Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most underrated countries in Europe, in my opinion at least. Often overshadowed by more popular neighbouring countries such as Croatia and Montenegro, Bosnia still seems to be a little of the radar. With its medieval villages, stunning nature, lakes & waterfalls, as well as very friendly locals – this Balkan gem is definitely worth your time. Oh, and I should add, Bosnia is incredibly affordable! Most people that visit Bosnia only visit the picturesque town Mostar, but there’s a lot more to see! Keep reading to discover the best places to visit in Bosnia.
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Basic info
Before we get into the best places to visit in Bosnia & Herzegovina, I wanted to start with some practical info that will come in handy when visiting Bosnia.
Visa: Bosnia isn’t a part of Schengen or the EU. Most nationalities will get a 90 day visa upon arrival, but make sure to double check official information before traveling to Bosnia.
Currency: The official currency in Bosnia is the Bosnian Mark. 1 Euro equals about 2 Bosnian Marks.
Debit and credit cards: While bigger supermarkets and some restaurants will accepts payments with debit or credit cards, most store and restaurants operate on a cash only basis. In Bosnia, cash is king, so make sure to always have some cash on you!
Getting around: The best way to get around Bosnia is by renting a car. Public transport is another option for those that can’t or don’t want to drive. The buses aren’t great and don’t necessarily run on time, but they’ll get you from A to B. Tickets can be bought directly at the bus station, on Omio or Getbybus.
Accommodation: I booked all my accommodation in Bosnia through booking.com
Sim cards/internet: Prepaid sim cards are widely available throughout Bosnia, I got mine from a small supermarket. 15GB for 4 KM (2 EUR), not bad! In case your phone supports eSim, I highly recommend that you check out the packages available at Airalo.
Now, onto the best places to visit in Bosnia!
1. Mostar
The small town of Mostar is one of the most iconic destinations in Montenegro. This picturesque town is most famous for Stari Most, which simply translates to Old Bridge in English. On both sides of the bridge there are narrow cobble stone streets filled with bazaars, souvenir shops, as well as cafés and restaurants. Mostar can be explored in just a day, and as such, is a very popular destination for day trips. This leads to Mostar getting flooded with day trippers during the middle of the day, so try to explore the old town in the morning or late afternoon if you can. Although you can see the highlights of Mostar in a day, I think it’s worth spending 2-3 days there if you can.
How to get to Mostar
There is no airport in Mostar, so the best way to get there is to drive or take a bus from nearby cities such as Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tuzla or Dubrovnik. Click here to look up buses and click here to compare prices of all the major car rentals to make sure you get the best deal.
2. Blagaj
A short 20 minute drive from Mostar is the scenic village of Blagaj. Most commonly visited on a day trip from Mostar, Blagaj’s main landmark is the Dervish House, an Ottoman style monastery, but its beautiful nature and landscape are another reason for visiting. There are a few cafés and restaurant around the river, that are great for sitting down and taking in the views. If you have time, you may also want to check out Blagaj Fortress which is located on a hill about a 20 minute hike from the village.
There is no entrance fee to enter Blagaj, but if you wish to visit the Dervish House, there is a fee of 10 KM (5 EUR).
How to get to Blagaj
Blagaj is located about a 20 minute drive from Mostar. The easiest way to visit Blagaj is to either rent a car or to book a day trip. There are also public buses available from from Mostar to Blagaj, leaving from Spanski Trg in Mostar – click here for the time table. Another option is to take a taxi, which should cost about 15 KM (7.5 EUR) from Mostar.
3. Kravica Waterfall
Kravica waterfall is located within the Kravica National Park, about a 45 minutes drive from Mostar. The park is a popular tourist destination that’s most famous for the spectacular Kravica waterfall. Apart from taking a swim, you can sunbath, rent a canoe, hike one of the hiking trails or grab a drink or a snack from one of the cafés or restaurants found within the park. Furthermore, there are a few souvenir shops within the park. Most of the day trips will make a 2-3 hour stop at the waterfall, but if you’re driving there yourself, you can easily spend a whole day there. I’d recommend getting there in the morning, as it gets pretty crowded in the afternoon as that’s when most of the day trippers will arrive. Certainly one of the best places to visit in Bosnia!
Entrance fee to Kravica is 20 KM (10 EUR), if you’re visiting on a day trip, the entrance fee is most likely included in the price.
How to get to Kravica waterfalls
To visit Kravica Waterfall, you can either rent a car or book a day trip. Day trips to Kravica waterfalls run from Dubrovnik, Mostar and Sarajevo. There aren’t any direct public buses that will take you to Kravica waterfalls.
