Everything you need to know
Even though Belarus, which was previously a part of the Soviet Union, is relatively fresh to most travelers' radars, it has recently become one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. Belarus has a history of involvement in numerous conflicts, and its past is rife with tales of the various provinces it was ruled by. The globe hasn't fully experienced its scenic beauty and charm since it attained independence less than 20 years ago, in 1991.
The majority of travel regulations have been loosened after the Belarusian government realized the potential of the domestic tourism market. More than 80 nations currently permit visa-free travel to Belarus. In comparison to most of Europe, Belarus has less expensive holiday costs. Additionally, Belarus features a temperate-continental climate mix with remarkably variable weather throughout the four seasons. Due to Belarus' lengthy and turbulent history, you can view a mixture of opulent castles, historical landmarks, and abandoned buildings from the past. Add to that the incredible amount of greenery in the nation, and you have a vacation spot that is unquestionably a must-visit.
There are all four primary seasons in Belarus' temperate climate, however, no season is entirely rainless. Belarus, however, enjoys lengthy summers and winters in contrast to other European nations. The long sunny days of the summer make them ideal for travel, but they are also the wettest times of the year. During these seasons, you should travel to Belarus with your ponchos and umbrellas. Summer is the ideal time to see historical sites because there are so many of them scattered throughout cities and villages. The driest season of all is spring. In the winter, snow falls across the entire nation of Belarus.
The most populated city in Belarus is Minsk, which serves as its capital. It is the most vibrant city in the nation in terms of tourism, and there are a ton of things to do there. There were only two options for rebuilding Minsk, one of the seriously devastating cities from World War II: either recreate the city exactly as it was or redesign it. They decided on the second option, giving Minsk a beautiful blend of modern and Soviet-era buildings. Some of the best structures in the city include the National Library, the KGB headquarters, Victory Square, and the Belarusian Government Building. In addition to sightseeing, the city's wonderful café culture, metro journeys, markets, and neighboring villages may all be explored. Other popular tourist destinations in the nation include Brest, Gomel, Mogilev, and Grodno. All of these cities are home to buildings that display a variety of architectural styles, including Gothic and Romanesque, Baroque and Classical, Modernism, and Eclecticism.
More than 40% of the land is covered by natural plants in natural environments. You can take a leisurely stroll around the national parks while relaxing by the lakes. One place you can do both is in Braslau Lake National Park. Some of the top tourism destinations in the nation are Lake Narach, Minsk Sea, Prilepsky Reserve, and Berezina Biosphere Reserve.
Peak Time: June to August
Winter: November through March
April-May and September-October are shoulder seasons.
The summer months are the busiest, bringing roughly 50% of all visitors annually. However, because of the good weather, lower tourist traffic, and more affordable pricing in the spring and fall, Belarus is fantastic to visit. The time of year is good if you want to participate in winter activities and also if you have a limited budget. Despite the fact that April to May is the best season to visit Minsk for a variety of reasons, including the weather, the cost of transportation and lodging, and avoiding busy travel times, it is a popular destination all year round.
The maximum temperature in the summertime is often around 24°C (75°F), however on the hottest days of the year, it can occasionally soar as high as 28°C (82°F). The average wintertime low in Minsk is rough -13°C (10°F).
The days in July are often the longest between dawn and sunset, so if you want to make the most of your stay in Minsk or you're just terrified of the dark, go during that month. May is the wettest month of the year since on average there are the rainiest days. Don't allow the fact that it's the wet season to deter you because it frequently has excellent weather for the majority of the day while occasionally raining a little bit in the afternoon or evening.
The seasons and climate in Minsk are covered in greater detail in the following paragraphs, along with some of our favorite resources for finding the best travel and lodging options.