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BELARUS Travel Guide
Belarus is a huge country located in Eastern Europe between Ukraine & the Baltics. There are very few tourists who go to Belarus. While the Belarus is run by "Europe's most powerful dictator," thanks to its recently relaxed visa rules, going to Belarus has become a lot simpler in recent years.


For those who enjoy the outdoors, over 50% of the nation is forest and includes Bialowieza which is the oldest wooded area in Europe. There are numerous rivers and lakes in Belarus that you can fish, canoe or kayak. Belarus is a country tourists who are nature lovers tend to ignore. This means there aren't many travelers competing for space.


Minsk (Belarus's capital) is vibrant and affordable as well, with its Stalinist architecture juxtaposed against the ancient churches. It's worth soaking up the lively cafe culture and nightlife for at least a couple of days before moving to more tranquil cities like Brest or Hrodna. Or explore the countryside for the rare European bison.


There's some tension between Belarus (and the rest of Europe), but Belarus is a budget-friendly destination that is accessible to anyone to explore a region that is unexplored and not spoiled by the crowds of tourists throughout Western Europe.


This travel guide for Belarus can aid you in planning your trip, save money and get the most out of your visit!


The Best Things to do in Belarus

1. Grodno


Grodno is situated on the Belarusian border with the west. Most visitors visit Grodno for the reason of seeing the Kalozha Church of 12th-century Belarus. This church is considered as the oldest church in Belarus. The outside of the church is quite boring. Inside, there are colorful crosses and geometrical ornaments. Take a look around the Old Castle’s Grodno History and Archaeology Museum. It provides an extensive description of the area's history. It houses artifacts of the region like mammoth trunks, Neolithic spears, or medieval armor. Additionally, it houses a large collection rare and antique books. Admission is $5 per person.


2. A day excursion to Dudutki


The Dudutki Ethnological Museum Complex, located outside Minsk It is the country's first "living museum". The museum recreates the countryside of Belarus that was in existence from the 17th to 20th century However, most of the buildings are 19th-century. The courtyard is home to a creamery where you can sample homemade cheese, and a bakery with freshly baked goods. There's also a pottery studio as well as a woodworker's workshop. There is also an eatery (fresh sample!). Samorgon is also available. This powerful moonshine is made in Dudutki. The museum hosts festivals throughout the year, like the blacksmiths' festival numerous feasting days of the traditional, Pancake Week (the last week prior to Lent) as well as the Christmas celebrations. You can visit the museum at 14 BYN or with a guide (which is what I would recommend considering that English signs are very scarce).


3. Enjoy your time in Pripyatsky National Park


Pripyatsky National park is often referred to as "The Lungs of Europe" due to its natural landscape of swamps and floodplains, broadleaf forests, oak forests, and broad-leaf forests. It covers 156,813 acres. the park boasts more than 250 species of avian and 900 varieties of plants, and over 50 mammal species including wild boar, elk, red deer, lynx as well as European bison. отдых is possible to go on everything such as fishing, hiking, and boat excursions. There are even guided hiking trails. The park also has a large museum, with displays on photography of nature collection of animals and plants as well as ethnographic exhibits. Staying in the accommodation in the forest can be booked at a cost of 75 BYN per night. The majority of guided hikes and boat tours start around 8-10 BYN.


4. Go to Brest Fortress


Brest Fortress, in Brest built between 1833 and 1842. During World War II, the fortress was attacked by thousands of German troops. Belarusian soldiers and citizens held back the invasion for over a month, until the fortress fell. There is a monument to the brave soldiers who stood up for the fortress. You can visit the bullet-damaged monuments and walls as well as the falling ones. There are also a number of historical museums located on the grounds including the Defense Museum and the Museum of War. The grounds of the fortress are free to explore however, you'll need to shell out 5 BYN for get into each museum.


5. Tour Mir Castle


Mir Castle (16th-century) is an absolute favorite among Belarusians. Mir Castle is also thought to be the most beautiful castle the country offers. The castle's pond can be seen in the white and red brick exterior. The towers and towers are impressive. The interior has been renovated to reveal what life was at the time of the rich Radziwills family, who resided here from 1568 to the 1840s. The Radziwills, a powerful magnate family from Lithuania who owned large amounts of property in Belarus and in other countries were born. The gardens are beautiful, with meticulously maintained gardens. The castle's exterior areas (courtyards and parks) are open to all. Adults can visit for free, while students and seniors pay 7 BYN each. A audio guide is 3 BYN.


6. Visit Nesvizh Castle


The palace was constructed over 400 years ago, in the 16th-19th centuries. It's a mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle's walls of yellow surround the charming central courtyard which is covered with classic English rose gardens. The castle was renovated in the late 19th century. The interior is extremely luxurious and features gilded ceilings and dark wood-paneled walls. The castle also has decorated reception rooms, huge bedrooms, elaborate fireplaces made of porcelain with mounted hunting equipment and a variety of portraits of the family. The Radziwill family tombs can be found within the adjoining 16th century Catholic Church. The church is the most ancient Baroque structure outside of Italy. The access to the complex is 15 BYN or 3 BYN for audioguide.