4. Pocitelj
Located just a 30 minute drive from Mostar, is a small stone village called Pocitelj. This charming Medieval town was built in the 14th century and is often referred to as Bosnia’s open-air museum. After getting heavily destroyed during the Croat-Bosniak war, Pocitelj has undergone extensive restoration work and has since been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. Pocitelj is best explored on foot, just follow the narrow cobblestone paths through the village, which will lead you up to a lookout point called Pocitelj Kula. Make sure to visit the Hadzi-Alijina mosque, the Gavrakapetan tower, Gavrankapetanovica residential house and of course the lookout point.
How to get to Pocitelj
The easiest way to visit Pocitelj is to either rent a car or to book a day trip. Most day trips to Pocitelj also include stops at the Kravica waterfalls and Blagaj. I did one of those day trips from Mostar and can highly recommend it.
It’s also possible to take a public bus from Mostar to Pocitelj, note that there isn’t an official bus stop in Pocitelj but drivers will be happy to drop you off at Pocitelj. The nearest bus station is 6km away in Capljina, so that’s the station you should search for. Tickets are around 3EUR and can be bought directly at the bus station or here, where you can also see the timetable. Click here for the Google Maps location of the bus station in Mostar, from where the bus departs.
5. Sarajevo
Surrounded by mountains, the Bosnian capital is a melting pot of different cultures and religions. Often described as the city where east meets west, the perfect way to get a feel for Sarajevo is by doing a walking tour, where a local guide will take you to historical places and important sites in the city. Past history is still visible throughout Sarajevo, as while many buildings were reconstructed after the war, you can still see bullet holes in some buildings. What is unique about Sarajevo is how many diverse religions can be seen, within just a short walk you can come across a Catholic cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral and a synagogue. When visiting Sarajevo, make sure not to miss the Sarajevo War Tunnel, the Latin Bridge, Bascarsija (Sarajevo’s old bazaar), Gazi Husrev-beg’s mosque, Sebilj Fountain, Tunnel of Hope, Avaz Twist Tower and the Yellow Fortress. I would recommend spending at least two days in Sarajevo.
How to get to Sarajevo
There are a number of both domestic and international flights to Sarajevo. To get from the airport to the city, there is public bus that takes you to the city center for 5 KM (2.5 euros), find the schedule here. As the bus doesn’t depart very frequently, you might also want to look into booking a private transfer. If you’re coming from elsewhere in Bosnia or from the neighbouring countries, another way to get to Sarajevo is to rent a car or take a public bus.
6. Banja Luka
The second largest city in Bosnia, Banja Luka, is a quiet town located close to the Croatian borders. Situated on the banks of the vibrant green Vrbas River, throughout the city you’ll find relaxing spaces along the river to sit down and admire the nature. Just as in Sarajevo, different types of religious building can be found within Banja Luka – the most famous ones being the Ferhadija Mosque and Christ the Saviour Cathedral. Other attractions that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Banja Luka include the Kastel Fortress, the city’s main shopping street Gospodska, and a local market called Gradska Trznica Market. I would recommend spending at least two days exploring Banja Luka.
How to get to Banja Luka
During the summer months, from April/May until September/October, there are a number of airlines operating flights to Banja Luka airport – including low cost airlines such as Wizzair and Ryanair. Another way to get to Banja Luka is to rent a car or take a public bus.
7. Una National Park
Una is the largest of the four national parks found in Bosnia. It’s located close to the Croatian borders, close to the city of Bihac – which is the gateway to Una National Park. Established in 2008 to protect the nature around the Una river, the park is mostly known for its stunning rivers and waterfalls as well as being a popular destination for rafting. The main attraction within the park is Strbacki Buk, a fascinating collection of waterfalls that shouldn’t be missed!
For those looking to stay near the park, check out this amazing hotel located in a beautiful setting close to the park.
How to get to Una National Park
Una National Park is located a 2.5 hour drive from Banja Luka and a 5 hour drive from Sarajevo and Mostar. The best way to get there is to rent a car.
I hope you found this post about the best places to visit in Bosnia helpful and that it convinced you to visit this beautiful country!
If you are planning a trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina, you might also want to check out these posts about the neighbouring country Croatia.
- Getting around in Croatia: How to travel within Croatia
- 11 Things that surprised me about Croatia
- Visiting Krka national park in Croatia
- Best cafés to work from in Split
- Where to eat in Zagreb
- 10 Things to do in Split
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