Belarus Travel Guide: FCDO Advice, Mir Castle, Minsk and Białowieża Forest

T By Thomas · Updated 21 October 2026 · 3 min read

Airports

Minsk National Airport (MSQ), about 45 minutes from the city centre

Flight time

no direct flights from the UK; flights from most of Europe are suspended

Best time to go

When FCDO advice allows: May-September for forests, lakes and castles

Currency

Belarusian rouble (BYN)

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Belarus. This reflects the regional security situation linked to Russia's war against Ukraine, the risk of arbitrary detention and the very limited consular support the British government can offer. Travelling against FCDO advice is likely to invalidate your travel insurance. Read the latest GOV.UK FCDO travel advice for Belarus before making any plans. This guide is intended to introduce the country's culture and places for a time when it is safe to visit.

Belarus is a landlocked country of gentle plains, vast forests, rivers and thousands of lakes, bordered by Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine and Russia. Its history is layered: part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth for centuries, then the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, it suffered devastating losses in the Second World War. Its castles, wooden churches, folk traditions and Belarusian language reflect that rich and often painful past.

Why go (when it is safe)

1. Mir Castle – a striking red-brick castle from the 16th century, with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements, listed by UNESCO.
2. Nesvizh Palace – the former residence of the powerful Radziwiłł family, also UNESCO-listed, surrounded by parkland and lakes, and easy to combine with Mir.
3. Białowieża Forest (Belavezhskaya Pushcha) – one of the last remnants of the primeval forest that once covered much of Europe, shared with Poland and home to the largest population of free-roaming European bison.
4. Minsk – rebuilt after the Second World War in a grand Stalinist style, with wide avenues and monumental architecture, plus the small reconstructed Old Town (Trinity Suburb) and the Great Patriotic War Museum.
5. Brest Fortress – a vast 19th-century fortress on the Polish border, famous for its resistance in 1941 and now a major memorial.
6. Polotsk – one of the oldest towns in the region, first mentioned in 862, with the reconstructed St Sophia Cathedral and the Saviour-Euphrosyne Convent.
7. Braslav Lakes – a national park of more than 30 glacial lakes, pine forests and islands in the north, popular for canoeing and summer holidays.
8. Food – draniki (potato pancakes), machanka (pork stew with pancakes), cold beetroot soup and kvass are staples of Belarusian kitchens.

Where to stay (when it is safe)

• Minsk – the main base, with the widest choice of hotels and restaurants and rail links to the rest of the country.
• Mir and Nesvizh – small hotels near the castles for a quieter stay.
• Brest and Białowieża – lodges and guesthouses on the edge of the forest.
• Agro-estates – rural guesthouses around the lakes and forests offer home cooking, saunas and outdoor activities.

Getting there

There are no direct flights from the UK, and flights between Belarus and the EU are currently suspended. Several land border crossings with neighbouring EU countries have been closed or restricted at times. Entry rules for British nationals have changed several times in recent years. Before considering any travel, read the FCDO advice in full and check the latest entry requirements.

Best time to visit

Belarus has a continental climate. Summers, from June to August, are warm, often around 20 to 25 °C, and ideal for forests and lakes. Spring and early autumn are pleasant for sightseeing, while winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures often well below freezing.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.