Traveling around Belarus on your own by train. A trip to Belarus from Russia: entry rules and documents, requirements for motorists, nuances. Three-day trip to Belarus – minimum program

Russians are frequent guests in Belarus. According to statistics, this country remains the most popular tourist destination among Russian citizens. In addition, many people come here to visit relatives or friends, on business trips regarding production issues, or to establish business partnerships.

Minsk, Belarus

Local sanatoriums and boarding houses are also popular among Russians. Here you can relax inexpensively, improve your health in almost untouched nature and eat plenty of famous Belarusian milk.

Do you need a visa to Belarus in 2020?

Citizens of the Russian Federation are attracted to Belarus not only by its territorial proximity, but also by visa-free entry into Belarus for Russians. From the moment of entry, they can stay in the Republic of Belarus for 90 days without a visa as part of a temporary stay. At the same time, Russians, unlike other foreigners, do not even need to register at their place of stay.

A trip to Belarus for a period of 3 months to a year requires Russians to obtain a temporary residence permit. To do this, you need to contact the Belarusian Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Republic of Belarus.

Russians, going on a trip, do not have to have. As part of the visa-free regime, you are allowed to cross the border with Belarus even with a general passport. Citizens of the Russian Federation are also exempt from filling out a migration card.

Crossing the Russia-Belarus border

Border controls on the Russian-Belarusian border were abolished back in 1995 for citizens of both states. This was done after the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

When crossing the border, Russians are not required to have medical insurance for 10 thousand euros, which is mandatory for other foreigners. It should be taken into account that Belarus does not recognize Russian compulsory medical insurance policies. Russians can only count on emergency medical care free of charge in Belarusian hospitals.

By plane

At Minsk National Airport, flights from Russia are considered domestic. On this basis, border control of passengers is not carried out.

By train

Traveling by rail takes place in comfortable conditions. Belarusian border guards do not disturb passengers, so they do not even notice how they got into a neighboring state. However, it is important to have your passport, birth certificates and other documents with you.

Crossing the border with Belarus by car

Those who choose a car to travel to Belarus usually do not even notice the moment of crossing the border. Passenger cars are stopped for passport and customs control only if their appearance or the behavior of the driver raises suspicion.

What documents are needed to travel by car?

When traveling by car, you must have a certificate of registration and a Green card (international insurance). The driver must be prepared to present a driver's license and passport; other passengers must present only foreign or Russian general passports.

Car insurance for a trip to Belarus - Green card

It is recommended to take out a Green Card international motor insurance policy in Russia. This is cheaper than buying it at the border, especially if you take coverage only for the CIS countries. A green card is required for all vehicles registered outside the Republic of Belarus. The absence of a Green card may result in a fine of 20 basic units (from January 2018 this is 20x24.5 = 490 Belarusian rubles).

Do you need medical insurance to travel to Belarus?

Medical insurance is not a mandatory document, but when traveling abroad, we always recommend purchasing it.

Documents for children

Children over 14 years old when traveling to Belarus must have their own passport. Until this age, a birth certificate is sufficient. When crossing the border, Russian border guards may also require permission from the parent who is not accompanying the child on the Belarusian voyage.

Customs regulations

Despite the fact that customs at the Russian-Belarusian border does not check tourists, you should still not violate the customs rules of Belarus. In personal luggage you are allowed to bring up to 50 kg with a total value of up to 1.5 thousand euros.

It is allowed to import no more than:

3 liters of alcoholic drinks, including beer with a strength of 7%;
200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco or 50 cigars.

It is prohibited to import into Belarusian territory:

military equipment;
weapon;
drugs;
explosive and radioactive substances.

Plants and animals are allowed to be imported only if there are veterinary certificates.

Temporary residence in the Republic of Belarus for Russians

Vitebsk, Belarus

Legislation allows Russians who came here to study, work or engage in entrepreneurial activities to stay in Belarus for longer than 3 months. Also, those who have Belarusian real estate or a spouse or relative from among the citizens of the Republic of Belarus permanently residing here can stay longer than 90 days.

To obtain a temporary residence permit, you must provide the following to the local citizenship and migration department:

Statement;
Passport;
Employment contract/certificate from university/documents of relatives;
Confirmation of place of residence;
Receipt for payment of state duty.

Belarusian officials review documents for 2 weeks. If the decision is positive, the stamp “Dazvol on hourly knowledge” will be affixed to the passport insert. It allows you to live in Belarus legally for a year.

Finally, be sure to watch the video from the Inter TV channel about the capital of Belarus - Minsk:

I have long dreamed of visiting Belarus. There are legends about its extraordinary cleanliness and ideal roads, the friendliness of the people and the amazing taste of local products. Belarus is a foreign country, but you don’t need a visa to visit it. And so, one friendly September morning, my family (me, my husband and my 6-year-old daughter) got into the car and set off on a journey.

We left on Tuesday at 3 o'clock in the morning. The distance from Kovrov to Minsk is 1,100 km, the estimated travel time is about 14 hours.

