Bosnia and Herzegovina

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General Travel Guide: The Resilient Heart of the Balkans

Bosnia and Herzegovina is not just a destination, it is a profound journey to a land where the scars of history coexist with overwhelming natural beauty. It is here that Ottoman minarets and Catholic and Orthodox bell towers share the horizon, telling a story of centuries of coexistence. From the bustling alleys of Baščaršija in Sarajevo, where the aroma of coffee and grilled meat fill the air, to the iconic jump off the Stari Most in Mostar, this country captivates the traveler. Prepare to discover rivers of an unreal emerald color, people of immense warmth and an indomitable spirit who have managed to turn tragedy into a moving testimony of hope.

Capital

Sarajevo

Population

3.210.847

Langue

BS, Croata, Serbio

Sites du patrimoine de l'UNESCO

Indices de voyage

Scores basés sur des données réelles de 0 à 100

Indices de voyage

Tourisme

39/100

Infrastructures et attractions touristiques. Basé sur le nombre d’attractions, la qualité des services et des installations pour les visiteurs.

Sécurité

73/100

Niveau de sécurité pour les touristes. Basé sur les statistiques de la criminalité, la stabilité politique et la sécurité personnelle.

Frais de déplacement

44/100

Indice du coût moyen des déplacements. Basé sur l'hébergement, la nourriture, le transport et les activités. Score inférieur = moins cher.

Transport

59/100

Qualité du système de transport. Basé sur les transports publics, les infrastructures routières et les options de mobilité.

Internet

73/100

Qualité et disponibilité de la connexion Internet. Basé sur la vitesse du haut débit et la couverture WiFi publique.

Gentillesse

83/100

Hospitalité envers les touristes étrangers. Basé sur des enquêtes auprès des voyageurs et des études sur le comportement social.

Environnement

63/100

Qualité environnementale et durabilité. Basé sur la qualité de l’air, la gestion des déchets et les politiques écologiques.

Climat

75/100

Climat agréable pour les touristes. Basé sur les températures, les précipitations et les jours ensoleillés par an.

Beauté Naturelle

82/100

Des paysages naturels attrayants. Basé sur les parcs nationaux, les côtes, les montagnes et la diversité des écosystèmes.

Gastronomie

73/100

Qualité et diversité culinaire. Basé sur des restaurants renommés, des spécialités locales et des expériences gastronomiques.

Vie nocturne

72/100

Options de divertissement en soirée. Basé sur les bars, les clubs, les événements culturels et la sécurité nocturne.

Familier

71/100

Convient aux familles avec enfants. Basé sur les attractions familiales, la sécurité des enfants et les services pour les mineurs.

Le meilleur de Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Stari Most bridge in Mostar, an icon of reconciliation.

The historic Baščaršija neighborhood in Sarajevo, the Ottoman heart of the city.

The Latin Bridge in Sarajevo, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated.

The impressive waterfalls of Kravica, the 'little Niagara' of the Balkans.

The Blagaj (Tekke) Monastery, nestled on a cliff next to the source of the Buna River.

The fortress village of Počitelj, a stone jewel overlooking the Neretva River.

The taste of 'ćevapi' and the experience of having a Bosnian coffee.

Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope, a testimony of survival during the siege.

The natural beauty of Una National Park and its crystalline rivers.

The remains of the 1984 Winter Olympic Games.

Expériences uniques

Have a Bosnian coffee with 'ćejf'

Bosnian coffee ('bosanska kafa') is an institution. It is served in a 'džezva' (a copper coffee pot) on a tray with a sugar bowl and a glass of water. Drinking it is an art that involves enjoying the moment without rushing, a concept known as 'ćejf'. Doing it in one of the cafes in Baščaršija is the quintessential Sarajevite experience.

See the jump from the Stari Most

Mostar's 'Old Bridge', rebuilt after the war, is the soul of the city. Watching members of the local jumping club jump from 24 meters high into the cold waters of the Neretva River is an impressive spectacle and a tradition that dates back centuries.

Tour the Tunnel of Hope

Visiting the preserved fragment of the tunnel that was Sarajevo's only lifeline during the nearly four-year siege in the 1990s. Walking through this narrow underground gallery is a powerful and humbling experience that provides insight into the resilience of the city's inhabitants.

Bathing in the Kravica Waterfalls

On a hot summer day, there is nothing like visiting the spectacular Kravica waterfalls. This natural amphitheater of waterfalls cascading over a lake of emerald waters is the perfect place to swim, have a picnic and relax in a paradisiacal setting.

Discover the peace of Blagaj Monastery

Visiting the 'Tekija' (dervish monastery) of Blagaj is a mystical experience. This 16th century building, nestled at the base of a 200-meter cliff, overlooks the source of the Buna River, which emerges from a cave with incredible force. The sound of the water and the serenity of the place are unforgettable.

Explore the abandoned Olympic bobsleigh

In the hills above Sarajevo, the bobsleigh track from the 1984 Winter Olympics lies abandoned, covered in graffiti. Walking through this concrete structure that winds through the forest is a surreal and photogenic experience, a remnant of the city's Olympic glory.

A Feast of Ottoman and Balkan Flavors

The cuisine of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the result of centuries of history: it is hearty, tasty and generous. With a clear Ottoman heritage and Austro-Hungarian and Slavic touches, it is based on grilled meats, savory pastries ('pita'), slow-cooked stews and fresh vegetables. Food is a fundamental part of hospitality.

