Europe's last dictatorship and its most surprising destination — impeccably clean Soviet-era streets, ornate Orthodox churches, the vast primeval Bialowieza Forest shared with Poland, and borscht that rivals Russia's.
- Capital
- Minsk
- Population
- 9,109,280
- Area
- 207,600 km²
- Languages
- Belarusian, Russian
- Currency
- Belarusian ruble
- GDP
- $71,561M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Draniki
Annual visitors
3,598,000 (2020)
Safety
Low (2.38/100k)
Avg temp
7.5°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Landlocked
☎ Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101
Travel guide
Belarus (Belarusian and Russian: Белару́сь) is a former Soviet state whose history begins in the 10th century CE. While not on most tourists' radar, Belarus preserves beautiful castles, pristine nature, and Soviet heritage. It maintains close ties and an open border with its neighbor Russia. Commonly referred to as "Europe's last dictatorship", Belarus is a strict authoritarian country. As a tourist you should remain cautious in Belarus due to arbitrary law enforcement, extensive surveillance, political repression, and the risk of sudden border or travel restrictions or avoid visiting the country all together.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Belarus
Best time to visit
May–September is the most pleasant season. Minsk is best April–October. Autumn foliage is beautiful in October. Winter is cold but atmospheric.
Visa
Belarus visa policy is complex and changes frequently. Some nationalities can enter visa-free for 30 days. Check current advisories — political tensions with the EU affect entry for some nationalities.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (4)
Book your trip to Belarus
We may earn a commission when you book through these links.