What you need to know when traveling to Belarus. Independent travel around Belarus. Do you need medical insurance for a trip to Belarus?

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 sports complex in a modern design. 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. From 18 o'clock the upper one starts working Observation deck. 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 at the church there are interesting sculptures– Michael the Archangel and the Bell of Nagasaki.
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 Upper town with 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 café 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 town of the same name near the Nesvizh castle is a cozy town 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. Amazing place, in which there is a real antique 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 populated areas 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: driver’s license, registration documents vehicle 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 register " 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 detention 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 meet historical sights and natural beauty. If we consider the most popular destinations, then 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 summer time 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 interesting places 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 availability 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 café 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.

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 travel 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 - in different countries There may be minor differences, but usually the list is like this:

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,

What documents are needed for Belarus by car?

The main thing you need to take is documents for the car, driver's license, green card and insurance. If your MTPL policy expires, its cost can be calculated online and.

The cost of obtaining a green card for traveling by car from Russia to Belarus is less than 1,000 rubles. The insurance covers a trip of 15 days, which is more than enough to visit several areas of the country. You can also issue .

Select city

Our car trip to Belarus in 2020 was planned precisely in Vitebsk city. It is closest to the border, only 130 km from Smolensk. As a rule, it is ancient city Vitebsk is the first place from which everyone begins to get acquainted with Belarus. Known from the chronicles of 974, many people associate Vitebsk with the Slavic Bazaar and the name of Marc Chagall. But besides popular places, there are many equally chic and interesting attractions here. From Moscow and St. Petersburg to regional center approximately 600 km, the road is of high quality and comfortable.

Trip to Belarus by car: road

You can get from Moscow to Minsk by car along the M1 Belarus highway. But Vitebsk is located a little away from the highway. A car trip to Belarus in 2020 passes through the cities of Odintsovo, Smolensk, Vyazma, Mozhaisk and Safonovo.

There is no border between Russia and Belarus as such. The only thing travelers may encounter is the need to present their documents at Russian customs; they almost never stop at Belarusian customs. By the way, during the entire trip no one asked us to show a green card.

Vitebsk

If you decide to travel to Belarus by car, then in Vitebsk there are 8 fairly reputable hotels, as well as luxury hotels offering a huge selection of apartments. The cultural program can be tailored to suit every taste and budget. Of course, in historical city there are all kinds of museums, architectural monuments and theaters, and those who prefer to relax passively will find many restaurants and casinos. As for the latter, there is only one casino here - “Treasure Island”, but there are more than 60 cafes and restaurants (there really is a lot to choose from).

Now about culture! Everyone knows that in Vitebsk Marc Chagall was born, world famous artist. There are two things connected with him here cultural site: Art center with paintings by the artist (Putna St.); Chagall House-Museum (Pokrovskaya St.). Both in the gallery and in the museum you can not only thoroughly enjoy the master’s works, but also immerse yourself completely in the atmosphere of the 19th century.

No less colorful estate-museum of I.E. Repina. There is a very special atmosphere here, because it is not for nothing that Ilya Efimovich once wrote about 40 of his works here. From the city to the estate it’s about 15 km; buses run, of course, but taking your own car is both more reliable and faster.

To feel the atmosphere of both Vitebsk and Belarus as a whole, there is no better way to visit the regional local history museum in the Town Hall. Here you can better learn the history of the region, listen to many romantic legends and simply admire the unique exhibits and displays.

Also deserves special attention Museum of the History of Private Collecting. Here, antique watches and weapons, porcelain and other unique items collected by famous collectors and historians of Vitebsk are available for inspection. It’s difficult not to visit the museum, since it is located near the amphitheater where the Slavic Marketplace.

Not far from the amphitheater, literally a stone's throw away, is the reconstructed tower of the ancient lower castle. Here, in the Dukhovsky Kruglik exhibition hall, visitors are invited to familiarize themselves with the full history of the Slavic Bazaar festival, and at the same time look at photographs of old Vitebsk with its wonderful architecture.

Art Museum Vitebsk invites you to view paintings by Peter Yanovich, Yehuda Pan, Felix Gumen and other masters of painting. Those who want not only to see, but also to take home objects of artistic value should visit the exhibition halls of Vitebsk or take part in creative master classes held at the Zadvinye center of folk crafts. You can buy expensive and valuable items that can successfully become Sotheby’s auction lots in the “Wall” salon-gallery (Lenin St.), in the Art Space on st. Tolstoy and in the center of modern art (Victory Square).