A few general questions:

The local currency is Belarusian rubles. Even before the trip, I read a lot about how it is unprofitable to change money in Russia. But I always feel uncomfortable traveling without local currency in my pocket, so I changed 1,000,000 BYN at Sberbank. rubles So, I confirm from my own experience that you need to change money in Belarus. There are exchange offices in all shopping centers in Minsk, the rate is much more favorable than in Russian banks.
Registration of “Green Card” - an international car insurance policy. Everywhere they write that it must be mandatory. During the entire trip, no one asked us for insurance, but this is not an indicator, of course. You can apply for it either at home at the insurance company or along the highway, starting from Smolensk and beyond. There are a great many insurance options, the price is approximately the same everywhere.
Petrol. It is better to fill up with gasoline as much as possible in Russia; in Belarus it is more expensive. But the price at all gas stations is identical, which is very convenient.
Toll roads. There are many “Toll Road” signs near Minsk. We still don’t understand how and where they pay for travel on these roads. There are no booths, barriers - nothing. Having driven through many toll roads, we have never paid. Mystery.
The driving culture in Belarus is very high. They follow the rules and disciplinedly let people pass at pedestrian crossings.

Well, that seems to be all. I'll move on to the journey. So, having left Kovrov at 03.00 in the morning, at 16.00 we were already in Minsk.(

We only stopped at gas stations for coffee/snack/toilet/a short rest for the driver.

I read a lot before the trip and had a rough idea of what to expect from the country. But still, the first thing you notice as soon as you cross the border is the extraordinary cleanliness. The grass, as if combed with a comb, is smooth and beautiful. And, by the way, not only on the main roads. We also had to travel through small villages - everything was identical. There are freshly harvested fields all around, I had already forgotten how beautiful it is - well-groomed land.

There are many parking spots along the route, equipped with everything you need. There is a fine for using the forest as a free toilet/garbage container. In general, Belarus is not at all similar to Russia in appearance. To European countries where I have also been. Belarus is original, and this makes it unique.

The first impression of Minsk is a cozy, calm city. There are no rushing crowds of people. No traffic jams either!

Day 1. Victory Park – Museum of the Great Patriotic War

Guest house "Comfort-House" in Minsk

Having arrived, we went to the guest house “Comfort-House” on the street. Novinkovskaya, pre-booked on the website booking.com. We were attracted by the relative cheapness of the room - about 2000 rubles. for three per night and a lot of positive reviews (the average rating of the guest house is very high - 9.3 points).

So, all the praises that are sung to this small hotel are completely true. I have only enthusiastic exclamations and superlatives. "Comfort-House" consists of several small houses, each of which accommodates two rooms.
Our house had a swimming pool (use included in the price), barbecue, and sauna (for an additional fee). A huge kitchen with everything you need, the room has a TV, a sofa, air conditioning, and an air bed. The territory is well-groomed, with an abundance of vegetation, all sorts of figurines, grottoes, fountains, gazebos. Honestly, I don’t even want to leave. My child was absolutely delighted and still remembers “Comfortable Home” with great tenderness.

A tiny fly in the ointment in this ocean of honey - a very friendly owner. Very very. He came three times a night to see if everything was okay with us. Edited our plans for the day, etc. and so on. But these are just my problems; I don’t really like intense communication with unfamiliar people.
I recommend this hotel to everyone. Probably the best place we've ever stayed.

But let's get back to the journey. Having settled in, we went for a walk around the city. Stopped near Victory Park on Pobediteley Avenue. Excellent panorama, well-kept park with fountains, bridges, picturesque alleys.

The landscape is crowned by a majestic building - the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. That's where we went. In general, it is necessary to note the enormous respect with which Belarusians treat the memory of the war. Numerous steles and monuments - all in excellent condition. During the war, every third Belarusian died (it’s scary to even think about this figure), and this tragedy will forever remain in the people’s consciousness.

The Minsk Museum of the Great Patriotic War consists of exhibitions dedicated to the course of the war, the partisan movement and various installations. Several halls are dedicated to the demonstration of military equipment. I was especially touched by the halls of the fascist occupation of Belarus. My heart bleeds just to imagine what the people who took upon themselves all the oppression and atrocities of the war went through.

After wandering around the museum, we went to dinner. By the way, I’ll tell you about our food in Belarus.

Food in Belarus

Without further ado, we went to the Lido all the time. A lot has already been written and said about this establishment, I won’t repeat it. There are two Lidos in Minsk, and we visited both of them during our stay in the city. Inexpensive, varied, tasty. Very atmospheric. It’s a pity, of course, that I didn’t have to visit other places - Anna Sadovskaya talks about it very tasty in her reviews. But it’s okay, we’ll catch up another time.
Just in case Lido addresses in Belarus:

Independence Ave., 49, room 1
st. Kulman, 5A

Second day. Mir Castle - Nyasvizh Castle - National Library of Minsk

World

After waking up and having breakfast at the hotel, we went to. The distance from Minsk to the village of Mir, Korelichi district, Grodno region is 98 km. Excellent road, very picturesque surroundings.

The castle itself looks monumental. When you enter the gate and see it in front of you, it takes your breath away, as if you were in a fairy tale..

