Bosnia and Herzegovina – a country between Orient and Occident, between mountains and rivers, tea houses and beer terraces. It is a country that fascinates not only culturally but also with its natural beauty.
The capital Sarajevo is a place with many faces. A city where mosque, church, synagogue, and Orthodox cathedrals stand side by side. A sign of cultural diversity, but also of a complicated past.
The centre, Baščaršija, enchants with narrow alleys, bazaars, coffee in copperware. Here one feels transported back to the time of the Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, modern and alternative cafés and the young cultural scene around the Miljacka River bring a new atmosphere to the city.
Mostar is probably the most famous postcard scene from Bosnia: the city that became a symbol of coexistence, but also of destruction and reconstruction, through its historic bridge, the Stari Most. The view alone over the blue Neretva River is worth the trip. And in summer young men often dare to jump into the river from 20 metres high, a long tradition and a great spectacle for visitors.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a paradise for nature lovers. The wide rivers such as the Una and the Tara are popular for rafting. The mountain ranges around Konjic and in the Sutjeska National Park make wonderful hikes possible, for example to Maglić, the highest mountain in the country. The Plivsko Lake near Jajce impresses with clear blue water and is a place for swimming or relaxing.
Unlike in the large wellness hotels, here one can come into contact with nature and with people. And that with tents, hiking boots and an open mind.
The cuisine is hearty, Mediterranean, and varied. Ćevapi, small rolls of meat in bread with onion, can be found everywhere. Burek, a type of pie made from filo pastry with meat or cheese, is often served as street food.
As dessert: Baklava or the typical Tufahija, an apple in syrup topped with nuts. Everything is of course accompanied by strong Bosnian coffee with a piece of sugar.
Bosnia is not the perfectly functioning travel country and certainly not top organised. The trains do not always run punctually, the road signs are not always clear – if they exist at all – and sometimes there may be a lack of infrastructure. But that is exactly what makes the charm: it is honest, spontaneous, and again and again surprising. It is a country for explorers, for those who want to listen and experience the world differently.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not made for mass tourism, but for all those who seek reality, nature and humanity. A hidden gem that one does not forget so quickly.
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