Belarus is an independent state in Eastern Europe. It borders Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine. The official name is the Republic of Belarus (RB).
Why go?
Majestic medieval castles here coexist with ethnographic villages, wide Soviet-era avenues with cobbled alleys, picturesque forests and national parks with ski resorts.
Special mention should be made of Belarusian sanatoriums, where thousands of Russian pensioners improve their health every year. The pleasant climate, mineral waters and therapeutic mud do their job, returning elderly people home rested and rejuvenated.
The main thing about the country
- The capital and largest city is Minsk.
- Official languages: Belarusian, Russian.
- Time zone UTC+3. Time in Belarus coincides with Moscow time.
- The cost of the trip is 5,000 rubles per day per person, excluding tickets.
- About 80% consider themselves Orthodox, but there are also Catholics.
- The attitude towards tourists is friendly.
- The country has well-developed industry, services and agriculture.
- The climate is moderately continental, with a strong influence of sea air from the Atlantic.
- The relief is predominantly flat, the average surface altitude is 160 m above sea level.
When to go
The climate of Belarus is almost the same as in the central part of Russia, with the only difference being that it is slightly warmer in winter and slightly cooler in summer. The lowest temperatures are observed in January, the warmest month is July.
The favorable period for excursion trips to the Republic of Belarus is from May to September. The ski season begins in December and ends around mid-March. In cold years, skiers manage to ski until April. Sanatorium and resort treatment is available all year round.
Holidays and non-working days
- January 1 and 2 – New Year;
- January 7 – Orthodox Christmas;
- March 8 – International Women’s Day;
- May 1 – Labor Day;
- Radunitsa (according to the Orthodox calendar) is a floating date;
- May 9 – Victory Day;
- July 3 – Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus;
- December 25 – Catholic Christmas.
Currency
The currency is the Belarusian ruble (BYN). Exchange offices are located in banks, large shopping malls, hotels and other tourist attractions. Euros, dollars and Russian rubles are accepted equally willingly in exchange offices. It is reasonable for Russians to travel to Belarus with their own currency: the fewer conversions, the greater the savings.
It is not recommended to use the services of street money changers: firstly, it is a violation of local laws, and secondly, such people often turn out to be scammers.
Bank cards are accepted everywhere in the capital, large cities and at gas stations. MIR payment system cards work: Russians pay with them in most cafes and retail outlets, and withdraw cash from them at local ATMs.
Prices
Belarus is an ideal destination for a budget traveler. Prices here are not too high, while the quality of products and goods is excellent.
- Lunch at a restaurant – 500 Russian rubles.
- Rooms in a good hotel – 3000₽.
- A snack at McDonalds or alternative fast food – 250-300₽.
Beaches
Belarus can hardly be called a country for a beach holiday: there is no access to the sea, and the climate is not that good. But if you are lucky enough to visit here in the middle of summer, you can swim in the local rivers and lakes. There are good beaches right in Minsk:
- Zaslavskoe Reservoir – the so-called Minsk Sea, here there are all the conditions not only for swimming, but also for water sports and fishing;
- Drozdy is a picturesque green area where, in addition to fountains and waterfalls, there is a well-developed beach infrastructure: with changing rooms, sports grounds, children’s play areas and toilets;
- The Tsnyanskoye Reservoir is a reservoir in the north of the capital with sandy, well-maintained beaches.
Resorts
It is definitely worth starting your acquaintance with Belarus from Minsk. Here you will find lovingly recreated ancient churches and cathedrals, majestic Stalinist Empire architecture, cozy streets with atmospheric coffee shops, beautiful parks with centuries-old trees and shady alleys.
Other cities of interest in terms of tourism: Grodno, Brest, Gomel, Vitebsk, Mogilev. The country’s ski resorts are Silichi, Raubichi, Logoisk, Mozyr, the Yakut Mountains.
The best Belarusian sanatoriums: Priozerny (Lake Naroch, Minsk region), Ruzhansky (Brest region), Alpha Radon and Ozerny (Grodno region).
Attractions
Belarus is rich in architectural monuments, history and other attractions. A tourist should definitely include one or more of these points in his route:
- Minsk Zoo;
- Mir Castle;
- Nesvizh Palace;
- Museum of Folk Crafts “Dudutki”
- Memorial complex “Khatyn”;
- Napoleon’s crossing point in Studenka;
- Kolozha Church in Grodno;
- Trinity Church in the village of Gervyaty.