Adults and children will love it Pobediteley Park on Kalinina Street. More than 20 pieces of equipment are collected here, against which you can not only make interesting photos, but also to examine it, and even climb around it from all sides. In addition, there are many synagogues, churches, temples, which would not be enough to explore even in a week.

Connoisseurs of high things should visit Theater named after Yakub Kolas, and the Lyalka Theater.

And also here real paradise for shopping lovers. You should definitely visit shops that sell real Belarusian knitwear and linen, buy “Belitovskaya” cosmetics, try real “Berezovsky” cheeses and sausages from “Myaskovit”. Well, where would we be without the Spartak chocolate factory?

If you decide to travel to Belarus by car in 2020, then traveling by car is a pleasure: the roads are of high quality, there are more than enough parking spaces and stops. As for money, you can pay with a card in stores, and in any mall you will find exchange points. There is the familiar Sberbank here, but money is withdrawn from its ATMs with a commission.

Cafes and prices

In general, everything in Vitebsk is cheaper than in Moscow. Let me give you an example of prices in a cafe.

Almost everywhere during the day there are business lunches, you can eat tasty and cheap food.

Orsha kvass is sold on the street; 1.5 liters costs 100 rubles.

Very tasty and inexpensive Belarusian sausage. Here it costs several times more. We took home 5 sticks of sausage, we should have bought more.

In terms of kilometres, our car trip to Belarus in 2020 covered more than 1050 km. First of all, it is worth noting that in Russia gasoline is much cheaper, but it is better not to transport it in cans across the border - this is illegal and you can run into quite big troubles.

It’s also not worth breaking traffic rules, since there are a lot of cameras on the highway from Smolensk (we were photographed). For violating the speed limit, for example, you can pay a huge fine and even lose your license before paying it.

Expenses

Now about how much did a trip to Belarus by car cost in 2020 from Moscow?:

Registration of a green card – 800 rubles;
Gasoline in two directions - 5000 rubles;
Hotel room – 1500 rubles;
Meals (grocery purchases) – 3,000 rubles;
Small expenses (souvenirs, coffee in a cafe) – 500 rubles.

The closest junction of East and West to us attracts with amazing contrasts. The country to this day remains a kind of preserve of socialism with a coat of arms and flag that has changed little since Soviet times, monuments to Lenin in almost every city, street names unchanged since Soviet times and even... collective farms. At the same time, in Belarus there is very decent and inexpensive service, unusual cleanliness on the streets and even in courtyards, unpolluted nature, in Western European style good roads and polite drivers. And Belarus is a country of museums, with a variety of - sometimes unexpected for the uninitiated - directions and eras.

How to go and where to live

Russians don’t even need a foreign passport to travel to Belarus. The only thing you should add is car insurance - a green card, which you can buy just before the border. By the way, there is no border as such between Russia and Belarus. True, for some time now, when entering Russia, all cars are stopped to check the availability Russian passports. Belarus has opened its borders to many countries. However, such control takes a minimum of time and nerves. You don't even need to get out of the car.

From Moscow to Minsk and Brest we go straight along the M-1 highway. We cross the border and feel a certain breath of Europe. On large sections of the highway on the territory of Belarus, unlike Russia, there is a wide dividing strip. The permissible speed for a passenger car is 120 km/h. You shouldn’t exceed it too much, and you need to keep a close eye on the signs, especially in populated areas. There are plenty of cameras photographing the tail of the car, and even after a few days of traveling around the republic, you can be stopped, presented with a photo as proof of the violation and politely asked to pay a fine. But they won’t stop you without a reason. And Belarusian law enforcement officers do not take bribes. The roads - even local, narrow, provincial ones - are always in surprisingly good condition.

Gasoline costs approximately the same as in Russia. for a few days, you need to change some amount into local currency. The times when many places, especially gas stations, accepted our rubles, euros, and even dollars, are long gone. However, cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Finding a hotel in any city is not a problem. Often hotels have a certain touch of “Sovietness”, but everything is clean and not shabby. For some, there is a kind of thrill in such a return to the past.

Double room in a three-star hotel in major cities costs approximately 4,500 rubles per day, in four-star hotels - 5,500–6,000 rubles. There are paid parking lots near some hotels, but the prices are such that they won’t ruin anyone.

The food in Belarus is cheap, filling and tasty. A quite decent dinner in a quite decent restaurant will cost 700 rubles per person. By the way, local products are not only tasty, but also surprisingly cheap. I know an amateur who regularly travels around Belarus and invariably brings back dairy products and stewed meat, which costs half as much as in Moscow.

What to watch?