The Culture of 'Roštilj' (Grill)

Grilled meat is a religion. 'ćevabdžinica' (ćevapi restaurants) and 'aščinica' (traditional food restaurants) are the heart of the culinary scene. Dishes like ćevapi or pljeskavica are essential.

'Pita': The King of Savory Pastries

Thin phyllo pastries ('jufka') are a mainstay of the diet. 'Burek' is the most famous (stuffed with meat), but there are many varieties: 'sirnica' (cheese), 'zeljanica' (spinach) and 'krompiruša' (potato).

Plats Iconiques

Ćevapi (or Ćevapčići)

The undisputed national dish. They are small rolls of grilled minced beef, served inside a flatbread ('somun') with chopped raw onion and sometimes 'kajmak' (a heavy cream).

Burek

A spiral or layered cake made from filo dough and filled with minced meat. It is eaten at any time of the day and is the king of street food. Versions with other fillings are generically called 'pita'.

Begova Čorba (Bey's Soup)

A rich, creamy chicken and vegetable soup, thickened with egg and often with a hint of lemon. It is a traditional and delicious starter.

Bosanski Lonac (Bosnian Stew)

A hearty stew layered with large chunks of meat and vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage) that cooks slowly for hours in a crock pot. Each family has its own version.

Sarma

Sour cabbage leaf rolls (sauerkraut) filled with minced meat and rice, cooked over low heat. It is a very popular winter dish throughout the Balkan region.

Dolma

The term refers to stuffed vegetables, such as peppers ('punjene paprike'), onions ('sogan dolma') or zucchini, with a mixture of meat and rice.

Boissons typiques

Bosanska Kafa (Bosnian Coffee)

Prepared in a 'džezva' and served in small cups ('fildžani'), it is strong and drunk in slow sips. It is the center of social life.

Rakija

The powerful fruit brandy of the Balkans. The plum variety ('šljivovica') is the most common, but there are also grape, pear or apple varieties. It is drunk as an aperitif or digestive.

Pivo (Beer)

Local beers like Sarajevsko Pivo are light and refreshing lagers, perfect to accompany ćevapi.

Sok od Zove (Elderflower Juice)

A homemade elderflower syrup mixed with water. It is an incredibly popular and refreshing drink during spring and summer.

Desserts traditionnels

Baklava

Of clear Ottoman heritage, this sweet consists of thin layers of filo dough filled with crushed walnuts and bathed in a sugar and lemon syrup ('agda').

Tufadaughter

An elegant and delicious dessert. They are apples poached in sugar water, filled with a nut cream and topped with whipped cream.

Hurmasica

Small soft pastry cakes, often date-shaped, that are soaked in syrup after baking. They melt in your mouth.

Jabukovaca

A filo pastry cake, similar to strudel, filled with apple cubes, sugar and cinnamon, and also bathed in syrup.

Que voir par thème

The richness of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in its incredible mix of history, culture and nature. Next, we suggest you explore the country through different topics.

Sarajevo: The Jerusalem of Europe

The capital is a city where mosques, Orthodox churches, Catholic cathedrals and synagogues coexist just a few meters away. Explore the Ottoman bazaar of Baščaršija, visit the site of the assassination that sparked World War I, and feel the vibrant mix of cultures.

Herzegovina: Sun, Stone and Water

The southern region of the country has a Mediterranean feel. The essential tour includes Mostar and its bridge, the mystical oasis of Blagaj, the fortified village of Počitelj and the refreshing waterfalls of Kravica. This area is also known for its wines.

The Legacy of War and Hope

To understand the country it is essential to know its recent history. The Tunnel of Hope and the 07/11/95 Gallery in Sarajevo (about the Srebrenica massacre) are moving visits. The 'Sarajevo roses' (mortar marks on the asphalt filled with red resin) are a constant reminder.

Nature Adventure

Bosnia is a paradise for nature lovers. Una National Park is famous for its crystal clear waters and rafting. Sutjeska National Park is home to the last primary forest in Europe and the impressive monument of the Battle of Sutjeska. The Olympic mountains of Jahorina and Bjelašnica offer hiking in summer and skiing in winter.

In the Footprints of Kings and Viziers

Jajce, the last capital of the medieval Bosnian kingdom, impresses with its fortress and waterfall in the heart of the city. Travnik, the former capital of the Ottoman viziers, retains its charm with its fortress, colorful mosques and being the birthplace of Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andrić.

The Atomic Secret of Yugoslavia

Near the city of Konjic hides the Tito bunker (ARK D-0), a huge underground complex built secretly to house the Yugoslav leadership in the event of a nuclear attack. Today it is a museum and a contemporary art space.

Conseils de voyage

Currency

The official currency is the Bosnian Convertible Mark (BAM or KM). It has a fixed exchange rate with the euro (1 EUR = 1.95583 BAM). Euros are accepted in many tourist places, but it is advisable to use the local currency to get better prices.

Internal Transportation

The bus network is the most efficient and widespread way to travel between cities. Trains are less frequent but can be very scenic, such as the route from Sarajevo to Mostar. Renting a car gives more flexibility to explore rural areas.

Language

The official languages are Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian, which are mutually intelligible. In tourist areas, especially among young people, it is common to find people who speak English. German is also relatively widely spoken.

Tips

Tipping is not mandatory, but is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, it is common to round up the bill or leave 10%. For tour guides and taxi drivers, it is also a welcome gesture.

This guide is just an introduction to the complexity and beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a country that challenges you, educates you and makes you fall in love in equal parts. We encourage you to explore without prejudice, to talk with its people and to let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of a nation that has a lot to tell. Sretan put! (Have a good trip!)

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