Belarusian Lakes

• Lake Narach is Belarus’ largest lake, covering 79.6 km², and lies within the 97,700-hectare Narachansky National Park.
• The national park includes lakes, marshes, mixed forests, and meadows; 54 mammal species and 250 bird species live there.
• Braslav Lakes National Park covers around 67,066 hectares and includes bodies of water such as Drivyaty, Snudy, Strusto, Voloso, and Boginskoye.
• Braslav offers tourist bases, holiday homes, campgrounds, boat trips, and hiking, cycling, and water routes.
• Fishing regulations at Lake Narach vary by body of water; a map and regulations are available for 2026.

Lake Narach lies in the Minsk Region in northwestern Belarus. Narachansky National Park covers 97,700 hectares of lakes, marshes, mixed forests, and meadows; the lake itself covers 79.6 square kilometers. The park is home to 54 mammal species and 250 bird species. Here, vast expanses of open water meet forest and wetland habitats. Lake Narach is the geographical centerpiece of this landscape.

Fishing in Narachansky National Park is subject to rules that vary by body of water. The park administration lists 33 bodies of water and more than ten waterways where recreational fishing is either free or subject to a fee. The 2026 season information includes a map and regulations. The applicable permit depends on the body of water you choose.

Braslav Lakes National Park is also in the northwest of the country. Its bodies of water include Drivyaty, Snudy, Strusto, Voloso, and Boginskoye, and the park covers around 67,066 hectares. Visitors can use tourist bases near Drivyaty, Leoshki, Zolovo, and Slobodka, a holiday home in Bogino, and campgrounds as starting points. Boat trips, along with hiking, cycling, and water routes, offer ways to explore the area.

The bases vary in location and the activities they offer each day. Staying near your chosen lake shortens the distance to lakeside and water-based activities; camping is suited to a stay closer to nature. Specific facilities and availability depend on the location and travel dates. When choosing accommodation in Belarus and Eastern Europe, consider location, the facilities you need, and the distance to your preferred lake: Accommodation.

At Lake Narach, a single large lake combines access to the water with the forests, marshes, and meadows of the national park. In Braslav, the lakes and tourist bases are spread across several locations. To combine lakeside time with day trips to different lakes, choose a base near your preferred routes; at Lake Narach, the large body of water is the main focal point.

The two lake regions are far apart and work best as separate legs of a trip. A city break in Minsk with sightseeing in the capital complements a stay in the northwest. Gomel is farther southeast and requires a separate leg of the journey. The city attractions in Gomel make for a separate day’s itinerary.

For trips to northern lakes, Karelia offers more lake landscapes; the Baltic states also connect several countries and coastlines. The Balkans lie to the south and form a different region. In Belarus, both the country’s lakes and wetlands and its lake landscapes make for distinct legs of a trip; its marsh and water regions each offer their own natural scenery.

Historic sites and urban architecture can complement a nature itinerary: history and memorial sites, cities and architecture, and rivers and waterfalls offer other possible themes. Quiet days by the water can be planned as a nature getaway.

Routes, seasonal conditions, and conservation rules vary by park and lake. When planning travel to the lakes, overnight stays, and day trips, travelers should prepare a travel checklist with realistic driving legs and breaks. Other holiday destinations can be chosen according to distance and the time available for travel.

Which bird species live in Narachansky National Park?

Species found in the area include the white-tailed eagle, black stork, and osprey. The national park is home to a diverse bird population across its forests, marshes, and lake landscapes.

What is the difference between Lake Narach and the Braslav Lakes?

Lake Narach is one large lake in a national park of forests, marshes, and meadows. Braslav encompasses several named bodies of water, tourist bases, and water, cycling, and hiking routes.

What are the fishing rules at Lake Narach?

Fishing conditions differ between the national park’s bodies of water. For 2026, regulations are available for 33 bodies of water and more than ten waterways, along with a fishing map.