Belarus, an underrated but hidden European gem, is a tourist attraction for its vast forests to lakes to both ancient and modern civilizations. If you want an ultimate nature, adventure and urbanisation journey, then things to do in Belarus will give you a unique and thrilling adventurous ride.
Belarus is a beautiful diverse country full of parks, lakes, old heritage buildings and city life at its surroundings. You get to experience Eastern European lifestyle in Belarus along with photogenic sceneries, cultural history and urban city life.
Simplify Travel with SimCorner at 10% Off!✈️
From the ancient walls of Mir Castle to the primeval forests of Belovezhskaya Pushcha, stay connected across Belarus with our eSIMs/SIMs.
Discover Belarus Plans!
As you plan the trip with an itinerary, this article will assist you by providing local tips, real expectations, and other information for having a smooth journey. No worries about being connected online; with our SimCorner, you will have SIM and eSIM options to enjoy reliable data, easy connectivity, and hassle-free communication throughout their stay.
Keep reading to know what makes this country a travel-worthy destination.
Minsk: the Cultural and Historical Heart of Belarus
It is the capital city of the country which will show you a clean, modern, and artistic mix of Soviet architecture with peaceful greenery. Travellers like to start from this city to get a well polished introduction to things to do in Belarus along with some cultural landmarks.
What to see here?
-
Visit one of the biggest city squares in the whole of Europe, the Independence Square. This is where all government buildings are situated, and do not forget to see the iconic Red Church here.
-
If you are romantic and enjoy slow walks, or live music along with river views at the side, then Upper Town should be a must see in Belarus for you.
-
Do pay respect at the Island of Tears, which offers a memorial to the late soldiers during the Afghanistan War.
-
Other places to visit here include Victory Square, Gorky Park, and the National Library’s observation deck.
This capital will make you feel modern, yet historically packed. That is why a historian Timothy Snyder once said:
“Minsk was rebuilt from ruins after the war, becoming a symbol of Soviet urban reconstruction.”
Mir Castle Complex
This complex is preserved as one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites which is located at a small town in the southwest side of the capital. If you want to see an example of central european castle style, this castle will demonstrate Belarusian heritage. So visiting this place is one of the things to do in Belarus for history lovers.
With a unique combination of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural style, the castle provides beauty and history. This place is therefore among the popular Belarus tourism places. So you will always find some crowds here.
It was started building in the late 1400s and later it was used as a ghetto during the second world war. That is why while wandering around the village, you will find some museum exhibitions about Belarusian nobility.
Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park
The park is situated at the border with Poland, and is Europe's oldest national park with an area of 1500 square kilometers. It also has a reputation for being the world's largest European bison herd. That is why since 1979, it has been a UNESCO protected site.
This park will offer you with a vast and diverse ecosystem with rivers, wildlife animals, and some fun activities among things to do in Belarus. You can enjoy river cruises, have guided birdwatching shows in wildlife observation platforms, and even go for hikes at swamp forest. In one park, you can have both serenity and adrenaline rush. This is what makes this park an one of the Belarus bucket list destinations.
Naliboki Forest
This forest area covers 8600 hectares, and like the previous park, this forest is an ideal spot for hikers and nature, and wildlife animal lovers. It is located at the northwestern side of Belarus containing pine forests, hills, swamps. This place is packed with historical and cultural significance. The forest is a symbol of historical survival and a rich ecosystem.
For those looking for things to do in Belarus, you can come to this famous one of the Belarus tourist attractions. Here you can do long distance hiking, wildlife tracking, cycling routes, and go for photographic safaris. So in this one place, your list about Belarus activities to do can be done here.
Polotsk
If you want to visit the birthplace of Belarusan culture, visit this city in the northern part of Belarus. You will find here some ancient times’ churches, scenic river views, and peaceful streets to walk as your things to do in Belarus itinerary. Polotsk is also significant for being a transportation hub where a major railway junction connects 3 different regions of 3 countries.
Cathedral, museum, and Medieval bridges and riverbanks are all located in this town. That is why Belarusian historian Alexander Lukashuk said about this one of the top spots in Belarus:
“Polotsk is a cradle of early Belarusian civilization and spirituality.”
Dudutki Museum
It is an open air ethnographic museum, located 40 km from the capital Minsk. Dudutki is one of the popular Belarus tourism places in terms of museums in Belarus, and one of the viral spots among tourists for experiencing local Belarusian traditions and culture.
Things to experience here:
-
You can watch craftsmen demonstrating their pottery works, metalwork, weaving, and old style baking. You can request them to teach you some basics and that is how you can unlock a new skill. This is one of the fun things to do in Belarus that you can carry out.
-
You will get to taste their local homemade cheese and bread.
-
You can have fun riding horses or old carriages. This is a fun activity mainly for kids.
-
You get to experience traditional wooden structures and take pictures in front of them.
Stalin Line Historical Complex
When you visit here, you might think of it as just an outdoor museum of bunkers, weapons, and a reconstructed battle zone. But, this was actually a chain of defensive fortifications which were built before the second world war. So if you are looking for another historical tourist site in Belarus, visit this complex near Minsk.
