Summer vacation season is coming up. Nowadays, there is a really big number of options for a vacation spot. Maybe you are a fan of traditional and local customs, or you perhaps prefer a more modern culture and luxurious places, if you like beaches or maybe mountains and beautiful nature. This is why you should visit Bosnia and Herzegovina. This country has got all that. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a hidden gem located in the Balkans region in southeastern Europe.
The number of foreign visitors in Bosnia and Herzegovina has increased by almost 50% in the past decade and it is growing year by year. Even though neighboring countries like Croatia have 20 times more tourist visits per year, Bosnia is becoming more and more popular among tourists. It represents blending between Eastern and Western culture, and ethnic and religious diversity.
To have a dream vacation in this gateway between the Orient and the Occident, and to have a fulfilled week you only need around 500 euros for a week for everything necessary. That includes accommodation, transportation, food, and sightseeing.
Now we are going to list some great reasons why you should visit Bosnia and Herzegovina on your next vacation and discover rich history and culture, stunning landscapes, and unique experiences.
Rich history and culture
Bosnia and Herzegovina is mentioned in Byzantine history books as early as the 10th century. But throughout history, this territory has been under many rules. Illyrians, Celts, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians. The county declared independence in 1992.
The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, is often called the Jerusalem of Europe. Some parts of the city, like the Old Town have very strong Turkish influence, because of the 400-year Ottoman Empire rule. But just a few meters outside the Old Town, you will find Austrio-Hungarian-inspired architecture, from the time of their occupation.
Sarajevo is also known in history as the origin point of the World War I. The assassination of the Austro-Hungarian prince happened in Sarajevo, which triggered a chain of events that would start World War I.
Some research shows that 147 medieval cities have been discovered on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Forts of many of those cities are still standing. And the tourist can visit and enjoy their history tales.
Delicious food and coffee
What food is Bosnia known for? By far the most famous food in Bosnia and Herzegovina is ćevapi. Ćevapi is a traditional Bosnian food, made of minced beef, and served in flatbread which is called lepina. Usually, it is served with chopped onions and some kajmak and ajvar. Bosnian cuisine is also quite famous for pies with meat, cheese, potatoes, or spinach. There are many unique and traditional dishes. But because of its broad culture, you can find many different types of food in Bosnia.
Bosnians are also quite famous for consuming big quantities of coffee daily. Bosnian coffee is quite similar to Turkish coffee, but there is a difference. It is served in džezva, a narrow pot with a long handle, and it is only used for making and serving coffee. Coffee is drank from fildžan, which is very small traditional coffee cup, with no handles at all. And Bosnian coffee is always served with some traditional sweets.
Low tourist traffic/less touristy
One of the best reasons to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina as soon as possible is because it is still fairly undiscovered by the masses. Few bigger cities probably don’t check this box. They became real tourist destinations and can get very crowded in the past decade. However, there are many great destinations in Bosnia, that many don’t know about yet, and you can have a whole new experience when visiting without waiting in long lines, and trampling over each other.
Local guides and tours that Continentta provides, will bring you some of the most beautiful places Bosnia and Herzegovina has to offer.
Where East meets West
Today’s territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina was concerned by Ottomans in the 15th century. Ottoman Empire ruled for over 400 years. During this period, a good part of the population accepted the new religion, Islam. But apart from religion, Ottomans built new cities, and infrastructure and left their culture and architecture.
Because big European forces, were unhappy with Russian and Ottoman influence in the Balkans, they decided in the Treaty of Berlin to give territory of today’s Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Austo-Hungarian empire. The local resistance lasted for 30 years, but by 1908, Austo-Hungarians managed to annex Bosnia. Although they only ruled until 1918, they also managed to leave their mark in Bosnian culture and architecture. mainly in the capital city of Sarajevo.
