line along the Soviet Union's western border. The open-air museum, located about 1.5 hours from Minsk, allows you to explore reconstructed trenches, bunkers, and fortifications. There are English signs explaining the history, and you can also take part in interactive activities like riding in a tank or helicopter or shooting live ammunition. The complex includes a large collection of military technology and weapons. Adult admission is 15 BYN, 7 BYN for students, and a 3-hour guided tour is 28 BYN.

What is the food like in Belarus?

Belarusian cuisine has predominantly Slavic roots, with strong influences from neighbouring countries and migrant settlers. It is similar to Russian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Polish, and Jewish cuisines, but with its own unique twist.

The country's culinary traditions are a mix of simple, peasant recipes and the more sophisticated cuisine of the nobility. Local, fresh ingredients are used, including vegetables, grains, pulses, meat, and dairy.

Potatoes are a key ingredient in Belarusian cooking, with the country boasting the highest consumption of potatoes per capita in the world. Dishes such as draniki (thick potato pancakes), kolduny, pyzy, potato sausage, and babka are all made with potatoes. Draniki is considered the most traditional dish in the country and is often served with bacon and sour cream.

Meat was historically consumed in limited amounts and was usually served on festive occasions. Poultry and game were the most common types of meat, with chicken, duck, goose, turkey, elk, roe, and boar featuring in traditional dishes. Pork dishes, such as machanka (a pork stew) and vereshchaka (a thick meat gravy), are also popular.

Belarusian cuisine offers a variety of vegetable-based dishes, including soups and salads. A typical feature of Belarusian soups is the use of the word "poliŭka", which refers to the major ingredients (fish or mushrooms) being boiled with spices, and then combined with cereals and a flour mixture. An example of this is zhur, a soup made with oat water, meat or milk. Other popular soups include mushroom soup, cold sorrel soup, and borscht, a beet and cabbage soup.

The country also has a variety of dairy products, with curd cheese, sour cream, and butter being commonly used in recipes. Milk is a regular ingredient in soups, porridges, and desserts.

When it comes to bread, Belarusians traditionally favour a kind of somewhat sour rye bread. This is due to the fact that wheat does not grow well in the country's cold and wet climate.

The traditional hard drink of Belarus is vodka, or harelka, which is typically distilled from a rye malt. It is often consumed on holidays and special occasions. Mead, a drink made of honey and spices, was also common in the past but has since declined in popularity.

Overall, Belarusian cuisine is hearty and delicious, offering a unique blend of flavours and ingredients that reflect the country's cultural and historical influences.

What is the best way to get to Belarus?

There are several ways to get to Belarus, including by air, rail, road, or bus.

By Air

The majority of travellers to Belarus arrive by plane. The National Airport in Minsk is the country's main airport, with daily flights to many destinations in Europe and beyond. It is a modern airport with banks, restaurants, and shops. The airport is about 30km from the city centre, and travellers can get there by bus, train, taxi, or hired car.

By Rail

Belarus has excellent international rail links, with trains to Minsk from almost every major city in Europe and the CIS. Minsk's new Central Station is one of the largest in Europe and is open 24 hours a day.

By Road

You can travel to Belarus by car from Europe and the CIS. There are several Belarus border crossings and an extensive road network across the country. An international driving licence is required to drive in Belarus, and traffic drives on the right. The motorway speed limit is 110 km/h. Road signs are in Cyrillic, although signs at major junctions are also in Latin script.

By Bus

Most international bus arrivals in Belarus terminate at the Central Bus Station in Minsk, which is located next to the Central Train Station.

Visa Requirements

It is important to note that Belarus has strict visa requirements, and getting a visa has been described as a "tedious, complicated process." However, the country has recently liberalised its visa regime, making it easier for travellers to obtain a visa. There are three types of tourist visas available:

• Belarus Visa on Arrival (VOA): Available for up to 80 nationalities, valid for 30 days, and only available for those entering and exiting through Minsk International Airport.
• Tourist Visa at the Embassy: Required for those travelling to Belarus overland or whose nationality is not on the VOA list. This option typically involves more paperwork and takes longer to process.
• VOA in Brest and Grodno: These border cities with Poland can be visited without a visa for up to 10 days, as long as travellers enter overland through Poland and do not leave the respective region.

