- Local time
- 12:57
- Currency
- Belarusian Ruble (BYN)
- Capital
- Minsk
- Calling code
- +375
- Drive on the
- right
Overview
The UK, US and Canada all advise against all travel to Belarus. The country has castles on the UNESCO list, a primeval forest with bison and Soviet-era Minsk, but entry, money and safety need careful checks.
The UK, the US and Canada advise against all travel to Belarus, citing the risk of arbitrary arrest and the war in neighbouring Ukraine. Consular help is very limited, and travelling against this advice can invalidate your insurance. Read the official advice before you plan anything.
For those who go, Belarus is a flat country of forests, lakes and marshes. Minsk was rebuilt after the Second World War and is a showcase of Soviet architecture; Brest has its 19th-century fortress; Mir and Nesvizh have the country's best castles, both UNESCO sites; and Belovezhskaya Pushcha, shared with Poland, is a primeval forest with European bison. Few visitors come, little English is spoken, and Russian is the language you will hear most.
- Mir and Nesvizh castles: The country's best castles, both on the UNESCO list.
- Belovezhskaya Pushcha: A primeval forest on the Polish border, home to European bison.
- Minsk: The capital, rebuilt after the war as a monument of Soviet planning.
- Brest Fortress: A 19th-century fortress and Second World War memorial on the Polish border.
- Grodno: A city with a rich history and well-preserved architecture.
Places to visit
- City
- Park
- Historic site
Cities
- Minsk: The capital and largest city, with the Belarus State Museum and post-war Soviet architecture.
- Brest: A regional capital on the Polish border, with the Brest Fortress.
- Grodno: The last capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, with well-preserved architecture.
- Polotsk: The oldest city in Belarus, with interesting old buildings.
- Vitebsk: The city of Marc Chagall.
- Nesvizh: A small town with a UNESCO-listed castle.
Beyond the cities
- Mir Castle Complex (site): A late medieval castle, a UNESCO site.
- Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park (park): Primeval forest on the Polish border, a UNESCO site with European bison and a small museum.
Things to do
See
- Mir and Nesvizh castles: The two finest castles in the country, both UNESCO sites.
- Brest Fortress Brest: Site of a long Second World War battle, now a memorial.
- Belovezhskaya Pushcha: Primeval forest with European bison and other wildlife.
- Dudutki Open Air Museum: Traditional crafts such as pottery and baking in old wooden houses.
- Belarus State Museum Minsk: The main museum in the capital.
Eat
- Draniki: Thick potato pancakes eaten with sour cream, the national favourite.
Climate and best time to visit
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max °C | -4 | -3 | 2 | 11 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 10 | 3 | -2 |
| Min °C | -10 | -9 | -5 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 3 | -1 | -6 |
| Rain mm | 40 | 34 | 42 | 42 | 62 | 83 | 88 | 72 | 60 | 49 | 52 | 53 |
Belarus has cold winters and mild summers. In Minsk the average high is about -4 °C in January and 22 °C in July, and summer is also the wettest season, with June to August each bringing over 70 mm of rain. Most of the country is flat, with forests, lakes and marshes; in winter some minor roads become impassable.
Late spring to early autumn, May to September, is the mildest time to travel.
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 2 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 7 January 2026 · Christmas Day (Orthodox)
- 8 March 2026 · International Women's Day
- 21 April 2026 · Commemoration Day
- 1 May 2026 · Labour Day
- 9 May 2026 · Victory Day
- 3 July 2026 · Independence Day
- 7 November 2026 · October Revolution Day
- 25 December 2026 · Catholic Christmas Day
Getting around
| Main airports | MSQ |
|---|
Trains are cheap and reasonably fast, and tickets can be bought up to 60 days ahead on the Belarusian Railway website. Buses and yellow marshrutka minibuses cover the rest. In Minsk, Yandex Taxi is the usual app; otherwise use only officially marked taxis.
Driving: there is zero tolerance for drink-driving. Main roads are in good condition, but others have potholes, poor lighting and horse-drawn carts, and some are impassable in winter. Foreign cars must pay tolls through the BelToll system. Police checkpoints are common: stop when asked. Jaywalking is fined.
Eat and drink
Dishes to try
- Draniki: Thick pancakes of grated potato, served with sour cream.
- Potato babka: A baked potato pudding.
- Pyachysta: A festive dish of boiled, stewed or roasted pork, poultry or beef.
- Zacirka: Small dumplings of dough in milk or with pork fat.
Drinks
- Kvas and kompot: Everyday soft drinks, along with kefir.
- Krambambula: A traditional strong spirit with a softer taste than vodka.
- Birch sap: Biarozavy sok, collected in March, a refreshing non-alcoholic drink.
| Tipping | Not expected in most situations; in restaurants without a service charge, add about 10%. |
|---|
Belarusian food is built on potatoes, pork, beef and bread, with mushrooms and forest berries. Minsk also has Italian, French and Asian restaurants.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport validity | UK: valid at least 3 months from arrival. Canada: valid at least 90 days beyond departure |
|---|
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Visa free | 30 days | Until 31 December 2026: up to 30 days per visit and 90 days per calendar year; not if you travel directly from or to Russia. |
| Canada | Visa free | 30 days | Up to 30 days, not extendable, arriving at airports such as Minsk National; not on flights from or to Russia. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
Visa-free visitors must show medical insurance valid in Belarus for at least €10,000 and enough money for the stay, about €25 a day; the visa-free rules do not apply if you travel directly from or to Russia, for which you need a visa. If you stay more than 10 days, you must be registered: hotels usually do this.
Declare cash over USD 10,000 and keep the declaration: you cannot take out more than you brought in. Your phone and belongings may be inspected at the border. Rules depend on your passport and can change at short notice: check with the Belarusian embassy before you book.