When visiting the Brest region (the westernmost part of the country), be sure to see the legendary Brest Fortress, which now houses the Great Patriotic War Museum, as well as the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, a forested area with endangered bison, quiet hiking trails and bike paths.
Entertainment
Minsk has a rich cultural life: there are more than 10 theaters and 15 museums. For children, there are many amusement parks and entertainment centers. Also worth visiting is the Lebyazhy water park, located near the Moscow Ring Road, where you can ride truly extreme slides, go surfing and indulge in relaxation in the SPA.
Rural tourism, hunting and fishing are popular. On holidays, large-scale folk festivals with songs, dances, games and delicious food are organized in the ethnographic villages of Belarus.
Winter resorts offer not only ski runs and slopes, but also numerous entertainment options for children and adults: tubing and skating, baths and saunas, and festive New Year’s programs.
Kitchen
The basis of Belarusian cuisine is potatoes, mushrooms and pork. They are cooked here with special skill and in many combinations. In local national cuisine establishments you will definitely be offered the following dishes:
- “draniki” – potato pancakes;
- “perepecha” – thin flatbreads;
- dumplings with various fillings;
- “Solodukha” is a unique dish made from dough that is repeatedly heated and cooled.
Among the drinks, it is worth trying kvass made from birch sap, the spicy strong liqueur “krambambulya” and the liqueur “krupnik” with medicinal herbs and honey.
Souvenirs
The stork (in Belarusian “busel”) is considered a symbol of the country, which is why it, along with the bison, is often depicted on souvenirs: magnets, badges, and cups.
Other traditional souvenirs:
- products made from Belarusian flax;
- carved wooden sculptures;
- straw products;
- ceramics (vases, pots, figurines);
- bead embroidery.
More practical purchases are Belarusian cosmetics, women’s underwear “Milavitsa”, hosiery products from Belarusian factories. Prices for them in Belarusian stores are lower than in Russian ones.
Many Russians are trying to buy “sanctioned” goods in Belarus: European-made cheeses, ham and prosciutto – they are sold in almost all large supermarkets and at the Komarovsky Market (Minsk).
Transport
The main form of public transport in Belarus is the bus. Minsk has a metro, which is very modest by Moscow standards: it has only 3 lines and 33 stations, so getting around on it is not always convenient. The cost of one trip on public transport is about 20 Russian rubles.
In some cities, buses have conductors, but most often tickets are sold directly from the driver or at bus stops. There are few shuttles, and they are more expensive than municipal buses.
Yandex.Taxi and UberX services operate in the capital and other large cities. The cost of a trip starts from 250-300 Russian rubles.
Safety
The level of terrorist threat is low. The crime situation is confidently controlled by the competent authorities of the Republic of Belarus. Movement around the country is free: all regions are equally safe and open to tourists.
Medicine
In case of a threat to life and other emergency conditions, medical care is provided to Russians free of charge and in full. Scheduled medical care is only on a paid basis. Russian citizens do not need special vaccinations or medical insurance to enter the country.
In Belarus, medical tourism is developed in the following areas: dentistry, orthopedics, oncology, nephrology, urology, speleotherapy.
Traditions
Customs and norms of behavior are practically no different from Russian ones. Some Belarusians take it painfully when they say “Belorussia”, which is generally correct in Russian. In order not to offend anyone, it is better to use the official name of the republic in conversations – “Belarus”.
Recently, local authorities have been actively fighting smoking. It is prohibited at bus stops, stadiums, parks, near schools and other places where there are appropriate signs. At train stations, including the Central Railway Station in Minsk, smoking is allowed only in specially designated areas, designated by signs and markings.
Internet
Russian mobile companies work in Belarus in roaming, if you connect the appropriate options. But on long trips it is more profitable to connect to a local operator. There are currently three of them: Velcom (A1), Life:), MTS. To purchase a SIM card for any of them, you will need a passport.
The coverage is good, you can call from anywhere in the country (except remote villages, deserted places). The communication standard in large cities is 4G, in smaller towns – 3G.
You can connect to Wi-Fi for free in hotels and cafes. Beltelecom Wi-Fi access cards are also sold at post offices. They will allow you to connect to the Internet in the coverage area of hot spots owned by the company.
Useful facts
- Hotels and apartments use the familiar European sockets (types F and C).
- Tipping is welcome but not required. The standard is 10% of the bill.