Insurance and Registration

It is worth noting that very few foreign travel insurance policies are accepted in Belarus, and insurance can be purchased at the border for a minimum of 5 euros for 15 days. Additionally, travellers are required to register at the police every 5 days during their stay in Belarus. This can be done online for free the first time, but subsequent registrations must be done in person at the Department of Citizenship and Migration in Minsk or through your hotel.

Current Travel Advisories

While Belarus remains open to international travellers, it is essential to check the latest travel advisories before planning a trip. As of November 2024, the FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus, citing the risk of arrest for activities considered illegal by the Belarusian regime and the potential spread of conflict linked to the war in Ukraine.

What is there to do in Minsk?

Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is a city with a unique soul. It is worth visiting to experience its blend of architecture, cafes, bars, restaurants, museums, public spaces, monuments, and people. Here are some things to do when visiting Minsk:

• Admire the Soviet-era monuments and Stalinist architecture: Minsk is known for its impressive Soviet-era monuments and Stalinist architecture, including the Grand World War II victory column, the Obelisk to Hero City Minsk, and the Island of Tears (Afghanistan memorial).
• Visit the Museum Strana Mini: This museum is an excellent choice for tourists who want to get an overview of Belarus' major castles, historical sites, and important buildings all in one place. It offers audio guides in multiple languages, a souvenir shop, and virtual reality exhibits.
• Explore the Old Town: The Old Town is a delightful, small area to explore, with colourful 17th and 18th-century buildings housing cafes and souvenir shops. It is one of the few areas in Minsk free from modern architecture.
• Visit the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War: This museum, acknowledged as one of the world's greatest war museums, has a unique collection of objects and multimedia exhibits that tell the story of the war.
• Ride the Minsk Metro: The Minsk Metro, which opened in 1984, is a cheap and convenient way to explore the city. The stations are vividly decorated, with crystal lamps, grand marble walls, and bronze sculptures, making them true 'Palaces of the People'.
• Visit the National Library of Belarus: The rhombicuboctahedron architecture of the National Library is one of Minsk's top attractions. It houses over 10 million books and offers panoramic views from the observation deck on the 23rd floor.
• Enjoy the cafe scene: Minsk has a thriving cafe culture, with many cool and hip cafes serving delicious food and drinks. Some popular options include Buta, Enzo, Pripyatsky, and Coffee Room.
• Visit the Dudutki Museum Complex: Located about 45 kilometres outside of the city, the Dudutki Museum Complex is a world-class recreation of 19th-century Belarusian rural life, complete with a working mill, blacksmith, potter, weaving machines, and a farmstead.
• See a show at the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre: This landmark establishment offers refined art and culture, with a grand building, professional actors, and a world-class orchestra. It is known for its affordable tickets and has a repertoire that includes both opera and ballet performances.
• Spy on the KGB: The State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus, or KGB, has its headquarters in the northwest corner of Independence Square. While it is not advisable to take photos, it is interesting to see the building and the nearby bust of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Cheka, the original Bolshevik intelligence police.
• Visit the Church of Saints Simon and Helena: Officially known as the Church of Saints Simon and Helena, this neo-Romanesque church is an unusual sight in ex-Soviet countries, as Orthodox Christianity dominates. It has a gothic design interior with shining stained-glass windows and a working organ.
• Take a day trip to the Stalin Line Museum Complex and Khatyn Memorial Complex: Located less than an hour's drive from Minsk, these sites offer a glimpse into Soviet war history and honour the victims of World War II. The Stalin Line Museum includes restored bunkers, demonstration areas, and a reenactment battlefield, while the Khatyn Memorial Complex features an eternal flame and memorial bells.

Frequently asked questions