Geographically Belarus is located in the heart of Europe and shares borders with Poland in the west, Ukraine in the south, Russia in the east and north and the Baltic States in the north-west. Its central position allows one to visit Belarus regardless of the itinerary. On your way to Russia a visit to Belarus might be a good introduction to Eastern Europe, or you can make a short detour and catch a glimpse of the Slav world while in the Baltic States. Most visitors to Belarus would need a short-term tourist visa. Please, learn more about Belarus Visa rules in our Visa Support Section.

Belarus is rich in rivers and lakes and can boast of unspoiled nature. There is a number of natural reserves with Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve or Belovezhskaya Puscha among the most prominent ones. A natural reserve can be an ideal escape from the noise and hustle of the cities offering stays at its motels and excursions or walks through picturesque countryside. The experience you will have from these walks is guaranteed to be one of a kind.

Belarusian and Russian are the State languages in Belarus and most people stick to the latter. Knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet can prove useful since most highway and street plates and billboards are in Russian or Belarusian. Predominant religion is Christianity (Orthodox and Roman Catholic), but there are representatives of other religions. What is most important, people in Belarus are tolerant to visitors independent of their religion and nationality. There are no outbreaks of any sort of violence unlike in many European countries.

The most inviting factor that Belarus has to offer is the warmth of its welcome and the hospitality its people extend to its guests. Where else in the world can you see a greeting smile from everyone you meet in the street?