7. Go kayaking


Stracha and Isloch Two of the most popular rivers for kayaking are Stracha and Isloch. Both rivers have more difficult routes for paddlers with experience. Two days is enough to explore the river Saryanka in a multi-day excursion. Minsk has several rental shops for kayaks. However, they must be reserved in advance, especially during summer when it is the most popular. A two-day (weekend rental) is about 70 BYN. The price of rental includes paddles, life jackets and bags with airtight seals. You can also get no delivery charge to Minsk. Day trips from Minsk cost around 150 BYN


8. Learn how you can bake


Belarusians love their bread. There is even a Museum of Bread in Botvinovo. The interactive museum offers interactive, hands-on experiences that allow you to not only learn the basics of bread making , but also bake traditional bread using wood stove. It is priced at 17 BYN, without an instructional guide, and 12 BYN alone.


8. Walk through Hrodna's Old Castle


Hrodna's Old Castle, originally built in the 1580s to house the Grand Dukes and Kings of Lithuania, was reconstructed during the 1580s. The ruins can be viewed from the Neman River and you can still view them, even although the majority of them were destroyed during the early 1800s. While only a few traces of the original castle are left and reconstruction efforts are ongoing to bring the castle back to its 16th century glory. The main point of interest within the entire complex is the Grodno State Museum of History and Archaeology which is focused on the past of the region. It boasts one of the biggest collections in Belarus of artifacts, comprising more than 200,000 objects. The highlights include Neolithic spearheads, mammoth and Neolithic tusks, a collection from the 3rd-4th Centuries BCE, a series of archers' arrowheads, a dugoutboat dating to the 18th century, as well weapons from every time period. Admission to the museum is free, but the museum entry fee is 5 BYN. There are many signs in English.


10. The Belarusian State Art Museum is open to the public


The Belarusian State Art Museum Minsk includes more than 30,000 pieces within its collection. It contains artworks by Soviet social realists and Russian masters, including Valentin Volkov as well as Yudel Pen, who taught and mentored the well-known Russian-French artist, Marc Chagall. It often has rotating exhibitions of Chagall's art and was born in Belarus and spent his childhood there. The back of the museum is filled with local art that dates from the 1940s until the 1970s. Adult admission is $8. A audio guide is also available for 3BYN.


11. Visit the Stalin Line Museum


The Stalin Line was a defense line extensively fortified, and ran for 1,000 km (620 mile) across the Soviet Union's western frontiers. Built from 1928-1939, the discontinuous line actually comprised four fortified zones surrounding the cities of Polotsk, Minsk, Slutsk and Mozyr. Minsk is 1.5 hours from the museum in open air. It is located exactly on the site of the line. It is home to historic bunkers as well as reconstructed trenches. English signs provide information about the background of the area. There are a variety of opportunities for interactive experiences, such as the ride in a tank, helicopter and shooting live ammo. The complex also includes a large collection of military-related equipment like aircrafts, warplanes, and weapons. Adult admission is 15 BYN and students pay 7 BYN. A 3-hour guided tour is 28 BYN.


Belarus Travel Costs


Accommodation-Hostels can be found only in Brest and Minsk. A four-bed dormitory costs about 22 BNY per day. You can expect to pay between 45 and 65 BYN for a private room. Wi-Fi is not always free so make sure to verify the amenities before you make the reservation.


You can find guest houses, budget hotels and breakfast and bed in the country. A double room in a double-room costs between 85 and 120 BYN per night, and typically includes breakfast.



You can rent an Airbnb room in the majority of cities. Prices start at 25 BYN per night for rooms that are private. Expect to pay at least 70 BYN for a room or house.


Camping is also accessible to those traveling with a camping tent. Campgrounds cost around 12 BYN per night for the bare minimum of two people without electricity. Camping in the wild is permitted in Belarus. There are no rules for camping in public areas.


Food Similar to its Eastern European neighbors, traditional cuisine in Belarus is full of flavor, with lots of potatoes (and vegetables in general) as well as stews, cheeses and various types of pancakes and sausages. People prefer pork over sausage. Russian Pelmeni which are thin, unleavened dumplings, is also very popular. The most popular drink is vodka to cleanse it.


Belarus is extremely affordable when it comes to food. A traditional dinner at a local eatery is about 6-8 BYN. This includes the draniki (potato pancakes), Kletski (dumplings) and sorrel soup. There are even meat and fish dishes from local restaurants for 7-10 bucks. A big traditional salad that you can share costs 10-12 BYN.


To drink, a glass of beer with your meal costs 3-4 BYN, while glasses of wine cost 7 to 9 BYN. Cocktails range from 9-14 BYN, while a cappuccino could be purchased at 3.50 BYN.


If you want to buy a combo, or which is a meal consisting of fast food, such as McDonald's, it's about 10 BYN. Street food, like pancakes with sausage or draniki stuffed with meat, generally under 2 BYN. Kebabs cost 11-13 BYN. Pizza is 10-13 BYN.


Restaurants with higher-end prices offer meat dishes at 30-35 BYN , and seafood dishes for 35 to 65 BYN. Desserts are available at a cost of 10-15 BYN. The restaurants typically charge between 85 and 100 BYN for a three-course dinner.


A week's worth basic groceries like pasta and seasonal fruits can cost between 50 and 65 BYN if you intend to cook your own meals.


Activities: Museums and attractions such as castles or palaces typically cost between 5 and 15 BYN plus 3 BYN if an audio guide is required. Guided tours and excursions usually cost between 15 and 30 bucks. Kayak rentals typically cost 35-40 BYN per day. Hiking and wild camping are free and plentiful.

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