BELARUS ( EUROPE )

15 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN BELARUS















Points of Interest BELARUS

Belarus is a beautiful Eastern Europe country with a rich culture and interesting history. Sharing a border with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, the tourist attractions in Belarus are extremely diverse.

With more than 100,000 tourists visiting the country every year, there are plenty of things to do in Belarus to fill your time. We have compiled a list of the top 15 places to visit in Belarus. Whether are planning a short getaway or preparing for a lengthy stay, there are plenty of opportunities to surround yourself in the rich history and culture of this unique country.






1. Victory Park

This tourist attraction has been consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful parks in Belarus. As one of the best places to visit in Belarus, Victory Park offers more than just lush landscapes. In fact, the area is considered Belarus’ version of the Red Square in Moscow. With plenty of entertainment options, the square is conveniently located to another highly-ranked tourist destination, Independence Square.






2. Minsk Metro

While the Minsk Metro is a great way to get around the city, it is also considered a great tourist spot. Known as one of the most unique metro systems in the world, it is extremely busy and bustling. So, it is not the best destination for those traveling in a large group or small children. However, the Minsk Metropolitan features several art installations, street performers and a unique look into the daily life of the citizens.






3. Sovetskaya Street

Located in the center of the town of Saransk, this square offers plenty of dining and entertainment options. It has became the epicenter of parades, meetings, demonstrations and so much more. Sit back at one of the cafes and spend some time witnessing the everyday culture of Belarus and get a feel for the inviting nature of the people. The square is also in close proximity to other smaller squares to offer even more opportunities for sightseeing.






4. National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus

After experiencing the history of Belarus, don’t forget to soak in some of the rich arts and culture opportunities. The National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus is the perfect choice for tourists. The beautiful building opened its doors for the first time in the 1930s and has been entertaining visitors young and old ever since.

The organization has made it extremely easy to catch a performance by offering online ticket sales, perfect for those that want to plan their trip to Belarus in advance. The company of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus is known around the world and continues to travel around the world sharing their art.






5. Brest Fortress

Located extremely close to the Brest Railway Museum, this 19th-century Russian fortress has been preserved as a slice of wartime history. Outside of its fortified walls, a number of war memorials make up a complex to educate visitors. Inside the Brest Fortress, the layout is the same as it was during the 1940’s when it played a major role in the early moments of the German-Soviet war. You will be struck with awe when see you how much planning and strategy went into creating the one-of-a-kind fortress.






6. Brest Railway Museum

While Belarus is home to many unique museums, the Brest Railway Museum tops the list as one of the most unusual. Even if you aren’t a train enthusiast, you will still enjoy seeing all this museum has to offer. Opened in 2002, this outdoor-based museum allows visitors to tour all kinds of trains and locomotives. Around 56 trains are available for your enjoyment. Another plus to visiting the Brest Railway Museum is its convenient location to other sightseeing destinations in Belarus.






7. Kalozha Church Boris-Gleb Church

For a less somber look at Belarus’ history, many tourists recommend paying a visit to the Kalozha Church Boris-Gleb Church. This site is said to be more than 1000 years old. It is a wonder that the unique location was able to stand the test of time. It may not look like much in pictures. However, when you are there in person it feels as if you are being transported back to a simpler time. The fact that the Kalozha Church Boris-Gleb Church has survived fires, floods and wars makes it the perfect example of the strength of this country.






8. Isle of Tears

If you are wanting to take a more educational look at the history of the area, one of the best places to visit in Belarus is the Isle of Tears. Yet another somber memorial, the Isle of Tears is monument dedicated to the more than 700 Belarusian soldiers that lost their lives while fighting the conflict in Afghanistan during the early 1980’s. The memorial also features a statue of an angel that was created to constantly cry to remind the world of the ongoing wars taking innocent lives around the globe.






9. Khatyn War Memorial

For a somber look at the history of this European country, many suggest the moving Khatyn Memorial. During WWII, the village of Khatyn was the location of several vicious attacks by the Nazis. The villagers had become used to having their homes burned and destroyed. However, on March 22, 1943, the Nazis massacred the entire population of the village. The memorial was erected in honor of the 147 people that were killed during the violent attack.

One statue at the memorial features a carving of one of the eight survivors, Yuzif Kaminsky. After the event, Kaminsky explained that his badly wounded son had died in his arms. This historical tragedy may not be something that the country is proud of, but this memorial is to remind visitors of history and encourage people to never let history repeat itself.






10. Bialowieza Forest

Of course, there are plenty of other opportunities to experience nature as you search for Belarus attractions. In fact, once major Belarus travel guide considered a nature lover’s dream getaway. After a visit to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, head to the extremely close Bialowieza Forest to experience even more of nature’s wonders.






11. Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park

Speaking of breathtaking nature, Belarus is also home to Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park. This large protected wildlife habitat is so large, it stretches into the neighboring country of Poland.

Wildlife, such as bison, boar and elk, are common sights in this area. There are also wonderful landscapes that will impressive even the most seasoned nature lover. If you visit during the Winter months, you can experience their family friendly Christmas-themed museum. No matter what time of year you visit the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, there will be something that will leave you amazed.






12. Braslav Lakes

Belarus is also home to around 300 lakes. Most of these picturesque bodies of water are the remnants of ancient glaciers. However, there is one lake that seems to stand out as the most majestic. The area of Braslev Lake was once the place of an extremely large ancient glacier. The glacier left behind a breathtaking nature view, such as large boulders and green rolling hills.

The lake is home to more than 300 kinds of fish and the area sustains many kinds of wildlife. This area has become a popular tourist spot for nature lovers and particularly bird watchers. The entire lake region of Belarus is known for its beauty and has earned the nickname of the ‘Blue Necklace.’






13. Nesvizh Castle

The Mir Castle isn’t the only castle in the area that will leave you amazed and enlightened by Eastern European history. The Nesvizh Castle is another highly-rated tourist attraction. It is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Polish castles. The Nesvizh castle belongs to the aristocratic Radziwiłł family and serves as one of the family’s residential palaces.

It is also a museum and welcomes tourists with daily tours of the castle and grounds. However, it has drawn sharp criticism from some because of ongoing construction to the site. Critics believe that this construction is taking away from the historical perspective of the castle. No matter what you believe, there is an obvious reason why the Nesvizh Castle tops the list of places to visit in Belarus. This should definitely be on your list of can’t miss spots.






14. Mir Castle

No visit to an European country would be complete without experiencing a castle and Belarus offers a unique look into these architectural beauties. Located in the country’s Grodno region, the Mir Castle is known as one of the most prolific castles in the area because of its combination of iconic examples of Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture styles.

The beautiful property also features sprawling gardens and beautiful landscapes. As an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mir Castle will be preserved as one of the top places to visit in Belarus.






15. Independence Square

When visiting most locations, it is always a good idea to visit the country’s capitol. This is usually the epicenter of the country’s culture and gives the tourist a look into what the country was founded on. Belarus is no exception. The country’s capital of Minsk offers a unique tourist opportunity with Independence Square.

As one of the largest public squares in Europe, Independence Square is a filled with the bustle of busy shops and restaurants. There are also plenty of opportunities for peace and quiet in one of Minsk’s many parks and gardens. There are also museums that showcase the country’s rich history. The square is also extremely family-friendly and features attractions that children will love, such as carnival rides and games.