THE GREEN PEARL OF THE BALKAN
If there’s one country in Europe that completely surprised us, it’s Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Before visiting, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. What I found instead was a destination filled with emerald-green rivers, dramatic mountain landscapes, charming Ottoman towns, hidden waterfalls, and some of the warmest people we’ve ever met during our travels.
One moment you’re wandering through the historic streets of Mostar, the next you’re swimming beneath a waterfall, hiking through untouched nature, or sipping Bosnian coffee while taking in views that look straight out of a postcard. And the best part? Despite its incredible beauty, Bosnia & Herzegovina still feels wonderfully authentic and far less crowded than many of its European neighbours such as Croatia and Montenegro.
So grab a coffee, start exploring the guides below, and get ready to discover one of Europe’s most underrated destinations.
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA TRAVEL GUIDES
1 Month Balkan Itinerary – Discover Bosnia, Croatia & Montenegro
Bosnia & Croatia Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Week Balkan Road Trip
Bosnia and Montenegro Itinerary: The Perfect 2 Week Balkan Road Trip
Traveling in Bosnia & Herzegovina – 10 Practical Tips
Bosnia & Herzegovina in 7 Days: The Best 1 Week Itinerary
Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina – The Ultimate Travel Guide
Visiting Una National Park – The Ultimate Guide
7 Top Things To Do in Jajce
BALKAN ITINERARIES
1 Month Balkan Itinerary – Discover Bosnia, Croatia & Montenegro
Bosnia & Croatia Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Week Balkan Road Trip
Bosnia and Montenegro Itinerary: The Perfect 2 Week Balkan Road Trip
7 Days in Montenegro: The Perfect One Week Montenegro Road Trip Itinerary
Bosnia & Herzegovina in 7 Days: The Best 1 Week Itinerary
Croatia in 14 Days: The Best Two-Week Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
FAVORITE ACCOMMODATIONS IN BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Cottages Relax
Cottages Relax is the perfect base for exploring the area of Jajce and Pliva Lake, without a big price ticket being attached to it. The location is absolutely perfect and the view from the chalet is a million dollar one! The chalet comes with its own jacuzzi and also has an infra-red sauna inside.
The Cozy Chalet
The Cozy Chalet is the perfect place to stay when visiting Una National Park. You’re staying completely off the grid (though the WiFi and TV are excellent) in a luxury chalet in the woods. There’s an indoor and outdoor fireplace, a grill and a hot tub to soak and relax in after a day of exploring. We absolutely loved staying here!
Old Town Oasis
If you’re looking for a stay in Mostar that combines epic views with a very good price, then Old Town Oasis is the one you should book! The appartement itself is simple with 1 bedroom, a kitchen, a living area and a small bathroom. But the view, the location and the price simply can’t be beat! We booked the appartement on the ground floor, the ones on the top floor don’t come with a garden terrace.
Central Apartments Sarajevo
If you’re looking for a stay in Sarajevo then I highly recommend staying at Central Apartments Sarajevo. As their name already suggests, these modern and stylishly decorated apartments are centrally located in the capital city. Within 15 minutes walking you’ll find yourself in the heart of Old Town Sarajevo.
The apartments have 2 bedrooms and right across from it is a shopping mall with an underground parking lot.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
The best time to visit Bosnia & Herzegovina is from May to October, when the weather is warm, the days are long, and most outdoor attractions are easily accessible. During these months, you’ll be able to enjoy everything from the emerald-green rivers around Mostar to the stunning mountain landscapes of Sutjeska National Park.
For us, late spring and early autumn are the sweet spots. In May and June, the countryside is incredibly lush, waterfalls are flowing at their strongest, and temperatures are perfect for sightseeing and hiking. September and early October bring pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful golden colours across the landscapes.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN TRAVELING TO BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Language – The main spoken language in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Bosnian, but you’ll also hear Serbian and Croatian spoken throughout the country. The three languages are very similar and mutually understandable, so locals can generally understand each other without any issues.
As a traveler, you don’t need to speak Bosnian to get around, especially in more touristy places like Sarajevo, Mostar, Blagaj, Počitelj, and Jajce. In hotels, restaurants, cafés, and popular attractions, many people speak at least some English, particularly younger generations and those working in tourism.
Currency – The official currency in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Bosnian convertible mark, usually written as BAM or KM. The currency is tied to the euro, which makes it fairly easy to understand prices if you’re traveling from Europe. As a rough rule, 1 euro is around 2 BAM.
A lot of properties don’t accept Credit Card and you’ll have to pay for your stay in Cash. Best is to travel to Bosnia & Herzegovina with a good amount of Euros in Cash so you don’t have to keep on taking out money.
Credit Cards & ATM’s – I’d recommend withdrawing some Bosnian convertible marks as soon as you arrive and keeping small notes and coins with you throughout your trip. It makes paying for parking, tips, coffee, and small purchases so much easier.
ATMs are easy to find in bigger towns and cities like Sarajevo, Mostar, and Jajce, but less common once you head into more remote areas or national parks. So before driving to places like Una National Park or smaller villages, make sure you have enough cash with you.
Safety – Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally a safe country to visit, and we felt comfortable throughout our entire road trip. The main tourist destinations, such as Sarajevo, Mostar, Jajce, Blagaj, Počitelj, Kravica Waterfalls, and Una National Park, are all welcoming and easy to explore as a traveler.
One thing that’s specific to Bosnia and Herzegovina is the presence of unexploded landmines in some remote areas left from the war. This won’t affect a normal travel itinerary, but it’s important to stick to marked trails, official hiking routes, roads, and well-visited areas. Don’t wander into abandoned buildings, overgrown fields, or unmarked countryside.
Plugs – Bosnia and Herzegovina uses the same plug types as most of mainland Europe: type C and type F.
RENTING A CAR IN BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
When it comes to choosing a rental car company things can get a little confusing cause there’s a lot of companies out there ready to rip you off.
Horror Story: In South Africa the rental car company that I booked with actually copied my credit card details and 1 day later my card was blocked. So there I was, in the middle of South Africa and without a credit card. Luckily we would switch to a different company the next day for the further duration of our trip but you really don’t want this to happen on your holiday.
You also don’t want any hidden costs added to your bill.
A good rental car company should include the following in your rental price: unlimited mileage and a fair fuel arrangement, third-party insurance of at least €7.5 million, damage insurance, theft insurance, towing cost if your car breaks down and cancel or change your reservation without any hassle.
For my road trips I always prefer booking with SunnyCars. Here you can already rent a car for as little as €27 per day and every single cost is included upon check out. Oh, and all of the things that I mentioned above that should be included are also included with them!
💡 TIP – Sometimes the local rental company will try to make you pay for additional insurance. This is in no way necessary cause SunnyCars offers you full coverage.
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