Inside, everything is no less fabulous. It seems that you are in the Middle Ages, in a second knights and beautiful ladies in crinolines will appear, and maids will scurry around the kitchen with boar heads on trays and onion soup. There is no feeling of a remake, as in many similar places.
A very interesting tour of the castle and its surroundings. In particular, the tragic legend about the lake, which was dug up after cutting down a beautiful forest. The spirits of the forest cursed the race of the man who gave the order. Fiction or not, the daughter of the owner of the castle, Prince Svyatopolk-Mirsky, Sonechka, drowned in this lake, and then he himself.

The Mir Castle is full of stairs and catacombs. The stairs are very steep and uncomfortable; I almost fell off the steps several times.

In the courtyard of the castle there is a very good souvenir shop and a small museum dedicated to the years of fascist occupation of Mirskaya land. There was also a Jewish ghetto on the castle grounds. The ancient walls became a prison for hundreds of people.
It’s not only the architecture that’s beautiful in Mir – the wonderful landscape, bridges, and the picturesque chapel-tomb of the princes Svyatopolk-Mirsky.

An amazing place that I really want to return to.

Nesvizh

From Mir we went to the cultural capital of Belarus. This is what is written on one of the buildings in this city. Distance – 31 km.
When we arrived, we left the car near the ancient church and went to the Castle.
A rather long path runs along the shore of a beautiful pond. The castle itself takes your breath away. Literally, he is so beautiful.

But the inside of the castle did not make much of an impression. It seems beautiful and rich, but it’s a remake and doesn’t smell of history at all. We walked around, looked, listened, but weren’t particularly impressed by anything. According to my feelings, Nesvizh is elegant, modern, very similar to the palaces of St. Petersburg. Castle Mir is more exotic; you won’t see anything like it in Russia.

The surrounding area was also disappointing. With such a majestic castle, the landscape is dull and faded. There are souvenirs and food stalls all around; there is a real lack of a well-kept park with alleys where you can walk and admire the views.
From Nesvizh we went to have lunch at the Lido, and then visited the pride of Minsk residents -National Library. A very interesting and unusual building made of blue glass.

We were there in the evening, it was already dark and we turned on the lights. The view is, of course, fantastic.

We took a high-speed elevator to the observation deck and saw Minsk at night from above. Once again we were convinced what a beautiful city it is.

Without arms/without legs we went to the hotel - have dinner, swim in the pool, steam in the sauna and sleep, sleep, sleep.

Day 3. Khatyn - “Lake” - Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of the Republic of Belarus - Komarovsky Market, Minsk.

Early in the morning of the third day we went to. This is how we got there: at the 54th kilometer of the Vitebsk highway there is a sign “Khatyn”. We turn left and after a few kilometers the memorial complex is visible.

I won’t talk much about the Khatyn tragedy - everyone knows about it. One of the most tragic pages of our common history. On March 22, 1943, the residents of a small Belarusian village were herded into a wooden barn by the Nazis and set on fire. Old people, women, infants. They had no weapons and did not harm anyone. And this case is not isolated. During the years of occupation, more than a hundred such tragedies occurred on Belarusian soil.

I heard a lot about Khatyn, read a lot, but when I found myself in this place... Morning, fog, bells ringing on the skeletons of burnt houses, a huge statue of the “Unconquered” - a burned old man with a dead son in his arms. Gloomy, unsettling atmosphere. Every person should visit here, in my opinion. But I would not dare to return here.

From Khatyn we went to the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of the Republic of Belarus "Ozertso".

And I fell in love with this place forever. “Ozertso” refers to open-air museums or museum-skansen. That is, one where historical and cultural monuments are displayed in their natural environment.

First of all, it is famous for its interesting sculptures in front of the entrance. Well, and of course, the assortment. Everything that Belarus is rich in is presented on the market. And sausages, and cheeses, and dairy products, and products from confectionery factories. For every taste. We stocked up on condensed cream - the taste is amazing and the price for our money is about 50 rubles per jar, Belarusian lard and sweets. I wanted to buy everything at once. But since we, like Winnie the Pooh, love condensed milk most of all, that’s what we mostly bought. Yes, more. :) We also bought several cans of stew there. By the way, you can very rarely find the word GOST on Belarusian stew. But the fact is that in Belarus this word is not an empty phrase. The slightest discrepancy can be punished very severely.

I would also like to mention the dairy products - everything is very tasty. For example, if you take a milkshake (my daughter loves them very much), it will be a real cocktail, and not a mess with a lot of E, which is sold in our stores. Sausages are like sausages. I didn’t notice any particular difference with the Russian ones.

The products of Belarusian cosmetic companies - Biovita and Vitex - are sold everywhere. Shampoos and creams are not bad. But again, no better than “Clean Line” and “Granny Agafya”, in my opinion.

After spending the night at the hotel again, we headed home in the morning. The trip to Belarus by car was ending... It was a pity to leave, we liked this hospitable country so much. So many interesting things remained unknown - Brest, Grodno, Lida and many, many more. There is a reason to come back!

The distance from Moscow to the neighboring state is only about 700 kilometers. The easiest way to get there is by car.

It is worth leaving the capital early in the morning, and if the trip is planned on the weekend, it is better before dawn. This is due to the possibility of quickly passing the highway to leave Moscow without traffic jams and with a minimum of problems.

