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belarus

A Comprehensive Travel Guide

eastern europe

Belarus is a land-locked country in eastern Europe with a wide-range of experiences to offer. Whether you're spending the weekend at the dacha, hiking around the multiple national parks, visiting grand historical monuments, or exploring the modern metropolises, there's plenty to do around this small country.

Even more than its sightseeing opportunities, what I really fell in love within Belarus (or "whom" I should say) was the people. Belarus was the first country I visited as a solo-traveler, and, I can personally attest to the hospitable and gracious character of the locals who helped me throughout my trip. Belarusians are a strong, resilient, and truly kind people who will make you feel at home throughout your stay in their country. 

I couldn't recommend Belarus enough for your next travel adventure. --

So, let's dive in!

Minsk

Minsk

Brest

Mir Castle

Nesvizh Castle

Grodno

Naroch Lake

Brest

Mir Castle

Nesvizh Castle

Grodno

Naroch Lake

grodno, belarus

Know

you go

before

details

Official Language(s) – Belarusian, Russian
Currency – Belarusian rouble (BYN)
Capital City – Minsk
Credit Cards & ATMs – Credit cards are widely accepted in large cities, but less common in rural areas. If you venture into the countryside, be sure to withdraw or exchange currency beforehand.
Outlets – C & F
Popular SIM Card Providers – MTS/MTC, Velcom, life:)

climate & weather

Belarus' climate is mostly continental, especially as you travel south east towards Eastern Europe. Frigid winter snow thaws into rather muddy springs, so it is generally recommended to visit Belarus in the summer, or even early autumn. With long days of sunlight and warmth, summer is a great time to visit the cities, and then also see the countryside. If you're interested in experiencing a Belarussian winter, February is the preferred month due to its longer days. Average temperatures per month and region are as follows:

recommended 

WEATHER APP

Yandex.Weather

click a season above to see the average temperatures year-round!

weather forecast

spring

spring

summer

autumn

winter

*All data courtesy of Climates to Travel. Visit their website for more information on how this data was collected here.

Average Maximum: 6 °C // 43 °F

Average Minimum: -1 °C // 30 °F

Average Sunshine: 5 hours

Rainy days:  12 days

Average Maximum: 14 °C // 57 °F

Average Minimum: 3 °C // 38 °F

Average Sunshine: 7 hours

Rainy days: 12 days

Average Maximum: 20 °C // 68 °F

Average Minimum: 9 °C // 48 °F

Average Sunshine: 11 hours

Rainy days:  16 days

march

april

may

Average Maximum: 4 °C // 39 °F

Average Minimum: -3 °C // 27 °F

Average Sunshine: 4 hours

Rainy days:  10 days

Average Maximum: 12 °C // 54 °F

Average Minimum: 3 °C // 37 °F

Average Sunshine: 6 hours

Rainy days: 9 days


Average Maximum: 19 °C // 66 °F

Average Minimum: 8°C // 46 °F

Average Sunshine: 8 hours

Rainy days: 9 days

march

april

may

yerevan

gyumri

spring

summer

autumn

winter

spring

Average Maximum: 22 °C // 72 °F

Average Minimum: 12 °C // 53 °F

Average Sunshine: 12 hours

Rainy days: 15 days

Average Maximum: 25 °C // 77 °F

Average Minimum: 14 °C // 57 °F

Average Sunshine: 13 hours

Rainy days: 16 days

Average Maximum: 24 °C // 75 °F

Average Minimum: 13 °C // 55 °F

Average Sunshine: 10 hours

Rainy days: 12 days

june

july

august

Average Maximum: 22 °C // 72 °F

Average Minimum: 12 °C // 54 °F

Average Sunshine: 9 hours

Rainy days: 11 days

Average Maximum: 24 °C // 75 °F

Average Minimum: 13 °C // 55 °F

Average Sunshine: 9 hours

Rainy days: 11 days

Average Maximum: 23 °C // 73 °F

Average Minimum: 13 °C // 55 °F

Average Sunshine: 8 hours

Rainy days: 9 days

june

july

august

yerevan

gyumri

spring

summer

autumn

winter

summer

Average Maximum: 18 °C // 64 °F

Average Minimum: 9 °C // 48 °F

Average Sunshine: 7 hours

Rainy days:  11 days

Average Maximum: 12  °C // 54 °F

Average Minimum: 5 °C // 41 °F

Average Sunshine: 6 hours

Rainy days: 11 days

Average Maximum: 5 °C // 41 °F

Average Minimum: 0 °C // 32 °F

Average Sunshine: 3 hours

Rainy days:  9 days

september

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Average Maximum: 17 °C // 63 °F

