Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ottoman bazaars, Austro-Hungarian boulevards and raw recent history sit side by side in a mountainous country still lightly touched by mass tourism. Mostar's rebuilt Old Bridge and Sarajevo's coppersmiths' lanes draw most visitors, but waterfalls, rafting rivers and Olympic ski slopes lie close by, and costs remain among the lowest in Europe.
Overview
Few places in Europe compress so much history into such short distances. On Sarajevo's Ferhadija street a paving marker shows where the Ottoman bazaar gives way to Austro-Hungarian façades, and the city still carries visible scars of the 1992–95 siege. The country divides into mountainous, forested Bosnia in the north and sunbaked limestone Herzegovina in the south. Most first trips pair Sarajevo with Mostar along the Neretva valley, adding day trips to Blagaj, Počitelj and Kravica, then swing west through Travnik and Jajce, or north to Banja Luka, before crossing into Croatia.
Bosnia is unhurried and inexpensive: coffee is a ritual served in a copper džezva, a hearty grilled lunch costs a few pounds and guesthouses are often family-run. Outside Mostar's midday rush of day-trippers from Dubrovnik, crowds are rare. Visitors are often struck by how openly people talk about the war, and by sites such as the Tunnel of Hope and the Srebrenica memorial at Potočari. It suits history lovers, hikers and rafters on the Neretva, Una and Vrbas, while winter visitors can ski Jahorina and Bjelašnica, venues for the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Map of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Top 5 highlights
- 1Architecture
Stari Most, Mostar
The single-span Ottoman bridge of 1566, shelled into the river in 1993 and rebuilt with original techniques, arches high above the green Neretva. Watch local divers leap from its crown, and linger at dusk once the day-trippers leave.
- 2Culture
Baščaršija, Sarajevo
Sarajevo's 15th-century bazaar quarter of coppersmiths' workshops, ćevapi grills and the wooden Sebilj fountain, anchored by the 16th-century Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. Wander on to Ferhadija to see where Ottoman lanes meet Austro-Hungarian avenues.
- 3History
Jajce
A walled hill town where the Pliva river plunges about 20 metres over a waterfall right beside the centre. Above sit a medieval fortress and catacombs, and nearby a row of wooden watermills lines the Pliva lakes.
- 4Nature
Kravica Waterfall
A broad amphitheatre of travertine cascades on the Trebižat river, around 25 metres high and roughly 40 minutes' drive from Mostar. Swimming in the pool below is the reward on hot summer afternoons.
- 5Nature
Sutjeska National Park
Bosnia's oldest national park protects Perućica, one of Europe's last primeval forests, and Maglić, the country's highest peak. The giant concrete memorial at Tjentište marks a pivotal 1943 Partisan battle.
Biggest cities
Sarajevo
Minarets, Habsburg façades and Yugoslav tower blocks share one narrow valley. Give it three days for Baščaršija, the siege museums, the cable car up Trebević and long coffees.
Banja Luka
The green, low-key main city of Republika Srpska, with a riverside fortress and the rebuilt Ferhadija Mosque; a good base for rafting and canyoning on the Vrbas.
Tuzla
A salt-mining city whose Pannonian Lakes are artificial saltwater swimming lakes in the centre; mainly useful as a budget-airline gateway rather than a destination.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Best time: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Sarajevo
Festivals & events
- JulMostar Old Bridge diving competition
The traditional summer contest sees local divers plunge more than 20 metres from Stari Most into the cold Neretva before packed riverbanks, usually in late July.
- JulBaščaršija Nights
A month-long summer programme of concerts, theatre and folk performances in and around Sarajevo's old bazaar, much of it free to attend.
- AugSarajevo Film Festival
Founded in 1995 during the siege and now the region's biggest film festival, filling Sarajevo's cinemas, open-air screens and bars for a week every August.
How much does Bosnia and Herzegovina cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Ćevapi
Small grilled fingers of minced beef stuffed into fluffy somun flatbread with raw onion and kajmak, a rich clotted-cream-like dairy spread.
Burek
Spiralled filo pastry; in Bosnia 'burek' means a meat filling only, while cheese, spinach and potato versions are sirnica, zeljanica and krompiruša.
Bosanski lonac
Bosnian pot: layers of meat, cabbage, potatoes and other vegetables slow-cooked for hours in a deep clay or metal pot.
Getting around
Buses connect almost everywhere and are cheap, though slow on mountain roads; expect a small charge for stowed luggage. The Sarajevo–Mostar railway through the Neretva canyon takes around two hours and is the most scenic option, though departures are few. Hiring a car helps for waterfalls, monasteries and villages. In Sarajevo, walk, ride the trams or use metered taxis.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +387
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Round up in cafés and taxis; in restaurants around 10% is generous and appreciated. Cash in convertible marks is preferred for tips.
- Etiquette
- Treat coffee as a slow ritual, not a takeaway. Dress modestly in mosques and churches, remove shoes in homes, and let locals raise the war rather than asking people about their ethnicity.
- Main airports
- Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), Sarajevo; Tuzla International Airport (TZL), Tuzla; Banja Luka International Airport (BNX), Banja Luka
Visas & entry for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to Bosnia and Herzegovina for up to 90 days within a 6-month period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
For all other types of travel, check the conditions for temporary residence or contact the Bosnia and Herzegovina Embassy in the UK.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTick-borne encephalitisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Catholic Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sat 2 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Thu 7 Jan 2027 | Orthodox Christmas Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Catholic Easter Monday |
| Fri 30 Apr 2027 | Orthodox Good Friday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | International Labour Day |
| Sun 2 May 2027 | International Labour Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Bosnian
| English | Bosnian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Zdravo | ZDRAH-voh |
| Thank you | Hvala | HVAH-lah |
| Please | Molim | MOH-leem |
| Excuse me | Izvinite | eez-VEE-nee-teh |
| How much is this? | Koliko ovo košta? | KOH-lee-koh OH-voh KOSH-tah |
Know before you go
- The convertible mark is pegged to the euro at roughly 1.96 KM to €1. Euros are often accepted, but change usually comes back in marks, so carry some local cash.
- Mine clearance from the 1990s war is not finished in some rural areas: stick to paved roads and marked trails, and check the FCDO travel advice before hiking.
- Stay overnight in Mostar. Coach tours from Dubrovnik and Split pack the old town from late morning to late afternoon, leaving evenings and early mornings calm.
Bosnia and Herzegovina travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, June, September and October. Average highs in Sarajevo range from 4°C to 27°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina cost per day?
Roughly £35 a day on a tight budget, £70 mid-range and £150+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Convertible mark (BAM).
What plug type does Bosnia and Herzegovina use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Traffic drives on the right in Bosnia and Herzegovina, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to Bosnia and Herzegovina for up to 90 days within a 6-month period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bosnia-and-herzegovina/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Tick-borne encephalitis and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