The nuances of traveling in this direction:

The roads in Belarus are very good, there are few cars on them, so many drivers accelerate to the maximum possible speed. But it is worth remembering that a fine for exceeding the speed limit by only 30 km/h will cost 7,000 rubles, and repeated detention is a reason for deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle. The permitted speed on the highway from the border to Minsk is 120 km/h, the entire road without significant settlements.

Minsk is the capital of Belarus, Every tourist initially strives here. There are really a lot of places that guests of Minsk should definitely visit:

. It was founded back in 1880 and has many paths, sculptures and small clearings with fountains. On the territory there are attractions, a planetarium, several cafes and a modern sports complex. The park is located along the Svisloch River, on the bank there is a bronze monument to Gorky, and a small but very elegant bridge spans the waters.
Many people are delighted with local ducks; at the end of July you can already look at their offspring.
Central Children's Park named after M. Gorky
National Library. It is best to visit it in the evening; at night, the facade is illuminated with multi-colored rays, and even some paintings and drawings are displayed on it. The upper observation deck starts operating from 18:00. Entrance ticket is 3500 Belarusian rubles, the impressions will be truly unforgettable. The site is located on the 23rd floor, offering views of the entire city; guests are given binoculars that can only be used for 3 minutes.
National Library
Red Church, located on Independence Square. This is a fully functioning Catholic church. People of different religions are allowed to enter here, but photography and video recording are prohibited. It is believed that the Red Church is one of the most striking attractions of the capital; it is very beautifully decorated inside. Directly near the church there are interesting sculptures - St. Michael the Archangel and the Nagasaki bell.
A little further away there is a monument to Minsk architects, who, in the shortest possible time after the war of 1941-1945, were able to completely rebuild the capital. In church, women must cover their heads. There's no talking inside.
Red Church
Central Botanical Garden. Located on Kalinin Square, founded in 1932, it is an amazing collection of various exotic and not so exotic plants. Inside the park there is an area with attractions, cafes are scattered chaotically, and there is also a miniature railway for children. Directly adjacent to the Botanical Garden Chelyuskin Square.
Central Botanical Garden

A must visit at the monument dedicated to the fallen soldiers during the Great Patriotic War. Numerous tourists claim that here the earth seems to breathe and groan. Recognized as a curious place Island of courage and sadness. It often rains here and the sky is covered with clouds. Large stones-boulders are scattered throughout the territory, on which are inscribed the names of Afghan cities in which Belarusians died, and there is a separate monument to Soviet soldiers.

Also deserves attention 17-kilometer Independence Avenue, and the Upper Town with the amazing architecture of churches and Orthodox churches, and Loshchinsky Park, and the Palace of the Republic.

Island of Courage and Sorrow

Mir and Nesvizh are ancient castles. Excursions are regularly organized here, but you can also make an independent trip. You won't be able to see both castles in one day. Mir Castle is open from 9-00 to 22-00, the entrance ticket costs 3,500 Belarusian rubles, for video and photography you will have to pay an additional 1,000 Belarusian rubles, and it is better to do this in advance - the views there are really beautiful, which makes it possible to conduct a luxurious photo shoot.

Mir Castle was founded in 1832, a noble family of princes lived here, and a chapel has been preserved that served as a crypt for the masters. There is a cafe nearby that serves simple but satisfying dishes. The cost of a full meal per person is unlikely to exceed 2000 Belarusian rubles. The main gate of the castle, on which the image of the coat of arms has been preserved, is subject to inspection.

Castle Mir

Tour guides work in museums. The city of the same name near the Nesvizh castle is a cozy settlement with many ancient buildings, inexpensive cafes and a park.

Dudutki - a complex about the history of Belarusian crafts, Museum of Material Culture, which consists of several workshops. They demonstrate various crafts, the entrance ticket costs only 2000 Belarusian rubles (photo and video shooting are free ). Where to go here:

pottery. The master talks about the types of clay processing and demonstrates ready-made products that can be purchased at a low price;
weaving workshop. An amazing place where there is a real old weaving loom, on which craftswomen work, and the products immediately hit the shelves;
ethnographic gallery. Imitation of Belarusian life, demonstration of dishes and household accessories, exhibition of folk art products.

On the territory of Dudutka you can visit the stables and barnyard. There is a cheese factory nearby. Product tasting is included in the ticket price, and there is also an original cafe “Shynok”, where they sell sandwiches with honey and pickled cucumber, moonshine and native Belarusian dishes.

Dudutki in Belarus

Belarus is rich in beautiful and interesting places: Brest with its military past and a huge memorial complex, Zaslavl with museums and churches, small farms and villages, Belovezhskaya Pushcha. You can come here an infinite number of times and it will still not be enough.

Hotels for tourists exists in Minsk, and even on the territory of some historical attractions. In the first case, you can use modern 4 and 5 star complexes or hostels, which periodically host various interesting parties (for example, viewing paintings by local artists, meeting and talking with them).

Near the ancient castles of Mir and Nesvizh there is a hotel with 30 rooms, which is located in the building of a former guest house. The cost of living in hotels, hostels and inns ranges from 10 to 300 dollars per day per room.

