Belarus is a popular tourist destination among illegal migrants who want to continue their journey to Poland and Western Europe and illegaly cross the border with Poland. The country has some interesting tourist attractions, but due to political situation normal tourists rarely visit Belarus. Trains do not reach many interesting places, so if you want to explore individually Belarus by train, there is an absolute minimum itinerary – only four places, but cities of Hrodna and Brest are very nice and well-maintained.
Local travel agencies organize bus trips to another beautiful places in Belarus, for example to castles in Nesvizh and Mir or to the town of Novogrudok.
The starting point is Minsk. There are three options:
a) an overnight train to Grodno
b) a daytime fast train to Brest
c) an overnight train to Brest
Brest is an interesting city but 1-2 days is enough. Trains between Grodno and Minsk stop at Lida station. If I will travel myself, my itinerary would look like this:
Day 1: Minsk
Day 2: Minsk, an overnight train to Brest
Day 3: Brest
Day 4: Brest, an overnight train to Grodno
Day 5: Grodno
Day 6: Grodno – Lida by daytime train, an overnight train to Minsk
Brest and Grodno are located close to the Polish border.
Belarus by train – useful websites
Belarusian Railways – official website (I have been blocked)
Train travel in Belarus – a comprehensive guide
Belarus by train – a basic itinerary
Minsk – the capital and largest city of Belarus, situated on the Svisloch An. important transportation hub and industrial center. The historical city centre was severely destroyed during World War II, most of the landmarks are situated in the Upper Town. Visitors to Minsk are often surprised by its cleanliness, wide streets, affordable public transportation, and the absence of traffic jams and graffiti. A significant attraction is the park with seasonal children’s railway. Tourists will also find interest in the city’s religious buildings, including churches, cathedrals, and synagogues. Minsk is a relatively calm city for a capital. While prices can be relatively high for foreigners, it’s worth spending at least 5-6 hours exploring the city.
Brest – the sixth-largest city in Belarus, located very close to the Polish border. The city’s main attractions include the Brest Fortress and the Railway Museum, which showcases Belarusian railway rolling stock. Beautiful railway buildings include the Church of St. Simeon and the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. For those interested in history, there are preserved buildings from the interwar period, ruins of the Bernardine Monastery, and the 1926 building of the Polish Bank. The railway station in Brest is one of the most beautiful railway stations in Europe. There is also a City History Museum.
Grodno – another major Belarusian city near the Polish border and the capital of the Grodno region. The city boasts numerous religious landmarks such as the Church of Saints Boris and Gleb, the Church of Our Lady of the Angels, the Church of the Annunciation and the Bridgettine Monastery, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, and the Choral Synagogue. The Old Castle, located by the Neman River and now housing a museum, is a city icon. It was reconstructed in the 21st century. Grodno also features beautiful green spaces like Kalozha Park and a popular promenade along the Neman River. Secular landmarks include two adjacent water towers, the Stanislaw Palace, and the Chreptowicz Palace. The most notable museum is the Eliza Orzeszkowa Museum, established in the writer’s former home. Grodno also has a small zoo.
Lida Castle was built in the 14th century by the Lithuanian Duke Gediminas. It was captured and rebuilt multiple times before falling into ruin for many years. Restoration efforts began in the latter half of the 20th century and continued into the early 21st century. Today, there is a small museum inside the castle, and the courtyard offers activities like archery for children in good weather. The area around the castle hosts knight tournaments and other events. The town of Lida was almost entirely destroyed during World War II. Besides the castle ruins, a few churches, the 19th-century brewery building, and the Polish Post Office building survived.
Of course, there is a much more interesting places for those who want to travel around Belarus by train.
