Top 23 Attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Despite its favorable location, mild climate and many attractions, Bosnia and Herzegovina for a long time could not compete with its more famous tourist neighbors. But in recent years, this small country has been attracting more and more visitors.

Tourists from all over the world are attracted by ski resorts, the wonderful beaches of Neum, picturesque landscapes and original local cuisine. Bosnia and Herzegovina is deservedly called the easternmost of the European states. Catholic and Orthodox churches here peacefully coexist with mosques, and medieval buildings and streets - with new buildings of recent years.

Fans of philosophical reflection should definitely visit the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on the Latin Bridge and the fortified bunker of Marshal Tito in a cave near Drvar.

As a memento of visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can bring very beautiful embroidered textiles, leather clothes and shoes, as well as a variety of delicacies - baklava, sujuk cookies, strong fruit brandy or local wine.

What to see in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

Old town Mostar

In the Old Town of Mostar, many examples of medieval architecture are perfectly preserved. The Muslibegovits house-museum deserves special attention, where visitors are introduced to the way of life of a Turkish family of the 19th century. The picturesque mosques of Koski Mehmet Pasha and Karadoz Bey are open to everyone.

Neretva river

The unusually picturesque Neretva River flows through the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the Middle Ages, river pirates operated here, and in 1943, one of the most important Balkan battles took place on the Neretva, during which partisan detachments managed to disrupt the Wehrmacht operation. About this in 1969 the most expensive Yugoslav film "The Battle of the Neretva" was shot.

Sutjeska National Park

The picturesque park is located on the territory of the state formation Republika Srpska. The relic forest Perućica, Lake Trnovač, Mount Maglic, the memorial complex "Valley of Heroes" - these are some of the attractions of these places. The park was established in 1962. You can walk along the mountain paths and look at the three-hundred-year-old pine trees by coming here from the nearest town of Foca.

Markale Square

The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the city of Sarajevo, is located at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, so it is no wonder that its main square has always been used as a place for trade. Today, there is a market on Markale Square where you can buy a lot of delicious gifts.

Latin Bridge in Sarajevo

This is perhaps the most infamous bridge in the world. Here, on August 28, 1914, an event occurred that caused the outbreak of the First World War. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot dead by Serbian student Gavrila Princip. In its current form, the bridge has been preserved without any changes almost since the end of the 18th century. There is a museum dedicated to the bridge nearby.

Waterfall Kravice

The waterfall is located 40 kilometers south of Mostar on the Trebizac River. Its height is about 25 meters and its width is about 120 meters. Kravice is a very popular holiday destination in spring and during summer. During the tourist season, small cafes operate around the waterfall, and picnic areas are organized. Nearby there is a beautiful grotto with stalactites, and an interesting old water mill that is no longer working has been preserved here.

Royal Mosque in Sarajevo

The oldest mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina, named after Suleiman I, is also called the Royal Mosque. It was built in the 15th century, and upon completion of the work, it almost completely burned down in a severe fire. Work on the restoration of the building was completed only in the XVI century. Today the Royal Mosque is open to all comers.

old bridge

The pedestrian Old Bridge across the Neretva, built by the Turks for defense in the 16th century, connects the two parts of the city of Mostar. In 1993 the Old Bridge was destroyed. For its restoration, all the medieval elements that were raised from the bottom of the Neretva River were used.

Caravanserai Moricha Khan

The perfectly preserved caravanserai Moricha Khan was built in the 16th century for the safe residence of merchants traveling from the country to the Adriatic and back. Today, there are several cafes with national cuisine and souvenir shops, and the rooms and galleries of Moricha Khan are open to tourists.

Nature Park Vrelo-Bosne

The picturesque park Vrelo-Bosne is located in the center of the state. It was founded during the time of the Austro-Hungarians, but the military conflict of the 20th century caused significant damage to the park. And only thanks to the not indifferent public, Vrelo-Bosnia was restored in 2000. Here you can ride a horse-drawn carriage, take pictures against the backdrop of wooden bridges, or visit a local open-air restaurant.

National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is famous for its extensive collections of artifacts. Stechki are also kept here - tombstones decorated with carvings, which are the national treasure of the state. The building that houses the National Museum was built in 1888.

Jahorina

This is a mountain near Sarajevo, the slopes of which are covered with a meter layer of snow from October to May. Thanks to such wonderful natural conditions, a world-famous ski resort is located here. Hotels and chalets for every taste, red slopes and nine ski lifts - Jahorina has everything you need for comfortable skiing.

Sarajevo old town

The European Jerusalem is called the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the fact that the eastern buildings of the Old City and the western buildings of the Austro-Hungarian period are organically connected here. Pigeon Square with a fountain, located in the Bascarsija district, is considered the heart of Old Sarajevo.

military tunnel

The private museum created by the Kolar family includes 20 meters of a special tunnel. It was used by the inhabitants of besieged Sarajevo to leave the civilian population and bring food during the recent military conflict. In the past, this military tunnel was over 700 meters long and took about half a year to build.

Medjugorje

The small village of Međugorje became famous in the 20th century when six local children saw the image of the Virgin Mary on a hill. And although this phenomenon has not been officially recognized by the church, more than a million pilgrims regularly visit the local Apparition Hill. Also noteworthy is the Church of St. Jacob, built in the classical Balkan style, and the Park of Candles, where believers thank the Virgin for help in fulfilling desires.

Mosque of Gazi Khusrev Bey

The Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque was built in the 16th century and is a well-preserved example of buildings from the Ottoman period. The mosque got its name in honor of the philanthropist Gazi Khusrev Bey, who actively participated in the construction and development of Sarajevo. Anyone can visit the mosque, you just need to wait until the end of the prayer.

Bascarsiyya Square

The heart of Sarajevo is its main shopping area. Built in 1462, Baščaršija square is still the cultural and historical center of the capital. Here is the clock tower, the mosque of Gazi Khusrev Bey, as well as a market where tourists can buy original souvenirs to remember their visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mount Maglich

Climbing Mount Maglic is a popular tourist route. Majestic landscapes, clean air and the relative simplicity of local mountain trails attract outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. The height of the mountain is 2387 meters and it is the highest point in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Not far from Maglic there is a very beautiful glacial lake Trnovacko.

Visegrad bridge

The famous example of Turkish engineering of the Middle Ages, the Visegrad Bridge over the Drin River in 2007 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This building, which is also called the Mehmed Pasha Bridge, consists of 11 stone spans and connects both parts of the city of Visegrad. The Mehmed Pasha Bridge was immortalized in a book published in 1945 by Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić.

City of Kupres

From November to April, the city of Kupres, located in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, becomes the center of ski tourism. If there is not enough natural snow, all four local ski slopes are maintained in excellent condition with the help of special snow cannons. Also in Kupres there are several hotels and inns for every taste.

Stechki

Unique medieval tombstones, decorated with carvings, have been found on the territory of several Balkan countries. The most famous location of the stechs is in the small town of Zabljak in the north of the state. Samples of these tombstones are also kept in the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The main Catholic church in Sarajevo, which is located in the central quarters of the city, was built in 1889. The architect Josip Vantsas built this Neo-Gothic cathedral inspired by Notre Dame de Paris. From the inside, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral is decorated with elegant stained glass windows.

Tito's hideout in Drvar

Tito's Refuge is a famous cave near the town of Drvar, where Yugoslav Marshal Josip Broz Tito hid during World War II. In order to capture and destroy Tito, along with the Supreme Headquarters of the Liberation Movement, the Germans carried out Operation Resselshprung, during which Tito took refuge in a cave near Drvar and then fled. In 1944 the cave was turned into a museum.