If the trip is not limited to Minsk, but the path lies further, then it is worth paying attention to private offers. In villages and towns, people rent out rooms in their houses for a very small fee. For example, a room for 2 people with amenities and full meals can be rented for $10 per day.

If a stop is planned in the area of Brest, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, then local residents will definitely act as a guide through the forest, and in some settlements, holidays imitating weddings and name days according to ancient rites are held especially for guests.

Along most routes there are small cafes with a few hotel rooms. It will be convenient to use them if the road is tiring and the driver just needs to get some sleep. The car will be parked in a guarded parking lot during your vacation. The price for such a vacation will be $7 per person per day, meals are paid separately.

Read more in our article about how to travel to Belarus by car.

Features of a trip from Moscow to Belarus

The distance from Moscow to the neighboring state is only 700 kilometers and a little, and the easiest way to get there is by car.

Experienced travelers warn that it is worth leaving the capital early in the morning, and if the trip is planned on the weekend, it is better before dawn. This is due to the possibility of quickly passing the highway to leave Moscow, because summer residents vacationing at bases in the nearest Moscow region create traffic jams on these days.

Minsk is the capital of Belarus

Belarus is a foreign country, albeit one that is close and dear. Therefore, it is worth studying and remembering some of the nuances of traveling in this direction in advance:

When crossing the border, Russians will need to present documents that confirm their right to drive a car: a driver’s license, vehicle registration documents and insurance. You also need to have a domestic or foreign Russian passport with you.
If you go on a trip with children, you need their birth certificate. Russian customs officers require a power of attorney from the second parent for a child to travel abroad if he is traveling only with his mother or father.
Before crossing the border you will need to obtain a green card. is an insurance document that is valid on the territory of Belarus and is an analogue of compulsory motor liability insurance. Such insurance compensates for losses in the event of a traffic accident and covers expenses in the event of injury to health. Such cards can be issued directly at customs, but it is much more practical to take care of purchasing it before crossing the border, which will be much cheaper.

The Green Card costs 800 rubles for 14 days and 5,000 rubles for 12 months. The fine in a neighboring state for the absence of such a document is $200.

Crossing the border is very simple and there are practically no queues. You will definitely need to fill out a declaration and keep it until you return home.
Without paying state duties, Russians are allowed to import quite a lot of things into the territory of Belarus; the ban is on drugs and weapons, information media with dangerous information on them, antiques, rare book editions, and antique jewelry.

Roads in Belarus

The roads in Belarus are very good, there are few cars on them, and therefore many drivers accelerate to the maximum possible speed. But this is dangerous, because the traffic police of the neighboring state keep order quite strictly. A fine for exceeding the speed limit by 30 km/h will cost 7,000 rubles, and repeated arrest is grounds for deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle.

The permitted speed on the highway from the border to Minsk is 120 km/h, the road does not pass through populated areas in any place, and therefore you can drive a car here without reducing your speed at all.

Another important point. It’s also worth filling up with gasoline as much as possible in Russia; in the neighboring country it is 3-4 rubles per liter more expensive. You should not ignore the need to exchange Russian rubles for Belarusian currency, since there will be no exchange offices from the border all the way to Minsk. However, this will not be a problem: in any, even the most remote cafe, you can pay with a Russian bank card.

Where can you go by car in summer?

The warm season is the best time to travel around Belarus. In principle, you can simply drive your car along the highways in any direction. Along the way you will encounter historical sights and natural beauty. If we consider the most popular destinations, only a few stand out.

Minsk is the capital of Belarus

Every tourist first goes to the capital. Minsk attracts both history buffs and architecture connoisseurs. Some argue that two days are enough to see the sights of the city, but this is not true. There are really a lot of places that guests of Minsk must visit:

Central Children's Park named after M. Gorky. It was founded back in 1880 and has many paths, sculptures and small clearings with fountains. The park has attractions, a planetarium, several cafes and a modern sports complex. The park is located along the Svisloch River, on the bank there is a bronze monument to Gorky, and a small elegant bridge spans the waters.

In the summer, one of the attractions of the park are the ducks that live on the river and are clearly visible from the bridge. They are fed by tourists and local residents, and at the end of July or beginning of August their offspring are already visible.

Central Children's Park named after M. Gorky

National Library. It is better to visit it in the evening, because during the day it is an ordinary modern building. But at night the facade is illuminated with multi-colored rays of light, even some paintings and drawings are displayed on it. The upper observation deck starts operating from 18:00, the entrance ticket there costs only 3,500 Belarusian rubles, but the impressions will be truly unforgettable.
The site is located on the 23rd floor, offering views of the entire city; guests are given binoculars that can only be used for 3 minutes. There is a cafe on the floor below, it has very expensive coffee, but quite decent tea and delicious local pastries.

National Library

Red Church located on Independence Square. More precisely, it is a fully functioning Catholic church. People of different religions are allowed to enter here, but photography and video recording are prohibited. It is believed that the Red Church is one of the most striking attractions of the capital of Belarus; it is beautifully decorated inside.
Directly near the church there are interesting sculptures - St. Michael the Archangel and the Nagasaki bell. A little further away there is a monument to Minsk architects, who, in the shortest possible time after the war of 1941-1945, were able to completely rebuild the capital.

