The last Ice Age was an artist in the northwest corner of Belarus: it carved some 300 lakes into rolling green hills and scattered islands across them. Braslaw Lakes National Park is where Belarusians themselves go to switch off — kayaks at dawn, farm-stay dinners, banya smoke over the water. Come midweek and whole lakes feel private.
Don't miss
- Mount Mayak — the classic panorama: lakes Snudy and Strusta studded with islands to the horizon
- Kayak or rowing boat days — rentals in Braslaw town and at most lakeside stays
- Braslaw town — a lakeside county town with a castle hill viewpoint and a handsome church-and-synagogue skyline
- Island hopping on Strusta — sandy coves on the far islands; boat taxis negotiable at the shore
- A farm-stay banya at sunset — the definitive Braslaw evening
Getting there
Direct buses run from Minsk (~3½–4 h). A car unlocks the far lakes and viewpoints; otherwise base yourself at a farm stay and let the hosts arrange boats and bikes.
Eat & sleep
This is agro-usadba heartland — dozens of registered farm stays ring the lakes, most with meals, boats and banya included. Summer weekends book out first; reserve those before anything else in your trip.
Links & maps
🗺️ Interactive map — Braslaw Lakes
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