Belarus famous

Of course, even those who have never been to Belarus know: the country suffered enormously during the war and remembers it well. That's why historical monuments, associated with the Great Patriotic War, are especially numerous and revered here.

Of the most famous, of course, is the Brest Fortress, memorial Complex in the village of Khatyn, burned during the Great Patriotic War, and Buynicheskoye Field on the outskirts of Mogilev, where the city’s defenders held back German tanks for more than three weeks in the summer of 1941. By the way, this is also a literary and cinematic place. It was these battles that were described in “The Living and the Dead” by Konstantin Simonov, and then reproduced in the film of the same name by Alexander Stolper.

Less known, oddly enough, is the wonderful, very interesting Minsk Museum of the Second World War. By the way, there is also a special, unusual exhibit. When you go up to the second floor and see it, at first you are surprised: how did they drag it in? And not everyone, and certainly not immediately, realizes that the tank is a beautifully made copy of... foam plastic.

Among the museums in Minsk, there is a very good one, by the way, and an artistic one with an interesting collection of Russian and Western paintings.

To the delight of technology lovers from 5 to 60 years of age, there is an extensive collection of Soviet aircraft near Minsk. By the way, those who wish will also be able to ride a sports Yak-52 here. True, only in good weather.

The well-known symbol of Belarus is Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Many people have heard about it, but not everyone has been there. This is the largest and one of the most ancient forests in modern Europe. In addition to the main “heroes” of the Pushcha, and also the symbols of the country - bison, there are many other interesting animals here. By the way, another “relic” lives near Belovezhskaya Pushcha - the Belarusian Grandfather Frost.

Belarus unknown

Belarus and war monuments - understandable. But not everyone associates the republic with palaces and castles. But on the territory of modern Belarus, five centuries ago, Lithuanian and Polish nobles, and then industrialists, built luxurious palaces and estates, surrounded them with regular parks in the Western European style, usually in the “Aglitz” style. Today, most castles, of course, have been turned into museums and centers of historical and cultural complexes. Here are just a few of the most interesting ones.

In the Grodno region, 100 km from Minsk in the village of Mir, there is a castle complex, the origins of which go back to the 1520s. They built it as a fortress to protect themselves from raids by the Tatars (and they even ran here!) and unfriendly neighbors. In addition, to receive the title of count of the Holy Roman Empire, one had to own a stone castle.

Nesvizh Palace and Park were created over two centuries, starting from the 16th century. Therefore, different architectural styles are intricately combined here. All this wealth belonged not to just anyone, but to the famous Polish family of the Radziwills. Now here, 112 km from Minsk towards Brest, there is a national historical and cultural reserve with a museum, hotel and other tourist delights.

The huge Ruzhany Castle, which once belonged to the family of the Lithuanian Chancellor Lev Sapieha, is still mostly in ruins. The restoration, in fact, has just begun. The first fire happened during the First World War, when there was already a weaving factory here, and the Second World War destroyed the once luxurious palace. But such ruins in themselves are worth a look. Yes, and there is a museum here.

Many travelers planning to travel to Belarus for the first time are wondering whether they need a foreign passport to enter. To travel to the Republic of Belarus, citizens Russian Federation no passport needed. You can enter Belarus by presenting a foreign passport, but no marks will be put on it. The Western European architecture of the cities of Belarus will allow even those travelers who do not have a foreign passport to plunge into the atmosphere of old Europe.

Typically, excursions around Belarus begin from the capital of the country, the city of Minsk. A trip to Minsk from Moscow by private car will take approximately 12 hours. It is also possible to get from Moscow by train; the journey will take about 9–10 hours. The most in a fast way Traveling from Moscow to Minsk is by plane. Direct flights are carried out daily by several airlines.
You can exchange Russian rubles for Belarusian rubles at any bank branch or currency exchange office. You will need to present the passport or international passport with which you entered the country. One Russian ruble is equal to approximately 275 Belarusian rubles.

A trip by car to Belarus will be especially interesting. You can rent a car in Minsk. This will give you complete freedom of movement and the opportunity to travel to any part of Belarus. The cost of renting a car at the airport depends on the rental period and starts from 350,000 rubles per day.

Cheap hotels in most cities are located around railway station. You can stay in a budget hotel from 140,000 rubles per bed. Hotels offer private rooms from 350,000 rubles.

Most interesting objects Minsk are:

Town Hall.
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.
Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena, the Virgin Mary, St. Roch.
Ensemble of former Bernardine and Bernardine monasteries, St. Elizabeth's Monastery.