Women should cover their heads in church. There is no talking inside so as not to disturb people praying.

Red Church

Central Botanical Garden. Located on Kalinin Square, founded in 1932, it is an amazing collection of various exotic and not so exotic plants. Inside the garden there is an area with attractions, cafes are scattered chaotically, and a miniature railway operates. A small train with carriages takes children along it.

Chelyuskin Square is directly adjacent to the Botanical Garden; it is practically inseparable from the main green area and gives tourists the opportunity to relax on beautiful forged benches in the shade of trees.

Central Botanical Garden

This is a small fraction of the interesting places in Minsk. You should definitely visit the monument dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. Numerous tourists claim that here the earth itself breathes and groans. The Island of Courage and Sorrow is also recognized as a curious place. It often rains here and the sky is covered with clouds.

Large stones-boulders are scattered on the island, on which are inscribed the names of Afghan cities in which Belarusians died, and there is a separate monument to Soviet soldiers. The 17-kilometer Independence Avenue, the Upper Town with its amazing architecture of churches and Orthodox churches, Loshchinsky Park, and the Palace of the Republic deserve attention.

Island of Courage and Sorrow

Mir and Nesvizh – ancient castles

Excursions are regularly organized here, but you can also make an independent trip. Moreover, experienced travelers do not recommend combining these two attractions for sightseeing in one day; it will clearly not be enough.

Mir Castle is open from 9-00 to 22-00, the entrance ticket costs 3,500 Belarusian rubles, for video and photography you will have to pay an additional 1,000 Belarusian rubles, it is better to do this in advance, since the presence of beautiful views makes it possible to conduct a luxurious photo shoot.

Mir Castle was founded in 1832, a noble family of princes lived here, a chapel has been preserved that served as a crypt for the masters. There is a cafe nearby that serves simple but satisfying dishes. The cost of a full meal per person is unlikely to exceed 2000 Belarusian rubles. The main gate of the castle, on which the image of the coat of arms has been preserved, is subject to inspection.

If the Mir castle was intended not only for life, but also to protect the lands from enemies, then Nesvizh is a more sophisticated structure with Gothic and Byzantine elements, small sculptures in the form of fantastic animals and birds.

There are guides in museums, they do their job even for one tourist, and it will be interesting and exciting. The city of the same name near the Nesvizh castle is a cozy settlement with many ancient buildings, inexpensive cafes and a park with green spaces and fountains.

Castle Mir

Dudutki – a complex about the history of Belarusian crafts

This is a museum of material culture, which consists of several workshops. They demonstrate various crafts, it is quite possible to see everything in a day, and the entrance ticket costs only 2000 Belarusian rubles (photo and video shooting are free). Where to go here:

pottery. The master demonstrates his work, talks about the types of clay processing and demonstrates ready-made products that can be purchased at a low price;
straw workshop. A hereditary straw weaver works here, who not only tells the history of this craft, but also demonstrates the basis of her work, showing finished products - from “brownies” to horses;
weaving workshop. An amazing place with a real antique loom. It employs craftswomen, whose products immediately end up on the shelves (napkins and rugs, rugs, towels and home clothes);

On the territory of Dudutka you can visit the stables and barnyard. The animals are all tame, you can interact with them, and guests feed them at certain hours. There is a cheese factory nearby. Product tasting is included in the entrance ticket price, and there is also an original cafe “Shynok”, where they sell sandwiches with honey and pickled cucumber, moonshine and native Belarusian dishes.

Belarus is rich in beautiful and interesting places. Brest with its military past and a huge memorial complex, Zaslavl with museums and churches, small farms and villages, Belovezhskaya Pushcha. You can come here an infinite number of times and it will still not be enough.

Watch the video about a trip to Belarus by car:

Where to stay in Belarus?

It is simply impossible to go to Belarus by car for several days and do without hotels or an inn, and there are many such places. They are also in Minsk, and even on the territory of some historical attractions. In the first case, you can use modern 4 and 5 star hotels, or hostels, which periodically host various interesting parties (for example, viewing paintings by local artists, meeting and talking with them).

Near the ancient castles of Mir and Nesvizh there is a hotel with 30 rooms, which is located in the building of a former guest house. There is also a dining room here, where both a buffet and a classic food system are organized. The cost of living in hotels, hostels and inns ranges from 10 to 300 dollars per day per room, and the price depends on the level of star rating and the services offered.

If the trip is not limited to Minsk, but the path lies further, then it is worth paying attention to private offers. In villages and small towns, people rent out rooms in their houses for a very small fee. For example, a room for two people with amenities and full meals can be rented for $10 per day. In return, you can get tasty, organic food, communication with the owners, and a walk around the village.

If a stop is planned in the area of Brest, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, then local residents will definitely act as a guide through the forest (you can pick berries and mushrooms), and in some settlements, holidays imitating a wedding and name days according to ancient rites are held especially for guests.

Besides, Along most routes there are small cafes with a few hotel rooms. They will be convenient to use if the road is tiring and the driver needs to sleep. A bed, clean linens, a hot shower and lunch are guaranteed. During your vacation, your car will be parked in a guarded parking lot. The price for such a vacation will be only $7 per person per day, but meals will have to be paid separately.