Though for your Belarus travel guide, you might not choose this place in your itinerary, but still this is a good place for knowing history in things to do in Belarus for history lovers.
Blue Lakes
It is a region of several turquoise coloured lakes which are surrounded by pine forests. The waterbodies there are clear, the air is fresh, and the landscapes are perfect for photography and hiking lovers. If you want to have a calm life away from the busy city life, then this is a must see in Belarus. Here you can have one of the relaxing things to do in Belarus.
Things to do here:
-
Have swimming in the gentle waves of the lakes. Beat the heat with this water activity.
-
As it is surrounded by forests, you can do trekking here.
-
Lots of photogenic places can be found around here. So this is a must see in Belarus if you are aiming for uploading pictures in your social media. If you are wondering what to do in Belarus, here is your answer.
The best months for visiting the Lakes is during summer time, that is from June to August. The sun sparkles beautifully at the blue waterbodies making the scenery more photogenic. But you can also come during early autumn or late spring times to experience smells of different flowers. Finally, if you like winters and cold, then also you can visit here during that time to see snowy landscapes.
Brest Fortress
It is another powerful memorial in the whole of Eastern Europe that was built after the second world war. This place is situated near the Polish border and it attracts visitors mainly for its giant sculptures. You will see a big star shaped at the entrance of the fortress that is still kept in its original form. Seeing such a wonder is one of the things to do in Belarus.
Here you will mainly find some war museums, and monuments because this was actually built in the 1830s to guard the frontier of the Russian Empire. So it is a symbol of historicity and one of the top spots in Belarus.
Nesvizh Palace
The palace is another UNESCO recognized treasure which is located 120 kilometers from the capital. This palace was owned by the Radziwill family, who were a Polish noble family. The place is popular for its grand halls, arched bridges, and landscaped gardens. So it is a must see in Belarus.
Beautiful courtyards, ponds, and a lengthy park will be found here which makes the place ideal for nature walk lovers. Inside the palace, you will see some museums displaying antiques, old pictures, and in-depth accounts of aristocratic life.
Architectural researchers and historians frequently term this site as "one of the finest examples of aristocratic heritage in Eastern Europe". So this place deserves to be in your Belarus bucket list destinations.
Grodno
If you want some chilled European atmosphere, then visit this city. Grodno is a city which is full of baroque churches, castles, and riverside promenades. These are the top attractions here though not many activities are there to do here among other things to do in Belarus. So in your Belarus Travel guide, you can keep this place if you have enough time staying in the country.
This place is still significant because of its diverse architectural landscape. Historian Norman Davies describes the place as:
“a crossroads of cultures where architectural influences blend with centuries of political change.”
Stay connected to the world with our service during your Belarus exploration:
Let our SimCorner help you with your travelling and gathering the best memories of your lifetime. As you will be busy focusing on seeing the best places of Belarus and doing top activities there, our eSIM or physical SIM will guide you staying digitally connected with the locals and the world.
You will get automatic activation if you choose eSIM. Then you can directly jump into exploring this gem country. With our high speed connection and reliable data, you will get to sort out your paths of different trails,forests, and water regions. You can also get easier translation services. You will also be able to directly send your live hiking experiences, or share spectacular photos taken at the natural wonders to your loved ones.
Download the SimCorner App & Roam Without Limits!📲
Keep control of your data—track usage, manage plans, and stay connected effortlessly.
Download & Stay Connected!
Things to do in Belarus: FAQs
What are the top things to do in Belarus for first-time visitors?
This country is ideal for all sorts of travellers who like to do hikings or trekkings, walking and enjoying scenic views, riding boats, horses, and carriages, and finally for just chilling and doing photography.
What are the best Belarus tourist attractions?
From the capital Minsk up to the borders of Poland or Russia, there are several archaeological sites, historic monuments, and museums at Minsk, Mir Castle Complex, Nesvizh Palace. For nature lovers, different hilly and waterbody options are available at Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, Blue Lakes, Naliboki Forest.
Best time to visit Belarus tourist spots?
Mainly the Summer time is opted by the travellers, for enjoying activities at the Lakes, and other river regions. So choose between June to August months. But honestly, in the Spring season, Belarus gets filled with different colourful flowers. So visit there from May to September.
What to pack for visiting Belarus' best places?
Since you will mostly enjoy a stable temperature, and have fun in the summer time, you can bring lightweight clothes and other watergears. For trekking, you will need some fitness and hiking boots. Do not forget your sunscreen during the heat. Also, bring water bottles and cameras because you will need them to capture the historic ancient sites of Belarus.
How to stay connected in Belarus tourism places?
Our SimCorner has both eSIMs or physical SIM cards options, perfect for staying online in Belarus. We will provide you with 4 and 5G data in every corner of the country to help you stay connected with your mates back home, finding paths during hiking, and alerting you with necessary information. Check out our Belarus SIM tips to learn more and avail the offer.