Trinity suburb.
Churches of Peter and Paul, Alexander Nevsky, Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist and the chapel of all Belarusian saints.
Pishchalovsky Castle.
National Library of Belarus.

Where to go in Minsk winter time, so this is the skating rink, which is poured in front of the Palace of the Republic, and also visit ski resort Silichi is 30 km from Minsk. In addition, 50 km north of Minsk there is the Khatyn memorial complex. The cost of visiting is 40,000 rubles for adults, 25,000 for students.

Mir Castle is one of those places where you should definitely go, especially if you are traveling around Belarus by car. It is located 90 km from Minsk. Mir Castle is the easternmost in Europe architectural complex in Gothic style. Since 2000 he has been part of cultural heritage UNESCO.

To enter Mir Castle you need a ticket, its cost is 200,000 rubles. On the territory of the castle there is a restaurant and a hotel with room rates starting from a million rubles, so those who want to save money should go here for one day, returning to the hotel in Minsk in the evening or continue the journey towards the city of Nesvizh.

The next place you should visit by car is Nesvizh Castle. This castle complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located 30 km from Mir Castle, so both castles can be visited in one day. When visiting Nesvizh Castle, you can stay in the city of Nesvizh. Small private hotel will cost from 180,000 rubles for a single room. Nesvizh Castle also has a hotel on its territory.

The castle is open to visitors every day, in summer from 9.30 to 18.30, in winter from 9.00 to 18.00. You will also need a ticket, ticket prices: 50,000 rubles for children, 100,000 for adults. It is possible to visit Nesvizh Castle for free on the last Monday of any month. Nesvizh Castle is also famous for the oldest town hall in Belarus, the entrance to which is paid separately, and the Church of Corpus Christi.

If, while thinking about where to go next, you decide to move west, then you should visit Grodno. It’s quite easy to travel to Grodno by car from anywhere in Belarus; the roads here are good. There will be no problems finding a hotel. At the station there are many offers from private individuals, the prices offered there are very reasonable. A hotel will cost on average 350,000 rubles.

Where to go in Grodno is to the museums. There are seven of them, the average entrance ticket prices for adults are 15,000 - 30,000 rubles, for schoolchildren - 10,000 - 20,000. In general, the main attractions of Grodno can be seen in one day. These include:

The Old Castle is a medieval palace.
New Castle - located opposite the Old Castle.
The Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier is a Catholic church in the Baroque style.

The historical center of Grodno is a pleasant place for walking. IN architectural ensembles The center of Grodno is intertwined with many different European styles, so a trip to Belarus can provide a unique opportunity to feel the atmosphere of old Europe, but you won’t even need a passport.

Brest is located on the border with Poland and is one of the top five oldest cities Belarus. If they have a Schengen visa and take their international passport with them, tourists have the opportunity to travel to Poland. Here are the most interesting things to see in Brest:

Brest Hero Fortress. To view it you need a ticket, entrance ticket prices: 30,000 rubles for adults, 15,000 for students.
Archaeological Museum"Berestye". Entrance ticket for adults is 20,000 rubles, for schoolchildren - 10,000. Every second Wednesday of the month, the museum is open to visitors for free.
Svyato-Simeonovsky Cathedral.
Church of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Budget hotels in Brest offer beds from 200,000 rubles. You can stay in an inexpensive hotel from 250,000 rubles per room.

Another place to go when visiting Brest is national park"Belovezhskaya Pushcha", which is an object world heritage UNESCO. On the territory of the reserve there are hotels and guest houses. Room prices start from 500,000 rubles on average. In winter, Father Frost's house is open for children.

In the north of Belarus, the city of Vitebsk is worth visiting - cultural capital countries. From what to see in Vitebsk and where to go, it is worth highlighting such objects as:

City Hall.
Governor's Palace.
Art Museum.
Chagall Museum and Exhibition Complex.
The building of the regional executive committee, which previously housed the women's diocesan school.
Victory Square is the largest in Belarus.
Churches and cathedrals of the 18th – 19th centuries.

It’s quite easy to rent a hotel in the city, but prices in Vitebsk are somewhat overpriced. When choosing a budget hotel, you should expect a bed from 180,000 rubles.

Features of a trip from Moscow to Belarus

Where can you go by car in summer?

Minsk is the capital of Belarus

Mir and Nesvizh – ancient castles

Dudutki – a complex about the history of Belarusian crafts

Where to stay in Belarus?

What documents are needed for Belarus by car?

Select city

Trip to Belarus by car: road

Vitebsk

Cafes and prices

Expenses

How to go and where to live

What to watch?

Belarus famous

Belarus unknown

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