Traveling to Belarus by car from Moscow is an amazing and easy journey that is sure to bring a lot of positive emotions. Familiar Russian speech, the friendliness and hospitality of the residents, the beauty of nature and many attractions - all this will make the trip educational and enjoyable in all respects.

The rules for entry into Belarus for Russians have long remained unchanged. Since 1997, an agreement on a visa-free regime has been in force between the states. In 2020, when traveling to the republic for up to 90 days, you do not need to apply for a visa or any additional permits. Entry into Belarus is carried out on the basis of an internal Russian or foreign passport.

Russians are exempt from the need to fill out migration cards, questionnaires or any other documents. If the period of stay does not exceed 30 days, then there is no need for registration. Travel through the territory of the republic in the case of a third country is carried out freely: a transit visa is also not required. There is practically no border; traveling to this country resembles a trip to a neighboring region.

Birth certificate;
Internal passport, if the child is already 14 years old;
Or a foreign passport, if available.

The republic's entry rules do not exclude the possibility of minors traveling using their parents' foreign passports, provided that information about the children is included in these documents.

Consent to leave the Russian Federation with notarization from the second parent is not required, if the child travels only with mom or dad. However, in situations where a minor leaves the Russian Federation, accompanied by third parties or independently, consent to leave Russia must be obtained from both parents. The last rule is enshrined in Russian legislation.

Medical insurance

In Belarus, the compulsory health insurance policy adopted in Russia does not apply. Nevertheless, Russians will receive emergency and ambulance assistance if necessary. But for further treatment in a hospital you will have to pay at current rates. Therefore, before traveling to the republic, it makes sense to take care of purchasing an insurance policy in advance. In this case, the cost of paying for medical services will fall on the shoulders of the insurance company.

How to get to Belarus?

There are several options to get to Belarus. The list of documents required for travel remains unchanged. The only thing is that there are nuances when entering by personal vehicle.

By plane

A simple and quick way to get to the republic is by plane. The cost of a ticket from Moscow to Minsk is about 9,000-10,000 rubles. Flight time is 1 hour 20 minutes. The ticket price depends on the chosen airline. Three airlines fly to Belarus daily from the capital of the Russian Federation: Belavia, UTair and S7 Airlines. There are direct flight options from St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Samara, Novosibirsk, Sochi, and Yekaterinburg.

By train

The second option is to travel to the republic by train. You can get to Minsk from Moscow in 8-10 hours. A ticket in a reserved seat carriage costs from 3,000 rubles, in a compartment - from 5,000 rubles. Regular trains run from many regions of Russia.

By bus

Buses run from all Russian regions bordering Belarus. Also, the flow of transit transport through the republic connects Russia and Europe. Travel time is from 10 to 12 hours. Ticket prices vary from 1,500 to 2,000 rubles.

Trip to Belarus by car

Traveling to Belarus by car is the most convenient way to get into the country. In addition, if you plan to see as many attractions as possible, traveling by private vehicle is the ideal, practical and most economical option. The distance between Moscow and Minsk is 700 km. It will take about 7-8 hours to overcome it.

There are many video and photo cameras on both the Russian and Belarusian sides. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 km/h can result in a fine of up to 7,000 rubles. In case of repeated violation, there is a possibility of losing your rights for up to a year.

The roads in the republic are of high quality and not as congested as in Russia. There is no need to prepare specially for crossing the border; in fact, there is none. Border control between Belarus and the Russian Federation practically does not exist. Only heavy vehicles are subject to inspection. Individuals driving private cars are rarely stopped at a checkpoint. However, upon returning to Russia, documents are still checked, but this does not take much time.

Documents for a car trip:

Internal or foreign passport;
Driver's license;
Vehicle registration certificate;
Green Card Insurance;
Power of attorney for a car if its owner is another person.

It is recommended to exchange Russian rubles for Belarusian rubles in advance. Doing this, for example, at a gas station will be problematic. Until March 1, 2015, refueling for rubles was allowed, but later this opportunity was canceled.

Video: driving the border between Russia and Belarus by car (without stopping!)

"Green map"

Green card is an international insurance system operating in 47 countries, including most countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. A “Green Card” can be purchased either in advance (many Russian insurance companies provide this service) or before the border. Insurance protects the interests of the driver if he is involved in a traffic accident in another state. Any material damage caused is paid by the insurance company.

There are two policy options:

For travel within participating states “All countries”;
For trips around Ukraine, Belarus or Moldova.

It is more profitable for Russian citizens to purchase a policy valid only in Belarus; its cost is 3-4 times cheaper than the “All countries” tariff.

The policy price is reviewed every three months. If you are planning a short trip around Belarus, it is economically justifiable to buy a policy for a short period. The minimum insurance period is 15 days. If visits to the country are regular, it makes sense to purchase a Green Card for a year at once, this will allow you to save on quarterly price increases.

For example, the cost of a “Green Card” for 2020 for a passenger car is: 970 rubles - for 15 days, 1290 rubles - for 30 days, 5570 rubles - 12 months. The price of the policy will increase significantly for trucks and tractors.

When is a residence permit required?