Average Minimum: 8 °C // 46 °F

Average Sunshine: 6 hours

Rainy days:  9 days

Average Maximum: 10 °C // 50 °F

Average Minimum: 4 °C // 39 °F

Average Sunshine: 3 hours

Rainy days: 9 days

Average Maximum: 3 °C //  37 °F

Average Minimum: -1 °C // 30 °F

Average Sunshine: 1 hour

Rainy days: 11 days

september

october

November

yerevan

gyumri

spring

summer

autumn

winter

autumn

Average Maximum: 1 °C // 33 °F

Average Minimum: -3 °C // 25 °F

Average Sunshine: 2 hours

Rainy days: 6 days

Average Maximum: 0 °C // 32 °F

Average Minimum: -5 °C // 23 °F

Average Sunshine: 2 hours

Rainy days: 6 days

Average Maximum: 1 °C // 33 °F

Average Minimum: -5 °C // 23 °F

Average Sunshine: 3 hours

Rainy days: 5 days

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Average Maximum: -1 °C // 30 °F

Average Minimum: -6 °C // 21 °F

Average Sunshine: 1 hour

Rainy days: 12 days

Average Maximum: -2 °C // 28 °F

Average Minimum: -7 °C // 19 °F

Average Sunshine: 1 hour

Rainy days: 10 days

Average Maximum: -1 °C // 30 °F

Average Minimum: -7 °C // 19 °F

Average Sunshine: 2 hours

Rainy days: 9 days

december

January

February

yerevan

gyumri

spring

summer

autumn

winter

winter

what to 

wear in 

minsk

brest

draniki

MACHANKA

Khaladnik

Kletsui 

приятного аппетита!

browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info

Belarusian Cuisine

MACHANKA

Kletski

Khaladnik

KULAGA

browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info

приятного аппетита!

Kletski

Khaladnik

lazanki

KULAGA

browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info

приятного аппетита!

Sbiten

lazanki

KULAGA

Khaladnik

browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info

приятного аппетита!

Draniki

Sbiten

lazanki

KULAGA

browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info

приятного аппетита!

draniki

Sbiten

MACHANKA

Lazanki

browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info

приятного аппетита!

Sbiten

Draniki

Kletski

MACHANKA

browse the culinary scene - click a dish for more info

приятного аппетита!

Draniki (драники)

Draniki are the most quintessential dish of Belarusian cuisine. Similar to latkas or potato pancakes, draniki are fried until crispy. Draniki are typically served with a dollop of sour cream, but are also often accompanied by meat, cheese, mushrooms, and bacon. 

MACHANKA (мачанка)

Machanka is a traditional Belarusian stew made of beef stock, flour, pork, and, of course, sour cream. Additional toppings include mushrooms, onions, and dill. Machanka are typically paired with Belarusian draniki, which are dipped into the stew. This yummy dish is often served on the pagan holiday Maslenitsa, which is celebrated in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. 

Kletski (клёцки) 

Kletski are a tasty Belarusian variation of the common dumpling. Kletski are similar to Polish pierogies or Russian pelmeni, but kletski are usually larger and have a more crescent shape. Kletski are usually topped with sour cream and onions. 

Khaladnik (Холодник)

Khaladnik is a beet-based soup served cold. Khaladnik is a nice, refreshing dish for a hot day, and has been a Belarusian staple for over 200+ years. It is prepared by mixing beets and kefir, dill, onions, and cucumbers. 

Kulaga (Кулага)

Kulaga is a traditional Belarusian berry and honey dish with a jam-like consistency. Much like jam, kulaga is typically served alongside pancakes for a sweet treat. This berry mix has cultural significance with respect to the Slavic holiday, Kupala. Kupala is associated with the summer solstice, and is celebrated in Belarus annually in July. Learn more about Kupala here

Lazanki (лазанки)

Lazanki is an eastern European pasta dish which was introduced to Belarus in the 1500s. Lazanki is actually a distant relative of Italian lasagne, but with its own eastern European accent. After the pasta dough is mixed, shaped into either triangles or rectangles, and boiled, onions and lard are added on top. Depending on where it is served, lazanki can also feature additional toppings such as meat, cheese, and sour cream. 

Sbiten (сбитень)

Sbiten is a Belarusian mulled wine, perfect for cozy winter evenings! This drink can be either alcoholic or non-alcoholic and is largely honey-based. In addition to honey and water, sugar, ginger, birch leaves, and other spices are added for flavoring. Sbiten was particularly popular in Belarus in the 18th-19th centuries, and was regarded as a medicinal drink with immune-boosting capabilities.

приятного аппетита!

Melissa

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