Because of the big influence of Eastern and Western cultures going back several centuries, Bosnia and Herzegovina has quite a unique cuisine, architecture, and culture. But Bosnia is not stuck in the past. Apart from historical landmarks and places, you can find modern facilities. You can find trendy cafes and restaurants, art galleries and film festivals. It is a bridge between modern Western civilization and the Eastern traditional world.
Affordable prices
Another reason to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina is that the country is generally more affordable than its Balkan neighbors. It is also significantly cheaper than other countries in Western Europe. This makes Bosnia and Herzegovina a great value destination, for budget-conscious travelers.
Comfortable, and great-looking hotels and apartments can be found for 25-40 euros per night. Food is delicious and a meal can cost as little as 2-3 euros for a single person. Sightseeing and tourist attractions are in most cases free, while fuel and transportation costs are reasonably priced, compared to the rest of Europe.
For staying in one city, public transportation is a good choice. But if you are planning to travel across the country, rent a car in Bosnia and Herzegovina option is the best, and you can even get a chauffeur service if you prefer.
Natural beauty
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have the lengthy coastline like neighboring Croatia which has attracted millions of visitors, having only 13 kilometers of coastline. However, you can still enjoy sunny beaches and the beautiful Adriatic sea in the city of Neum, where summer temperature ranges from 25-35°C. But what Bosnia and Herzegovina lacks in beaches, it more than enough makes up in beautiful nature. Extensive mountain ranges, turquoise-colored rivers, and breathtaking waterfalls which when you see, for a moment you get a feeling that you are somewhere in the rainforests of Amazon.
This makes Bosnia an excellent country for foreign visitors who are looking to escape the major hustle and bustle of urban areas. One of the reasons why you should visit Bosnia and Herzegovina is because, it has more waterfalls than Italy, France, Spain, and Germany combined. These natural sights can be truly outstanding.
Ethnic and religious diversity
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are 3 constituent nationalities. Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats. All these nationalities are coming from Slavic people. The main difference between these 3, is in the religion. Bosniaks are a major ethnicity, with just above 50%, and they are mainly Muslims. Serbs make up somewhere around 30% of the population and their religion is Orthodox Christianity. While Croats make up 15% and are Catholics.
There are three official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian. These languages are very similar, and they are spoken over the whole Balkan region in other countries as well. Bosnia and Herzegovina also has 3 presidents, each one representing a constituent nationality. They interchange in leadership every 8 months.
The capital city of Sarajevo is one of the very few cities in the world, where in very close proximity, you can find a mosque, catholic church, orthodox church, and a synagogue.
Friendly and welcoming
People in Bosnia and Herzegovina are very friendly and welcoming. They will invite you even in their home to have Bosnian coffee and lunch. We have always taken great care of our guests. Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted the Winter Olympic Games, in 1984. Bosnians have learned through their adverse history, to maintain good bonds with people of different nationalities and religions.
Because of its diverse background, ethnicity, and religion, everyone will feel welcomed and almost at home in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Is it safe to travel to Bosnia?
Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina is very safe. A civil war in the Balkans ended 30 years ago, and it has not been any conflicts since then. Traveling alone is perfectly normal, and people are very friendly and helpful. Even in the darkest hours, walking on the main streets and gathering points is perfectly safe. However, as in any big city in the world, during the night, you should probably avoid dark and narrow allies.
The scariest place is probably the local tram in Sarajevo. Not in terms of general safety, but in terms of pickpocketing. So if you do use public transportation, you should always keep your personal belongings in closed pockets, and close to you. But you can always take a taxi, or rent a car. Chauffer services are also very popular and affordable in Bosnia.
Conclusion
Suppose you are still not certain after reading all this about your trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that case, you can always contact agencies that provide exclusive packages to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina. They will answer all your questions, and try to help understand your requests. Standard packages are 7, 10, or 15 days stay, with everything included. Accommodation in 4 or 5-star hotels, daily tours with transportation and driver.
But if you would like to customize your stay, you can also declare your wishes, and we will do our best to tailor-make everything according to your needs.
