Destination
Belarus
Europe · Minsk
Safety advisory
Do not travel
Traveller safety tips
Belarus is generally a safe country, largely because crime is punished severely by the government. Street-level crime is rare and usually does not affect tourists. You should still apply common sense and be vigilant of your surroundings. Crime in general • Cyber-crime of all kinds is well-developed in Belarus. If you are doing business with individuals in Belarus, you should proceed with extreme caution. Fraud is common at ATMs and grocery stores. • Security personnel may at times place you, as a foreigner, under surveillance; hotel rooms, telephones, and fax machines may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched. Don't be surprised or alarmed; this is just standard protocol. • Taking photographs of sensitive areas may result in problems with authorities. Such sites are not always clearly marked
…When to go
Seasonal calendar — from climate data and curated definitions.
Public holidays
National holidays — closures and days off.
October Revolution Day
Дзень Кастрычніцкай рэвалюцыі
November 7, 2026
Sat · in 39d
Catholic Christmas Day
Каляды каталiцкiя
December 25, 2026
Fri · in 87d
New Year's Day
Новы год
January 1, 2027
Fri · in 94d
New Year's Day
Новы год
January 2, 2027
Sat · in 95d
Christmas Day (Orthodox)
Каляды праваслаўныя
January 7, 2027
Thu · in 100d
International Women's Day
Мiжнародны жаночы дзень
March 8, 2027
Mon · in 160d
Labour Day
Дзень працы
May 1, 2027
Sat · in 214d
Victory Day
Дзень Перамогi
May 9, 2027
Sun · in 222d
UNESCO sites
4UNESCO World Heritage sites in this country.
- Struve Geodetic Arc2005Cultural
©
The Struve Geodetic Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through ten countries and over 2,820 kilometres (1,750 mi), which yielded the first accurate measurement of a meridian arc.
Text: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) - Białowieża Forest1979Natural
©
Białowieża Forest is a large forest complex and World Heritage Area straddling the border between Poland and Belarus. It is one of the last and the largest remaining parts of the immense primeval forest that once stretched across the European Plain. The forest is home to more than 800 European bison, Europe's heaviest land animal.
Text: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) - Mir Castle Complex2000Cultural
©
The Mir Castle Complex is a historic fortified castle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Belarus. It is located in the town of Mir, in Karelichy District of Grodno Oblast, 29 kilometres (18 mi) north-west of another World Heritage site, Nesvizh Castle. Mir Castle Complex is 164 metres (538 ft) above sea level. Erected in the 16th century in the late Brick Gothic style, it is one of the few remaining architectural monuments of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in contemporary Belarus.
Text: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) - Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh2005Cultural
©
Nesvizh Castle or Nyasvizh Castle is a residential castle of the Radziwiłł family in Nyasvizh (Nesvizh), Belarus. It is 183 metres (600 ft) above sea level. Built originally in the 16th and 17th centuries, throughout its history the site has been sacked, damaged and abandoned repeatedly, and has seen multiple different uses including as a storehouse. Finally it has been extensively rebuilt and restored from 2004–2012. In 2005, the castle, church, and surrounding environment were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The castle and the nearby Corpus Christi Church were instrumental in the development of Central European and Russian architecture.
Text: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Car rental & driving
Whether your licence is recognized, and which side traffic drives on — per the UN road-traffic conventions.
Set your passport to see whether your licence is accepted.
Local norms
Culture & etiquette
Belarusians tend to be more traditional than Western Europeans. Although Belarus has a close historical and cultural relationship with Russia, Belarusians are not Russians; they're a distinct ethnic group. Similarily, the Belarusian language is not a dialect of Russian. Women are traditionally treated with chivalry. Female travellers should not be surprised or alarmed if their Belarusian male friends take the initiative to settle bills in a restaurant, open doors for them, or assist them with carrying objects. Male travellers should understand that Belarusian women will anticipate these subtleties. Belarusians have a remarkable and intimately calm manner of communicating in public. It is advisable to try to follow their lead so as not to stick out like a sore thumb. As in many countries of the former Soviet Union, a smile is intended only for friends and close relatives
…Health
Internet
Connectivity on the road: coverage, data price, access.
Ride-hailing: Яндекс Go
Maps: Yandex Maps and 2GIS have the best coverage
Prices
Entry & borders
Although Belarus has an open border with Russia, third country nationals are not permitted to cross the border between Russia and Belarus overland; they are required to fly to travel directly between the two countries. Entry requirements Visa-free Citizens of the following countries and regions do not need a visa: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Cuba, Ecuador, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Venezuela. In case of any change, consult the up-to-date list of visa-exempt countries • . Citizens of 74 countries (see list • ) do not need a visa for stays in Belarus of up to 30 days, subject to a limit of 90 days per calendar year, provided they meet the following requirements: • they have medical insurance valid in Belarus
…About the country
- Capital
- Minsk
- Continent
- Europe
- Population
- 9,485,386
- Area
- 207,600 km²
- Currency
- Belarusian ruble · BYN
- Time zone
- 16:59UTC+3
- Sockets
- CF
- Emergency
- 102police103ambulance101fire
- Calling code
- +375
- Languages
- Belarusian, Russian
220 V · 50 Hz