Money and payments
| Currency | Belarusian Ruble (BYN) |
|---|---|
| Cards | Limited |
The currency is the Belarusian rouble (BYN). Because of sanctions, foreign cards often do not work: the UK says almost no major banks accept them, and your own bank may block a card used in Belarus. Bring enough cash in US dollars or euros and change it only at licensed exchange offices, with your passport: exchanging elsewhere can lead to a fine or arrest. Roubles cannot be changed back outside Belarus.
Health
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, for most travellers, Tick-borne encephalitis, for long stays or time outdoors in forests and countryside, Rabies, for some travellers: ask a travel clinic |
|---|---|
| Malaria | None |
| Tap water | Not safe |
Do not drink tap water without boiling and filtering it, and never drink village well water: buy bottled water. Healthcare is below Western standards, staff rarely speak English, and medicines may be in short supply, so bring what you need and take insurance that covers evacuation. Ticks and biting insects are common.
There is an exclusion zone around the Chernobyl site near the Ukrainian border; elsewhere the risk from radiation is insignificant. Dial 103 for an ambulance. Check your vaccinations with a travel health professional before you go.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
- United States: Level 4: Do Not Travel (2026-10-20)
- Canada: Avoid all travel (2026-10-20)
- United Kingdom: Advises against all travel (2026-10-20)
The UK, the US and Canada advise against all travel to Belarus. The UK and Canada warn of a significant risk of arrest for anyone the authorities link to activities they consider illegal, including past activity, donations or social media posts made abroad, and of surveillance of foreigners, including searches of phones and belongings. Belarus does not recognise dual nationality. Consular help is very limited.
Russian military activity takes place in Belarus; avoid military areas and do not photograph police, soldiers, government buildings or infrastructure. Stay away from any demonstration. Carry your passport at all times. Street crime is low, but do not leave valuables in hotel rooms. Drug penalties are severe.
Customs and etiquette
Belarusians are reserved at first and speak quietly in public; a smile is kept for friends, so do not read a straight face as hostility. Belarusians are not Russians, and Belarusian is not a dialect of Russian.
Approach the Second World War with respect: almost every family lost someone. Avoid political comments in public. Same-sex relationships are legal, but public displays can lead to arrest, according to Canada.
Language
| Official languages | Belarusian, Russian |
|---|---|
| English | Rare |
| Hello | Здравствуйте (Zdravstvuyte) ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh |
|---|---|
| Please | Пожалуйста (Pozhaluysta) pah-ZHAH-luh-stuh |
| Thank you | Спасибо (Spasibo) spuh-SEE-buh |
| Excuse me | Извините (Izvinite) eez-vee-NEET-yeh |
| Yes / No | Да / Нет (Da / Net) dah / nyeht |
What to pack
- Passport and a printed copy: Security forces can ask for ID at any time.
- Proof of medical insurance: At least €10,000 of cover is required to enter.
- Cash in US dollars or euros: Foreign cards often do not work because of sanctions.
- Medicines you need: Local supplies cannot be guaranteed.
- Water filter or bottled water: Tap water must be boiled and filtered.
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | Minsk |
|---|---|
| Population | 9,085,991 (2025) |
| Area | 202,976 km² |
| Time zone | Europe/Minsk (UTC+3) |
| Calling code | +375 |
| Driving side | right |
Staying connected
| SIM and eSIM | MTS, A1 and life:) sell prepaid SIM cards with your passport; MTS has the best coverage. |
|---|---|
| Roaming | Belarus is outside the EU: check your provider's roaming rates. Many websites are blocked. |
| Wi-Fi | Free Wi-Fi asks for a phone number to send a code by SMS. |
Emergency numbers
| Police | 102 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 103 |
| Fire | 101 |
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to travel to Belarus?
The UK, the US and Canada all advise against all travel to Belarus, because of the risk of arbitrary arrest and the war in Ukraine. Consular help is very limited.
Do I need a visa for Belarus?
UK citizens can enter visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026, and Canadians for 30 days by air, but not when travelling from or to Russia. You need medical insurance and enough money.
Can I use my bank card in Belarus?
Often not: sanctions mean most banks reject foreign cards. Bring US dollars or euros in cash and change them at licensed offices.
Can I drink the tap water?
Not without boiling and filtering it. Buy bottled water, and never drink village well water.
Do I need to register in Belarus?
Yes, if you stay more than 10 days. Hotels normally do it for you.
More Travel Stories from Europe
PortugalSources This guide was last checked on · 18 sources
- UK FCDO: Belarus warnings and insurance (updated 10 September 2026) · Overview, Safety, Frequently asked questions
- Government of Canada: Belarus travel advice (updated 2 July 2026) · Overview, Getting around, Entry requirements and visas, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- Wikivoyage: Belarus · Overview, Places to visit, Things to do, Climate and best time to visit, Getting around, Eat and drink, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Language, What to pack, Staying connected
- Wikidata: Belarus · Overview, Places to visit, Money and payments, Country facts
- WMO World Weather Information Service: Minsk · Climate and best time to visit
- Nager.Date: public holidays in Belarus, 2026 · Holidays and events
- UK FCDO: Belarus safety and security · Getting around, Money and payments, Safety, What to pack, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Belarus entry requirements · Getting around, Entry requirements and visas, What to pack, Frequently asked questions
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- CDC Travelers' Health: Belarus · Health
- UK FCDO: Belarus health · Health, What to pack
- US Department of State: Belarus travel advisory · Safety
- UK FCDO: Belarus travel advice · Safety
- Wikivoyage: Russian phrasebook · Language
- World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL · Country facts
- World Bank, AG.LND.TOTL.K2 · Country facts
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
- UK FCDO: Belarus getting help · Emergency numbers
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