Belarus

Russian forces are conducting military operations from Belarus in connection to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Foreign nationals still in Belarus should depart as the resulting military activity could disrupt essential services and departure options.

Long regarded by travellers as little more than a curiosity, Belarus has suddenly emerged as one of Europe’s ‘it’ destinations. Fuelling that rise are relaxed visa requirements, a sneaky-good art and cafe scene, and hospitable locals. While political dissent remains muted, the country seems to be having fun again.

Minsk is where you must arrive and depart to take advantage of a new 30-day visa-free regime. The capital has a pulsing nightlife, excellent museums and an impressive ensemble of Stalin-era architecture. Minsk has also become a hub for global summits and sporting events such as the 2019 European Games. Elsewhere, the western cities of Brest and Hrodna are Europeanised nooks, while around the Belarusian heartland you’ll turn up ancient castles and national parks where rare zubr (European bison) roam.

Explore Belarus

  • Nyasvizh Castle

    Over a causeway leading away from the town with lovely lakes on either side lies this palace-like castle and park complex. Erected by the Radziwill family…

  • Mir Castle

    The 16th-century Mir Castle, reflected magnificently in an adjoining pond, resembles something straight out of Disney. A recent renovation has the place…

  • Museum of the Great Patriotic War

    Housed in a garish new building, Minsk's best museum houses an excellent display detailing Belarus' suffering and heroism during the Nazi occupation. With…

  • Homel Palace

    Homel's signature attraction was built by Field Marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev in the late 19th century, soon after Homel became part of the Russian Empire. He…

  • Museum of Railway Technology

    The outdoor Museum of Railway Technology has a superb collection of locomotives and carriages dating from 1903 (eg the Moscow–Brest Express, with shower…

  • V

    Vul Kastrychnitskaya

    Vul Kastrychnitskaya – still known by its Soviet name, ulitsa Oktyabrskaya – has blossomed into Minsk's unofficial arts district. Brazilian street artists…

  • Brest Fortress

    During Operation Barbarossa in the early days of the Great Patriotic War (WWII), a small band of soldiers gallantly held off a superior Nazi force at…

  • Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park

    Unesco World Heritage Site Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park is the oldest wildlife refuge in Europe and the pride of Belarus. At the National Park…

  • Pripyatsky National Park

    One of the best-kept secrets in Belarus is this relatively untouched swath of marshes, swampland and floodplains emanating from the Pripyat River, about…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Belarus.

  • See

    Nyasvizh Castle

    Over a causeway leading away from the town with lovely lakes on either side lies this palace-like castle and park complex. Erected by the Radziwill family…

  • See

    Mir Castle

    The 16th-century Mir Castle, reflected magnificently in an adjoining pond, resembles something straight out of Disney. A recent renovation has the place…

  • See

    Museum of the Great Patriotic War

    Housed in a garish new building, Minsk's best museum houses an excellent display detailing Belarus' suffering and heroism during the Nazi occupation. With…

  • See

    Homel Palace

    Homel's signature attraction was built by Field Marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev in the late 19th century, soon after Homel became part of the Russian Empire. He…

  • See

    Museum of Railway Technology

    The outdoor Museum of Railway Technology has a superb collection of locomotives and carriages dating from 1903 (eg the Moscow–Brest Express, with shower…

  • See

    Vul Kastrychnitskaya

    Vul Kastrychnitskaya – still known by its Soviet name, ulitsa Oktyabrskaya – has blossomed into Minsk's unofficial arts district. Brazilian street artists…

  • See

    Brest Fortress

    During Operation Barbarossa in the early days of the Great Patriotic War (WWII), a small band of soldiers gallantly held off a superior Nazi force at…

  • See

    Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park

    Unesco World Heritage Site Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park is the oldest wildlife refuge in Europe and the pride of Belarus. At the National Park…

  • See

    Pripyatsky National Park

    One of the best-kept secrets in Belarus is this relatively untouched swath of marshes, swampland and floodplains emanating from the Pripyat River, about…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Belarus

Ready to go? Get to the heart of Belarus with one of Lonely Planet's in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.

Eastern Europe