Travel advisory · BelarusGovernments advise against all travel to Belarus.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
Also named by one government: Exclusion zone (Brahin and Khojniki provinces) (Italy), Border areas with Ukraine (Italy), Border regions with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia (Ireland), Border zones with other countries (Spain)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 4: Do Not Travel | Dec 29, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Vor Reisen nach Belarus wird gewarnt (Reisewarnung für das ganze Land) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | Do Not Travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | formellement déconseillé | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Minsk
A capital rebuilt after the war, with wide Stalinist-style avenues, a few older churches and city parks.
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Minsk is the capital and largest city of Belarus, on the Svislach river in the center of the country. It is the main transport hub of Belarus and its economic, political, cultural and scientific center. Nearly 80% of its houses were destroyed during the German occupation, and the central streets were rebuilt afterward in Stalinist style, with wide avenues and large squares. The city has roughly two million residents.
The main sights are the postwar avenues, a few older churches and the city parks. The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the Cathedral of St Mary and the Red Church are the churches to see, and Government House, a constructivist building from 1929 to 1934, shaped the Lenin Square area. Gorky Park, the former Governor's Garden, and Chelyuskinites Park are the big green spaces. For a day outside the city, the Zaslawskaye reservoir, called the Minsk Sea, lies about 5 km northwest. Summers are warm but not hot, which suits city walks. Winters are cold.
Minsk in five
- Read the UK travel advice firstFCDO advises against all travel to Belarus (advice updated 10 September 2026), citing a significant risk of arrest and a low risk that the war in Ukraine may spread. Insurance could be invalidated if you go.UK travel advice
- Compare other governments' adviceCanada says avoid all travel and Australia says do not travel. The US lists Level 4: do not travel and has suspended operations at its Minsk embassy, so it offers no consular services there.Canada's Belarus advice
- Check entry rules and open bordersBritish nationals can enter visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026, except when traveling directly to or from Russia. Several land crossings are closed or limited and can close again at short notice.Minsk entry rules
- Expect phone and bag checksFCDO says security forces may stop you, ask for ID and require you to unlock your phone, and that devices can be seized and inspected, including at the border. Minsk Metro stations run bag scans.Money, phones and laws
- Bring cash, not only cardsFCDO says almost no major banks in Belarus accept foreign cards and ATM limits apply. It advises US dollars or euros and licensed exchange offices only.
Things to do in Minsk
See all attractions in Minsk
Need to know
- Airport
- Minsk National Airport; few international routes
- Getting there
- No direct UK flights; land crossings with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are limited
- Getting around
- Metro and taxis; security bag checks at some Metro stations
- Staying
- Accommodation registers foreign guests staying over 10 days
- Time zone
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-6°Cold, snowJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryCloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh0°Low-5°Cold, snowFebruaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low-2°ThawMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Cool, springAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, spring
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Mild, greenMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°WarmestJulyRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°WarmAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Cool, autumnSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, autumn
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Cool, wetOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- NovemberCloudy11 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low0°Cold, grayNovemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, gray
- DecemberSnow15 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh0°Low-3°Cold, snowDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Minsk, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Minsk
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 57%
Minsk
03:04 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today6°5°57%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Wed5°2°0%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu7°2°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri6°1°6%Friday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat6°0°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun6°2°6%Sunday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Mon6°-2°4%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 6°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 01:38 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.944 BYN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Zaslawskaye reservoirAbout 5 km northwest of the cityThe Minsk Sea, a popular recreation area.
- ŽdanovičyNear MinskA resort of republic significance, with the Pitsch and Viacha recreation areas also close by.
- KurapatyOutside the citySite of mass executions carried out from 1937 to 1941, outside the city.
Before you go to Minsk
Rules for Minsk, checked
- British nationals can enter Belarus visa-free for up to 30 days (90 a year) until 31 December 2026, but not when traveling directly to or from Russia.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Security forces may stop and search you, ask for ID and require you to unlock your phone; carry your passport.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- It is illegal to photograph police or military personnel or strategic sites such as government buildings, and warning signs may be absent.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Minsk FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Minsk right now?
The UK, Canada and Australia advise against all travel to Belarus, and the US lists Level 4, do not travel. FCDO cites a significant risk of arrest and a low risk that conflict spreads. Read the current advice and your insurer's terms first.
Do I need a visa for Minsk?
British nationals can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, 90 a year, until 31 December 2026, but need a visa when traveling directly to or from Russia. Other passports differ, so ask a Belarusian embassy before planning.
Can I use my credit card in Minsk?
Probably not. FCDO says almost no major banks accept foreign cards and ATMs often cap withdrawals. It advises US dollars or euros, changed only at government-licensed exchange offices with your passport.
Can I fly direct from London to Minsk?
No. FCDO says there are no direct flights between the UK and Belarus, and Belarusian airlines have been banned from flying into the UK since mid-2021. Australia says flights to Minsk are extremely limited.
Can officials check my phone in Minsk?
Yes. FCDO says security forces may require you to unlock your phone and that devices can be seized and inspected, including at the border. Canada and the US also warn that devices and communications may be monitored.