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When considering traveling to Europe, there is certainly no shortage of amazing countries, many offering cities, small towns and beaches, with history and culture at every turn. Even though some destinations are more popular than others, some countries go unnoticed among travelers and therefore remain hidden gems.
One of these hidden gems is Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nestled in the heart of the Balkan region, this country is brimming with beauty, warmth, and seemingly countless other reasons to visit. While the Balkans have seen a surge in tourism over the past two years, some countries emerged most popular that others.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of those places that has remained a bit of a secret among travelers, and the country is hoping to change that with a reinvested interest in bringing travelers.
Here’s why Bosnia and Herzegovina should be on your travel radar this year:
Culture and History
To discover Bosnia and Herzegovina, start with the vibrant capital of Sarajevo. A favorite among those who visit, this city is steeped in history and bears the scars of its horrific past for the world to see. Just look for the “Sarajevo Roses” all over the sidewalk, with the marks of past shells that have been painted red to commemorate those who lost their lives during the world’s longest siege that gripped the city in the 90s.
With such a complex history, dwelling on it here would not do it justice. A visit to Sarajevo will inform travelers about the main storylines of what they need to know. Just be aware that the country is home to three main ethnic groups: Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats. And the Bosnian War (to summarize) was fought between these groups, although they now live next to each other more or less peacefully.
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Walk along the bridge where Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated, leading to World War I, and explore the Tunnel of Hope, a passageway under the airport runway that locals used to stay alive when attacked by nearby mountains.
Besides the heartbreaking lessons you can learn about the country’s past, visitors will discover Sarajevo as a hip and vibrant city. Numerous cafes and bars line the cobbled lanes, and the surrounding mountains offer the opportunity to explore the 1984 Olympic facilities and see the city from another perspective.
Economic
As with most of its Balkan neighbors, one of the big advantages of visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina is the fact that it remains an incredibly budget-friendly destination, and your money will go much further here than in other European countries.
In fact, it’s one of the cheapest countries in Europe, with food and drink prices much lower than even neighboring Croatia or Montenegro. Accommodation and transportation are also much cheaper here, and one of the advantages is that there is no “peak season” here yet, which means there is no increase price depending on the month of your visit.
Nature for all seasons
Although there is technically no high and low season, there are of course times of the year when more and more people visit. As in many surrounding countries, the tourist season here is around the months of April, June, July, August and September. Although these warmer months offer the opportunity to experience the country during its long sunny days, the heat can sometimes get a little much. Mostar, for example, can be a bit crowded, with its narrow, windy streets filled with tourists, some of whom come on day trips from cruises that docked in neighboring Croatia.
Those looking for a beach holiday will often not consider Bosnia and Herzegovina, although the small 20km stretch of coastline along the Adriatic makes it the second smallest coastline in the world and offers a few beaches.
Popular places to visit during the warmer months include Una National Park, Jajce and, of course, Mostar. Watch Start Most divers collect money from spectators before diving into the shallow waters and enjoying the picturesque restaurants with terraces overlooking the Neretva River.
Winter activities are popular here in February and March when the winter sun shines and the days start to get longer compared to December and January. Mountain towns are especially picturesque when covered in snow, and skiing and other winter sports are popular (after all, the region hosted the Winter Olympics). Not only are the slopes there much cheaper than in other European countries, but the number of dreamy winter lodges makes it an ideal place to escape the cold.
Food drink
First of all, drinking Bosnian coffee might be worth the trip alone. Although some say it is almost identical to Turkish coffee, you still have to experience it to understand it. The daily ritual of taking a small cup of strong coffee from the copper-plated coffee pot, topping it with a little sugar, and finishing it with a small Turkish delight candy, is a must when visiting. Remember not to spill the whole cup and drink the thick grounds from the bottom, as I may or may not have done the first time.
Coffee aside, Bosnian cuisine is similar to that of its Balkan neighbors and is heavy on meat and bread, with an emphasis on seasonal vegetables and delicious stews. Cevapi is a popular choice among people from all walks of life, and the grilled sausages are served with raw onions and toasted bread.
Another famous takeaway is Burek, a stuffed pastry well known in many Balkan countries. Desserts are also worth the calories here, and the fruit-based Tufahija or Hurmašica biscuit are two popular options.
Writing an article about Bosnia and Herzegovina without discussing the country’s growing wine scene would be a shame, as the more than 2 million cases they produce attract more visitors each year. Most of the grapes come from around Mostar and the best-known grape variety is Žilavka. Much more economical than other options, a bottle of Bosnian wine goes perfectly with your grilled meats and stewed vegetables.
Easy access
Having been recognized as a “candidate country” by the EU, Bosnia and Herzegovina is working to become more connected to other European cities. While buses, roads and railways are developing in the country (very slowly, as some locals might say), access from neighboring countries is quite simple. Many come from Croatia, starting with the cities of Split or Dubrovnik. Buses from Serbia and Montenegro are also options.
There are a few other airports in the country, but Sarajevo is by far the largest and most popular option for travelers coming from further afield than the Balkan states. Although it was previously served by budget airline Wizz Air, the company abandoned this route and Sarajevo International Airport is now in talks with Ryanair to establish a hub there.
So, for now, budget airlines are not an option for flying to Sarajevo, but Turkish Air and other major carriers are good options for connections. For example, when trying to return to New York in 2021, I found a much cheaper ticket from Sarajevo (with a short connection in Istanbul) than I could find in neighboring Split, Croatia.
So while it might not be the easiest place to find cheap flights, it’s definitely possible to fly here for less than other nearby cities, and of course, a little flexibility with dates also helps.
Learn more:
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This article was originally published on TravelOffPath.com