There are situations when special permission is necessary. For example, it is planned to live in the republic for a long time (over 90 days), conduct business, work or study.

In such cases, a residence permit is issued, for which you will need the following documents:

application for a residence permit;
internal or foreign passport;
4 photographs measuring 4x5 cm;
document confirming your place of residence;
a medical certificate confirming the absence of dangerous diseases;
documentation on the need for long-term residence in the country (employment contract, invitation letter from loved ones, confirmation of enrollment in an educational institution, etc.).

Initially, a residence permit is issued for 2 years and is subsequently extended.

Customs regulations

Belarus is one of the lastterra incognita in Europe and a curious place for travelers tired of gingerbread European cities. Visa restrictions are becoming softer, and Belarus is becoming more and more interesting for foreigners. We studied a dozen official websites, translated the most important things into human language, collected all the necessary links, and now we tell you point by point how to come to Belarus - from visas and registrations to useful applications.

Who needs a visa?

There are three types of visas in Belarus: transit (for 2 days), short-term (valid for 90 days) and long-term (valid for a year, period of stay - 90 days). Short-term is suitable for tourists; it can be single, double or multiple entry. If you come for a short time and comply with certain conditions, you will not need a visa. We understand the intricacies of visa issues.

Without a visa

For some countries, a visa is not required for short periods of travel:

Citizens Azerbaijan(90 days)

Citizens Argentina(90 days)

Citizens Armenia(90 days)

Citizens Brazil(twice a year up to 90 days)

Citizens Venezuela(90 days)

Citizens Georgia(90 days

Citizens Israel(90 days in each period of 180 days)

Citizens Qatar(30 days)

Citizens cubes(30 days)

Citizens Kyrgyzstan(90 days)

Citizens Macau, Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (30 days)

Citizens Macedonia(if you have an invitation or tourist voucher)

Citizens Moldova(90 days)

Citizens Mongolia(90 days)

Citizens Russia(90 days)

Citizens Serbia(30 days)

Citizens Tajikistan(90 days)

Citizens Turkey(30 days, total duration - up to 90 days within a year from the date of first entry)

Citizens Uzbekistan(90 days)

Citizens Ukraine(90 days during each period of 180 days)

Citizens Montenegro(30 days if you have an invitation or travel voucher)

Citizens Ecuador(30 days)

Citizens of 80 countries can come to Belarus without a visa for(including days of arrival and departure). The conditions are as follows: you must arrive and depart through Minsk National Airport. The number of countries for which entry into Belarus has been simplified includes all EU countries, the USA, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and other countries.

Required documents:

Passport;

Money calculated 2 basic units per day, i.e. about €22;

Medical insurance policy for an amount of at least € 10,000, valid in Belarus (read how to get insurance below).

Additional requirement for citizens Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, Honduras, India, China, Lebanon, Namibia, Samoa- presence of a multiple-entry visa of the EU countries or the Schengen zone with a stamp of entry into their territory and air tickets with confirmation of departure from the Minsk National Airport within 5 days from the date of entry.

Full list of countries that can benefit from visa-free entry:

1. Australia.
2. Austria.
3. Albania.
4. Andorra.
5. Antigua and Barbuda.
6. Argentina.
7. Barbados.
8. Bahrain.
9. Belgium.
10. Bulgaria.
11. Bosnia and Herzegovina.
12. Brazil.
13. Vanuatu.
14. Vatican.
15. Great Britain.
16. Hungary.
17. Vietnam.
18. Haiti.
19. Gambia.
20. Germany.

21. Honduras.
22. Hong Kong.
23. Greece.
24. Denmark.
25. Dominica.
26. India.
27. Indonesia.
28. Ireland.
29. Iceland.
30. Spain.
31. Italy.
32. Canada.
33. Cyprus.
34. China.
35. South Korea.
36. Kuwait.
37. Latvia.
38. Lebanon.
39. Lithuania.
40. Liechtenstein.

41. Luxembourg.
42. Macau.
43. Macedonia.
44. Malaysia.
45. Malta.
46. Order of Malta.
47. Mexico.
48. Micronesia.
49. Monaco.
50. Namibia.
51. Netherlands.
52. Nicaragua.
53. New Zealand.
54. Norway.
55. Oman.
56. Panama.
57. Peru.
58. Poland.
59. Portugal.
60. Romania.

61. Samoa.
62. San Marino.
63. Saudi Arabia.
64. Seychelles.
65. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
66. Singapore.
67. Slovakia.
68. Slovenia.
69. USA.
70. Uruguay.
71. Finland.
72. France.
73. Croatia.
74. Czech Republic.
75. Chile.
76. Switzerland.
77. Sweden.
78. El Salvador.
79. Estonia.
80. Japan.

There are two more ways to come to Belarus without a visa for three days - guilt .

Read more about visa-free entry to Belarus .

Visa

Everyone else needs a visa. To obtain a visa, you need to contact the Belarusian consulate in your country. Check there what documents you will need - there may be minor differences in different countries, but usually the list is as follows:

Completed visa application form,

Photo 35 by 45 mm, taken within the last 6 months,

Passport,

Medical insurance,

Confirmation of payment of the consular fee,