8 Places to Visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina

While planning a holiday in Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina might not be top of your list but it is full of hidden gems, stunning old towns and cities rich in history. Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the Balkans region of Europe, next door to Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia, all of which used to be part of Yugoslavia prior to the 1990s. If you are in the region, I would highly recommend dipping in and exploring some of this beautiful country. Scenic routes surrounded by green mountains and crystal blue water makes for a spectacular road trip! Here is a list of the most stunning and unique places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

1. Kravice Waterfalls

Kravice Waterfalls are located in the south of the country, not too far from the border with Croatia. So if you’re driving to or from Dubronik, this a great stop along the way!

You do have to pay to view the falls. It costs 20 KM (approximately £8 or €10) which is surprisingly expensive compared to other attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina which tend to be quite cheap. However, it’s definitely worth it!

2. Mostar Old Bridge, Stari Most

The Old Bridge is definitely Mostar’s most iconic landmark! The bridge, also known as Stari Most, is actually not as old as you might think – it was built in 2004! Or perhaps I should say re-built. The original bridge connected the two sides of Mostar for over 400 years before it was destroyed in the 1990s during the break up of Yugoslavia.

3. Mostar Crooked Bridge

Whilst the Old Bridge is the most famous of Mostar’s Bridges, the Crooked Bridge is no less scenic! It is significantly smaller than the Old Bridge but is just a short walk away so definitely worth a visit. I recommend stopping for a bite to eat or a drink in one of the restaurants overlooking the bridge, we visited Restaurant Divan but the restaurant on the opposite side, Behar also had positive reviews and good views!

4. Dervish House Monastery

Dervish House is set in a stunning location. It’s a monastery dating back to the 1500s, built into the cliffs by a vibrant blue stream emerging from a cave in the rocks. Whilst this once may have been a secluded location for a monastery, its now a fairly popular attraction with cafes and souvenir huts lining the river on both sides. You also need to pay €2 to park nearby. When we visited in April most of the stores were closed and it was relatively quiet.

5. Blajag Fortress

If you’re seeking a scenic view around Blajag, there is no better place to go than Blajag Fortress. The fortress was strategically built on top of a hill so boasts fantastic views around the area. You can drive part of the way up along a narrow dirt track which leads to a gravel car park. From here its a fairly steep hike up a serpentine path.

The fortress itself is free entry so no need to worry about being turned away once you reach the top. It was having some work done to it when we visited but as far as I can tell there are no exhibits or signs within the fortress, its simply a magnificent ruin to explore with some wonderful views.

6. Motel Kolo

Motel Kolo is a little hidden gem that we stumbled upon whilst trying to find Dervish House. It’s a small hotel and restaurant situated on the Buna River. It caught our eye because part of the restaurant’s tables are on an island in the river, accessible by a short bridge.

We stopped for brunch and enjoyed some delicious (and cheap) food whilst watching a group of ducks paddle around us.

7. Sarajevo

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is full of culture and history. It’s a huge city with plenty to explore, I’d highly recommend taking a walking tour so see all the key spots and hear the stories of the city’s past. If that’s not your thing, then the main spots I recommend are:

• Latin Bridge and Sarajevo City Hall
  Not only is this are very scenic but it is also of huge historical significance. Just off the Latin Bridge is the site of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. This event sparked the beginning of World War I in 1914.
• Baščaršija (old bazaar)
  This bustling market area was described to us by our AirBnB host as ‘Little Istanbul’. The area dates back to the 15th century is still thriving today with shops selling copper products, textiles and rugs, Bosnian coffee, cakes and pastries and plenty more.
• Museums
  There are plenty of museums in Sarajevo. If you’re interested in learning more about the city’s more recent history, particularly the Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, I would recommend visiting the Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide Museum and the Sarajevo Tunnel War Museum.

8. Abandoned Bobsleigh Track

Hidden in the mountains above Sarajevo, you can find an abandoned bobsleigh track from the 1984 Winter Olympics. This is one of only around 30 bobsleigh tracks in the entire world. It is now covered in graffiti and moss but you can still walk the length of it. It’s very easy to find and get to you; you can take the cable car up directly form the centre of Sarajevo. There is also a car park by the cable car terminal if you prefer to drive. From there the start of the track is just a few minutes walk and is well sign posted.