Using the opportunity to visit Belarus visa free for 30 days (provided you arrive at and leave from Minsk international airport), you can explore much of this not very well known country. More than three-quarters of the Belarus population lives in urban areas. Except for Minsk, the other biggest cities of Belarus are located near borders of the country and not so close to Minsk, so it could take some time to get to each of them. Thus, to visit seven cities of Belarus, you will need at least ten days. I add my recommendations for dining and lodging only for those places I have tried and really enjoyed myself. Here is what you can see when visiting seven beautiful cities of Belarus.
Grodno
Grodno is a Belarusian city you can also visit without visa arriving overland. It’s located in the north west of Belarus on the Polish border and quite close to Lithuania. The official foundation year of Grodno is 1127. Grodno is the centre of Grodno region (oblast) of Belarus with about 370 000 inhabitants.
Brest
Is located in the south west of Belarus on the border with Poland. It is also available for traveling visa-free arriving by land. First mentioned in 1019 as Berestye, Brest now is a centre of Brest region (oblast) with more than 300 000 inhabitants. It’s known because of Brest fortress that ensured prolonged defence against the Germans in 1941, therefore the fortress is a popular tourist destination. What I like a lot about Brest is the fact that they brought back to life a tradition of lamp lighting on Sovetskaja street. You can watch it every evening around sunset time.
Where to stay: I would recommend the elegant 4-star Hermitage Hotel, situated in the heart of Brest.
Mogilev
Mogilev is located in eastern Belarus, close to the border with Russia. Its population is more than 360 000. The city was established in 1267 and currently is the administrative centre of Mogilev Region. Mogilev to me is something related to lions (lev) and also being the city of the Mogilev Art Museum depicted on the 200 rouble note.
Gomel or Homiel
Gomel is the second largest city of Belarus after Minsk with more than half a million inhabitants. It’s located in the south west of Belarus close to the borders with Russia and Ukraine. I found Gomel fascinating because of two things: the first is the complex of Rumyantsev-Paskevich Residence and Park. It’s where you can find a watch tower to see it all at once, a park with walkways and views of the Sozh river, an orangery, the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, the chapel-tomb of the Paskevich family and Rumyantsev-Paskevich Residence itself.
Where to stay in Gomel: Park Hotel Zamkovij. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, a bar and other amenities. Guests would enjoy its atmosphere of home cosiness and European luxury.
Distance Minsk to Gomel is 310 kilometres.
Vitebsk or Viciebsk
Vitebsk is located in the north east of Belarus and is the centre of Vitebsk region. Its population is more than 360 000 people. The official year of the founding of Viciebsk is 974. It has become popular for being the place of annual summer International Festival of Arts and music Slavic Bazaar.
Distance Minsk to Vitebsk is 290 kilometres. Distance Polotsk to Vitebsk is 110 kilometres, so if you plan to visit both of them, do it in one trip.
Polotsk
Polotsk is much smaller than the other cities described in this article. Its population is just about 80,000 people. The city is located in the north east of Belarus and can be combined into one trip with your visit to Vitebsk. Polotsk for me is first of all worth visiting because of Saint Euphrosyne Monastery. The St. Euphrosyne Monastery was founded by Princess Euphrosyne of Polotsk in the 12th century. The St. Euphrosyne Monastery complex is a truly awe-inspiring place. I especially admire the small Church of the Holy Saviour built in the 12th century. The most remarkable feature of the Holy Saviour Church is ancient fresco paintings, completely covering the walls of the temple. In the early 1990s, a systematic restoration of the paintings began. Currently, a significant area of paintings is revealed, giving an idea of the style of the interior decoration of the church.
Minsk
The capital and the biggest city of Belarus with about 2 million inhabitants is located in the centre of the country. Minsk was heavily damaged during World War II and Stalin decided not to restore it but build a new city from scratch. So you can enjoy the architecture of Stalin period at its best in the main street of Minsk, Nezavisimosti Avenue.
Where to stay: Small hotel Gubernski would be the right choice for those who prefer tranquility and personal comfort.
Practical information
To reach cities outside Minsk, you can use a car. If your car has a foreign number plate, you have to pay a toll on many toll roads of Belarus. Public transport is also a good choice with marshrutkas, or minibuses, being the fastest option. Some cities can also be reached by train.
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What did you think? Have you been to Belarus? Or perhaps you’re thinking of visiting there in the near future? Either way, I’d love to hear from you so please add your comments below.
Author: Anita Sāne
About the author
Anita is a part-time traveler, passionate photographer and a mature career woman from Latvia, traveling mostly solo for more than 10 years. She is a skilled travel planner planning and executing her travels by herself. Anita wants to show you how to travel the world and open your mind to new experiences. Follow her also on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Bloglovin.
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